A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merzouga vs. Hermanus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Merzouga or Hermanus?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merzouga or Hermanus, 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 Hermanus?

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.

Hermanus

Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Merzouga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Merzouga is $17, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $67. 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 Hermanus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Merzouga $10
    Hermanus $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Merzouga $20
    Hermanus $50
Compare Hotels in Merzouga and Hermanus

Looking for a hotel in Merzouga or Hermanus? 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.

Hotels in Merzouga


Hotels in Hermanus


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 Hermanus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Merzouga -
    Hermanus $8.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way transfer: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Merzouga or Hermanus?

Prices for flights to both Hermanus 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 day
    Merzouga $5.92
    Hermanus $38

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
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $65
  • Day Trip By Camels In Erg Chebbi Dunes, Lunch With Berber Pizza: $76
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $85
  • Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $87
  • 5 Hour Sunset Tour with Camel Ride and Dinner In Desert: $87
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $104
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Overnight in Luxury Camp With camel Trek & Dinner: $107
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip w/Luxury Tent & Dinner: $115
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $123
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Merzouga -
    Hermanus -

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:

  • Camel Ride Experience: $27
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $38
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion - Sahara 4WD Adventure: $43
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Tours & Excursions: $46
  • Extreme Adventure with Harness Zorbing in Merzouga dunes: $48
  • Merzouga one hour Adventure Tour: $54
  • Merzouga 4x4 tour - Excursion around dunes: $54
  • Merzouga Experience -1.5h Quad buggy : $55
  • Merzouga 4X4 Half-Day Tour with Lunch: $55
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $60
  • One Hour Sahara Desert ATV Quad Biking Tour: $61
  • From Quad bike tour to the peak of Erg Chebbi dune: $61

Tours and Activities in Hermanus

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:

  • Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $24
  • Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $54
  • Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $69
  • Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $71
  • Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $73
  • Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $134
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $268

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Merzouga -
    Hermanus -

Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus

Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $24
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $80
  • Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $146
  • Whale Watching Boat Trip and Wine tasting ,Penguin: $162


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merzouga and Hermanus, we can see that Hermanus 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 Hermanus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hermanus 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 Hermanus Expensive?.