Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Guadalajara?
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 Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Guadalajara $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Guadalajara $39
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:
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $240
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Chetumal With a 2 Hour Stop: $217
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $211
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $209
- Private transfer from Cancun airpot to Tulum up to 7 persons: $191
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $190
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $181
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $152
- Tulum to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Guadalajara Airport: $26
- Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $30
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Transfer Guadalajara Airport Metropolitan Area And More: $45
- Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Guadalajara, Chalapa & Tequila Hotels: $63
- Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $72
- Private transfer: Guadalajara to Guadalajara Airport (GDL): $72
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $34Guadalajara $48
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.
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $90
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $92
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guadalajara private food tour: $70
- Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $114
- Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Guadalajara $28
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
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 2 Cenotes Guided Snorkeling Adventure in Tulum: $149
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $77
- ATV Adventure and Horseback Ride with Ziplines, Cenote from Tulum: $105
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines & Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $140
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- ATV, Zipline and Cenote at Extreme Adventure with Tulum Pickup: $89
- Adventure Tulum: $108
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
- KidZania Entrance Ticket: $12
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Guadalajara in French: $15
- Downtown Mexico City: App guided tacos and market tour: $18
- Guadalajara City Tour: $20
- Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
- ticket to Michin Aquarium: $28
- Private Guadalajara City Tour Within Your Budget: $31
- Culture, Architecture, and Market Walking Tour: $33
- Private Tour with a Local Guide in Guadalajara: $34
- Guadalajara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Guadalajara $18
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
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $58
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $85
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $180
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to Distillery Tequila Ocho and Arandas : $200
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $216
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $216
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Guadalajara, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Guadalajara, 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.