A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Easter Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Merida or Easter Island?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Easter Island, 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 Easter Island?

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.

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Merida?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 Easter Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Merida $44
    Easter Island $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Merida $88
    Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in Merida and Easter Island

Looking for a hotel in Merida or Easter Island? 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.

Hotels in Merida


Hotels in Easter Island


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Merida $18
    Easter Island $2.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida

Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
  • Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
  • Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
  • Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
  • One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
  • Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
  • Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227

Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Easter Island?

Prices for flights to both Easter Island 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Merida $29
    Easter Island $25

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 Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
  • Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Merida $16
    Easter Island $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Merida

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Train at the Zoo
    $0.12
  • Uxmal Entrance (for 2)
    $20
  • 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:

  • From Mérida Tour Plus: Chichen Itza Ruins and Cenote Ik-kil: $195
  • Romantic tour in Izamal: $159
  • 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $179
  • 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $125
  • 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $110
  • 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $95
  • Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $138
  • Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $95
  • Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $208
  • Cenotes Santa Barbara, Eknakan Church & Acanceh Ruins Tour: $110
  • Chichen Itza Adventure! Cenote and Izamal from Merida: $104

Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Bike Rental
    $8.38

Tours and Activities in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Day Tour Touring the Highlights of Rapa Nui: $300
  • Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges: $170
  • 2 Day Private Tour: Rapa Nui's Cultural Heritage: $300
  • 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature: $210
  • 3 Hours Terevaka Horseback Private Guided Riding Tour: $180
  • Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach: $171
  • Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
  • Poike Volcano Private Hiking Tour with Guide: $280
  • Experience Easter Island Shared Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers : $290
  • Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
  • Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants: $219
  • Full Day Tour - The Land of Hotu Matu´a: $177

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Merida $16
    Easter Island $5.34


When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Easter Island, we can see that Merida 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. Even though Merida is in North America and Easter Island is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Merida or Easter Island?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Easter Island, 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 Easter Island?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Easter Island is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Merida has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Merida or Easter Island in the Summer?

Both Easter Island and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than Easter Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Easter Island averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Easter Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Easter Island during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives around the same amount of rain as Easter Islandin January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Easter Island 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Merida or Easter Island in the Autumn?

Both Easter Island and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Easter Islandin April. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin April. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun.

Easter Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Easter Islandin April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Easter Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Merida or Easter Island in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Easter Island. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

Merida is around the same temperature as Easter Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in July.

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Easter Island during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

Easter Island receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Easter Islandin July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Merida 20°C (68°F) 
    Easter Island 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Merida or Easter Island in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Easter Island. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Merida is around the same temperature as Easter Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Easter Island averages at about 20°C (67°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin October. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Easter Islandin October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Easter Island 20°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Easter Island and Merida

Merida Easter Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 20°C (69°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)