Which place is cheaper, Cali 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 Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Cali, 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 Cali?
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.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesCali Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $105Cali $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $105, while the average daily cost in Cali is $33. 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 Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $43Cali $6.37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $86Cali $13
Compare Hotels in Merida and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Cali? 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 Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Cali $5.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer from/to airport progress sisal telchac celestun: $148
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Merida Airport (MID): $39
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $133
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $133
- Private Transfer from Merida Airport(MID): $20
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $154
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $214
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Airport Transfer to Merida Hotels Private: $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Airport Private- Hotels North: $36
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport: $19
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $174
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $183
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $183
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $20
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $46
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $250
- Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by car: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali 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 $49Cali $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated: $44
- Twilight Tastes Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Yucatán Flavours Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Merida Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef: $65
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $71
- Hands On night Mexican Cooking with Masa: $82
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $95
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Flavors of Yucatán Cooking class & market tour: $97
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $113
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $135
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $24
- Street Food Tour: $29
- Cali tastes good! Authentic street food tour through the salsa capital: $53
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Traditional Colombian Meal Cooking Class: $67
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73
- Food Tour San Antonio: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Cali $11
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)$19
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.76
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $178
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $59
- 3x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Town & Cenote & Izamal from Merida: $108
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $85
- Adventure 4 cenotes: $116
- Adventure to Hacienda Mucuyche & Oxkintok, 2 cenotes from Mérida: $118
- Bar hopping tour in Merida: $69
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $107
- Bird Watching Tour North of Mérida-Half Day: $300
- Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida: $105
- Celestun and Sisal Tour from Mérida: $89
- Cenote Adventure: Suytun Oxman and Valladolid Town Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
- Afro Walking Tour. The colors of Cali.: $40
- Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $140
- Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $179
- Cali Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $149
- Cali City Tour: $224
- Cali Day Tour to San Cipriano. Rivers, witches and waterfalls: $140
- Cali Downtown Walking Tour: $56
- Cali Food Market Tour Galería Alameda with Exotic Tastings: $29
- Cali Private City Tour with Salsa Lesson, Museums or Food: $107
- Cali River Waterfall Tour (4 hours): $64
- Cali River Waterfall Tour (Pance): $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Cali $8.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $28
- Friday Night Street Salsa and Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $30
- Friday Salsa Bar Crawl in Cali - Culture Nightlife Experience: $32
- Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $40
- Salsa Pub Crawl in Cali: $45
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Cali, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Cali 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 Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Cali?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Cali, 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.