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

Should you visit Merida or Detroit?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Detroit, 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 historical, traditional, and colonial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Detroit

Detroit is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking 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 live music.

Merida and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Detroit?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Merida than Detroit. While Detroit is larger than Merida, Merida has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Merida is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Detroit is known for its music. Merida is more touristy than Detroit and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry.

How is Merida different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

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

Merida is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Merida has a huge number of terrific 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Merida or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Detroit have superb 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 Detroit know how to have a good time. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Is Merida or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is terrific for its music scene. However, Merida is not a live music destination.

Detroit has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Merida is not a live music destination.

Is Merida or Detroit Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a very popular place for its old town. However, Detroit does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Merida to see the historical old town. 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.

Detroit does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Detroit?

Merida is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Merida is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Detroit to go shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Merida or Detroit Better for Families?

Merida and Detroit are both good 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 Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Merida or Detroit Better for Couples?

Merida is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Merida makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Merida or Detroit Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many 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.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

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

Merida is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Merida or Detroit a more walkable city?

Merida is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Detroit is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Merida?

How long in Merida or Detroit?

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

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

In Merida, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Detroit. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Detroit?

In Merida, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Merida has to offer.

Detroit is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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 Detroit?

Merida is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Detroit. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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 Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the overlooked destination of Detroit. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Detroit, 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 Detroit?

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 Detroit in the Summer?

Both Detroit and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

In July, Merida is generally cooler than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Detroit. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Detroit during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Detroit. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Detroit in the Autumn?

Both Detroit and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Merida is much warmer than Detroit in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Detroit. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Detroit in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Detroit. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Detroit in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Detroit can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Merida is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Detroit averages at about 25°F (-4°C).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Detroit. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Detroit in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Detroit. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Detroit for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Merida is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Detroit. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Merida