Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Montanita?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Montanita? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Montanita?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Playa del Carmen and Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Montanita? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Montanita $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- One Way Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Coba: $276
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $227
- Private Transfer to Cenote at Tulum: $213
- Transfers in Lincoln StretchLimo from Puerto Aventuras-Cun Airport.: $194
- Cancun Airport Round Trip transfer to Puerto Aventuras: $190
- 2x1 Tour: Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Open Bar, Lunch and Transfers: $190
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Playa del Carmen from CUN: $173
- Private Transfer From Cancún Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $163
- Contoy and Mujeres Islands Tour with Transfer Options: $159
- Tour Bacalar Ponton with Transfer from Cancun & Playa del Carmen : $147
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita and Playa del Carmen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPlaya del Carmen $24Montanita $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Montanita $31
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Romantic tour in Akumal: $115
- Tulum Ruins, Turtle Sightseeing & Underground Cenote from Tulum: $140
- VIP Cenote Scuba Tour, Certified Divers Only: $230
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $42
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour : $114
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $75
- ATV Extreme and Snorkel Adventure from the Riviera Maya: $139
- ATV Ride and Secret Caves Tour from Playa del Carmen: $80
- ATV Shared & Ziplines Adventure in Tulum Jungle from Riviera Maya: $133
- ATV Shared, Cavern & Ziplines -Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $158
- ATV Xtreme & Snorkel Experience: $138
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Montanita $7.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Montanita, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Montanita is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita than you might in Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Montanita?
Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Montanita in the Summer?
Both Montanita and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Montanita. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Montanita in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Montanita. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Montanita. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Montanita in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Montanita. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
In January, Playa del Carmen is generally cooler than Montanita. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Montanita. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Montanita in the Spring?
Both Montanita and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Montanita. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.