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 $97Cali $38
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $97, while the average daily cost in Cali is $38. 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 $40Cali $7.41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Cali $15
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 $16Cali $6.93
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: $109
- Uxmal and Hacienda Mucuyché transfer included: $137
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from/to Merida Airport: $8.93
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $128
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $128
- Private Transfer Mérida to Tulum with Flexible Stops: $198
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $148
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $120
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $206
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $48
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
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$1.23
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
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $44
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $174
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $89
- Airport Transfers to Cali Hotels: $28
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 $45Cali $18
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
- Yucatán Flavours Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Merida Food Tour: Local Markets, Street Food & Yucatecan Cuisine: $63
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $70
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $82
- Empanadas, Salsas and Spirits in Hands-On Mexican Cooking Night: $82
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Flavors of Yucatán Cooking class & market tour: $97
- Mexican & Yucatecan Salsas Cooking Class in Mérida, Yucatán: $98
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $104
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $108
- 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: $23
- Street Food Tour Cali Authentic Flavors and Street Art: $29
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Live Show in Cali Salsa Night with Dinner and Local Party: $60
- Traditional Colombian Cooking Class in Cali: $71
- Food Tour San Antonio: $90
- Discover Pacific Flavors Cali Cooking Class and Market Tour: $177
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $14Cali $13
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$0.11
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$18
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.36
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $55
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $78
- Acanceh and Santa Bárbara Cenotes Adventure: $116
- Adventure 4 cenotes: $107
- Adventure in Yucatán Cenote X Cajum and Izamal: $49
- Adventure to Hacienda Mucuyché, Oxkintok & 2 Cenotes from Mérida: $140
- Amazing private Walking tour in Mérida: $75
- Bacalar Boat Ride Lagoon Adventure from Merida: $147
- Bacalar Seven Colors Lagoon & Cenote Azul Tour: $158
- Bar hopping tour in Merida: $80
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $98
- Bird Watching Tour near Merida-Half Day: $197
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
- Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $239
- Cali City Tour: $224
- Cali City Tour: $29
- Cali Cloud Forest Birdwatching & Nature Tour at KM18: $149
- Cali Day Tour to San Cipriano. Rivers, witches and waterfalls: $140
- Cali Food Market Tour Galería Alameda with Exotic Tastings: $29
- Cali River Waterfall Tour (4 hours): $64
- Cali Salsa Tour: Learn the history, dance and play instruments: $85
- Cali private city tour: $120
- City Tour | Guided tour around the city: $95
- Walking tour of the historic center: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Cali $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Merida
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Merida:
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting | Tour y Degustación de Cerveza: $38
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Street Salsa and Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $35
- Salsa Friday in Calle del Sabor + Bar Crawl in Cali: $40
- 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.