Which place is cheaper, Freeport 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 Freeport?
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 Freeport 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 Freeport?
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.
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesFreeport Prices
Bahamas Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $144Freeport $290
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $144, while the average daily cost in Freeport is $290. 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 Freeport in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $59Freeport $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $118Freeport $282
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Freeport
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Freeport? 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 Freeport Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Freeport $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:
- Tulum Airport: One-Way or Roundtrip Private Transfer: $302
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Chetumal With a 2 Hour Stop: $295
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM Downtown: $275
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Tulum Airport to Tulum Hotels: $270
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Mahahual With a 2 Hour Stop: $267
- Luxury Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $250
- Private Transfer Tulum to Mérida with Flexible Stops: $247
- Luxury one way transfer to Tulum from Tulum airport: $220
- Tulum Hotels to Merida Rejon Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $214
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Cancun With a 2 Hour Stop: $208
- Tulum Archaeological Zone: Cenote, Lunch & Transfer: $203
- Private Transfer to Cancun Int'l Airport, from Tulum hotels: $199
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $28
- Round-trip Airport Transfers to Castaway Resorts, Freeport: $30
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers Island Seas Resort Freeport: $30
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $67
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $67
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $77
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $77
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $77
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Luxury SUV Transfer from Airport, cruise port, Celebration Key: $133
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer: $150
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay -Round-Trip Transfer: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Freeport?
Prices for flights to both Freeport 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 $58Freeport $110
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $89
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $95
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $142
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $149
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $31Freeport $40
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- 2 Cenotes Private Tour – VIP Adventure with Expert Guide: $175
- 2 tanks Cenote Diving Adventure in Tulum for Certified Divers: $200
- 3 Cenotes & Hidden Lagoon Tour from Tulum: $134
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $110
- ATV Jungle Adventure Ziplines, Cenote From Tulum: $49
- ATV cenote tour Tulum – Mayan Jungle ATV & Cavern Experience: $80
- Adrenaline Tulúm Tour: ATV, Zipline, and Cenote Adventure: $30
- Adventure and Snorkel with the Whale Shark from Tulum: $250
- Adventure in Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum: $155
- Akumal Private Tour: Turtles, Coral Reef, Cenote, Beach, Lunch: $203
- Authentic Gastronomic Mexican Food Experience in Downtown Tulum: $66
- Awesome Tour Day at Xcaret Plus + Transportation from Riviera Maya: $260
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$299
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- Junkanoo Village Beach Club (3) Rum Punch Experience: $55
- Rumbo Tour: $60
- Coopers Castle and Port Lucaya Marketplace Tour: $60
- Junkanoo Village Beach Club Experience: Lunch & 1 Signature Drink: $70
- Swim with the Pigs Freeport @Creative Eco Adventures: $72
- Mamma Gal Native Experience: $80
- Mamma Gal Celeb-Key Native Exp. Shared Tour: $80
- Grand Bahama Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Drinks and Snacks: $89
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience: $95
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $127
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Freeport $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs: $85
- Grand Bahama Brewery and Distillery Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Freeport, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Freeport is in Caribbean Islands, 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 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport 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 Freeport Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Freeport?
Freeport has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Freeport, 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.