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

Should you visit Merida or Atlanta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Atlanta, 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Merida travel costs.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a suburban, cultural, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Atlanta travel costs.

Merida and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Atlanta?

Both Atlanta and Merida have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its historical sights, while Atlanta attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities. Merida is more touristy than Atlanta and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Atlanta is famous for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement.

How is Merida different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Atlanta is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Atlanta has many famous sights for visitors. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

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 Merida or Atlanta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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, Atlanta makes for a great culinary experience. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Merida or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Atlanta have superb 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 Atlanta know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Merida or Atlanta Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Atlanta does not have a 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.

Atlanta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Atlanta?

Atlanta is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Atlanta specifically to go shopping. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Merida is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Merida or Atlanta Better for Families?

Atlanta 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 Atlanta. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

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 Atlanta Better for Couples?

Merida and Atlanta are both nice to visit as a couple.

Merida is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Merida or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

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.

Atlanta is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Merida or Atlanta Better for Students?

Atlanta is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Atlanta is a great city to visit as a student. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

Merida is not popular with students.

Is Merida or Atlanta 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, Atlanta is not known 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 Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Merida or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Merida is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Merida?

How long in Merida or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Merida or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Atlanta 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 Atlanta.

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

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

In Merida, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Atlanta is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Atlanta?

In Merida, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Merida has to offer.

Atlanta 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 Atlanta?

Merida is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Atlanta. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Atlanta?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Atlanta, 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 Atlanta?

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 Atlanta in the Summer?

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

Merida is cooler than Atlanta in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Atlanta fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Atlanta in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Atlanta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Atlanta averages at about 66°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. 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 Atlanta. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Atlanta. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Atlanta in the Winter?

Both Atlanta 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 Atlanta in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Atlanta 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 Atlanta during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Atlanta in the Spring?

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

Merida is a little warmer than Atlanta in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Atlanta fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

In Atlanta, 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 Atlanta. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Atlanta. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Merida