Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Manaus?
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 Manaus 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Manaus $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $59. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Manaus $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Manaus? 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 Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Manaus $7.94
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:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $15
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
- 24-hour hotel transfer - airport in Manaus: $17
- Transfer Privativo 24h aeroporto -> hotel em Manaus: $18
- Serviço de transfer privativo do Porto -> aeroporto de Mana: $20
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $34Manaus $12
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.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Manaus -
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
- Half-Day City Tour: $54
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $64
- Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
- Tour to Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls: $70
- Full-Day Package Tour in Presidente Figueiredo : $70
- Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Manaus $2.84
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: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Manaus, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Manaus 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 Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Manaus?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Manaus, 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.
When is the best time to visit Tulum or Manaus?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Manaus is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tulum or Manaus in the Summer?
Both Manaus and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as Manaus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Manaus averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Manausin January. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun.
Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets less rain in July than Manausin January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)Manaus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Manaus in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Manaus. Many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Manausin April. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Manaus receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives less rain than Manausin April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Manaus in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Manaus. Most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Tulum is cooler than Manaus in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Manaus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Manausin July. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Manausin July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTulum 23°C (74°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Manaus in the Spring?
Both Manaus and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as Manaus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Manaus averages at about 29°C (84°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Manausin October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Manaus 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manaus and Tulum
| Tulum | Manaus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 in) |
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.