Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Bocas del Toro, 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 Bocas del Toro?
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.
Bocas del Toro
The capital of the Bocas del Toro province, this city of the same name sits in the Caribbean West region of Panama. Bocas del Toro, or Bocas Town, is in the district of Bocas del Toro, which also includes the towns of Bastimentos, Cauchero, Punta Laurel, and Tierra Oscura. The district has a population of about 17,000 and covers a total area of 433.2 square kilometers, and the town has a population of about 13,000. The area is a tourist destination for its beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving, and interesting culture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is $77. 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 Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Merida and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Bocas del Toro? 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 Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
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Water Taxi$3.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro 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 $29Bocas del Toro $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
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
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Lunch$15
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Breakfast$14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Bocas del Toro $22
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Island Boat Tour$25
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Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
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Yoga Class$5.01
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $66
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Bocas del Toro $12
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Merida 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 Bocas del Toro 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 Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Bocas del Toro?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Bocas del Toro, 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 Bocas del Toro?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bocas del Toro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Bocas del Toro. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Merida or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Bocas del Toro. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bocas del Toro. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Merida or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Merida or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro 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 April than Bocas del Toro. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Merida
| Merida | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 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.