Which place is cheaper, Flores 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 Flores?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Flores, 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 Flores?
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.
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesFlores Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $100Flores $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $100, while the average daily cost in Flores is $43. 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 Flores in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $41Flores $8.78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $82Flores $18
Compare Hotels in Merida and Flores
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Flores? 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 Flores Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Flores $8.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer from/to airport progress sisal telchac celestun: $114
- Uxmal and Hacienda Mucuyché transfer included: $142
- Transfer to and from Valladolid Izamal Chichen Itza Airport: $142
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from/to Merida Airport: $11
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Merida Airport (MID): $40
- Round-Trip Group Transfer from Merida Santa Barbara Cenotes: $55
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $128
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $128
- Private Transfer from Merida Airport(MID): $20
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Private Transfer Mérida to Tulum with Flexible Stops: $198
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Flores?
Prices for flights to both Flores 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 $46Flores $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated: $44
- Twilight Tastes Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Yucatán Flavours Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Merida Food Tour: Local Markets, Street Food & Yucatecan Cuisine: $65
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $73
- Hands On night Mexican Cooking with Masa: $82
- Empanadas, Salsas and Spirits in Hands-On Mexican Cooking Night: $82
- Merida : Between Markets and Flavors Food Tour: $83
- 4hr Cooking Class in Merida with Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $85
- Flavors of Yucatán Cooking class & market tour: $97
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Flores $20
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)$18
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.51
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 100% Spanish tour to Chichén Itzá + Cenote + Izamal: $99
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $170
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $57
- 3x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Town & Cenote & Izamal from Merida: $120
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $81
- ATV Adventure Tour to Cenotes Holca and Sotuta from Mérida: $224
- Adventure 4 cenotes: $111
- Adventure in Yucatán Cenote X Cajum and Izamal: $51
- Adventure to Hacienda Mucuyche & Oxkintok, 2 cenotes from Mérida: $140
- Amazing private Walking tour in Mérida: $75
- Bar hopping tour in Merida: $80
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $102
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.28
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- 4 Hours Private Tour to see the sunset at El Rey Canek Viewpoint: $100
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores and Airport: $105
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores or Mayan World Airport: $78
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Classic Private Tour of Tikal from Flores Guatemala: $180
- Classic Tour to Tikal from Flores Mayan Temples and Tropical Jungle: $110
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- Blue Crater, Imox Lagoon & Hidden Pools Tour: $75
- Tikal National Park Tour with Mayan Energy Reading: $222
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Flores $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Merida
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Merida:
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting | Tour y Degustación de Cerveza: $40
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.62
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Flores, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Flores 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 Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Flores Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Flores?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Flores, 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.