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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 $121, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $98. 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 $59
    Ensenada $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tulum $118
    Ensenada $92
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 $28
    Ensenada $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum

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


  • Scooter Rental
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:

  • Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $193
  • Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
  • Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
  • Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
  • Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $213
  • Private Transfer: Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $139
  • Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
  • Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $154
  • Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $71
  • Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $184
  • Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $162

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:

  • Transfer: From Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada: $418

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 $34
    Ensenada $39
Typical Food Prices in Tulum

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


  • Lunch
    $2.98

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: $79
  • Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $81
  • Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
  • Authentic Mexican Food Tour in Tulum: $146
  • Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
  • Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tulum $31
    Ensenada $11

Tours and Activities in Tulum

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

  • Skip-the-line Admission Ticket to Tulum Archaeological Zone: $9.99
  • 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
  • Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
  • Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
  • Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Mystika Immersive Entrance Ticket: $27
  • Tulum Mural Tours: $37
  • Mystika Immersive & Tulum Ruins Skip-the-Line Ticket: $37
  • Cenotes Casa Tortuga tickets: $38
  • Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $42

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

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

  • Rondo del Valley Winery Tour with 5 Tastings: $27
  • Tasting of 5 wines and tour: $30
  • Ensenada : The unique bufadora private tour: $32
  • From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $36
  • Lavender Field Guided Tour: $38
  • Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $40
  • Private La Bufadora Tour (blowhole): $41
  • La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
  • The Bufadora private Tour: $44
  • Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $52
  • City tour on electric horse wagon.: $60
  • Tasting and tour through the vineyard: $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tulum $25
    Ensenada $11

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: $59

Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada

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

  • Xecue Wine Tasting in the Guadalupe Valley: $39
  • Private wine tour : $57
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $74
  • From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $92
  • From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $95
  • Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
  • Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $122
  • Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $220
  • Wine tasting tour for Cruise Ship Visitors. All Inclusive!: $221
  • Valle Experience by Ansell Wine Tours: $275


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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tulum or Ensenada?

Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Ensenada, 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.