Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Merida and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Cartagena $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $12
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $27
- Transfer High-end - Kia Quoris: $90
- Transfer High-end - Ford Explorer: $90
- The best private Transfer from / to Cartagena airport. ONE WAY.: $20
- Service private transfers Airport/Hotel and vice versa in Cartagena: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 $29Cartagena $10
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 Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
- Dinner cruise on Cartagena's bay with Sibarita Master: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Cartagena $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:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Merida: $8.00
- Mérida Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Merida Private Tour on a Budget : $29
- Mérida Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- Merida Street Food Walking Tour: $65
- Tour to Uxmal + Choco Story Chocolate Museum: $67
- Private Walking Tour in City of Merida: $75
- Day of the Dead Tour & Taco buffet: $80
- Tour to progreso, corchito and salt ponds: $81
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $14
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $90
- 2-Hour Tour of Getsemani Color and Art: $63
- 2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat: $26
- 4-Hour Fishing Experience with Locals Near Cartagena: $233
- 4X1 ADVENTURE-ISLAS, CHOLON, PLAYA Y PLANCTON desde cartagen: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Cartagena $9.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing and Complimentary Drinks: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Cartagena, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Cartagena 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Merida or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Cartagena. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Cartagena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Merida
| Merida | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.