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

Should you visit Merida or Kamloops?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Kamloops, 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. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Merida travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Kamloops travel costs.

Merida and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Kamloops?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida than Kamloops, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Merida is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Kamloops is known for its skiing and hiking. Merida is more touristy than Kamloops and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses.

How is Merida different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kamloops and Merida. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Merida or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Merida is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Merida is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Merida or Kamloops?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Merida. 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.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

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

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Merida has a huge number of terrific 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kamloops area. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Merida or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Kamloops has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Merida or Kamloops Better for its Old Town?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Merida is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Kamloops is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Kamloops has hiking trails worth exploring. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Kamloops?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Merida is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Kamloops to go shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Merida or Kamloops Better for Families?

Kamloops 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 Kamloops. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

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 Kamloops Better for Couples?

Merida and Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is a nice destination for couples. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Merida or Kamloops Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many 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.

Kamloops is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's often overlooked by backpackers, but there is a hostel in town.

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

Merida is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Kamloops is lacking in 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 Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Merida or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options 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.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Merida?

How long in Merida or Kamloops?

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

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

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

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 skiing when visiting the destination of Kamloops. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Kamloops?

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.

Kamloops 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops. 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 Kamloops?

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 food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Kamloops. 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Kamloops, we can see that Kamloops is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Kamloops?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Kamloops, 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops in the Summer?

Both Kamloops and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kamloops for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Kamloops in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Merida is much warmer than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Kamloops. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Kamloops in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Kamloops. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Kamloops for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kamloops can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Merida is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Kamloops. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Kamloops. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Merida is generally much warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Kamloops. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Merida