A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Florianopolis vs. Merida for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Florianopolis or Merida?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or Merida? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Florianopolis

Florianopolis is a vibrant, relaxing, and scenic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Florianopolis travel costs.

Merida

Merida is a historical, traditional, and colonial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Merida travel costs.

Florianopolis and Merida: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Florianopolis or Merida?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida than Florianopolis, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Merida is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Florianopolis is known for its resorts, beaches, and hiking. Merida is more touristy than Florianopolis and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. Florianopolis is popular for its sandy beaches, world-class surfing, and beautiful nature.

How is Florianopolis different from Merida?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Merida and Florianopolis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Florianopolis or Merida?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Merida offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with culture and traditional heritage, and there are many museums and architectural landmarks that will educate and inform visitors on the area. Gran Museo del Mundo Maya is a highlight for many visitors. It's also worth visiting Museo Casa Montejo and Museo Palacio Canton. If you want to visit ruins, then the Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins are about 45 minutes outside of town.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Florianopolis. There are a number of science and cultural museums in the area that will introduce you to the region's local wildlife and history.

Is the Food Better in Florianopolis or Merida? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Florianopolis and Merida both to be very good destinations.

Florianopolis has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Perhaps the most popular local dish is feijoada, which is a stew that's slow cooked in a clay pot. It's a great dish for sharing and it originated in the region's African slave population. Another common food is pão de queijo, which is a dough that is made from cassava root flour. Also make sure you try the seafood, which is available in many restaurants around town.

Dining out in Merida is an experience not to be missed. It's a top foodie destination in the Yucatan region and visitors will enjoy the many local restaurants and diverse local dishes that are influenced by the Mayan, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. The most well known local dish is cochinita pibil, which is marinated pork shoulder. Other popular dishes include sopa de lima (lime soup), papadzules (enchiladas with pumpkin seed sauce), and relleno negro (a local stew).

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Nightlife?

Both Florianopolis and Merida have very good vibes after the sun sets.

Florianopolis has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene can vary between peak tourism times and the low season. There are plenty of bars around town that cater to the locals, and you can expect these to be open year round. Alternatively, there are also places that specifically open during the summer months and will close during the off season.

The people in Merida know how to have a good time. Most tourists take advantage of the nightlife scene in the city's downtown area, while locals congregate in the northern part of town. The city has bars, theaters, night clubs, and live music that keeps the energy high late into the night.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Resorts?

Florianopolis is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

Florianopolis is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find a wide range of resorts that include everything from 5 star to more budget-friendly. There are also all-inclusive resorts and smaller, more personal places.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Beaches?

Florianopolis is terrific for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Florianopolis are among the best in the world. There are miles of beautiful beaches that are popular for surfing. Joaquina Beach is one of the most popular beaches, particularly with surfers, but Mole Beach is quickly catching up in popularity. Campeche Beach is one of the widest and longest stretches of beach on the island.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for its Old Town?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Florianopolis does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Merida. Centered around the city's Grand Plaza, the old town is filled with colonial architecture and colorful buildings. The Catedral de San Ildefonso was the first cathedral built in the Americas. There are also monuments and examples of Mayan art and culture.

Florianopolis does not have a historic old town.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Hiking?

Florianopolis is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Florianopolis. The island is filled with beautiful jungles, striking beaches, and many dramatic settings that make it a great place to hike. The hikes also vary in length and skill level, so there really is something for everyone.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Florianopolis or Merida?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Merida is well-known for its shopping. There are colorful markets that are filled with artisan crafts and traditional clothing. Visitors enjoy discovering the unique vendors and picking up souvenirs that are unique to the area.

Many visitors go to Florianopolis to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and boutique retail shops that make for a great shopping experience.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Florianopolis or Merida.

Florianopolis is a family-friendly city. There are many outdoor activities, sports, beaches, and parks in the city. If your kids like to run around and have fun, you'll find some diverse experiences here.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Merida. The weekend is the best time to visit the city, as this is when there are the most activities. There are live performances that educate visitors on Mayan traditions. There are also historic museums, bike-friendly streets, and a vibrant central market.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Florianopolis and Merida make for a good place to visit.

Florianopolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the beautiful beaches and walking paths in the area. There's impressive natural beauty and a touch of undiscovered charm.

Merida is a good city for couples to visit. If you're interested in Mayan culture and history, then this is a wonderful destination. There are also romantic hotels, excellent restaurants, and plenty of fascinating activities that couples will enjoy.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Merida. It's a relatively large city with a number of hostels and budget hotels, so backpackers will have no problem finding a place to stay.

Florianopolis is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not the most popular destination in Brazil, it does have a huge appeal with surfers.

Is Florianopolis or Merida Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Florianopolis and Merida.

Florianopolis has some public transit options. There are buses around town, including buses that travel between the downtown and the beaches.

You'll find some public transit in Merida, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

Is Florianopolis or Merida a more walkable city?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Florianopolis is not a walkable destination.

Merida is a very walkable city. It's a very walkable city and most visitors don't have a car.

Florianopolis is not a walkable destination. Most people get around the city with a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Florianopolis Worth Visiting? and Is Merida Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Merida or Florianopolis?

How long in Florianopolis or Merida?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Florianopolis or Merida to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Florianopolis than Merida because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Florianopolis, and 1-2 days is enough time in Merida.

Families should spend more time in Merida than Florianopolis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Merida, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Merida than Florianopolis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Merida that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Florianopolis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Merida.

One day in Florianopolis or Merida?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Florianopolis. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colonial destination of Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Florianopolis or Merida?

Florianopolis is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Florianopolis or Merida?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Florianopolis. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial destination of Merida. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Florianopolis or Merida?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Florianopolis. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Merida. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Merida?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Florianopolis. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Merida?

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

Both Merida and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Florianopolis for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Florianopolis is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the summer temperatures in Florianopolis in January average around 25°C (76°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Merida. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Merida during summer. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In January, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Meridain July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Merida in the Autumn?

Both Merida and Florianopolis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Florianopolis in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In April, Florianopolis is generally around the same temperature as Meridain October. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 22°C (71°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Meridain October. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in April than Meridain October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Merida in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Merida. Most visitors come to Florianopolis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Florianopolis is cooler than Merida in the winter. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Merida during winter. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Meridain January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Merida in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Merida. The spring months attract visitors to Florianopolis because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

In the spring, Florianopolis is around the same temperature as Merida. Typically, the spring temperatures in Florianopolis in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. In the spring, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Meridain April. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Merida. Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in October than Meridain April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Merida and Florianopolis