Which place is cheaper, Merida or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mar del 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 Mar del Plata and Merida can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Merida?
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
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 Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, 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 dayMar del Plata $8.78Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, 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 Mar del Plata and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Mar del 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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Merida $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 Mar del Plata or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Mar del 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 dayMar del Plata $3.81Merida $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.Mar del Plata $2.27Merida $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 dayMar del Plata $1.78Merida $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Merida, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del 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 Mar del Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Merida?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Mar del Plata. When comparing the sizes of Mar del 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 Mar del 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. Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Merida in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Merida. Furthermore, many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Mar del Plata is generally around the same temperature as Meridain July. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 20°C (69°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In Mar del Plata, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Merida during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Meridain July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 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 JulyMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Merida in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Merida. Additionally, many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Mar del Plata is cooler than Merida in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Merida. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in April than Meridain October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 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 OctoberMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Merida in the Winter?
Both Merida and Mar del 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.
In the winter, Mar del Plata is much colder than Merida. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mar del Plata in July average around 9°C (47°F), and Merida averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.
In July, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Meridain January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JanuaryMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Merida in the Spring?
Both Merida and Mar del Plata during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city.
In October, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Meridain April. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 13°C (56°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Meridain April. Mar del Plata gets 175 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. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in October than Meridain April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 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 AprilMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 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.