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

Should you visit Merida or Banff?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Banff, 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 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 nightlife, food, and shopping. See Merida travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a outdoorsy, sporty, and adventurous town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Banff travel costs.

Merida and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Banff?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Banff are both popular with visitors, Merida has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Merida is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Banff is known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Merida is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. Banff is popular for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes.

How is Merida different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Merida or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is terrific for skiing and snowboarding. However, Merida is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Banff is among the best in the world. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.

Merida is not a skiing destination.

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

Merida is notable for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Merida offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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, Banff makes for a great culinary experience. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.

Is Merida or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Banff have very good 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 Banff know how to have a good time. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.

Is Merida or Banff Better for its Old Town?

Merida is notable for its old town. However, Banff does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Merida. 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.

Banff does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Banff draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Banff?

Merida is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Banff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Merida or Banff More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Merida or Banff Better for Families?

Banff 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 Banff. Kids will enjoy the low key hikes like Tunnel Mountain hike. There's also the Banff Gondola and several playgrounds in downtown Banff. For adventure activities, check out the Golden Skybridge or Lake Louise.

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 Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is terrific for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Banff has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a beautiful destination for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. There are countless hikes and stunning natural beauty. There are also spas, horseback riding, and many great restaurants.

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 Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida and Banff are both very good destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Merida and Banff.

Merida has some public transit options. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

You'll find some public transit in Banff, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Is Merida or Banff a more walkable city?

Merida and Banff are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Banff is very walkable. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Merida?

How long in Merida or Banff?

In either Merida or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff 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 Banff.

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

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

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

In Merida, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this traditional destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

A weekend in Merida or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Banff 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 Banff?

Merida is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Merida. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Banff. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Banff?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Banff is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Banff, we can see that Banff is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Banff?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Banff, 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.