A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tulum or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Situated in the Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiminez has grown from a logging and gold mining town in the 1960s to become the largest town on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Today, it serves as a main gateway to Corcovado National Park, a last stopping point before visitors enter the park. Puerto Jiminez also has a lively night life, a beach, and easy access to a number of outdoors activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Tulum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is $115. 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tulum $60
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tulum $120
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $98
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)? 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)


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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tulum $28
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -
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:

  • Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
  • Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
  • Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
  • Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
  • Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
  • Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
  • Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
  • Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
  • Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
  • Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
  • One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
  • Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182

Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 $34
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $35
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

Typical Food Prices in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:


  • Dinner at Finca Exotica
    $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tulum $32
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $119

Tours and Activities in Tulum

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

  • Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
  • Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
  • Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
  • Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
  • Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
  • Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
  • Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
  • Tulum Mural Tours: $36
  • Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
  • Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42

Tours and Activities in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:

  • Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour: $62
  • Kayak experience on Playa Blanca in Puerto Jiménez: $65
  • 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Osa Jungle : $120
  • One Day Tour To Caño Island From Drake Bay: $125
  • Day tours Corcovado Total Adventure: $150
  • Corcovado day tour- Sirena Station With Lunch- Small Group : $160
  • 30-minute Corcovado National Park Tour by Plane: $256
  • One Day Tour to Corcovado (La Leona Station) From Puerto Jiménez: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tulum $25
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -

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 comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), we can see that Tulum is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Tulum is in North America and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Expensive?.