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

Should you visit Merida or Gainesville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Gainesville, 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Merida travel costs.

Gainesville

Gainesville is a high energy, active, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Gainesville travel costs.

Merida and Gainesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Gainesville?

You'll generally find more things to do in Merida than Gainesville. Merida is bigger than Gainesville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Merida is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Merida different from Gainesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Gainesville 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 Gainesville. There's a surprising number of museums around town such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Also fascinating is the Historic Haile Homestead, the Butterfly Rainforest, and the city's planetarium.

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

Merida is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Merida makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Gainesville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

Is Merida or Gainesville Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Gainesville have superb 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 Gainesville know how to have a good time. The nightlife centers around the student population. The two main party areas are Midtown and Downtown. Midtown is between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street and it's convenient for students who live on campus. The area has a great stretch of bars and clubs. The Downtown area has many of the city's top clubs, and it's popular with upperclassmen and students who live off campus.

Is Merida or Gainesville Better for its Old Town?

Merida is notable for its historic old town. However, Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Merida to see the historical old town. 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.

Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Gainesville?

Merida is notable for shopping. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Merida is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Gainesville. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town such as malls, shopping centers, and retail outlets. Two popular areas are the Neighborhoods at Butler and Celebration Pointe.

Is Merida or Gainesville Better for Families?

Merida and Gainesville are both notable 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 Gainesville. You'll find outdoor activities, nature parks, and a couple of museums that will appeal to all ages. Highlights for families include A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the Adventure Outpost, and Alfred A. Ring Park.

Is Merida or Gainesville Better for Couples?

Merida and Gainesville are both notable to visit as a couple.

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.

Gainesville is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy wine tasting and fine dining or enjoying the city's many outdoor activities. Go on a picnic or explore one of the museums in Downtown Gainesville.

Is Merida or Gainesville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is notable for backpackers. However, Gainesville is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Gainesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many travelers, but there are some cheap motels where budget travelers can stay.

Is Merida or Gainesville Better for Students?

Gainesville is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Gainesville is a great city to visit as a student. As the location of the University of Florida, you'll find many students around town. This keeps the energy high with plenty of evening activities and affordable entertainment options.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Merida and Gainesville.

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 Gainesville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Is Merida or Gainesville a more walkable city?

Merida is notable for its walkability. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Gainesville is a somewhat walkable place. Biking is actually a popular way to get around town and some areas are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Gainesville or Merida?

How long in Merida or Gainesville?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in Merida or Gainesville?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historical destination of Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Gainesville 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 Gainesville?

The historical city of Merida offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 high energy destination of Gainesville. 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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Gainesville?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?

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 Gainesville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Gainesville. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than Gainesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Gainesville averages at about 81°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in Gainesville. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Gainesville. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Gainesville in the Autumn?

Both Gainesville and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Gainesville for the shopping scene.

In October, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Should I visit Merida or Gainesville in the Winter?

Both Gainesville and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Gainesville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Merida is much warmer than Gainesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Gainesville fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Gainesville. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Gainesville in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Merida is around the same temperature as Gainesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Gainesville averages at about 69°F (20°C).

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Gainesville and Merida