Which place is cheaper, Cancun or Veracruz?
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 Veracruz or Cancun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Cancun can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Cancun?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
Cancun
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Veracruz Prices
Mexico PricesCancun Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $152Cancun $163
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $152, while the average daily cost in Cancun is $163. 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 Veracruz and Cancun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $52Cancun $94
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $104Cancun $188
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Cancun
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz or Cancun? 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Cancun Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $27Cancun $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $44
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $52
- Private Transfer to Veracruz Airport (VER): $26
- Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
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Taxi Around Town$1.62
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Airport Shuttle (for 2)$13
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Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)$16
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Local Bus (for 2)$1.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Akumal One Way or Roundtrip Private Luxury Transfer: $291
- Cancun Airport to Tulum Roundtrip Private Transfer: $290
- Private Transfer Cancun Airport to Chiquilá Holbox Ferry: $279
- Limo Transfer Airport Cancun - Puerto Morelos Hotel Zone: $279
- Full-Day Tour to Xcaret Plus with Transfer from Playa del Carmen and Lunch: $265
- Private Transfer roundtrip (Cancun Airport-Akumal): $259
- Luxury Transfers in a Mercedes Maybach GLS 600: $232
- Holbox Private Transfer from Cancun Hotels or Airport: $229
- Airport Transfers to Costa Mujeres - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $228
- Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
- Private One Way Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
- Private round airport transfer from Cancun - Puerto Aventuras - airport.: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Cancun?
Prices for flights to both Cancun and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $82Cancun $48
Typical Food Prices in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour in Cancun with a Local Guide: $61
- Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
- Tortilla Trails Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Cancun Food Tour - Taco Attack: Street Food & Tequila Tasting: $69
- Cancun Street Food Tour – Local Market & Downtown Experience: $69
- Salsa Streets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Cancun Historic Downtown Food Tour with 7+ Authentic Tastings: $76
- Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
- Cancun Hands-On Mexican Cooking Class: $79
- Couples Special Price! Cancun Pirate Show with Dinner & Drinks: $80
- Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Veracruz $14Cancun $34
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $135
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $30
- Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $107
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
- City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
- Full Day Coffee Guided Tour in Coatepec: $104
- Full Day Tour to Alvarado and Tlacotalpan from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $101
- Full Day Tour to Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas with Transportation: $98
- Full Day Tour to La Antigua, Cempoala and Quiahuiztlán: $92
- Full-Day Tour to El Tajin and Vanilla Factory from Veracruz: $138
- Jalcomulco Rapids Adventure from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Seasick Pills$0.58
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Whale Shark Tour (for 2)$98
Tours and Activities in Cancun
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day ATV, Horse Ride, Ziplines and Cenote Adventure from Cancun: $40
- 1 Day Tour to Bacalar, Cenotes and 7 color Lagoon with lunch from Cancun: $125
- 1-Day Tour to Bacalar with Kayaking, Marmol Beach Club and Cenote: $119
- 1-hour Clear Boat Tour in Nichupte Lagoon from Cancun: $22
- 2 Day Combo Tour, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and Chichen Itza Option: $280
- 2 Islands Tour - Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen: $160
- 2 in 1 Parasailing and Jet Sky Tour in Cancun: $140
- 2-day tour: Isla Mujeres catamaran and Chichen Itzá: $118
- 2x1 Tulum tour and Chichen Itza tour for 1 price in 2 days: $139
- 3 adrenaline activities Atvs Zipline and a swim experience in a cenote: $60
- 3 in 1 Tour to Coba Cenote and Maya Village: $139
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Cancun: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $17Cancun $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $115
When comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Cancun, we can see that Cancun 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Veracruz Expensive? and Is Cancun Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Cancun?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz and Cancun, 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.
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.