Should you visit Merida or Cabo San Lucas?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Cabo San Lucas, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
Which city is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $59, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $95. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Merida and Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Merida can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $30, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $60.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Cabo San Lucas is $84. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Food in Merida costs travelers about $20 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $36 per day in Cabo San Lucas for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Merida $20
Cabo San Lucas $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Traveling Spoon Yucatecan Sopa de Lima Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
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Merida Market Tour and Cooking Class:
$69
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Private Yucatecan Cooking Lesson in a Local Merida Home:
$70
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Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit:
$77
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Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers:
$95
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Merida Cooking, Pottery, Classes Tour~Also An Accessible Tour:
$99
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Wonders of the Mayab: Chichen Itza, Yokdzonot Cenote & Cooking Class:
$176
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
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Cabo San Lucas Sunset and Dinner Cruise:
$50
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Eat Like A Local Cabo Food Tour:
$59
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Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose:
$59
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Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo:
$62
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Cabo San Lucas "Catch of the Day" Seafood Tour:
$62
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Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise. Fajitas dinner & live music:
$68
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Jumbo Shrimp Dinner in Your Private Villa or Condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo:
$78
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Lobster Tail Dinner with a Private Chef in Your Villa in Cabo or San Jose:
$80
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Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar from Cabo San Lucas:
$89
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Los Cabos Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$89
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Whale-Watching Dinner Cruise in Los Cabos:
$89
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Sunset Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas:
$89
Local Transportation
Merida's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $12 per person, per day on transportation in Merida.
The cost of a taxi ride in Cabo San Lucas is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $18 per person, per day, on local transportation in Cabo San Lucas.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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BEST PRICE Merida City one-way transfer Hotel Airport.:
$50
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BEST PRICE Merida City round-trip transfer. Hotel Airport.:
$100
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Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer:
$36
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Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida:
$46
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Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport:
$46
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Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer:
$36
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Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer:
$72
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Private Arrival Transfer: Merida Airport to Hotels:
$38
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Merida Airport:
$38
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Shared Arrival Transfer: Merida Airport to Hotels:
$12
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Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Merida Airport:
$12
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Transfer: MERIDA - CHIQUILA (HOLBOX ISLAND) or CHIQUILA (HOLBOX ISLAND) - MERIDA:
$235
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
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Wild Canyon Adventures Park Pass with transfers included:
$199
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Transfer in private minivan from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo(SJD):
$113
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Transfer in Private Car from Cabo San Lucas to Los Cabos Airport (SJD):
$201
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Round trip transfer from Cabo to La Paz up to 5 passengers:
$400
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Round trip transfer from Cabo to La Paz up to 10 passengers:
$457
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Round trip transfer from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz up to 15 passengers:
$514
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Private transfer: Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lucas Airport (SJD):
$622
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Private Tesla Transfer from Los Cabos Airport to Cabo San Lucas Area:
$261
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Private Round Trip Transfer - Los Cabos Int. Airport and Local Area:
$180
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Departure Private Transfer Service One way from Hotel to Los Cabos airport:
$66
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Cabo San Lucas hotels to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) - Private Departure Transfer:
$92
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Arrival Share Transfer Service One way from Los Cabos airport to Hotel:
$21
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Merida can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $11 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Cabo San Lucas typically cost an average of $29 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Merida
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Turibus Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Merida:
$6.00
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Chichen Itza, The greatness of the Mayas: Creation legends Tour:
$6.99
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TuriCervecero Merida - Tasting Tour and Craft Beer Experience:
$21
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Guided Walking Tour in Merida:
$25
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Mérida Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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Panoramic Sightseeing Merida City Tour:
$36
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Merida Sightseeing Tour:
$37
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Merida Cantinas Walking Tour with Beer and Snacks:
$49
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Merida Street Food Walking Tour:
$51
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Tour Cenotes Santa Bárbara:
$62
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Local market Tour - Culinary Experience:
$62
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Small Group Cenotes Adventure and Family Lunch Tour:
$64
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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"Aquarium of the World" Glass-bottom boat tour at the Arch of Los Cabos:
$70
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2 Hour ATV Adventure in Los Cabos:
$90
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2 Tank tour Corridor sites, certified divers with MANTA:
$125
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2-Day Magdalena Bay Gray Whale Van Tour:
$695
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2-Tank Dive Tour in Cabo San Lucas for Certified Divers with MANTA:
$105
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2-hour Off Road Side by Side ATV Tour in Los Cabos:
$208
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2.15 Hour Sunset Tour on Catamaran in Cabo San Lucas:
$80
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2.15 Hrs Desert Combo Tour:
$100
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3 Hours Private Sunset Tour around The Sea of Cortes in Cabo:
$2,282
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3Hr Private Yacht Cruise in Cabo As if you were aboard your own Private Yacht.Al:
$686
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4Hr Private Yacht Cruise in Cabo As if you were aboard your own Private Yacht.Al:
$800
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5-Day Marlyn Migration Private Tour:
$6,700
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Merida spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cabo San Lucas may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas than you might in Merida.
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