Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Puerto Varas, 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 Varas?
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 Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect 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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Merida and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Puerto Varas? 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 Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Puerto Varas $21
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 Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 Varas $25
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 Varas $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)$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 Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Fullday Tour Osorno Volcano and Saltos de Petrohue National Park: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $100
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Puerto Varas 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 Merida would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merida 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 Puerto Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas than you might in Merida.
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 Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Puerto Varas?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Puerto Varas, 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 Varas?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Varas 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 Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas 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 July, Merida is generally a little warmer than Puerto Varasin January. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin January. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Puerto Varas. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Merida is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varasin April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Puerto Varas. 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 Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 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 Puerto Varasin July. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Merida usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Merida or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas 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 April, Merida is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin October. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Merida
| Merida | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.