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

Should you visit Merida or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Ottawa, 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. See Merida travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Merida and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Ottawa are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Merida different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Ottawa 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 Ottawa. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

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

Merida is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Merida or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Merida has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Merida or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Ottawa?

Merida is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Merida or Ottawa Better for Families?

Merida and Ottawa 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 Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Merida or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Merida and Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Merida or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Merida or Ottawa Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Merida or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Merida is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Merida?

How long in Merida or Ottawa?

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

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

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 shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Ottawa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Ottawa?

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.

Ottawa 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa. 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 Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colonial 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 shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ottawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Merida is around the same temperature as Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Merida is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Ottawa. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

Merida is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Merida