Which place is cheaper, Merida or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Plata or Merida?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between La Plata and Merida can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Merida?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, 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 dayLa Plata $8.62Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.62, 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 La Plata and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $3.47Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $6.94Merida $88
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Merida
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $2.47Merida $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $3.37Merida $29
Typical Food Prices in La Plata
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:
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Ice Cream$0.01
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.La Plata $2.16Merida $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata
For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee$0.01
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 dayLa Plata $1.20Merida $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Merida, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Plata 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 La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Merida?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of La Plata. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata or Merida?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. La Plata 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 La Plata or Merida in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Merida. Also, many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, La Plata is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Plata in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Merida during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, La Plata usually receives more rain than Meridain July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 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 JulyLa Plata 25°C (77°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Merida in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Merida. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In April, La Plata is generally cooler than Meridain October. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (65°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. In the autumn, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Meridain October. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Merida. La Plata usually gets less rain in April than Meridain October. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 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 OctoberLa Plata 18°C (65°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Merida in the Winter?
Both Merida and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
La Plata is much colder than Merida in the winter. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Merida. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Merida during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, La Plata usually receives more rain than Meridain January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 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 JanuaryLa Plata 12°C (53°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Merida in the Spring?
Both Merida and La Plata during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, La Plata is cooler than Merida. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Plata in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in April.
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Meridain April. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 260 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 La Plata. La Plata usually gets less rain in October than Meridain April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 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 AprilLa Plata 18°C (64°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and La Plata
| La Plata | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.