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

Should you visit Merida or Alexandria?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Alexandria, 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.

Merida

Merida is a traditional, colonial, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Merida and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Alexandria?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Alexandria. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is very popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Alexandria attracts visitors for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Alexandria is famous for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere.

How is Merida different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Alexandria and Merida.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Merida can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Alexandria. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

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

Merida is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Merida has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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).

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Merida or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Merida for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Merida or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Alexandria has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Merida is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Alexandria?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Merida and Alexandria.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Merida. 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.

Alexandria is an extremely popular place for shoppers. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Is Merida or Alexandria Better for Families?

Merida is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Merida offers lots of family activities. 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.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Merida or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Alexandria is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Alexandria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Merida is a nice destination for couples. 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 Merida or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

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

Alexandria is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Alexandria can take you anywhere. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

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 Merida or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Alexandria. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Merida?

How long in Merida or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Merida or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alexandria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Alexandria 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 Merida or Alexandria?

With museums and nightlife around the traditional city of Merida, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Merida, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Alexandria?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Merida, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Alexandria is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Merida or Alexandria?

Merida, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alexandria. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in Merida or Alexandria?

Merida is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Alexandria. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Alexandria?

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

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 Alexandria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Alexandria. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alexandria in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is cooler than Alexandria in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Alexandria during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Alexandria. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Alexandria in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Alexandria. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Alexandria averages at about 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Alexandria. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Alexandria in the Winter?

Both Alexandria and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Alexandria can be very cold. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Alexandria. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Alexandria in the Spring?

Both Alexandria and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

Merida is much warmer than Alexandria in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Alexandria. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Merida