Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or San Juan del Sur?
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 del Sur, 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 del Sur?
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 del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $53. 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 del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Merida and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Merida or San Juan del Sur? 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 del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18San Juan del Sur $18
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16San Juan del Sur $15
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 Juan del Sur
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur.
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 del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or San Juan del Sur?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Merida and San Juan del Sur, 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 del Sur?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan del Sur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
Both San Juan del Sur and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than San Juan del Sur. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and San Juan del Sur. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is cooler than San Juan del Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan del Sur. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as San Juan del Sur. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
In the winter, Merida is cooler than San Juan del Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets less sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets more rain in January than San Juan del Sur. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Merida or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
Both San Juan del Sur and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Merida
| Merida | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.