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

Should you visit Merida or Hope?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Hope, 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Merida travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Merida and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Hope?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Merida than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Merida is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Hope is more popular for its hiking. Merida is more touristy than Hope and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Hope is well known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Merida different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a great city for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known 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.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

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

Merida is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Merida or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great city for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Merida has something for everybody. 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.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Merida or Hope Better for its Old Town?

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

Hope does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hope 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 Hope. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Hope?

Merida is a great city for shopping. However, Hope is not known 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Merida or Hope Better for Families?

Hope 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 Hope. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

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 Hope Better for Couples?

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

Hope makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

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 Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida and Hope are both excellent destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Is Merida or Hope 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, Hope 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 limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Merida or Hope a more walkable city?

Merida is a great city for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

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

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

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

Should I spend more time in Hope or Merida?

How long in Merida or Hope?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Merida. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Hope. 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 Hope?

Merida is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hope 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 Hope?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Merida. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

The traditional city of Merida offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the friendly destination of Hope. 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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Hope?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Hope, 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 Hope?

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 Hope in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Merida is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Hope. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Hope in the Autumn?

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

In October, Merida is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Hope. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope 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 Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hope. Merida is much warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Hope. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Merida is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Hope. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hope and Merida