Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso?
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.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesValparaiso Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $90Valparaiso $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $90, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $80. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $36Valparaiso $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $72Valparaiso $68
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Valparaiso
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $22Valparaiso $4.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $155
- Airport Transfer Playa del Carmen: $120
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $255
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $102
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $80
- Akumal to Cancun Airport Private Luxury Departure Transfer: $152
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $60
- Cancún Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen One Way: $135
- Cancun & Costa M Transfer - Playa del Carmen/Ferry/Puerto Aventuras: $87
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Playa Paraiso, Playa del Carmen, Playacar: $27
- Cancun Airport Private One-Way Transfer to Riviera Maya Hotels: $99
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way: To or From Akumal area Up to 03 Pass.: $160
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Private Transfer Cruise Port to Santiago with Wine tour & tasting: $235
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $200
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $248
- Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio: $133
- Transfer Valparaiso Cruise Terminal to Santiago + Tour & Winery: $99
- Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Valparaiso?
Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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 $37Valparaiso $37
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.
- Christmas Eve Dinner in a magical jungle setting: $45
- Playa Plates 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 Discover Hidden Mexican Culinary Gems: $80
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Yucatan Dishes: $81
- Food Tour Through Markets with 7 Tastings: $82
- VIP Private Mystery Dinner Murder in the Jungle: $85
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
- Mayan Ceremony in Tulum. Temazcal, Dinner and pick up included.: $92
- Mexican Cooking Class: $113
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
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Empanada$1.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $75
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $16Valparaiso $18
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
- Ek Balam Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $16
- Tour of Chichén Itzá, 2 cenotes and Valladolid: $17
- Playa del Carmen Coastal Heritage Walking Tour: $17
- 4X1 Enjoy a tour to Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $20
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025: $20
- Full day Chichén Itzá Tour from Cancún and Riviera Maya: $22
- Akumal Beach : VIP Swimming Tour with Turtles and Corals: $25
- Playa Del Carmen Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Chichen Itza Cenote and Valladolid All Inclusive Tour: $32
- Behind the Scenes – German-language Cultural Tour.: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Tour$4.04
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour in Street Art, funiculars and port: $30
- Valparaiso : Private Custom Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $34
- Learn Urban Sketching while you tour Valparaíso: $35
- Cultural Tour of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $38
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Valparaiso in Depth : Walking Tour Exclusive: $40
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Walking Tour Valparaiso, History and Art Private Optional: $40
- Guided tour Vina del Mar Reñaca beaches music and nature: $45
- Explore and Sail Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
- Valparaíso Viña del Mar Tour with Cruise Ship Pickup: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $19Valparaiso $7.50
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: $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Beer$0.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- From Santiago: Aconcagua Valley Wine Tour: $129
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $290
- A Valparaíso 100% Private Tour + Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320
When comparing the travel costs between Playa del Carmen and Valparaiso, we can see that Playa del Carmen 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 Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Valparaiso?
Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Valparaiso, 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.