Which place is cheaper, San Pedro 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 San Pedro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Pedro? 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 San Pedro?
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.
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81San Pedro $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in San Pedro is $135. 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 San Pedro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40San Pedro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and San Pedro
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or San Pedro? 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 $24San Pedro $34
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 San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or San Pedro?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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 $24San Pedro $40
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17San Pedro $33
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 San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
- Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
- SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
- Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
- Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
- Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21San Pedro $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and San Pedro, we can see that San Pedro 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 San Pedro 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 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or San Pedro?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and San Pedro, 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 San Pedro?
Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Pedro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and San Pedro. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as San Pedro. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Pedro this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedro during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than San Pedro. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)San Pedro 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Pedro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as San Pedro. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as San Pedro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and San Pedro fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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 San Pedro. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 196 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Pedro. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than San Pedro. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 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 OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)San Pedro 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Pedro in the Winter?
Both San Pedro 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. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as San Pedro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and San Pedro averages at about 24°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than San Pedro during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than San Pedro. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)San Pedro 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Pedro in the Spring?
Both San Pedro 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.
In April, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as San Pedro. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In San Pedro, 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 around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedro. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 256 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than San Pedro. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 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 AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)San Pedro 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for San Pedro and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | San Pedro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.