Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba?
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 Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba?
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.
Cochabamba
With a population of about 630,000, Cochabamba is the fourth largest city in Bolivia. It's located about 240 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz and is surrounded by mountains, but sits within a valley.
The city is known for its gardens and has many sights to offer the visitor. Cochabamba offers a calming retreat that is a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of many South American cities. It's a great location to learn Spanish and there are plenty of activities and cultural events that you can enjoy in and around town.
Cochabamba's climate is semi-arid. There is an extended dry season between May and October and the wet season is from November to March. The days are warm and the nights are cool.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Bolivia.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesCochabamba Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $133Cochabamba $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $133, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $79. 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 Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $54Cochabamba $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $108Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Cochabamba? 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 Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $25Cochabamba $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Private Transfer from Tulum Airport (TQO): $69
- Private Transfer to Tulum Airport (TQO): $69
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $114
- Private Airport Transfer to Tulum: $117
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $120
- Private Transfer Cancun International Airport CUN to Tulum City: $125
- One way private transfer Bahia Principe area: $132
- Economy Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe: $139
- Tulum Airport: One-Way or Roundtrip Private Transfer: $144
- Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe & Comfortable: $150
- Private Transfer to Tulum from Tulum Airport: $150
- Tulum Archaeological Zone and Jaguar Park With Transfer and Lunch: $152
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba 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 $54Cochabamba $38
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class with Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner in Tulum: $83
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $88
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $120
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cochabamba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cochabamba.
- Adelante Mujer Bolivian Cooking Workshops: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $29Cochabamba $25
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Salsa Dance Experience at Tulum Beach: $22
- Coba Mayan Ruins and Cenote Swim Tour: $25
- Snorkel 2 reef point, 1 hour 20 minutes tour : $29
- ATV Cenote and Ziplines Adventure in Tulum from Riviera Maya: $30
- Tulum Jungle Experience with ATV, Ziplines, and Cenote: $35
- Guided Day Tour to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim and Valladolid: $38
- Tulum Extreme Mayan Adventure with ATV, Zipline and Cenote: $38
- Cenotes Casa Tortuga Guide Tour with Ticket: $39
- Chichén Cenote and ValladolidkTour with Buffet Lunch from Tulum: $45
- Tulum Area Experiences Scooter Daily Rental: $45
- Discover Chichen Itza Charm Shared Tour from Tulum: $45
- Tulum Area Experiences E-Bike Daily Rental: $45
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- City of Eternal Spring: Self-Guided Tour of Downtown Cochabamba : $5.99
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $39
- Tigre & Delta River Cruise - half day tour from Buenos Aires: $85
- Parque Nacional Torotoro Tour 2 Días y 1 Noche : $231
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $23Cochabamba $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Cochabamba, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Cochabamba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Cochabamba?
Cochabamba has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Cochabamba, 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.