Which place is cheaper, Merida or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Merida?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Merida can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Merida?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
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.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Merida is $88. 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 Montego Bay and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Merida? 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Merida $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $17
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $55
- Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $53
- Southcoast Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Negril: $27
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Lucea : $20
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Secrets Wild Orchid Hotel Airport Transfer : $21
- Secrets Wild Ochid/ St. James Private Airport Transfer: $43
- Secrets Resort Airport Transfer: $20
- Secrets & Breathless Hotel Montego Bay - Private Airport Transfer: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $84Merida $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
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.Montego Bay $32Merida $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Merida $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Merida, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Merida is in North 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 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Merida?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Merida, 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 Montego Bay or Merida?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Merida in the Summer?
Both Merida and Montego Bay during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Merida. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Merida. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Merida in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Merida. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Merida. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Merida. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Merida in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Merida. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Merida in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Merida. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Merida. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Merida in the Spring?
Both Merida and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Merida during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Merida. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.