Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Guadalajara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Guadalajara, 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 Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Guadalajara $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Merida and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Guadalajara $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $72
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $72
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $40
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $30
- Transfer Guadalajara Airport Metropolitan Area And More: $45
- Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Guadalajara Airport: $26
- Private transfer: Guadalajara to Guadalajara Airport (GDL): $72
- Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $72
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara to Tequila: $189
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara to Morelia: $224
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Guadalajara, Chalapa & Tequila Hotels: $63
- Airport to City Transfer: $156
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $29Guadalajara $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Nandayo Food Tour: $40
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $64
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guadalajara private food tour: $70
- Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $114
- Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Guadalajara $28
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:
- Romantic tour in Izamal: $159
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $186
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $62
- 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
- 6-hour Guided Tour to Uxmal and Kabah Express: $89
- Adventure in the Mayab: Bike, Swim, Stroll in Cenotillo & Izamal: $171
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $142
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $98
- Boat tour to Celestun from Merida: $157
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $208
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $77
- 3-Hour Guadalajara Bike and Food Guided Tour: $65
- 6 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $144
- Adventure tour Between Charros, Mariachi and Parián de Tlaquepaque: $155
- Air Adventure Paraglide over Incredible Landscapes: $160
- Bike Tour in Guadalajara and Zapopan: $55
- Cantaritos and Tequila Factory Tour: $89
- Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $78
- Chapala Lake and Ajijic Tour from Guadalajara: $77
- Chapala and Ajijic Private Tour: $120
- Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Guadalajara $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $58
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $85
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $180
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to Distillery Tequila Ocho and Arandas : $200
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $216
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $216
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Guadalajara, 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.