A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Saint Augustine for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Merida or Saint Augustine?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Saint Augustine, 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Merida and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Saint Augustine?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Merida than Saint Augustine, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Merida is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Saint Augustine is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Merida is well known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. Also, Merida is famous for Grand Plaza. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States.

How is Merida different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Merida and Saint Augustine.

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, Saint Augustine makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Is Merida or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Merida or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Saint Augustine has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Saint Augustine?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Merida and Saint Augustine.

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.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Is Merida or Saint Augustine More Beautiful?

Saint Augustine is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Merida or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

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 Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Saint Augustine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

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 Saint Augustine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

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

Merida is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Merida or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Merida and Saint Augustine are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Merida?

How long in Merida or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Merida or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine?

The traditional destination of Merida offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Saint Augustine?

The city of Merida offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Merida or Saint Augustine?

Merida is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. 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.

A week in Merida or Saint Augustine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Saint Augustine. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Saint Augustine?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine in the Summer?

Both Saint Augustine and Merida during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In the summer, Merida is cooler than Saint Augustine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 82°F (28°C).

In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the summer, Merida often gets less sunshine than Saint Augustine. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Merida usually gets less rain in July than Saint Augustine. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Saint Augustine. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during autumn. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 214 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 Saint Augustine. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Should I visit Merida or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Merida as well as Saint Augustine. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Merida is much warmer than Saint Augustine in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°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 Saint Augustine. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun.

Merida usually gets less rain in January than Saint Augustine. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Merida is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Saint Augustine during spring. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Merida. In April, Merida usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Merida