Which place is cheaper, Basse-Terre or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Basse-Terre?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Basse-Terre, 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 Basse-Terre?
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.
Basse-Terre
In Guadeloupe there is Basse Terre the city and Basse-Terre the island - the city is the capital of Guadeloupe, and the island is Guadeloupe's western half of the main island. As a whole, the place is very green, featuring lush vegetation and a mountainous landscape with a sulfuric volcano.
For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 dayMerida $88Basse-Terre $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Basse-Terre is $164. 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 Basse-Terre in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Basse-Terre $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Basse-Terre $194
Compare Hotels in Merida and Basse-Terre
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Basse-Terre? 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 Basse-Terre Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Basse-Terre $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Basse-Terre?
Prices for flights to both Basse-Terre 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 $29Basse-Terre $50
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.Merida $16Basse-Terre $50
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:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Merida: $8.00
- Mérida Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Merida Private Tour on a Budget : $29
- Mérida Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- Merida Street Food Walking Tour: $65
- Tour to Uxmal + Choco Story Chocolate Museum: $67
- Private Walking Tour in City of Merida: $75
- Day of the Dead Tour & Taco buffet: $80
- Tour to progreso, corchito and salt ponds: $81
Tours and Activities in Basse-Terre
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basse-Terre are as follows:
- Full day tour: the best of the island w/photos drone sunset: $214
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Basse-Terre $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Basse-Terre, we can see that Basse-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Merida would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merida 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 Basse-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basse-Terre than you might in Merida.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Basse-Terre Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Basse-Terre?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Basse-Terre, 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 Merida or Basse-Terre?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Basse-Terre experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Basse-Terre in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Basse-Terre. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year.
In the summer, Merida is cooler than Basse-Terre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the summer, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terre. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Basse-Terre. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Basse-Terre 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Basse-Terre in the Autumn?
Both Basse-Terre and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Merida is generally cooler than Basse-Terre. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terre during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives less rain than Basse-Terre. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Basse-Terre 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Merida or Basse-Terre in the Winter?
Both Basse-Terre and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round.
Merida is cooler than Basse-Terre in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets less sunshine than Basse-Terre. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets less rain in January than Basse-Terre. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Basse-Terre 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Merida or Basse-Terre in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Basse-Terre. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Merida is cooler than Basse-Terre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Basse-Terre during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Basse-Terre. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Basse-Terre 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Basse-Terre and Merida
| Merida | Basse-Terre | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.