Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Puerto Madryn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Puerto Madryn, 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 Puerto Madryn?
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.
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Puerto Madryn $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $14. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Puerto Madryn $5.25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Puerto Madryn $11
Compare Hotels in Merida and Puerto Madryn
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Puerto Madryn $3.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Puerto Madryn?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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 $29Puerto Madryn $5.69
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 $16Puerto Madryn $5.77
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:
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Whale Watching for Two$0.35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
- Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $229
- Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $119
- Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - Tickets included - Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $129
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
- From Florentino Ameghino Dam Day Tour: $194
- From Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip: $152
- From Valdes Peninsula Full-Day Tour: $130
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
- Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Puerto Madryn $3.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Puerto Madryn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Puerto Madryn?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Puerto Madryn, 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 Puerto Madryn?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Puerto Madryn. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Merida is around the same temperature as Puerto Madryn in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in January.
Merida usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Madrynin January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMerida 21°C (70°F)Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Madryn and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?
Both Puerto Madryn and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Puerto Madrynin July. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In Puerto Madryn, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Madrynin July. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Madrynin July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMerida 20°C (68°F)Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Puerto Madryn. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
Merida is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in October.
Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Merida
| Merida | Puerto Madryn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.