Which place is cheaper, Merida or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Merida?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston 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: Kingston or Merida?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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 dayKingston $109Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, 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 Kingston and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Merida $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Kingston Hotels to Montego Bay Cruise Port: $118
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $118
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Kingston 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 dayKingston $27Merida $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.Kingston $13Merida $16
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
- Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
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:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Merida: $8.00
- Mérida Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Merida Private Tour on a Budget : $29
- Mérida Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- Merida Street Food Walking Tour: $65
- Tour to Uxmal + Choco Story Chocolate Museum: $67
- Private Walking Tour in City of Merida: $75
- Day of the Dead Tour & Taco buffet: $80
- Tour to progreso, corchito and salt ponds: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Merida $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Merida, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands 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 Merida would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merida 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Merida.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Merida?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston or Merida?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kingston or Merida in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Merida. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
Kingston is a little warmer than Merida in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, 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 Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Merida. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Merida. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Merida in the Autumn?
Both Merida and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Kingston is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives less rain than Merida. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Merida in the Winter?
Both Merida and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Merida. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Merida. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Merida. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Merida in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Merida. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months.
Kingston is a little warmer than Merida in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun in the spring.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Merida. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Kingston
| Kingston | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.