Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Victoria?
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 Victoria 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 Victoria?
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.
Victoria
The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Victoria $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Victoria? 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 Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Victoria $37
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:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $255
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
- Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $34Victoria $27
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
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Authentic Mexican Food Tour in Tulum: $146
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- 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 Victoria
For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $44
- Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
- Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Victoria $45
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Luxury Tour to Chichen Itza and 2 Cenotes Only From Tulum: $128
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 2 Cenotes Adventure from Tulum - Small Group - All Inclusive: $159
- 2 Cenotes Guided Snorkeling Adventure in Tulum: $149
- 2 tanks Cenote Diving Adventure in Tulum for Certified Divers: $200
- 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 Adventure and Horseback Ride with Ziplines, Cenote from Tulum: $89
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
Tours and Activities in Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Victoria self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Victoria Harbor: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- 2.5-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
- Victoria, BC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $11
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Experience Victoria by Foot Walking Tour: $15
- Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
- Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $16
- Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
- Malahat SkyWalk General Admission Tickets: $29
- Experience Victoria City Tour: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Victoria $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
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour and Pairing by an Expert Brewer: $84
Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $48
- 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Victoria, we can see that Victoria is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria than you might in Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Victoria?
Victoria has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Victoria, 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 Victoria?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Tulum or Victoria in the Summer?
Both Victoria and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In July, Tulum is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Victoria. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Tulum is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Victoria. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. 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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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Victoria in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Victoria. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Victoria can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).
It's quite rainy in Victoria. Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Tulum is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In April, Tulum usually receives around the same amount of rain as Victoria. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Tulum
| Tulum | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 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.