Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Portimao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Portimao or Playa de las Americas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Portimao and Playa de las Americas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Portimao or Playa de las Americas?
Portimao
The second biggest city in the Alrgarve region of Portugal, Portimao sits on the coast where the Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is renowned for its fresh fish restaurants and is also a popular destination for beachgoers at the Praia da Rocha to the south of the city.
Playa de las Americas
If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPortimao €152Playa de las Americas €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Portimao is €152, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is €195. 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 Portimao and Playa de las Americas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortimao €78Playa de las Americas €115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortimao €156Playa de las Americas €230
Compare Hotels in Portimao and Playa de las Americas
Looking for a hotel in Portimao or Playa de las Americas? 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: Portimao Hotel Prices and Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portimao €37Playa de las Americas €56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portimao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:
- Transfer From Portimão Algarve To Lisboa: $244
- Private Transfer from Monte Ruivo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $236
- Private Airport Transfer To Armação De Pera Area: $114
- Private Transfer from Estombar to Faro (FAO) Airport: $94
- Private Transfer from Lagoa to Faro (FAO) Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Algoz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $81
- Transfer Lagoa - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $60
- Transfer Portimão - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $59
- Transfer Alvor - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $58
- Private Transfer from Armaçao de Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $55
- Transfer Alvor - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $49
- Transfer Ferragudo - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Portimao or Playa de las Americas?
Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas and Portimao 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 dayPortimao €45Playa de las Americas €45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portimao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portimao.
- Algarve wine tour and mountain top trip with lunch or dinner at sunset time: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Portimao €41Playa de las Americas €30
Tours and Activities in Portimao
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:
- Kayak Tours to Benagil & Marine caves - From Benagil Beach: $38
- Portimão to Benagil: Adrenaline Wave - 90Mins Cave Tour: $25
- 1 Hour and 30 Minutes Benagil Caves Kayak Tour: $36
- 2 Hours Cruise Portimão to Benagil Cave & Marinha Beach: $27
- Afternoon Sailing and Caves Tour from Portimao: $39
- Albufeira - Salgados Reserve Segway Tour: $65
- Algarve - Exclusive horseriding in Portimao (no experience required): $55
- Algarve Coast Guided Boat Tour: $38
- Algarve Jeep Safari tours: $49
- Alone in Benagil, perfect pictures Kayak tour with @StarToursAlgarve: $60
- Benagil & Marinha Boat Tour: $38
- Benagil Cave Guided Kayaking Tour Caves & Secret Spots : $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPortimao €30Playa de las Americas €8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Portimao
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:
- Algarve Wine Tasting & Music Experience: $60
- Algarve Wine Tour of Two Wine Estates: $74
- Algarve wine tour of 2 wine estates and lunch at the countryside: $154
- Alentejo Wine Tour from the Algarve: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portimao and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas is more expensive. And not only is Portimao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Portimao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Portimao 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 de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas than you might in Portimao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portimao Expensive? and Is Playa de las Americas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Portimao or Playa de las Americas?
Portimao has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Portimao and Playa de las Americas, 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 Portimao or Playa de las Americas?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Portimao or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Playa de las Americas. Many travelers come to Portimao for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Portimao is generally around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 25°C (78°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Playa de las Americas. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPortimao 25°C (78°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Portimao or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?
Both Playa de las Americas and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Portimao in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Portimao is cooler than Playa de las Americas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In October, Portimao usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPortimao 19°C (67°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Portimao or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?
Both Playa de las Americas and Portimao during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Portimao is much colder than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Portimao in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Portimao usually gets more rain in January than Playa de las Americas. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPortimao 11°C (52°F)Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Portimao or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Playa de las Americas. The spring months attract visitors to Portimao because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Portimao is generally cooler than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 15°C (60°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In April, Portimao usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPortimao 15°C (60°F)Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Portimao
| Portimao | Playa de las Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.