Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tulum or Paracas?
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 Paracas 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 Paracas?
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.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
-
Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $141Paracas $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $141, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $87. 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 Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $57Paracas $24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $114Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Paracas? 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 Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $27Paracas $20
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:
- Airport Transfer One Way - Cancun / Tulum - Private or Luxury: $119
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $155
- Economy Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe: $148
- One Way Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun Int Airport: $170
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $180
- One way private transfer Bahia Principe area: $145
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Tulum To Chiquila Port: $201
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Cancun With a 2 Hour Stop: $206
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $256
- Private Transfer from Tulum Airport to Playa del Carmen: $199
- Private Transfer from Tulum Hotels to Tulum Airport (TQO): $147
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- National Reserve Guided Tour with Transfers: $22
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $89
- Candelabro Geoglyph Kayak Tour with hotel transfer: $130
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $175
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $215
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $57Paracas $43
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Lunch$2.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Yucatecan cooking class with a local chef in Tulum: $90
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $100
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $139
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.
- Hidden Gems of Pisco: Food Tour & Tuk-Tuk Adventure: $60
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $30Paracas $27
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Tulum Mayan Ruins GPS Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $11
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of Tulum: $15
- Cenotes Casa Tortuga Admission Ticket: $15
- Tickets to 4 cenotes turtle house 2 caverns and 2 outdoors: $15
- Adrenaline Tulúm Tour: ATV, Zipline, and Cenote Adventure: $30
- Cancun: ATV Jungle Adventure, Cenote and Tulum Ruins Tour: $32
- Experience at Cenote Zemway in Tulum: $33
- Tulum Wild Adventure Tour with ATV, Ziplining and Cenote: $35
- Tulum Extreme Mayan Adventure with ATV, Zipline and Cenote: $38
- Guided Day Tour to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim and Valladolid: $38
- Tulum Area Experiences E-Bike Daily Rental: $45
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Ballestas Islands Boat Tour with Guide: $13
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas: $15
- Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
- Paracas National Reserve Group Tour from Paracas: $15
- From Guided boat tour to the Ballestas Islands: $15
- Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
- Ballestas Island Boat tour from Paracas: $16
- From Speedboat Tour to the Ballestas Islands: $16
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
- Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $17
- Explore the National Reserve: Guided Tour with Transportation: $18
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $24Paracas $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Paracas
Also in Paracas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tour Ballestas Islands Wine Tasting and Pisco Tubulars Huacachina: $75
- From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, and Wine Tour: $85
- Paracas, Ica, and premium wine tasting at Hacienda Tacama: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Paracas, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Paracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Paracas 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 Paracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paracas 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 Paracas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Paracas?
Tulum has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Paracas, 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.