Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Merida or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Guatemala City, 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 Guatemala City?
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.
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
-
Merida Prices
Mexico PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $105Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $105, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $43Guatemala City $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $86Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Merida and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Guatemala City? 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 Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Guatemala City $6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Airport Transfer to Merida Hotels Private: $32
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Merida Airport (MID): $39
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $132
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $132
- Transfer to and from Valladolid Izamal Chichen Itza Airport: $148
- transfer from/to airport progress sisal telchac celestun: $148
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $153
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $213
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Transfer from La Aurora airport to Antigua Guatemala.: $80
- Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
- San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41
- Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $206
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMerida $49Guatemala City $27
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 Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $195
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
- Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Guatemala City $1.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Merida
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Train at the Zoo$0.12
-
Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$19
-
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:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Merida with 2 Routes: $10
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $18
- Vanilla Experience Flavor History Gallery and Garden: $21
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Uxmal Archeological Site Guided Walking Tour with Entry Fee: $23
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $30
- Mike&Duck Walking Tour Merida: $30
- Mérida Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Merida Highlights Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $37
- Mayan Flavors Merida Markets Tour: $44
- Experience at Telchac Beach and its beach club: $50
- Yucatan Cuisine Tasting Tour Merida: $50
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 1 Day Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City: $150
- 2-Day Tour: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan and Hobbitenango: $299
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $199
- 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
- Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
- Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
- Antigua Guatemala Cultural Tour History and Gastronomy: $100
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $54
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
- Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
- Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City: $90
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Guatemala City $6.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Guatemala City, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Guatemala City, 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.