Which place is cheaper, Belize City or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Belize City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Belize City, 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 Belize City?
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.
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Belize City $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Belize City is $88. 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 Belize City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Belize City $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Belize City $98
Compare Hotels in Merida and Belize City
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Belize City? 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 Belize City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Belize City $5.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Belize City?
Prices for flights to both Belize City 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 $29Belize City $27
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Belize City $29
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:
- From Mérida Tour Plus: Chichen Itza Ruins and Cenote Ik-kil: $195
- Romantic tour in Izamal: $159
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $179
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $125
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $110
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $95
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $138
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $95
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $208
- Cenotes Santa Barbara, Eknakan Church & Acanceh Ruins Tour: $110
- Chichen Itza Adventure! Cenote and Izamal from Merida: $104
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $167
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $208
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $170
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Belize City tour: $100
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha, Monkey Sanctuary and Rum Factory Tour from Belize City: $170
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belize City Tour Shore Excursion: $100
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Full Day Tour: $190
- Cave Tubing & Zipline Adventure Tour: $110
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Belize City $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Belize City, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Merida is in North America and Belize City is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Belize City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Belize City?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Belize City, 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 Belize City?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Belize City experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Belize City in the Summer?
Both Belize City and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Belize City in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Belize City fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Belize City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Belize City during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Belize City. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Belize City 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Merida or Belize City in the Autumn?
Both Belize City and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.
In the autumn, Merida is cooler than Belize City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Belize City averages at about 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Belize City. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 196 hours of full sun.
Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets less rain in October than Belize City. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Belize City 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Merida or Belize City in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Belize City. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Merida is generally cooler than Belize City. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Belize City fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.
Belize City receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Belize City. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Belize City 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Merida or Belize City in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Belize City. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Belize City in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Belize City fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Belize City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 256 hours of full sun.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Belize City. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Belize City 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Belize City and Merida
| Merida | Belize City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 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.