Which place is cheaper, Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca?
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 Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca?
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.
Humahuaca
Located in the northwest region of Argentina, Humahuaca is a town nearly 3000m high in elevation, found on the border of the rio Grande. It is the largest settlement with the biggest population along the famous quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, but it has managed to keep its authenticity with its cobblestoned streets, adobe houses, quaint plazas filled with inhabitants of Andean traits and handicraft shops. If you have the chance to visit Humahuaca in February, during the carnival, you will appreciate how traditions are kept alive in this part of Argentina. Humahuaca has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting next to the spectacular Serranía de Hornocal (colored mountains). While most visitors rapidly make their way through Humahuaca before continuing to the other two main Quebrada towns, Pumamarca and Tilcara, some enjoy spending a night or two there. Indeed, the town offers a perfect starting point to visit the region and has a few interesting landmarks not to miss, such as the historic church and Soto Avendano's Independence Monument. If you decide to stay in Humahuaca, remember that nights get chilly and ask the tourist office for any information (in the Cabildo, on the main square, opened Monday to Friday from 7h to 21h and Saturday from 9h to 12h and 13h to 16h and only Sunday mornings).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesHumahuaca Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $144Humahuaca $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $144, while the average daily cost in Humahuaca is $55. 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 Humahuaca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $59Humahuaca $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $118Humahuaca $86
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Humahuaca
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Humahuaca? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Humahuaca $3.46
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Humahuaca?
Prices for flights to both Humahuaca 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 $58Humahuaca $4.75
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $31Humahuaca $24
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
Tours and Activities in Humahuaca
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Humahuaca.
- Hornocal: Full-Day Tour to the Hill of Seven Colors: $65
- Tilcara: Humahuaca + Hornocal + Quebrada de las Señoritas Tour (Triple Combo): $88
- Sightseeing tour to Hornocal with a view of Purmamarca and a ride on the Humahuaca Solar Train: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Humahuaca $5.63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Humahuaca, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Humahuaca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Humahuaca is in South America, 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 Humahuaca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Humahuaca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Humahuaca?
Humahuaca has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Humahuaca, 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.