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

Should you visit Merida or Wilmington?

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

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

Wilmington

Wilmington is a welcoming, charming, and historic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Merida and Wilmington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Wilmington?

You'll generally find more things to do in Merida than Wilmington. Merida is bigger than Wilmington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Merida is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Wilmington is more popular for its beaches. Merida is more touristy than Wilmington and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Merida different from Wilmington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is great for its historical sights. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Wilmington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

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

Merida is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is Merida or Wilmington Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for nightlife. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Merida for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Wilmington. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

Is Merida or Wilmington Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wilmington. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Wilmington Better for its Old Town?

Merida is great for its historic old town. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Merida to see the historical old town. 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.

Many people head to Wilmington to see the old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Wilmington?

Merida is great for shopping. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Wilmington offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is Merida or Wilmington Better for Families?

Wilmington 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 Wilmington. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

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 Wilmington Better for Couples?

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

Wilmington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

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 Wilmington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Wilmington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, the university and great beaches make this a surprisingly fun destination.

Is Merida or Wilmington Better for Students?

Wilmington is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wilmington. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Merida offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

Public transit is generally limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Is Merida or Wilmington a more walkable city?

Merida is great for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Wilmington or Merida?

How long in Merida or Wilmington?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Merida than Wilmington. 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington?

With museums and nightlife around the historical city of Merida, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Merida, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wilmington. 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 Wilmington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Merida, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Wilmington 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 Wilmington?

Merida, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Merida is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Wilmington. This city 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Wilmington?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Wilmington, 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 Wilmington?

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 Wilmington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Wilmington. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than Wilmington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Wilmington averages at about 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Wilmington during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

Wilmington receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Wilmington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Wilmington. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Wilmington for the shopping scene.

In October, Merida is generally a little warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 227 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Wilmington. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Wilmington in the Winter?

Both Wilmington and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Wilmington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Merida is much warmer than Wilmington in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Wilmington fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Wilmington during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Wilmington in the Spring?

Both Wilmington and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Wilmington for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Merida is a little warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Wilmington averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Wilmington. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Merida