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

Should you visit Merida or Mystic?

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

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

Mystic

Mystic is a laid back, charming, and quaint town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Mystic travel costs.

Merida and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Mystic?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Merida than Mystic, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Merida is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Mystic is more popular for its beaches. Merida is well known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Mystic is well known for its New England charm and local character.

How is Merida different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Mystic 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 Mystic. There's a decent selection of museums around town with some of the favorites being the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Denison Homestead Museum, and the Old Lighthouse Museum, The Mystic Aquarium is also a popular destination.

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

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

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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Mystic. As a coastal town, you'll find no shortage of seafood at many restaurants. Popular dishes include oysters, shrimp, or fish. There are also many casual restaurants that serve comfort food for classic American favorites like mac and cheese, pasta, or burgers.

Is Merida or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Mystic has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for the most interesting bars and breweries. You can sip wine or enjoy a cocktail at a laid back pub with friends or family.

Is Merida or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Mystic. The beaches are accessible from town and offer a laid back setting that's not overly developed. Families will like Ocean Beach Park but Williams Beach Park is one of the easiest beaches to access. If you're willing to drive a bit out of town, you should check out Misquamicut State Beach.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Merida is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Mystic 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.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Mystic?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Merida and Mystic.

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.

Mystic is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Is Merida or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic 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 Mystic. Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the many trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center or visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium. You can also visit the shops around Olde Mistick Village or dine at one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Mystic Better for Couples?

Merida and Mystic 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.

Mystic is a nice destination for couples. Check out Mystic Seaport or drive down the coastline and visit the lighthouses. You'll also find breweries around town as well as many fun or romantic restaurants.

Is Merida or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Merida is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Mystic is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

Is Merida or Mystic 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, Mystic 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 limited or non-existant in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Merida or Mystic a more walkable city?

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

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

Mystic is generally not very walkable. While parts of town are very walkable, you'll need a car if you want to see the sights that are a bit further away.

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

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Merida?

How long in Merida or Mystic?

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Mystic. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Mystic?

Merida 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.

Mystic 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 Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 laid back destination of Mystic. This town 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 Mystic, we can see that Mystic 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Merida or Mystic?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Mystic, 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 Mystic?

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 Mystic in the Summer?

Both Mystic and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Merida is around the same temperature as Mystic. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Mystic averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Mystic during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Merida or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

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

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Mystic. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Mystic. Most visitors come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Mystic because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Mystic can be very cold. Merida is much warmer than Mystic in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Merida or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Mystic. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In the spring, Merida is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Mystic averages at about 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Mystic. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Merida