Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
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 Nadi (Port Denarau) or Tulum?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nadi (Port Denarau) or Tulum, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nadi (Port Denarau) or Tulum?
Nadi (Port Denarau)
Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
Fiji PricesTulum Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNadi (Port Denarau) $198Tulum $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $133. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNadi (Port Denarau) $106Tulum $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNadi (Port Denarau) $212Tulum $108
Compare Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau) and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Nadi (Port Denarau) or Tulum? 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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81Tulum $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):
- Private Transfer-Nadi International Airport to Hotels : $6.86
- Private Car Transfer to Nadi International Airport: $8.24
- Private Departure Transfer To Nadi Airport From Your Hotel: $9.12
- Private Departure Transfer From Your Hotel To Nadi Airport (cfc approved): $9.12
- Shared Transfer from Nadi Airport Fiji to Nadi area hotels: $9.15
- Shared Shuttle Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport/ Port to Hotel: $9.15
- Private Transfer from Nadi Intl Airport to Sheraton Fiji Resort : $11
- Port Denarau Island from Your Resort (Private Transfer): $12
- Private Departure Transfer to Nadi Airport from Your Hotel: $12
- Private Transfer Nadi Airport to or from Hotel or Resort: $13
- Nadi Airport Transfer :Nadi Airport to All Nadi & Denarau Island/ Vuda Hotels: $14
- Private Transfer: Nadi Int Airport - Denarau Island Hotels: $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Private Transfer from Tulum Airport (TQO): $69
- Private Transfer to Tulum Airport (TQO): $69
- Private Transfers to Tulum Airport: $77
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $84
- Private Transfer Tulum to Mérida with Flexible Stops: $106
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $115
- Private Airport Transfer to Tulum: $117
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $121
- Private Transfer Cancun International Airport CUN to Tulum City: $125
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Tulum Airport (TQO): $135
- Private Transfer from Tulum Hotels to Tulum Airport (TQO): $139
- Economy Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Nadi (Port Denarau) or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 dayNadi (Port Denarau) $69Tulum $54
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class with Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner in Tulum: $71
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $88
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $92
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $120
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $131
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class, Cenote and Coba Ruins : $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nadi (Port Denarau) $32Tulum $29
Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:
- Nadi Sightseeing Including Viseisei Lookout, Village Tour, Garden & Temple Tour: $70
- Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool Tour: $73
- Shore Excursion-Wonders of Nadi Sightseeing Tour-Temple,Gardens,Markets&Shopping: $77
- Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
- Cultural Night Tour: $80
- Nadi Therapeutic Mud Pools and Garden Tour - Shore Excursions EX PORT DENARAU: $82
- Nadi Heritage Tour : $82
- Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
- Fiji Lautoka Shore Excursions Tour : $92
- Coral Coast Heritage Tour : $99
- Nadi Sightseeing & Mud Pool Tour - Ex Fiji Marriott, Momi Bay: $100
- Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Ruins in Tulum Walking Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $8.35
- Coba Ruins: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Mexico: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $22
- Salsa Dance Experience at Tulum Beach: $22
- Coba Mayan Ruins and Cenote Swim Tour: $25
- Snorkel 2 reef point, 1 hour 20 minutes tour : $29
- ATV Cenote and Ziplines Adventure in Tulum from Riviera Maya: $30
- Tulum Jungle Experience with ATV, Ziplines, and Cenote: $35
- Tulum Wild Adventure Tour with ATV, Ziplining and Cenote : $35
- Tulum Extreme Mayan Adventure with ATV, Zipline and Cenote: $38
- Guided Day Tour to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim and Valladolid: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNadi (Port Denarau) $11Tulum $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nadi (Port Denarau) and Tulum, we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific and Tulum is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) than you might in Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Tulum?
Nadi (Port Denarau) has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Nadi (Port Denarau) and Tulum, 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.