Which place is cheaper, Isla Mujeres or Salto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salto or Isla Mujeres?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Isla Mujeres, 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 Isla Mujeres?
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.
Isla Mujeres
About eight miles from the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The town, of the same name, has a population of about 13,000. Tourism has grown in the area since the 1970s and today it is a significant part of the island's economy. As such, there are plenty of amenities that cater specifically to visitors. The island's proximity to Cuba make it a common transit point for Cubans in route to the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalto $71Isla Mujeres $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $71, while the average daily cost in Isla Mujeres is $148. 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 Isla Mujeres in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $30Isla Mujeres $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $60Isla Mujeres $156
Compare Hotels in Salto and Isla Mujeres
Looking for a hotel in Salto or Isla Mujeres? 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 Isla Mujeres Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $22Isla Mujeres $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isla Mujeres
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Isla Mujeres:
- Private Transfer: Playa Mujeres to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $123
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Isla Mujeres?
Prices for flights to both Isla Mujeres 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 $25Isla Mujeres $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $18Isla Mujeres $21
Tours and Activities in Isla Mujeres
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla Mujeres are as follows:
- Excursion Crystal Boat Tour at the Caribbean: $35
- Tour Isla Mujeres excursion in Collective Transparent Boat: $37
- Crystal Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres and Reefs: $43
- Snorkel Tour at Musa and Manchones Reef: $45
- Clear Boat Tour "La Isla": $47
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Adventure at the Underwater Museum: $47
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure: $49
- Snorkel Experience in Underwater Museum: $52
- Cancun: Isla Mujeres 12 pm Catamaran Tour with Snorkeling: $59
- UNDER WATER MUSEUM CANCUN SNORKEL ISLA MUJERES - Experience with Ticket: $65
- Cancun Jungle Kingdom Adventure ATV, Zipline and Cenote : $70
- Sunrise Snorkeling Experience in Cancun: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalto $13Isla Mujeres $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Isla Mujeres
Also in Isla Mujeres, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Isla Mujeres Golf Cart Bar Crawl : $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Isla Mujeres, we can see that Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salto or Isla Mujeres?
Salto has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the sizes of Salto and Isla Mujeres, 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.