Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Easter Island?
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 Easter Island 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 Easter Island?
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.
Easter Island
Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.
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 Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Easter Island $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 Easter Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Easter Island $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Easter Island
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Easter Island? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Easter Island $2.59
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:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $234
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $181
- Tulum to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $121
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Tulum Hotels to Merida Rejon Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $113
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Easter Island?
Prices for flights to both Easter Island 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 $34Easter Island $25
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $90
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $210
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class and Cenote: $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
- Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Easter Island $40
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Full Day Tour from Tulum to Rio Lagartos: $179
- Luxury Tour to Chichen Itza and 2 Cenotes Only From Tulum: $128
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- Sian Ka'an Boat Tour: Full Day Experience: $179
- 2 Cenotes Guided Snorkeling Adventure in Tulum: $149
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 4x1 Mayan Experience! Tulum Ruins, Coba, Cenote + Transportation from Tulum City: $78
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $75
- ATV Adventure and Horseback Ride with Ziplines, Cenote from Tulum: $105
Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Bike Rental$8.38
Tours and Activities in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
- Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
- Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour: $91
- Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
- Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $97
- Private Sunrise Tour at 15 Moai Tongariki Park: $120
- Full day tour - DREAM: $120
- The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience : $125
- Private Tour: Tongariki Sunrise Experience: $125
- Tour to the Motus: Boat trip and snorkeling in Rapa Nui: $149
- Rapa Nui: Private Tour "The Legend of the BirdMan": $150
- Private Tour: The Underground World of Rapa Nui Caves: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Easter Island $5.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Easter Island, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Easter Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Easter Island 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 Easter Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Easter Island 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 Easter Island.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Easter Island?
Tulum has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Easter Island, 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 Tulum or Easter Island?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Easter Island is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tulum or Easter Island in the Summer?
Both Easter Island and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tulum is a little warmer than Easter Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.
In Easter Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Easter Islandin January. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Easter Islandin January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)Easter Island 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Easter Island in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Easter Island. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Tulum is a little warmer than Easter Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Easter Island averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Easter Island during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Easter Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Easter Islandin April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Easter Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Easter Island in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Easter Island. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Easter Islandin July. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin July. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Easter Island. Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Easter Islandin July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTulum 23°C (74°F)Easter Island 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Easter Island in the Spring?
Both Easter Island and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
Tulum is a little warmer than Easter Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Easter Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Easter Island during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Easter Islandin October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Easter Island 20°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Easter Island and Tulum
| Tulum | Easter Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 86 mm (3.4 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.