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

Should you visit Merida or Galveston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Galveston, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Galveston

Galveston is a coastal, historic, and charming town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Merida and Galveston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Galveston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida than Galveston, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Merida is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Galveston is known for its beaches and small town charm. Merida is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. Galveston is popular for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes.

How is Merida different from Galveston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Galveston 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 Galveston. With its long history and Victorian homes, there are a number of museums around town. A favorite mansion is the 1892 Bishop's Palace. There's also the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Galveston Arts Center.

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

Merida is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Galveston area. There's a great mix of seafood and Texas favorites. Seafood-lovers will enjoy the oysters, crab cakes, and po boys while land-lovers will like the brisket, Tex Mex, and Texas chili.

Is Merida or Galveston Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Galveston have excellent 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 Galveston know how to have a good time. There's a bit of a party town vibe in the evenings. Head to Pleasure Pier for rides and entertainment. The town also has taverns, lounges, and bars that you can check out.

Is Merida or Galveston Better for Beaches?

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

Galveston has a beach worth visiting. There are miles of beaches that spread out from town. Some of the best include Babe's Beach, Stewart Beach, and Crystal Beach. Because of the proximity to the Mississippi River, the water can be a bit murky, but the beaches are still fun.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Galveston Better for its Old Town?

Merida is great for its old town. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town charm.

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.

Galveston offers a nice historic old town area. The East End Historic District is filled with historic mansions with beautiful porches. It's possible to take a tour or you could explore independently.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Galveston?

Merida is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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 Galveston to go shopping. There are plenty of places to pick up souvenirs like shell jewelry or t-shirts. There are also more eclectic shops as well as shopping centers and malls.

Is Merida or Galveston Better for Families?

Galveston 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 Galveston. Head to Pier 21 where you'll find museums, harbor tours, and other kid-friendly activities. The city also offers a number of pirate-themed activities that kids enjoy as well as spooky ghost tours. For a bit of a thrill you can check out the rides at Galveston Pleasure Pier. And, of course, there are the beaches.

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 Galveston Better for Couples?

Galveston is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Galveston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Historic District is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal and soak up the charm. The area's beaches and parks also offer a bit of romance and there are plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, or swimming.

Merida is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Merida or Galveston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Galveston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The beaches are great, but most backpackers don't think to visit Galveston.

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

Merida is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Galveston is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Merida offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Galveston. While there are buses and trolley buses, a car is the best way to get around with the greatest flexibility and convenience.

Is Merida or Galveston a more walkable city?

Merida is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Galveston is a somewhat walkable city. There are some walkable areas such as the Historic District.

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

Should I spend more time in Galveston or Merida?

How long in Merida or Galveston?

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

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

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

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 Galveston. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Galveston?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the traditional 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.

Galveston 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 Galveston?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional 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 Galveston. 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 Galveston?

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 coastal destination of Galveston. 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Galveston?

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

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 Galveston in the Summer?

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

In July, Merida is generally cooler than Galveston. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Galveston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Galveston. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Galveston in the Autumn?

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

Merida is around the same temperature as Galveston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Galveston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Galveston. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Galveston in the Winter?

Both Galveston 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 Galveston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Merida is much warmer than Galveston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Galveston averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Galveston. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Galveston in the Spring?

Both Galveston 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 Galveston in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Galveston. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Galveston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Galveston. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galveston and Merida