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

Should you visit Merida or Boone?

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

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

Boone

Boone is a relaxing, quaint, and picturesque town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, Boone attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife. See Boone travel costs.

Merida and Boone: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Boone?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Boone are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Boone attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Boone is famous for its proximity to great hiking, skiing, and small town charm.

How is Merida different from Boone?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Merida or Boone Better for Skiing?

Boone is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Merida is not a skiing destination.

Boone draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. It's a very popular ski destination in North Carolina. There are family-friendly slopes as well as more challenging options. Head to the popular Appalachian Ski Mountain, nearby Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain for some of the area's best skiing.

Merida is not a skiing destination.

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

Merida is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Boone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most people spend the majority of their time exploring the natural beauty, but there are also several small local museums such as the Banner House Museum.

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

Merida is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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).

Boone offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find farm to table restaurants, local cafes, and all of the standard chain restaurants nearby. Check for a High Country Grown certification if you want to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.

Is Merida or Boone Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Boone have excellent 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 Boone know how to have a good time. It's a small town, but there are local breweries and a great nightlife scene that is, in large part, influenced by the large student population.

Is Merida or Boone Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Boone 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.

Boone does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Boone Better for Hiking?

Boone 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 Boone. The area is filled with wonderful hikes, particularly around Grandfather Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The famed Appalachian Trail passes through the area as well. Many hikes take you through beautiful forests, passed dramatic waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Boone?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Merida and Boone.

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.

Boone is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Wander along King Street for some of the town's best shopping. There are independent vendors and antique shops that are fun to pop into. The town is also known for its farmer's markets.

Is Merida or Boone More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Boone attracts visitors from all around. The surrounding area is filled with great natural beauty and wonderful hikes.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Merida or Boone Better for Families?

Boone 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 Boone. Near town you'll find kid-friendly hikes, such as Linville Falls. There are also several places where kids can go ziplining or rock climbing. Parks and outdoor activities are abundant and the whole family will enjoy the setting.

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 Boone Better for Couples?

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

Boone makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming town has a romantic setting with local restaurants, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping. Couples enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.

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 Boone Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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 Boone. While there aren't many hostels in the area, there are plenty of campgrounds. The nearby Appalachian State University also ensures that there are plenty of fun activities for young visitors.

Is Merida or Boone Better for Students?

Boone is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Boone is a great destination for students. This mountain town offers a great setting for students who enjoy hiking and skiing. Appalachian State University is a fun college with plenty of activities going on.

Merida is not popular with students.

Is Merida or Boone 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, Boone 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 Boone. You really need a car to make the most of your time.

Is Merida or Boone a more walkable city?

Merida and Boone are excellent 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.

Boone is very walkable. Head to King Street for the best shopping and the most pedestrian-friendly part of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Boone or Merida?

How long in Merida or Boone?

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

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

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

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

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.

Boone 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 Boone?

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.

Boone 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 Boone?

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 Boone. 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 Boone?

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.

Boone 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 United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Boone?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Boone. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Boone, 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.