Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or San Jose, 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 Jose?
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 Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
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 Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88San Jose $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $90. 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 Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Merida and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Merida or San Jose? 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 Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO$25
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Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer from Juan Santamaria airport to Dominical and Uvita: $290
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose City to SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from SJO Airport to Jaco or vice versa: $125
- Transfer TO or FROM SJO Airport to Monteverde Area. Private, NOT SHARED: $215
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport to Hotels nearby or Vice versa Private 6 PAX: $45
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer From San Jose to Puerto Viejo: $80
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose 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 Jose $18
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 Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour in San Jose, Costa Rica: $34
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $57
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $60
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $76
- Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Private Authentic Food Tour in San José: $84
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16San Jose $21
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
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour: $299
- 6 in 1 RainForest Adventure From San Jose: $189
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AERIAL TRAM TOUR - HALF DAY PASS Rainforest Adventures Braulio Ca: $78
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Arenal Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
- Arenal Volcano Eco Tour & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
- Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour from San Jose: $285
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16San Jose $17
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $38
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When comparing the travel costs between Merida and San Jose, we can see that San Jose 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 San Jose is in Central 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 San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or San Jose?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Merida and San Jose, 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 Jose?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Jose experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Merida is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than San Jose. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In October, Merida is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and San Jose. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives more rain than San Jose. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the spring, Merida is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Merida
| Merida | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.