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

Should you visit Merida or Bangor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Bangor, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Merida travel costs.

Bangor

Bangor is a friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Bangor travel costs.

Merida and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Bangor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Bangor are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Bangor attracts visitors for its small town charm. Merida is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Merida different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

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

Merida is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Merida is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Merida or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

Merida offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Merida or Bangor Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Bangor 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.

Bangor does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Bangor?

Merida is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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 Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Merida or Bangor Better for Families?

Merida and Bangor are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Merida is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bangor. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Merida or Bangor Better for Couples?

Merida is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

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.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Merida or Bangor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Merida is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

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

Merida is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Bangor is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Merida or Bangor a more walkable city?

Merida is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Merida?

How long in Merida or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Merida or Bangor to fill your time. In our opinion, Merida has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Merida than Bangor. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Merida than Bangor. 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 Merida than Bangor. 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 Bangor 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 Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Bangor. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Bangor?

Merida 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.

Bangor 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 Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Bangor. This town 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Bangor?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Bangor, 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 Bangor?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Merida or Bangor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Bangor. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is around the same temperature as Bangor in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Bangor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in July than Bangor. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Bangor in the Autumn?

Both Bangor and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bangor in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Merida is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Bangor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Bangor. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Bangor in the Winter?

Both Bangor and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bangor can be very cold during winter. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Bangor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Bangor. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Bangor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Bangor. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm.

Merida is much warmer than Bangor in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Bangor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Bangor. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Merida