Is Playa del Carmen expensive to visit?
While Playa del Carmen is a popular place for travelers, it is also somewhat affordable and less expensive to visit. The average daily cost is $88, which is one of the many reasons for its popularity with tourists. When compared to other destinations in North America, which is known to be an expensive region, many visitors find it to be a very affordable destination. It's in the top 10% of places in North America for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Oaxaca de Juarez and Acapulco de Juarez.
Play del Carmen, Mexico
How expensive is Playa del Carmen?
The average cost of traveling to Playa del Carmen can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $88 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Playa del Carmen here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Playa del Carmen?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Playa del Carmen will cost around $264 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $528.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Playa del Carmen?
On average, a one week trip to Playa del Carmen costs about $615 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,231.
Is it expensive to backpack in Playa del Carmen?
With more than 30 hostels in the area, Playa del Carmen is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $17 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Playa del Carmen here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $1, but the most expensive can be more than $54 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Playa del Carmen.
- $13 for a dorm bed at Che Playa Hostel & Bar
- $8 for a dorm bed at Tribe on the Beach
- $12 for a dorm bed at Sayab Hostel & Bar
Are hotels expensive in Playa del Carmen?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Playa del Carmen, we can see that they are moderate and on par in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $172. The area hosts around 42 five-star hotels, averaging $294 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $178 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $61 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Playa del Carmen
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 42 | $294 |
| 4 stars | 112 | $264 |
| 3 stars | 243 | $178 |
| 2 stars | 52 | $61 |
| 1 star | 10 | $126 |
| No rating | 75 | $188 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Playa del Carmen?
Activities and things to do in Playa del Carmen can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $15 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $23.
- Bestseller! Tulum Private Tour with Turtles and Cenote Snorkeling: $257
- Private Cenotes tour: $220
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- Private Tour Cenotes Sac Actun The Longest Underground River: $173
- Private ATV Jungle & Cave Adventure: $159
- Private Tour to Chichen Itza, Cenote Oxman and Valladolid: $210
- VIP Cenotes Private Tour (half-day): $185
- Chichen Itza VIP Private Tour – Skip-the-Line – Express: $215
Is food expensive in Playa del Carmen?
Food in Playa del Carmen can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $36 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $45. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Temazcal Mayan Ceremony and Dinner in Mayan Village: $89
- Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking Class : $106
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Yucatecan Cooking Class & Unlimited Margaritas – Playa del Carmen: $85
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
Is transportation expensive in Playa del Carmen?
Exploring local transportation in Playa del Carmen shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $21 per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $18. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Playa del Carmen
If you're planning a trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, check out these other informative travel guides.
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.
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.