Which place is cheaper, San Ignacio or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or San Ignacio?
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 San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio?
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.
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122San Ignacio $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in San Ignacio is $72. 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 San Ignacio in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60San Ignacio $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120San Ignacio $38
Compare Hotels in Tulum and San Ignacio
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or San Ignacio? 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 San Ignacio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28San Ignacio $3.11
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:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or San Ignacio?
Prices for flights to both San Ignacio 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 $34San Ignacio $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32San Ignacio $100
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 San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Xunantunich & Adventure Horse Ride: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25San Ignacio $17
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 San Ignacio, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and San Ignacio is in Central 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 San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is San Ignacio Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or San Ignacio?
San Ignacio has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and San Ignacio, 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 San Ignacio?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Ignacio experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tulum or San Ignacio in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and San Ignacio. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as San Ignacio. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and San Ignacio averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Ignacio this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Ignacio during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives less rain than San Ignacio. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)San Ignacio 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Ignacio in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as San Ignacio. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as San Ignacio. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and San Ignacio fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets more sunshine than San Ignacio. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 196 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets less rain in October than San Ignacio. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)San Ignacio 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Ignacio in the Winter?
Both San Ignacio and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tulum is around the same temperature as San Ignacio in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and San Ignacio fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Ignacio during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than San Ignacio. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)San Ignacio 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Ignacio in the Spring?
Both San Ignacio and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as San Ignacio. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and San Ignacio averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Ignacio. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 256 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets less rain in April than San Ignacio. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)San Ignacio 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for San Ignacio and Tulum
| Tulum | San Ignacio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.