Which place is cheaper, Isla de Ometepe or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Isla de Ometepe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Isla de Ometepe, 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 Isla de Ometepe?
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.
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
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 $88Isla de Ometepe $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Isla de Ometepe is $34. 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 Isla de Ometepe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Isla de Ometepe $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Isla de Ometepe $26
Compare Hotels in Merida and Isla de Ometepe
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Isla de Ometepe? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Isla de Ometepe $11
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Isla de Ometepe?
Prices for flights to both Isla de Ometepe 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 $29Isla de Ometepe $13
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 $16Isla de Ometepe $13
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 Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Isla de Ometepe $8.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Isla de Ometepe, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Merida or Isla de Ometepe?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Isla de Ometepe experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Isla de Ometepe in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Isla de Ometepe. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year.
In the summer, Merida is cooler than Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 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 Isla de Ometepe. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Isla de Ometepe. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe 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)Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Isla de Ometepe in the Autumn?
Both Isla de Ometepe and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Merida is generally cooler than Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Isla de Ometepe during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives around the same amount of rain as Isla de Ometepe. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe 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)Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Isla de Ometepe in the Winter?
Both Isla de Ometepe and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round.
Merida is cooler than Isla de Ometepe in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets less sunshine than Isla de Ometepe. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 244 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets more rain in January than Isla de Ometepe. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe 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)Isla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Merida or Isla de Ometepe in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Isla de Ometepe. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Merida is cooler than Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe 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)Isla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Isla de Ometepe and Merida
| Merida | Isla de Ometepe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.