Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tulum or Montanita?
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 Montanita 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Montanita $41
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Montanita? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Montanita $39
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:
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 dayTulum $34Montanita $28
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Montanita $31
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Montanita $7.86
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 Montanita, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Montanita much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Montanita 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 Montanita would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montanita 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 Montanita.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tulum or Montanita?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tulum or Montanita in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Montanita. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
In July, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Montanita. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Montanita. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Montanita in the Autumn?
Both Montanita and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Montanita in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Montanita. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Montanita in the Winter?
Both Montanita and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
In the winter, Tulum is cooler than Montanita. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Montanita averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Montanita. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Montanita in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Montanita. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Montanita. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. 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.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Tulum
| Tulum | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.