A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. West Palm Beach for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Merida or West Palm Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or West Palm Beach, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a vibrant, fun-filled, and diverse beach area. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Merida and West Palm Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or West Palm Beach?

You'll generally find more things to do in Merida than West Palm Beach. Merida is bigger than West Palm Beach, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Merida is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while West Palm Beach is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Merida is well known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. West Palm Beach is well known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports.

How is Merida different from West Palm Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach?

Merida is a great city for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Merida or West Palm Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Merida is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Merida. 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is Merida or West Palm Beach Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and West Palm Beach have very good 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 West Palm Beach know how to have a good time. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

Is Merida or West Palm Beach Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

West Palm Beach offers an unforgettable resort vacation. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or West Palm Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to West Palm Beach to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Merida or West Palm Beach Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is terrific for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

The beaches in West Palm Beach are among the best in the world. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or West Palm Beach Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great city for its historic old town. However, West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or West Palm Beach?

Merida is a great city for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Merida or West Palm Beach Better for Families?

West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

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 West Palm Beach Better for Couples?

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

West Palm Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

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 West Palm Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Merida and West Palm Beach.

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 West Palm Beach, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

Is Merida or West Palm Beach a more walkable city?

Merida is a great city for its walkability. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its high level of walkability.

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

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Merida Worth Visiting? and Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in West Palm Beach or Merida?

How long in Merida or West Palm Beach?

Both Merida and West Palm Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Merida. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 3-7 days is enough time in West Palm Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach?

The traditional 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 nightlife when visiting the destination of West Palm Beach. 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 West Palm Beach?

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.

West Palm Beach is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 West Palm Beach?

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 West Palm Beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 West Palm Beach?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the vibrant destination of West Palm Beach. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or West Palm Beach?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of Merida and West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach?

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 West Palm Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and West Palm Beach. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to West Palm Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in West Palm Beach this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than West Palm Beach during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while West Palm Beach receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

West Palm Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or West Palm Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as West Palm Beach. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Merida is generally cooler than West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets less sunshine than West Palm Beach. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while West Palm Beach receives 275 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as West Palm Beach. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Merida or West Palm Beach in the Winter?

Both West Palm Beach and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year.

Merida is around the same temperature as West Palm Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in West Palm Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than West Palm Beach during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while West Palm Beach receives 243 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or West Palm Beach in the Spring?

Both West Palm Beach and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the beaches.

In the spring, Merida is around the same temperature as West Palm Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and West Palm Beach averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In West Palm Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets less sunshine than West Palm Beach. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while West Palm Beach receives 300 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than West Palm Beach. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for West Palm Beach and Merida