Which place is cheaper, San Juan 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 San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or San Juan, 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 Juan?
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 Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
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 PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $218. 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 Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Merida and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Merida or San Juan? 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 Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $156
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $105
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $46San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15San Juan $49
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:
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $167
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $56
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $104
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $68
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $108
- 6-hour Guided Tour to Uxmal and Kabah Express: $89
- Adventure 4 cenotes with Izamal: $119
- Ake Ruins & Homun Cenotes Day Tour from Merida: $90
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $128
- Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida: $75
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $165
- Celestun Nature Reserve Flamingo Tour-Boat to Flamingo Paradise from Merida: $230
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry: $130
- El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $85
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Puerto Rican Food Experience: $99
- "Exclusive Tour": VIP Rum Tasting at San Juan Artisan Distillers: $150
- "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $75
- 30-Minute Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and San Juan, we can see that San Juan 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 Juan 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 Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan 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 Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or San Juan?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Merida and San Juan, 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 Juan?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and San Juan. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Merida is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Merida usually receives less rain than San Juan. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as San Juan. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In October, Merida is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than San Juan. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than San Juan. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the spring, Merida is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Merida
| Merida | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.