Which place is cheaper, Duck Key or Tulum?
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 Tulum or Duck Key?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Duck Key can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Duck Key?
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.
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesDuck Key Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $133Duck Key $175
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $133, while the average daily cost in Duck Key is $175. 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 Tulum and Duck Key in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $54Duck Key $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $108Duck Key $112
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Duck Key
Looking for a hotel in Tulum or Duck Key? 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: Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $25Duck Key $69
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:
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $114
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $120
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $206
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $250
- Tulum to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $190
- Tulum Hotels to Merida Rejon Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $215
- Tulum Archaeological Zone: Cenote, Lunch & Transfer: $191
- Tulum Archaeological Zone and Jaguar Park With Transfer and Lunch: $152
- Tulum Airport: One-Way or Roundtrip Private Transfer: $144
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Round Trip Transfer from Tulum Airport to Hotels: $158
- Private Transfer to Tulum from Tulum Airport: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Duck Key?
Prices for flights to both Duck Key and Tulum 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 dayTulum $54Duck Key $77
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: $83
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $88
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $120
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $29Duck Key $30
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Chichen Itza & Cenote Chichikan Bus Tour Experience from Tulum: $71
- Full Day Tour from Tulum to Rio Lagartos: $229
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Guided Tour: $220
- Tulum Extreme Mayan Adventure with ATV, Zipline and Cenote: $38
- 2 Cenotes Private Tour – VIP Adventure with Expert Guide: $154
- 2 tanks Cenote Diving Adventure in Tulum for Certified Divers: $200
- 3 in 1 Experience in Tulum: $111
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $94
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- ATV Adventure and Horseback Ride with Ziplines, Cenote from Tulum: $82
- ATV Cenote and Ziplines Adventure in Tulum from Riviera Maya: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $23Duck Key $7.99
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 Tulum and Duck Key, we can see that Duck Key is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Duck Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck Key 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Duck Key Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Duck Key?
Tulum has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Duck Key, 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.
When is the best time to visit Tulum or Duck Key?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Tulum or Duck Key in the Summer?
Both Duck Key and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as Duck Key. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Duck Key averages at about 84°F (29°C).
In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 328 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Duck Key. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Duck Key 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Tulum or Duck Key in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Duck Key. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Duck Key fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Duck Key. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Duck Key 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Tulum or Duck Key in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Duck Key. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Tulum is a little warmer than Duck Key in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Duck Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 252 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Duck Key. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Duck Key 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Tulum or Duck Key in the Spring?
Both Duck Key and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as Duck Key. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Duck Key averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Duck Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives more rain than Duck Key. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Duck Key 77°F (25°C)
Typical Weather for Duck Key and Tulum
| Tulum | Duck Key | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
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.