Which place is cheaper, Round Pond 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.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Round Pond?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Round Pond? 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 Round Pond?
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.
Round Pond
Round Pond is a little village located in the town of Bristol, formerly known as Pemaquid. The area draws visitors for a closer to nature experience along Maine's rugged coastline. Bristol also houses the villages of New Harbor, Pemaquid, Bristol Mills, and Chamberlain, which all make up this popular fishing and resort 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesRound Pond Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $97Round Pond $174
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $97, while the average daily cost in Round Pond is $174. 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 Round Pond in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $39Round Pond $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $78Round Pond $140
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Round Pond
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Round Pond? 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 $24Round Pond $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Private One Way or Roundtrip Transfer to Costa Mujeres Hotels: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya: $20
- 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 to Chetumal Airport (CTM) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- 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 Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $75
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Round Pond?
Prices for flights to both Round Pond 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 $40Round Pond $70
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.
- Dinner and Show at the Mayan Planetarium of Chichen: $39
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Carmen Cocina Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $65
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $67
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- 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: $85
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- VIP Private Mystery Dinner Murder in the Jungle: $85
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
Typical Food Prices in Round Pond
Some typical examples of dining costs in Round Pond are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$28
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Round Pond $20
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bus Ticket connecting Cancun Central and Playa del Carmen: $7.20
- Tulum Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Ancient Mayan City: $8.99
- Playa del Carmen Coastal Heritage Walking Tour: $18
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $20
- 4X1 Enjoy a tour to Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $20
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025: $20
- 4x1 Tulum Coba Cenote swim Full tour: $21
- Akumal Beach : VIP Swimming Tour with Turtles and Corals: $27
- Tulum Cancun ATV Tour Experience: $29
- Tour to visit the archeological site of Tulum, Coba and a Cenote in one day: $30
- Chichen Itza Tour Options with Cenote Swim from Playa del Carmen: $31
- Chichen Itza Cenote and Valladolid All Inclusive Tour: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Round Pond $12
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:
- Playa After Dark: 5th Ave Social Pub Crawl, Playa del Carmen: $36
- Playa del Carmen Local Brewery and Tacos Experience: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Round Pond, we can see that Round Pond 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 Round Pond would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Round Pond 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 Round Pond Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Round Pond?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Round Pond in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Round Pond. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Round Pond. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Round Pond averages at about 69°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Round Pond this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Round Pond during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Round Pond receives 282 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 Round Pond. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Round Pond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Round Pond 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Round Pond in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Round Pond. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Round Pond. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Round Pond fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).
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 Round Pond. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Round Pond receives 196 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than Round Pond. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Round Pond receives 3.8 inches (95 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, 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)Round Pond 49°F (10°C)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Round Pond in the Winter?
Both Round Pond and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Round Pond can be very cold. Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Round Pond in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Round Pond fluctuates around 20°F (-6°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Round Pond during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Round Pond receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Round Pond. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Round Pond receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Round Pond 20°F (-6°C)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Round Pond in the Spring?
Both Round Pond and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Round Pond. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Round Pond averages at about 44°F (6°C).
In Round Pond, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Round Pond. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Round Pond receives 212 hours of full sun.
Round Pond gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Round Pond. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Round Pond receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, 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)Round Pond 44°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Round Pond and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Round Pond | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 20°F (-6°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 33°F (0°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 44°F (6°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (95 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°F (-3°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
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.