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

Should you visit Merida or Jacksonville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Jacksonville, 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a under-rated, lively, and youthful 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 food.

Merida and Jacksonville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Jacksonville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Jacksonville are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its historical sights, while Jacksonville attracts visitors for its beaches. Merida is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area.

How is Merida different from Jacksonville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

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

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

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, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

Is Merida or Jacksonville Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Jacksonville have great 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 Jacksonville know how to have a good time. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

Is Merida or Jacksonville Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Jacksonville. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Jacksonville Better for its Old Town?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Jacksonville?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Merida and Jacksonville.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Is Merida or Jacksonville Better for Families?

Merida and Jacksonville are both nice 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 Jacksonville. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Is Merida or Jacksonville Better for Couples?

Merida and Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Is Merida or Jacksonville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Is Merida or Jacksonville Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Merida and Jacksonville.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Jacksonville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Is Merida or Jacksonville a more walkable city?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Jacksonville or Merida?

How long in Merida or Jacksonville?

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

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

In Merida, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this traditional city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville?

Merida is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colonial destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Jacksonville?

Merida is a popular place to visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Jacksonville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville?

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 Jacksonville in the Summer?

Both Jacksonville and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Jacksonville in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is cooler than Jacksonville in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Jacksonville during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Jacksonville in the Autumn?

Both Jacksonville and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Jacksonville. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 214 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Jacksonville. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Merida or Jacksonville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Jacksonville. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Jacksonville during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Jacksonville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Jacksonville. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets less sunshine than Jacksonville. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 285 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Jacksonville. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Merida