A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Veracruz vs. Cancun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

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.

Which place is cheaper, Cancun or Veracruz?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $118, while the average daily cost in Cancun is $143. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Veracruz $53
    Cancun $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Veracruz $106
    Cancun $190
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.

Hotels in Veracruz


Hotels in Cancun


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Veracruz $28
    Cancun $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz

Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: $25
  • Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $31
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
  • Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $29
  • Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14

Typical Local Transportation prices in Cancun

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:


  • Taxi Around Town
    $1.63
  • Airport Shuttle (for 2)
    $13
  • Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)
    $16
  • Local Bus (for 2)
    $1.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun

Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Boat Adventure to Isla Mujeres with Open Bar + Transfer from Cancún: $2,250
  • Private Boat Unlimited Party to Isla Mujeres + Transfer from Playa del Carmen: $2,200
  • Private Catamaran To Isla Mujeres And Transfer: $2,000
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer R/T-Apt-Isla Mujeres Ferry Pier-Apt W/Ticket Ferry: $622
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer to "El Cuyo Yucatan": $529
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer R/T-Airport-Hotel-Airport-Hotels Akumal: $459
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer R / T- Airport-Hotel-Airport -Tulum Hotels: $459
  • Private Luxury Roundtrip Transfer Cancun Airport: $440
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way: To or from Holbox Ferry Up to 11 Pass.: $400
  • Cancun Airport Round Trip transfer to Akumal, Tulum: $377
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way:To or From Holbox Ferry Up to 15 Pass.: $370
  • Private VIP transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $360

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Veracruz $48
    Cancun $28

Typical Food prices in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • 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:

  • Captain Hook: Pirate Show and Dinner Cruise in Cancun: $40
  • The Ultimate Cancun Taco & Street Mexican Food Tour: $49
  • Mayan Chichen Itza And Pirate Dinner Two Day Experience: $57
  • Dinner Show with Pirates! (2x1 Price): $62
  • (2x1 price)Pirate Adventure! Open Bar, Dinner and Show : $63
  • (2x1 price) Pirate Night! Dinner, Fun and Show: $63
  • (2x1 price) Dinner Show and Pirates Experience : $63
  • Pirate Show and Dinner (2x1 price)! Best Promo : $64
  • Dinner Show on a Pirate Ship from Cancun with Open Bar: $65
  • Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $65
  • Guided Cancun Local Mexican Food Tour: $68
  • Private Ultimate Cancun Taco and Street Mexican Food Tour: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Veracruz $14
    Cancun $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: $101
  • 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $24
  • Adventure through the Chachalacas Beach and Dunes from Veracruz: $122
  • Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $93
  • Antigua and Zempoala Tour from Veracruz: $86
  • Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $19
  • Bird Watching Adventure in La Mancha Ecological Reserve: $135
  • Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $107
  • City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
  • Coffee Route, an adventure of aroma and flavor to Veracruz: $150
  • From Veracruz or Boca del río: Coffee Tour in Coatepec: $96
  • From Alvarado, Tlacotalpan and Agustín Lara Tour: $100

Typical Entertainment prices in Cancun

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Seasick Pills
    $0.58
  • Whale Shark Tour (for 2)
    $99

Tours and Activities in Cancun

For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hours Speed Boat Tour and Snorkeling in Nichupte Lagoon: $39
  • ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote Transportation Included: $46
  • Aquaworld's Isla Mujeres Tour with Snorkel: $95
  • Bacalar tour + Lunch + Boat, from Cancun and Riviera Maya: $139
  • Cancun Private Street Art Tour: $65
  • Catamaran Cruise in Riviera Maya With Snorkeling & Beach Club: $85
  • Coco Bongo Music And Show Ticket: $105
  • Full Day All Inclusive Catamaran Tour to Isla Mujeres : $99
  • Full Day Chichen-Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Complete Tour: $39
  • Holbox Island Magic Tour from Cancun : $135
  • IZAMAL - The Yellow Magical Town - Private Tour : $470
  • LDS Tour to Chichen Itza + Cenote : $165

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Veracruz $17
    Cancun $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun

Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Social Pub Crawl in Cancun: $37
  • Brewery Tour / Craft Beer Tasting Cancun Mexico: $129

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Cancun, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Veracruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Veracruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Veracruz 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 Cancun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cancun than you might in Veracruz.

Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Cancun?

Veracruz is bigger, and its population is about 5% larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the population of Veracruz vs. 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
More City Comparisons
Veracruz vs. Tulum
Veracruz vs. San Cristobal de Las Casas
Veracruz vs. Playa del Carmen
Veracruz vs. Oaxaca de Juarez
Veracruz vs. Merida
Veracruz vs. Isla Mujeres
Veracruz vs. Cozumel
Veracruz vs. Mexico City
Veracruz vs. Acapulco de Juarez
Veracruz vs. Cabo San Lucas
Veracruz vs. Puerto Vallarta
Veracruz vs. Mazatlan
Veracruz vs. La Paz
Veracruz vs. Guadalajara
Veracruz vs. Ensenada
Tulum vs. Cancun
San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Cancun
Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun
Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Cancun
Merida vs. Cancun
Isla Mujeres vs. Cancun
Cozumel vs. Cancun
Mexico City vs. Cancun
Cancun vs. Acapulco de Juarez
Cancun vs. Cabo San Lucas
Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta
Cancun vs. Mazatlan
Cancun vs. La Paz
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Veracruz vs. Cancun Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.