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Cancun
Aline Mendoza
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½

Cancun

Mexico
from $45/day
Playa del Carmen
Treasure Scott
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½

Playa del Carmen

Mexico
from $42/day
vs
Playa del Carmenis 7% cheaper Dorms avg $‍17/night vs $‍17/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Cancun
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Playa del Carmen
Solo budget traveler
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…
15 hostels, avg 7.6 rating
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15 hostels, avg 8.0 rating
Couple on a budget
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Private rooms avg $60/night
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Private rooms avg $56/night
Digital nomad
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Coffee $3.92, dorms avg $30
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Coffee $3.90, dorms avg $17
Nightlife seeker
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Beer $3.00, 15 hostels
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Beer $2.91, 15 hostels
First-time Europer
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0 attractions
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24 attractions

Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
TierπŸ‡²πŸ‡½ CancunπŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Playa del CarmenYou Save / day
brokepackr
Dorm bed Β· street food Β· free activities
$‍45$‍42
cheaper
$3/day
backpackr
Mix of dorm & private Β· restaurants
$55$52
cheaper
$3/day
flashpackr
Private rooms Β· dining out Β· some tours
$100$81
cheaper
$19/day

Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve


Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
ItemπŸ‡²πŸ‡½ CancunπŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Playa del Carmen
πŸ₯™Street food meal
Local market, street stall
$‍6$‍6
🍽️Mid-range meal
Sit-down restaurant, one person
$‍18$‍17
6% less
🍺Beer (local draft)
500ml at a bar
$‍3.50$‍3
14% less
β˜•Coffee
Espresso or flat white
$‍3$‍3
πŸš‡Single metro / bus
Standard single ticket
$‍0.70$‍0.60
14% less

Brokepackr Deal Indexβ„’
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½

Cancun

Mexico

Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelMezcal Boutique Hotel (9.8)
Annual dorm avg$‍17/night
Total hostels15
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½

Playa del Carmen

Mexico

36
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Indexβ„’
β–Ό

Higher dorm prices (avg $17/night).

Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelSayab Hostel And Bar (9.4)
Annual dorm avg$‍17/night
Total hostels15

Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Cancun
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Playa del Carmen
πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί EU / EEA
Visa Free (180d)
Visa Free (180d)
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US
Visa Free (180d)
Visa Free (180d)
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK
Visa Free (180d)
Visa Free (180d)
πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
Visa Free (180d)
Visa Free (180d)
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada
Visa Free (180d)
Visa Free (180d)

Flights
Getting There

City to City
Getting Between Cancun & Playa del Carmen

Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Β°C Β· mm
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Cancun
28Β°C
High
/
24Β°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 38mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Playa del Carmen
28Β°C
High
/
24Β°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 34mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr


Common Questions
FAQ
Is Cancun or Playa del Carmen cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Cancun vs Playa del Carmen?+
Do I need a visa for Cancun or Playa del Carmen?+
When is the best time to visit Cancun or Playa del Carmen?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Cancun and Playa del Carmen?+

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