Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or La Serena, 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 La Serena?
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.
La Serena
La Serena is a charming town in Northern Chile. It is Chile's second-oldest city and the thriving capital of Region IV. With its beautiful architecture, its long golden shoreline, dignified stone churches, tree-shaded avenues and pretty plazas, La Serena has everything you could ask for!
Chileans on holidays flood in the city in January and February, though it is fairly peaceful outside the summer rush. Some of the city's architecture is from the colonial era, but most is actually neocolonial thanks to president Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, born in La Serena, and her 'Plan Serena' of the late 1940s.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $87. 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 La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Merida and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Merida or La Serena? 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 La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18La Serena $20
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena 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 $29La Serena $27
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 $16La Serena $24
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 La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Grand-Tour: $189
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch, Shore Excursion: $194
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16La Serena $22
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and La Serena, we can see that Merida is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Merida is in North America and La Serena is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or La Serena?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Merida and La Serena, 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 La Serena?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. La Serena is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Merida has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Merida or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Merida is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in La Serena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Serena during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Merida usually receives more rain than La Serenain January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMerida 21°C (70°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Merida or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Merida is generally a little warmer than La Serenain April. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than La Serenain April. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than La Serenain April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Merida or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and La Serena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
Merida is much warmer than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in July.
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives more rain than La Serenain July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMerida 20°C (68°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Merida or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as La Serena. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Merida is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than La Serenain October. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than La Serenain October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Merida
| Merida | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.