A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Santa Elena for Backpackers, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Merida or Santa Elena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Santa Elena, 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.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a outdoorsy, scenic, and tranquil town. Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

Merida and Santa Elena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Santa Elena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Santa Elena are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Elena attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Santa Elena is famous for its birdwatching and environmental conservation.

How is Merida different from Santa Elena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is great for its historical sights. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination 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.

Santa Elena offers a few options for museum-goers. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

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

Merida is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

Santa Elena offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.

Is Merida or Santa Elena Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Merida for the nightlife scene. 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 Santa Elena specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.

Is Merida or Santa Elena Better for its Old Town?

Merida is great for its historic old town charm. However, Santa Elena 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.

Santa Elena does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Santa Elena Better for Hiking?

Santa Elena is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Santa Elena. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Santa Elena?

Merida is great for its shopping areas. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

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.

Santa Elena is a great destination for shopping. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Is Merida or Santa Elena More Beautiful?

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

Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Merida or Santa Elena Better for Families?

Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena. Monteverde has many canopy walks, zipline courses, and animal parks that the kids will love. The nature and wildlife make this a fun and educational destination for everyone.

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 Santa Elena Better for Couples?

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

Santa Elena makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

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 Santa Elena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Santa Elena, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Merida and Santa Elena.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Santa Elena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Is Merida or Santa Elena a more walkable city?

Merida is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Santa Elena is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around, but you will need to take a bus to Monteverde.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Elena or Merida?

How long in Merida or Santa Elena?

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

Couples should spend more time in Merida than Santa Elena. 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 Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial city of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the destination of Santa Elena. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the traditional destination of Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena?

The colonial city of Merida offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Elena. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Santa Elena?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Merida. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Santa Elena. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Merida and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Merida is in North America and Santa Elena is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Merida or Santa Elena?

Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Santa Elena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Santa Elena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Santa Elena. Many travelers come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Merida is cooler than Santa Elena in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Santa Elena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Santa Elena. Many visitors come to Merida in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.

In the autumn, Merida is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elena. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October.

Should I visit Merida or Santa Elena in the Winter?

Both Santa Elena 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. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Merida is generally cooler than Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May.

Should I visit Merida or Santa Elena in the Spring?

Both Santa Elena and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.

Merida is cooler than Santa Elena in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Santa Elena. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. February to May is the dry season in Santa Elena. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena.

Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Merida