A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Virginia Beach for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Merida or Virginia Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Virginia Beach, 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 historical, traditional, and colonial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Merida travel costs.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Merida and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Virginia Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida than Virginia Beach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Merida is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Virginia Beach is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Merida is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is known for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also home to Grand Plaza. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Merida different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Merida is great for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Merida has a huge number of terrific 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).

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

Merida is great for its old town. However, Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Merida to see the historical old town. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Virginia Beach?

Merida is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Merida is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach More Beautiful?

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

Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Merida is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

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 Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Merida and Virginia Beach are both good 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.

Virginia Beach is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many 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.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Merida is not popular with students.

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

Merida is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Merida offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Merida or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Merida is great for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Merida?

How long in Merida or Virginia Beach?

Both Merida and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Merida. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

Couples should spend more time in Merida than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

In Merida, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Virginia Beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Virginia Beach?

Merida is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Merida. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Virginia Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Merida or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Merida. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of Virginia Beach. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Merida or Virginia Beach?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Virginia Beach. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In July, Merida is generally cooler than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Virginia Beach during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Virginia Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Virginia Beach. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area.

Merida is a little warmer than Virginia Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.

Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Virginia Beach. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the winter for the cuisine.

Virginia Beach can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Merida is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Merida in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 39°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Merida is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Virginia Beach. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Merida