Which place is cheaper, San Ignacio or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or San Ignacio?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or San Ignacio, 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 Ignacio?
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 Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88San Ignacio $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in San Ignacio is $72. 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 Ignacio in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44San Ignacio $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88San Ignacio $38
Compare Hotels in Merida and San Ignacio
Looking for a hotel in Merida or San Ignacio? 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 San Ignacio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18San Ignacio $3.11
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 San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or San Ignacio?
Prices for flights to both San Ignacio 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 Ignacio $21
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 San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16San Ignacio $100
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 San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal with Local Tour guide & Belizean Lunch: $120
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $125
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
- Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San Ignacio: $144
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Deluxe Cave Tubing combo Adventure: $125
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16San Ignacio $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and San Ignacio, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and San Ignacio is in Central 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 San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 Merida would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Merida than you might in San Ignacio.
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 Ignacio Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or San Ignacio?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of Merida and San Ignacio, 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 Ignacio?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Ignacio experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or San Ignacio in the Summer?
Both San Ignacio and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than San Ignacio. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Ignacio fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets more sunshine than San Ignacio. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 226 hours of full sun.
San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than San Ignacio. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)San Ignacio 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Ignacio in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and San Ignacio. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than San Ignacio in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and San Ignacio fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than San Ignacio during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)San Ignacio 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Ignacio in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as San Ignacio. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than San Ignacio. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and San Ignacio averages at about 24°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Ignacio. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 199 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. Merida usually gets less rain in January than San Ignacio. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)San Ignacio 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Ignacio in the Spring?
Both San Ignacio and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than San Ignacio. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Ignacio fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in San Ignacio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Ignacio during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than San Ignacio. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)San Ignacio 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for San Ignacio and Merida
| Merida | San Ignacio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 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.