Which place is cheaper, Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Rosario Islands, 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 Rosario Islands?
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.
Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands, also referred to as Coral Islands of Rosario, is an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are integrated by 28 islands and all of them form one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia, created to protect one of the most important coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Only three of these islands are property of the Colombian state. Before establishing the national park in 1977, wealthy families used this natural paradise to build their summer houses, but then the government allowed them to keep their properties, only if they paid annual rent and taxes to be there, and complied with certain rules to preserve the ecosystem of the islands. People can visit the national park area of the islands, and tours are available. Isla Rosario has an aquarium and open-sea oceanarium that people can visit. Activities on the Rosario Islands include swimming, snorkeling and fishing, among others. The best time to visit Colombia in general, and especially the Rosario Islands is the dry-season months from December to March. These uninterrupted sunny days are just perfect for a Caribbean coastal experience and to enjoy all the activities it has to offer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesRosario Islands Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $105Rosario Islands $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $105, while the average daily cost in Rosario Islands is $114. 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 Rosario Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $43Rosario Islands $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $86Rosario Islands $70
Compare Hotels in Merida and Rosario Islands
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Rosario Islands? 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 Rosario Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Rosario Islands $48
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
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $215
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $125
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $154
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $154
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer Mérida to Tulum with Flexible Stops: $198
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Rosario Islands?
Prices for flights to both Rosario Islands 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 $49Rosario Islands $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 Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef: $65
- 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
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $94
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $135
- Day of the Dead Cooking Experience in Mérida: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Rosario Islands $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)$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:
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $18
- Vanilla Experience Flavor History Gallery and Garden: $21
- 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
- Experience at Telchac Beach and its beach club: $50
- Yucatan Cuisine Tasting Tour Merida: $50
- Merida : Historical and Cultural Tour by Electric Bicycle: $51
- Private Tour Guide in Merida, 100% customisable: $54
- Santa Barbara Cenotes Adventure: $59
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $59
Tours and Activities in Rosario Islands
Here are a few actual costs in Rosario Islands for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- One-day tour to Playa Blanca by land Popular sector: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Rosario Islands $6.33
Sample the Local Flavors in Merida
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Merida:
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting | Tour y Degustación de Cerveza: $41
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Rosario Islands, we can see that Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands Expensive?.
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.