Which place is cheaper, David 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 David?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or David, 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 David?
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.
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, and The Best Budget Tours to Panama.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesDavid Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $104David $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $104, while the average daily cost in David is $39. 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 David in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $42David $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $84David $24
Compare Hotels in Merida and David
Looking for a hotel in Merida or David? 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 David Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17David $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to Merida Airport (MID): $20
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Airport Transfer to Merida Hotels Private: $32
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Merida Airport (MID): $39
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $49
- From Merida Private transfer to Chichen-Izamal-Cenote: $74
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $122
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $131
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $131
- transfer from/to airport progress sisal telchac celestun: $147
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $152
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or David?
Prices for flights to both David 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 $48David $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Merida Food Tour: Local Markets, Street Food & Yucatecan Cuisine: $65
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $70
- Hands On night Mexican Cooking with Masa: $82
- Merida : Between Markets and Flavors Food Tour: $86
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $87
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Private Mérida Cooking Class in a Local Yucatecan Home: $109
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $112
- 7-Course Yucatecan Dinner Experience: $161
- Wonders of the Mayab: Chichen Itza, Yokdzonot Cenote & Cooking Class: $237
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15David $4.37
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)$19
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.72
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Merida with 2 Routes: $10
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $18
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $18
- Vanilla Experience Flavor History Gallery and Garden: $21
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Mérida Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Merida Highlights Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $37
- Private Merida Tour on a Budget - Best Rated: $40
- Mayan Flavors Merida Markets Tour: $44
- Experience at Telchac Beach and its beach club: $50
- Private Tour Guide in Merida, 100% customisable: $54
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15David -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and David, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and David is in Central 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is David Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or David?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of David. When comparing the sizes of Merida and David, 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.