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

Should you visit Merida or Colorado Springs?

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

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

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a friendly, outdoorsy, and healthy mountain town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and museums.

Merida and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Colorado Springs?

You'll generally find more things to do in Merida than Colorado Springs. Merida is bigger than Colorado Springs, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Merida is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Colorado Springs is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Merida is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Colorado Springs is well known for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Merida different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Colorado Springs and Merida. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Merida is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Colorado Springs for snow skiing. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Merida is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Merida or Colorado Springs?

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

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.

Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

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

Merida is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Merida makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Colorado Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great destination for its historic old town. However, Colorado Springs 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.

Colorado Springs does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Colorado Springs draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Colorado Springs?

Merida is a great destination for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Merida is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

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 Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Merida and Colorado Springs are both notable 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.

Colorado Springs is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Colorado Springs. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is very good for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Merida or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Merida is a great destination for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Merida?

How long in Merida or Colorado Springs?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Merida than Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the traditional destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs?

You'll find shopping and museums around the historical city of Merida. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Colorado Springs?

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Colorado Springs. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Colorado Springs?

Merida is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the healthy destination of Colorado Springs. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Colorado Springs?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs?

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 Colorado Springs in the Summer?

Both Colorado Springs and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Merida is around the same temperature as Colorado Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Colorado Springs averages at about 71°F (22°C).

Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Colorado Springs. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Colorado Springs. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

In October, Merida is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Colorado Springs. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Colorado Springs. Merida is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 26°F (-3°C).

Merida usually gets more rain in January than Colorado Springs. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

Both Colorado Springs and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Merida is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Colorado Springs averages at about 45°F (7°C).

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Merida