A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Merida vs. La Paz for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Merida or La Paz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or La Paz, 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

La Paz

La Paz is a authentic, cultural, and beautiful city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Merida and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or La Paz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida than La Paz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Merida is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while La Paz is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Merida is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere.

How is Merida different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both La Paz 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 La Paz. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

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

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

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, La Paz makes for a great culinary experience. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Is Merida or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

Merida is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Merida has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is Merida or La Paz Better for Resorts?

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

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or La Paz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to La Paz to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Merida or La Paz Better for Beaches?

La Paz is terrific for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

The beaches in La Paz are among the best in the world. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or La Paz Better for its Old Town?

Merida is notable for its old town. However, La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Merida is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or La Paz?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Merida and La Paz.

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.

La Paz is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Merida or La Paz Better for Families?

La Paz 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 La Paz. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

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 La Paz Better for Couples?

Merida and La Paz are both good 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.

La Paz is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Is Merida or La Paz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida and La Paz are both high quality destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Merida and La Paz.

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 La Paz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Is Merida or La Paz a more walkable city?

Merida and La Paz are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

La Paz is very walkable. The city is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Merida?

How long in Merida or La Paz?

It's fun to spend time in either Merida or La Paz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in La Paz 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 La Paz.

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

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

One day in Merida or La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of La Paz. 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 La Paz?

Merida 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.

La Paz is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, 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 La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Merida. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of La Paz. 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 Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or La Paz?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Merida and La Paz, 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 La Paz?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Merida or La Paz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as La Paz. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Merida is generally cooler than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets more rain in July than La Paz. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or La Paz in the Autumn?

Both La Paz and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Merida is cooler than La Paz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than La Paz. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or La Paz in the Winter?

Both La Paz and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Merida is around the same temperature as La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and La Paz averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Paz. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets more rain in January than La Paz. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or La Paz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and La Paz. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches.

In April, Merida is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun in the spring.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than La Paz. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Merida