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

Should you visit Merida or Islamorada?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Islamorada, 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Islamorada

Islamorada is a tropical, adventurous, and relaxing village. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Merida and Islamorada: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Islamorada?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Merida than Islamorada, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Merida is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Islamorada is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Merida is well known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Islamorada is well known for its sportfishing, state parks, and local vibe.

How is Merida different from Islamorada?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Islamorada offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a variety of museums and aquariums in the area such as the History of Diving Museum, the Keys History and Discovery Center, and the famous Theater of the Sea.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Merida and Islamorada.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Islamorada makes for a great culinary experience. Has a sports fishing destination, you'll find no shortage of seafood options in the area. There are cafes and bistros that have an old school Florida Key's atmosphere. Popular dishes include grilled fish and curry seafood.

Is Merida or Islamorada Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great city for nightlife. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Merida has something for everybody. 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 Islamorada. The nightlife consists of mostly bars and restaurants that serve cocktails and frozen drinks. There are sports bars and casual eateries where you can enjoy a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

Is Merida or Islamorada Better for Resorts?

Islamorada is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

Islamorada has a few great resort options. You'll find plenty of resorts with spas, pools or oceanfront views in the area.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Islamorada Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Islamorada is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Islamorada has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and dive trips to the surrounding areas. You could also grab a mask and head out into the water on your own. You're sure to see some beautiful marine life.

Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Merida or Islamorada Better for Beaches?

Islamorada is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Islamorada. Blue water and white sand make the beaches a true paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Anne's Beach, which has a boardwalk and mangroves, Library Beach, which is small and well maintained, Holiday Isle Beach, which is near the hotels and restaurants, and Long Key State Park, which has camping and picnic spots.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Islamorada Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great city for its historic old town. However, Islamorada 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.

Islamorada does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Islamorada?

Merida is a great city for shopping. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Islamorada offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a few jewelry boutiques as well as sporting goods shops and souvenir stands.

Is Merida or Islamorada Better for Families?

Islamorada is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Islamorada is an amazing family-friendly village to visit. Theater of the Sea is a highlight for kids and adults alike. You'll have the opportunity to interact with many types of sea life including dolphins, sea lions, and even sharks. Founders Park is another great place to take the kids. You can have a picnic, hang out at the beach, or hit up the playground. There's also plenty of snorkeling and diving in the area, particularly around Alligator Reef Lighthouse.

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 Islamorada Better for Couples?

Islamorada is terrific for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Islamorada has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples will enjoy the resorts, spas, beaches, and adventures in the area. Head to Little Palm Spa for a little relaxation or hit up Florida Keys Brewing Company for some live music. There's also snorkeling, diving, and some good restaurants nearby as well.

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 Islamorada Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Islamorada is not known for backpackers.

Merida is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Islamorada is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels on this key and prices in general can be a bit high so backpackers will find it a bit challenging.

Is Merida or Islamorada 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, Islamorada is not known 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 limited or non-existant in Islamorada. There's no real public transit in the area and you must have your own vehicle.

Is Merida or Islamorada a more walkable city?

Merida is a great city for its walkability. However, Islamorada is not known for its high level of walkability.

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

Islamorada is not a walkable city. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, it's not very walkable and you'll need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Islamorada or Merida?

How long in Merida or Islamorada?

Both Merida and Islamorada have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Islamorada than in Merida. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 4-7 days is enough time in Islamorada.

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

Couples should spend more time in Islamorada than Merida. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Islamorada that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

With museums and nightlife around the colonial city of Merida, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Merida, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Islamorada. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Islamorada?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Merida, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Islamorada is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Merida or Islamorada?

Merida, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Islamorada. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Islamorada?

Merida is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing destination of Islamorada. This village offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Islamorada?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Islamorada. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Islamorada, 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 Islamorada?

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 Islamorada in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Islamorada. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Islamorada this time of year.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than Islamorada. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Islamorada averages at about 84°F (29°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamorada this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Islamorada. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Islamorada in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Islamorada. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Islamorada for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Merida is generally cooler than Islamorada. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Islamorada fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamorada. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets less sunshine than Islamorada. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 258 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Islamorada. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Islamorada. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Islamorada is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Merida or Islamorada in the Winter?

Both Islamorada and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Islamorada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Merida is around the same temperature as Islamorada in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Islamorada fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Islamorada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Islamorada. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Islamorada in the Spring?

Both Islamorada and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Islamorada for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Merida is cooler than Islamorada. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Islamorada averages at about 77°F (25°C).

In Islamorada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets less sunshine than Islamorada. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 326 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Islamorada. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Islamorada is June to November.

Typical Weather for Islamorada and Merida