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

Should you visit Salvador or Merida?

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

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

Salvador

Salvador is a historical, authentic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Salvador travel costs.

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. See Merida travel costs.

Salvador and Merida: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Merida?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Merida than Salvador. While Salvador is larger than Merida, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Salvador attracts visitors for its beaches. Salvador is famous for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza.

How is Salvador different from Merida?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Merida and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Merida?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salvador or Merida.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salvador can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Merida. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Salvador and Merida can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Salvador is an experience not to be missed. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

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).

Is Salvador or Merida Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Salvador and Merida.

Salvador is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

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.

Is Salvador or Merida Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Salvador. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Salvador or Merida Better for its Old Town?

Merida is well known for its historic old town charm. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic 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.

Salvador is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Merida?

Merida is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Salvador 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 Salvador. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Is Salvador or Merida Better for Families?

Merida is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Merida Better for Couples?

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

Salvador makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

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 Salvador or Merida Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Merida are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salvador is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Salvador and Merida.

You'll find some public transit in Salvador, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

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.

Is Salvador or Merida a more walkable city?

Merida is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador 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.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Merida or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Merida?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Salvador or Merida to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Salvador than Merida because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 1-2 days is enough time in Merida.

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

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

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

The city of Merida offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Merida?

Salvador 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.

Merida is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Merida, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Merida?

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

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Merida?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Salvador. 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.

Merida is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Merida, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salvador is in South America and Merida is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Merida would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Merida than you might in Salvador.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Merida Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salvador or Merida?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Merida, 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 Salvador or Merida?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Salvador is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Merida has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Salvador or Merida in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Merida. The summer months attract visitors to Salvador because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

Salvador is a little warmer than Merida in the summer. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salvador this time of the year. In the summer, Salvador often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Meridain July. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 254 hours of full sun.

Salvador receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador usually gets more rain in January than Meridain July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, September to February in Salvador is the dry season. March to August in Salvador is the rainy season.

Should I visit Salvador or Merida in the Autumn?

Both Merida and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Salvador this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Salvador is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salvador in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Merida. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Merida during autumn. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. It's quite rainy in Salvador. In April, Salvador usually receives more rain than Meridain October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salvador or Merida in the Winter?

Both Merida and Salvador during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Salvador for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Salvador is generally a little warmer than Meridain January. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 24°C (75°F), and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Meridain January. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Merida receives 209 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in July than Meridain January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. September to February is the dry season in Salvador. March to August is the rainy season in Salvador.

Should I visit Salvador or Merida in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Merida. Many visitors come to Salvador in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months.

Salvador is a little warmer than Merida in the spring. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Merida during spring. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Merida receives 260 hours of full sun in the spring.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Salvador usually receives less rain than Meridain April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Merida and Salvador