A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Williamsburg for Old Town, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Merida or Williamsburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Williamsburg, 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.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Merida and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Williamsburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Williamsburg are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Williamsburg attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments.

How is Merida different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

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

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, Williamsburg makes for a great culinary experience. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

Is Merida or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Merida know how to have a good time. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Merida or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Williamsburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Merida is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Williamsburg?

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

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.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Is Merida or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Williamsburg Better for Couples?

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

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

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 Williamsburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options 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.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Merida or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a great destination for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is a good destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options 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 mostly limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Merida or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Merida is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Merida?

How long in Merida or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Merida or Williamsburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Williamsburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

In Merida, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this traditional city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Williamsburg?

Merida is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the traditional destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

A week in Merida or Williamsburg?

Merida is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Williamsburg. This town 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Williamsburg?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is cooler than Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Williamsburg. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Williamsburg. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Williamsburg. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 211 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 Williamsburg. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°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 Williamsburg. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Williamsburg. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Williamsburg in the Spring?

Both Williamsburg and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

Merida is much warmer than Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Merida