Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Antigua Guatemala, 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.
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.
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, and The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $63. 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 Merida and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Antigua Guatemala? 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.
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Merida 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.
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Antigua Guatemala is in Central 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 Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.
Merida has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Antigua Guatemala, 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.