Which place is cheaper, Freeport 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 Freeport?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Freeport, 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 Freeport?
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.
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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 Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesFreeport Prices
Bahamas Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $105Freeport $290
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $105, while the average daily cost in Freeport is $290. 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 Freeport in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $43Freeport $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $86Freeport $282
Compare Hotels in Merida and Freeport
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Freeport? 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 Freeport Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Freeport $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $213
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $153
- transfer from/to airport progress sisal telchac celestun: $148
- Transfer to and from Valladolid Izamal Chichen Itza Airport: $148
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $132
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $132
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Merida Airport (MID): $39
- Airport Transfer to Merida Hotels Private: $32
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer: $150
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers Island Seas Resort Freeport: $30
- Round-trip Airport Transfers to Castaway Resorts, Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $28
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $67
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $67
- Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort: $252
- Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $180
- Private One way Airport Transfer in Freeport: $180
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $77
- Luxury SUV Transfer from Airport, cruise port, Celebration Key: $133
- Grand Bahama Airport(FPO) to Freeport -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Freeport?
Prices for flights to both Freeport 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 $49Freeport $110
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 Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $70
- Hands On night Mexican Cooking with Masa: $82
- Empanadas, Salsas and Spirits in Hands-On Mexican Cooking Night: $82
- Cooking with Strangers in Mérida, Yucatán: $88
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $94
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Flavors of Yucatán Cooking class & market tour: $97
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $112
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Freeport $40
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$0.12
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$19
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.76
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $177
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $59
- 3x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Town & Cenote & Izamal from Merida: $108
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $85
- Adventure 4 cenotes: $115
- Adventure to Hacienda Mucuyche & Oxkintok, 2 cenotes from Mérida: $118
- Bar hopping tour in Merida: $69
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $106
- Bird Watching Tour North of Mérida-Half Day: $300
- Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida: $104
- Cenote Adventure: Suytun Oxman and Valladolid Town Tour: $120
- Chichen Itza Ruins Adventure! Cenote Ikkil and Izamal from Merida: $105
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$299
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- Coopers Castle and Port Lucaya Marketplace Tour: $60
- East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour: $270
- Eleuthera Adventure: Swings, Pigs, and Reefs: $600
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $127
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $126
- Grand Bahama Culture, History & Local Flavors Tour: $280
- Junkanoo Adventure with Bahamian Cuisine Tasting: $850
- Grand Bahama Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Drinks and Snacks: $89
- Grand Bahama Foodie Tour: $120
- Jet Ski Tour Freeport for 2 Persons @CreativeEcoAdventures: $242
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Freeport $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs: $85
- Grand Bahama Brewery and Distillery Tour: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Freeport, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Freeport is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Merida would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merida 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport than you might in Merida.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Freeport Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Freeport?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Freeport, 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.