Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas?
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.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Punta Arenas $1.80
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:
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 $34Punta Arenas $21
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
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Punta Arenas $6.44
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 Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
- Regular city cruise tour: $65
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Punta Arenas $4.86
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Punta Arenas, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Punta Arenas. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tulum is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin January. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta Arenas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin January. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenasin January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
Both Punta Arenas 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.
Tulum is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
Both Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas can be very cold. In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 1°C (35°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin July. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Punta Arenasin July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTulum 23°C (74°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Punta Arenas. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Tulum is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin October. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Tulum
| Tulum | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.