Which place is cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Salto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salto or Playa del Carmen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Playa del Carmen, 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 Playa del Carmen?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalto $71Playa del Carmen $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $71, while the average daily cost in Playa del Carmen is $81. 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 Playa del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $30Playa del Carmen $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $60Playa del Carmen $80
Compare Hotels in Salto and Playa del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Salto or Playa del Carmen? 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 Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $22Playa del Carmen $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Cancun International Airport From/to Akumal - Private Transfer: $130
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Xcaret - Cancun Airport (CUN): $88
- 2x1 Tour: Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Open Bar, Lunch and Transfers: $190
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $227
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
- Amazing ATV (single) Cenote and Ziplines with Transfer from Playa del Carmen: $80
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $115
- Cancún Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen One Way: $118
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way: To or From Akumal area Up to 03 Pass.: $105
- Cancun Airport Round Trip transfer to Puerto Aventuras: $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Playa del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Playa del Carmen 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 $25Playa del Carmen $24
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.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $18Playa del Carmen $17
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping Tour & Tulum Mayan Ruins: $11
- Cancun Airport: Bus Ticket to/from Playa del Carmen: $14
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $32
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $34
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Tulum Ruins and Amusement Park Shared Tour: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalto $13Playa del Carmen $21
When comparing the travel costs between Salto and Playa del Carmen, 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 Salto is in South America and Playa del Carmen is in North 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 Salto Expensive? and Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salto or Playa del Carmen?
Salto has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Salto and Playa del Carmen, 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 Salto or Playa del Carmen?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Salto is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Playa del Carmen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Salto or Playa del Carmen in the Summer?
Both Playa del Carmen and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Salto is cooler than Playa del Carmen in the summer. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually receives more sunshine than Playa del Carmen during summer. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 223 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. It's quite rainy in Salto. In January, Salto usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmenin July. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalto 25°C (77°F)Playa del Carmen 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salto or Playa del Carmen in the Autumn?
Both Playa del Carmen and Salto during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Salto is cooler than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salto in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 26°C (79°F)in October.
In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Salto often gets less sunshine than Playa del Carmenin October. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 233 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually gets more rain in April than Playa del Carmenin October. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalto 19°C (65°F)Playa del Carmen 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Salto or Playa del Carmen in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Playa del Carmen. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.
In July, Salto is generally much colder than Playa del Carmenin January. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 12°C (54°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. Salto usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Carmen during winter. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 224 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Salto usually receives more rain than Playa del Carmenin January. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalto 12°C (54°F)Playa del Carmen 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Salto or Playa del Carmen in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Salto as well as Playa del Carmen. Additionally, many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Salto is much colder than Playa del Carmen in the spring. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salto this time of the year. In the spring, Salto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa del Carmenin April. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 259 hours of full sun.
Salto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salto usually gets more rain in October than Playa del Carmenin April. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalto 18°C (64°F)Playa del Carmen 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Salto
| Salto | Playa del Carmen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (69°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.