Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesUshuaia Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $105Ushuaia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $105, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $0.00. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $43Ushuaia -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $86Ushuaia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Merida and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Ushuaia -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Mérida to Cancun with Flexible Sightseeing: $258
- Private Transfer Merida to Playa del Carmen with Flexible Stops: $245
- Merida Rejon Airport(MID)to Tulum hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $213
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $153
- transfer from/to airport progress sisal telchac celestun: $148
- Transfer to and from Valladolid Izamal Chichen Itza Airport: $148
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $132
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $132
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Merida Airport (MID): $39
- Airport Transfer to Merida Hotels Private: $32
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia:Trekking Glaciar & Ice Caves W/Lunch and Transfer: $176
- Transfers to Cerro Castor: $20
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $7.00
- National Park, Train and Navigation. Airport transfer included: $204
- Husky Trekking with Transfer: $62
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $103
- Complete Husky Experience + Buoy Park with Transfer: $124
- Antarctic Experience W/Snowmobile Ride & Transfer: $242
- Airport Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Ushuaia Low cost Transfers: $17
- Ushuaia Guided Visit to the National Park with Transfer: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $49Ushuaia -
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
- Twilight Tastes Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Yucatán Flavours Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $70
- Hands On night Mexican Cooking with Masa: $82
- Empanadas, Salsas and Spirits in Hands-On Mexican Cooking Night: $82
- Cooking with Strangers in Mérida, Yucatán: $88
- Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida: $94
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $95
- Mérida Food Tour: Markets and Street Flavors: $95
- Flavors of Yucatán Cooking class & market tour: $97
- Vanilla Cooking Class and Tasting Experience: $112
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ushuaia Martial Sunset Experience with Hike and Dinner: $90
- Adventure and Snow Moto + Buffet Lunch or Pizza Rodizio + Transfer: $96
- Beaver Sighting with Dinner off Lake Fagnano: $185
- Ushuaia City Tour: Vespertine Tour with Dinner: $189
- Snowmobile + Snowshoeing + Huskies + Skiing + Lunch or Pizza Buffet: $195
- Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
- Puerto Almanza and Punta Paraná Tour with Dinner: $210
- Tierra del Fuego National Park: vespertine tour with dinner: $210
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Ushuaia -
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)$19
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.76
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: $177
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $59
- 3x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Town & Cenote & Izamal from Merida: $108
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $85
- Adventure 4 cenotes: $115
- Adventure to Hacienda Mucuyche & Oxkintok, 2 cenotes from Mérida: $118
- Bar hopping tour in Merida: $69
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $106
- Bird Watching Tour North of Mérida-Half Day: $300
- Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida: $104
- Cenote Adventure: Suytun Oxman and Valladolid Town Tour: $120
- Chichen Itza Ruins Adventure! Cenote Ikkil and Izamal from Merida: $105
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $175
- 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $292
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $200
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $173
- 4x4 Adventure at Lago Fagnano from Ushuaia: $236
- 4x4 Lake Fagnano Adventure from Ushuaia: $229
- 5-Hour National Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $245
- 5.5-Hour Nat Park w/ Hiking *Shore Excursion* USHUAIA (Shared tour for cruises): $150
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $290
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $115
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure in the Lakes Fueguinos quadricycles and Patagonian lamb: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $15Ushuaia -
Sample the Local Flavors in Ushuaia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:
- City tour and Wine tasting: $115
- Photo tour and Wine Tasting in Ushuaia City: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Ushuaia, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Ushuaia is in South 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Ushuaia?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Ushuaia is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Merida has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Merida or Ushuaia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Ushuaia. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Merida is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F)in January.
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMerida 21°C (70°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Merida or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Ushuaia. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Merida is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain April. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain April. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Ushuaiain April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Merida or Ushuaia in the Winter?
Both Ushuaia 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.
It's quite cold in Ushuaia in the winter. Merida is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Ushuaiain July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMerida 20°C (68°F)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Merida or Ushuaia in the Spring?
Both Ushuaia 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.
In the spring, Merida is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain October. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Ushuaiain October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Merida
| Merida | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.