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

Should you visit Merida or Houston?

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

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

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Houston travel costs.

Merida and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Houston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston than Merida, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Houston is more popular for its music and big city activities, while Merida is known for its historical sights and shopping. Merida is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also home to The Space Center Houston.

How is Merida different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Houston 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 Houston. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

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

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, Houston makes for a great culinary experience. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Merida or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Both Merida and Houston have great 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 Houston know how to have a good time. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

Is Merida or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Merida is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Houston active and fun. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Merida is not a live music destination.

Is Merida or Houston Better for its Old Town?

Merida is well known for its old town. However, Houston does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Houston?

Merida is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Merida is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Merida or Houston Better for Families?

Houston 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 Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

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 Houston Better for Couples?

Merida and Houston are both good 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.

Houston is a nice destination for couples. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Merida or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is well known for backpackers. However, Houston is not particularly known 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.

Houston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this sprawling city, but there are some hostels and cheap motels.

Is Merida or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Merida is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is a good destination for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Merida, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Merida or Houston a more walkable city?

Merida is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known 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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Merida?

How long in Merida or Houston?

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

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

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

In Merida, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Houston is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Houston?

In Merida, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Merida has to offer.

Houston 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 Houston?

Merida is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the southern big city of Houston. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Houston?

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

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 Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Merida is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Houston. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Houston. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Merida is around the same temperature as Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Houston. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Houston. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Merida is much warmer than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Houston. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

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

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Houston. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Merida