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

Should you visit Merida or New Orleans?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or New Orleans, 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 food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a energetic, fun-filled, and festive city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, nightlife, and live music.

Merida and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or New Orleans?

Visitors will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Merida. While Merida is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Merida is more popular for its museums and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Merida and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Merida is well known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture.

The French Quarter

How is Merida different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Merida. 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New Orleans is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Merida makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Is Merida or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

New Orleans is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

The people in Merida know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Merida or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is terrific for its music scene. However, Merida is not a live music destination.

New Orleans has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Merida is not a live music destination.

Is Merida or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

Merida and New Orleans both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

New Orleans is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or New Orleans?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Merida or New Orleans Better for Families?

Merida is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Merida or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Merida and New Orleans are both notable 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.

New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Merida or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Merida or New Orleans Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Merida or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Merida?

How long in Merida or New Orleans?

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

Families should spend more time in Merida than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

The historical city of Merida offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. 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.

A week in Merida or New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 live music and food when visiting the energetic destination of New Orleans. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or New Orleans?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Merida and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

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 New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than New Orleans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and New Orleans averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Merida is generally around the same temperature as New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than New Orleans. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and New Orleans. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Merida is much warmer than New Orleans in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Merida usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as New Orleans. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Merida is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than New Orleans. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Merida