A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Merida vs. Mazatlan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Merida or Mazatlan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?

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.

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Merida?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $87, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Merida $44
    Mazatlan $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Merida $88
    Mazatlan $64
Compare Hotels in Merida and Mazatlan

Looking for a hotel in Merida or Mazatlan? 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.

Hotels in Merida


Hotels in Mazatlan


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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Merida $18
    Mazatlan $21

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: $33
  • Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $229
  • Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $115
  • One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
  • Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
  • Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $73
  • Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:

  • Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
  • Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $266
  • Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
  • Mazatlan to Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
  • Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $301
  • Mazatlan International Airport(MZT) to Mazatlan hotels -Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Mazatlan?

Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 day
    Merida $29
    Mazatlan $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida

For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traveling Spoon Yucatecan Sopa de Lima Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $57
  • 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 Mazatlan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.

  • Mercado walking food tour: $78
  • Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $86
  • Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Merida $16
    Mazatlan $9.52
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)
    $20
  • Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)
    $5.96

Tours and Activities in Merida

For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Mérida Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $9.10
  • Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
  • Guided bus tour of the City of Mérida: $39
  • Experience Honey Tasting and Stingless Bees from Merida Yucatan: $43
  • Merida Street Food Walking Tour: $65
  • Private Walking Tour in City of Merida: $75
  • Day of the Dead Tour & Taco buffet: $80
  • Tour to progreso, corchito and salt ponds: $83
  • Kayak Adventure: $85
  • Tour to Chichen, Izamal & cenote from Merida: $89
  • Full Day Tour Chichen Magic Towns Izamal and Valladolid: $89
  • Tour to Uxmal + Choco Story Chocolate Museum: $89

Tours and Activities in Mazatlan

Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Barrio Bites tour: $78
  • Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
  • Beach Day Tour with Horseback Ride Water Sports and City Tour: $79
  • Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
  • City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
  • From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $215
  • Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
  • Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
  • Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
  • Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $129
  • Mazatlán: Double-Decker Bus, Cliff Diving & Walking Tour: $30
  • Mazatlán: Mazatlán 1873 Observatory Entry Tickets: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Merida $16
    Mazatlan $18


When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Mazatlan, 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Merida or Mazatlan?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Merida or Mazatlan in the Summer?

Both Mazatlan and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Merida is generally cooler than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets more sunshine than Mazatlan. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Mazatlan. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Merida or Mazatlan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Mazatlan. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.

Merida is cooler than Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Merida or Mazatlan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Mazatlan. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In the winter, Merida is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Merida 20°C (68°F) 
    Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Merida or Mazatlan in the Spring?

Both Mazatlan and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.

In April, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Merida

Merida Mazatlan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (67°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 1 mm (0 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 29°C (83°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 219 mm (8.6 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 227 mm (8.9 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)