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

Should you visit Merida or Richmond?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Richmond, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Merida travel costs.

Richmond

Richmond is a friendly, historical, and growing city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Richmond travel costs.

Merida and Richmond: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Richmond?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Richmond. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is more touristy than Richmond and is popular for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Richmond is famous for its cultural and historical sights.

How is Merida different from Richmond?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Richmond 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 Richmond. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

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

Merida is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Merida is an experience not to be missed. 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Richmond. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

Is Merida or Richmond Better for Nightlife?

Merida is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Merida has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

Is Merida or Richmond Better for its Old Town?

Merida is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Richmond does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Richmond does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Richmond?

Merida is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Richmond. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

Is Merida or Richmond Better for Families?

Merida and Richmond 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 Richmond. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Merida or Richmond Better for Couples?

Merida and Richmond are both nice 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.

Richmond is a nice destination for couples. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

Is Merida or Richmond Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is notable for backpackers. However, Richmond is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Merida is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Richmond is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination, and most people breeze through town.

Is Merida or Richmond Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Richmond. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is very good for its public transit. However, Richmond is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Merida has a few 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 mostly limited in Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Is Merida or Richmond a more walkable city?

Merida is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Richmond is somewhat walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

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

Should I spend more time in Richmond or Merida?

How long in Merida or Richmond?

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

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Richmond. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Merida or Richmond?

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.

Richmond 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 Richmond?

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 Richmond. 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 Richmond?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Richmond. 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Richmond?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Richmond, 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 Richmond?

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 Richmond in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Merida as well as Richmond. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Richmond because of the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is cooler than Richmond in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Richmond fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Richmond. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Richmond. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Richmond. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Richmond in the Autumn?

Both Richmond and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Richmond this time of year.

In the autumn, Merida is a little warmer than Richmond. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Richmond averages at about 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Richmond. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In October, Merida usually receives more rain than Richmond. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Merida or Richmond in the Winter?

Both Richmond and Merida during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Richmond for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Richmond. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Richmond. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Richmond fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the winter, Merida often gets more sunshine than Richmond. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Richmond. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Richmond in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Richmond. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city.

Merida is a little warmer than Richmond in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Richmond fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

Merida gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Richmond. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Richmond and Merida