A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Merida for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Foz do Iguacu and Merida can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a spectacular, scenic, and breathtaking park. With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Foz do Iguacu travel costs.

Merida

Merida is a historical, traditional, and colonial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Merida travel costs.

Foz do Iguacu and Merida: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida than Foz do Iguacu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Merida is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Foz do Iguacu is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Foz do Iguacu is more touristy than Merida and is popular for its spectacular beauty and incredible volume of water. Merida is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza.

How is Foz do Iguacu different from Merida?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Merida is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Foz do Iguacu specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a handful of museums and nature parks in and near town.

Is the Food Better in Foz do Iguacu or Merida? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Merida is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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).

Foz do Iguacu is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find a variety of restaurants around town where you can sample the regional cuisine. A popular item on the menus is Surubí (a local river fish). Also make sure you try the Mbeyú (fried bread), and paraguayan soup (more like bread than an actual soup).

Is Foz do Iguacu or Merida Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Foz do Iguacu has a few options to choose from. Head to the intersection of Avenida JK and Avenida Jorge Schimmelpfeng for the most lively nightlife scene in town. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, many with outdoor areas or live music.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Merida Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great destination for its old town. However, Foz do Iguacu does not have a historic old town.

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.

Foz do Iguacu does not have a historic old town.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Merida Better for Hiking?

Foz do Iguacu is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Foz do Iguacu. There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Merida is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Merida is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Foz do Iguacu has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's shopping in the center of town, particularly around Avenida Brasil, Rua Barbosa, Rua Almirante Barroso, and Quintino Bocaiuva.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Merida More Beautiful?

Foz do Iguacu is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. The falls is absolutely breathtaking. The volume of water and enormity in size is something that you can only experience in person.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Merida Better for Families?

Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu. Of course, the highlight for everyone is a visit to Iguacu National Park, which also offers boat rides, hiking, and spectacular views. In addition to this impressive park, the whole family will also enjoy a visit to Parque das Aves, which is a bird park that includes information on wildlife species and conservation.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Merida Better for Couples?

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

Foz do Iguacu makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While the town itself has limited entertainment, the waterfalls is a spectacular sight that has inspired more than a few marriage proposals.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Merida Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Foz do Iguacu and Merida are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Foz do Iguacu is a great park to visit for backpackers. This is one of the country's most popular backpacker destinations so you'll find plenty of hostels and young travelers to hang out with. The falls itself is truly incredible and well worth the trip.

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.

Is Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu and Merida.

You'll find some public transit in Foz do Iguacu, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's 12 miles between the park and the town so you'll need to take either a taxi or a public bus. On your way to the park, you should arrange for a ride back because finding a taxi as you leave can be challenging.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Merida a more walkable city?

Merida is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Foz do Iguacu is generally not a very walkable park. There are walkways near the waterfalls, but the city isn't particularly walkable and you'll need transportation to travel between the park and the town.

For even more information, also check out Is Foz do Iguacu Worth Visiting? and Is Merida Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Merida or Foz do Iguacu?

How long in Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Foz do Iguacu or Merida to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu, and 1-2 days is enough time in Merida.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Foz do Iguacu. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Foz do Iguacu 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Foz do Iguacu. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the spectacular destination of Foz do Iguacu. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Merida. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to 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 Foz do Iguacu and Merida, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.

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

Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Merida?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Merida in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Merida. Most visitors come to Foz do Iguacu for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.

Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in January than Meridain July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Merida receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Merida in the Autumn?

Both Merida and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Foz do Iguacu because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

In April, Foz do Iguacu is generally around the same temperature as Meridain October. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Merida fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Meridain October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Merida receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Merida in the Winter?

Both Merida and Foz do Iguacu during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Foz do Iguacu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Merida in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Merida fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in July than Meridain January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Merida receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Merida in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Merida. Many travelers come to Foz do Iguacu for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Foz do Iguacu is a little warmer than Merida. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Merida averages at about 21°C (70°F)in April.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Meridain April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Merida receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Merida and Foz do Iguacu