Which place is cheaper, Merida or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Recife 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 Recife 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: Recife or Merida?
Recife
One of the largest cities on Brazil's northeast coast, Recife is also the capital of the state of Pernambuco. The city gets its name from the Portuguese word for "reef," as it was built around a landscape of natural reef beaches. Many people visit to enjoy these beaches, experience the culture, and explore the history of this important Brazilian city.
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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $166Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $166, 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 Recife and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRecife $88Merida $44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $176Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Recife and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Recife 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: Recife Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Recife $8.47Merida $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
- Shared Transfer from Recife to Cabo de Santo Agostinho: $33
- Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65
- Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
- Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
- Private Transfer from Recife to Tamandare Beach: $114
- Private Transfer from Recife to Serrambi Beach: $101
- Private Transfer from Recife to Olinda: $46
- Private Transfer from Recife to Carneiros Beach: $114
- Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $101
- Instituto Ricardo Brennand with transfers from Recife: $41
- Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
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 Recife or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Recife 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 dayRecife $70Merida $29
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $11Merida $16
Tours and Activities in Recife
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Recife are as follows:
- City Tour Recife with Catamaran included: $150
- Colonial North Coast beaches - Full-Day Tour: $35
- Olinda City Tour and Instituto Ricardo Brennand: $94
- Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
- Recife (Historic Centre) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- City Tour Recife & Olinda: $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Merida
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Train at the Zoo$0.12
-
Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$20
-
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Merida $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Merida, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Recife is in South America 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 Recife would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Recife 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 Recife Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Recife or Merida?
Recife has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Recife 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 Recife or Merida?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Recife 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 Recife or Merida in the Summer?
Both Merida and Recife during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Recife is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Recife. In the summer, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Meridain July. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in January than Meridain July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRecife 26°C (79°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Recife or Merida in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Merida. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In April, Recife is generally a little warmer than Meridain October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Merida during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Meridain October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRecife 26°C (79°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Recife or Merida in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Recife as well as Merida. Additionally, many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Recife is a little warmer than Merida in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. In the winter, Recife often gets less sunshine than Meridain January. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun.
Recife receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Meridain January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRecife 24°C (76°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Recife or Merida in the Spring?
Both Merida and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Recife is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Merida. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during spring. Recife gets 247 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 October, Recife usually receives less rain than Meridain April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRecife 25°C (77°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Recife
| Recife | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 338 mm (13.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 25°C (78°F) | 319 mm (12.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 378 mm (14.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 388 mm (15.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.