Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt?
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.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Puerto Montt $6.43
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
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire from Playa del Carmen: $25
- Shared transfer from Playa del Carmen tu Cancun airport: $25
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Maroma Beach: Entry Ticket to Maroma Beach Club & Transfer: $47
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $48
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
- Private Transfer Airport-Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres 1-8 pax: $59
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Akumal City - Cancun Airport (CUN) : $74
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $31
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $31
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $24Puerto Montt $21
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 $17Puerto Montt $14
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
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $32
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $34
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Tulum Ruins and Amusement Park Shared Tour: $37
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
- Tagua Tagua Lake and Wild Patagonia Tour: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Puerto Montt $4.49
When comparing the travel costs between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Playa del Carmen is in North America and Puerto Montt is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt?
Puerto Montt has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Puerto Montt, 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.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Montt is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Playa del Carmen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Puerto Montt. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Puerto Monttin January. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Montt this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Puerto Monttin January. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Puerto Montt. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin April. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Monttin April. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
Both Puerto Montt and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin July. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
Both Puerto Montt and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.
In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Puerto Monttin October. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin October. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun.
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Monttin October. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.