Which place is cheaper, Saint John's 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 Saint John's?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Saint John's, 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 John's?
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 John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesSaint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99Saint John's $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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 John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Merida and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Saint John's? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Saint John's $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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 hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $155
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Private Transfer from Merida Airport(MID): $17
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $134
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from/to Merida Airport: $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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 $46Saint John's $117
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Nandayo Food Tour: $39
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated : $44
- Merida Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef : $56
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $64
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $86
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $102
- Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers: $154
- Wonders of the Mayab: Chichen Itza, Yokdzonot Cenote & Cooking Class: $237
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Saint John's $103
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$0.11
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$18
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.43
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: $8.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Chichen Itza, the Greatness of the Mayas: $10
- Uxmal Ruins Guided Tour with a Certified Guide: $16
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $17
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Uxmal Archeological Site Guided Walking Tour with Entry Fee: $28
- Mike&Duck Walking Tour Merida: $30
- Mérida Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Yucatan Cuisine Tasting Tour Merida : $35
- Private Merida Tour on a Budget - Best Rated : $37
- Private Tour Guide in Merida, 100% customisable : $39
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Island Flava Discovery Tour: $150
- 6-Hours Tour East Coast of Antigua: Stingray City, Lunch & Beach: $195
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $143
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $221
- Antigua Eco Island Tour (City, Country, Beach, & Heritage Sites): $199
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $172
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua VIP Tours - Private Platinum Tour: $170
- Antigua VIP Tours - Semi-Private Gold Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Saint John's $18
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: $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's 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 John's 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 John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Saint John's?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Saint John's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Saint John's. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Saint John's in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Saint John's. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than Saint John's in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Merida or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Saint John's. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Saint John's averages at about 24°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets less rain in January than Saint John's. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Merida or Saint John's in the Spring?
Both Saint John's and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Saint John's. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Merida
| Merida | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.