A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Tulum vs. Ensenada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Tulum or Ensenada?

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 Ensenada 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 Ensenada?

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.

Ensenada

Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.

Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Tulum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $115, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $93. 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 Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tulum $57
    Ensenada $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tulum $114
    Ensenada $88
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Ensenada? 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.

Hotels in Tulum


Hotels in Ensenada


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 Ensenada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tulum $27
    Ensenada $20
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:

  • Airport Transfer Tulum: $130
  • Airport Transfers to Tulum - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $256
  • Cancun Airport private departure transfer (Tulum to Cancun Airport): $103
  • Cancun One Way Private Transfer Airport to Hotel / Hotel to Airport: $61
  • Cancun: International Airport Private Transfer by SUV: $55
  • Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan: $100
  • Mexico Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun airport: $121
  • One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $123
  • Private Transfer From Cancun Airport To Tulum: $84
  • Roundtrip private AC Airport Transfer to Tulum: $75
  • Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum - ROUND TRIP: $207
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Tulum Riviera to Cancún Airport: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tulum $33
    Ensenada $37
Typical Food prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Lunch
    $2.85

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: $55
  • Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home: $87
  • Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tulum $30
    Ensenada $10

Tours and Activities in Tulum

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:

  • Discover the ancient Mayan city and its legends on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $6.00
  • Skip the Line: Maya Ruins of Tulum Admission Ticket: $12
  • Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket & Tequila Tasting: $13
  • Tulum Taco Tour: $16
  • Tulum Street Art Tour: $24
  • Tulum City Tour: $24
  • Tulum Mural Tours: $28
  • Cancun: Tulum and Cenotes 5 Hour Guided Tour: $31
  • Tulum Bike Art Tour: $45
  • Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch: $47
  • Tour VIP Coba, Tulum, Cenote & Playa del Carmen: $52

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Tourist guide in the Wine Country (Valle de Guadalupe) Ensenada: $11
  • Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $28
  • The Bufadora Tour: $32
  • La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $33
  • Scenic Bufadora & Flea Market Shopping Private Tour: $35
  • From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $36
  • Ensenada Travels Tours: $64
  • best tours ensenada: $64
  • Las Canadas Ecopark and Bufadora private tour: $65
  • Ensenada Shore Excursion: City Tour & La Bufadora: $68
  • Guadalupe Valley Wine Route Tour in Baja California: $77
  • Private tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tulum $24
    Ensenada $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada

Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private wine tour: $65
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $75
  • Private Full-Day Wine Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $89
  • From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $94
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour, All Inclusive by AKA Expeditions.: $140
  • Valle de Guadalupe Off The Beaten Path Wine Tasting: $505

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Ensenada, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Ensenada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ensenada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ensenada 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 Ensenada.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Veracruz vs. Tulum
Veracruz vs. Ensenada
Tulum vs. San Cristobal de Las Casas
Tulum vs. Playa del Carmen
Tulum vs. Oaxaca de Juarez
Tulum vs. Merida
Tulum vs. Isla Mujeres
Tulum vs. Cozumel
Tulum vs. Mexico City
Tulum vs. Cancun
Tulum vs. Acapulco de Juarez
Tulum vs. Cabo San Lucas
Tulum vs. Puerto Vallarta
Tulum vs. Mazatlan
Tulum vs. La Paz
Tulum vs. Guadalajara
San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Ensenada
Playa del Carmen vs. Ensenada
Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Ensenada
Merida vs. Ensenada
Isla Mujeres vs. Ensenada
Cozumel vs. Ensenada
Mexico City vs. Ensenada
Cancun vs. Ensenada
Acapulco de Juarez vs. Ensenada
Cabo San Lucas vs. Ensenada
Puerto Vallarta vs. Ensenada
Mazatlan vs. Ensenada
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Tulum vs. Ensenada Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.