Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Merzouga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Merzouga or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merzouga or Essaouira, 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: Merzouga or Essaouira?
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Morocco, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Marrakesh.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerzouga $17Essaouira $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Merzouga is $17, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $46. 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 Merzouga and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerzouga $10Essaouira $26
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerzouga $20Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Merzouga and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Merzouga or Essaouira? 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: Merzouga Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merzouga -Essaouira $1.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Essaouira Airport: $21
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Aéroport : $22
- Marrakech : Private Transfer from or to Marrakech Airoport: $22
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport (ESU): $22
- Transfer Essaouira Airport to Essaouira: $22
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $27
- Hinterland Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $36
- Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $38
- From Scenic Diabat Horseback Ride with Transfer: $48
- From Beachside Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $69
- Scenic Hinterland Quad Ride with Transfer: $81
- Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira : $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Merzouga or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Merzouga 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMerzouga $5.92Essaouira $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $65
- Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $87
- Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $103
- Overnight in Luxury Camp With camel Trek & Dinner: $108
- From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip w/Luxury Tent & Dinner: $119
- From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $125
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
-
Baklava$1.40
-
Breakfast Crepes$0.50
-
Fish for Lunch$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- L'Atelier Madada Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $54
- Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $67
- Berber Cooking Class at a Farm in the Countryside & shopping at a rural Souk.: $97
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merzouga -Essaouira $12
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- Berber Experience Private Sahara Desert Day Trip: $80
- Private Adventure to Merzouga Risani from Erfoud : $141
- Private Desert Tour and Visit to Nomadic Families: $98
- 1 Hour Merzouga Desert Buggy Experience: $139
- 1 Hour Merzouga Desert Quad Biking Tour: $64
- 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $60
- 2 Hours Merzouga Desert Quad Bike Adventure: $114
- 2 hours Merzouga ATV Rental - Desert Quad Biking Tour: $125
- 2-Day Desert Tour with Return to Marrakech: $181
- 3 Days Private Desert Tour in Merzouga with ATV and Sandboarding : $261
- 3 Days Tour From Marrakech To Sahara Desert Of Merzouga: $107
- 3 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga with Luxury Camp: $217
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Highlights Tour with Tasting the Ocean City: $19
- Full Day Tour From Marrakech To Essaouira Mogador: $21
- Private City Tour: $26
- From Marrakech: Guided tour of Essaouira the coastal city: $26
- KiteSurfing or Surfing Experience in Essaouira: $28
- 3-Hour Camel Tour: $40
- Cultural & Historical Sightseeing Tour - half day: $41
- Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $42
- Discover Essaouira Full-Day Tour: $43
- Essaouira Adventure Full-Day Excursion from Marakech: $47
- From Agadir to Essaouira : Coastal Day Tour with Guide: $48
- Guided Dromedary Riding Tour: $48
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerzouga -Essaouira $9.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merzouga and Essaouira, we can see that Essaouira is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Essaouira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Essaouira than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merzouga Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
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.