Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Pucon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Pucon, 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 Pucon?
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.
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Merida and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Pucon? 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 $18Pucon $19
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
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $29Pucon $38
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 $16Pucon $37
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:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Merida: $8.00
- Mérida Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Merida Private Tour on a Budget : $29
- Mérida Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- Merida Street Food Walking Tour: $65
- Tour to Uxmal + Choco Story Chocolate Museum: $67
- Private Walking Tour in City of Merida: $75
- Day of the Dead Tour & Taco buffet: $80
- Tour to progreso, corchito and salt ponds: $81
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Pucon $27
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Pucon, we can see that Pucon 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 Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Pucon?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Pucon, 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 Pucon?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Pucon 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 Pucon in the Summer?
Both Pucon and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In the summer, Merida is a little warmer than Pucon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Pucon averages at about 16°C (61°F)in January.
In Pucon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Puconin January. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets more rain in July than Puconin January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMerida 21°C (70°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Merida or Pucon in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Pucon. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Merida is generally much warmer than Puconin April. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Puconin April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Merida or Pucon in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Pucon. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Merida is much warmer than Pucon in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Puconin July. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. Merida usually gets less rain in January than Puconin July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMerida 20°C (68°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Merida or Pucon in the Spring?
Both Pucon and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Merida is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Puconin October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Merida
| Merida | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.