Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Roatan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Roatan? 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 Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
-
Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $95Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $95, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $38Roatan $10
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $76Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Roatan? 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 Roatan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $23Roatan $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya: $17
- Private One Way or Roundtrip Transfer to Costa Mujeres Hotels: $17
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Playa Paraiso, Playa del Carmen, Playacar: $28
- One way shared transfer to Chiquila: $34
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $60
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- From One way shared transfer to Holbox: $69
- Cancun Airport: Private Transfers: From/to Playa del Carmen: $70
- Round trip Private Transfer Cancun- Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres: $71
- Private Transfer Cancun Airport to Nickelodeon Riviera.: $77
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Private Transfers to Cancun Airport, from Costa Mujeres: $83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
-
Water Taxi$3.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $112
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan - Arrival Private Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $152
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
- Roatan Island hotels to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
- Roatan to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $56
- South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
- West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPlaya del Carmen $39Roatan $15
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.
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $67
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Drinks: $77
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Yucatan Dishes: $81
- Food Tour Through Markets with 7 Tastings: $82
- local walking food tour Inlakech Playa del Carmen: $83
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
- Playa del Camen Vegan Mexican Food Tour: $91
- Mayan Ceremony in Tulum. Temazcal, Dinner and pick up included.: $92
- Mexican Cooking Class: $113
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $116
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Romantic Dinner for 2 in Magical Jungle Setting: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $245
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $16Roatan $25
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tulum Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Ancient Mayan City: $6.99
- Bus Ticket connecting Cancun Central and Playa del Carmen: $7.20
- Ek Balam Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $16
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025: $20
- YAL-KU Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $22
- Full day Chichén Itzá Tour from Cancún and Riviera Maya: $22
- Adrenaline ATV Cenote and Zip Lines Experience at Tulum: $25
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $29
- Playa del Carmen Coastal Heritage Walking Tour: $30
- Chichen Itza Tour Options with Cenote Swim from Playa del Carmen: $31
- Behind the Scenes – German-language Cultural Tour.: $35
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
- Roatan Eco Walk & Suspension Bridges and Nature Tours: $39
- Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
- Roatan Private and Public Action Snorkel Tours and Charters: $39
- Canopy Adventure in Roatán: $40
- Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
- Half Day Roatan Sightseeing and Jungle Island Tour: $41
- Private Customize Roatán Island Tour chocolate Rum local guide: $42
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $43
- Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
- Customizable Island Tour While on Roatan: $45
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $20Roatan $6.53
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: $106
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Roatan ATV Adventure, Island Tour and Craft Brewery Experience: $75
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Roatan, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Roatan is in Central 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen than you might in Roatan.
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 Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Roatan?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Roatan, 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.