Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Montanita?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Montanita, 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Merida and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Montanita? 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 $18Montanita $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 $29Montanita $28
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 $16Montanita $31
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Montanita $7.86
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Montanita, we can see that Montanita 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 Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Merida or Montanita?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Montanita in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Montanita. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Montanita. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Merida or Montanita in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Montanita. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
In the autumn, Merida is cooler than Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Montanita. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Merida or Montanita in the Winter?
Both Montanita and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Merida is generally cooler than Montanita. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Montanita. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Merida or Montanita in the Spring?
Both Montanita and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
Merida is cooler than Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Montanita. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Merida
| Merida | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.