Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Tulum?
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 Tulum or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Arequipa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Arequipa?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $144Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $144, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Tulum and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $59Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $118Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Arequipa? 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Arequipa $6.61
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Airport Transfer One Way - Cancun / Tulum - Private or Luxury: $140
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer to/from Conrad Tulum: $103
- Economy Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe: $151
- Luxury Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $250
- Luxury one way transfer to Tulum from Tulum airport: $220
- One Way Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun Int Airport: $170
- Private One Way Transfer To or From Tulum Airport: $180
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Tulum Airport to Tulum Hotels: $270
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Cancun With a 2 Hour Stop: $208
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Chetumal With a 2 Hour Stop: $295
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Mahahual With a 2 Hour Stop: $267
- Private Transfer Tulum Airport to Tulum: $150
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.49
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Bus Ride$0.48
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Taxi Ride$1.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $38
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $79
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Tulum 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 dayTulum $58Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $89
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $95
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $142
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $149
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.45
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Lunch$3.13
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Ice Cream$1.19
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Fruit$0.89
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Ice Cream$1.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Arequipa Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $80
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $31Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Coba Ruins Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $11
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of Tulum: $15
- Yaxmuul Cenote Park: Guided Tour with Mayan Ceremony: $23
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $27
- Tulum Cenote Tour 5 Cenotes and Awaken Your Senses: $29
- Adrenaline Tulúm Tour: ATV, Zipline, and Cenote Adventure: $30
- Cancun: ATV Jungle Adventure, Cenote and Tulum Ruins Tour: $32
- Experience at Cenote Zemway in Tulum: $33
- Tulum Snorkeling: with 2 reef points, 2 hours tour: $36
- Experience Mayan Snorkeling and Swimming in Lagoon / Cenote in Tulum: $38
- Guided Day Tour to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim and Valladolid: $38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.98
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Salsa Class$2.98
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Movie Ticket$3.25
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Hot Springs$2.98
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pedestrian Tour of the Historic Center of Arequipa: $5.00
- Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
- City tour Arequipa by foot: $10
- Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Arequipa: $10
- Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Full Day Arequipa Tour to Sillar and Canyon: $17
- Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $18
- Rafting in Arequipa Chili River Half Day Tour: $18
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $19
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Gorge Tour from Arequipa: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Arequipa, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Arequipa is in South 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum than you might in Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Arequipa, 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.