Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Saint Croix, 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 Saint Croix?
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.
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $236. 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 Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Merida and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Saint Croix? 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 Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Saint Croix $35
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 Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $217
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix 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 $29Saint Croix $56
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Saint Croix $58
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 Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Saint Croix $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Merida or Saint Croix?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint Croix. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Merida or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Merida or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Merida usually gets less rain in January than Saint Croix. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Merida or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Saint Croix. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Merida
| Merida | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.