Which place is cheaper, San Fernando or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or San Fernando?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?
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.
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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 $88San Fernando $153
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in San Fernando is $153. 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 San Fernando in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44San Fernando $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88San Fernando $148
Compare Hotels in Merida and San Fernando
Looking for a hotel in Merida or San Fernando? 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 $18San Fernando $50
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
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or San Fernando?
Prices for flights to both San Fernando 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 $29San Fernando $48
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 $16San Fernando $28
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:
- From Mérida Tour Plus: Chichen Itza Ruins and Cenote Ik-kil: $195
- Romantic tour in Izamal: $159
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $179
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $125
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $110
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $95
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $138
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $95
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $208
- Cenotes Santa Barbara, Eknakan Church & Acanceh Ruins Tour: $110
- Chichen Itza Adventure! Cenote and Izamal from Merida: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16San Fernando $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and San Fernando, we can see that San Fernando 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 San Fernando 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or San Fernando?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of Merida and San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Fernando experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or San Fernando in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and San Fernando. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than San Fernando. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than San Fernando during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than San Fernando. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)San Fernando 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Fernando in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as San Fernando. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than San Fernando in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than San Fernando. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 207 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Fernando. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as San Fernando. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)San Fernando 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Fernando in the Winter?
Both San Fernando and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than San Fernando. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and San Fernando averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in San Fernando. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than San Fernando during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 241 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than San Fernando. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)San Fernando 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Fernando in the Spring?
Both San Fernando and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than San Fernando. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than San Fernando. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 238 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than San Fernando. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)San Fernando 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for San Fernando and Merida
| Merida | San Fernando | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 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.