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

Should you visit Merida or Columbus?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Columbus, 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 colonial, historical, and traditional city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Merida travel costs.

Columbus

Columbus is a friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbus travel costs.

Merida and Columbus: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Columbus?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Merida than Columbus, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Merida is more touristy than Columbus and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene.

How is Merida different from Columbus?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Columbus offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

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

Merida is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Merida. 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Merida or Columbus Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Merida has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Columbus has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Is Merida or Columbus Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Columbus 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.

Columbus does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Columbus?

Merida is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Columbus offers some nice shopping areas. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Is Merida or Columbus Better for Families?

Columbus 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 Columbus. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

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 Columbus Better for Couples?

Merida is a popular place for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Merida or Columbus Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Merida is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Columbus is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there is a hostel in town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Merida is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Is Merida or Columbus a more walkable city?

Merida is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Columbus is a somewhat walkable place. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Columbus or Merida?

How long in Merida or Columbus?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Merida or Columbus 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 Columbus. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

The city of Merida offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Merida or Columbus?

Merida is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Merida, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Columbus 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 Columbus?

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Merida is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Columbus. 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Columbus?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Columbus, 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 Columbus?

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 Columbus in the Summer?

Both Columbus and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Columbus for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than Columbus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Columbus averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbus. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbus. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Columbus. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Columbus in the Autumn?

Both Columbus and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbus because of the shopping scene.

In October, Merida is generally a little warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Columbus fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Columbus. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Columbus in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Columbus. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbus this time of year.

It's quite cold in Columbus in the winter. Merida is much warmer than Columbus in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Columbus fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Columbus. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Columbus in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Columbus. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

In the spring, Merida is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Columbus averages at about 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Columbus. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbus and Merida