Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Merida or Dayton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Dayton, 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: Merida or Dayton?
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.
Dayton
Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
-
Merida Prices
Mexico PricesDayton Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99Dayton $368
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $368. 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 Merida and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40Dayton $250
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Merida and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Dayton? 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: Merida Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $156
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Merida 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 dayMerida $46Dayton $105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated : $44
- Merida Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef : $56
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $64
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $86
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $102
- Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers: $154
Typical Food Prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
-
Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
-
Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Dayton -
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$0.11
-
Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$18
-
Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.43
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Merida with 2 Routes: $8.00
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $17
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Uxmal Archeological Site Guided Walking Tour with Entry Fee: $28
- Mérida Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Yucatan Cuisine Tasting Tour Merida : $35
- Private Merida Tour on a Budget - Best Rated : $37
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $56
- Progreso, Flamingos, Cenote, and Salt Ponds adventure from Merida: $61
- Merida Street Food Walking Tour: $62
- From Chichen Itza Tour, Izamal, Cenote Ik Kil and Food: $64
- Guided tour to Chichén Itzá from Mérida: $64
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Dayton -
Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton 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 Merida Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Dayton?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Dayton, 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 Merida or Dayton?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Merida or Dayton in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Dayton. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Merida is cooler than Dayton in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Dayton. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets less rain in July than Dayton. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Merida or Dayton in the Autumn?
Both Dayton and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Dayton averages at about 57°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Dayton. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Merida or Dayton in the Winter?
Both Dayton and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun.
Merida usually gets less rain in January than Dayton. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Merida or Dayton in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Dayton. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city.
Merida is much warmer than Dayton in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun in the spring.
Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Dayton. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Merida
| Merida | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
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.