Which place is cheaper, Granada or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Granada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Granada, 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 Granada?
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.
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Granada $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Granada is $40. 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 Granada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Granada $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Merida and Granada
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Granada? 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 Granada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Granada $8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Granada?
Prices for flights to both Granada 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 $29Granada $14
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
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
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Pizza$2.29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Granada $10
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)$20
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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:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Merida: $8.00
- Mérida Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Merida Private Tour on a Budget : $29
- Mérida Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- Merida Street Food Walking Tour: $65
- Tour to Uxmal + Choco Story Chocolate Museum: $67
- Private Walking Tour in City of Merida: $75
- Day of the Dead Tour & Taco buffet: $80
- Tour to progreso, corchito and salt ponds: $81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
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Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Bird Watching Tour: $90
- Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $120
- Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
- Fabulous Night Tour in Masaya Volcano from Granada: $158
- From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
- Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
- Full Day Tour in Granada with Volcano Visit: $224
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada Colonial City Tour and Masaya Volcano: $130
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Granada $7.50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
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Tequila$1.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Granada, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Granada 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Granada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Granada?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Granada, 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 Granada?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Granada experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Granada in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Granada. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Granada in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the summer, Merida often gets more sunshine than Granada. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Granada. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Granada. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Granada in the Autumn?
Both Granada and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Merida is cooler than Granada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Granada averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Granada during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives around the same amount of rain as Granada. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Granada in the Winter?
Both Granada and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.
In January, Merida is generally cooler than Granada. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Granada fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets less sunshine than Granada. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets more rain in January than Granada. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Granada 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Merida or Granada in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Granada. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than Granada in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Granada fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Granada. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Granada 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Granada and Merida
| Merida | Granada | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
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.