Mérida (Mexico).
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Overview

A short distance — yet seemingly a world away — from the rowdy, touristy beach resorts of Cancún and Cozumel that make up the Yucatán of cliché, Mérida is the cultural center of southern Mexico, boasting a panoply of excellent museums and attractions, a vibrant street life, and a wealth of historic colonial-era architecture (centered on the Plaza de la Independencia in the center of town) that's second only to Mexico City on the national scene.

Understand

The capital and largest city of Yucatán state with a population of just under 1 million (2020) or about 1.5 million for the metropolitan area. Mérida is a city of contrasts. You will find elegant hotels, restaurants and malls in the northern part of the city. Downtown, there are hotels and restaurants to suit every budget. A large central market and numerous small shops are found all around the main plaza. Mérida has a rich cultural life which also reflects its diversity. Many free concerts, performances and other events are held daily.

The city was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in the 1540s on top of a centuries-old Maya city called T'ho. The palatial home of the family of conquistador leader Montejo can still be seen on the south side of the Zócalo or main square. Here and there bits of ancient Maya stonework can be seen reused in Spanish Colonial era buildings in the old part of town.

From the later 1800s to the 1920s, Mérida enjoyed prosperous boom times fueled by the henequen or sisal plant harvest, which made Yucatán the rope maker to the world. Progressive Mérida had electric trams and street lights before Mexico City. The wealthy constructed the grand Pasejo Montejo avenue north of the old town, inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris. With the development of artificial twines the sisal boom ended, and Mérida slowed to a more sleepy provincial capital until development picked back up in the late 20th century.

The city's ambiance is colonial and the climate is tropical. The daytime temperature varies; in January, it is about 24°C (75°F) and in June, about 35°C (95°F). To beat the heat, most people are busiest in the mornings. They have lunch and siesta, then go back to work for a few hours in the late afternoon. The cool breezes from the Gulf of Mexico drift into Mérida in the evenings and this is when many of the residents spend their time outdoors. You can see them visiting and talking as they stroll along the streets, sit in the plazas or dine in the many sidewalk restaurants.

From Mérida, it is easy to take day trips to a vast array of destinations: archaeological sites, ecological parks, typical villages, caves, beaches, colonial missions and more. Take your time and really explore the Maya sites, walk for miles along the Gulf of Mexico, attend a village festival, photograph the wildlife, crawl through a cave or swim in a cenote.

Tourist Information. The city maintains several tourist information offices, all of which can offer helpful information on accommodation, free maps, and bus connections. All offices also have free copies of Yucatan Today, a helpful weekly Spanish-English publication listing all events in the city and the surrounding region.

City Hall Information Center. Very helpful tourist office with excellent free tours of city centre in English/Spanish at 9.30am.

Paseo de Montejo Information Module. Small kiosk on the street corner. Starting point for excellent free tour of the mansions along Paseo de Montejo in English and Spanish at 6.30pm each evening.

Get in

Sala A - Concourse A: American Airlines/American Eagle, Aeromexico/Aeromexico Connect, United, Westjet (Seasonal). Sala B - Concourse B: TAR, Tropic Air, VivaAerobus, Volaris.

Uber and DiDi drivers are not allowed to enter the airport parking lot. However, you can walk approximately 500 m to the bus stop on Benito Juarez (parada va y ven) and have a driver pick you up at that location. ADO also has a stop in the island in front of the arrivals doors for a direct bus to Hotel Fiesta Americana and CAME (two separate routes).

City buses offer a cheaper and more frequent option: 79 Aviación (Rt#132) bus makes a round trip from the airport to Calle 60 at 69 in the city center. From the airport you will have to go out to the main road (Calle 23). The bus will be going towards the northwest or the right along Calle 23 and then a right turn or NE on Hwy 261 (Uman-Merida) where the official bus stop is at. You can also hail the bus along Calle 23. From the city center the bus picks up along Calle 69 between 60 & 70 This bus passes by CAME & TAME bus stations and Parque San Juan.

Cancún International Airport is the largest airport in the region, with a wider range of domestic and international flights. From Cancun International Airport, Grupo ADO offers direct bus service to Merida 2-4x daily (4 hr). At other times take a more frequent bus from Cancun International Airport to the downtown Cancun bus station and transfer to another bus to Merida. A Tren Maya train station in the Cancun Airport offers frequent train service to Merida. You could also rent a car and drive along Hwy 180D (3 hr).

Tren Maya is a new intercity rail service throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. It provides comfortable, affordable service several times per day from beach resort areas like Cancun and Tulum as well as from cities like Chetumal and Campeche. There are two daily departures towards Cancun and two towards Campeche and Palenque. Tickets can be purchased in the station or on the official Tren Maya web site. The Va y Ven (public bus system) IE-TRAM (electric bus) La Plancha-Teya line connects the ADO Paseo 60 bus station with the Teya Train Station.

Just as with the airport, apps like Uber and Didi are not allowed to pick up passengers at the train station. If you walk 2 minutes up the road to the area just past the Tren Maya station sign under the nearby overpass, this is where Ubers can pick you up.

You can check for shared rides on Blablacar.

By bus There are several bus stations in Mérida. The most important is the Terminal de Autobuses Mérida (TAME). First and second class buses of the ADO company arrive here. The old Central de Autobuses (CAME) is permanently closed. See also Bus travel in Mexico.

On the ADO website and app this terminal is called "Mérida Centro Historico". It is centrally located. Serving first class buses are ADO, ADO connect, ADO GL and ADO Platino. ADO Platino is the highest class of service with free instant coffee packs in the back with hot water along with your choice to choose a single seat by yourself on the left side of the bus, and TVs on the back of every seat allowing you to choose an array of movies and TV shows, some even in English. ADO GL is a step down without the extras but some more legroom than the regular ADO buses.

Clase Europea operates first class service to Chetumal via Jose M. Morelos and Bacalar along Hwy 184 & 293.

Second class buses operating here are OCC, Mayab, ATS, Oriente and TRT bus lines.

The other ADO terminals are further away from the centro historico and have fewer departures. Still it can be worth to arrive here, if your accommodation is nearby.

Terminals of other second class buses

Taxis and colectivo From and to Valladolid : Colectivo vans leave Valladolid from the crossing next to the ADO bus station every hour and/or when full for a 2 and half journey. In Merida the station is located on the Calle 32 between Calle 63 and 65.

Get around

On foot If staying in the older central part of town, many attractions and restaurants are within walking distance for those who don't much mind walking in the tropical climate.

Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

Uber may be difficult to use if you pay by credit card, drivers do not like this payment method. If you switch to cash payment you'll be picked up a lot sooner.

Didi does not show the payment method up front for the driver, so it is easier to get a ride. But, be aware that you may more easily get bad ratings if you don't tip or have not paid well for the ride.

By bus The Yucatán government established a modern public bus system in Mérida in the early 2020s, Va y Ven (Come and Go), and the city is now served by both public Va y Ven and private buses. To find a ride to your destination, both Moovit and Google Maps cover the city.

Va y Ven operates a network of traditional (though quite modern) buses as well as electric buses (which look like trams without the rails) called the IE-TRAM. Route maps for the buses and the IE-TRAMs are available online. Va y Ven buses do not take cash.

Private buses Many privately-operated buses service the outlying suburbs. Most routes radiate outward from a 4-block area east of the Zócalo, on Calles 56 and 58 between Calles 59 and 63. Destinations of routes are painted on the windshields; if in doubt you can always ask the bus driver. For visitors the most useful routes will be those heading up Paseo de Montejo from the centro – these depart from , and will have 'Paseo de Montejo' and/or 'Altabrisa' marked on their windshields.

Most bus stops are not marked, but many buses can be hailed from points along the route. To get off, simply say (or yell) 'baja!', and the driver will pull over at the next opportunity. Buses generally operate between 05:00-21:30 during the week, with less frequency on Sundays and holidays.

By taxi Taxis are numerous and reasonably priced.

By bicycle Mérida is surprisingly bicycle-friendly outside of the centro. Bicycles can be rented from a number of shops.

On Sunday mornings the city holds the weekly Bici Ruta (literally Bicycle Route), when from 08:00-12:00 the entire lengths of Paseo de Montejo and Calle 60 are closed to motor vehicles. This popular event is open not only to cyclists, but to rollerbladers, skateboarders, runners, and those who simply want to enjoy a pleasant stroll with no noisy traffic. For those who don't own their own bicycles, they can be rented from a temporary (open Sundays only) near the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Monteo, as well as from (also on Paseo de Montejo, , M-Sa 09:00-22:00, Su 08:00-15:00).

An especially note-worthy type of transport in Mérida is the calesa, a traditional horse-drawn carriage used continuously since colonial times. Carriages can be picked up along Calle 61 by 58 and 60 (on the north side of the cathedral), and head up Calle 60 and return down Paseo de Montejo.

By rental car Most major car rental companies maintain counters at the airport, and also have offices on the ground floor of the Hotel Fiesta Americana and/or in the centro. All rentals include mandatory liability insurance, but this may not always be included in quotes and may lead to confusion if you are shopping around.

The streets in most of the parts of interest to visitors are in a rough grid with numbers for street names. Even numbered streets run from north to south, with the numbers increasing as you go further west; odd numbered streets run from east to west, with the numbers increasing as you go further south. This makes it easy to tell how many blocks away from something you are (just remember to divide by two when counting blocks in the same direction). Addresses are commonly given as either intersections of two streets, or stated as on a street between two cross streets. For orientation in the old part of town, remember the Cathedral and Zócalo (main square) are at the corner of 60 and 61 ("Calle 60 x 61").

See

There is much to see in Mérida, a city of a million inhabitants that is over 400 years old. Besides the Centro Histórico, where most tourist attractions are located, there are many charming neighborhoods, shopping malls and parks. Progreso and the Yucatán Gulf Coast are only thirty minutes away to the north.

Free walking tours The city tourist office offer two excellent free walking tours in English and Spanish departing from the tourist office modules listed above at 09:30 and 18:30 respectively. More details here

Plaza Grande. In pre-Hispanic times the center of the Mayan city of T'Hó, the central square is at the heart of the historic center of the city. It is surrounded by impressive buildings, most of them built from stones from the Mayan temples which originally stood here. The central park is a pleasant place in which to sit and people-watch, as it is a favorite meeting place of locals, tourists, street performers, and vendors.

Catedral de San Idelfonso. This is the first cathedral built on the mainland of the Americas and the oldest in Mexico, built on the site of the Mayan temple Xbac-Luum-Chaan. The temple stones were incorporated into the new building, and a number of original Mayan carvings are still visible on the church walls. Construction began in 1561 and was completed in 1599, except for the bell tower, which was finished 200 years later in 1774. The building is rather austere in style, partly due to its Franciscan design, and partly due to looting during the Mexican revolution.The stations of the cross in the interior on the side naves are particularly noteworthy, as is the painting above a door depicting the baptism of the Mayan ruler of Maní.An additional item of interest on the left side is the so-called El Cristo de las Ampollas ('The Christ of the Blisters') located in a side chapel. In 1645 this wood carving was brought from the village of Ichmul, after it miraculously survived a fire which had destroyed the village church. The original was destroyed during the revolution, but the devout still come to pray at the replica.

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Arteneo de Yucatán. Housed in the former bishop's palace, this museum has a permanent collection of sculptures and paintings by the most well-known artists from the state of Yucatán. Rotating exhibits of work by local artists are also on display.

Casa de los Montejo. The 1549 palace of Montejo the Conquistador. His descendents lived here until 1978. Although the building was extensively remodeled in 1850, some of the original architectural features remain. The ground floor has been converted to commercial use (a Banamex bank with handy ATMs), but the restored interior of the building is open to visitors during banking hours. If you miss an opportunity to have a look inside, the elaborate facade on the outside is alone worth the visit. Elements of the facade include the Montejo family coat of arms, as well as figures of Spanish Conquistadors standing on the heads of conquered native Maya – a graphic illustration of the new order the Conquest imposed.

Palacio Municipal. Mérida's red city hall, easily spotted by its distinctive clock tower, was built in 1735. From this building in 1821 the Republic of Yucatán declared independence from Spain.

Palacio del Gobierno. This lovely colonial palace was built in 1892 in the Neoclassical style, with a large courtyard and impressive staircase. Upstairs there is a permanent exhibit of paintings by the painter Fernando Castro Pacheco illustrating key events in the history of Mexico and of the Yucatán peninsula. The main balcony upstairs has a good view of the Zócalo and the cathedral.

Palacio de la Musica. Large, modern museum opened in 2018. Chronicles the story of Mexican music from its roots in ancient Mesoamerican cultures through today's modern regional styles, which might include boleros, rancheros, banda as well as rock and reggaeton. There are exhibits about instruments, the recording industry, music from TV and movies, and more. The facility includes outdoor spaces that can be reserved for special events and a 450-seat concert hall.

Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida. The Museum of the City of Mérida provides more evidence of the city's long history and rich culture. Admission is free, with guides who speak Spanish, English, and French. The museum has a very interesting permanent exhibit, as well as changing art exhibits upstairs. An added bonus is that the museum is just across the street from Mérida's central market, Mercado Lucas de Galvéz.

Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatán. Housed in an early 20th-century mansion, this museum showcases folk art, textiles, and household objects from Yucatán and across Mexico, with a permanent collection and rotating special exhibits. Highlights includes masks from the states of Guerrero, Morelos, and Oaxaca. There is also a small gift shop.

Museo de la Canción Yucateca. This museum is dedicated to Yucatecan music and musicians.

Galería Mérida. The largest private art gallery in Mérida, this gallery showcases local Yucatecan artists with rotating exhibits.

Nahualli Casa de los Artistas. Owned and operated by two internationally-exhibited Mexican artists, this gallery also offers frequent workshops in painting and sculpture.

Casa Frederick Catherwood. In the 1840s English architect and artist Frederick Catherwood joined American explorer John Lloyd Stephens on an expedition across the Yucatán and Central America in search of Mayan ruins. In addition to illustrating Stephens' subsequently published travel journal, Catherwood published a collection of his remarkable lithographs in an edition of 300. Casa Catherwood does not have a direct historic connection with the artist, but does have the only complete collection of his lithographs on display in Mexico, located in a gallery on the upper floor. The building also houses a bed and breakfast and café.

Casa Manzanero. Small modern museum chronicling the life and works of composer Armando Manzanero, known for his bolero works. Fun interactive exhibits include an opportunity to play a marimba and a karaoke room where you can go in and sing along with the maestro. Outdoor patio bar on site.

Religious buildings and architecture

Iglesia de Jesús. This church was built in 1618 as part of a Jesuit college once covering an entire city block – only the church survives today. It was built with stone from an earlier Mayan temple; these carved stones can be seen on the west wall.

Iglesia de Santa Lucía. This was built in 1575 by the merchant D. Pedro Garcia. In 1871 the park of the same name was opened to the public, and the door arches embellished. The obelisk dedicated to General Sebastian Molas was added in 1887.

Iglesia de San Cristóbal. This is the newest church in the centro, with construction begun in 1756 and completed in 1796. Of particular interest is the distinctive scalloped vaulting over the main entrance, as well as a wall-top defensive walkway surrounding the building, used for surveillance in case of revolt. An annual procession takes place here on 12 December in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Ermita de Santa Isabel. This church was built in the 18th century, and although it hasn’t been well maintained it is worth a visit for the baptismal font as well as the painting of St. Anthony, located in a small niche. The charming garden with small chapel is also worth seeing.

Estación del Ferrocarriles. Since passenger rail services had stopped in 1997, this neo-Colonial building has been renovated and now houses an art institute. It is one of the best preserved buildings of its kind and is for this reason worth seeing. The ornate architectural details reflect Moorish influences, and the central tower is especially noteworthy.

Arches of Mérida. In 1690 a number of arches were built to demarcate the boundaries of the Centro Histórico. All arches share a similar style and are unique in Mexico. Three remain standing today.

Arco de San Juan. This once marked the beginning of the road from Mérida to Campeche. Of the remaining arches, this is the largest and best preserved.

Arco del Puente. Topped by a stone cross, this was named after an earlier bridge situated here, used in times of seasonal flooding. Noteworthy are the doorways on either side of the arch, each of a different height.

Arco de Dragones. Named for the adjoining former barracks of the Spanish regiment, this has a niche on top with a statue of St. Anthony.

A beautiful, tree-lined street, lined with houses developed by the henequen-industry barons. It's a great place to walk in the evening. Have a dish of ice cream, look at the renovated mansions – an especially interesting villa is the (No 473). A romantic treat is renting one of the horse-drawn carriages, called calesas, that will drive you up and down the grand boulevard. You can catch a calesa at the Plaza Grande and take a trip down Paseo de Montejo and back.

Museo Regional de Antropología. The regional archaeology museum is housed in one of the grandest mansions from Mérida's boom time, showcasing ancient Maya artworks and artifacts, as well as temporary exhibits. Completed in 1914, the building originally served as the governor's mansion and is worth seeing in its own right.

Quinta Montes Molina. Another of the Paseo's grandest old mansions is also a museum, still owned by the original family. 40-minute guided tours of the lavish interior can also be booked by appointment.

Monumento a la Patria. This monument was designed by the Colombian artist Rómulo Rozo and inaugurated in 1956, and is dominated by the 14-meter high stone figure of an indigenous man holding a flame. The structure has 31 columns, representing the 28 states of the Republic of Mexico, the 2 territories and the Federal District.

Museo de las Ferrocarilles en Yucatán. Rail buffs will love this mostly outdoor museum near the train station northeast of the Centro. Old locomotives and lots of quirky old rolling stock.

Gran Museo del Mundo Maya. Opened in 2012 and located in a building clearly inspired by the Beijing National Stadium (aka 'Bird's Nest'), the museum has a large permanent collection of Mayan artifacts as well as a number of interactive exhibits.

Do

The ayuntamiento (city hall) sponsors many cultural events during the week, free of charge. Almost every night visitors and residents alike can enjoy outdoor concerts or dances in one of the many downtown parks and squares. Sunday afternoons at the Plaza Grande (at and around the main square) are a particular treat, and perhaps the most charming time in Mérida. The streets around the square are closed to vehicles, and the locals dress up to go for strolls to see and be seen. Brass bands and dance orchestras hold free concerts, and couples dance – if you're not shy, consider joining in, or ask a local to teach you the steps to a local dance like the jarana. Street vendors sell a variety of refreshments.

Centro Cultural Olimpio. A cultural center where dance performances are staged most evenings. Information on upcoming performances is available in the entrance. These performances are very popular – it is best to arrive early. Shortly before the performance people without tickets gather in a queue stretching sometimes to over 100m, in the hopes that paying audience members leave the performance early and thus vacate a seat.

Teatro Peón Contreras. The city's grand opera house. The current structure was designed by a visiting Italian architect and opened in 1908 during the height of the boom times, replacing a less opulent earlier theater of the same name; it is still the largest theater on the Yucatán peninsula. The theater is the center of Mérida's high culture and in 2011 was renovated with a new stage and updated air conditioning. If opera, symphonies, and ballets aren't to your taste, the building is still worth a look for the impressive architecture. There is also a sizable art gallery downstairs with changing exhibits. The theater was damaged by fire in November 2022, and is expected to be closed for renovations at least through mid-2023.

Parque Kukulcán Alamo. 15,000 seat professional baseball stadium that is home field for the Leones de Yucatan, who play a 114-game schedule from March to August (a bit longer if they make the playoffs). The team is part of the Liga Mexican de Beisbol, Mexico's top professional baseball league. Clean, modern stadium with open sight lines.

Estadio Carlos Iturralde. 15,000 seat mixed-use stadium that is home field for the Venados de Yucatan, a professional soccer (futbol) team that is part of the Expansion League.

Mérida Fest. Sponsored by the city, this annual festival commemorates the founding of Spanish Mérida in January 1542. All arts are included, with many performers coming from across Mexico to participate. Most events are staged in open spaces and free to the public.

Mérida y Yucatán Film Festival. An annual weeklong festival devoted to Mexican as well as international cinema. Films are screened at several venues across Mérida.

Carnaval de Mérida. An annual event with a week of celebrations leading to up to Fat Tuesday. Mérida has one of the five most important carnavals in Mexico.

Festival de Aves Toh. Established in 2001, the festival sponsors a number of birdwatching and photography tours and workshops throughout the year, culminating in a marathon bird-count (Maratón Xoc ch'ich / Bird-a-thon) held in late November. The organization also maintains a list of qualified guides throughout the Yucatán peninsula.

Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) The city sponsors a Festival de las Animas (Festival of the Souls) starting the weekend before the official Day of the Dead and is claimed to be one of the best in Mexico. Most of the big processions are on the Friday and Saturday nights before November 1-2. There are also tours of the central cemetery most evenings.

Other activities Those who have time to spend several months in Mérida, will also encounter many opportunities to become a volunteer – helping women, children, the disabled, the elderly, the sick and the illiterate. Places to volunteer include Save The Children for helping children in need and AFAD for helping unwanted dogs and cats find health and new homes.

If you are interested in learning Spanish, learning about Latin America and learning more about yourself in the process, Mérida is an excellent place to do so.

Merida Gay Tours. Experiences for the Gay Traveler in the Yucatan. Merida Gay Tours offers experiences and tours around Yucatán for the gay community with a mix of nature, culture and fun with a selection of hot spots of the interest for the gay traveler.

You can book these decent hotels in the center for 3 hours:

Hospedaje Canada. Latest possible check-out at 23:00.

Hospedaje Barsa. Latest possible check-out at 24:00.

Several important archaeological sites are close to Mérida. Many moderate sized sites, such as Dzibilchaltun and Mayapán, are an easy day trip. The largest, Chichen Itza, is somewhat further and much more extensive – while a day trip visit from Mérida can be (and often is) done, if you want to see the whole site without being rushed, Chichen is better visited in two days with an overnight stay. Fans of ancient Maya architecture can also find staying overnight at Uxmal worthwhile, since it has a night-time light & sound show, and the following day one can visit the nearby smaller ruined cities of , and .

is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization, located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, present-day Mexico. The main edifice, the Castillo or Pyramid of Kukulcan, was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. is one of the interesting sites on the Ruta de los Cenotes itinerary, with prominent cenotes (sinkholes leading to significant caves). Buses to Cuzamá depart from Terminal Noreste (Calle 67 btw 50 and 52, listed above under 'Get in'). Buses from this station also head to Mayapán, Izamal, and Rio Lagartos.

Dzibilchaltún. The site has been continuously occupied for thousands of years. Its most famous structure is the Temple Of The Seven Dolls (El Templo de las Siete Muñecas), so named because of seven small effigies found at the site when the temple was discovered under the ruins of a later temple pyramid by archaeologists in the 1950s. On the spring equinox the sun rises so that it shines directly through one window of the temple and out the other. The temple is connected to the rest of the site by a long sacbé. The other major feature of Dzibilchaltún is its cenote, which is used as a swimming hole by local residents year round; it is the first stop on the Ruta de los Cenotes. Also on the site are the ruins of a 16th-century Spanish church, as well as a museum displaying Mayan artifacts from the site and the region.

Mayapan. A compact, well-preserved pre-Columbian site, Mayapán was the political capital of the Maya in the Yucatán Peninsula from about the late 1220s until 1440s. Unlike at other Mayan sites, climbing of pyramids is permitted, and worth the effort. Hourly buses to Mayapán can be picked up at Terminal Noreste (listed above). Tell the driver you'd like to go to the 'ruinas', and he will drop you off at the beginning of the dirt road; from here it's a 5-minute walk to the entrance. There are toilet facilities but no amenities, so bring your own water.

is a large pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It is 78 km south of Mérida, Yucatán, or 110 km from that city on Highway 261 towards Campeche, Campeche). ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) offers buses to Uxmal that leave at 06:00, 9:05, and 10:40, and come back at 15:20 and 17:00 (also one around 12:00).

is the port city directly north of Mérida. The beaches aren't quite as nice as the famous ones on the peninsula's east coast in Quintana Roo, but have the advantage of being only 40km (30 miles) north of Mérida. Progreso also has restaurants specializing in fresh local seafood. If you don't want to spend your whole day at the beach, you can combine a visit to the ruins of Dzibilchaltun in your day trip, since it's just off the highway between Mérida and Progreso. Buses to Progreso depart from the Terminal Auto-Progreso (Calle 62 No 524 between 65 and 67, listed above under 'Get in') daily every 10 minutes from 05:15-21:00, with a journey lasting 55 minutes. . The coastal town of Celestún is 90km west of Mérida. Almost 90% of the world's wild pink flamingos spend the winter in Yucatán, and the largest group of these are in the mangrove marshes around Celestún. Take a boat tour in the park for to see great flocks of pink in the trees and flying in the air! The town of Celestún has a couple of restaurants serving fresh seafood on beaches that offer better sunsets than Cancun.

Hacienda Sotuta de Peón. A former sisal plantation which has been restored and opened up to the public. Sisal, the rope made from the fibers of the henequen plant, put Mérida on the map in the 1900s and made millionaires out of many landowners of that time. The rope came to be known by the name of the port town, Sisal, where it was shipped from to places around the world. Henequen was (and still is) planted throughout the Yucatán Peninsula. The industry crumbled after about 30 years for various reasons, leaving many haciendas in ruin. Today many of those haciendas have been restored, and Sotuta de Peón is an example of one which can be visited without spending the night.

Hacienda Yaxcopoil. Another good example of a hacienda kept in a state of arrested decay as a museum.

is a small city about 70km east of Mérida. In ancient Maya times and the Spanish colonial era it was one of the largest cities in Yucatán, leaving impressive historic architecture. Buses to Izamal can be picked up at Terminal Noreste (listed above). are only 43 miles away. The oldest and most well known building of Oxkintok is the Tzat Tun Tzat, Mayan for labyrinth or place in which one may be lost. Built in three levels on top of each other, its interior forms a maze of long, narrow rooms, connected by small gates and narrow stairs. The Calcehtok served as shelter for the Mayan people during the Caste War. You must have a guide to enter the cave. This large complex of over 30 connected caves offers 4 different tours of varying lengths. Walking and climbing through the cave can be rough, so be sure you are wearing good shoes and are willing to work a bit to see the stalactites, stalagmites, natural formations, and Mayan artifacts. Homún is located in the heart of the Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica Anillo de Cenotes an area that contains a lot of cenotes. This village is perfect to see many beautiful Cenotes that are off the classic Yucatan vacation and you might even find yourself having the cenote for yourself. (Nov.23)

Buy

ATMs with low withdrawal fees in the center are BanCoppel, Banjercito, Banco Azteca and Banamex.

For buying groceries in the centro, there are minimarkets (tiendas), Oxxo, extra – and the big supermarkets , and a Soriana right next to it. Also available are the mid-sized supermarkets Dunosusa and Waldo's.

If you're not downtown there are several Chedraui stores across the city, where you can find groceries, beers and spirits. They offer in-store pickup or delivery.

Mérida is blessed with abundant traditional marketplaces, making trips to an ordinary grocery store obsolete. Fresh produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, and homemade Yucatec regional foods.

Mercado Lucas de Galvez. Large, crazy indoor market, with small stalls that sell everything from shoes to clothes to fruit and dead turkeys. The Lucas de Galvez market is on the north side with entrances on calle 65/65a with seafood, fruits, vegetables, candy and pets.

Mercado San Benito. Adjoining Mercado Lucas de Galvez on the south size with entrances on Calle 54 is the newer San Benito market housing the meat hall, flowers, jewelry, and some spices. Truly a different experience for most travelers.

Mercado Domingo. Held every Sunday in the main square, this weekly market (tainguis) is a good place to pick up traditional crafts and clothing, as well as local food items.

Mercado Miguel Aleman. Smaller public market with a good variety of produce and regional foods. An interesting snack is kibis.

Mercado Municipal No 2 Santos Degollado. Lots of food, naturally, but this market also has many vendors selling folkloric handcrafts (great souvenirs).

Mercado de Santa Ana. Astounding variety of Yucatecan regional cuisine and with one of the earliest opening time of any market in Merida, it's a great spot to get a filling, cheap breakfast.

Mercado San Sebastian. Fruit and vegetables seem to take a backseat to Yucatecan regional food, which is abundantly available. Breakfast foods include panuchos, salbutes, and the famous huevos motulenos.

Crafts There are hundreds of stores in downtown Mérida. In and around the Plaza Grande, the large plaza in the Centro directly across from the cathedral, it is common for street salesmen to engage passersby in friendly small talk, by telling them some historical facts about the surroundings. The conversation will quickly turn to recommendations of shops selling hammocks, guayaberas, handcrafts, jewelry, etc. The items sold in stores that use street salesmen to find customers tend to be highly overpriced. While there are honest and hardworking street salesmen, as a general rule, the best shopping strategy is to browse stores without the assistance of any street salesmen and to never allow a street salesman to bring you to a store. Since street salesmen work on commission, tourists are usually charged higher prices if they are brought into a store by a street salesman or other street guide.

A wide range of outstanding artesanias can be found here. Mérida is a great place to pick up a good quality hammock. The tighter the weave, the better the hammock. You should always insist on unfolding and viewing a hammock before buying it.

There are plenty of hand-crafted things to buy in the shops along Calle 56A.

Bazar de Artesanías García Rejón. A collection of shops with Yucatecan handicrafts.

Casa de las Artesanías. This is a government-operated shop selling a wide-range of handicrafts. If you are looking for high-quality, locally-made items, this is a good place to find them. Prices are fixed, no bargaining possible.

The Yucatán is also famous for its guayaberas, to the point that the shirts are also known as the camisa de Yucatán (the shirt of the Yucatán). Locally-made huipils, the traditional garment worn by Yucatecan women, and jipijapa hats (aka Panama hats) are also popular items for sale. As with hammocks, quality varies widely.

The street salesmen who offer to bring tourists to stores that sell traditional clothing almost always accompany or direct people to stores that offer the double whammy of low-quality guayaberas and huipils at high prices. (Most such salesmen work on commission, which explains their aggressiveness.)

Guayaberas Presuel. Family-owned and one of the oldest and most respected outlets on the Yucatán — one that does not employ street salesmen. Known in Mérida for its own brand of high-quality guayaberas and huipils, it counts members of the Mexican Supreme Court, telenovela actors, and other prominent people among its clientele. Also sells Mexican handcrafts, jewelry, T-shirts, and other items. One of the owners of the store, Cristina, is the daughter of the company's founders and speaks fluent English.

Camisería Canul. This shop sells high-quality custom-tailored guayaberas and huipiles.

Other items Cuban cigars are also a common item being sold by street vendors, but beware: many 'Cuban' cigars sold on the streets of Mérida are excellent fakes that are manufactured elsewhere. True Cuban cigars can be found in Mérida, but they are sold mostly in established tobacco shops with solid local reputations. To be sure of getting a genuine 'Cubano', don't look for bargains from street vendors and instead try real tabaquerias.

Cigar Club MX. High-end tobacconist with an excellent selection of genuine Cubanos as well as cigars from other parts of Latin America. Very knowledgeable staff with a service-oriented reputation.

Eat

. The central food market which offers street-food. This is a good place to shop for local specialties, including queso mennonito, an unpasteurized cheese made in the nearby Mennonite community. (updated Jan 2022)

Tamales at Monumento a la Patria. Every evening a family sells and has been selling tamales there for decades, which are cheap, fresh and absolutely delicious. (Zócalo). On Sunday afternoons the streets around the Plaza are closed to vehicles, and the square comes alive with craft vendors as well as street food stands serving traditional Yucatecan dishes. Those vendors offering full meals have their own shaded outdoor seating available. Snacks can be enjoyed on the many benches in the plaza, which is also a great place for people-watching. (updated Jan 2022)

. It has a good range of food stalls serving Yucatecan food, with shaded seating.

Pizzeria La Fogatta. One of the better pizza places in Mérida, this tiny place offers wood-fired thin-crust pizzas with creative Mexican twists on standard classics, with such toppings as jalapeños and avocados. They also serve sandwiches and salads.

El Trapiche. Good and cheap Mexican food, nice atmosphere, friendly staff. The daily comida is an especially good value.

Savia Vegana Savia. This restaurant specializes in vegetarian and vegan cuisine, with creative twists on traditional Yucatecan and Mexican dishes. All ingredients are organic and locally-sourced.

Las Vigas. The place was a bit hard to find, a bit secretive. It is on the second floor of a pink building with a small sign outside. Excellent treatment, great variety, quiet atmosphere. Full of locals. Their wings are very delicious.

El Marlin Azul. Seafood. Great local experience.

Wayan'e. A simple taqueria, extremely popular with locals.

Café Pop. Small and clean but with personality, a favorite of the students of the University of Yucatan just around the corner as well as knowing visitors for generations. The menu offers a curious combination of Yucatecan specialties along with old style diner & soda-fountain treats. Breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner. In the same building as the larger and more upscale Portal del Peregrino.

Cafetería Impala. A local institution since 1958, this is a great spot for late night dinners and drinks.

La Chaya Maya. This restaurant serves up traditional Yucatecan dishes, and is justifiably popular with both locals and tourists, with even several vegetarian options on the menu.

La Chaya Maya Centro. The original location, and usually very busy, especially for Sunday comida.

La Chaya Maya Casona. The newer, larger branch, in a historic colonial mansion. The food is the same excellent quality, but the setting is more atmospheric with more tables available.

Manjar Blanco. Delicious Yucatán food with a lovely outdoor seating area.

Restaurante Amaro. Andrés Quintana Roo, the attorney and politician who helped draft Mexico's declaration of independence, was born in this colonial house in 1787. Today the building functions as a restaurant, with pleasant ambience in the courtyard and nightly live music. On offer are local specialities, crepes, and pizza, as well as a good selection of vegetarian dishes.

Restaurante Los Almendros. This restaurant serves traditional Yucatecan dishes in an informal setting.

Pancho's. A steakhouse owned by the same father-son partners as Trotter's.

Rosas y Xocolate. Serves fusion food with impeccable service.

Slavia Bar-Restaurant. Serves fusion food.

Trotter's. An upscale steakhouse with English-speaking staff, owned by the same father-son duo as Pancho's.

K'u'uk restaurant. Fine dining restaurant that serves their twist on traditional Yucatan food. No dress code.

Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón. Established in 1907, this family-run establishment specializes in delicious sorbets and meringue-filled pastries, perfect on a hot afternoon. Sorbets are in a slew of exotic flavors, including perennial favorites coconut, mango, pineapple, and limón. Outdoor seating is in a prime spot for people-watching.

Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón Sucursal Montejo. This second branch of the popular sorbetería offers the same array of flavors and has ample outdoor seating.

Panificadora Montejo. If you are walking along the Paseo de Montejo during the day, make sure to go to this traditional bakery. The baked goods are delicious.

Drink

Look for a drink called agua de chaya, often simply called 'chaya'. It's a cool, green, mildly sweet and very refreshing juice made by pressing a spinach-like vegetable.

La Bierhaus. Serves a wide assortment of imported German and European beers as well as local Mexican brews, along with traditional German food. Patrons can sit indoors or outdoors in a Biergarten-style setting.

El Gallito. The long-established cantina serves a good selection of beers and very generous botanas (snacks), along with full meals.

Hennessy's Irish Pub. The restaurant has good food at reasonable prices, a full bar and, of course, Guinness beer. The owners are almost always on site and greeting customers. There are various distinct rooms, smoking and non-smoking, outdoors and air-conditioned.

Mayan Pub. Located in a former colonial home, the pub is popular with backpackers and has a beer garden, pool tables, and live music on weekends.

La Negrita Cantina. Operating since 1917, this classic place is popular with both locals and tourists. Drinks are inexpensive, and include a good selection of tequilas, mezcal, craft beers, and mojitos. They serve standard but tasty cantina food, and there is live music during the week. It gets exceptionally busy on weekends.

Sleep

Aventura Hotel. A clean, American-owned budget hotel. Each room has a private bathroom. Located a few blocks from Santiago Park.

Che Nomadas Hostel. Dorm accommodation. Internet and simple breakfast included. Kitchen use. Nice large pool.

Casa del Balam. An elegant colonial boutique hotel.

Hotel El Español. Accommodations come in double, triple, standard king, and standard twin types. All guestrooms are air-conditioned and fitted with a deck/balcony. Room service is available.

Hotel Las Arecas. A small 5-room hotelito in the historical center. Modest, clean and run by a local Yucatecan.

Hotel Los Aluxes. A great, clean, and friendly place to stay that is only a few blocks to the main plaza. Off-street, secured parking is a big help if you have a rental car. Make sure to have the cafe con leche in the cafe.

Hotel Luz en Yucatán. Has fully furnished apartments, complete with kitchen and private bath, in a former nunnery.

Hotel Marionetas. A small charming hotel with colonial style. Every room is different, with unique furnishings, mosaic floor tiles and views of the inner courtyard with pool. Wi-fi, phones and A/C in the rooms.

Hotel Piedra de Agua. Rooms fitted with a private toilet and bath with shower, internet and DVD player.

Hotel del Peregrino. A colonial house that has been renovated into a comfortable and clean hotel.

Holiday Inn Merida. Has an outdoor pool and fitness, and onsite restaurant and bar. Free wi-fi throughout the hotel.

Casa 22 Merida. Four apartments, each with a private veranda or ample terrace, or a combination of both offering outdoor space surrounded by tropical gardens.

Hotel Boutique Mérida Santiago. A small hotel near the center of Mérida. Six spacious suites with big bathrooms. The filtered swimming pool with LED lights is open 24 hours. Restaurant with parking space is available exclusive for clients of the hotel.

Cascadas de Mérida. A unique bed and breakfast, consisting of four casitas built for maximum privacy around waterfalls and a filtered swimming pool.

Hyatt Regency Mérida. 289 rooms and suites. The hotel is five minutes from the city's convention centre.

Rosas y Xocolate. 17 rooms and suites. The hotel is five minutes from the Hotel Zone (Hyatt and Fiesta Americana).