Should you visit Merida or Ensenada?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Ensenada, 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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
Which city is cheaper, Ensenada or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $57, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $64. 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 Ensenada 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 $29, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $58.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $30. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Ensenada the cost is $60 on average.
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.
The average price of local transportation around Ensenada is $13 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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BEST PRICE Merida City one-way transfer Hotel Airport.:
$50
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BEST PRICE Merida City round-trip transfer. Hotel Airport.:
$100
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Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer:
$36
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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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Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer:
$36
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Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer:
$72
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Private Arrival Transfer: Merida Airport to Hotels:
$38
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Merida Airport:
$38
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Shared Arrival Transfer: Merida Airport to Hotels:
$12
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Merida Airport:
$12
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Transfer: MERIDA - CHIQUILA (HOLBOX ISLAND) or CHIQUILA (HOLBOX ISLAND) - MERIDA:
$235
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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 in Merida costs travelers about $19 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.
While meal prices in Ensenada can vary, the average travelers spends about $25 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Ensenada should cost around $10 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ensenada is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Merida $19
Ensenada $25
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
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.
Ensenada's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $7.06 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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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Turibus Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Merida:
$6.00
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Chichen Itza, The greatness of the Mayas: Creation legends Tour:
$6.99
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TuriCervecero Merida - Tasting Tour and Craft Beer Experience:
$21
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Guided Walking Tour in Merida:
$25
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Mérida Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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Panoramic Sightseeing Merida City Tour:
$36
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Merida Sightseeing Tour:
$37
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Merida Cantinas Walking Tour with Beer and Snacks:
$49
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Merida Street Food Walking Tour:
$51
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Tour Cenotes Santa Bárbara:
$62
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Local market Tour - Culinary Experience:
$62
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Small Group Cenotes Adventure and Family Lunch Tour:
$64
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4 days Dirt Bike Tour at Baja North:
$2,515
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Dirt Bike One Day Tour from Ensenada to San Felipe (Point to Point):
$875
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Ensenada Shore Excursion: Blowhole and La Bufadora Tour with Horseback Riding:
$132
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Ensenada Shore Excursion: City Tour & La Bufadora:
$68
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Ensenada Shore Excursion: Entre Santos and El Cielo Winery Tours with Lunch:
$160
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Ensenada Shore Excursion: Wine and Cheese Tour with Lunch in Ojos Negros Valley:
$225
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Ensenada Travels Tours:
$64
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Tuk Tuk, Beach and Bar Tour:
$90
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Ensenadas Ziplines , Pai Pai Zoo and Bufadora Private tour.:
$300
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Family-Friendly Baja Wine and Food Adventure:
$425
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Ford model T tours:
$100
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From La Bufadora Geyser Tour:
$36
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Merida spend on average $10 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Ensenada may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.20 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Private wine tour:
$65
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Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour:
$75
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Private Full-Day Wine Tour in Valle de Guadalupe:
$89
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From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour:
$94
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Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour, All Inclusive by AKA Expeditions.:
$140
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Valle de Guadalupe Off The Beaten Path Wine Tasting:
$505
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada 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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