A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Merida and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its beaches, 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. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Merida different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Merida is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Merida and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great culinary experience. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Merida offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Merida and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Merida is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Merida is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Merida is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels or accommodation options that appeal to backpackers.

Is Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Merida is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Merida and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Merida Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Merida?

How long in Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Merida, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the traditional city of Merida, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Merida usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Merida is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Merida