Which place is cheaper, Pereira or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Merida or Pereira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Pereira, 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 Pereira?
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.
Pereira
Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.
The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.
Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.
Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesPereira Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $105Pereira $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $105, while the average daily cost in Pereira is $86. 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 Pereira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $43Pereira $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $86Pereira $56
Compare Hotels in Merida and Pereira
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Pereira? 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 Pereira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Pereira $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Merida Hotels Private: $32
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $215
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $125
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $154
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $154
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer Mérida to Tulum with Flexible Stops: $198
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $133
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:
- Private Transfer Pereira to Salento (or vice versa): $85
- Private Transfer Pereira Airport ↔ Nearby hotels: $13
- Pereira to or from Salento Private Transfer: $39
- PRIVATE Transfer One-Way from Pereira to Philadelphia or return: $43
- PEREIRA/ARMENIA: FULLDAY TRANSFER SALENTO+ FILANDIA + COCORA VALLEY: $144
- One way transfer from Pereira to Salento AND/OR Salento to Pereira: $43
- One way transfer Pereira to Santa Rosa Hot Springs: $88
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
- Arrival or Departure Transfer Matecaña International Airport: $11
- Arrival or Departure Transfer El Éden International Airport: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Pereira?
Prices for flights to both Pereira 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 $49Pereira $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated: $44
- Twilight Tastes Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Yucatán Flavours Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Merida Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef: $65
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $70
- Hands On night Mexican Cooking with Masa: $82
- Empanadas, Salsas and Spirits in Hands-On Mexican Cooking Night: $82
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $94
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $135
- Day of the Dead Cooking Experience in Mérida: $158
Typical Food Prices in Pereira
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:
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Hamburger$1.76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Pereira $19
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)$19
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.76
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $18
- Vanilla Experience Flavor History Gallery and Garden: $21
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $30
- Mike&Duck Walking Tour Merida: $30
- Mérida Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Merida Highlights Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $37
- Experience at Telchac Beach and its beach club: $50
- Yucatan Cuisine Tasting Tour Merida: $50
- Merida : Historical and Cultural Tour by Electric Bicycle: $51
- Private Tour Guide in Merida, 100% customisable: $54
- Santa Barbara Cenotes Adventure: $59
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $59
Tours and Activities in Pereira
Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Tour at the Salento Cocora Thermal Coffee Shop: $290
- BILINGUE Touristic@ Private / PERSONALIZED@ Guide in the Coffee Axis: $125
- Cocoa (chocolate) and Coffee Tours from Pereira or Armenia: $175
- Cocoa and Santa Rosa Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $140
- Cocora Valley, Salento and Filandia Full-Day Private Tour: $246
- Cocora Valley: Salento & Private Horseback Riding Tour: $162
- Cocora, Salento and Coffee Experience: $268
- Cocora, Salento and Filandia (The daughter of the Andes) Walking Tour in Quindio: $247
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $89
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $88
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $88
- Coffee Farm and Santa Rosa Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Pereira $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Merida
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Merida:
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting | Tour y Degustación de Cerveza: $41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Pereira, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Pereira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Pereira 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 Pereira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pereira 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 Pereira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Pereira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Pereira?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Pereira. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Pereira, 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.
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.