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

Should you visit Merida or Dallas?

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

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

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Dallas travel costs.

Merida and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Dallas?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Merida than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Merida, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Merida different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Dallas and Merida.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Merida can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dallas. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

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

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, Dallas makes for a great culinary experience. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Merida or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Dallas 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 Dallas know how to have a good time. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Merida or Dallas Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a well-known place for its old town. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Dallas?

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

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.

Dallas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Merida or Dallas Better for Families?

Dallas 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 Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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 Dallas Better for Couples?

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

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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 Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Merida is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

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

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

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 Dallas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Merida or Dallas a more walkable city?

Merida is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Merida?

How long in Merida or Dallas?

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

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

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

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dallas. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Dallas?

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.

Dallas 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas. 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 Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colonial 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 upscale destination of Dallas. 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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Dallas. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Merida is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets more rain in July than Dallas. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Dallas in the Autumn?

Both Dallas and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

Merida is around the same temperature as Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Dallas. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Merida is much warmer than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Dallas. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Dallas. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Dallas. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dallas in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Dallas. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Dallas. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Merida