A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Portland, Maine for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Merida or Portland, Maine?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Portland, Maine, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a scenic, picturesque, and seaside coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Merida and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Portland, Maine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Portland, Maine. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Portland, Maine attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Merida is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Portland, Maine is famous for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Merida different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

Merida is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Merida or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Merida is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Merida is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Merida is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Merida is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Portland, Maine. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for its Old Town?

Merida is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

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

Portland, Maine has hiking trails worth exploring. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Portland, Maine?

Merida is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is a decent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Merida does not offer Christmas activities.

Many enjoy the Christmas activities while in Portland, Maine. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

Merida does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Merida and Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Merida and Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is well known for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known 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.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

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

Merida is a popular place for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Merida, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Merida or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Merida is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Merida?

How long in Merida or Portland, Maine?

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

Families should spend more time in Merida than Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

The historical destination of Merida offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine?

The city of Merida offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

Merida is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Portland, Maine. This coastal town 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Portland, Maine?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine in the Summer?

Both Portland, Maine and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Merida is around the same temperature as Portland, Maine in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In Portland, Maine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Portland, Maine. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Portland, Maine. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Merida is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Portland, Maine averages at about 49°F (9°C).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Portland, Maine. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Portland, Maine. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

Both Portland, Maine and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Merida is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Merida