Which place is cheaper, Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Fort-de-France, 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 Fort-de-France?
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.
Fort-de-France
As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.
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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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesFort-de-France Prices
Martinique Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99Fort-de-France $228
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, while the average daily cost in Fort-de-France is $228. 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 Fort-de-France in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40Fort-de-France $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Fort-de-France $184
Compare Hotels in Merida and Fort-de-France
Looking for a hotel in Merida or Fort-de-France? 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 Fort-de-France Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Fort-de-France $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $156
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France
Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Fort de France Port to Martinique Airport (FDF): $77
- Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $77
- Private Transfer from Fort de France Port to Fort de France: $77
- Private Transfer Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France Port: $77
- Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Arrival Transfer: $69
- Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Fort-de-France?
Prices for flights to both Fort-de-France 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 $46Fort-de-France $117
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France
For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Fort-de-France $36
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
Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.
- Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $71
- Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
- Glide into adventure: Hiking and natural slides: $182
- Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
- Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique: $108
- Karaib Tour: $66
- Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
- Martinique: Coral and Turtle Coves Cruise: $84
- Martinique: Private Tour with Local Guide: $176
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Fort-de-France $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:
- Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
- North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Fort-de-France, we can see that Fort-de-France is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Fort-de-France is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Fort-de-France?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Fort-de-France. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Fort-de-France, 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.
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.