Which place is cheaper, Puerto Natales 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 Puerto Natales?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Puerto Natales, 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 Natales?
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 Natales
Puerto Natales is a beautiful town located in the Chilean Patagonia on the Senoret Channel. The city is often used as a base camp for trips to the surrounding national parks due to their plentiful restaurant options and access to internet. Puerto Natales is also known for being the base city to the Torres del Paine National Park, which was named the 5th most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Chile, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesPuerto Natales Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $105Puerto Natales $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $105, while the average daily cost in Puerto Natales is $112. 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 Natales in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $43Puerto Natales $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $86Puerto Natales $82
Compare Hotels in Merida and Puerto Natales
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Puerto Natales? 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 Natales Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Puerto Natales $21
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
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $213
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $153
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $132
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $132
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Merida Airport (MID): $39
- Transfer to and from Valladolid Izamal Chichen Itza Airport: $148
- transfer from/to airport progress sisal telchac celestun: $148
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Natales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Natales:
- Transfer Puerto Natales Hotel Lago Grey Connection Navigation: $60
- Shared transfer minibus Puerto Natales (CL) to El Calafate (ARG): $134
- Puerto Natales Airport Private Transfer: $43
- Private transfer Airport x Lodging (Puerto Natales): $25
- Private Transfer: From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $422
- Private Transfer Airport x Hotels inside the TORRES DEL PAINE Park: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Puerto Natales?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Natales 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 $49Puerto Natales $51
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 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
- Cooking with Strangers in Mérida, Yucatán: $88
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $94
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Flavors of Yucatán Cooking class & market tour: $97
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $112
Typical Food Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Puerto Natales:
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Cake$1.12
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Dinner$19
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Coke$1.12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Puerto Natales $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)$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:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Merida with 2 Routes: $10
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $18
- Vanilla Experience Flavor History Gallery and Garden: $21
- Walking Tour in the City of Mérida: $22
- Uxmal Archeological Site Guided Walking Tour with Entry Fee: $23
- 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
- Mayan Flavors Merida Markets Tour: $44
- Experience at Telchac Beach and its beach club: $50
- Yucatan Cuisine Tasting Tour Merida: $50
Tours and Activities in Puerto Natales
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Natales for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour and traditional lunch.: $255
- Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour with Lunch: $259
- Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales: $271
- City Bike Tour through Puerto Natales: $65
- From Grey Glacier Tour: $251
- From Torres del Paine National Park Day Tour: $110
- Full Day Land of Sheep Experience Tourism: $199
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour from Puerto Natales with Pickup: $119
- Full Day Tour Perito Moreno from Puerto Natales: $140
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park: $92
- Full day Torres del Paine Tour from Puerto Natales: $200
- Full-Day Hiking Tour to the Base of Paine Towers at Torres del Paine National Park: $196
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Puerto Natales $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Puerto Natales:
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Alcohol$13
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Puerto Natales, we can see that Puerto Natales 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 Natales 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 Natales Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Puerto Natales?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Natales. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Puerto Natales, 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.