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

Should you visit Merida or Victoria?

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

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

Victoria

Victoria is a cultural, scenic, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Victoria travel costs.

Merida and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Victoria?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Merida than Victoria. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Merida is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Victoria attracts visitors for its hiking. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Victoria is famous for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is Merida different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

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

Merida is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

Victoria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Merida or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Merida is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Merida has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Victoria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Merida or Victoria Better for its Old Town?

Merida is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria does not have a historic old town.

Is Merida or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Victoria is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Merida is not a hiking destination.

Victoria has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Merida is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Victoria?

Merida is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Victoria is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Merida or Victoria Better for Families?

Victoria 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 Victoria. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

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 Victoria Better for Couples?

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

Victoria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

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 Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Is Merida or Victoria 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, Victoria is lacking in good 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 generally limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Merida or Victoria a more walkable city?

Merida and Victoria are great 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.

Victoria is very walkable. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

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

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Merida?

How long in Merida or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Merida or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria 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 Victoria.

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

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

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 Victoria. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Victoria?

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.

Victoria 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria. 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 Victoria?

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 relaxing destination of Victoria. 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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Victoria?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria 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 Victoria in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is a little warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Victoria. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Merida is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Victoria in the Winter?

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

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. In January, Merida is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Victoria. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Victoria. The spring months attract visitors to Merida because of the activities around the city.

Merida is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Merida