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

Should you visit Merida or Norfolk?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Norfolk, 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. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Merida travel costs.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Norfolk travel costs.

Merida and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Norfolk?

You'll generally find more things to do in Merida than Norfolk. Merida is bigger than Norfolk, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Merida is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Merida different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Merida offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Norfolk offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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

Merida is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Merida makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Norfolk has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Merida or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Merida know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Norfolk has a few options to choose from. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

Is Merida or Norfolk Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a great destination for its historic old town. However, Norfolk does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Norfolk does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Norfolk?

Merida is a great destination for shopping. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Merida is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Merida or Norfolk Better for Families?

Merida and Norfolk are both notable 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 Norfolk. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Is Merida or Norfolk Better for Couples?

Merida is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is Merida or Norfolk Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great destination for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Norfolk is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This is an often overlooked area for backpackers.

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

Merida is a popular place for its public transit. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is Merida or Norfolk a more walkable city?

Merida is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable place. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or Merida?

How long in Merida or Norfolk?

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

Families should spend more time in Merida than Norfolk. 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 Merida than Norfolk. 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Norfolk. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Norfolk?

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.

Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the maritime destination of Norfolk. 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 Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Norfolk?

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

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 Norfolk in the Summer?

Both Norfolk and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than Norfolk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Norfolk averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Norfolk. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun.

Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Norfolk. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Norfolk in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Norfolk. Most visitors come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the shopping scene.

In October, Merida is generally a little warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Norfolk. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Norfolk in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Norfolk. The winter months attract visitors to Merida because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year.

It's quite cold in Norfolk in the winter. Merida is much warmer than Norfolk in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Norfolk. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Norfolk. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Norfolk in the Spring?

Both Norfolk and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Merida this time of year.

In the spring, Merida is a little warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Norfolk averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Norfolk during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Norfolk. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Merida