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

Should you visit Merida or Charlotte?

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

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

Charlotte

Charlotte is a evolving, up-and-coming, and growing city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Merida and Charlotte: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Charlotte?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Charlotte. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is more touristy than Charlotte and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Charlotte is famous for its banking industry and growing Uptown area.

How is Merida different from Charlotte?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is great for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Merida specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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

Merida is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte 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).

Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Is Merida or Charlotte Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for its evening party scene. Also, Charlotte 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 Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

Is Merida or Charlotte Better for its Old Town?

Merida is great for its historic old town charm. However, Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Charlotte?

Merida is great for its shopping areas. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Is Merida or Charlotte Better for Families?

Merida and Charlotte 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 Charlotte. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Merida or Charlotte Better for Couples?

Merida and Charlotte 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.

Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Is Merida or Charlotte Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlotte is not a good destination 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.

Charlotte is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a backpacker destination, there are some cheaper motels that budget travelers can stay at.

Is Merida or Charlotte Better for Students?

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Merida and Charlotte.

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 Charlotte, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Is Merida or Charlotte a more walkable city?

Merida is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlotte or Merida?

How long in Merida or Charlotte?

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

Families should spend more time in Merida than Charlotte. 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 Charlotte. 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Merida. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Merida has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A weekend in Merida or Charlotte?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colonial destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Merida. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Charlotte. 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 Charlotte?

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Charlotte. 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Charlotte?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Charlotte. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Charlotte, 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 Charlotte?

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 Charlotte in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Charlotte. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is cooler than Charlotte in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Charlotte during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Charlotte in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Charlotte. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Charlotte. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Charlotte in the Winter?

Both Charlotte and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Charlotte during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Charlotte in the Spring?

Both Charlotte and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Charlotte in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Charlotte. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlotte and Merida