A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Daytona Beach for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Merida or Daytona Beach?

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

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

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a party-hard, energetic, and lively beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and live music.

Merida and Daytona Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Daytona Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Daytona Beach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Daytona Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, resorts, and beaches. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Merida and is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza.

How is Merida different from Daytona Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Merida offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Merida is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

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).

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Daytona Beach is a must-see party destination. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

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 Daytona Beach Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Merida is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Daytona Beach active and fun. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Merida is not a live music destination.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Daytona Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

Daytona Beach has a beach worth visiting. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Daytona Beach 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.

Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Daytona Beach?

Merida is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for Families?

Merida is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for Couples?

Merida and Daytona Beach 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.

Daytona Beach is a nice destination for couples. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach Better for Students?

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

Daytona Beach is a great destination for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is a popular place for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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 quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Merida or Daytona Beach a more walkable city?

Merida is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

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

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

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

Should I spend more time in Daytona Beach or Merida?

How long in Merida or Daytona Beach?

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

Families should spend more time in Merida than Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting the destination of Daytona Beach. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Daytona Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Daytona Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, 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 Daytona Beach?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Daytona Beach. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Daytona Beach?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Merida. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the fun destination of Daytona Beach. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Daytona Beach?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Daytona Beach, 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 Daytona Beach?

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 Daytona Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Daytona Beach. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Daytona Beach. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Daytona Beach in the Autumn?

Both Daytona Beach and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Merida is around the same temperature as Daytona Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Daytona Beach averages at about 74°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Daytona Beach. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Daytona Beach in the Winter?

Both Daytona Beach and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year.

In January, Merida is generally a little warmer than Daytona Beach. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Daytona Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Daytona Beach. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Daytona Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Daytona Beach. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Merida is around the same temperature as Daytona Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Daytona Beach fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Daytona Beach. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Daytona Beach and Merida