A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Merida vs. Puerto Vallarta for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

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

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

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a coastal, colorful, and laid-back town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.

Merida and Puerto Vallarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Puerto Vallarta. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is very popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and big city activities, while Puerto Vallarta attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Puerto Vallarta is famous for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife.

How is Merida different from Puerto Vallarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Merida specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Puerto Vallarta is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historical sights around town like Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

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

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

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, Puerto Vallarta makes for a great culinary experience. The charming character combined with the authentic local cuisine makes for a wonderful culinary experience. There's everything from taco stands to romantic restaurants that you can try.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Puerto Vallarta have excellent 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 Puerto Vallarta know how to have a good time. You'll find a mix of active clubs, cozy bars, and cosmopolitan cafes. Head to the Romantic Zone or Los Muertos Beach for some of the best places.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

Puerto Vallarta offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Many visitors go to Puerto Vallarta to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers in the area may get to experience once in a lifetime opportunities like diving with manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, or schools of jacks.

Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta. There are many beaches spread out around town that have soft sand and blue water. Most have all of the amenities you could need. Popular beaches include Playa de los Muertos, Playa Mismaloya, and Playa Conchas Chinas.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Merida and Puerto Vallarta.

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.

Puerto Vallarta is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta Better for Families?

Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta. Kids will love the water parks and thrilling activities, such as Aquaventuras Water Park or Los Veranos Canopy Tour. There's rock climbing and ropes courses at Las Animas Aventura Park. You'll also find horseback riding and even pirate boat tours in the area.

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 Puerto Vallarta Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Puerto Vallarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples looking for a romantic getaway will enjoy sunset boat trips, horseback riding, and adventure sports. There are also many restaurants where you can enjoy a romantic dinner or a refreshing drink.

Merida is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida and Puerto Vallarta are both excellent 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 Puerto Vallarta. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Merida and Puerto Vallarta.

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 Puerto Vallarta, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.

Is Merida or Puerto Vallarta a more walkable city?

Merida and Puerto Vallarta are excellent 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.

Puerto Vallarta is very walkable. There are several walkable neighborhoods in town such as 5 de Diciembre, el Centro, and Zona Romantica.

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

Should I spend more time in Puerto Vallarta or Merida?

How long in Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

In either Merida or Puerto Vallarta, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Merida because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 3-5 days is enough time in Puerto Vallarta.

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

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

One day in Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

The colonial 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Puerto Vallarta. 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 Puerto Vallarta?

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.

Puerto Vallarta is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

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 Puerto Vallarta. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Puerto Vallarta. This 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 Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Puerto Vallarta?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Puerto Vallarta, 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.