Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Grand Cayman, 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 Grand Cayman?
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.
Grand Cayman
When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Grand Cayman $214
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $214. 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 Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Grand Cayman $150
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Merida and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Grand Cayman? 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 Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Grand Cayman $31
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman 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 $29Grand Cayman $39
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Grand Cayman $41
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:
- 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
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
- Cayman Crystal Caves & Pedro St James Castle Tour in Grand Cayman: $179
- Cayman Crystal Caves Tour in Grand Cayman Island: $126
- Cayman's Classic Food Tasting & Cultural Experience: $179
- East End Activities and Tour in Grand Cayman: $158
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $275
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $262
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Grand Cayman Reef & Stingray City Snorkeling Adventure: $159
- West Island Guided Tour with Entry Tickets: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Grand Cayman $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
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Beer$4.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
- Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Grand Cayman?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Grand Cayman, 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 Grand Cayman?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand Cayman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Grand Cayman in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Merida or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
Both Grand Cayman and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In the autumn, Merida is cooler than Grand Cayman. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets less rain in October than Grand Cayman. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Grand Cayman. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Merida is generally cooler than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Merida or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Grand Cayman. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Grand Cayman in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Grand Cayman. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Merida
| Merida | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.