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

Should you visit Merida or Pasadena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Pasadena, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Merida and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Pasadena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Pasadena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Merida different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Pasadena 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 Pasadena. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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

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

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, Pasadena makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Is Merida or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Pasadena 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 Pasadena know how to have a good time. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Is Merida or Pasadena Better for its Old Town?

Merida is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Pasadena?

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

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.

Pasadena is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Merida or Pasadena Better for Families?

Merida and Pasadena 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 Pasadena. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Merida or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Merida and Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Merida or Pasadena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is notable for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Merida is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Pasadena is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

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

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

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 Pasadena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Is Merida or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Merida is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Merida?

How long in Merida or Pasadena?

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

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

The city of Merida offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pasadena. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Pasadena?

Merida is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Merida, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Pasadena 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 Pasadena?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

Merida is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Pasadena. 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, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Pasadena, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Merida would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Merida than you might in Pasadena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Merida or Pasadena?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Pasadena. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Merida usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Merida is around the same temperature as Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Merida is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Pasadena. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Pasadena. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city.

Merida is a little warmer than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Merida