A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Punta Arenas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Merida or Punta Arenas?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Merida?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Merida Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Punta Arenas Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Merida $99
    Punta Arenas $79

The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $79. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Merida $40
    Punta Arenas $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Merida $80
    Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Merida and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Merida or Punta Arenas? 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.

Hotels in Merida


Hotels in Punta Arenas


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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Merida $17
    Punta Arenas $1.80

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 Punta Arenas

Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $267
  • Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30
  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $35
  • Punta Arenas Airport Transfer: $29
  • Punta Arenas Airport Private Transfer: $33
  • Punta Arenas Airport PUQ to Punta Arenas Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Punta Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
  • Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $43
  • Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ): $78
  • Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ) to Punta Arenas Port: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 day
    Merida $46
    Punta Arenas $36

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 Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    $1.05
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Merida $15
    Punta Arenas $6.44
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:

  • 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 Punta Arenas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.

  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
  • Cruises shore Excursions: City Tour Cruises Private: $230
  • For Cruise-ship passengers: Magdalena Island (Penguins): $200
  • Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
  • Guided Tour of Punta Arenas and Fort Bulnes: $300
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
  • Magallanes National Reserve and Punta Arenas City Tour: $165
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Boat Tour and Marta Island: $165
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Merida $14
    Punta Arenas $4.86

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    $7.33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Punta Arenas, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America and Punta Arenas is in South 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 Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Merida or Punta Arenas?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Punta Arenas 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 Merida or Punta Arenas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Punta Arenas. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta Arenas this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin January. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Merida or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Punta Arenas. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Merida is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin April. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenasin April. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Merida or Punta Arenas in the Winter?

Both Punta Arenas and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Punta Arenas in the winter. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin July. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Punta Arenasin July. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Merida 20°C (68°F) 
    Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Merida or Punta Arenas in the Spring?

Both Punta Arenas and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

Merida is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin October. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenasin October. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Merida 21°C (70°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Merida

Merida Punta Arenas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 1°C (35°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 5°C (40°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)