A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Big Sur for Couples, Food, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Merida or Big Sur?

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

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

Big Sur

Big Sur is a remote, breathtaking, and scenic natural area. Big Sur is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches. See Big Sur travel costs.

Merida and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Big Sur?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Big Sur 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 Big Sur attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Big Sur is famous for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views.

How is Merida different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is great for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Merida specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Big Sur offers a few options for museum-goers. Nature is what brings visitors to the area, so most people don't prioritize museums or manmade landmarks.

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

Merida is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

Big Sur offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Most of the restaurants offer a breathtaking view. Many use locally-sourced ingredients and they range in style from fine dining to casual eateries.

Is Merida or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for its evening party scene. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

People don't go to Big Sur for the nightlife. There's a taphouse and lounge, but the area is mostly undeveloped with no real nightlife.

Is Merida or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Big Sur. The coastline and beaches are dramatic and beautiful, particularly Pfeiffer Beach, which has a dramatic waterfall. The water is filled with rip tides and strong currents, so swimming isn't advisable in most places.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Big Sur Better for its Old Town?

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

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Big Sur does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur 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 Big Sur. The dramatic hikes take you along the coastline, to beautiful beaches and through Redwood forests. There are a number of state parks along the route and some of the best hikes include Salmon Creek Trail, Pacific Valley Bluff Trail, and Ragged Point Cliffside Trail.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Big Sur?

Merida is great for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Big Sur has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some galleries and gift shops, but most visitors aren't in the area to go shopping.

Is Merida or Big Sur More Beautiful?

Big Sur is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Big Sur is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The road clings to the cliffs and makes dramatic curves, offering peaks at the striking blue water and breathtaking setting. This is truly one of those special places that feels unreal in its beauty.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Merida or Big Sur Better for Families?

Merida and Big Sur 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 Big Sur. Kids will enjoy the hiking and beaches, particularly the Carmel Lagoon at Carmel River State Beach. There are a number of state parks where kids can run around and stretch their legs.

Is Merida or Big Sur Better for Couples?

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

Big Sur has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Stunning viewpoints and breathtaking coastline make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are romantic inns and impressive hikes along the water's edge or through the dramatic Redwoods.

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 Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Big Sur. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but budget travelers often prefer vacation rentals, which are more common.

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

Merida is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination 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 limited or non-existant in Big Sur. There is no real public transportation in the area.

Is Merida or Big Sur a more walkable city?

Merida is great for its ease of walking around. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Big Sur is not a walkable city. While there are hiking trails, Big Sur is a stretch of road that runs along the coast and requires a car to fully access.

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

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Merida?

How long in Merida or Big Sur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Merida and Big Sur. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Big Sur than in Merida. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 1-3 days is enough time in Big Sur.

Families should spend more time in Merida than Big Sur. 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 Big Sur. 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 Big Sur 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 Big Sur?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Big Sur. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Big Sur?

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.

Big Sur 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 Big Sur?

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 Big Sur. 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.

A week in Merida or Big Sur?

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 food when visiting the breathtaking destination of Big Sur. This natural area 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Big Sur, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.

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

When is the best time to visit Merida or Big Sur?

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 Big Sur in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Big Sur. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is a little warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Big Sur. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Big Sur. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the cuisine.

In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Big Sur. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Merida is much warmer than Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Big Sur. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Merida