A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Merida vs. Cabo San Lucas for Nightlife, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Cabo San Lucas, 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 colonial, historical, and traditional city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a adventurous, scenic, and idyllic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Merida and Cabo San Lucas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas than Merida, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cabo San Lucas is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Merida is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Merida and is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Cabo San Lucas is famous for Land's End. Merida is well known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture.

How is Merida different from Cabo San Lucas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas?

Merida is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Merida. 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.

Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

Is the Food Better in Merida or Cabo San Lucas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Merida and Cabo San Lucas.

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, Cabo San Lucas makes for a great culinary experience. If you step away from the all-you-can-eat buffets in the resorts, and the tourist hot spots, you'll find some excellent local Mexican cuisine and nice fine dining restaurants. Fresh seafood and local produce make the dishes unique.

Is Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Cabo San Lucas is a must-see party destination. It has a long reputation of being one of Mexico's best party destinations. There are wild, all-night dance parties, crazy and crowded clubs, and music that lasts well into the morning. The best nightlife can be found in the blocks around Plaza Bonita, near the marina boardwalk.

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 Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for Resorts?

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

Cabo San Lucas is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many of the resorts are along parts of the coastline where it's not safe to swim. If you really want to enjoy swimming at a beachfront property, make sure you do some research in advance. Medano Beach is a nice area to consider.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving excursions that go out on half day and full day trips. Some of the best snorkeling is found at Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cabo San Lucas. Because of the water conditions, it's not safe to swim at many of the beaches in the area. This is particularly true on the Pacific side of the city. Many people consider Medano Beach to be one of the best in the area, but also nice are Lover's Beach, the ironically named Divorce Beach, and Chileno Beach.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for its Old Town?

Merida and Cabo San Lucas both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. San Jose del Cabo is an "old town" that's a bit outside of town. It's particularly nice to visit on Thursdays when there's a nice market.

Is Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Merida and Cabo San Lucas.

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.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping areas where you can pick up souvenirs or other interesting items to remember your trip. There are mall, markets, and boutique vendors that sell a variety of products.

Is Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cabo San Lucas. Kids will love the snorkeling, boat rides, and kid-friendly cuisine. There are many places where kids can get up close and personal with animals, such as Wild Canyon’s Kingdom or camel riding. You might even be able to see migrating whales during your visit. Surfing, fishing, and hiking are also popular in the area.

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 Merida or Cabo San Lucas Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is terrific for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cabo San Lucas has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination and couples who enjoy a beach paradise with wildlife, diving, and outdoor adventures will appreciate Cabo San Lucas. There's also amazing Mexican food and world class resorts.

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 Cabo San Lucas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida and Cabo San Lucas are both high quality 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 Cabo San Lucas. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Merida and Cabo San Lucas.

Merida has some public transit options. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

You'll find some public transit in Cabo San Lucas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Is Merida or Cabo San Lucas a more walkable city?

Merida and Cabo San Lucas are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Cabo San Lucas is very walkable. The town is relatively easy to walk around with many things close together.

For even more information, also check out Is Merida Worth Visiting? and Is Cabo San Lucas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cabo San Lucas or Merida?

How long in Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

Both Merida and Cabo San Lucas have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than in Merida. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 3-7 days is enough time in Cabo San Lucas.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas.

One day in Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

In Merida, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cabo San Lucas. 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.

A weekend in Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

Merida is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Cabo San Lucas is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, 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.

Five days in Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cabo San Lucas. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Merida. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventurous destination of Cabo San Lucas. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Cabo San Lucas?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Cabo San Lucas, 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.