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

Should you visit Merida or Kennebunkport?

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

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

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a character-filled, charming, and quaint town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Merida and Kennebunkport: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Kennebunkport?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Merida than Kennebunkport, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Merida is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Kennebunkport is more popular for its resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Merida is well known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Kennebunkport is well known for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline.

How is Merida different from Kennebunkport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is great for its historical sights. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Kennebunkport offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

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

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

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, Kennebunkport makes for a great culinary experience. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Is Merida or Kennebunkport Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for nightlife. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Merida for the nightlife scene. 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 Kennebunkport. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

Is Merida or Kennebunkport Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

Kennebunkport is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Kennebunkport Better for its Old Town?

Merida is great for its historic old town. However, Kennebunkport 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.

Kennebunkport does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Kennebunkport Better for Hiking?

Kennebunkport is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Kennebunkport has hiking trails worth exploring. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Kennebunkport?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Merida and Kennebunkport.

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.

Kennebunkport is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

Is Merida or Kennebunkport Better for Families?

Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

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 Kennebunkport Better for Couples?

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

Kennebunkport makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

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 Kennebunkport Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Kennebunkport is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find cabins and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

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

Merida is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

Is Merida or Kennebunkport a more walkable city?

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

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

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Kennebunkport or Merida?

How long in Merida or Kennebunkport?

It's fun to spend time in either Merida or Kennebunkport. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kennebunkport due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kennebunkport.

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the traditional 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.

Kennebunkport might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Kennebunkport?

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.

Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial 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 Kennebunkport. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Kennebunkport?

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.

Kennebunkport is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Kennebunkport?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 460 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Kennebunkport, 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 Kennebunkport?

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 Kennebunkport in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Kennebunkport. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kennebunkport for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Merida is around the same temperature as Kennebunkport. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Kennebunkport averages at about 69°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kennebunkport this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Kennebunkport during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kennebunkport. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Kennebunkport in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Kennebunkport. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Kennebunkport because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Kennebunkport. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 196 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Kennebunkport. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Kennebunkport in the Winter?

Both Kennebunkport and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kennebunkport this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kennebunkport in the winter. Merida is much warmer than Kennebunkport in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Kennebunkport during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Kennebunkport. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Kennebunkport in the Spring?

Both Kennebunkport and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kennebunkport for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Merida is much warmer than Kennebunkport. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Kennebunkport averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In Kennebunkport, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Kennebunkport. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 212 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Kennebunkport. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kennebunkport and Merida