Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Positano?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Positano 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 Positano 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: Positano or Playa de las Americas?
Positano
Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.
The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).
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 Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, 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 dayPositano €222Playa de las Americas €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Positano is €222, 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 Positano and Playa de las Americas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPositano €148Playa de las Americas €115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPositano €296Playa de las Americas €230
Compare Hotels in Positano and Playa de las Americas
Looking for a hotel in Positano 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: Positano Hotel Prices and Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Positano €7.73Playa de las Americas €56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
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Bus Ticket€1.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Rome & Pompeii Ruins: $839
- From Sorrento & Pompeii Private Tour w/ Transfers: $642
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples Airport, Port or Train station: $288
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples Airport: $283
- Transfer Naples - Positano: $273
- From Salerno Station: 1-Way Private Transfer to Positano: $266
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples Central Station: $262
- From the Coast: Pompeii the Real All Inclusive Service(Guide,Transfer,Ticket): $257
- Transfer from Naples to Positano or Positano to Naples : $240
- Positano to Fiumicino Rome Airport (FCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $224
- Private Transfer to Naples with WiFi: $214
- Transfers Positano - Naples: $207
Is it cheaper to fly into Positano or Playa de las Americas?
Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas and Positano 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 dayPositano €53Playa de las Americas €45
Typical Food Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€31
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Pizza in a Restaurant€9.32
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Sandwich in a Restaurant€12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gastronomical Amalfi Coast Hike with Cooking Class: $45
- Cooking class with Pasta, mozzarella and Tiramisu with wine: $64
- Cooking lesson: tagliatelle, mozzarella and tiramisu: $76
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class: Pasta Mozzarella & Tiramisu with Wine: $88
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Sant'Agnello with Show Cooking: $93
- Sorrento Pizza School Activity in Italy: $98
- Small Group Positano Cooking Class Gnocchi Tiramisù with Drinks : $147
- Lemon & sea food cooking class at local's home: $169
- Small Group Home Cooking Class with a Local: $191
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $191
- Cesarine: Small group Pizza and Tiramisu Class in Positano: $195
- Vico Equense: Market Tour, Home Cooking Class, and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Positano €60Playa de las Americas €30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Positano
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Chair & Umbrella at Spiaggia Grande€17
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Day Trip of Capri & Amalfi€80
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Sunset Cruise€24
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Full Day Wine Tour€97
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Cooking Class€65
Tours and Activities in Positano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
- Guided Tour Pompeii And Vesuvius from Positano Skip the Line: $299
- Amalfi Coast Luxury Private Experience in Motor Boat: $1,572
- Amalfi Coast Premium Boat Tour From Sorrento Max 8 People: $245
- Amalfi Coast Private Half Day Tour from Positano/Praiano: $1,357
- Amalfi Coast Tour: $294
- Amalfi Coast Tour: secret caves and stunning beaches: $2,139
- Amalfi Coast Tour: secret caves and stunning beaches: $1,283
- Amalfi Coast: Path of the Gods Private Walking Tour: $134
- Amalfi Coast: Pompei & Vesuvius small group with Skip the line tickets: $147
- Amalfi Coast: Romantic Sunset Cruise with Music & Cocktails: $160
- Amalfi and Positano Boat Tour: $209
- Breathtaking Journey on the Path of Gods: Tour from Positano: $2,055
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPositano €15Playa de las Americas €8.57
Typical Alcohol Prices in Positano
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
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Bottle of Limoncello€16
Sample the Local Flavors in Positano
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
- 5 Wine Tastings with Typical Products in Sorrento Coast: $76
- Small Group Positano Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $108
- Pompeii Wine Tasting Tour from Positano: $246
When comparing the travel costs between Positano and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Positano 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Positano Expensive? and Is Playa de las Americas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Positano or Playa de las Americas?
Positano has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Positano 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 Positano or Playa de las Americas?
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 Positano or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?
Both Playa de las Americas and Positano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Positano for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Positano is generally around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Positano average around 23°C (74°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa de las Americas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Positano. Positano usually receives more sunshine than Playa de las Americas during summer. Positano gets 313 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Positano usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Positano gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPositano 23°C (74°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Positano or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?
Both Playa de las Americas and Positano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Positano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Positano is cooler than Playa de las Americas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Positano averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In Playa de las Americas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Positano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas. Positano gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Positano. Positano usually gets more rain in October than Playa de las Americas. Positano gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPositano 17°C (63°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Positano or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Positano and Playa de las Americas. Most visitors come to Positano for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Positano is much colder than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Positano in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Positano usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during winter. Positano gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.
Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Positano usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Positano gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPositano 8°C (47°F)Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Positano or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Positano as well as Playa de las Americas. The spring months attract visitors to Positano because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Positano is generally much colder than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Positano average around 13°C (55°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. In the spring, Positano often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Positano gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun.
Positano usually gets more rain in April than Playa de las Americas. Positano gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPositano 13°C (55°F)Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Positano
| Positano | Playa de las Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.