A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. North Conway for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tulum or North Conway?

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 North Conway 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 North Conway?

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.

North Conway

North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, North Conway or Tulum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Tulum Prices
    Mexico Prices
    North Conway Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tulum $141
    North Conway $270

The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $141, while the average daily cost in North Conway is $270. 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 North Conway in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tulum $57
    North Conway $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tulum $114
    North Conway $250
Compare Hotels in Tulum and North Conway

Looking for a hotel in Tulum or North Conway? 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.

Hotels in Tulum


Hotels in North Conway


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 North Conway Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tulum $27
    North Conway $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $17

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
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport: $280
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer from Tulum Airport to Tulum Hotels: $270
  • Private Transfer From Tulum to Mahahual With a 2 Hour Stop: $266
  • Luxury Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $250
  • Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $247
  • Private Transfer Tulum to Mérida with Flexible Stops: $247
  • Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
  • Tulum Hotels to Merida Rejon Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $213
  • Private Transfer From Tulum to Cancun With a 2 Hour Stop: $207
  • Private Luxury SUV Transfers from Tulum Airport: $206

Hired Cars and Shuttles in North Conway

Also for North Conway, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $99
  • Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $99
  • Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $198

Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or North Conway?

Prices for flights to both North Conway 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 day
    Tulum $57
    North Conway $110
Typical Food Prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Lunch
    $2.88

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: $88
  • Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $102
  • Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $149
  • Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
  • Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tulum $30
    North Conway $38

Tours and Activities in Tulum

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:

  • 2 Cenotes Guided Snorkeling Adventure in Tulum: $149
  • 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 Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $151
  • ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $156
  • ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $39
  • ATV Tour from Tulum or Riviera with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Day: $25
  • Adventure and Snorkel with the Whale Shark from Tulum: $250
  • Adventure at Chichen Itza! Cenote and Valladolid from Tulum City: $98
  • Adventure in Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum: $155
  • Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $94

Tours and Activities in North Conway

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.

  • Kancamagus highway GPS Smartphone Audio Driving Tour App: $9.50
  • Kancamagus Scenic Byway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Guide: $17
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kancamagus Highway: $20
  • Meet the Cider Makers with Rhythm Cidery Lincoln Tour: $40
  • Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tulum $24
    North Conway $33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and North Conway, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway 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 North Conway Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tulum or North Conway?

Tulum has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and North Conway, 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 North Conway?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tulum or North Conway in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as North Conway. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tulum is a little warmer than North Conway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and North Conway averages at about 69°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in North Conway. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than North Conway. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while North Conway receives 282 hours of full sun.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than North Conway. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while North Conway receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tulum 28°C (83°F) 
    North Conway 69°F (20°C)

Should I visit Tulum or North Conway in the Autumn?

Both North Conway and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 much warmer than North Conway. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and North Conway fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than North Conway during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while North Conway receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than North Conway. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) 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. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tulum 27°C (81°F) 
    North Conway 49°F (9°C)

Should I visit Tulum or North Conway in the Winter?

Both North Conway and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in North Conway can be very cold. Tulum is much warmer than North Conway in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and North Conway fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than North Conway. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while North Conway receives 163 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in January than North Conway. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tulum 23°C (74°F) 
    North Conway 21°F (-6°C)

Should I visit Tulum or North Conway in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and North Conway. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Tulum is much warmer than North Conway. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and North Conway averages at about 43°F (6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in North Conway this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than North Conway during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while North Conway receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than North Conway. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) 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 in Tulum is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tulum 27°C (81°F) 
    North Conway 43°F (6°C)

Typical Weather for North Conway and Tulum

Tulum North Conway
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (74°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 21°F (-6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 24°F (-5°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Mar 25°C (78°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 33°F (1°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
May 28°C (83°F) 101 mm (4 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 29°C (83°F) 192 mm (7.6 in) 63°F (17°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 69°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 228 mm (9 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 49°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 39°F (4°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 27°F (-3°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)