Which place is cheaper, Pueblo 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 Pueblo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Pueblo? 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 Pueblo?
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.
Pueblo
Pueblo is a surprisingly large community in the state of Colorado that has a population of more than 100,000. Many travelers pass through this area if they're heading into the mountain area from the southeast. It's sits along Interstate Highway 25 and is only forty five miles from Colorado Springs. There's a regional airport in the area as well. In town there is a bus service run by the City Of Pueblo Transit. Rides cost $1.00, but it is highly recommended that you have your own vehicle when visiting town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Pueblo $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Pueblo is $284. 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 Pueblo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Pueblo $276
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Pueblo $552
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Pueblo
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Pueblo? 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 and Pueblo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Pueblo -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Punta Sam / Isla Blanca to Cancún Airport (CUN)- Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Playa del Carmen to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $32
- Maroma Beach: Entry Ticket to Maroma Beach Club & Transfer: $47
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
- Private Transfer Airport-Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres 1-8 pax: $59
- Private Transfer to Xavage / Xoximilco: $59
- Parasailing in Playa del Carmen with transfer: $59
- Private Transfer to Xcaret Park from Playa del Carmen: $60
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Pueblo?
Prices for flights to both Pueblo 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 $24Pueblo $7.64
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 Food Tour: $71
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $78
- Playa del Camen Vegan Mexican Food Tour: $84
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
- Playa del Carmen Mexican Gourmet Food Tour: $211
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Pueblo -
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping Tour & Tulum Mayan Ruins: $11
- Cancun Airport: Bus Ticket to/from Playa del Carmen: $14
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Entrance to the Xcajum Ecotourism Park: $20
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $33
- Cultural Tour in Tulum Ruins & Cenote Swimming Transport Included: $33
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Refreshing Experience in 3 Cenotes, from Riviera Maya: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Pueblo -
Sample the Local Flavors in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Playa del Carmen:
- Tour to the Brewery with Tasting and Fifth Avenue: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Pueblo, we can see that Pueblo is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Pueblo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pueblo 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 Pueblo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Pueblo?
Pueblo has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Pueblo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.