Which place is cheaper, San Pedro or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or San Pedro?
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 Pedro 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 Pedro?
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 Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
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 Pedro $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in San Pedro is $135. 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 Pedro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60San Pedro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Tulum and San Pedro
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or San Pedro? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28San Pedro $34
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:
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or San Pedro?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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 Pedro $40
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 Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32San Pedro $33
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 Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
- Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
- SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
- Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
- Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
- Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25San Pedro $16
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 San Pedro, we can see that San Pedro 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 San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or San Pedro?
San Pedro has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and San Pedro, 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 Pedro?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tulum or San Pedro in the Summer?
Both San Pedro and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as San Pedro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and San Pedro averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in San Pedro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedro during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives less rain than San Pedro. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while San Pedro 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 Pedro 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Pedro in the Autumn?
Both San Pedro and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as San Pedro. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the autumn, Tulum often gets more sunshine than San Pedro. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 196 hours of full sun.
San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets less rain in October than San Pedro. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 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, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)San Pedro 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Pedro in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and San Pedro. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tulum is around the same temperature as San Pedro in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and San Pedro fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedro during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.
San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than San Pedro. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Pedro 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 Pedro 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Pedro in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as San Pedro. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as San Pedro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and San Pedro averages at about 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the spring, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedro. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 256 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets less rain in April than San Pedro. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 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, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)San Pedro 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for San Pedro and Tulum
| Tulum | San Pedro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.