Which place is cheaper, Duck Key or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Merida or Duck Key?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Duck Key, 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 Duck Key?
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.
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesDuck Key Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99Duck Key $175
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, while the average daily cost in Duck Key is $175. 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 Duck Key in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40Duck Key $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Duck Key $112
Compare Hotels in Merida and Duck Key
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Duck Key? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Duck Key $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $156
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Duck Key?
Prices for flights to both Duck Key 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
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Food Meals for one dayMerida $46Duck Key $77
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Duck Key $30
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$0.11
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$18
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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:
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $167
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $56
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $104
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $68
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $108
- 6-hour Guided Tour to Uxmal and Kabah Express: $89
- Adventure 4 cenotes with Izamal: $119
- Ake Ruins & Homun Cenotes Day Tour from Merida: $90
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $128
- Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida: $75
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $165
- Celestun Nature Reserve Flamingo Tour-Boat to Flamingo Paradise from Merida: $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Duck Key $7.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Duck Key, we can see that Duck Key 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 Duck Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck Key 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 Duck Key Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Duck Key?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 1460 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Duck Key, 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 Duck Key?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Merida or Duck Key in the Summer?
Both Duck Key and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Merida is generally cooler than Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Duck Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
It's quite sunny in Duck Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Duck Key. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Duck Key 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Merida or Duck Key in the Autumn?
Both Duck Key and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Merida is cooler than Duck Key in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Duck Key fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).
In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 258 hours of full sun.
Duck Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Duck Key. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Duck Key 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Merida or Duck Key in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Duck Key. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year.
In the winter, Merida is around the same temperature as Duck Key. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Duck Key averages at about 70°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Duck Key. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Duck Key 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Merida or Duck Key in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Duck Key. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city.
In April, Merida is generally cooler than Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Duck Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 326 hours of full sun.
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Duck Key. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Duck Key 77°F (25°C)
Typical Weather for Duck Key and Merida
| Merida | Duck Key | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.