Which place is cheaper, Merida or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Asuncion or Merida?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Merida, 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: Asuncion or Merida?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
Merida
Merida is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. It is also the capital of the state of Yucatan as a whole. There is a population of 750,000 and is very rich in diversity and culture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $68Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $68, while the average daily cost in Merida is $88. 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 Asuncion and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Merida? 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.82Merida $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $17Merida $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $62
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $89
- Private Yucatecan Cooking Lesson in a Local Merida Home: $90
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers: $126
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16Merida $16
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $85
- Day Tour “Cerrito”: $231
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
- Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230
- Day tour to “National Park Ybycuí”: $265
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $207
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
Typical Entertainment Prices in Merida
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Train at the Zoo$0.12
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$20
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$6.01
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Mérida Tour Plus: Chichen Itza Ruins and Cenote Ik-kil: $195
- Romantic tour in Izamal: $159
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $179
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $125
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $110
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $95
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $138
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $95
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $208
- Cenotes Santa Barbara, Eknakan Church & Acanceh Ruins Tour: $110
- Chichen Itza Adventure! Cenote and Izamal from Merida: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10Merida $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Merida, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Asuncion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Asuncion is in South America and Merida 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 Asuncion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asuncion 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 Merida would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Merida than you might in Asuncion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Merida?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Merida, 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 Asuncion or Merida?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Asuncion is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Merida has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Asuncion or Merida in the Summer?
Both Merida and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In January, Asuncion is generally a little warmer than Meridain July. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 29°C (84°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during summer. Asuncion gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Asuncion. In January, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Meridain July. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyAsuncion 29°C (84°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Merida in the Autumn?
Both Merida and Asuncion during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Asuncion is a little warmer than Merida in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Asuncion often gets less sunshine than Meridain October. Asuncion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun.
Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually gets less rain in April than Meridain October. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberAsuncion 24°C (75°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Merida in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and Merida. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Asuncion is around the same temperature as Merida. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asuncion in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Merida averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. Asuncion usually receives less sunshine than Merida during winter. Asuncion gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Meridain January. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAsuncion 19°C (66°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Merida in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as Merida. Also, most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months.
In October, Asuncion is generally a little warmer than Meridain April. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 25°C (77°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asuncion this time of the year. In the spring, Asuncion often gets less sunshine than Meridain April. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Merida. Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asuncion usually gets less rain in October than Meridain April. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilAsuncion 25°C (77°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Asuncion
| Asuncion | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (84°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
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.