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

Should you visit Merida or Chapel Hill?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Chapel Hill, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a student-oriented, collegiate, and southern town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Merida and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Chapel Hill?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Chapel Hill are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Merida different from Chapel Hill?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.

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

Merida is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chapel Hill. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

Is Merida or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Chapel Hill have very good 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 Chapel Hill know how to have a good time. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

Is Merida or Chapel Hill Better for its Old Town?

Merida is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Chapel Hill 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.

Chapel Hill does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Chapel Hill?

Merida is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chapel Hill. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

Is Merida or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

Merida and Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Is Merida or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Merida and Chapel Hill 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.

Chapel Hill is a nice destination for couples. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Is Merida or Chapel Hill Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is well known for backpackers. However, Chapel Hill is not particularly known 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.

Chapel Hill is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a young population thanks to the university, but there's little else to attract backpackers.

Is Merida or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Chapel Hill is a great destination for students. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Merida and Chapel Hill.

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 Chapel Hill, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Is Merida or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

Merida is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Chapel Hill is somewhat walkable. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Chapel Hill or Merida?

How long in Merida or Chapel Hill?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial city of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Chapel Hill. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill?

The historical city of Merida offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the southern destination of Chapel Hill. This town 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Chapel Hill?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill?

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 Chapel Hill in the Summer?

Both Chapel Hill and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Chapel Hill. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Chapel Hill. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Chapel Hill averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Chapel Hill. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Chapel Hill. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chapel Hill in the winter. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Chapel Hill. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

Both Chapel Hill and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

Merida is a little warmer than Chapel Hill in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Chapel Hill. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Merida