Which place is cheaper, Edmonton or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Edmonton?
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 Edmonton 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 Edmonton?
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.
Edmonton
The capital of Alberta, Canada, Edmonton has a population of just over one million people in its metropolitan area. It is also North America's northernmost city of this large size. It's a beautiful place to visit because of the North Saskatchewan River Valley which has over one hundred kilometers of hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and overlooks. The valley has a string of parks which are wonderful to visit. In addition to the beautiful outdoor setting and activities, Edmonton also offers the largest shopping mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall. It's also a city with a lot of culture including a lively theater scene, many different festivals, and no shortage of sporting events that you could attend.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Edmonton $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Edmonton is $179. 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 Edmonton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Edmonton $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Edmonton $202
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Edmonton
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Edmonton? 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 Edmonton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Edmonton $79
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:
- Chetumal City to Chetumal Airport CTM Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- EV Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport: $135
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edmonton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Edmonton:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotels to Edmonton Airport: $43
- Edmonton to Edmonton Airport (YEG) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Edmonton?
Prices for flights to both Edmonton 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 $34Edmonton $16
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: $89
- Authentic Mexican Food Tour in Tulum: $146
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Typical Food Prices in Edmonton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Edmonton are as follows:
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Snacks$7.26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Edmonton $91
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
Tours and Activities in Edmonton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Edmonton are as follows:
- Discover the Early History of Strathcona with Historic Walking Tour: $4.46
- Edmonton Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Edmonton by Crazy Dash: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 1-Hour Segway Adventure in Louise McKinney Park: $44
- Edmonton River Valley 60-Minute Segway Adventure: $45
- Edmonton River Valley 90-Minute Segway Adventure: $63
- The Best of Edmonton Walking Tour: $224
- Romantic Tour Around Edmonton For Couples: $224
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Edmonton -
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
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour and Pairing by an Expert Brewer: $84
Sample the Local Flavors in Edmonton
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Edmonton:
- Edmonton Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Edmonton, we can see that Edmonton is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Edmonton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edmonton than you might in Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Edmonton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Edmonton?
Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Edmonton, 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.