Travel Budget for Playa del Carmen Visit Playa del Carmen on a Budget or Travel in Style

Playa del Carmen, Estado de Quintana Roo, Mexico

How much does it cost to travel to Playa del Carmen?

You should plan to spend around $80 (M$1,353) per day on your vacation in Playa del Carmen. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $23 (M$393) on meals
  • $23 (M$398) on local transportation
  • $77 (M$1,315) on hotels

A one week trip to Playa del Carmen for two people costs, on average, $1,113 (M$18,944). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $80
    M$1,353
  • One Week Per person
    $557
    M$9,472
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,113
    M$18,944
  • One Month Per person
    $2,386
    M$40,594
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,113
    M$18,944
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $2,227
    M$37,887
  • One Month For a couple
    $4,771
    M$81,187
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Playa del Carmen cost?

A one week trip to Playa del Carmen usually costs around $557 (M$9,472) for one person and $1,113 (M$18,944) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Playa del Carmen on average costs around $1,113 (M$18,944) for one person and $2,227 (M$37,887) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Playa del Carmen will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Playa del Carmen on average costs around $2,386 (M$40,594) for one person and $4,771 (M$81,187) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Playa del Carmen has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Playa del Carmen expensive to visit?

Playa del Carmen is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Mexico, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Playa del Carmen is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in North America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Playa del Carmen.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Playa del Carmen?

The average Playa del Carmen trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Playa del Carmen travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) M$1,315 ($77)
Local Transportation 1 M$398 ($23)
Food 2 M$393 ($23)
Entertainment 1 M$284 ($17)
Tips and Handouts 1 M$7 - 22 ($0 - 1)
Alcohol 2 M$175 - 526 ($10 - 31)
Accommodation Budget in Playa del Carmen
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Playa del Carmen is $39 (M$658). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Playa del Carmen is $77 (M$1,315). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $39
    M$658
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $77
    M$1,315

Hotel Prices in Playa del Carmen

Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Playa del Carmen based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $172. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Playa del Carmen
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Playa del Carmen is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $23 (M$398) per person, per day, on local transportation in Playa del Carmen.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $23
    M$398

Recommended Services


Flights to Playa del Carmen
How much does it cost to go to Playa del Carmen? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Playa del Carmen
The price of renting a car in Playa del Carmen will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Playa del Carmen
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Playa del Carmen can vary, the average cost of food in Playa del Carmen is $23 (M$393) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Playa del Carmen should cost around $9.24 (M$157) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Playa del Carmen is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $23
    M$393

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Playa del Carmen
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Playa del Carmen typically cost an average of $17 (M$284) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $17
    M$284

Recommended Activities


Tips and Handouts Budget in Playa del Carmen
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Playa del Carmen is $0.88 (M$15) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Playa del Carmen is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $0.88
    M$15


Alcohol Budget in Playa del Carmen
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $21 (M$351) on alcoholic beverages in Playa del Carmen per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $21
    M$351

Recommended


Water Budget in Playa del Carmen
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $1.15 (M$20) on bottled water in Playa del Carmen per day. The public water in Playa del Carmen is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $1.15
    M$20


Last Updated: Dec 19, 2022
Playa del Carmen On a Budget
Playa del Carmen Play del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.

Playa del Carmen's temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the year. Highs in the summer months can climb to the low 90s Fahrenheit and highs in the winter months are in the low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures in the summer months are in the mid to low 70s Fahrenheit and lows in the winter are in the mid 60s Fahrenheit. Rainfall peaks in the summer and early fall. This is also hurricane season.
Sights
Most people come to Playa del Carmen specifically for the beach. There are variety of outdoor parks and reserves in the area that are worth a visit as well. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is about an hour from town and is one of the biggest protected areas in Mexico. This is a great place to go for bird watching or snorkeling.

Rio Lagartos is another Special Biosphere Reserve. It's on the north side of the Yucatan peninsula and typically requires an overnight stay.
Neighborhoods
Tourism in Playa del Carmen is centered around Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue). This is a pedestrian street that travels from Calle 1 norte to Calle 40. It's lined with many shops, bars and restaurants. You'll find boutique hotels and interesting dining opportunities nearby as well.

Playacar is a residential, tourist development within Playa del Carmen to the south of the urban core. This where you'll you'll find most of the town's all-inclusive hotels as well as an aviary and a golf course. The development began in 1979.

Activities
There are many opportunities for you to enjoy adventure sports and outdoor activities in the area. One popular option is charter fishing. You can easily find a simple boat to take you deep sea fishing, but do realize that many of these boats are unlicensed and will offer you little more than the bare essentials. It's better to inquire around and find a professional charter fishing company that can take you out.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular activities in the area. The reefs are only accessible by boat, but it is the second largest coral reef system in the world. Dive shops are ubiquitous and it is easy to arrange a trip. If you're traveling to the area specifically to go scuba diving, consider visiting Cozumel instead. The diving there is generally better.

Other popular activities in the area include kayaking, and swimming. There are also beach clubs that line the coastline and are popular with the tourists. Playa del Carmen's nightlife is superb, but still more tame than Cancun. Popular clubs include Blue Parrot, El Pirata, Coco Bongo, Santenera, and Hotel Deseo.
Food and Dining
You'll find almost 75 restaurants around town of varying price. Your cheapest eating options are the pizza stands that are near the beach. In the evening there are many types of excellent Mexican street food which are also an excellent option. Definitely make a point of trying a seafood taco, which is a local specialty and easily one of the best options available. Mid range restaurants usually offer a nice sit down meal that includes seafood, tacos, or other local options. Lunch is a particularly good time to enjoy the restaurants as their atmosphere is laid back, relaxed, and affordable.

Transportation
The main town is laid out in a simple grid, making navigation easy and straight forward. You can easily walk most places, but if you're hoping to explore the outlying areas then renting a car is your best option. There are several reputable car rental companies around town. There's also a decent bus system that will take you to popular destinations around the region. Some people also decide to arrange an organized bus tour which is an easy and convenient way to explore the area. You can ask at your hotel and they can likely refer you to a reputable company.

Taxis can be caught along many intersections on Fifth Avenue. There is a set table of prices, but drivers rarely offer those prices. You should know in advance how much a trip should cost and negotiate accordingly.


Related:

Looking for a party hostel in Mexico? Heading to San Diego or LA?

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.