Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Puerto Montt?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Puerto Montt, 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 Montt?
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 Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Merida and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Puerto Montt? 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 Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Puerto Montt $6.43
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 Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $50
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Frutillar: $80
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $300
- Transfer Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $277
- Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 Montt $21
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 Montt $14
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 Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Private Day tour Petrohue Falls, Osorno Volcano & Puerto Varas: $250
- Private Shore Excursion Tour to Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar: $143
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Vicente Peres Rosales National Park: $164
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Puerto Montt $4.49
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Puerto Montt?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Puerto Montt, 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 Montt?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Montt 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 Montt in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Puerto Montt. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In July, Merida is generally a little warmer than Puerto Monttin January. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the summer, Merida often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin January. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Monttin January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMerida 21°C (70°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Montt and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Merida is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Puerto Monttin April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
Both Puerto Montt and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Merida is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin July. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun.
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Monttin July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMerida 20°C (68°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Puerto Montt. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Merida is generally much warmer than Puerto Monttin October. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Puerto Monttin October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Merida
| Merida | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.