Which place is cheaper, Arequipa 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 Arequipa, 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.
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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 Arequipa is $47. 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 Arequipa in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Arequipa? 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:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
Prices for flights to both Arequipa 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:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
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:
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Arequipa:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Arequipa, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Arequipa is in South 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Arequipa, 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.