Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Salto?
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 Salto or Cozumel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Cozumel, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Salto or Cozumel?
Salto
Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.
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Salto Prices
Uruguay PricesCozumel Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalto $85Cozumel $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $85, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $130. 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 Salto and Cozumel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $29Cozumel $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $58Cozumel $134
Compare Hotels in Salto and Cozumel
Looking for a hotel in Salto or Cozumel? 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: Salto Hotel Prices and Cozumel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $21Cozumel $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $99
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Cozumel Airport to Hotel Private Transfer by Car: $24
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Cozumel Island Transfers: $300
- Cozumel Island hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
- Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $160
- Cozumel to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM)Departure Private Transfer: $50
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $30
- Jade Cavern ATV Tour in Cozumel with Beach Break with transfer: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Cozumel?
Prices for flights to both Cozumel and Salto 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 daySalto $41Cozumel $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Mexican Trompitos Cooking Class in Cozumel: $80
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
- Cozumel Cooking Class: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $17Cozumel $42
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- Cozumel!! Guacamole And Margarita Fiesta!!! ( Virtual Experience): $12
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to El Cedral Town and Mayan Temple: $16
- Tequila History and Tasting Experience and Unlimited Beach Break: $25
- Clear Boat Adventure and Snorkeling Tour Underwater World: $28
- El Cielo Snorkeling Adventure in Cozumel: $28
- Snorkel into Heaven Palancar Columbia and El Cielo Experience: $29
- Cozumel's Reefs in El Cielo, Palancar and Columbia Guided Tour: $29
- Cozumel Snorkel Tour to El Cielo, Palancar and Columbia: $29
- Cozumel’s Mayan Journey: Dance, Rituals, and Tasting Tour: $29
- Cozumel Snorkeling Tour: Palancar, Columbia and El Cielo Reefs: $29
- Cozumel Sunset Walking Experience: Maya Stories & Local Culture: $29
- Crystal-clear Boat trip & Snorkeling tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalto $13Cozumel $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $89
- Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery: $99
- Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
- Cozumel 5-Hour Private Bar Crawl Tour: $110
- Cozumel Rum Tasting & Distillery Experience: $119
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salto is in South America and Cozumel is in North 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 Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel than you might in Salto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salto Expensive? and Is Cozumel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salto or Cozumel?
Salto has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Salto and Cozumel, 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.