Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tulum or Santiago?
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 Santiago 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
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 in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $135Santiago $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $135, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $145. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $55Santiago $105
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $110Santiago $210
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Santiago? 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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $26Santiago $5.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Private Transfer from Tulum Airport: $53
- Transfer from Hotel and Airbnb to Tulum Airport: $67
- Private Transfers to Tulum Airport: $77
- Cancun Airport to Tulum Hotels Arrival/Departure Transfer: $77
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $80
- Private Transfers from Tulum Airport to Akumal: $96
- Private Transfers from Tulum Airport to Playa del Carmen: $98
- Private Transfer from Tulum Airport to Tulum Hotels: $101
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $110
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $115
- Tulum Airport to Riviera Maya Private Transfer: $120
- Cancun Airport CUN Private Departure Transfer by SUV with Drinks: $128
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
- SCL Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Santiago/Providencia/Las Condes: $18
- Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $34
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport (SCL) → Hotel: $37
- Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Hotel: $40
- Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 $54Santiago $22
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $86
- Tortilla & Taco Cooking Class – Mexican Cuisine from scratch: $91
- Mexican Cooking Class with Tacos, Ceviche and Margaritas in Tulum: $95
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $132
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual, Cenote, Yucatecan Dinner from Tulum: $149
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.82
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Hamburger$2.41
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Dinner$25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $56
- Mercado Meals Santiago Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Casillero del Diablo Night Experience – Cellars, Wine & Dinner: $110
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $29Santiago $46
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Coba Ruins Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- Tulum Mayan Ruins GPS Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $11
- Ruins in Tulum Walking Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $11
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of Tulum: $15
- Adrenaline ATV Cenote and Zip Lines Experience at Tulum: $25
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $27
- 4 Sacred Cenotes Adventure with Rappel and Mayan Ceremony: $29
- Experience at Cenote Zemway in Tulum: $31
- Cancun: ATV Jungle Adventure, Cenote and Tulum Ruins Tour: $32
- Tulum Archaeological Site Ticket with Jaguar Park Access: $35
- Experience Mayan Snorkeling and Swimming in Lagoon / Cenote in Tulum: $38
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $11
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
- Guided Walking Tour through the Historic Center: $30
- City Tour of Santiago, Chile: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $23Santiago $8.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Tour Viña Santa Carolina in Santiago with 3 wine tasting: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $65
- Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Santiago, we can see that Santiago 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 Santiago is in South 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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 580 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago 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 Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In the summer, Tulum is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Tulum is generally much warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 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 October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Santiago. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Tulum is much warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTulum 23°C (74°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Santiago. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Tulum is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
Tulum usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 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 April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Tulum
| Tulum | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.