Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Manaus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Manaus, 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Manaus $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $59. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Manaus $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Merida and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Manaus? 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 Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Manaus $7.94
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from the airport to any place in Manaus City: $40
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $40
- Transfer Privativo 24h aeroporto -> hotel em Manaus: $18
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $72
- Serviço de transfer privativo do Porto -> aeroporto de Mana: $20
- Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $15
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $29Manaus $12
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Manaus -
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 Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $80
- Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $200
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon River Stand Up Paddling Tour: $124
- Amazon and Negro Rivers Experience with Night Exploration Tour: $300
- City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- City Tour no Centro Histórico de Manaus com um fotógrafo: $91
- From Manaus Cruise Terminal: Amazon Rainforest Highlights: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Manaus $2.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Manaus, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Manaus is in South 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 Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Manaus?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Manaus, 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 Manaus?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Manaus 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 Manaus in the Summer?
Both Manaus and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than Manausin January. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Manaus 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 Manaus during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Manausin January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMerida 21°C (70°F)Manaus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Manaus in the Autumn?
Both Manaus and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Merida is cooler than Manaus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Manausin April. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun.
Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets less rain in October than Manausin April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Merida or Manaus in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Manaus. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than Manaus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Manaus averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Manaus 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 Manaus during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Manausin July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMerida 20°C (68°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Merida or Manaus in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Manaus. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than Manausin October. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Manausin October. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Manaus. Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Manausin October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Manaus 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manaus and Merida
| Merida | Manaus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.