A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Terre-de-Haut for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut? 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 Terre-de-Haut?

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.

Terre-de-Haut

Les Saintes (also known as Iles des Saintes) is a small archipelago of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. The islands here are best known for their tropical beauty, untouched beaches, and bayside villages. Only two of the nine are inhabited.

Terre-de-Haut of Les Saintes is the most popular island to visit. It is known for the Pain de Sucre, a small bay lined with coconut trees and an ideal location for snorkeling, in addition to white sandy beaches like the Plage de Pompierre. There is also a nineteenth-century fort which can be reached on foot for striking views of the surrounding area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Terre-de-Haut 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.

  • Playa del Carmen Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Terre-de-Haut Prices
    Guadeloupe Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Playa del Carmen $89
    Terre-de-Haut $203

The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $89, while the average daily cost in Terre-de-Haut is $203. 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 Terre-de-Haut in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Playa del Carmen $36
    Terre-de-Haut $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Playa del Carmen $72
    Terre-de-Haut $160
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Terre-de-Haut

Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut? 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.

Hotels in Playa del Carmen


Hotels in Terre-de-Haut


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 Terre-de-Haut Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Playa del Carmen $22
    Terre-de-Haut $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:

  • Private Van Transfer to Mahahual: $476
  • Private Van Transfer to Bacalar: $476
  • Private Van Transfer to Merida: $340
  • Cancún: Cozumel 2-Tank Diving Tour with Lunch & Transfers: $327
  • Private Van Transfer to Chiquilá (Holbox): $306
  • Private Van Transfer to Valladolid: $306
  • Private Van Transfer to El Cuyo: $300
  • Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila Ferry Dock: $299
  • Private Transfer to Chiquila one-wey, from Cancún and Playa: $260
  • Private Transfer roundtrip to Xoximilco. from PLAYA and CANCUN: $260
  • Private Transfer From Chetumal to Mahahual With a 2 Hour Stop: $240
  • Cielo y Cielito With Transfer, Catamaran, 5 hours Open Bar and Lunch: $217

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Terre-de-Haut

Also for Terre-de-Haut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Deshaies or Trois Riviers to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $96

Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut?

Prices for flights to both Terre-de-Haut 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 day
    Playa del Carmen $37
    Terre-de-Haut $91

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: $56
  • Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $63
  • Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
  • Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $79
  • Yucatecan Cooking Class & Unlimited Margaritas – Playa del Carmen: $85
  • Playa del Camen Vegan Mexican Food Tour: $85
  • Temazcal Mayan Ceremony and Dinner in Mayan Village: $89
  • Mayan Cooking Class: Chicken Pibil in Secret Cenote: $95
  • PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $109
  • Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $109
  • Mexican Cooking Class: $120
  • Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Playa del Carmen $15
    Terre-de-Haut $23

Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen

Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • ATV Mayan Jungle Adventure: $180
  • Buggy Ride through Playa del Carmen Tour: $139
  • Catamaran Cruise in Riviera Maya With Snorkeling & Beach Club: $85
  • Cozumel Buggy Tour: $155
  • Park Xenses Tour Play with your Senses from Playa del Carmen: $126
  • Romantic tour in Akumal: $115
  • The Best Ruins Tour : Coba Sunset Cultural / Extreme : $140
  • "Tulum Adventures: Between Jungle, Cenotes and Mayan Mysteries": $110
  • 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
  • 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen : $16
  • 4 amazing places for 1 price and 1 full day tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote and PDC: $40
  • 4 to 7 Day Beach Cruiser Rental (Up to 7 Days, includes Ulock): $45

Tours and Activities in Terre-de-Haut

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Terre-de-Haut.

  • Guided Kayaking Tour of the Mitan Pond and its Mangrove: $42
  • Guadeloupe Bus Tour: $72
  • Small Day Cruise (Ilet caret, mangrove, coral reef: $118
  • Private Shooting Tour Around Soufrière: $132
  • Boat Tour with Lunch in the Water in Guadeloupe Lagoon : $149
  • Private French Caribbean Rum Tour with Tastings: $188

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Playa del Carmen $19
    Terre-de-Haut $52

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:

  • Madness tour bar crawl Playa del carmen open bar: $99
  • Tour to the Brewery with Tasting and Fifth Avenue: $100

Sample the Local Flavors in Terre-de-Haut

Also in Terre-de-Haut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Guided tour with tasting of the Distillery Bonne Mère : $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Terre-de-Haut, we can see that Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Terre-de-Haut would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut?

Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Terre-de-Haut experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut in the Summer?

Both Terre-de-Haut and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Terre-de-Haut year-round.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Terre-de-Haut. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Terre-de-Haut fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Terre-de-Haut, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Terre-de-Haut. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Terre-de-Haut receives 245 hours of full sun.

Terre-de-Haut gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Terre-de-Haut. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Terre-de-Haut receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Playa del Carmen 28°C (82°F) 
    Terre-de-Haut 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Terre-de-Haut. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Terre-de-Haut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Terre-de-Haut in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Terre-de-Haut fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Terre-de-Haut receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Terre-de-Haut receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Terre-de-Haut. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Terre-de-Haut receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Playa del Carmen 26°C (79°F) 
    Terre-de-Haut 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Terre-de-Haut. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Terre-de-Haut throughout the year.

In the winter, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Terre-de-Haut. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Terre-de-Haut averages at about 24°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Terre-de-Haut. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Terre-de-Haut. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Terre-de-Haut receives 236 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Terre-de-Haut. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Terre-de-Haut receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Playa del Carmen 23°C (73°F) 
    Terre-de-Haut 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Terre-de-Haut in the Spring?

Both Terre-de-Haut and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Terre-de-Haut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Terre-de-Haut. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Terre-de-Haut fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Terre-de-Haut. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Terre-de-Haut during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Terre-de-Haut receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Terre-de-Haut. In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Terre-de-Haut. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Terre-de-Haut receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Playa del Carmen 27°C (81°F) 
    Terre-de-Haut 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Terre-de-Haut and Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Terre-de-Haut
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)