Which place is cheaper, Merida or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Merida?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Negril and Merida. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Negril or Merida?
Negril
Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!
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 dayNegril $139Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, 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 Negril and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Negril and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Negril 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: Negril Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Merida $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
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Taxi From Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers between Montego Bay Airport and Negril Hotels: $107
- Sunset at The Palms Airport Transfer: $53
- Royalton Negril Resort Airport Transfer : $53
- Royalton Negril Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $280
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Private Transfer to Hotels in Negril from Montego Bay Airport : $55
- Private Transfer from Negril to Sangster Airport (MBJ): $50
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport - Negril Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
- Private Transfer between Hedonism ll Resort and Airport : $53
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort in Jamaica: $80
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotels: $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Negril 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 dayNegril $23Merida $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience with Optional Dinner in Montego Bay: $60
- The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $85
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
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.Negril $27Merida $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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2 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- YS Falls and Sightseeing Tour Day Adventure: $138
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour: $275
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour [Transportation services]: $125
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Negril: $232
- Appleton Estate Rum and Black River Safari Private Tour : $185
- Appleton Rum Factory and Black River Safari Tour: $279
- Appleton Rum Factory, YS Falls, and Reggae Horseback Ride & Swim Combo Tour: $195
- Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
- Atv Adventure and Ricks Cafe with Private Transportation: $367
- Atv Adventure and Ziplines with Private Transportation: $413
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Rick’s Cafe Tour & Transportation: $333
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe Private Tour: $293
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:
- From Mérida Tour Plus: Chichen Itza Ruins and Cenote Ik-kil: $195
- Romantic tour in Izamal: $159
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $179
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $125
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $110
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $95
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $138
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $95
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $208
- Cenotes Santa Barbara, Eknakan Church & Acanceh Ruins Tour: $110
- Chichen Itza Adventure! Cenote and Izamal from Merida: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Merida $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Merida, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril 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 Negril would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Negril 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 Negril Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Merida?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril 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 Negril or Merida?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Negril experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Negril or Merida in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Merida. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Negril is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Negril usually receives more rain than Merida. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Negril or Merida in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Merida. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Negril is generally a little warmer than Merida. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the autumn, Negril often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Merida. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Merida. Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Merida. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Negril or Merida in the Winter?
Both Merida and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
Negril is a little warmer than Merida in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Merida. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Merida during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Negril usually receives more rain than Merida. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Negril or Merida in the Spring?
Both Merida and Negril during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Negril is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°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 Negril. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Merida. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun.
Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets less rain in April than Merida. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Negril
| Negril | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 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.