Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Ushuaia $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $11. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Ushuaia $5.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Ushuaia -
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.25
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.48
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $10
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel in shared service: $19
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia Port : $25
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $25
- Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $25
- Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia): $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $34Ushuaia $2.18
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 Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Ushuaia $13
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 Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- Panoramic City Train Tour: $10
- Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $22
- Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $24
- Ushuaia City Tour: $26
- Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour: $31
- An Hour Tour in the City of Ushuaia: $32
- City Tour of Ushuaia: $42
- End of the World Train Ticket: $45
- Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise: $45
- Half-Day Tierra del Fuego National Park (NOT CRUISE): $59
- Escondido & Fagnano Lake Tour: $60
- Tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park from Ushuaia: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Ushuaia -
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 Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Ushuaia, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Ushuaia?
Ushuaia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Ushuaia. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tulum is much warmer than Ushuaia in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain January. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Ushuaiain January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
Both Ushuaia 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.
In the autumn, Tulum is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 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. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Ushuaia in the Winter?
Both Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia can be very cold. In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain July. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain July. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Ushuaiain July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ushuaia 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)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Ushuaia in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Ushuaia. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Tulum is much warmer than Ushuaia in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in October.
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 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. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Tulum
| Tulum | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.