Should you visit Merida or Cozumel?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Cozumel, 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.
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
Which city is cheaper, Cozumel 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 Cozumel is $63. 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 Cozumel 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.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $62 in Cozumel For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
Cozumel food costs typically run travelers around $16 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Merida $20
Cozumel $16
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 Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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.
To get around in Cozumel, the average visitor spends $16 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer: MERIDA - CHIQUILA (HOLBOX ISLAND) or CHIQUILA (HOLBOX ISLAND) - MERIDA:
$235
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BEST PRICE Merida City round-trip transfer. Hotel Airport.:
$100
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Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer:
$72
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BEST PRICE Merida City one-way transfer Hotel Airport.:
$50
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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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Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Merida Airport:
$38
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Private Arrival Transfer: Merida Airport to Hotels:
$38
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Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer:
$36
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Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer:
$36
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Shared Arrival Transfer: Merida Airport to Hotels:
$12
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Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Merida Airport:
$12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport 5 - 8:
$147
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport (1 - 6):
$60
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Private Arrival Transfer: Cozumel International Airport to Hotels (1 - 6):
$60
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Cozumel?
Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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.
In Cozumel, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $30 per person, per day.
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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2-Day Tour Chichen Itza: Overnight Stay at Mayaland Resort from Merida:
$189
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2-Day Uxmal Tour from Merida with Overnight at Hacienda Uxmal:
$169
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4 Day Best of Merida Tour in a 3 Star Hotel:
$534
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4 Days of Ecotourism in Yucatán in a 3 Star Hotel:
$748
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4 Days of Minitour in Yucatán in a 3 Star Hotel:
$2,331
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5 Day Mayan Wonders of the Yucatan Tour in a 3 Star Hotel:
$736
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5 Day Unforgettable Yucatan Tour in a 3 Star Hotel:
$622
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6 Days Unforgettable Yucatan Tour: Merida to Cancun in a 3 Star Hotel:
$740
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7 Days Discovering Yucatán Tour: Mérida, Izamal and Cancún in a 3 Star Hotel:
$3,084
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Adventure in the Mayab: Bike, Swim, Stroll in Cenotillo & Izamal:
$121
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Amazing Cenotes of Santa Bárbara Adventure Tour:
$86
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Between Mangroves and Crocodiles: Day & Night Coast Experiences:
$252
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
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Amazing Cozumel Race: Scavenger Hunt/Sightseeing Tour:
$79
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Amazing Private Jeep Adventure in Cozumel:
$82
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Cozumel Adventure:
$124
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Cozumel Adventure:
$124
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Cozumel City Tour with Lunch:
$57
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Cozumel Dune Buggy Off-Road Adventure to Punta Sur:
$85
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Cozumel Historical Walking Tour with Lunch:
$90
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Cozumel Island Tour by Open-Top Safari Bus Including Tequila Tasting:
$49
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Cozumel Island: Half-Day Private Jeep Tour and Eco Park:
$238
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Cozumel Motorcycle Tour Aboard a Harley-Davidson or KTM 1290:
$256
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Cozumel Private Jeep Tour with Lunch and Snorkeling:
$148
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Cozumel Shore Excursion: ATV, Ziplines and Cenote Tour Extreme Adventure Park:
$75
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Merida spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Cozumel, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.62.
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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