Which place is cheaper, Grande-Terre or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Grande-Terre?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Grande-Terre, 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 Grande-Terre?
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.
Grande-Terre
Grande Terre is an island that makes up the eastern half of the Guadeloupe 'mainland.' It is divided from the other half of the main Guadeloupe island, Basse Terre, by a narrow channel called Rivière Salee (or the Salt River). The island itself is characterized by rolling hills, white sand beaches, and cliffs, and its indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs. It is home to most of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.
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 $88Grande-Terre $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Grande-Terre is $157. 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 Grande-Terre in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Grande-Terre $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Grande-Terre $176
Compare Hotels in Merida and Grande-Terre
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Grande-Terre? 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 Grande-Terre Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Grande-Terre $9.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Transfer Guadeloupe Airport to Cruise Port: $38
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to Airport (PTP) : $26
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $26
- Private Transfers (Airport, Port, Hotels) Guadeloupe : $54
- Private Transfer in Guadeloupe: $71
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to City Hotels: $26
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre City Hotels to Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
- Pointe-a-Pitre to Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport to Pointe-a-Pitre Hotels Arrival Transfer: $23
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Grande-Terre?
Prices for flights to both Grande-Terre 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 $29Grande-Terre $51
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 $16Grande-Terre $48
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
Tours and Activities in Grande-Terre
Here are a few actual costs in Grande-Terre for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- *Cruise Stopover* - Tropical Forest - Sainte-Anne Beach: $60
- Cruise Stopover at Village Sainte Anne and its Beach: $31
- Cruise stopover - Plage du Gosier Round trip: $15
- Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $232
- Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $157
- Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $49
- Photoshoot + Drone on a Caribbean paradise beach or day tour : $100
- Private Surf Lessons Tour in Guadeloupe: $97
- Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $169
- Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $49
- Stopover Cruise - Valombreuse Botanical Garden + Sainte-Anne Beach: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Grande-Terre $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Grande-Terre, we can see that Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Merida or Grande-Terre?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grande-Terre experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Grande-Terre in the Summer?
Both Grande-Terre and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than Grande-Terre. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Grande-Terre. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun.
Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Grande-Terre. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Grande-Terre in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Grande-Terre. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than Grande-Terre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives less rain than Grande-Terre. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Merida or Grande-Terre in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Grande-Terre. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than Grande-Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Grande-Terre averages at about 24°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets less sunshine than Grande-Terre. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets less rain in January than Grande-Terre. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Merida or Grande-Terre in the Spring?
Both Grande-Terre and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than Grande-Terre. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Grande-Terre during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Grande-Terre. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Grande-Terre and Merida
| Merida | Grande-Terre | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.