A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Martha's Vineyard for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Merida or Martha's Vineyard?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Martha's Vineyard, 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 traditional, colonial, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Merida travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Merida and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Merida different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a great city for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Merida or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Merida and Martha's Vineyard.

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, Martha's Vineyard makes for a great culinary experience. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

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 Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Martha's Vineyard. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard has hiking trails worth exploring. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Martha's Vineyard?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Merida and Martha's Vineyard.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Merida and Martha's Vineyard are both nice 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 Martha's Vineyard. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is terrific for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Martha's Vineyard has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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 Martha's Vineyard Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Merida is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Martha's Vineyard 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 generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Merida or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Merida is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

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

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Merida Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Merida?

How long in Merida or Martha's Vineyard?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Merida, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Martha's Vineyard might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Martha's Vineyard?

With museums and nightlife around the historical city of Merida, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Merida or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is around the same temperature as Martha's Vineyard in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Merida usually receives around the same amount of rain as Martha's Vineyard. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Martha's Vineyard. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Merida is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Martha's Vineyard. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Martha's Vineyard can be very cold. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

Merida is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Merida