Which place is cheaper, Merida or Salto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salto or Merida?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Merida, 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: Salto or Merida?
Salto
Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.
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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, 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 daySalto $71Merida $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $71, 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 Salto and Merida in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $30Merida $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $60Merida $88
Compare Hotels in Salto and Merida
Looking for a hotel in Salto 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: Salto Hotel Prices and Merida Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $22Merida $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Merida?
Prices for flights to both Merida and Salto 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 daySalto $25Merida $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $18Merida $16
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 daySalto $13Merida $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Merida, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salto 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 Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Merida would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Merida than you might in Salto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salto Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salto or Merida?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Salto. When comparing the sizes of Salto 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 Salto or Merida?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Salto 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 Salto or Merida in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Salto as well as Merida. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
Salto is a little warmer than Merida in the summer. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salto this time of the year. In the summer, Salto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Meridain July. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun.
Salto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salto usually gets more rain in January than Meridain July. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 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 January and JulySalto 25°C (77°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Salto or Merida in the Autumn?
Both Merida and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Salto is cooler than Merida. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salto in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Merida. Salto usually receives less sunshine than Merida during autumn. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. It's quite rainy in Salto. In April, Salto usually receives less rain than Meridain October. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 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 April and OctoberSalto 19°C (65°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Salto or Merida in the Winter?
Both Merida and Salto during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In July, Salto is generally much colder than Meridain January. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 12°C (54°F), and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Salto often gets less sunshine than Meridain January. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun.
Salto usually gets more rain in July than Meridain January. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 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 July and JanuarySalto 12°C (54°F)Merida 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Salto or Merida in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Merida. Furthermore, most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months.
Salto is cooler than Merida in the spring. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In Salto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Merida during spring. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun in the spring.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Salto usually receives less rain than Meridain April. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 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 October and AprilSalto 18°C (64°F)Merida 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Merida and Salto
| Salto | Merida | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (69°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 119 mm (4.7 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.