Which place is cheaper, Banos 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 Banos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Banos, 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 Banos?
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.
Banos
Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesBanos Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $104Banos $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $104, while the average daily cost in Banos is $54. 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 Banos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $42Banos $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $84Banos $32
Compare Hotels in Merida and Banos
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Banos? 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 Banos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Banos $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Merida Hotels Private: $32
- From Merida Private transfer to Chichen-Izamal-Cenote: $74
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $49
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $211
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $122
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $152
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $152
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer Mérida to Tulum with Flexible Stops: $198
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banos:
- Transfer Quito → Baños (one way / round trip): $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Banos?
Prices for flights to both Banos 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 $48Banos $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Merida Food Tour: Local Markets, Street Food & Yucatecan Cuisine: $65
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $70
- Hands On night Mexican Cooking with Masa: $82
- Merida : Between Markets and Flavors Food Tour: $86
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $87
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Private Mérida Cooking Class in a Local Yucatecan Home: $109
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $112
- 7-Course Yucatecan Dinner Experience: $161
- Wonders of the Mayab: Chichen Itza, Yokdzonot Cenote & Cooking Class: $237
Typical Food Prices in Banos
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
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Dinner$13
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Ice cream$1.50
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Coffee$2.50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Banos $19
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)$19
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.72
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Merida with 2 Routes: $10
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $18
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $18
- Vanilla Experience Flavor History Gallery and Garden: $21
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Mérida Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Merida Highlights Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $37
- Private Merida Tour on a Budget - Best Rated: $40
- Mayan Flavors Merida Markets Tour: $44
- Experience at Telchac Beach and its beach club: $50
- Private Tour Guide in Merida, 100% customisable: $54
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banos
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two Rented Bikes for the Day$10
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Cost to see Waterfall$2.00
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Day at the Spa$45
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2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)$10
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Entrance to Waterfall$2.00
Tours and Activities in Banos
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 - Day Jungle Tour to Puyo: $32
- 2 Days All Inclusive Napo Amazon Tour from Baños de Agua Santa: $293
- 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
- 3 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Baños: $40
- 5-Hour Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Baños: $62
- Adventure Circuit 4 activities in 1. All within an impressive cascade: $25
- Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
- Amazon Tour in Ecuador: Puyo Day Trip from Baños: $85
- Animalpark | Theme Park | Tours | naturally fun: $45
- Bathrooms Full Day Tour : Waterfalls Route & Tree House in Ecuador: $71
- Baths Nature and Adventure 2 Days.: $190
- Baths and Amazonia - 3-Day Tour: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Banos $9.74
Typical Alcohol Prices in Banos
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
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Beer$4.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Banos, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Banos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Banos 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 Banos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banos 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 Banos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Banos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Banos?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Banos, 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.