Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Merida or Antigua Guatemala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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.
Where Should I go: Merida or Antigua Guatemala?
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.
Antigua Guatemala
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesAntigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99Antigua Guatemala $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $74. 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.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40Antigua Guatemala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Merida and Antigua Guatemala
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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Merida Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Antigua Guatemala $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $156
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
- Private transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $80
- Private transfer from Antigua to the La Aurora Airport.: $72
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $186
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $65
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $66
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
- Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Antigua Guatemala?
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMerida $46Antigua Guatemala $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated : $44
- Merida Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef : $56
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $64
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $86
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $102
- Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers: $154
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.26
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Lunch$7.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua: Traditional cooking class with a Guatemalan family: $50
- Taste of Guatemala,Walking Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala : $50
- Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $58
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Wine, transfer & vegan option: $65
- Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Antigua Guatemala $15
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$0.11
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$18
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.43
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $167
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $56
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $104
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $68
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $108
- 6-hour Guided Tour to Uxmal and Kabah Express: $89
- Adventure 4 cenotes with Izamal: $119
- Ake Ruins & Homun Cenotes Day Tour from Merida: $90
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $128
- Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida: $75
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $165
- Celestun Nature Reserve Flamingo Tour-Boat to Flamingo Paradise from Merida: $230
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- ¡Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua!: $100
- 2 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $130
- 2 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Antigua: $150
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $150
- 2-day tour from Antigua 1 night in Acatenango Volcano: $92
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $215
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $78
- 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !: $400
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV Tour of the Magic Towns of Antigua: $65
- ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Antigua Guatemala $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
- Antigua Bar Crawl: $26
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?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Antigua Guatemala?
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.
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.