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

Should you visit Merida or Berkeley?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Berkeley, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Merida and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Berkeley?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Berkeley. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is very popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Berkeley attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Berkeley is famous for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques.

How is Merida different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berkeley 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 Berkeley?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Berkeley 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 Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Merida and Berkeley.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Berkeley makes for a great culinary experience. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Is Merida or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Berkeley have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Merida has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Berkeley know how to have a good time. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Is Merida or Berkeley Better for its Old Town?

Merida is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Merida to see the historical old town. 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.

Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Berkeley?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Merida and Berkeley.

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.

Berkeley is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Merida or Berkeley Better for Families?

Merida and Berkeley are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Merida is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Berkeley. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Merida or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Merida and Berkeley are both nice to visit as a couple.

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.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Merida or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida and Berkeley are both superb destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Is Merida or Berkeley Better for Students?

Berkeley is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Berkeley is a great city to visit as a student. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Berkeley 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 Berkeley can take you anywhere. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

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 Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley 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 Berkeley. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

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 Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Merida?

How long in Merida or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Merida and Berkeley. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berkeley than in Merida. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 2-3 days is enough time in Berkeley.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Merida 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 Berkeley.

One day in Merida or Berkeley?

The city of Merida offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Merida or Berkeley?

Merida is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Merida, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Berkeley 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 Berkeley?

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berkeley. 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 Berkeley?

Merida is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Berkeley. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Berkeley, we can see that Berkeley 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley 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 Berkeley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Merida or Berkeley?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Berkeley, 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 Berkeley?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Merida or Berkeley in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Berkeley. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

Merida is a little warmer than Berkeley in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Merida usually gets more rain in July than Berkeley. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Berkeley. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Berkeley in the Winter?

Both Berkeley and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Berkeley in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Berkeley. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Berkeley. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Berkeley for the natural beauty during these months.

Merida is a little warmer than Berkeley in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Merida