Which place is cheaper, Merida or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or Merida?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Merida? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mandeville or Merida?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
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 dayMandeville $81Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, 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 Mandeville and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville 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: Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $31Merida $18
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 Mandeville or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $24Merida $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.Mandeville $8.31Merida $16
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 dayMandeville $6.51Merida $16
When comparing the travel costs between Mandeville and Merida, we can see that Merida is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and Merida is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Merida?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville or Merida?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mandeville experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mandeville or Merida in the Summer?
Both Merida and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Mandeville is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°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 Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Merida. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 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 JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Merida in the Autumn?
Both Merida and Mandeville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Merida. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Merida. Mandeville gets 233 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 Mandeville. Mandeville usually gets less rain in October than Merida. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 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 OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Merida in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Merida. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Mandeville is a little warmer than Merida in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Merida during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Merida. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 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 JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Merida in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Merida. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In the spring, Mandeville is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Merida averages at about 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 Mandeville this time of the year. In the spring, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Merida. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Merida. Mandeville usually gets less rain in April than Merida. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 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 AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.