Christmas in Merida or Oaxaca

We are interested in cultural activities as well as the beach. We aren't looking for particularly outdoor activities such as hiking etc.

Merida.

LW

If the beach is important than Merida is the obvious choice; you can get there from downtown in under an hour. Meanwhile, for Oaxaca, your looking at 6 hours minimum. While Oaxaca is prettier and more vibrant, there is still a lot to see and do in Merida. Moreover, there is a ton to see within a few hours drive including numerous Maya archaeological sites, cenotes, haciendas, charming small towns, and, as said, beaches and coastal environments. The one thing Merida lacks is good hiking but that's not something you'll miss.

I like to avoid the cities during Christmas and head to the beach, so either Puerto Escondido or Huatulco for Oaxaca (less than an hour by plane) or Progreso, Celestun or other place near Merida (but the beaches of the Gulf don't compare to the Pacific beaches.)

Actually, you can be at the beach in minutes from Oaxaca, on Interjet for example... and let's just say the ones around Merida are strictly "serviceable" and somewhat lack the magic of the Oaxacan coast.

Christmas is an amazing time to be in Oaxaca, especially if you get to see the whimsical Noche de Rabanos (Radish Night). Personally I'd choose it in a heartbeat over Merida, which is also a great town, but it all depends on the visitor. The Oaxacan weather is also going to be cooler and a lot more pleasant as well, but Merida's a good place to get 90° days in December if that's what someone prefers.

Most beaches with tourism services, and many without, are busy at Xmas in Mexico. It's one of the two busiest times of the year ... a national vacation period. Pacific Coast beaches, especially.

No need to fly to a beach from Merida. And air travel these days doesn't take just minutes. It's a bit more complicated than that.

Merida, too, can be a culturally enriching and enjoyable destination to visit during the Xmas season.

A good thing about travel to Mexico is the seemingly countless numbers of options. No need to stick to the well-worn paths.

LW

Yes, the weather will be different in the two cities. Some find Merida too hot during the day, some find Oaxaca too cold at night, in late December.

I spent Christmas in Merida a couple years ago. I like the city (I've been a half dozen times). I don't recall anything particularly Christmasy about it, though. I'm sure there was something.

I'm going to spend this Christmas nearby in Izamal. I found a room for $20 that looks pretty good.

Besides the climate, the landscape differs between Merida and Oaxaca. Oaxaca is in a dry valley surrounded by green mountains, while Merida is surrounded by flat dry jungle.