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Things to Know Before Visiting Mérida, Mexico

Visitors to the Yucatán Peninsula would be silly to miss out on seeing Mérida , sometimes known as Mexico’s most underrated city. Read on to find out more.

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Watch the Mayan ball game

The Yucatán was an important area for the ancient Maya, and the civilization has left its mark. As a result, you can watch a demonstration of the Mayan ball game every Friday in Mérida’s main square.

Mérida got rich from a plant

The wealth of Mérida was made thanks to the henequen industry; it’s an agave plant that can be turned into a fiber. To this day, the lavish mansions built by wealthy families in the 19th century can be seen on the avenues leading away from the main square.

Visit the haciendas outside town

Many of these old estates were once used to grow henequen , but these days they serve as tourist attractions. The whole area surrounding Mérida is dotted with them, but there are some within a half-hour drive of town. Hacienda Xcanatun is just on the outskirts of the city.

Chichén Itzá is a short drive away

The huge Mayan pyramids of Chichén Itzá make for a great day trip from Mérida. Sign up for a tour or take the bus here under your own steam.

Take a ride on Sundays

As part of a drive to encourage cycling, several of the main avenues in Mérida are shut to cars from late Saturday night to late Sunday. Hire a rental bike and join in as residents enjoy their city, including the impressive Paseo Montejo with its old mansions.

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Visit a cantina

These traditional little bars are ten-a-penny in Mérida and provide a great window into local life. In many places, you’ll be given a small plate of snacks with each beer you order.

The market is insane

Spend an afternoon wandering the labyrinthine alleyways of the Lucas de Galvez Market to get a flavor of local life. Sample some of the food and drinks, or stock up on souvenirs to take home.

Spot the flamingos outside the town

A short drive away from Mérida is Celestun, known for its population of flamingos. Book a tour and get out to watch them.

Sample traditional Mayan food

Another part of the Mayan legacy in the city is the food. Go for a meal at traditional eateries such as La Chaya Maya to sample the best of the local cuisine.

Don’t miss the museums and galleries

Mérida has an impressive array of cultural institutions, including a number of art galleries and the Grand Museum of the Mayan World. The latter is particularly impressive and a must-see if you have the slightest interest in Mayan history.

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36 Hours in Mérida, Mexico

By Freda Moon Updated Feb. 22, 2024

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Even as tourism to the Yucatán Peninsula skyrockets, many visitors never travel beyond the so-called Riviera Maya, the heavily developed and wildly crowded coastline between Cancún and Tulum. For travelers drawn to Mexican culture and history, Mérida — founded by the Spanish in the 1500s and constructed using the stones from Maya ruins — is an antidote to the coast’s wall-to-wall all-inclusive resorts. Beyond colonial architecture and centuries-old traditions, Mérida is a young, artsy place best experienced with a free-spirited sensibility. While not a late-night city, it is very safe and comes alive after dark, when there are a few hours of cooler evening air, music calling from seemingly every corner and a general sense that if you wander a few blocks in any direction, you’ll stumble upon something really special.

Recommendations

• Linger among the locals in Mérida’s plazas and parks , from its lively central square, Plaza Grande , and the sprawling new Parque La Plancha to neighborhood focal points, like Parque de San Sebastián .
• Micaela Mar y Leña serves sophisticated Yucatecan dishes, nearly all wood-fired, in a celebratory, reservation-worthy 19th-century mansion.
• Take a day trip to Ria Celestún Biosphere Reserve and Celestún Beach for flocks of flamingos and other wildlife, followed by seafood and a swim.
• Pola Gelato Shop has a changing menu inspired by seasonal and regional flavors.
• Salón Gallos , in a former grain factory, includes a wine bar, an art-house cinema, a Lebanese-inspired restaurant and a gallery.
• Patio Petanca is the place for a game of pétanque (a bocce-like sport) and a round of Mexican beer with a fun playlist and a young crowd.
• Autogiro de la Ermita serves mezcal and botanas (pub snacks) in a homey neighborhood cantina.
• Soco offers beautiful pastries, including Mexican classics and babka, and rich, saucy, bread-centric breakfasts.
• Ramiro Cocina is a shady patio restaurant with a changing chalkboard menu of lovingly presented Mexican classics.
• Taquería de la Unión is a small, steamy taco spot that also serves tortas (sandwiches) and more with classic Yucatecan fillings, like cochinita pibil, a roasted pork dish.
• Ki'Xocolatl is a shop for all things chocolate, gifts and a Mérida-favorite frappé on one of the city’s most bustling plazas.
• La Botillería sells an impressive selection of Mexican wine and spirits, including from many small producers, and also offers tastings.
• Caracol Púrpura and Taller Maya specialize in non-mass-produced, quality handicrafts.
• Mercado Lucas de Gálvez , the city’s main municipal market, sells everything from regionally specific spice blends to toys to street food.
• Cigno , in the La Ermita neighborhood, is an elegant, adults-only bed-and-breakfast in a historic mansion blocks from the Plaza Grande. Guests can enjoy a nightly cocktail reception, and several rooms (starting at about 3,100 pesos, or $180) have plunge pools and balconies.
• Casona Origen , in the Mejorada neighborhood, stands out as a tranquil respite. Seven rooms (from about 2,100 pesos) are laid out around an expansive backyard and two swimming pools.
• Hostal Barrio Vivo , across the street from La Ermita’s tiny plaza, is a notably clean and comfortable hostel with shared dorms starting at 300 pesos.
• For short-term rentals , look to the neighborhoods surrounding the Plaza Grande, including Santa Lucía, Santa Ana, La Ermita and Mejorada.
• Mérida is compact and walkable, so it’s entirely possible to spend several days exploring by foot . For rides around town, Uber is easy and affordable. Major international rental car companies, located downtown, are a good option for day trips, though hotels and tour companies can also arrange a driver .
• Travel in the region, including the 188-mile trip from Cancún to Mérida, may soon be radically transformed when the Tren Maya , a new rail route through hundreds of miles of the Yucatán, begins regular service (it partly started in December). The project has been heavily criticized for displacing communities and for environmental and archaeological damage caused by construction.

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Since the Spanish conquest, Mérida has been the cultural capital of the entire Yucatán Peninsula. A delightful blend of provincial and cosmopolitan, it is a town steeped in colonial history. It's a great place to explore, with narrow streets, broad central plazas and the region’s best museums. It’s also a perfect place from which to kick off your adventure into the rest of Yucatán state. It has excellent cuisine and accommodations, thriving markets, and events happening just about every night.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, attractions, must-see attractions.

Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

A world-class museum celebrating Maya culture, the Gran Museo houses a permanent collection of more than 1100 remarkably well-preserved artifacts,…

Palacio Cantón

This massive mansion was built between 1909 and 1911, though its owner, General Francisco Cantón Rosado (1833–1917), lived here for only six years before…

Quinta Montes Molina

This living history house gives you a sense of the splendor and grandeur of the 'Oro Verde' (Green Gold) henequén era. The only original house of its kind…

Catedral de San Ildefonso

On the site of a former Maya temple is Mérida’s hulking, severe cathedral, begun in 1561 and completed in 1598. Some of the stone from the Maya temple was…

Casa de Montejo

Casa de Montejo is on the south side of Plaza Grande and dates from 1540. It originally housed soldiers, but was soon converted into a mansion that served…

Plaza Grande

One of the nicest plazas in Mexico, huge laurel trees shade the park’s benches and wide sidewalks. It was the religious and social center of ancient T’ho;…

Palacio de Gobierno

Built in 1892, the Palacio de Gobierno houses the state of Yucatán’s executive government offices (and a tourist office). Don't miss the wonderful murals…

Teatro Peón Contreras

The enormous Teatro Peón Contreras was built between 1900 and 1908, during Mérida’s henequén heyday. It boasts a main staircase of Carrara marble, a dome…

Top picks from our travel experts

Markets, maya monuments and more mérida must-dos.

La Fundación Mezcalería

This loud, retro-styled bar with nightly live music and tons of Mérida atmosphere has reasonably priced mezcals, beers and cocktails flowing all night…

Mercado Municipal Lucas de Gálvez

Mérida’s main market is an ever-evolving mass of commerce, with stalls selling everything from panuchos (fried tortillas stuffed with beans and topped…

Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatán

In a building constructed in 1906, the Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatán has a small rotating exhibition downstairs that features popular art from around…

Pipiripau Bar

This historic cantina is easily one of Mérida's most charming and atmospheric spots. Its gorgeous bar is original and there are several grand rooms for…

Parque Santa Lucía

The pretty little Parque Santa Lucía has arcades on the north and west sides; this was where travelers would get on or off the stagecoaches that linked…

This post-modern cantina (think contemporary grunge) is the current hot spot in town. If the live music doesn't inspire you to get a tropical groove on,…

Casa de las Artesanías

One place to start looking for handicrafts is this government-supported market for local artisans. Prices are fixed.

The stunning historic home, at the end of Paseo Montejo, sets the scene for what's to come: a high-end, gourmet meal that will end up setting a very high…

Paseo de Montejo

Paseo de Montejo, which runs parallel to Calles 56 and 58, was an attempt by Mérida’s 19th-century city planners to create a wide boulevard similar to the…

Palacio Municipal

Originally built in 1542, the Palacio Municipal was twice refurbished, in the 1730s and the 1850s.

Museo Fernando García Ponce-Macay

Housed in the former archbishop’s palace, the attractive museum's impressive collection holds permanent exhibitions of three of Yucatán’s most famous…

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Mérida, Mexico: A Complete Travel Guide with 16 of the Best Things To Do

05/27/2021 by Emily Becker Leave a Comment

This post was written by Emily Becker, our resident Mexico travel expert:

Nestled in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is known as the state’s cultural capital — and for good reason. Beyond the gorgeous façades of its pastel-colored colonial buildings holding the city’s historic treasures, the Mayan culture is very much alive, evident in its gastronomy, the locals’ traditional clothing, and even the language!

From watching a Mayan ball game to dining at a Yucatecan restaurant-turned-gastronomy museum, here’s your complete guide to Mérida, with what to do, where to stay, and how to get there:

Table of Contents

Centro Histórico

Mérida’s historic center is the heart of the city. In most Mexican cities, this area is composed of a large square with classic buildings surrounding it, always including a cathedral. Mérida is no exception, and has one of the most beautiful historic centers that I’ve ever seen.

The Plaza Grande is where you’ll find “Mérida” spelled out in large letters, which makes for a great central meeting place. From there, you can explore the Centro Histórico by walking in any direction. Here are my favorite things to do there:

1. Start off with a free walking tour

Every morning at 9:30am (except Sundays), there is a free walking tour of the historic center. It starts at the Mérida Tourism Office , at which you will have to stop ahead of time to reserve your spot. The tour goes around the Plaza Grande and gives a basic overview of Mérida’s history and architecture.

I highly recommend doing this tour your first day in Mérida to get acquainted with the area. It will give you an idea of which places you’d like to go back to and spend more time in. The tour takes about an hour and a half and is led by a bilingual guide who accepts tips at the end of the tour — even though it’s not required to tip, I recommend leaving 50-100 pesos ($2.50-5.00 USD).

2. Try the best ice cream at Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón

When a friend of mine told me I had to try the ice cream at Sorbetería Colón , I didn’t know about its prestige. This kitschy ice cream parlor with old-school décor and an overall ’50s feel has flavors you certainly won’t see anywhere in the US, including guanabana, guayaba, tamarind, and sapodilla. The scoops come in Sorbetería Colón’s signature cone shape in a retro glass dish. During my three months living in Mérida, I tried a LOT of different ice cream shops (hello, sweet tooth!), and this one is my absolute favorite.

There are two practically identical locations: one in the Plaza Grande and one on the Paseo de Montejo.

3. Watch an ancient Mayan ball game

Every Saturday at 8pm in the Plaza Grande, the city hosts a free reenactment of the ancient Mayan game called pok ta pok . Actors dressed in traditional Mayan costumes begin the game by lighting a rubber ball on fire. From there, the show continues, complete with dramatic floor dives and intense competition. The ball is passed between players, who bounce it on their hips, forearms, and thighs. Legend has it that the winner is to be sacrificed to the deities.

Wait, what?! The WINNER is the one who dies? Yep! In many places where the Mayans played this ceremonial game, the players competed for the honor of giving up their human life in order to transcend to the next realm. Thankfully, the modern reenactment of the game doesn’t include that part.

Watching the game is highly entertaining and interactive. The show is a must while you’re visiting Mérida and the nearby archaeological sites where the ball courts still stand. It’s neat that the city puts it on for free, because other places like Xcaret in Quintana Roo charge up to $100 USD for tickets to see a nearly identical show.

4. Experience the best of Yucatecan culture at Mérida en Domingo

Mérida en Domingo is a weekly street festival that happens every Sunday ( domingo ) in the Plaza Grande. There you’ll find plenty of food stalls selling delicious Yucatecan food, including cochinita pibil , which is a Sunday staple in Mérida. This slow-roasted pork is traditionally cooked in an underground oven overnight on Saturdays, to be served on Sunday mornings. If you’re a meat eater, you have to try it!

There are also several stands selling textiles, jewelry, and other handicrafts. This is a great place to buy souvenirs directly from artisans. You can also find locally sourced honey and cocoa.

If you get to the festival in the morning, you’ll also be able to catch the free cultural events. Beginning around 9am, you can watch traditional dancers balance Coke bottles on their heads while they twirl and click their heels. The dancers wear costumes unique to this part of Mexico, featuring brightly colored embroidered flowers and metal-soled shoes.

5. Bike down the Paseo de Montejo

After enjoying Mérida en Domingo, head over to the Paseo de Montejo to rent a bike and take a ride down this historic avenue. Each Sunday, the city closes it to cars, so you’ll only see bicycles on the road. There are several places to rent bikes on either end of the avenue, and the rates are affordable, at about 200 pesos ($10) for the entire day.

The Paseo de Montejo is also where you’ll find most of Mérida’s famous museums, including the Cacao Museum, the Anthropology and History Museum, and many others (see below). There are also some incredible restaurants along the avenue and plenty of shopping. It’s fun to bike down the avenue first, and hit up all the different places afterward.

6. Take a night tour of Méridá’s underground treasures

Mérida is home to a network of secret underground tunnels that were used during colonial times to communicate between churches and government buildings. These tunnels are found underneath the most bustling parts of the city and connect some of Mérida’s most important buildings.

To tell the story of the tunnels, Noche de Leyendas puts on a theater production and tour of the tunnels, which is both hilarious and informative. The tour starts in front of the main cathedral in the Plaza Grande, where you can purchase your tickets. Make sure to check the schedule and reserve your spot on the Noche de Leyendas Facebook page beforehand. Tickets cost 150 pesos ($7.50), and shows typically run every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 to 8:30pm.

The tour is in Spanish, though, so if you don’t understand the language, I suggest bringing someone along who can translate. However, I have seen non-Spanish-speaking visitors have a grand time on the tour, apart from not being able to understand what was said, since it’s an entertaining show that can be enjoyed by anyone.

7. Explore the Lucas de Galvez Market

If you want to get to know the real Mérida, check out the Lucas de Galvez Municipal Market. This gigantic market has everything from local fruit and veggies to hand-embroidered blouses. The main entrance will take you through some food stalls, fruit and vegetable stands, and a few places where you can buy local honey and spices. The prices here are significantly cheaper than other places in the city.

A trip up to the second level will take you to a section of the market, where you will find handmade hammocks, embroidered textiles, leather shoes, and much more. You could spend hours just perusing through and looking at everything.

The municipal market is often my first stop when I get to a new place, because I feel like it gives me a full picture of what the town is all about. It’s a great place to start a conversation with a local, get an idea of what foods I need to try while I’m there, and see all the handmade goods. Because this is where locals come to do their shopping, it’s much more of an authentic, non-touristy picture of the city.

8. Dance the night away at Noche Mexicana

Every Saturday night at Parque Santa Ana, the city hosts a street festival called Noche Mexicana, which includes food stands, handicrafts, and live music. There is a stage where dancers perform traditional dances in stunning costumes and cumbia bands play Mérida’s favorite musical style.

If you’re feeling particularly festive, get up and dance to the cumbia music. You’ll see people young and old dancing together to the beat. Cumbia is one of the easier dance styles from Mexico, so it’s a good one to try out. The music usually starts around 9pm, and the festival is free, making it easy to pass through for as much or as little time as you’d like.

9. Take a cooking class

The gastronomy of Mérida is honestly one of my favorite things about this magical city. The flavors are bold, and Yucatecan food often includes combinations that are unexpectedly delicious. To learn more about the area’s ingredients and cooking techniques, consider taking a cooking class while you visit.

This cooking class from GetYourGuide begins in the Plaza Grande and includes a shopping trip to the Lucas Galvez Market, where guests can learn about what goes into each dish. The guide provides an in-depth explanation of the local traditions and customs around the food while you prepare it. After all, one of the best ways to learn about a new culture is through the food.

Mérida is located in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, and therefore it has a wealth of cenotes (limestone sinkholes) in and around it — there are literally thousands of them throughout the region. Some are open and take on the appearance of a sunken pond. Others are closed and appear more cave-like. Both are beautiful and have been sacred sites for the Mayan people for centuries.

All of these cenotes are accessible by car if you decide to rent one while you visit Mérida . If not, you can access many of them on a tour or via public transportation. Don’t miss these amazing natural wonders:

10. Cenote Suytun

This cenote is partially closed, with a small hole at the top, which lets in an epic ray of light during the day. Directly under the light is a round platform, which makes for some incredible photos, as you can see above. Suytun is great for swimming and relaxing along the water’s edge.

You can reserve tickets ahead of time on the Suytun website . Tickets are 150 pesos ($7.50), but occasionally there are discounts if you reserve beforehand. Suytun is located about 2 hours from Mérida by car. You can also take an ADO bus from Mérida to Valladolid, which takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. From Valladolid, you can take a 15-minute taxi ride to Suytun for about 100 pesos ($5). You might have to negotiate the price with the driver, but it shouldn’t cost any more than 150 pesos ($7.50).

11. Cenote X’batun

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X’batun is an open cenote with trees growing through the rock walls and lily pads floating in the water, plus incredible scenery around it.

The draw of X’batun is its spectacular snorkeling and diving. At nearly 65 feet at the deepest part, this cenote is ideal for exploring underwater; there is a subaquatic cave that you can only access by diving. Even if you’re not into diving, it’s a great place to escape the Mérida heat, because cenotes remain quite cold due to the underground rivers that circulate the water.

It is located on a dirt road near another cenote, Cenote Dzonbakal, and you can easily visit both of them in the same day. There are bikes available to rent at the beginning of the dirt road, which you can use to explore the area.

X’batun can be found near the old San Antonio de Mulix cacao plantation, about 1.5-2 hours south of the center of Mérida by car. There aren’t any public transport options that take you directly to the cenote, but you can easily hire a taxi for the day for 500-600 pesos ($25-30). The entrance fee at the cenote is 50 pesos ($2.50).

12. Cenote Noh Mozón

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This gorgeous cenote is one of Mérida’s best-kept secrets. It is open at the top, and the water can be reached by climbing down a set of wooden stairs. From the platform below, you can swim in the open part of the cenote, or venture to the cave-like edges. At depths approaching and even surpassing 100 feet deep in spots, it is perfect for a scuba dive, with secret caves below the surface.

Noh Mozón is one of the more remote cenotes near Mérida. In fact, you’ll have to drive for about 30 minutes on a dirt road to reach it. You’ll encounter three different gates that you’ll have to open and close behind you along the way too. Don’t worry — they’re just to keep animals out.

Renting a car is the best way to reach this cenote, as there are no public transit options to get there. (You could convince a taxi driver to take you, but you might end up paying up to 1,000 pesos ($50) to do it.) The small village of Pixyah is the gateway to the area where Cenote Noh Mozón and a few others are located. Once you pass through the town, you’ll be on your way to the cenote. The entrance fee is 50 pesos ($2.50), and you can rent life vests there.

13. Cenote Yokdzonot

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This cenote is much more than just a beautiful watering hole. It is operated by a majority women’s collective from a nearby community. They use tourism as an empowerment tool, which is quite badass if you ask me.

Yokdzonot is mostly frequented by locals, with a few tourists sprinkled in the mix. I like places like that, because it creates a lot of opportunities to connect with people, and the overall vibe is much more down to earth.

The cenote itself is open, with plenty of trees and vines around it. On the property, you’ll find cabanas and a restaurant that serves delicious traditional Yucatecan cuisine. There’s also a zipline over the cenote, and you can even rappel down the rock walls. There is camping available at the site as well, which makes it a great spot to stay if you’re visiting nearby Chichén Itzá.

Cenote Yokdzonot is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Mérida, and 20 minutes from Chichén Itzá. Its location is perfect for a post-ruins dip on your way back to Mérida. You can get there very easily by car, as it isn’t far from the highway. If you’re using public transportation, take the Chichén Itzá ADO bus from Mérida and get off in Libre Unión. From there, you can easily catch a taxi to the cenote.

14. Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

If you are thinking about checking out any of the nearby archaeological sites, make the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya a priority before you embark on your explorations. The museum offers an incredible journey through time, beginning in the earliest days of the Mayan civilization. You can learn about the cities they built, their ancient traditions, and much more. There is a wealth of information there that can enhance your experience at the ruins and provide some much-needed context.

As you get further into the museum, you’ll learn about the Spanish conquest, the Caste War, and the impact of colonization on the Mayan people. It sheds light on the lasting impact of colonization, which is hugely important for conceptualizing the resilience of the modern-day Mayan community. The museum also showcases modern Mayan people and how their culture has changed over time.

The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya is open from Wednesday to Monday, 9am to 5pm. Entrance costs 150 pesos ($7.50). There is free entrance for Yucatán residents on Sunday, so avoid going on that day if you can, as it’s much more crowded. Parking costs 20 pesos ($1) for 3 hours, which is about the amount of time you can plan on spending inside the museum.

15. Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia

This must-visit museum is housed in Palacio Cantón, which was built in the early 1900s. The architecture is a mix of Classic, neo-Classic, and French Baroque styles. Along the Paseo de Montejo, you’ll see other buildings with similar architecture, many of them also housing museums.

Just like the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, the Anthropology and History Museum has a wealth of Mayan artifacts that help shed light on the ancient civilization and its development over time. The museum has a particularly impressive collection of Mayan hieroglyphic artifacts, including stone carvings and ancient texts. There are also several paintings that depict different scenes relevant to the pre-Hispanic civilization in modern-day Mérida.

Admission to the Regional Anthropology and History Museum is 60 pesos ($3) It’s free on Sundays for Mexican nationals, which means it’s also more crowded that day. You can spend 1-2 hours in this museum, depending on how much time you want to spend reading all the placards.

16. Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca

If you get as excited about food as I do, you’ll fall in love with the Yucatecan Gastronomy Museum. It’s more than just a museum where you can learn about regional cuisine, though. It’s also a restaurant that serves some of the best traditional Mayan dishes in the entire city.

The connection between food and culture is undeniable. This museum demonstrates how different aspects of the Mayan culture have influenced the present-day cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula. You’ll be able to eat and learn, learn and eat. Reserve your table on MUGY’s website to see (and taste!) for yourself.

Where to Stay in Mérida

Mérida is quite a large city geographically. However, most of the main tourist attractions tend to be concentrated in two adjacent areas: the Centro Histórico and the Paseo de Montejo. For that reason, both neighborhoods are the best places to stay.

• Budget: Hostal Boutique Casa Garza is a beloved backpackers spot and has all the charm of any boutique hotel, at an accessible price. They have dorms and private rooms, plus a sizable kitchen and plenty of communal spaces, including a pool!
• Mid-range: Kuka y Naranjo is absolutely adorable. Just a couple blocks from the Plaza Grande, this hotelito cultural has vintage touches scattered throughout, alongside eclectic décor. The whole hotel is brilliantly designed and is known for having hospitable staff.
• Luxury: Viva Mérida Hotel Boutique is just a few blocks from the Plaza Grande and is one of the top-rated places to stay in the area. It has a cool mix of colonial architecture with modern boho style.

Paseo de Montejo

• Budget : Hostik is a hip hostel that has both dorms and private rooms. It embraces the classic Yucatecan inside-meets-outside vibe that you’ll see in a lot of buildings in Mérida, with courtyards and breezy outdoor hallways. It has free breakfast, a rooftop patio, and a swimming pool.
• Mid-range : Casa Tavera is known for its stunning architecture and colorful tiles throughout the hotel. At just a block away from the beginning of the Paseo de Montejo, the location is perfect.
• Luxury: Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel + Spa is located right along the Paseo de Montejo and includes two colonial mansions that have been renovated into a chic and colorful hotel.

How to Get to Mérida

Mérida has an international airport, which is quite small and might require a transfer to fly into, because flight options are limited. Since flights directly into Mérida are sometimes a bit more expensive than flights to Cancún, some visitors opt to fly to Cancún instead and take an ADO bus from the Cancún airport to Mérida. The bus trip only takes about 4 hours, and this method is almost always cheaper than flying directly into Mérida.

I always use Skyscanner to find the best options for flights. If you do want to fly directly into Mérida, keep in mind that you will most likely have a layover in Mexico City.

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I don’t blame you if you’re ready to pack your bags and get to Mérida as soon as possible. As it’s known as one of the safest and culturally rich cities in the country, this charming place is definitely one of the best to visit in Mexico . If you can handle a bit of heat, you’ll have no problem spending hours walking the streets and exploring everything the city has to offer.

About the author: Emily is a Mexico travel enthusiast based in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.   She is a part-time freelance writer for BMTM and part-time doula.

About Emily Becker

Emily Becker is a digital nomad based in Costa Rica. She's been traveling on and off since 2014 and has visited 15 countries—planning to tick many more off her bucket list. In addition to writing for BMTM, she works as a copywriter and project manager.

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• 24 BEST Things to Do in Merida for Culture, Food & History Nerds

by Julie | May 3, 2024 | Mexico , Travel

Are you looking for a beautiful place to visit with authentic Mexican culture?

Mérida is the perfect untouristy destination for those seeking food, history, architecture, and culture. It’s also a great base for exploring the cenotes, biospheres, and ruins of the Yucatan.

In this guide, I’m going to share with you 24 of my favorite things to do in Merida. At the end of the list, you’ll find a suggested itinerary for 2 to 6 days.

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website’s  Disclosure  for more info.

In This Merida Travel Guide, You’ll Find…

• Best Merida Attractions, Tour, and Activities
• Merida Itinerary
• Merida Travel Guide and FAQs

Best Things to do in Merida – Top 24

Merida is a city full of rich history, fascinating culture, delicious food, and beautiful architecture. To experience all of these things, start your tour of the city in the historic center and then make your way to Paseo Montejo, where you’ll find a street lined with mansions from the end of the 1800s. They have now been turned into museums.

1. Stroll Around Plaza Grande

• OPEN: 24 hours
• LOCATION: Google Maps

Topping any list of things to do in Merida is a stroll around its main square , the Plaza Grande (the Grand Plaza). Like pretty much all Mexican cities, Merida’s main square is a beautiful park surrounded on all sides by old stately buildings and a grand cathedral from the Spanish colonial era.

Make sure to visit on the weekend . On Sundays locals set up food stalls around the Plaza Grande, making it a great place to sample the street food of Merida . On weekend evenings, locals and tourists come out to wander around the park, eat, play, take photos, chat with friends, and go on dates. On Friday nights, there’s a fantastic light and sound show on the façade of the cathedral telling the history of Merida.

2. Visit the Cathedral of Merida

• OPEN: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Every square in Mexico has its grand historic church, and Mérida is no exception. The one in Parque Grande is one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas . Constructed between 1562 and 1598, the cathedral was built on the backs of the Maya laborers (Were they paid, and did they have a choice?) and with the stones from their own temples.

Look for vertical slits on the church’s facade. What are they used for? Supposedly, these small openings were where soldiers would shoot anyone who gave the colonial masters trouble.

On Friday nights , there is a free light and sound show on the outside of the church that tells the history of Merida.

3. Museum of the House of Montejo

• OPEN: 10 am – 7 pm (Tu – Sa); 10 am – 2 pm (Su); closed on Mondays

The oldest and most beautiful structure around Merida’s central square is the House of Montejo. Built between 1542 and 1549, the house was originally the home of the Montejo family. Today it is a museum and bank.

The Montejo family played an important role in the history of the Yucatan. The King of Spain gave Francisco de Montejo (The Elder) the right to conquer and rule over the Yucatan . He himself wasn’t able to conquer the Maya, but his son, Francisco de Montejo (the younger), did manage to defeat them and establish the city of Merida. The Elder, though, became the governor and captain-general of the Yucatan.

Even if you don’t want to visit the museum, the exterior is well worth a look as its heavy in symbolism. On the façade, you’ll see two reliefs of Spanish conquistadors standing on the heads of natives representing their defeat and subjugation. I suppose back then it was seen as Spain’s heroic triumph and conquest, but today it feels like it represents the oppression of the indigenous people of the Yucatan.

PRO TIP #1: Don’t go to Merida from April to August. It’s really hot. I mean REALLY hot! It gets to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). The heat and humidity can really sap your energy making touring and sightseeing a bit of a slog. Go any time outside of those months.

4. Stroll down Calle 60

One of my favorite things to do in Mérida is to stroll down Calle 60 starting from Parque Grande to Parque Santa Lucia. In the three blocks it takes to walk from one park to another, you’ll see some of Merida’s most gorgeously ornate and colorful buildings from the turn of the century . You’ll also pass by my favorite park (Parque Hidalgo), the Jose Peon Contreras Theater (built in 1908), a university, and two churches.

On Thursday evenings there is a cultural performance of traditional Mexican music and dance that takes place in Parque Santa Lucia . There are several expensive restaurants that surround Parque Lucia.

5. Sample the Food of the Yucatan

The absolute best thing to do in Merida is, in my opinion, to eat. The restaurants and markets in Merida’s historic center make for a convenient and practical place to try authentic Yucatecan food . Unfortunately, many of the menus are not in English , but that can be a sign that the food hasn’t been adapted to the foreign palate.

Before diving into the restaurant scene in Merida, do some research on the cuisine of the Yucatan . Yucatecan dishes are not ones you’d normally find in Mexican restaurants back home or even in other parts of Mexico. Many of the dishes I’d never heard of before: sopa de lima (my favorite), panuchos, queso relleno, rellenos negro, papadzule, poc chuc, and the most famous, cochinita pibil.

6. Visit the Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca

• OPEN: 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM

Along with eating the delicious Yucatecan cuisine, another great foodie thing to do in Merida is to learn about the history of the cuisine. You can do that in the FREE Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy.

The museum is divided into two parts. The interior front part displays historical artifacts used in the preparation of the cuisine. The second part is in an outdoor garden at the back of the museum. Here you get to watch tortillas being made by hand , see where the cochinita pibil is cooked underground, and learn about different spices and plants used in Yucatecan cuisine.

Attached to the museum is a beautiful but pricey restaurant that is worth the splurge . At 3:00 PM , the chef brings the cochinita pibil out of its underground pit where it’s been cooking all day.

You might be interested in these posts:

• Top 15 Day Trips to Take From Merida
• Valladolid Travel Guide
• How to Visit Homun Cenotees from Merida

7. Visit Mercado Lucas De Galvez

• OPEN: 7 am – 7:30 pm
• COST: free to wander

The Mercado Lucas De Galvez is a must-stop on any food lovers’ visit to Merida. This huge, indoor market is an endless labyrinth of stall after stall selling everything from food to shoe repair services . It’s the perfect place to explore the fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and spices that locals really eat and to pick up some for yourself.

After you’ve wandered around the interior of the market, make for one of the many (and I mean many ) small restaurants (they’re all colored red so you can’t miss them) selling tacos and tortas that line the exterior of the building. Plop yourself down on a red plastic chair and order a taco or torta with cochinita pibil for 18 pesos !

8. Take a Food Tour

One of the first things you need to do when you arrive in Meria is go on a food tour. Do it on the first or second day ! Food tour guides usually teach you what to eat, how to eat and order food, and where to eat. You can then spend the rest of your trip eating at all the recommended places.

Merida has two very good food tours to choose from:

Eating With Carmen Food Tours – In this food tour, you get to try some of the most popular dishes of Merida (cochinita pibil, relleno negro, carnitas, pastor, tamal, aguas frescas, and more) and seasonal fruit of the Yucatan as well as visit two markets of the city. Eating with Carmen offers food tours all over the Yucatan. RATING: 4.6/5 | CHECK RATES & BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide | Viator

Adventures Mexico Street Food Tour – This fabulous tour starts with a visit to the main market of Merida, where you get to sample exotic fruits and some of the Yucatan’s most popular dishes (panuchos, salbutes, cochinita pibil). Next try some ceviche at a seafood restaurant before ending your tour with a dessert of ice cream made with local flavors. RATING: 4.8/5 | CHECK RATES & BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide | Viator

MEXICO PRO TIP: It’s usually safer to book your tours through a third-party website like Get Your Guide or Viator . If the tour company cancels or tries to reschedule your tour or you cancel within the cancellation window, you will usually have an easier time getting a refund from Get Your Guide than a small independent foreign business in Mexico.

If you have a problem finding your tour, you can easily and quickly contact Get Your Guide or Viator . They will help you contact your tour.  I have experienced many issues like the ones I just described while traveling throughout Latin America. You can read about one of my tour problems here .

I’ve also been able to reschedule tours after the deadline due to an emergency via Viator and Get Your Guide (Puerto Vallarta) than tours I booked directly with the local tour agency ( Oaxaca ).

The only positive thing about booking directly with a local agency is that the price might be cheaper than with Get Your Guide or Viator.

9. Learn to Cook Yucatecan Food

For those like me who travel to eat, one of the best things to do in Merida is to take a cooking class. Luckily, Merida has a FABULOUS cooking class , probably the BEST one in Mexico, according to a friend of mine who’s taken one in Merida, one in Oaxaca, and one in Mexico City.

My friend did the one through Adventures Mexico . It included a market visit and cooking a 3-course meal. She loves cooking and she raved about how in depth the course was compared to others she’d taken in Mexico.

10. Visit the Mayan World Museum of Merida

• OPEN: W – M (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
• COST: MXN150 for foreigners (US$)
• TOUR: Sa & Su at 11:00 am (English tour)

Located on the outskirts of the city in a beautiful modern building, the museum displays artifacts on the history and culture of the Mayan people .

There are also displays of the giant meteor that crashed off the coast of Mexico millions of years ago wiping out the dinosaurs and leading to the formation of the cenotes that one finds all over the Yucatan.

The displays have some English explanations, which is rare in museums in Merida. There’s a short 3D movie on the Mayas. Unfortunately, it’s in Spanish.

Admission is free for locals on Sundays , so to avoid the crowds don’t go on that day .

11. Explore the Museum of the City of Merida

• OPEN: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Tu – F); 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Sa & Su); Closed (M)

If you like to know more about Merida’s past, check out the Museum of the City of Merida. It’s located across the street from Mercado Lucaz Galverez. And it’s free!

The first floor is dedicated to the history of Merida . You’ll learn how the conquistadors conquered the Yucatan, the Catholic church converted the Maya, the hacienda owners reaped huge profits off the henequin trade, and Merida’s citizens enjoyed these profits.

Unfortunately, there’s very little information on the Maya’s contributions and the abuse and mistreatment they received and the Caste Wars.

The second floor is dedicated to contemporary local artists , some of whose works are worth a look.

12. Check out the Folk Art at Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatan

• OPEN: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (W – Su); closed (M & Tu)

If you’re interested in Mexican folk art, then a fun thing to do in Merida is to visit the Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatan (Museum of Folk Art of the Yucatan).

If you’re interesting in Mexican folk art, The Museum of Popular Art is worth a visit. It’s within walking distance of Plaza Grande. The museum has exhibits on local textiles like the huipiles (traditional top that Mayan women wear), ceramics, and handicrafts.

The most memorable piece is the art piece of two jaguars in a bathroom .

Unfortunately, there are no English explanations.

13. Visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatan

• OPEN: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (M – F); 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Sa); closed (Su)

Next to the cathedral is the former home of the Bishop of Merida. It’s now a contemporary art museum. The museum is worth visiting if you really like contemporary art and/or you can read Spanish really well or it’s raining out. If none of these things apply to you and you’re short on time, you can skip this museum .

The most interesting piece of art , actually, can be found outside in the courtyard between the cathedral and the museum. It’s a series of sculptures of men in tight shorts with their arms raised at various heights (see photo above).

Are You Looking for More Mexico Travel Info?

• Oaxaca Travel Guide
• Puebla Travel Guide
• Palenque Travel Guide
• Campeche Travel Guide

14. Stroll Down Paseo de Montejo

Stroll down the tree-lined Paseo de Montejo and get a taste of the grand mansions of the wealthy Yucatecans of the 1800s to early 1900s. This was when Mérida was the most prosperous city in Mexico and people were raking in the dinero from the henequin trade.

You can begin from either end of Paseo Montejo : from the Monument to the Fatherland or Parque Santa on Calle 47. I started out at Parque Santa Ana. Though the park is not exactly on Paseo Montejo, it’s close enough. It also has a beautiful church and some great inexpensive restaurants nearby, so it shouldn’t be missed.

It gets hot in Merida, so do the walk in the morning or after 5:00 PM . When it does get too hot for you, you can stop at one of the many restaurants, cafes, and museums along the street. There’s also a Walmart near one end of the street.

15. Wander Around Parque de Santa Ana

• OPEN: I recommend going in the morning or in the evening

Start your walk along Paseo Montejo at Parque Santa Ana (Santa Ana Park) on Calle 47.

The two best things about this park are the colorful and simple Church of Santa Ana and the restaurants at the outdoor food court . I had the best sopa de lima at Restaurant Castillo. Another great restaurant, albeit much pricier than the food court, is Manjar Blanco. The restaurant was featured in Rick Bayless’s cooking show.

16. Stop by Montejo 495 House Museum (Twin Houses)

• OPEN: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Tu – Su)
• COST: MXN$250 (US$15)

If you want to see how the rich lived at the turn of the century, then visit the Montejo 495 House Museum (a.k.a. Twin Houses)

The French-style mansion was built in 1911 at the end of the Porfirio Era and the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.

The outside and inside are both stunning. However, the price of $250 pesos is exorbitant considering you only get to tour the rooms on the first floor.

Reviews are mixed – some love it while others walk away disappointed.

17. Visit the Museum of Anthropology and History (Palacio Canton)

• OPEN: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Tu – Su)
• COST: MXN$95 (US$5.58)
• WEBSITE: Palacio Canton

Located in another drop-dead-gorgeous mansion on Paseo de Montejo is the Museum of Anthropology and History (also called Palacio Canton). If you are a history buff or archaeology enthusiast, this museum is 100% worth it !

The museum is also a great excuse for escaping from Merida’s heat and humidity .

The first floor contains the permanent archaeological exhibits on the Maya and the second floor is dedicated to temporary exhibits focusing on contemporary Maya culture . There are lots of explanations on the Maya calendar and the writing system in Spanish but unfortunately nothing in English .

MEXICO PRO TIP: Before your trip to the Yucatan, read up on the fascinating culture of the ancient Maya. How did they build those magnificent temples? What caused their collapse? I have a list of the best books on the ancient Maya to get you started.

18. Visit Quinta Montes Molina Mansión

• OPEN: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (M-Su)
• COST: MXN$120 (US$7)

Visiting the living history house of Quinta Montes Molina ( Quinta means mansion or property) is like stepping back in time to the beginning of the twentieth century.

Originally built in 1902 by a Cuban businessman and eventually bought by the Montes Molina family in 1915, the mansion is a great opportunity for history buffs to see how the wealthy lived during the Porfirio era . Everything from the décor to the furniture has been preserved from that period. Don’t skip the basement where the servants worked and lived—the most interesting part of the house.

Like Montejo 495 Museum, this house museum also has guided tours , but they are less expensive .

19. Stop by Monumento a La Patria (Monument to the Fatherland)

At the end of your tour of Paseo de Montejo, you’ll come to the Monument to the Fatherland. Sculpted completely by hand by Colombian artist, Romulo Rozo, this huge stone sculpture took eleven years to finish (1945 – 1956).

The monument represents the history of Mexico starting from the height of the Maya civilization until the Mexican revolution. It’s fun trying to figure out what all the different figures and symbols mean.

Located near the monument is one of Merida’s swankiest restaurants, Kuuk . If you still look presentable after walking in Merida’s heat and humidity, the restaurant can make for a nice end to your tour. Another possibility is the less swanky but still delicious restaurant, La Terreza Amarilla Todo Esquisito .

20. Take a Free Walking Tour of the Central Historic District

• START TIME: varies by tour (9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am)
• COST: free but tipping is encouraged
• WEBSITE: Free Tours

One of the BEST things to do in Merida is to do a walking tour. Do it on the first day of your stay in Merida ! Sometimes I do a guided tour in the morning and spend the afternoon going back to places I visited in the morning or places skipped on the tour. Other times, I wander around the city in the morning and then in the afternoon do a guided walking tour.

I usually find good free walking tours on the Free Tours website . Usually, you get enthusiastic tour guides who go above and beyond a normal guide because they work for tips. I usually leave a tip of between MXN$100 and MXN$200 .

I did my tour through the Go to the City Tourism Office ( Modulo de Informacion Turistica ), but I don’t recommend it. It wasn’t very good.

The free tour guides usually take you to a combination of popular attractions and more off-the-beaten-path places that tourists usually don’t get to.

HOWEVER! One caveat with free walking tours: The guide can cancel, reschedule at the last minute, or not show up! And there’s nothing you can do about it. So, you might want to sign up for a paid walking tour. Here are some walking tour ideas:

Historic Center Walking Tour – This affordable and highly rated tour covers a lot of ground. It goes from Museo Casa Montejo to Plaza Grande before ending at the lovely Parque de Santa Lucia! BOOK YOUR TOUR: Get Your Guide | Viator

21. Take a Bus Tour of Merida

• OPEN: times vary throughout the day (2:00 PM, 4:00 PM)
• COST: US$8 – $9

If you’re short on time or if you’re someone who wants to see as much as you can in the shortest time possible, join the double-decker bus tour of Merida with Turitransmerida Tour Operators . You can book their tour in several ways:

• At their office
• At the Cathedral – Where the tours starts
• Book online – Get Your Guide

The double-decker bus tour offers two circuits:

• North Circuit – Cathedral, Peon Contreras Theater, Santa Ana Park, G. Canton Palace, Flag Monument, Itzimna Church, Las Americas Park, and Plaza Paseo 60
• Barrios Circuit – Cathedral, the San Juan neighborhood, Ermita, San Sebastian, the Merida Zoo, the Santiago neighborhood, Paseo Montejo Avenue, and the Flag Monument.

WARNING: The tour might still be ONLY in Spanish –a very common Mexico obstacle for those not fluent in Spanish.

Mexico Pro Money Tips: Things can go wrong when you’re in Mexico. Your credit or debit card number could get stolen like what happened to me in Oaxaca. Always bring 2 debit cards (different accounts) and 2 credit cards . If one gets stolen or lost or an ATM eats one, you ALWAYS have a backup. 

If you plan to take the bus in Mexico, get a PayPal account and link a credit card to your account. Many bus company websites do not accept foreign credit cards but they do allow you to pay via PayPal. 

22. Take a Carriage Ride Around Merida

• OPEN: any time  – 45 minute-ride
• COST: MXN$400 total for up to 4 people (US$20)
• LOCATION: Google Maps (on Calle 61 (closest cross street is Calle 60)

One of the most unique things to do in Merida is a carriage ride around Centro Historico. I didn’t do it as it seemed odd doing it as a solo traveler.

You’ll see the horse-drawn carriages lined up across from the cathedral along Calle 61. You can take one just about any time even in the evenings.

23. Learn Spanish at La Calle Spanish School

• OPEN: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (M – F); closed (Sa & Su)
• COST: $3,550 pesos for 20 hours per week (US$178)

I think learning a language is not something many people think of when they plan a trip. But actually, it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

Having never studied Spanish before except from YouTube videos, I studied the language for two weeks at La Calle Spanish School in Merida. I did a group lesson and paid MXN$3,550 (US$179) for 20 hours of lessons per week. During my first week, I had one other classmate and during my second week, I was the only student. When you’re the only one, you only get 15 hours of classes for the group price. The minimum duration for group lessons is one week. You don’t need to sign up for classes before you arrive in Mexico. I contacted them by email on a Friday and started classes the next Monday. They also have private one-on-one lessons. However, that was all during the pandemic. I’m sure nowadays their classes are fuller than when I studied there.

24. Take Some Day Trips from Merida

Make sure to make time in your Merida itinerary for some day trips . Just an hour or two by bus from Merida, you’ll find:

• Cenotes – Check out my Homun Cenote guide !
• Biospheres with flamingoes!
• Mayan ruins

You can read my article on day trips from Merida for 15 ideas on what to do around the Yucatan. I describe how you can get to each place by public transportation.

Suggested Merida Itinerary

• Walking Tour
• Walk to Mercado Lucas de Galvaz and get some late breakfast or early lunch (you’ll pass by some of the same places you saw on the walking tour; at this time you can spend more time at the sights)
• City Museum of Merida
• Dinner at and a tour of Museo de Yucatecan Gastronomía
• Evening – Stroll around Parque Grande
• Food Tour – Try the one through Adventures Mexico or Eating with Carmen
• Day Trip : The cenotes of Homun
• Uxmal ruins
• Chocolate Museum
• Day trip to Progreso for some beach time and fresh seafood or to Celestun for a tour of the Celestun Biosphere Reserve—maybe you can see some flamingos (If it’s not the season (December to March, don’t bother going! I didn’t see any flamingos when I went in June.)
• Day trip to ancient ruins of Chichen Itza (if you’re planning on visiting Valladolid, then see Chichen Itza from there as it’s closer and instead visit the ruins of Mayapan)
• Cenote Ik’ Kil (if you have your own car) or Cenote Yokdzonot (more doable by bus, but still pretty hard)
• Cooking Class with Adventures Mexico .

Merida Travel Guide & FAQs

How to get to merida, where to stay in merida, how to get data for your phone in merida.

You can get to Merida in 3 ways (not including by a private vehicle):

By the Maya Train

Merida has a small international airport on the city’s outskirts. You might want to consider flying into and out of Merida than Cancun.

You can check flight schedules for Merida using Skyscanner .

You can also get to Merida from other parts of Mexico by taking an ADO Bus. ADO is the biggest bus company in Mexico and they cover routes south of Mexico City and all over the Yucatan.

There are 3 ADO Bus Terminals in Merida:

• ADO Centro Historico TAME is an ADO Bus Terminal that’s in the historic center.
• ADO Terminal Alterna Paseo 60 is another ADO Bus Terminal that’s further from the historic center near Paseo de Montejo and Walmart.
• ADO Fiesta Americana is a small terminal near ADO Terminal Alterna Paseo 60.

There are several second class bus terminals throughout the city as well.

When you buy your ticket to or from Merida, check to see which terminal your bus is leaving from or arriving at.

You can buy bus tickets in several different ways:

• At the bus station – lines might be long, so arrive early!
• On the ADO Bus Company website . I am only able to buy tickets from their App (download from the Apple or Google Play store). I cannot use their website for some reason. They can be very picky about accepting foreign credit cards. They have always accepted mine, but a friend from Denmark was never able to use her card. However, you can pay using PayPal. Link your credit card to your PayPal account.
• Reservamos — Reservamos is a website that sells bus tickets for all of Mexico. It has the largest number of bus routes and bus schedules of all transportation websites in Mexico. However, it charges a high service fee and often doesn’t allow you to choose your seat. You also have to wait 15 to 30 minutes to receive your ticket in your email account. I have always had to use PayPal to buy tickets because Reservamos doesn’t accept foreign credit cards.
• Bus Bud – Bus Bud accepts foreign credit cards, but it doesn’t list all buses, bus companies, and routes.

You can get to Merida using the Maya Train. Go to this website to buy tickets. The train station is inconveniently located far outside of the city of Merida at Train Maya Estacion Teya .

You are actually better off taking the bus than the train. The train station is far outside of the city of Merida and tickets are much more expensive than the bus.

I stayed in Merida for about 2 months. For the first 6 weeks, I stayed at an Airbnb. During the last 2 weeks, I stayed at Hotel Las Monjas . It’s a decent hotel located within walking distance from the ADO Bus Station and Plaza Grande.

Hotel Las Monjas  – ( Booking.com  |  Agoda ) I highly, highly recommend this hotel. Friendly and helpful staff. Comfortable, clean, and modern rooms. Excellent WiFi. Very good price for what you get. Includes swimming pool. And it’s located a few blocks from Parque Grande and three blocks from the ADO bus station.

To get data on your phone, I recommend doing either of these options:

• Buy a physical SIM card from Telcel
• Buy an eSIM. I’ve only used Airalo in Mexico and had a positive experience.

Buying a Physical SIM card

The cheapest option is a physical SIM card. However, this means you might need to take out your country’s SIM card replacing it with a Mexico SIM card. To use your home phone number, you need to reinsert your SIM card.

You can buy a Telcel SIM card from a Telcel store in the historic center . That’s where I bought mine. I always buy a 30-day plan with 3 GB of data for MXN$200, but you can also buy shorter and cheaper plans.

If you need more data , you can buy on the Telcel website or recharge at an OXXO store. I always did the former.

Buying an eSIM

Buying an eSIM can be very convenient . I’ve only used Airalo in Mexico and had a positive experience. I bought 7 days worth of data for US$8.

However, I have found their instructions for initially using the eSIM to be confusing.

PRO TIP: No one likes to think about insurance, but accidents do happen. I highly recommend getting travel insurance. During my travels over the past 2 years, I’ve been using SafetyWing for my insurance. They’re very affordable for all ages, and digital nomads can use their insurance long-term.

Final Thoughts on Merida Travel Guide

So, there you have it–24 of the BEST things to do in Merida, Mexico! Perfect for anyone who’s into food, culture, and history. And if you’re looking for a place that’s not overrun with tour buses and hipsters, Merida is the ideal city.

If you want to jump back to any of these specific Merida attractions and activities, here you go!

• Plaza Grande
• Cathedral of Merida
• House of Montejo Museum
• Yucateca food
• Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca
• Mercado Lucas de Galvez
• Mayan World Museum
• Museum of the City of Merida
• Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatan
• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
• Paseo de Montejo
• Parque de Santa Ana
• Montejo 495 House Museum
• Museum of Anthropology and History
• Quinta Montes Molina Mansion
• Monumento a la Patria
• Carriage Ride
• Study Spanish
• Cooking Course

What are you most looking forward to doing in Merida?

If you found this post helpful, share it on social media!

Best Resources for Planning Your Trip to Mexico

Book your flight to mexico.

Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to Mexico. They will turn up results for all airlines including major ones and local airlines. You’re going to find EVERYTHING that’s available and thus get the cheapest price.

Book Your Accommodations for Mexico:

The best hotel booking sites for Japan are Booking.com . They have the biggest selection, and they consistently churn out hotels and hostels at the lowest prices of any other booking site. Another website for backpackers and budget travelers is Hostel World .

Book Your Tours for Mexico:

The three best tour booking sites for Mexico are Viator and Get Your Guide . Viator has the biggest selection. Get Your Guide has terrific customer service. They will help you if you have trouble with your tour, especially if the tour company cancels on you or doesn’t show up.

Stay Connected When in Mexico:

To have access to the internet and not spend a lot of money while you’re out and about in Mexico, get a physical SIM card or an eSIM. I used Airalo eSIM in Mexico . While setting up can seem overwhelming at first, the SIM card has worked well for me in Mexico.

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You Might Be Interested in These Mexico Posts…

• Merida Travel Guide
• Yucatan Travel Guide
• Merida Food Guide

When I started reading this post, I was looking forward to reminiscing about places I had been. Turns out, it looks like I missed a lot! The architecture is beautiful and the Monumento a La Patria is amazing. I guess most of my time there was spend seeing the ruins like Chichen Itza.

I read this with interest as I have a friend who has been recommending Merida & now I can see why! I agree with you about the walking tours – the perfect way to get an intro into a new city but also your suggestions about taking Spanish lessons & a cooking class appealed. Thanks for the info!

I definintely would be drawn to a place that is not overrun with tourists. Cancun is not my favourite spot so good to know that Merida is a great option just 4 hours away. I love all the things there is to see was you stroll around the streets. And a food tour sounds like an awesome way to learn about local foods and traditions. I can see why you stayed so long. So much to discover.

I have to admit I have never been to Mexico though it is a country that I want to visit. Your post has shown me a place away from the touristy areas that looks like a great alternative. I would love the contemporary art museum and the food tour – a great way of eating local and finding out about the area.

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This City in Mexico Is a Favorite Among Locals — With Boutique Hotels, Bustling Markets, and a Legendary Nightlife Scene

Here's where to eat, stay, and explore in Mérida, Mexico.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best shopping, best nightlife, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, neighborhoods to visit, how to get around.

Itzel Garrido/Travel + Leisure

Old-world glamour meets an earthy ethos in Mérida, one of my favorite cities in Mexico. I first dipped my toe into Mérida during a solo backpacking trip in 2017. Back then, the city was not yet a "rising destination," and still a far cry from the beach hot spots that dominate the tourist scene. 

Mérida is an interesting melange of cultures. It was one of the most important Mayan areas in Mesoamerica, but centuries of colonization built elaborate Spanish cathedrals, homes, and palaces directly on top of, and in some cases using stones from, Mayan architecture. It is one of Mexico's oldest European-settled cities, with the Spanish arriving in the 16th century, and it also has a strong Middle Eastern influence due to an influx of Lebanese immigrants during the Ottoman occupation. 

A walk through the Centro Histórico will take you back in time and across cultures through expansive plazas, down tree-lined boulevards, and into historic mansions and internationally influenced restaurants. The city also has a legendary nightlife scene, with many bars, cantinas, and clubs, most of which offer live music and are housed in centuries-old saloon-style buildings.

"I love the colorful style and pace of life in Mérida," said Ben Gritzewsky , a Mérida resident and Mexico travel expert with Frosch Vacations. "Although the city has grown exponentially in the last few years, it retains a provincial, laid-back friendliness, superb public safety, and all the variety of goods and services of a large city." 

He added, "Another reason [I love it] is the social diversity and tolerance. I also appreciate the vast contrasts and other geographical features, like the abundance of natural wonders, from cenotes and jungles to flamingos, mangroves, and sunny beaches."

The entire state of Yucatán has something for every traveler, and Mérida is the perfect encapsulation of what makes this such a fantastic part of Mexico.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Stay in one of Mérida's historic homes-turned-hotels. Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel is an elegant, chic oasis in the heart of the city.
• Wander the Centro Histórico to feel the heartbeat of Mérida's culture and history.
• Shop for high-end souvenirs and art at La Casa de las Artesanías.
• Have a cocktail or locally brewed beer while dancing salsa in the open-air patio at La Negrita Cantina.
• Indulge in the best brunch in town at El Barrio. 

Itzel Garrido/Travel + Leisure

Wayam Mundo Imperial

Sleek, contemporary, and LEED-certified (a must for sustainable tourism), Wayam combines the charms of a luxe Mérida residence with an impressive art collection and beautifully manicured grounds. “It’s my favorite for its unique vernacular through contemporary style. It's built around an art deco-era house in a shady neighborhood convenient to attractions, but away from the chaotic Centro Histórico. Its restaurant, Cuna, is one of the best, too,” said Gritzewsky.

Fiesta Americana Mérida

Perched on one of the most iconic corners in Mérida — Paseo de Montejo and Colon — Fiesta Americana Mérida is a classic hotel in a historic building. "It's a classic favorite because of its five-star amenities and prominent location on Paseo de Montejo, Mérida's Champs-Élysées," said Gritzewsky.

Rosas & Xocolate

A beautiful boutique hotel and spa, Rosas & Xocolate lives in the bones of a French-style mansion overlooking the glamorous Paseo de Montejo. The on-site restaurant has tucked quite a few awards under its belt, and the 17 rooms are all individually designed, each with private outdoor Jacuzzis. "Rosas & Xocolate is a sexy boutique hotel right on the Paseo, surrounded by cafes, clubs, and shops, many occupying European-style mansions built during the henequen boom around the turn of the 20th century," said Gritzewsky.

Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel

An adults-only, luxury boutique hotel built into a 19th-century state home, Casa Lecanda provides a stunning oasis in the heart of the buzzy city. All rooms have doors that open onto garden or patio views, while a central courtyard pool is the perfect place to take a break from the notorious Mérida heat. "Casa Lecanda is a luxuriously converted house on Calle 47, our newly designated culinary corridor, lined with eateries and bars," said Gritzewsky.

Photo Beto/Getty Images

Centro Histórico

Mérida's Centro Histórico is a treasure trove of historic architecture, leafy plazas, and one of the most stately boulevards in the world, the Paseo de Montejo. Visitors will also want to meander Calle 60 for its seemingly endless array of restaurants, shops, and bars.

Gritzewsky says that wandering the Centro Histórico on foot is essential to understanding the heart and soul of Mérida. "The main square is always lively and surrounded by important sights such as the oldest cathedral on the continental mainland (Catedral de Mérida, San Ildefonso), constructed with stones from Mayan structures."

Museo Regional de Antropología, Palacio Cantón

With more than 60 indigenous languages and dozens of indigenous groups and cultures, anthropology is an important part of Mexico's history. Mérida's Museo Regional de Antropología is an impressive collection of Mayan pieces — the group most prevalent in the Yucatán. Plus, the body of work is housed in a beautiful Paseo de Montejo mansion. Gritzewsky notes the building is one of Mérida's most palatial.

Speaking of Mayan history, the Yucatán peninsula is home to dozens of Mayan archaeological sites. The ancient city of Uxmal is the closest to Mérida and one of the region's most impressive. Its Pyramid of the Magician is simply breathtaking, rising like a white-stone beacon from a sea of lush, green jungle. Uxmal also happens to be less than an hour away from Mérida.

Gulf Beaches

Mérida may be a thriving, cosmopolitan city, but one of my favorite things to do here is escape the pavement and hit the beach. The city is close to some of the best beaches along Mexico's Gulf Coast. A personal favorite is Celestún, a sleepy, sandy little beach town and the gateway to the natural wonders of the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún. 

Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

Mercado San Benito

One of the largest indoor markets in Mérida, Mercado San Benito is a bustling bazaar that sells everything from fruits and spices to household items and food. It's one of the best places to escape the tourist fray and do as the locals do.

La Casa de las Artesanías

High-end shopping and luxury retailers take up most of the real estate at La Casa de las Artesanías. This huge shopping mall is an eclectic mix of local designers and internationally renowned brands. It also has stunning, historic architecture, built more like a museum than a shopping center.

Galeria La Eskalera

If you're looking to bring a bit of the Yucatán home with you, Galeria La Eskalera is a showcase of some of the funkiest, most unique art from local and international artists. 

S. Greg Panosian/Getty Images

Ask the 20- and 30-somethings where they're hanging out and they'll tell you Mercado 60. The first gastronomic and cultural market in Yucatán, Mercado 60 is part boutique, part music venue, part foodie destination. It was the first place I went in the city during my solo backpacking trip around Mexico in 2017. The space has grown considerably since then, but I still love it for the convivial energy, the mix of tourists and locals, and the social scene.

El Cardenal Cantina

Strong mezcal cocktails, live music, and a powder-blue building that dates back more than 100 years — that's what El Cardenal Cantina is serving, and it's a vibe that has been a classic since it opened. One of the oldest cantinas in the city, El Cardenal Cantina has a guest list of regulars and transients every night of the week.

La Negrita Cantina

You cannot have a list of Mérida's best nightlife without mentioning La Negrita Cantina . It has become a popular stop on the tourist trail — and for good reason. With more than 100 years of history, this snug bar opens up to a grand outdoor patio where live music and salsa dancing are the norm. It's a crowd-pleasing blend of old and new, from the historic saloon doors to the electric blue limonada served in mason jars. You can sip a bottle of locally brewed beer and snack on small bites from around the Yucatán region.

Dzalbay Cantina

Yet another Mérida nightlife legend, Dzalbay has become a city institution for its live jazz and blues. Music is at the foundation of this place, whose owners are a group of men from around the world who met playing in the Yucatán Symphony Orchestra. Today, visitors come for the live music (of course), as well as the cocktails, food menu, and rooftop terrace.

Robert Patrick Briggs/Getty Images

K'u'uk

A farm-to-table pioneer, K'u'uk serves both a la carte and tasting menus to showcase the history of Mérida's culinary scene. Start with the Yucatán lime soup, which has been on the menu since 2012. Leave room for Middle Eastern-influenced dishes like tabbouleh and labneh, too, and pair it all with a bottle of Mexican wine. 

Industrial-chic in design and split over two floors, the open-plan Nectar focuses on seasonal ingredients to create a menu of sensational, haute cuisine (think: foie gras and duck ravioli, charcoal onions, and a burnt Basque cheesecake served with truffle ice cream).

For one of the best breakfasts in town, El Barrio serves Yucatecan comfort food with a twist. This was my go-to breakfast spot when I first visited Mérida, and the food was so good, I ended up extending my trip to be able to try it all. A standout is the Gemelos, two eggs on cornbread with a spinach salad, xcatic béchamel sauce, and Valladolid sausage.

Hermana República

You cannot come to the Yucatán and not try cochinita pibil , one of the classic and most historic dishes of the region. The best cochinita pibil tacos I’ve had are at Hermana República.

Salón Gallos

With Mérida's long history of Lebanese influence, you can expect to find this cuisine in restaurants across the city. Salón Gallos is a super-trendy hot spot, with a Brooklyn warehouse-style design and a menu heavy on Lebanese dishes. The labneh and Kibi Maya are particularly tasty.

Mérida has a reputation for being particularly hot and humid. The best time to visit the city is November through March, when temperatures can still climb into the 90s during the day, but the nights are considerably cooler. Gritzewsky says April and May are very hot and dry, while the rainy season begins in June, rewarding with daily refreshing showers.

Mérida has an incredible theater scene, and the Classical Theatre Festival, which dates back to 1933, is held from early July until the end of August. This is the best time to take in culture, shows, and educational programs.

Holy Week, or Semana Santa, is one of the most important periods across Mexico, and Mérida celebrates with pomp and circumstance. Processions take place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, when the entire city is cast with an ethereal candlelit glow.

The most convenient way to get to Mérida is to fly into Mérida International Airport (MID), which is close to downtown and has a large number of direct domestic and international flights. Cancun's airport is four hours away, though it has a lot more frequency and is typically less expensive.

Travelers can also reach Merida from other destinations in the Yucatán via the ADO bus system, which is convenient, comfortable, and affordable, with connections all around southern and central Mexico. 

The new Tren Maya, a controversial regional rail network across the Yucatán Peninsula, has a stop in Mérida as well, connecting it to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Campeche, and Palenque.

Pete Schnell/Getty Images

Santa Ana : At the intersection of two popular areas, Santa Ana is one of the best neighborhoods in town. To the north is the mansion-flanked Paseo de Montejo, with all of its shopping and dining venues. To the south is the Zocalo — the main square with all of the city's top tourist attractions.

Santiago : Just about a 15-minute walk from the city center, Santiago is bursting with great dining and fun coffee shops. It's a bit more affordable here than in Santa Ana, but it's still within walking distance of the attractions and sites of downtown.

Colonia México : Just north of the city center, Colonia México features cozy bistros, historic architecture, wine bars, and gastropubs, as well as beautiful gardens. It's close to the Plaza México shopping center and offers a much more modern, residential feel.

Getting around Mérida is easy and cost-effective. The public transportation system reaches practically everywhere and is very affordable.

"Taxis are abundant and inexpensive, and Uber works great," said Gritzewsky. "Increasing traffic can be annoying, but driving and parking are simple, so the benefits of having a car are worthwhile."He recommends renting a car for the most comfort and convenience, or, if your budget allows, hiring a car and driver.

Related Articles

Merida Mexico Things to Do + Yucatan Travel Guide

I first fell for Merida years ago, as a stop on a small group tour through Mexico and Guatemala.  Since then, I’ve returned several times to experience this vibrant city and its museums, history, and culture.  This guide includes all the tips you need to explore the cultural gem of Merida, Mexico!

Known as “The White City,” Merida is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the Americas.  It was founded as a colonial capital in 1542 by Spanish conquistadors, on the remains of the Maya city of Tho.  Today, it’s the capital city of the Mexican state of Yucatan, and has been named the American Capital of Culture twice, in 2000 and 2017.

Visiting Merida is a feast for the mind and senses with colorful architecture, fascinating history and museums, and a gastronomy scene recognized by UNESCO for its cultural heritage.  Merida is also at the center of exciting day trips in every direction: beaches, Mayan ruins , historic haciendas, refreshing cenotes, colonial cities like Valladolid , and even an ecological reserve with flamingos.

This Merida travel guide will give you all the inside details you need, from restaurants and tours to unique places to stay like boutique hotels and haciendas.  Plan to spend several days to a week here to explore the best things to do in Merida, Yucatan Mexico and the region!

This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I might earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support in this way! Learn more in my Disclosure Policy .

In This Travel Guide to Merida, Yucatan

Best Things to Do | Plaza Grande | Catedral de Merida | Walking Tours | Paseo de Montejo | Museums | Shopping & Markets | Yucatecan Cuisine | Merida Restaurants | Cantinas | Cenotes | Mayan Ruins | Cementerio General | Day Trips | Haciendas | Where to Stay | Colonial Homes | How to Get to Merida | Best Time to Visit | Merida Festivals

The Best Things to Do in Merida, Mexico

To plan your Merida itinerary, these are the must-see sights. I’ve included tour options as well to help you maximize your sightseeing time.

1. Visit the Plaza Grande of Merida, Mexico

Merida’s charming zocalo, or main square, is located in the center of town and is known as the Plaza Grande and Plaza de La Independencia.  This is a great place to start your Merida adventure.  You can get a feel for the town, grab a meal, do some shopping, visit museums, and watch street performers.  Especially on weekends, the entire city comes to live in the Merida Centro and its busy streets with cultural events.

The square is wide, with shade trees and park benches, and is surrounded on all sides by museums and historic buildings.  There is also free WiFi if you want to do any planning.

Catedral de Merida

Overlooking the central plaza is the Cathedral of Merida, also known as the Catedral de San Ildefonso, the oldest church on the American continent.  It was completed in 1598 on the site of the Mayan city of Tho, using stones from the original city’s construction.  When you visit, look for traditional Maya markings and carvings on the stones of the cathedral.

Lovers’ Chairs: “Sillas Tu y Yo”

While in the Plaza Grande, be sure to get a photo in Merida’s famous “you and me” lovers’ chairs.  These are curved white conversation benches for two, where the occupants sit side by side but facing opposite directions.  Local lore says these were invented many years ago by an overprotective father when his daughter reached courting age. 😉

Merida’s main square also has one of the famous city name signs” so be sure to grab a photo there too! 

Pok Ta Pok Ballgame

Each Saturday night at 8:30 on Calle 60 in front of the Cathedral and Plaza Grande, there is a re-enactment of the ancient Maya ballgame known as Pok Ta Pok. During this cultural event you can watch the players engage in a fierce mock battle, accompanied by traditional live music.

Palacio De Gobierno

The Palacio De Gobierno (Government Palace) overlooks the Plaza Grande. Built in the late 1800s, the Palace also holds gorgeous murals by Fernando Castro Pacheco of scenes from the history of Mexico, from Mayan times to the colonial era and the republic.

The Haphazard Traveler Pro Tip: Photo Spot The Palacio De Gobierno is a great place to get photos of the cathedral from its 2nd floor gallery.

2. Take a Walking Tour to Explore Merida

Merida, like many cities and important cultural centers, has companies that offer free walking tours.   One of the top tours is hosted by the Merida Tourism Office, located in the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace).  The 1.5-hour tour departs from here Monday-Saturday mornings at 9:30 and explores the city’s historic center.

I always recommend a tour when you first arrive in a new destination.  You can get an idea of the city’s layout, and ask for inside tips from your leader and other travelers.  It’s also a great way for solo travelers to meet folks!

Alone or as part of a tour, Merida’s colorful streets are packed with colonial structures and fun to stroll.  Merida is one of the largest city centers in North America, so there is a lot to see and experience.

Merida, Mexico Walking Tour Details The free tour is offered every morning Monday – Saturday, and leaves from the Merida Tourism Office in the Palacio Municipal. More details here and find the tourism office here . If this tour doesn’t fit in your schedule, here is another free guided walking tour or the top-rated Merida walking tour with Mike and Duck .

3. Stroll the Paseo de Montejo

Paseo de Montejo is a historic boulevard lined with turn-of-the-century homes built in French and Italian Renaissance-inspired styles. These were the homes of Merida’s elite families, who prospered from an economic boom in the late 19th and early 20th century from the henequen trade. This plant has sisal-like fibers used to make twine, rope, and fabrics.

These colonial mansions were filled with Tiffany glass, European-style furnishings, and fine materials imported from all over the world.  Several of the homes can be toured as museums (see below), while others remain private residences.

Along Paseo Montejo, you’ll see cafes, mansions, and monuments. These include the Montejo Monument near Plaza Santa Ana and Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Fatherland). At the start of the route, look for Las Casas Gemelas: twin houses built by the same architect for different families, about 10 years apart. See if you can spot the differences in ornamentation added over the years!

On Sunday mornings, a Merida weekly tradition takes place when one lane of Paseo Montejo closes for bicyclists in an event called La Bici Ruta.  Along the way you’ll find live music and vendors, including bike rentals, and you can ride all the way to Plaza Santa Lucia park for lunch.

4. Explore Merida’s Museums, Historic Homes & Galleries

Yucatan’s capital and largest city of Merida offers a veritable buffet of museums!  Here are some of the best that you’ll want to experience.  The history museums in particular are a good compliment to visiting Maya ruins in the area and will give you a deeper understanding of the region’s history.  If you have time, I recommend choosing at least one history museum, an art museum, and one of the historic homes.

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán MACAY

The Fernando Garcia Ponce Museum, also known by its acronym MACAY, is the only comtemporary art museum in Merida with art by national and international artists. Located in the Plaza Grande right next to the Merida Cathedral, the museum has a large collection ranging from the early 20th century to present day. There are permanent galleries, three permanent rooms with works by Gabriel Ramirez Aznar, Fernando Castro Pacheco, and Fernando García Ponce, and 15 temporary exhibit rooms that change every few months.

Fernando Garcia Ponce Museum ( MACAY): Map location | Museum website

El Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

Located north of the colonial center, this striking modern museum is dedicated to the history of the Mayan civilization. Its exhibits contain information and artifacts about daily life, culture, language, science, and people both before and after the arrival of the Spanish.  Signage is in both Spanish and English, and it offers many interactive exhibits. 

El Gran Museo del Mundo Maya: Map location | Museum website

The Anthropology and History Museum

Located inside the beautiful Palacio Canton on the Paseo de Montejo, this museum contains exhibits and artifacts from Maya, Aztec, and other civilizations.  There is considerable information on Mayan language, history and culture, including Maya language glyphs.  Signage is in Spanish.

Museo de Antropología e Historia / Palacio Cantón: Map location | Museum website

Museo del Arte Popular

This is one of my favorite museums in Merida, which showcases a variety of Mexican art including folk art, pottery, and textiles.  The collection here is from all over Mexico, with a permanent collection from the Yucatan. There is also a small gift shop.  Located near the Parque de La Mejorada, a few blocks from the Plaza Grande.

Museo del Arte Popular: Map location | Museum website

Museo Casa Montejo

Located in the Plaza Grande, this museum is located in The former home of Francisco de Montejo and his family, where were conquistadores and founders of the city of Merida.  The museum contains original furnishings dating to when it was built in 1549.  There is also a serene courtyard, as well as temporary art exhibits.

Museo Casa Montejo: Map location | Museum website

Nahualli Casa de los Artistas

This private home and gallery is owned by a family whose artistic works make up a large part of the collection.  Paintings, sculpture, and etchings are on display in a colonial home and garden.

Nahualli Casa de los Artistas: Map location | Gallery website

Quinta Montes Molina

This museum is still the home of a prominent Merida family and is located on the Paseo de Montejo. You can take guided tours to experience its architecture and history.

Quinta Montes Molina: Map location | Museum website

5. Shop Merida Markets, Boutiques & Galleries

Whether you’re looking for souvenirs and snacks or just want to experience local culture, Merida’s shops and markets offer all of this and more.  

What to buy in Merida, Mexico

Need a souvenir?  These are some of the best products to buy in Merida.

• Purses, hammocks, and other items made from henequin, a local plant similar to agave grown for its sisal-like fibers
• Jewelry and artisan goods
• Art from local galleries
• Artisanal Mexican chocolate (did you know Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate?)
• Pox (pronounced “posh”), a specialty liquor rooted in a traditional Mayan distilled drink from maize, sugar cane, and other flavors
• Xtabentun, an anise and honey rum liqueur produced by Casa D’Aristi at its distillery outside Merida

Local Handicrafts

Near the Plaza Grande, stop in Casa de las Artesanías del Estado de Yucatan for an assortment of local artisan goods and handicrafts.

Map location: Casa de las Artesanías

Mercado Santa Ana and Santa Ana Parque

On Calle 60 around the cute yellow Santa Ana church and park, you can find art galleries SoHo and Terracotta, the silversmith Uxmal de Taxco, and other boutique shops.  The Mercado Santa Ana here has open air restaurants which are popular with locals, especially for breakfast.

Map locations: Parque de Santa Ana | Mercado Santa Ana

Mercado de Santiago

Next to the Parque de Santiago, the Mercado de Santiago is a local market for vegetables, fruit, tortillas, meats, and fresh flowers, as well as food stalls where you can try traditional Yucatecan foods.

Map location: Parque de Santiago

Mercado Lucas de Galvez

The main market in Merida, Lucas de Galvez, dates back more than 100 years, and sells everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats and fish, souvenirs, sandals, clothing, and much more.  There are food stalls here for an inexpensive meal, including aguas frescas (fruit blended with water and lime juice) and good tacos.

Map location: Mercado de Lucas de Galvez

Near the Parque Santa Lucia

Near the Parque Santa Lucia, find Ki’Xocolatl, a shop and restaurant serving hot and iced coffee drinks, Mexican chocolates, and desserts.  Also near here, Coqui Coqui Perfumeria & Spa is a boutique hotel, spa and perfumery.  Stop in to see its posh decor as well as shop for candles, perfumes and linen sprays.

Map location: Parque de Santa Lucia

Paseo de Montejo Shopping

Along the Paseo de Montejo, find Posheria , a quaint cafe offering traditional Mayan pox liqueur, coffee drinks and beans, and artisan goods. There are other boutique shops, coffeehouses, and more along the route.

Local Market Tour If you’d like to experience Merida’s market scene on a tour with a local expert, check out this guided culinary experience .

6. Dig Into the Merida Foodie Scene

Merida has an amazing gastronomy scene, with regional dishes from throughout the Yucatan as well as cultural influences from elsewhere in Mexico and worldwide.  From street carts and cafes to fine dining, you won’t go hungry in Merida!  Some of the traditional Yucatecan foods to try include:

• Marquesitas: warm, paper-thin crunchy wafers with your choice of fillings rolled up inside.  The most popular is a salty and sweet combo Nutella with Edam cheese.  I prefer just the Nutella, but recommend that adventurous eaters try both!  These can be found at food carts in the Plaza Grande and elsewhere in Merida.  
• Cochinita pibil: this must-try traditional Maya dish starts with preparing an entire pig in a sour orange citrus marinade and the local spice achiote (annatto seed), then cooking it underground in banana leaves. The high acid content of the marinade and the slow cooking time result in a very tender meat.  Cochinita pibil is served with tortillas, pickled onions, and other toppings.

• Poc Chuc: a Mayan/Yucatecan version of boiled or grilled pork.
• Papadzules: a version of this traditional Yucatecan dish might have even pre-dated the colonial era in Mexico.  These are corn tortillas dipped in a sauce made from pumpkin seeds and filled with hard-boiled eggs, then garnished with a cooked tomato-pepper sauce. 
• Sopa de lima: one of my favorites, this soup is made with turkey or chicken and a lime found in the region, topped with crunchy strips of fried tortilla.
• Panuchos and salbutes: panuchos are fried handmade corn tortillas stuffed with refried beans, then fried again and topped with chicken, cochinita pibil, relleno, ground meat, or seafood.  Salbutes are similar, but are less crispy and are made without the refried beans.  Both are served with lettuce, pickled onions, relleno negro, tomato, avocado and other toppings.  
• Queso relleno: a gourmet dish featuring ground pork inside of a carved Edam cheese ball served with tomato sauce.
• Huevos motuleños: a breakfast food which originated in the nearby town of Motul. The dish is made with eggs on tortillas with black beans and cheese, often with other ingredients such as ham, peas, plantains, and salsa picante.
• Elotes: grilled corn on the cob, smothered in butter and mayonnaise, then rolled in cotija cheese.  It’s finished off with a sprinkle of chilli powder and salt and a squeeze of lime.

Where to Eat in Merida, Mexico

Merida has an amazing restaurant scene, from street food and market stalls to fine dining.  In the Plaza Grande, you can find pop-up stalls in the late afternoon and evening for a quick local meal.  Be sure to also check out the markets above for more low-key options.

Throughout the city, you’ll find antojitos (“little cravings”).  These street snacks are usually small, savory bites intended as appetizers or as a late-night snack after a few drinks.

Merida Street Food Walking Tour Explore Merida’s street food scene with this top-rated walking tour led by a local expert.

Merida Restaurants

These are some of the top restaurants for your Merida itinerary.

• Wayan’e : classic Merida bistro (practically a local institution!) for tacos, breakfast, and castacan (fried pork belly).  Open just for breakfast and lunch.
• Kuuk: chic, fine dining experience in Merida with Yucatecan dishes prepared using molecular gastronomy and fresh ingredients, most of them grown on-site.  Reservations are needed.
• La Chaya Maya : traditional Yucatecan fare popular with both locals and tourists
• Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca : Hip restaurant featuring local classics and craft cocktails, with outdoor seating
• Catrin : artistic, colorful restaurant featuring inventive takes on Yucatecan favorites and expert mixology. Plus a great ambience: at night there is an outdoor light show and music.
• Mercado 60 : food “market hall” located near Santa Lucia featuring 18 different restaurants serving Italian, French, Thai, Asian, Yucatecan, Lebanese food, and more.  There are also local bands, artists, handicrafts, and special events on weekends.
• Hermana Republica : Yucatecan favorites, craft beers, and cocktails in a hip setting
• ChilaKillez : breakfast and lunch spot for chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican breakfast made with tortilla chips simmered in sauce
• Dulceria y Sorbeteria Colon : founded in 1907, this ice cream parlor located on the Paseo Montejo offers 14 flavors of ice cream and sorbets plus handmade cakes.

Where to Grab a Drink in Merida

Merida has lots of bars and cantinas, many of which offer 2-for-1 happy hours in the afternoon and early evening!  Whether you’re looking for cervezas, margaritas, mixed drinks, or even craft beers, you’ll find have an easy time find a place for a cool and refreshing drink in Merida.

• La Negrita Merida: Bohemian cantina that’s been a hangout for Merida locals for more than 100 years.
• Eladio’s: Mexican cantina popular for its botanas – a round of snacks brought with each order or drinks.
• Malahat Speakeasy: secret bar in Parque Santa Lucia with a sophisticated ambience and elegant cocktails .

More Merida Tours for Foodies Want to delve deeper into Merida’s gastro scene? Check out this cooking class and market visit or a private Yucatecan cooking class in a local home. Or visit three local bars with this fun cantina walking tour !

7. Cool Off in a Cenote

Dotted across the landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula, you’ll find thousands of cenotes, which are pools that form when limestone bedrock collapses.  In ancient times, they were revered by the Maya as portals to the underworld and a precious source of freshwater. Today, they serve both locals and tourists alike as swimming holes!  Some cenotes are located in underwater caverns, while others are open to the sky, and some have both open and cavernous sections.

Some of the best cenotes to visit near Merida are the Homun cenotes, Cuzama cenotes, Cenote Hacienda Mucuyche, and Cenote Kankirixche. 

Cenote Tours from Merida Ready for an adventure? Don’t miss these guided tours including transportation and lunch to the Homun Cenotes and Cuzama Cenotes .

8. Explore Ancient Mayan Ruins Near Merida

In addition to cenotes, the remains of Mayan cities are also spread across the Yucatan Peninsula, down into Guatemala and Central America.  The most famous ruins in Mexico, Chichen Itza, are about an hour and a half away. Seeing ancient ruins is one of the top things to do in Merida: check out these nearby sites.

Dzibilchaltun

Located about 10 miles north of Merida, Dzibilchaltun is a small Maya site.  Dzibilchaltun is notable for its accompanying museum, beautiful cenote Xlacah, and its Temple of the Seven Dolls, named for small effigies discovered during excavation. You can take a colectivo or taxi from Merida, or book a tour like this option that includes the beach town of Progreso.

Chichen Itza 

Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.  It’s also one of the most-visited tourist sites in Mexico. Surviving monuments at Chichen Itza include the main temple, the Pyramid of Kukulkan (also known as El Castillo); the Great Ball Court, the largest of its kind in Mesoamerica; El Caracol, an astronomical observatory; and the Temple of Warriors, an enormous temple with hundreds of stone columns.

Chichen Itza Ruins Tours from Merida Beat the crowds with an early Chichen Itza access plus cenotes or take a private Chichen Itza tour . Or see Chichen Izta with Izamal and cenotes .

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , Uxmal (pronounced “oosh mahl”) is one of the most important Maya archaeological sites.  It is built in the “Puuc” architectural style of the region, with building facades made of plain blocks on the lower part of structures, and intricate mosaics on the upper sections. 

Uxmal is about an hour south of Merida, and there are three other smaller ruins sites in the same area: Kabah, Labná and Sayil.  These sites share the UNESCO designation with Uxmal.  If you want to see a less crowded ruin that looks like a smaller version of Chichen Itza, Mayapan is also within an hour drive from Merida.

Uxmal Ruins Tours from Merida Check out this tour to Uxmal and Kabah , Uxmal with Hacienda Yaxcopoil , or this Uxmal itinerary with the Loltun caves, Sayil, Xlapak and Labna . Chocoholics can visit Uxmal with a chocolate experience .

Ultimate Mexico Ruins Guide: 20+ Best Mayan & Aztec Ruins

Love history and ruins? Don’t miss my guide to the best ruins in Mexico for your bucket list, including top day trip tours to visit each!

9. Visit the Colorful and Peaceful Cementerio General

While it might seem odd to some, I often visit cemeteries during my trips in Latin America.  I like to see how different cultures remember departed loved ones.  Mexico especially has a unique perspective on death as evidenced in their Dia de Los Muertos festival (check out my vi rtual field trip here to learn more).  Even separate from this holiday, many families visit cemeteries on weekends to spruce up graves of loved ones.

The main cemetery of Merida, Panteon General, has colorful graves dating to colonial times.  There are even stately mausoleums, crypts, and many statues.  

Map location: Cementerio General

10. Best Day Trips from Merida, Mexico

In addition to the ruins and cenotes, there are several interesting cities and sights that can be seen on day trips from Merida.

Valladolid | Charming Colonial City

The charming city of Valladolid, Yucatan is another great day trip from Merida.  If has a colorful colonial center with a cathedral and Cenote Zaci, as well as a 16th-century convent.  There are underground cenotes nearby including Samula, one of the most Instagrammable cenotes.  Valladolid is only about 45 minutes from Chichen Itza.

• Find all my tips for visiting Valladolid on a day trip or stopover.

Celestun | Biosphere Reserve with Flamingos

Celestun is a sleepy fishing village which is home to secluded beaches and the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún, a wildlife sanctuary with flamingos the star attraction. I haven’t yet been to Celestun, having opted to see flamingos in Rio Lagartos on a day trip when I stayed in Valladolid. 

Izamal | The Yellow City

Nicknamed “La Ciudad Amarilla” (“The Yellow City”), Izamal is a small town in the state of Yucatan. Izamal is famous because all of its buildings are painted the same sunny yellow!   Visit the convent here, shop for souvenirs, and have a traditional Yucatecan lunch.  You can also explore the Mayan ruins of Kinich Kakmó in the city center.

Hit the Beach in Progreso

Puerto Progreso is the closest beach to Merida, just 45 minutes outside of town.  This is a popular port for cruise ships and there are many bars and restaurants to enjoy for the day.  Get to Progreso easily via car if you decide to rent one, use the luxury bus Auto Progreso , or take a tour like below.

Best Day Trip Tours from Merida See the best of the region with a private tour to Izamal or tour to Chichen Itza with Izamal . See Progreso with a stop at the Dzibilchaltun ruins and cenote . Or travel further afield with a full-day trip to Campeche and Becal .

Haciendas Near Merida, Yucatan

Near Merida, there are several options to visit traditional colonial haciendas or plantations that date to the 18th century.  You can stay in several of them overnight, or just visit for the day for a meal and to imagine daily life here centuries ago.  All of them were built thanks to the henequen trade boom.

Hacienda Yaxcopoil

Hacienda Yaxcopoil (YASH-coh-poh-EEL) is a Yucatan plantation dating back to the 17th century. The Hacienda is well-preserved but unrestored. It’s open daily for tours and offers a private guest house, museum of Mayan artifacts, gift shop, and snack bar.  This hacienda is on the way to Uxmal and can be combined on a tour for a day trip.

Hacienda Sotuta de Peon

Sotuta de Peon is a restored, working hacienda in Merida.  Here you can see what henequen farming and production entails, as well as cool off in a cenote.  Stay for lunch at the onsite restaurant.

Hacienda Xcanatun

This hacienda is just a 20-minute drive from Merida’s center. After years in disrepair, Xcanatun was recently restored by new owners. You can now stay overnight or visit its restaurant and gardens. 

Hacienda Santa Cruz

Located just a few miles outside Merida, Hacienda Santa Cruz is a former Franciscan monastery built in 1640. Today it’s a boutique hotel where you can stay overnight , enjoy lunch, and indulge with a spa day.  

Hacienda Tours from Merida Want to experience Merida’s haciendas with the ease of a tour including transportation? Visit Uxmal with a stop for haciendas and cenotes, or step back in history to experience the working Hacienda Sotuta de Peon .

Where to Stay in Merida | Best Hotels in Merida Yucatan Mexico

In addition to the haciendas above, Merida has many boutique hotels, budget stays, and hostels to fit any travel style and budget.  Check out these top hotels conveniently located to Merida’s sights and near the historic district.

$$$ The Diplomat Boutique Hotel | Merida Chic Upscale Gem

The Diplomat is a chic boutique hotel just a quick 15-minute walk from the Plaza Grande. With a gorgeous outdoor pool, secluded setting, and fantastic service, this is a top pick in Merida. Did I mention their amazing breakfast? The Diplomat has also been rated a “Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best” hotel by TripAdvisor for 2022.

See more photos & rates for The Diplomat

$$$ Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel + Spa | Stylish Merida Hotel with Great Service

Rosas & Xocolate is a sophisticated boutique hotel located in two historic French-style mansions on the Paseo de Montejo. Guests love Rosas & Xocolate for its artistic design, beautiful outdoor pool, rooftop bar, and delicious breakfast. They also rave about its helpful staff.

See more photos & rates for Rosas & Chocolate

$$ Hotel Hacienda Mérida | Historic Hotel in the Merida City Center

Hotel Hacienda Mérida is a historic building which dates to 1840. Its rooms are set around a characteristic central courtyard, filled with tropical plants. Hotel Hacienda Merida is one of the top-rated hotels in the historic district, and features a charming design, comfy beds, and sparkling pool.

See more photos & rates for Hotel Hacienda Mérida

$$ Villa Orquídea Boutique Hotel | Stylish Merida Hotel Top Pick With Pool

Villa Orquídea is a centrally-located boutique hotel that gets rave reviews for its charming design, comfortable rooms, delicious brekkie, and gorgeous outdoor pool. This is a great pick for solo travelers because of its safe, friendly vibe and attentive staff.

See more photos & rates for Villa Orquídea Boutique Hotel

$ Hotelito YUM KAAX | Hotel with Bright Budget Suites & Kitchenettes

Hotelito YUM KAAX is a friendly, budget hotel close to the bus station and a short walk away from the Plaza Grande. With large bright suites, a kitchenette, pool, and exceptional reviews, this is a budget best-bet in Merida.

See more photos & rates for Hotelito YUM KAAX

$ Hotel La Piazzetta | Fun, Artistic Stay in Central Location

Hotel La Piazzetta might be the friendliest hotel in Merida! They have tons of “perfect 10” reviews for their personalized service, great location, comfortable rooms, and fun design. If you want an artistic setting and lots of tips and assistance for things to do, this is a great pick for you in Merida.

See more photos & rates for Hotel La Piazzetta

Looking for hostels in Merida? Be sure to check out Nomadas Hostel and Guaya Hostel !

Airbnb & VRBO Merida Historic Colonial Homes

Traveling with a group, or want the experience or staying in a historic colonial Merida home? I’ve got handpicked favorites for your stay, all with private pools.

Casa 411 | Merida Vacation Rental for 10 Guests

Beautifully restored colonial home in Merida Centro that sleeps up to 10 guests in 4 bedrooms. With a pool, living space, and full kitchen.

Casa Escalera al Cielo | Merida Home for 6 Guests

Stunning restored colonial home which sleeps up to 6 in the main house and casita. With a pool, lush garden, full kitchen, and central location.

Casa La Ermita | Colonial Home for 3 Guests

Charming colonial casa centrally located nine blocks from Plaza Grande and steps away from lovely La Ermita Park. With pool, garden, and kitchen.

How to Get to Merida, Mexico

Merida is easily accessible from other major cities in Yucatan and Quintana Roo such as Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Campeche. It’s also easy to reach from Mexico City with a quick flight, or on a longer route by bus. Get tips below on the best ways to get to Merida.

How to Get to Merida By Plane

Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID) is a five miles south of the city center, and has flights from several cities in the US as well as many connecting flights from Cancun. From the airport, the easiest way to get into town is via a taxi or shuttle bus. ADO buses also run into the city from the airport.

• Check flights to Merida on Skyscanner

How to Get to Merida By Car

From Cancun, Merida is about a 4-hour drive, 190 miles or 300km. It’s an easy drive on toll roads from Merida to Cancun. If you’re considering renting a car, be sure to read my guide to renting a car and driving in Mexico .

• Search car rental companies: Merida | Cancun | Tulum | Playa del Carmen

How to Get to Merida By Bus

Merida has two major bus stations. The main station known as “CAME” is located on Calle 70. Served by ADO and OCC, CAME is where you’ll be dropped off if you are coming from distant cities like Mexico City, Campeche, or Veracruz. There’s also the “2nd Class Bus Station”, located on Calle 69, which serves regional routes within Yucatán state.

• Check bus routes on ADO or reserve tickets with the app Busbud .

The Best Time to Visit Merida Mexico

Merida is a tropical destination, and is warm year-round. Winter is a great time to visit: from September to May, expect warm temperatures and low humidity, making for ideal sightseeing conditions. Summer is much more humid, and tropical storms are possible during the rainy season from June through October.

Visit Merida During a Festival

If you’d like to combine your trip to Merida with observing special festivals and holidays (or avoid them and the crowds they bring!), these are the major festivals and annual events in the capital of Yucatán state:

• Merida Fest: this festival occurs in January each year, and celebrates the founding of the city. Expect visual arts, theater, music and dance artists. In 2022, Merida will celebrate its 500th anniversary, so expect an extra-special Merida Fest celebration!
• Merida Carnaval in late Feb/early March : tracing its origins to the 19th century, this festival occurs jsut before lent and features parades, fireworks, music, and dancing.
• Semana Santa in March/April: the week leading up to Easter, known in English as Holy Week, is called “Semana Santa” in Latin American countries and is celebrated with processions, masses and other festivities.
• Mexico’s Independence Day September 16: usually celebrated the night before on the Plaza Grande, with music and fireworks,
• Hanal Pixán October 31, November 1 and 2: meaning “food for the souls” in the Mayan language, Hanal Pixán is how Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in the Yucatan Peninsula. A different ritual is observed each day. Departed children are remembered on Oct. 31, the known as the Day of the Little Angels, or Día de los Angelitos . Adults are remembered on Nov. 1, All Saints Day. November 2 is the day to commemmorate all departed with a mass on on All Souls Day, or Día de los Fieles Difuntos. (In Mayan, the days are called U Hanal Palal , U Hanal Nucuch Uinicoob , and U Hanal Pixanoob , respectively.)
• Christmas in Merida : throughout December, there are special events to celebrate Christmas beginning with Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe on December 12 until Día de los Reyes Magos on January 6.

“Expat” Life in Merida

The city of Merida has a large popoulation of Canadian and American “expats” who have chosen to relocate or retire to Merida either full-time or during the winter months. They are drawn here due to its relatively low cost of living, safe reputation, warm temperatures, and cultural offerings paired with modern services and amenities.

Packing Tips for Merida, Yucatan

Get tips on what to pack for Merida with my ultimate Mexico packing list!

Packng List forMexico From Cabo to Cancun + Outfits Inspo!

Grab these packing tips for museum hopping in Mexico City, relaxing on beaches, or climbing ruins and swimming in cenotes. From Cabo to Cancun and everywhere in between, this ultimate packing list for Mexico will have you covered!

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Mérida, Mexico Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting

By: Author Aly Smalls

Posted on Published: August 27, 2020  - Last updated: October 9, 2023

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A photographer, history buff, culture-seeker and foodie’s dream destination, Mérida is the next up and coming city to visit in Mexico. As our taxi driver put it in his endearingly broken but eloquent English, “Mérida is really growing up.” 

Upon visiting Mérida, Mexico for the first time, your initial impressions will include how much color surrounds you, how loud it is (in a good way), how clean and maintained the streets are and its old world charm and significant historical value. 

As soon as you enter the Centro (the city center), it embraces you with its proud vibrant heritage and you instantly fall in love. 

I loved visiting Mérida because it reminded me of wandering the streets of Paris or New Orleans .

Narrow cobblestone streets are encased by buildings, churches and facades of European-influence complete with adorable balconies. 

The heart of the city is full of energy, but just the right amount of busy. From street food to open air restaurants or the live music found in one of the many park squares, everyone is happy to be in Mérida. 

( This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust! )

If you’re visiting Merida for the first time, here are my top tips for visiting this fascinating city.

Is Mérida Mexico Worth Visiting? 

If you’re in search of somewhere in Mexico that’s authentic, full of history, safe, easy to get around, inexpensive and has an impressive amount of things to do within the city and dozens of more options for day trips in the area – then yes, Mérida is worth visiting. 

As a beautiful inland city, Mérida is not a beach destination. But if you do need your fill of the beach, Progesso can be reached within 40 minutes.

If you’re planning to be in the city for a week or more, Progresso would be a nice beach break. I wouldn’t recommend staying there though, as it’s a cruise ship port, so crowds will be plentiful and prices will be higher.

Is Mérida Safe?

Not only is it one of the safest cities in Mexico, Mérida is currently considered one of the safest places in the world. The municipal police who roam around town aren’t even armed!

And there are ‘tourist police’ who watch out for the tourists and even help you cross the street (there are a lot of traffic circles)!

One officer generously offered to help us cross a busy traffic circle so that we could go take photos of the Monumento a La Patria, a must see on Paseo Montejo.

Not only is the city safe, the locals are some of the most friendly, happy and outgoing that we’ve met on multiple trips to Mexico. 

Read Next: 26 Practical Tips for Visiting Mexico (I promise you will use at least several)!

What is Mérida, Mexico Known For?

Mérida is the oldest city in North America, since it was the most populous area during the Mayan civilization times.

It was one of the first cities to be conquered by the Spanish who discovered the Yucatan in the early 1500s.

There is evidence all over the city with year stamps over many of the churches in buildings dating back to the 1500s. 

Mérida is also nicknamed “the white city” due to many buildings originally built with the abundance of limestone in the area. 

Merida is also surrounded by the ‘cenote zone’, the largest concentration of Cenotes in Mexico.

This half-moon cenote zone actually follows the perimeter of the crater caused by the massive meteorite that crashed into the Yucatan Peninsula and is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. 

How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Mérida? 

I would recommend staying in Mérida for at least 4 nights, but of course more if your travel itinerary allows. Try to overlap your visit on a weekend to experience the full energy of the city!

We stayed 4 nights in Mérida which was enough time to see and experience many attractions both in the city and a couple of half-day trips.

However, I would have loved to spend a couple weeks here. I think Mérida is the perfect destination for anyone who loves slow travel .

The heart of the city is the Plaza Grande, which is right in the middle of the downtown or ‘centro.’ The streets are easy to navigate, making it a perfect city to explore. And while the main plaza is always hopping, don’t miss other great parks and squares like Santa Ana (which has a great outdoor lunch market) or Santa Lucia.

Where to Stay in Mérida, Mexico

I recommend choosing a hotel or an Airbnb somewhere in the Centro of Mérida (city center). We stayed at Hotel Casa Carmita , which we loved!

It was less than $100 per night (in Canadian dollars, over Christmas holidays) and included a hot cooked breakfast each morning. There’s an adorable courtyard and it was only about a 7 minute walk to the Plaza Grande (central square). 

My other hotel choices about where to stay in Mérida would be: Piedra de Agua for the perfect central location, great prices and old world colonial charm.

] recommend using Booking.com for hotels as most places now allow free cancellation (no questions asked) up until a couple days before check-in. 

If you want to rent an Airbnb in Mérida , I highly recommend these three apartments. When we visited in the month of December, they were all priced around $100 per night (that’s in Canadian dollars) and each have their own pool and are rated 4.97 out of 5 stars. 

While we opted to stay in a boutique hotel, the next time we visit Merida, we are planning to stay longer and will be renting an Airbnb. If you’re new to Airbnb unsure about using this platform, check out my guide to finding the perfect Airbnb every time. 

If you’re visiting Merida for the first time, I suggest staying somewhere in the northern half of the Centro.

We found that it was a little quieter and closer to the Paseo 60 ADO Bus terminal, which is a much nicer and (and less hectic) bus station than centro. 

As long as you are staying anywhere within the Centro, it will be a close walk to anything and it will be safe. 

Transportation – How to Get to There and Getting Around Mérida

While you can catch a 2 hour flight from Houston, Texas, most people from North America find Mérida by flying to Cancún and taking the 4 hour ADO bus ride to the city. 

We took the ADO bus, and it was quite comfortable. The seats have plugins and little hangers for your purse/bag and there is a washroom on board. Plus, it was cheaper, about $30 per person for the trip.

You will be doing a lot of walking in Mérida (everything is reasonably close together in the downtown), so I would bring a comfortable pair of walking sandals or shoes.

The sidewalks get quite narrow on many of the streets, but be sure to stay on them as most of the streets are one-way and cars get very close to the curbs. 

As long as you’re in the Centro, it is a very easy city to navigate. It was built in a grid pattern and so the roads that run north-south are even numbers and the roads that run east-west are all odd numbers. 

That being said, there are taxis available everywhere, and Uber is readily available in Mérida and very cheap. You can use the same Uber app you have on your phone. 

What to Do in Mérida, Mexico 

From exploring the history, culture and architecture in the Centro to day-tripping to the surrounding region, Mérida has fascinating attractions to keep you busy. Here’s a sample of what you can do:

• Enjoy views of the massive Cathedral at Plaza Grande (and have fun finding epic spots to take photos of this beautiful park). 

• Share a moment in the kissing chairs.

• Find the pink barbie doll mansion.

• Explore the mansions on Paseo de Montejo.

• Shop at all the night markets.

• Mingle with the locals at a Cantina (enjoy free appies with your drinks).

• Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage through the old colonial neighborhoods .

• Try scrumptious Yucatean foods (Poc Chuc and Sopa de Lima).

• Go on a cenote safari .

• Explore Mayan ruins .

>> Read more about the 26 Best Things To Do in Merida Here <<

Travel Tips Before Visiting Mérida

It gets hot.

A few quick things to know about Mérida before you visit – Mérida is located inland, not on the coast, it will be about a 45 minute drive to get to the closest beach, Progesso.

Because of this, Mérida gets pretty hot and not as humid as other parts of Mexico, so we really enjoyed the weather here! 

Helps to Know a Little Spanish

While it’s an up and coming city, there is not as much English spoken here compared to more touristy areas like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Puerto Vallarta . We are not fluent, but we know a few phrases and key words in Spanish, which really helped. 

We also used the Google Translate app on our phones a lot and that helped! However, we did meet some fellow Americans on our trip who admitted they didn’t know any Spanish, and they’ve been getting by just fine! 

One of the best things about visiting Mérida right now is that it’s not an expensive city. We found food and drink prices, even hotels, were much lower than other places we’ve traveled to in Mexico. 

Your pesos will go a long way here compared to the more touristy places in Mexico.

Restaurants and What to Eat

If you stay away from restaurants that surround the Plaza Grande, you’ll find very reasonably priced meals for $10 or less (usd) per entree.

We ventured to Chaya Maya because of the hype, and I wouldn’t recommend it (too busy, overpriced and you find the same Yucatean food in most places).

The following night we just wandered around Centro and found Espacios Mayas and it was one of the best meals we had on the trip.

Don’t miss lunch or dinner at El Trapiche. And be sure to visit a Cantina – you can tell because it will have the saloon doors. La Negrita was a special experience!

Anywhere you go, be sure to try the region’s specialty dishes – we loved Sopa de Lima and Poc Chuc.

And many of the main squares have free WiFi, but it can be slow. We use a pocket WiFi device, like Skyroam , when we travel that we can easily navigate wherever we are and plan our days accordingly. 

Enjoy your time visiting Mérida! It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Mexico – you will love it!

If you liked this post, be sure to subscribe to my email list to be notified when I publish new posts – Mexico is one of our most traveled destinations!

Looking for More to Do in The Yucatan?

Visit the Valladolid Area (half-way between Mérida and Cancun) for the ultimate off-the-beaten path itinerary

Or Try Holbox Island for the Ultimate Mexico Island Vacation

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51 Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico in 2024 (with Map)

Looking for the top Merida Mexico things to do ?

You’re in the right place because I lived in Merida Mexico for many years, and in this article, I’m going to show you all the best things to do in Merida, “The Cultural Capital of the Yucatan Peninsula.”

Known as one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Merida, Mexico — the capital of Yucatan state, and the largest city in it.

From grand monuments and historic buildings, to colorful streets and charming cafes, you’ll never run out of things to see in Merida on your trip.

If you do, these 25 Best Merida Day Trips offer more things to do in Yucatan within 1-3 hours of the city.

Ready to dive in and explore the 51 Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico that you won’t want to miss? Let’s get to it!

🗺️ BONUS: For your convenience, all Merida things to do mentioned in the article have been pinned to the Merida map at the end of the article.

The Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico

1. stay in a renovated merida hacienda.

Merida real estate is on a whole other level! It even garners international press attention with houses featured everywhere, from Architectural Digest to The New York Times.

To get the whole Merida travel experience, you’ll want to stay in a place that sets the tone before we get to all the amazing things to do in Merida.

To this end, I don’t think I’d be a good city guide if I didn’t help you pick the best accommodations in Merida!

In case you didn’t know, Merida real estate is stunning! You might have even seen it featured in magazines and The New York Times — so don’t pass up the chance to enjoy the best Merida rentals on your trip.

There are gorgeous Merida VRBO and Airbnbs you can rent to soak in the laid-back Yucatan Mexico vibes — like CasaBlanca (seen above) — and even more featured in this article, The 12 Best Airbnbs in Merida Mexico .

Prefer a hotel in Merida to an Airbnb?

Here are the 12 Best Merida Boutique Hotels and 17 Best Yucatan Haciendas (That You Can Stay In) .

Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico

2. stroll paseo de montejo.

There’s no shortage of pretty things to see in Merida Mexico. Some of the best parts of the city are located along and around the Paseo de Montejo — AKA the most prime real estate in Merida, Mexico.

This walkable, tree-lined street is full of history and some of the most beautiful buildings in Merida.

Paseo Montejo has numerous beautiful buildings, cute cafes and chic shops along the way, so go ahead and walk the whole street — though you’ll find some of the highlights listed below.

The Paseo is about 13 city blocks long (2 miles; 3.2km) and runs north-to-south. You can start at either side, and walk all the way to the other.

It goes from a small park called El Remate on the south side, and ends two miles north at the Monumento a la Patria . This iconic structure is the most photographed Paseo Montejo monument.

💡 Merida Travel Tips: North of this monument, the street name changes to Prolongacion Paseo de Montejo, and there’s not much to see or do, so you can stop at the monument.

best THINGS TO DO IN MERIDA MEXICO

3. visit centro historico (downtown merida).

Centro de Merida (the Merida Downtown City Center, or Historic Center) never gets old!

There are just many colorful homes, vintage cantinas , beautiful colonial architecture, street food stalls, pretty parks with bougainvillea bushes, and so many more things to see, do, eat and photograph .

Many cultural events and Instagram-worthy Merida places are in Plaza Grande — and all are pinned on the FREE Merida Map at the end of this article.

These include the Merida Cathedral and the big, colorful letters spelling out MERIDA (#4 on this list).

You’ll find letters just like these in popular cities throughout Mexico, and they make for one of the quintessential Merida photos.

4. Take a Photo of the Merida Sign

Throughout major cities and Mexico tourism destinations, you’ll find signs with colorful letters spelling out the town’s name.

In Merida, the sign is located in Plaza Grande (Main Plaza). It makes for one of the most popular Merida photo spots, especially with the Merida Cathedral in the background.

💡 Merida Travel Tips: Whenever you’re looking for things to do in Merida Centro, you can always head to Plaza Grande.

Besides the letters, there’s the Merida Cathedral , Museo Casa Montejo , Museo Fernando García Ponce (MACAY) , and more to see in this central part of town.

5. People-Watch in Plaza Grande

Located in Downtown Merida, Plaza Grande is the Main Plaza or Main Square. It is also known as the Zocalo, and is as old as the city itself.

Enjoy some quiet time people-watching in the park, then see all the sites around the park, including the Merida Cathedral and Casa de Montejo Museum — one of the best museums in Merida Mexico .

Besides the things to do around Merida listed here, check out my articles on boutique hotels , Merida haciendas , Merida Airbnb/VRBO rentals, and the best hotels in Merida , when determining where to stay.

6. Marvel at the Merida Cathedral

The San Ildefonso Cathedral was built throughout the 16th Century, from 1561 to 1598. It is one of the oldest cathedrals in the entire Americas Continent, and the biggest church in Merida.

The outside and inside are both very beautiful — just remember to be quiet and respectful if you take photos inside this Merida church.

7. See the Merida Cathedral Video Mapping Show

On Friday nights at 8 p.m., there’s an impressive video mapping display on the side of the Merida Cathedral.

Piedras Sagradas (Sacred Stones) tells the history of Yucatan and Merida local culture in a 20-minute audio/video show.

The show is in Spanish, but even if you don’t understand it, you’ll be able to follow along with the pretty images. 

There is limited seating, and if you want a seat, you’ll want to arrive by 7:30 pm.

8. Photograph the Monumento a la Patria

When it comes to beautiful places to see in Merida Mexico if you want to get those swoon-worthy Merida photos, you have to add Monumento a la Patria to your itinerary.

The Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Fatherland) is beautiful both during the day and at night when lit up with different colored lights.

Unlike many monuments, you can go right up to this one to check out the details.

Made by Colombian sculptor Rómulo Rozo , it features more than 300 hand-carved figures, chronicling about 700 years of Mexican history.

On it, you’ll see artistic representations of the establishment of Tenochtitlan (present-day Mexico City ), the Mayan rain god, Chaac, and more.

9. Eat Brunch at Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel

Not only is Rosas & Xocolate one of the best boutique hotels in Merida , but they’re also one of the best Merida brunch spots.

Head there for the Sunday Jazz Brunch to enjoy the live musicians on the outdoor patio, though the brunch is great any day of the week.

From the second you walk in, you’re transported to a bohemian jungle that meets modern, clean lines, complete with a resort hotel, luxury spa, outdoor cafe, indoor restaurant/bar and boutique artisan shop if you want to buy some souveniers .

This pretty pink boutique Merida hotel is located right on Paseo Montejo, so you get the added bonus of great people-watching.

🏩 Want to Stay at Rosas & Xocolate Merida Hotel?

Rosas & Xocolate is one of the best hotels in Merida , and it definitely has the best location on Paseo Montejo, so you can walk to everything.

It also has an on-site spa, restaurant, boutique shop, and a prized location. There are only a handful of rooms in Rosas & Xocolate Merida, so don’t hesitate to reserve this gorgeous boutique hotel in Merida.

10. Visit the Mayan World Museum of Merida (Best Merida Museum)

Want to check out the best museums in Merida ?

Then you must head to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (Mayan World Museum), which houses the largest collection of Mayan art and artifacts in Merida.

For those visitors who won’t make it out to see the Mayan Ruins near Merida , this is the next best option.

Located about 20 minutes by taxi or Uber outside of downtown, this is known as the best museum in Merida — and it’s worth a trip for art and history lovers.

Make sure you’re taking an Uber or taxi, as public transportation isn’t great in Merida.

• Merida Travel Tips: Mayan World Museum is closed on Tuesdays, as are most Merida museums .
• Mayan World Museum Merida Address: Calle 60 Norte #299, Merida, 97110
• Mayan World Museum Hours: Open Wednesday-Monday, 9 am-5 pm
• Mayan World Museum Admission Cost: $150 pesos (about $10 USD)

11. Have Lunch at Manjar Blanco (As Seen on Netflix)

While it’s not the only Merida Netflix restaurant on the list, Manjar Blanco is the first one!

As seen on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, Season 2, Episode 2 called “Cochinita Pibil,” you’ll meet Señora Miriam Peraza, the restaurant’s owner.

She, along with a team of fellow abuelas (grandmas) cook up traditional Yucatan food by hand — the traditional way.

Aiming to preserve this region’s unique culinary traditions and regional flavors, they are doing something right to have caught the eye of this popular Netflix show.

• Manjar Blanco Address: Calle 47 #496, Colonia Centro, Merida, 97000
• Manjar Blanco Hours: Open daily, 8am-6pm
• 💁‍♀️ Pro Tip: Try their famous queso relleno negro, the house speciality.

Fun THINGS TO DO IN MERIDA MEXICO

12. tour the palacio de gobierno.

Built in 1892, the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) houses Yucatan state’s executive government offices.

This pretty green building is lovely from the outside, but do head inside if it’s open.

Check out both floors for some pretty Merida photos and to see the beautiful art.

Hanging on the walls, there are murals and oil paintings by local artist Fernando Castro Pacheco, depicting the Yucatan Peninsula’s history.

• Palacio de Gobierno Address: Calle 60, between Calles 61 and 59, Merida, 97000
• Palacio de Gobierno Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm
• Palacio de Gobierno Admission Cost: FREE

13. Take a Photo on the Merida Big Chairs in Parque Santa Lucia

In Parque Santa Lucia (Saint Lucia’s Park), you’ll find the famous and Instagrammable Merida giant white chairs.

Though they don’t always look like it in photos, these huge chairs stand at almost 8 feet tall (2.5m).

These chairs, located all over Merida and the Yucatan, go by a lot of names: Sillas Tú y Yo (You and I Chairs), Sillas Confidentes (Confidants’ Chairs), and Kissing Chairs.

Regardless of the name you call them, you’ll want your photo sitting on these giant white chairs in Merida. It’s one of the coolest Merida tourist attractions you should take photos of.

🪑 Want to know more about these famous Yucatan chairs ? Just click that link!

14. Enjoy Dinner & Dancing in Santa Lucia Park at Night

Parque Santa Lucia is pretty during the day, but it comes alive after the sun goes down.

There’s often live music and dancing, and all the restaurants open — transforming this unassuming park into the perfect place to enjoy dinner al fresco, listen to music and people-watch.

Some of the best restaurants in Downtown Merida are located here, like Apoala for traditional Oaxacan food , Avec Amour, a French-Mexican fusion bistro, and Rosa Sur 32°, a hip and beautiful gastrobar.

15. Marvel at Museo Palacio Canton

Museo Palacio Canton (Canton Palace Museum) is undeniably the most photographed building in Merida.

This museum is also the biggest and most iconic of Paseo de Montejo’s grand European-style buildings, with its stunning Old World design, both inside and out.

Recently, the museum’s name changed to Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán (Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatán), as it now houses a small collection of Mayan artifacts.

Locally, however, everyone still knows it as Palacio Canton or Palacio Canton Museum.

• Palacio Canton Address: Paseo de Montejo #485, Merida, 97000
• Palacio Canton Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 8 am-5 pm
• Palacio Canton Admission Cost: $65 pesos ($3 USD)

16. BiciRuta Merida Bike Ride (Best Free Things to Do in Merida)

WHAT IS THE MERIDA BICIRUTA?

The BiciRuta, which means “bike route,” is a city-wide bike ride in Merida that takes place Sunday morning along Paseo Montejo, from about 8 am-12 pm.

This is one of the most popular things to do in Merida, both for visitors and those living in Merida.

There are both FREE bike rentals (if you get there early enough) and paid bike rentals available for Merida visitors; some renters require a passport, and some only need an ID/driver’s license.

On weekends, this is one of the top Merida attractions, great for fitness and people-watching. If you’re looking for things to do Sunday in Merida, the BiciRuta is it.

If you’re not a morning person, there’s also a nighttime Merida bike ride on Saturday nights called Biciruta Nocturna .

17. Photograph the Hotel Casa Azul

The Hotel Casa Azul (Blue House Hotel) is super pretty and has actually been declared a national historic monument. It is also one of the best hotels in Merida Mexico , with near-perfect reviews.

Its light blue exterior makes for a beautiful photo, but so does the interior courtyard — just ask nicely and the front desk staff will let you snap some quick photos.

• Hotel Casa Azul Address: Calle 60 #343, Colonia Centro, Merida, 97000

18. Shop the Boutiques at Casa Tho

Casa Tho Concept House bears the Mayan name for the city of Merida — T’hō.

It’s the perfect place to stroll, shop in Merida and have a snack when you’re looking for what to do in Merida Yucatan on a lazy afternoon.

It is a renovated mansion surrounding a pretty courtyard that has about 10 individual boutique shops with clothing, jewelry, perfume, bath products and more.

If you’re hungry or thirsty after shopping, grab a bite to eat and a cocktail of coffee at T’hō Apertivo , the Casa Tho cafe.

📍 Casa Tho Address: Paseo de Montejo #498, Merida, 97000 

19. Visit Parroquia Santa Ana Church

Built in 1733, the Parroquia Santa Ana (Parrish/Church of Saint Ana) is one of several photogenic spots in the hip Santa Ana neighborhood.

In the adjoining Santa Ana Park, you’ll find some of Merida’s famous Tu y Yo (You and I) white chairs and the open-air Mercado Santa Ana (market).

At the mercado, be sure to try some traditional Yucatan food, like cochinita pibil (pulled pork) and sopa de lima (lime soup with chicken).

💋 History of the Yucatan Kissing Chairs

These white chairs go by several names: Tu y Yo Chairs (You and I), Sillas Confidantes (Confidant Chairs), and Kissing Chairs.

You’ll find them throughout Downtown Merida and Yucatan state , but their true origins remain unknown.

One widely accepted theory is that hundreds of years ago, an overprotective father created the chairs so his daughter and the young man courting her could sit together.

With the unique design of the Sillas Tu y Yo Chairs, they could talk without touching one another — getting to know each other in the most modest way possible.

20. Take the Merida FREE Walking Tour

Looking for free things to do in Merida?

You’re in luck because the Free Walking Tour of Merida is a great way to get to know this historic, colonial city.

They are led by your own personal, local guide to Merida!

The Merida Tourism Office offers free, one-hour walking tours from Monday to Saturday. Guides are bi- or multi-lingual and speak English.

Tours start at 9:30 a.m. but try to show up by 9:15 a.m. Meet your guide on the first floor of Palacio Municipal , the pink building in Plaza Grande Merida.

💡 Merida Travel Tips: It is customary to tip as payment for these types of city walking tours. Please consider tipping your guide at least $100-200 pesos ($7-12 USD) per person, though more is welcome.

21. Relax at Parque Hidalgo

Of all Downtown Merida parks, Parque Hidalgo (Hidalgo’s Park) tends to be the most relaxing.

Looking for things to do in Merida at night? On most nights, there’s a great night market in Parque Hidalgo where you can buy hand-made jewelry, hammocks, clothing, purses and artisan craft souvenirs.

Get an ice cream at the Santa Clara, or a coffee at Starbucks, then sit on the white Kissing Chairs and people-watch. 📡 Bonus: There’s free WiFi in Parque Hidalgo.

Before leaving Parque Hidalgo, head inside El Gran Hotel and Hotel Caribe Merida , to see their beautiful, historic lobbies.

Located right across the street, Parque de la Madre (Mother’s Park), Iglesia de Jesus (Jesus’ Church), and the La Bella Epoca building are all quite photo-worthy.

22. Learn About and Eat Yucatan Foods at Merida Gastronomy Museum

The Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca , or MUGY, is part restaurant, part museum where you can learn all about Yucatecan cuisine.

Many Merida visitors are shocked to learn that Yucatecan food is different than traditional Mexican food .

At MUGY, you’ll sample all the best Yucatan foods , like cochinita pibil (suckling pig), sopa de lima (lime soup) and poc chuc (grilled pork). While you’re waiting for your food, you can take the short museum tour. 

Located just outside of the restaurant, there’s a recreation of a traditional Mayan village with traditional kitchens.

In each kitchen, you’ll learn about the three recados (spices mixed into a paste) used throughout traditional Yucatan cuisine to give it a unique taste.

• 📍 Merida Gastronomy Museum Address : Calle 62 #466, Merida, 97000
• ⏰ Merida Gastronomy Museum Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 am-10:30 pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10 am-10:30 pm  

Want to try more authentic Yucatecan cuisine?

Head to La Chaya Maya, one of the most popular restaurants in Merida Centro. There are two locations, but the La Chaya Maya Casona location on Calle 55 is much prettier.

23. Visit Museo Casa Montejo Museum

The outside of the Museo Casa Montejo (Montejo House Museum) is itself a work of art.

It is one of only a few examples seen in Mexico of the architectural style called plateresque, found mostly in Europe and brought to Merida in the time of the Spanish conquistadors.

🎨 Prefer contemporary art? Head to the nearby Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida, formerly known as Museo Fernando García Ponce (MACAY).

As the name implies, the Casa Montejo Museum is also a house, and even housed Merida’s elite Montejo family until the late 1800s.

Well preserved, the inside is like going back in time. Head there to see what’s on display in the gallery, as there are rotating exhibits all year.

• 📍 Museo Casa Montejo Address: Calle 63 #506, Merida, 97000
• ⏰ Museo Casa Montejo Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-7 pm
• 🎟️ Museo Casa Montejo Admission Cost: FREE

24. Catch a Pok Ta Pok Mayan Ball Game

Pok Ta Pok is an ancient Mayan game that’s been played for centuries.

In fact, if you’re visiting Chichen Itza , you’ll see the world’s large Pok Ta Pok ball court at this sacred site. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and a great place to experience real Mayan culture.

You can also see the Pok Ta Pok ball court at Uxmal, one of the best Mayan Ruins in Yucatan Mexico , which is located about 1.5 hours from Merida.

It was said that members of the losing team would be sacrificed to the gods in centuries past, as this was a serious game.

Nowadays, you can watch a (peaceful) reenactment of this ballgame on Saturday nights, from about 8 pm-9 pm, in front of the Cathedral. 

25. Have a Rooftop Dinner at Picheta

For the best views of the cathedral, enjoy dinner on the outdoor patio at Picheta .

If you don’t want a full meal, opt for tapas, desserts and drinks at what’s undoubtedly the best rooftop bar in Merida.

The menu features traditional Yucatecan cuisine , prepared with a contemporary twist and fine dining presentation.

As one of the best Merida restaurants , you’ll want to make a reservation for both indoor and outdoor dining at this popular spot.  

• 📍 Picheta Address : Calle 61 #501, Merida, 97000
• ⏰ Picheta Hours: Monday-Thursday, 5 pm-10 pm; Friday-Sunday, 2 pm-10 pm  

26. Shop the Merida en Domingo Sunday Market

During the day on Sundays, the streets shut down to cars for a while, and Plaza Grande transforms into a street market and fair.

If you’re looking to pick up some Merida souvenirs and traditional Mayan handicrafts, Merida en Domingo (Merida Sunday Market) is the perfect palace.

If you pass by at the right time, you’ll catch the Vaquería folkloric dance show, and the beautiful Boda Mestiza, a recreation of a traditional wedding ceremony.

top THINGS TO DO IN MERIDA MEXICO

27. check out merida’s restaurant row.

Head to the southern end of Paseo Montejo to Calle 47 (47th Street), which is sometimes referred to as Restaurant Row.

Here — you guessed it — you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Merida , and the trendiest cafes. Check out these favorites:

🍷🍽 Best merida restaurants on Calle 47

• Micaela Mar y Leña : Mexican/Yucatecan fusion, with a seafood focus. ( Note: This is my personal favorite Merida restaurant!)
• Catrin : Hip Yucatecan gastropub with funky artwork.
• Oliva Enoteca : Upscale Italian food, with a great wine list.
• Amado by The Beer Box : Beautiful indoor/outdoor restaurant with live jazz several nights per week.

☕️ Best merida cafes ON CALLE 47

• Cafe Latte Quattro Sette : One of the prettiest Merida coffee shops, with decadent pastries.
• Te Extraño, Extraño : Beautiful indoor/outdoor breakfast and lunch cafe; located just around the corner from Calle 47 in the Lagala Building.
• Baretto Espresso Bar : European-style cafe, perfect for a quick coffee and pastries.
• Centro Cultural Punto MID: Part book store, part cute cafe with cool art on the walls.
• Menta y Rosa : Adorable pink and mint green-colored cafe; located just around the corner from Calle 47.

28. Enjoy a late night meal at Cafe Impala

Cafeteria Impala, a favorite among locals that’s located at the intersection of Calle 47 and Paseo Montejo.

This indoor/outdoor old school diner is both Instagrammable and has stood the test of time, serving delicious food at one of the best restaurants in Merida since 1958.

This Merida institution is popular day and night, but many love to head there after Sunday morning Merida bike ride along the Paseo Montejo, called the BiciRutta 🚴‍♀️

• 📍 Cafe Impala Address: Calle 56A #500, between Calles 47 and 45, Merida, 97000
• ⏰ Cafe Impala Hours: Open daily, 8 am -1 am

29. Admire the El Pinar House

El Pinar (The Pine Grove) is one of the most Instagram worthy Merida homes. When you see it, you’ll know why!

This French-style mansion is actually privately owned, so you can’t go in; however, you can snap some photos through the gate, like I did in the photo above.

📍 El Pinar Merida Address: Calle 60, between Avenida Colon and Calle 35, Merida, 97000

30. Go Organic at the Saturday Slow Food Market

A short walk from El Pinar, head to the best Merida farmer’s market — the Slow Food Market — held Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you want to cook while staying in Merida, you can pick up all your organic meats, produce, fresh-baked bread, olive oils, artisan products, and more.

📍 Slow Food Market Merida Address: Calle 33ᴰ #498, Reparto Dolores Patrón, Merida, 97070 

32. Create your own Perfume at Coqui Coqui Merida

Located in a converted colonial home, the Coqui Coqui store wears many hats — Perfumeria (perfume store), spa and one-room hotel in Merida.

In fact, it is one of the best spas in Merida, and also one of the best boutique hotels in Merida, Mexico . Head there for some beautiful photos and to create your own custom perfume scent. Definitely unique things to do in Merida Mexico.

• 🍽️ Merida Travel Tip: You must make a reservation to visit Coqui Coqui
• 📍 Coqui Coqui Merida Address: Calle 55 516, Merida, 97000

33. Shop for Authentic Merida Souvenirs

There are numerous authentic Yucatan souvenirs you can buy in Merida! For a complete guide to Merida souvenirs from Mexico, head to What to Buy in Merida: 15 Best Mexico Souvenirs in Merida .

From hand-made hammocks and Mayan huipil-style garments, to local Mayan honey, habanero salsa and chocolate, you’re sure to leave Merida with plenty of amazing keepsakes to remember your trip.

🛍 Looking to do a lot of shopping in Merida? You’ll find a list of the best malls in Merida in the linked article.

34. Visit the Historic UADY Campus

The Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (Autonomous University of the Yucatan), or UADY for short, is a college campus. That being the case, you can’t just roam it freely.

However, the Moroccan-inspired courtyard right at the entrance is the most beautiful part of UADY, along with its grand entrance door.

📍 UADY Address: Calle 60 491A, Merida, 97000

35. Visit Merida Arches: Arco de Dragones, Arco del Puente & Arco de San Juan

The Merida Arco de Dragones (Dragon’s Arch) and Arco del Puente (Bridge Arch) are two of Merida’s three remaining arches that still stand today.

There were originally eight, but the others have fallen over the years.

These two of the three are located on both ends of Calle 50 (50th Street), so when you’re standing at one, you can see the other.

For photos, the Arco de Dragones is on the less crowded side of the street.

Located on the outermost edge of downtown, the Arco de San Juan (Saint John’s Arch) is the prettiest of the three arches.

It located on a side of town where you’ll get a glimpse at true local life, away from tourists.

🚶‍♀️ Merida Travel Tip: Walk under the Arco de San Juan, heading southwest on Calle 64 (64th Street) to see a whole street full of cute, colorful buildings.

If you go see it, don’t miss the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (Church of Saint John the Baptist) and Parque de San Juan (Saint John’s Park) right next to the arch.

• Arco de Dragones: Calle 50 and Calle 61
• Arco del Puente: Calle 50 and Calle 63
• Arco de San Juan: Calle 64 and Calle 69A

36. Eat at Taqueria La Lupita (As Seen on Netflix)

Located at Parque Santiago, inside the Mercado de Santiago (Santiago Market), you’ll find La Lupita Taquería.

This no-frills Mexico taco shop was featured on Netflix’s Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat , in Episode 3 called “Acid,” hosted by James Beard Award-winning Chef Samin Nosrat.

While there, sample some traditional panuchos and salbutes, and wash it all down with a piña con chaya drink.

This is a great place for cheap eats in Merida, as you can have three tacos and a drink for about $7 USD.

📍 Mercado de Santiago Address: On Calle 57, Between Calles 50 and 52, Merida, 97000

37. Enjoy Dinner & Live Music at Mercado 60

Mercado 60 is a trendy food hall, with several vendors selling everything from tacos to pizza.

There’s live music on weekends, but it’s just a fun, outdoor spot any day of the week with a lot of food options to satisfy everyone in your group.

📍 Mercado 60 Address: Calle 60 #461, Merida, 97000

38. Check out Lucas de Galvez Market

If you want to see a traditional Mexican market, head to Mercado Lucas de Galves .

This is the largest market in Merida, where you can shop for fresh fruits, spices, flowers and souvenirs.

• 📍 Lucas de Galvez Address: Calle 56 and Calle 65A, Merida, 97000
• ⚠️ Note: It’s great for photos, shopping and cheap eats, but it can be a bit hectic. You’ll want to pay extra attention to your belongings here.

39. Have Botanas & Drinks at the Merida Cantinas

In Merida, traditional cantinas are a big part of the culture — and among the most unique things to do in Mérida.

There are ones that cater more towards visitors, like Dzalbay Cantina and La Negrita Cantina (which many call the best cantina in Merida), and others frequented more by locals. 

🍻 Among the favorite things for visitors who want to imbibe, don’t miss this Merida Cantina Crawl Tour (Rated 5 Stars)!

Some of the more locals’ spots include El Cardenal and Lucero de Alba. At the latter, enjoy some day drinking and botanas, which are basically Yucatan tapas.

Similar to tapas in Spain, when drinking in a traditional Merida cantina, you’ll be offered free botanas, or small plates.

40. Go Bar Hopping at the Best Merida Bars

Looking for things to do in Merida at night?

While many cantinas close by 8pm, some stay open later — like Dzalbay Cantina and La Negrita Merida Cantina .

To check out some of the other best bars in Merida, head to the Casa Chica on Paseo Montejo, Malahat, La Fundación Mezcaleria, Pipiripau and Mayan Pub.

40. Casa Montejo 495 (Casas Gemelas)

Casa 495, one of the two Casas Gemelas (Twin Houses), is like stepping back in time.

The other house is privately owned, but Casa 495, a European Renaissance-style mansion, opened its doors to the public in early 2021.

The inside of the home has been well preserved, and reflects the esthetic style popular in Merida during the early-1900s, when Casa 495 was built.

Within this picturesque mansion, you’ll see tapestries from all over the world, sculptures, paintings, stained glass windows and more.

• 🏛️ Merida Travel Tips: Casa 495 Museum is closed Tuesdays, as are most Merida museums .
• 📍 Casa 495 Address: Paseo de Montejo #495, Mérida Mx, 97000
• ⏰ Casa 495 Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am-5 pm
• 🎟️ Casa 495 Admission Cost: $250 pesos ($13 USD)

41. Stroll Pasaje a la Revolucion

The Pasaje a la Revolución (Revolution Passageway) isn’t a museum per se , but it often has a FREE public art display.

Located between the Merida Cathedral and Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Museum, you’ll find a rotating lineup of art installations from both Mexican and international artists.

🖼️ Want to see more museums in Merida?

Don’t miss the Quinta Montes Molina (AKA Casa Museo Montes Molina), with tours by reservation only. This is the home Francisco de Montejo and “the Montejos” lived in — the founders of Merida, Mexico.

42. Fundacion de Artistas

You won’t see this place on any other Merida travel lists, because the Fundación de Artistas (Artist Foundation in Merida) is one of the true Merida hidden gems.

This unique space is an art gallery with a boutique store and café outside in a beautiful courtyard.

• 📍 Fundacion de Artistas Merida Address: Calle 55 #520, Mérida Yucatán, 97000
• ⚠️ Note: It seems the Merida Artist Foundation is temporarily closed, but I’m leaving them on the list in the hopes they re-open soon. To check the status, visit their Instagram .

Best Merida Day Trips: Beaches, Ruins, Cenotes

All of the places listed above are located within Merida city Mexico limits, but if you want to venture outside of the city, there’s also a ton of options.

Given its central location in the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is the ideal home base for exploring Yucatan — including the haciendas , beaches, Yucatan pueblos magicos (magic towns), cenotes, and Misnébalam , a ghost town in Mexico!

There are nine great day trips from Merida featured below, but for even more options check out these articles:

• Merida Cenotes You Must Visit
• Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
• Amazing Ancient Mayan Ruins Near Merida
• Best Day Trips From Merida
• Merida to Campeche City Day Trip
• Valladolid Mexico Travel Guide

43. Progreso Beach

Puerto Progreso is the closest beach to Merida, and is considered one of the best Gulf of Mexico beach towns. (⚠️ Note: There are no beaches in Merida Mexico itself.)

Located about 45 minutes away, the easiest way to get from Merida to Progreso is on the AutoProgreso bus , which costs just $21 pesos ($1 USD) each way.

🏝 Related Article: 15 Best Merida Beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula

Once you get to Progreso, stroll down the oceanfront Malecon (Walkway) for a bite to eat and souvenir shopping.

Pick a spot to rent a beach chair, or head to one of the best Progreso beach clubs, Silcer Beach Club and El HaGuay, which is just next to the Progreso letters sign.

For a sunset dinner before returning to Merida, head to the western end of the beach to eat at one of the best restaurants in Progreso — Eladio’s Bar, a locals’ favorite.

For a more upscale dining atmosphere, check out either Almadia or Crabster, both located on the Progreso Malecon.

44. Chichen Itza Ruins & Cenote Ik Kil

A top thing to do in Yucatan, and one the Seven Wonders of the World, the ancient city of Chichén Itzá needs no introduction!

It is one of the best Mayan Ruins in Mexico , located about two hours from Merida by rental car , bus, or on a Chichen Itza tour, like these 10 Best Merida to Chichen Itza Tours for a Unique Experience .

If you aren’t renting a car in Merida , consider one of the Merida to Chichen Itza tours linked above.

For those who will have their own car, combine your Chichen Itza visit with a swim in Cenote Ik-Kil , located less than 10 minutes away. This is one of the most beautiful and best cenotes in Yucatan Mexico.

45. Celestun to See the Flamingos

Located in the small fishing village of Celestun, about 2.5 hours from Merida, you’ll find the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve.

There are some nice Celestun beaches , but the main reason to visit is because Celestun is the best place to see flamingos near Merida.

🦩 To see Celestun flamingos, book this Boat Ride in the Mangroves Tour .

On it, you’ll see where as many as 35,000 flamingos live during their November to February mating season.

Besides the flamingos, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is one of the best places for bird watching in Yucatan. 

46. Uxmal Mayan Ruins & the Ruta Puuc

Looking for crazy things to do in Merida?! How about climbing some Mayan ruins at one of the best archeological sites in Mexico! Beside Chichen Itza, another important ancient Mayan city in Mexico is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Uxmal (pronounced yoush-mall).

While Chichen Itza is the more famous of the two, many prefer Uxmal as it’s less crowded, less touristy, and you can climb the Uxmal pyramids.

If you’re driving your Merida rental car to Uxmal, located 1.5 hours from Merida, consider doing the entire Ruta Puuc (Puuc Route).

Along this 36-mile-long (58 km) drive, there’s also the Kabah , Sayil , Xlapak and Labna , some of the best off-the-beaten-path Mexico ruins .

47. Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins & Cenote Xlacah

The closest ruins to Merida in Mexico, at only about 45 minutes away, are the Dzibilchaltun Ruins (pronounced zee-bee-shall-tune).

This is a small site compared to Chichen Itza and Uxmal, but you can climb many of the structures and there’s a nice museum on-site with an impressive collection of Mayan artifacts and statues.

💧 Cenote Xlacah Merida

After visiting the ruins, you can go for a swim in Xlacah Cenote, the closest cenote to Merida, which is located right at the Dzibilchaltun site.

This is a fully-open swimming pool style cenote in Merida , which you will love jumping in after a long day of climbing pyramids! 

⚠️ Note: The cenote has been closed for some time now, but hopefully will re-open soon. The ruins themselves are open.

48. Izamal, The Yellow City

Izamal pueblo magico (magic town) is only about 1.5 hours from Merida by rental car or bus.

The entire downtown is painted yellow, and it’s one of just a handful of monochromatic cities on Earth.

No one knows for sure why it’s yellow, but some say it’s an homage to the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Kakmo.

When visiting Izamal, make sure to check out the Piramide Kinich Kakmo (AKA Izamal Ruins), a smaller Mayan ruins site named in honor of the Mayan Sun God.

Izamal is the perfect Merida day trip because it’s quite small. You can walk all of downtown in two hours, or take a caleza (horse-drawn carriage) tour if it’s too hot.

When you’re hungry, head to the Mercado Municipal De Izamal (local market) to try authentic Yucatan food for cheap.

49. Cenotes Hacienda Muchucye

The grounds of this traditional 18th-century hacienda have been left in semi-ruin, but that’s all part of the esthetic effect.

Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyche is a popular Merida day trip, so you must book a tour in advance to visit. They are only offered Monday-Sunday, 9 am-3 pm.

WORTH IT! This place has the most beautiful cenotes! People in Yucatán and everyone I know that has come to this hacienda says they’re the prettiest ones they’ve seen… —Nicole ( Read more reviews )

In addition to the picturesque Merida hacienda itself, there are two cenotes onsite — Cenote Carlota and Cenote Azul Maya — which look like a mix of the Garden of Eden and the Blue Lagoon.

These cenotes are super refreshing to swim in after your guided tour of the grounds.

50. Valladolid & Cenote Zaci 

One of the best pueblos magicos near Merida is Valladolid, located about 2.5 hours away.

To truly appreciate this colorful colonial city, book a Valladolid hotel for an overnight or weekend trip, but if you don’t have time, you’ll enjoy these best things to do in Valladolid on a day trip.

Head there early for the Casa de los Venados folk art gallery tour at 10 am.

Next, visit Kuxtal Galería de Arte Popular Mexicano & Café to buy some Mexican folk art and have a coffee.

This fun boutique shop is located on Calzada de los Frailes, the most beautiful street in Valladolid.

💧 Cenote Zaci Valladolid

Walk to the end of the street to see the San Bernardino Convent and Valladolid letters sign. Next, head to Parque Principal (Main Park), where you’ll find the iconic Iglesia de San Servacio Valladolid church.

End your day with a swim in Cenote Zaci , just five minutes from downtown.

51. Cenotes Santa Barbara

The three Santa Barbara cenotes are in the pueblo (small town) of Homun, where you’ll find many of the best cenotes near Merida .

Located about 1.5 hours from Merida, you’ll be able to enjoy three cenotes at Santa Barbara — Cenote Chaksikin , Cenote Cascabel and Cenote Xoch . 

When you enter, you can take a rental bike (included in the cost), or a horse-drawn cart to the first cenote, Cenote Chaksikin.

After that, you’ll walk to Cenote Cascabel and Cenote Xoch, the most beautiful of the three, and then ride your bike or take the horse cart back.

Best Things to Do in Merida Map

For your convenience, the 51 best things to do in Merida, Yucatan mentioned in this article have been pinned to the map above.

It is the perfect way to plan your Merida sightseeing adventure in Mexico.

You might notice on this map of Merida that many things are quite close to one another — and you’d be right!

Merida is not a very big city, and in fact, it makes for the perfect Mexico weekend getaway because you could leisurely explore Merida in 2 days or Merida in 3 days.

You can do a lot even with a short Merida itinerary.

If you have more time, take one of these Merida tours , or hop in your rental car and head to one of the nearby towns like Tulum , Valladolid and Campeche .

Merida Travel: Frequently Asked Questions

Where is merida mexico located.

Merida is located in the Yucatán Peninsula , in southeastern Mexico. It is the capital of Yucatan state, one of the three states that make up the peninsula along Quintana Roo state and Campeche state.

🗺️ Merida Mexico Map

Need a visual on the location of Merida Mexico?

The map above will help you visualize Merida’s location, but if you want to see some maps of the Merida neighborhoods and the city itself, check out Merida Mexico Maps: Where is Merida Located ?

📍 What are the Best Places Near Merida?

Merida is located in southeastern Mexico, about 160 miles west of Tulum , 190 miles west of Cancun ; and 180 miles west of Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

It is also not far from other top Yucatan Peninsula destinations, including Bacalar Lagoon , AKA the “Maldives of Mexico,” and the pueblo magicos (magic towns) of Valladolid , and the Yellow City of Izamal .

How far is Merida Mexico from the beach?

The closest beach to Merida is Puerto Progreso , which is about 22 mile (35 km) from Downtown Merida. The Merida to Progreso drives takes about 45 minutes in normal traffic.

Planning to visit some of the Yucatan beaches on the Gulf of Mexico?

While Progreso Beach is the closest Merida beach, there are a few others nearby. Get the full list at 15 Best Merida Mexico Beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula .

Is there Uber in Merida Mexico?

Yes — There Merida Uber service as well as other ride-share apps like DiDi and InDriver. It is perfectly safe to use Uber in Merida, or any similar service, even taxis.

Is Merida a walkable city?

Yes — Merida is walkable, and you only need to consider renting a car in Merida if you’ll be doing a few days trips. Otherwise, Merida is walkable but also, very hot.

Is Merida Mexico safe?

For the vast majority of most travelers, Merida is very safe . In fact, it had been called the safest city in Mexico thanks to its low crime rates.

Longer answer: This question is tricky, as no place is 100% safe. I do my best to address the Mexico safety question in this article,  Is Merida Mexico Safe for Travelers? Safety Tips from a Longtime Resident .

But, in short, the answer to Is Merida safe? — is Yes!

Merida has been ranked as not only the safest Mexico city , but one of the safest on the entire Americas Continent by CEOWorld Magazine .

In 2022, Conde Nast Traveler Magazine named it the #4 Best City in the World.

Though Merida is considered safe, you’ll still want to follow the 10 General Travel Safety Tips below to err on the side of caution.

These safety measures — like taking Uber home at night — are the same ones you’d follow when traveling anywhere, and they should suffice in Mérida .

🚨 Mexico Travel Insurance

Want an added level of security and peace of mind for your Merida trip? Smart choice! Just as you insure your car, home and body, you can also insure your luggage, belongings and health while traveling.

• World Nomads Insurance : If Mexico and Merida travel safety are on your mind, World Nomads is a great option for general travelers. Policies start at about $7 USD per day, and you can get a FREE quote here .
• SafetyWing Insurance : SafetyWing provides affordable, basic Mexico travel insurance policies perfect for digital nomads and long-term travelers. Plans start at just $42 USD per month, and you can get a FREE quote here .

1. Get Travel Insurance for Mexico !

2. Don’t drink the water in Merida, as the tap water in Merida Mexico isn’t safe for human consumption. Head here for a deep dive on this topic, Can you drink the water in Merida?

3. If you get a sketchy or uneasy feeling about a person or place, listen to your intuition and get away from that person or place asap. Don’t worry about making a kind, nice or politically correct exit from a creepy person or bad situation — Just get away fast.

4. Don’t walk home alone at night; take an Uber.

5. Don’t keep your phone, keys, wallet, passport, or anything valuable in your back pocket.

6. Learn some basic Spanish. If you can’t learn it, save this infographic as an image on your phone so you have something to use even if you’re off-WiFi.

7. Take all of your belongings into the bathroom with you, rather than asking a cafe or bar neighbor to watch your things. This is annoying, for sure , but it works to not get your stuff stolen.

8. Speaking of bar neighbors; don’t take drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended with one.

9. Don’t wear flashy clothes, expensive jewelry, designer sunglasses, etc.

10. Keep some cash in your pocket so you don’t have to pull your whole wallet out every time you need to pay.

If you’re a U.S. citizen, make sure you enroll in the FREE  STEP Program  before your trip.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, allows U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico to document your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

After you’ve registered, the U.S. Consulate in Merida can contact you in the event of an emergency, including natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.

STEP can also put you in touch with your family and friends back home in the event of an emergency while abroad.

Is it safe to walk around Merida at night?

For the most part, Merida is safe all day and night. However, it’s always a good idea to use Uber to get home if you’re traveling solo or have had a few drinks.

What makes Merida so safe?

Merida and Yucatan State are know for having an honest police force, and a small drug cartel presence.

best THINGS TO DO MERIDA Mexico

Is there an airport in merida mexico.

Yes — Merida International Airport (code: MID) is located only about 20-30 minutes by car from downtown. MID is a smaller airport, and easy to navigate.

Are there direct flights to Merida Mexico?

Yes — There are a limited number of direct Merida flights from the U.S. and Canada. For now, you can fly direct to Merida Mexico from Miami, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Havana, Guatemala City, and Toronto (seasonal flight).

If you can’t get a direct flight from the U.S. or Canada, you can fly into Mexico City International Airport, Tijuana International Airport or Guadalajara International Airport.

From those, you can take a short, connecting flight into MID.

From the MID Airport, you can take a rental car , bus, taxi, or private transport service to your Merida hotel . Note: Uber is not allowed to do pick-ups at the Merida Airport.

Depending on where you’re staying, the drive is usually no more than 30 minutes, though it can be a little bit longer during rush hours.

🚌💨 Best Merida Airport transfers

What’s the best way to get from cancun to merida.

Wondering, What’s the best way to get to Merida? If you’re coming from far away, it’s a flight into Merida MID Airport.

However, some people will opt to fly into Cancun Airport and drive to Merida, so here’s some info on that.

If you’re flying into Cancun International Airport (code: CUN), you’ll have to make the (approx.) 4 hour drive to Merida.

The easiest and best way to get from Cancun to Merida is this private shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation .

You can also rent a car in Cancun Airport and drive yourself, or take the ADO bus from Cancun to Merida. The Cancun to Merida drive is safe, and the roads are generally well-maintained.

Should I rent a car in Merida?

Renting a car in Merida is only necessary if you want to do a few day trips from Merida, or plan to do a Yucatan road trip. If not, you can easily get around by walking, using Uber, taxis or the Va y Ven Merida buses.

If you are looking to rent a car in Merida, the MID Airport is the best place to do so because it has the largest selection. As Merida isn’t a big city, car rental options can be limited — so do book in advance.

▶︎ Book here with Discover Cars , the most reputable company for a rental car in Merida, and the one I always use.

For travelers mostly staying in the city limits, you might want to skip a rental car. However, if you’re planning to take a few of the 25 Best Merida Day Trips , you’ll want a car for convenience.

What’s the best time to visit Merida Mexico?

Winter — Merida has a tropical climate, and temperatures tend to range from hot to very hot.

🌡️ Merida Weather Averages

As you can see, the winter months of December, January and February tend to have mild temperatures and low humidity. However, summers tend to be hot, muggy, humid and rainy ☔️

What is the hottest month in Merida Mexico?

May — The months of May to October are hot and humid, to the point that it turns many off. However, of those five months, May is known as the hottest.

If you hate tropical weather, plan your Merida trip for November to April.

This is also the busy season in Merida, but the weather’s cool and the humidity’s at bay. Of these months, January and February are usually the coolest.

What is high season in Merida?

Wondering, What’s the best time to travel to Merida? The answer is the winter season. This is also the high season, with December and January being the business months in Merida.

best THINGS TO DO IN MERIDA Yucatan MEXICO

Why is merida mexico so popular.

Besides being called the safest city in Mexico, Merida is known as the Cultural Capital of Yucatan. It is one of the best places in Mexico to experience Mayan culture and enjoy Yucatan cuisine .

Is Merida touristy?

In the last few years, Merida has become one of the most popular Mexico destinations, and tourism has increased. You will see a lot of tourists in Centro Historico (Downtown Merida) and Paseo Montejo, but not really in other areas.

Is Merida Mexico expensive?

In recent years, prices have increased in Merida. However, it is still less expensive than other Yucatan Peninsula destinations like Cancun , Riviera Maya , Playa del Carmen and Tulum .

Is Merida worth visiting?

Most travelers will find Merida Mexico is worth visiting because there’s a lot to do in the city and surrounding areas — including Mayan Ruins , beautiful beaches and swimmable cenotes .

💁‍♀️ In full disclosure: I’m biased on this question. As someone who lived in Merida for many years, of course I think Merida is worth visiting.

I’ve been to half the states in Mexico and most of the top travel destinations , but there’s something special about Mexico Merida Yucatan.

If you love a relaxing place with great food , history, culture and architecture, don’t miss it.

Final Thoughts: Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico

Merida’s central location — in the near-dead center of the Yucatan Peninsula — makes it a great place to use as a home base to explore the region.

As a place that’s not at the top of everyone’s bucket list (yet) Merida is still affordable.

Besides the city itself, which is a cultural hub with beautiful places and yummy food, there’s also great Merida beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, Mayan Ruins , Merida cenotes , historic haciendas , and more.

Give yourself plenty of time here, as there’s something for everyone in Mérida, Yucatán and all the great places to visit near Merida Mexico.

Beyond these 50 things to do in Mexico Merida, if you still need are a few more suggestions of what to do in Merida Mexico, here they are:

• Merida to Chichen Itza: 10 Highest Rated Tours
• 12 Top Rated Merida Tours You Need to Book
• 30 Best Merida Cenotes You Must Visit
• 15 Amazing Mayan Ruins Near Merida

Merida Travel Planning Guide

Should i buy mexico travel insurance.

100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. ( Read more )

Can you drink the water in Merida?

No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle , which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. ( Read more )

Is it safe to rent a car in Merida?

Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. ( Read more )

Will my phone work in Merida?

Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card . As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. ( Read more )

What’s the best way to book my Merida accommodation?

For Mexico hotels and hostels, Booking.com is the best site. If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb! ( Read more )

What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?

For finding cheap Mexico flights, I always recommend Skyscanner .

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you do need a Mexico travel visa. The majority of travelers will receive a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa or passport stamp upon arrival.

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56 Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico in 2024: Written by a Local

If you are looking for the best things to do in Merida Mexico during your upcoming trip to the Yucatan, I have got you covered here. 

I am a British Travel Writer who has been living here in Merida for the last 2.5 years and recently bought a house in the eastern part of the city. During my time in Southeastern Mexico, I have made it my mission to get to know my new home as much as possible, and can safely say that I know this charming city as well as the back of my hand. 

You are in good hands here. I am not someone who has briefly passed through Merida once, unlike most of the travel guides to the city you will find on Google.

Table of Contents

Best Things to Do in Merida in 2024 and Beyond 

The “White City” of Merida is an underrated gem in the heart of the Yucatan state that is only finally starting to get the recognition and attention it deserves. I have seen the city change and develop a lot in the past couple of years of being here and I believe that it is only a matter of time before tourism to the region explodes. 

Merida as it stands today, was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo in 1542 and like many cities during the colonial period, it was built on the grounds of an old Mayan settlement. Merida stands on the site of the Mayan city of Toh and controversially, many of its churches, buildings, and ornate colonial mansions were constructed using building materials pillaged from Mayan temples and shrines. 

Its historic center is widely regarded as being one of the most beautiful colonial cities in all of Mexico , and the city makes an excellent base for taking day trips out to Ancient Mayan ruins in the Yucatan , gorgeous beach towns along the Gulf of Mexico, and charming pueblo magicos throughout the region. 

In this post, we will explore 58 of the best things to do in Merida. These include everything from the “must-see” tourist sites, to the hidden gems that Yucatecans have been keeping to themselves. 

Go for brunch in Cholul

Cholul is a charming little pueblo just northeast of the city of Merida that most tourists aren’t even aware exists. Its main central plaza is flanked by the gorgeous 17th-century pastel-yellow church of San Pedro Apóstol and an adorable flea market is hosted in the church grounds every Sunday morning, when locals come to sell their unwanted clothing, antiques, children’s toys, and bric-a-brac. 

The brunch restaurants, coffee shops, and boutique stores that encircle the main square attract a well-heeled crowd of Yucatecans and it is absolutely worth making the journey out here, if your schedule allows, to grab breakfast in an authentic and charming Yucatecan pueblo.

Casa Mango (Calle 23 100 Por Calle 20) is a chic restaurant set inside an old Yucatecan house that serves regional cuisine with an international twist. (It is also great to stop by here at night, as live musicians perform jazz, Mexican pop, and blues music out in the garden on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights). 

Meanwhile, Al Modar is another elegant breakfast cafe that specializes in European fare. They do excellent Spanish omelets and giant mugs of cappuccino the size of your head!

Stop for coffee in Itzimna

When you visit Mexican cities like Guadalajara and CDMX, you will note that they are made up of dozens of different neighborhoods (barrios) that are like little villages in themselves and each have their own distinct personality and charm. Merida isnt quite the same in this regard, and is largely a modern urban sprawl outside of the historic center. 

There are exceptions though, and Itzimna is another charming, ungentrified and underrated area. Itzimna, named after Itzamna, the Mayan God of Creation, was once its own independent village until the urban expansion of Merida saw it become engulfed by the Yucatecan capital. 

Parque Itzimna is its central square and a popular rendezvous point among locals. It is flanked by the 1710 burgundy “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” church. Several charming location businesses encircle the square and are great places to pick up souvenirs from your Merida trip. 

Sembra (Calle 18 98-B entre 21 y 19) is a charming artisanal store selling homemade cosmetics, soaps and condiments, while Caffe Latte Itzimna (Calle 18, Av. Rotary Internacional No. 101) is widely regarded as being one of the best coffee places in the city, and sells bags of roasted coffee beans sourced from across Mexico. 

Eat your way through Merida’s new gastronomic corridor 

There are some excellent restaurants to be found in Merida serving everything from traditional Yucatecan fare to Mediterranean and Asian-inspired delicacies. Slowly but surely, the Yucatan capital is establishing itself as quite the gourmand and can give many of the award-winning restaurants in Mexico City and Guadalajara a run for their money. 

In late 2023, the local tourism board loving restored and renovated Calle 47 in the historic center, transforming it into Meridas “Gastronomic Corridor”. The colorful colonial houses here house a selection of excellent restaurants. 

For brunch, check out “Te Extraño, Extraño” and Marmalade 47, while Baretto Espresso Bar and Latte Quattro Sette are the best spots for coffee. Catrin, known for its weird and wonderful skeleton sound and light show, is a Merida institution, while Micaela Mar & Leña with its elevated Yucatecan fare with a Creole twist, is one of the best loved eateries in town. 

Enjoy an evening walk at Parque a la Plancha 

Parque a la Plancha, on calle 46 in Central Merida, is a newly opened park that was inaugurated in late 2023. The park, with its gorgeous manmade lake and contemporary installations and water features, sits on the site of an old abandoned train station. 

Until recently, the abandoned station was a dilapidated eyesore surrounded by huge walls. There was a plan to transform it into the Merida train station for the new Yucatan Tren Maya, but after locals protested, the station was built in Teya, on the outskirts of town, and Parque a la Plancha was born. 

Lots of local families come to walk around the park and hang out here in the evenings. One of the most special aspects is how old, rusted train station carriages have been given a lick of paint and turned into quirky souvenir stores or snack bars selling marquesitas, raspados and other treats. 

At the center of the park, there is a huge food court where you can buy everything from tacos to ice cream and pozol de chocolate. The original old station building is still being renovated and is set to house some boutique stores and restaurants. 

Search for vibrant street art murals 

At first glimpse, Merida might not appear to have the same volume of street art as other Latin American cities like say, Medellin and Cartagena in Colombia, or areas of Mexico City and Tijuana. However, if you know where to look, there are some great pieces here. 

Up-and-coming Yucatecan artists like Datoer and Ackon have painted impressive murals across town depicting scenes of life in the Yucatan. There are some pieces in San Sebastian, La Ermita, calle 47, and Itzimna close to the city center but some of the best Merida street art is out in residential areas and local malls that tourists dont really venture too. 

Setting out on a self-led hunt for street art can help you discover new and exciting parts of Merida that you may not have otherwise found. Some of the best murals can be found at the below locations: 

Where to find the best murals in Merida 

• Colonia Manuel Avila Camacho/Pacabtun, East Merida
• “Mural street” on calle 20, East Merida (hundreds of murals in one spot)
• Gran Plaza Merida mall
• Xcalachen 

See a show at Casa Gamela

The Casa Gemela is a gorgeous art museum and exhibition space set inside a grand manor that was built in the early 21st century and was once home to the noble Rodrigez family. It hosts both permanent and temporary art exhibitions of pieces produced by international and Mexican artists and every Saturday, a different cultural event is hosted here. 

We caught a wonderful traditional music recital where two local Yucatecan musicians played folk songs from across Latin America. You can catch everything here from jazz pianists to poetry recitals and comedic theatrical performances played to an intimate audience of 20-30 people.

See the Merida Cathedral 

Of all of the various churches and religious buildings in Merida, the Catedral de San Ildefonso that flanks the Plaza Grande is one of the most detailed. It was constructed between 1561 and 1598 on the site of an old temple and many of the stones quarried from the Mayan temple were used to create the building facade.  

The cathedral is quite controversial because there are several centuries-old paintings inside that depict indigenous Mayans praising Francisco de Montejo, the Spanish colonizer. You will see such images in various churches around the Yucatan peninsula as you travel here, and understandably, many were destroyed during the Mexican Revolution. 

The large Cristo de la Unidad crucifix behind the altar symbolizes a good relationship between the indigenous Maya and the Spanish Christians. 

Take a Yucatan cooking class 

Taking a cooking class overseas is always a great way to delve deeper into the local culture and there are several classes that you can do here in Merida. Many also include a trip to a local market to source fresh ingredients before you cook, and your host will talk to you about the background and traditions associated with each dish. 

You should expect to pay upwards of around $70 for a 5-6 hour class that sees you make multiple dishes. You might find it tricky to find some of the ingredients used in Yucatecan cooking at home if you decide that you want to replicate the dishes, but you can always make adaptations! 

Check out a local festival 

I have been living in Merida for 2.5 years and there always seems to be some sort of event or festival going on with free, live musicians, dancing, and food. Some notable dates to look out for are: 

• Merida Fest – Celebration of the heritage of the city – 5th to the 24th January 2024
• Hanal Pixan (The Yucatecan version of Dia de Los Muertos) – late October/November
• Merida Restaurant Week – Discounted offers and special degustations at restaurants around town – late September/October
• Fiesta tradicional in Colonia Los Reyes – Celebration of the Los Reyes neighborhood with jarana dancing and live music – late December/January
• Carnaval Merida – Mexican mardi gras – 7th to the 14th February 2024
• La Noche Blanca – artistic events hosted around the city – Late October 

Admire the Palacio de Gobierno 

The Merida Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) dates back to 1892 and houses the political offices of the Yucatan state officials. The building is an architectural marvel in itself, but if you are able to venture inside, you will see some gorgeous art work pieces and photographs of Merida through the years. 

Shop for fresh local produce at Mercado Lucas de Galvez 

There are some great local marketplaces (mercados) in Merida where locals come to shop for fresh fruit and veg, meats, and other grocery items. Mercado Lucas de Galvez and Mercado San Benito are two that stand out among the crowd. 

Passing through these markets can offer an interesting glimpse into local life, particularly if you haven’t been to a Latin American mercado before. In Mercado Lucas de Galvez , you will find perfectly polished fruits and vegetables piled high on makeshift wooden tables, vendors selling raspados and chiccharon , and even a large, rewarding artisanal market where people sell things like henequen bags, hand-carved Mayan masks, etc. 

Listen to cuban music at Mercado 60

Mercado 60 is a super fun place to hang out in Merida when the sun goes down. This contemporary street food market is made up of 7 different restaurants serving American, Argentine, and Mexican food , as well as a cocktail bar and a wine bar. The tables are set within a beautiful garden overgrown with bougainvillea and fragrant flowers, and live musicians from across Latin America perform cumbia, salsa, and Cuban music almost every night of the week. 

Shop for homemade treats at other Merida markets

If you are staying in self catered accommodation, you can pick up some produce at Merida mercados for a fraction of the price that you would pay in a supermarket. Some other notable markets to check out in Merida are: 

• Mercado Miguel Alemán
• Mercado Municipal No 2 Santos Degollado
• Mercado San Sebastián
• Mercado Santa Ana
• Merida slow food market

Cycle the Paseo de Montejo 

The Paseo de Montejo is the main promenade in Merida that has been named after the city’s founder, Francisco de Montejo. It runs all the way through town, but the most interesting stretch can be found between calle 47 and calle 27A. 

This leafy cobbled promenade is lined with grandiose, ornate mansions from the days of the henequen boom, many of which have been converted into exquisite restaurants, coffee shops and bars. 

There are a couple of museums that are worth checking out here – notably the Museo Regional de Antropología, Palacio Cantón, which contains a small collection of artifacts recovered from the region, the restored 1902 Quinta Montes Molina Mansion, and a small chocolate museum. 

On Sundays, the road is closed to traffic so that people can walk, cycle, or rollerblade down the street. You will see tons of people offering bicycles and trikes for rent, and local artists set up their easels to paint the scenes of Merida and sell their wares. 

I bought some gorgeous paintings for my house here.

Admire the Monument de la Patria

One of the most notable structures on the Paseo de Montejo is the towering “Monument de la Patria” (motherland monument). The monument can be found at the center of a roundabout close to Av. Rómulo Rozo and depicts a proud indigenous man. 

The sculpture was created by Colombian sculptor Rómulo Rozo in 1956 (whom the adjacent street is named after). At its rear, it contains more than  300 hand-carved figures that depict the history of Mexico. 

The scenes depict everything from the founding of Tenochtitlan, the Mexican Revolution, and present-day Mexico. By night, the mural is beautifully illuminated in different colors. 

There are also now some small letters displaying the word “Merida” and some “you and me” chairs on the Paseo de Montejo, opposite the monument, where you can take photographs. 

Enjoy getting lost in the historic center of Merida

The historic center is a beautiful place to simply take the time to get lost. In the historical center, you are greeted with colorful buildings and charming little churches at virtually every turn. In particular, be sure to visit Calle 59 and the Avenida Del Deportista if you want to see and photograph the colorful buildings and grand colonial mansions Merida is famous for.

Hang out in Parque Santa Lucia 

Parque Santa Lucia is one of the main plazas in the historic center of Merida and a short walk away from the Plaza Grande. It was inaugurated in 1878 and quickly established itself as one of the main meeting points in the city. 

Take a photo on the giant “tu y yo” (you and me) chairs, and indulge in elevated Mexican fare at the restaurants that encircle the plaza. Restaurant Chaya Maya is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, while Apoala serves Oaxacan-Yucatan fusion food. 

A column dedicated to Colonel Sebastián Molas, martyr of the liberation sits in the center of the square and every Thursday night, you can enjoy the “Serenata Yucateca” performances of traditional music and dancing.

Experience Merida by night 

There are a great selection of bars in Merida that cater to every taste and budget. While the city may not have the same nightlife scene as CDMX or Cancun, more and more tasteful spots are constantly opening up as more tourists come to the area.

Casa Toh is a gorgeous concept store, bar and restaurant set in two old converted French mansions on the Paseo Montejo. Here, you can indulge in delicious mezcal and tequila infused cocktails at the aperitif bar, or enjoy live jazz in the courtyard on a Saturday night. 

If you want to experience an old-fashioned Mexican cantina with swing doors and rustic interiors that reminds you of something from a movie, check out Cantina El Porvenir, or Cantina La Negrita. The latter is something of a Merida institution and hosts live salsa music and dancing most nights. 

Finally, Patio Petanca is a super fun spot and outdoor bar where drinks and bar snacks are prepared under a thatched palapa hut, and you can play jenga, lawn bowls and other games with new friends. 

Sample the best of Yucatecan cuisine 

Did you know that different areas of Mexico are famous for their different regional specialties and that food in the Yucatan is completely different from that which you will find in many parts of Mexico? Many Yucatecan dishes were invented by the Ancient Mayans thousands of years ago.

Yucatecan cuisine is one of the oldest in the world and is even older than most European food cultures. Impressively, dishes are still cooked using the same recipes and cooking methods that were used all those milenia ago. (For instance, many dishes are cooked in an underground oven known as a “pib”). 

Cochinita pibil is arguably the most famous dish in the area. This is a type of slow cooked pork marinated with orange and achiote that falls apart in your mouth and is essentially a type of ancient pulled pork. 

You will find tons of “comida Yucatecas” around Merida specializing in this type of regional food. My favorites, and the ones I would recommend are Habaneros (a little out of town but worth the effort to get to), and Katun Comida Yucateca. 

MUGY (Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca) offers an interesting culinary experience whereby you can sample several small, tapas-style plates of Yucatecan food to learn about the regional food culture. Meanwhile, Kuuk offers elevated Yucatecan food that is so beautiful, that the dishes are almost like works of art. 

Have breakfast tacos at Wayan’e

The best tacos in Merida are not found at the tourist spots in the center of town but in a humble little eatery in Itzimna known as Wayan’e . Wayan’e, meaning “it’s here” in Yucatec Mayan, is the breakfast taco spot of choice for most Yucatecans. 

There is often a queue to be seated and served on weekends but rest assured, this place is well worth the wait. You can opt to sit inside or pull up a stool around the open kitchen so that you can watch the chefs hard at work. 

The taco menu is extensive, and each one is only around 20-22 pesos. The pollo con mostaza, papas con chorizo, tinga de pollo, castacan and huevos con chaya (Yucatan spinach) are great choices for breakfast. 

You can also get delicious (and giant) crusty cochinita pibil bread rolls. Wash it all down with an ice cold horchata, piña con chaya (pineapple and Yucatan spinach), or another flavored agua fresca.  

Try huevos motuleños and other Yucatecan breakfast dishes 

As far as most Mexicans are concerned, breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. People here will usually eat a hearty Mexican breakfast , often paired with fruit and pan dulces (sweet breads).

Chilaquiles and egg dishes like huevos divorciados and huevos rancheros are popular. In the Yucatan, you can also try the regional breakfast dish huevos motuleños. 

This yummy delicacy hails from the pueblo magico of Motul (where you should sample it at Doña Evalias place if your schedule allows). It consists of two deep fried tortillas slathered with frijoles (refried beans), two fried eggs, ham, peas, and a healthy amount of spicy tomato salsa. 

There is a specialty restaurant called Huevos Motuleños & Mas in both East and North Merida, but to be honest, most restaurants here serve the dish. 

Snap a photo in front of the colorful Merida sign 

Be sure to snap an obligatory selfie in front of the colorful Merida sign in Plaza Grande. These large, colorful letters exist in virtually every Mexican town and city and make a great addition to your photo album. Sometimes the sun’s glare can make it awkward to get a good photo in front of the letters during the day. Head here early in the morning or evening if you can, in order to get the most favorable lighting conditions.

Shop for quintessentially Mexican souvenirs 

There are tons of great “recuerditos” ( Mexican souvenirs ) that you can buy during your time in the Yucatan that will help you remember your trip for years to come. If you are interested in Mayan history and ruins, you might like to buy one of the brightly painted, hand-carved wooden masks of animals and deities that you see sold throughout the peninsula. 

In particular, you will see them in various artisanal stores throughout La Ermita, Centro and San Sebastian, or sold by vendors at ruins like Chichen Itza and Uxmal. (There seems to be more selection at better prices at the ruins). 

Soft, woven Yucatecan hammocks are another great investment and you can buy them for your garden. Since it is so hot here, locals often use them instead of beds! 

Treat yourself to a stay at a luxurious hacienda 

One of my favorite (if most expensive) hobbies here in Merida is trying to stay in all of the haciendas in the Yucatan. Yucatan haciendas are old, grandiose homesteads that were built by the Spanish conquistadors between the 16th and 20th centuries. 

The main building usually acted as a living quarters for Spanish nobles, while the rest of the hacienda served an industrial or agricultural purpose. Many thrived during the henequen boom, and they cultivated the henequen plant (sisal) to sell natural fiber products. 

Unfortunately, many of these properties were abandoned during the 21st century, but many have been renovated and transformed into indulgent luxury accommodations. Since there are only often between 8 and 12 rooms in a hacienda, staying in one is an intimate experience that often feels like you are in your own elaborate palace. 

A stay doesnt have to break the bank either. Many haciendas around Merida cost less than $120 a night, especially outside of the peak season. 

Which haciendas to consider 

Some of the best haciendas to consider if you want to splurge and treat yourself are:

• Hacienda San Jose
• Hacienda Santa Cruz
• Uxmal Hacienda & Plantation Museum
• Hacienda Misne 

Catch a Pok-a-Tok ballgame reenactment 

The Plaza Principal, aka the “Zocalo” is the main square in Merida, and the home of the Merida Catedral de San Ildefonso . This lively spot is always filled with street vendors, musicians and performers but on Saturday nights at 8pm, it is the site of the weekly Pok ta Pok ball games in Merida.

Pok ta Pok is the name of the Ancient Mayan ballgame that people used to play across the Yucatan peninsula. Players had to whack a sturdy rubber ball through stone hoops mounted high on the walls using just their hips. 

This was difficult enough as it was but there was added pressure as the losing team was often sacrificed. The reenactment is completely free and fun to watch, and there are also fire eaters and dancers. (Fortunately the losing team is not sacrificed!)

Admire world-class art contemporary art

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (MACAY) is a free museum housed inside a former colonial palace. It showcases the works of modern and contemporary Mexican artists , both emerging and well-known.

Sit on the “you and me” chairs

As you meander around Merida, you will often see pairs of little white chairs facing each other. These are known as “sillas tu y yo” or “you and me chairs” and they are only really found in this part of Mexico.

These chairs were installed around Merida in 1915. Nobody knows exactly why they were built in this style but local legend has it that a Merida resident was concerned about his daughter dating boys and sitting too close to them on park benches.

So, he designed the “sillas tu y yo” so that young lovers would sit and face each other rather than sit inappropriately close!

Check out the Domingo (Sunday) market 

The Sunday market (Mercado Domingo) is hosted every weekend without fail at Plaza Grande. You can pick up all kinds of artisanal products and handicrafts here. However, arguably the highlight of the market is the various street food on sale. Make sure that you come hungry and sample some local treats like salbutes, kibis, tortas, panuchos, empanadas, and tacos. 

Everything is incredibly cheap so it is worth ordering several different things and trying them all. In this part of Mexico, you will also find unique boiled egg empanadas stuffed with chaya (Mayan spinach) that should not be missed. 

Visit the Mayan World History Museum 

If you only visit one museum in Merida, make it the Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya (the Mayan World History Museum.) You will likely find this place interesting even if you don’t consider yourself much of a “museum person”.

The expansive museum complex contains a selection of Ancient Mayan artifacts that have been recovered from various ruins across the Yucatan. It is perhaps the second most comprehensive Mayan history museum after the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City . Better yet, the museum doesnt only focus on the history of the Ancient Mayans, but provides an in-depth look and discussion of Mayan culture and heritage, and how the Mayan people live today.

While away an afternoon in a quirky coffee shop 

Did you know that Mexico is one of the world’s largest organic coffee-growing regions? More than 50% of the world´s organic coffee is grown here so it makes sense that there would be several excellent coffee shops in Merida.

One of the best local places is JCs Tree Coffee and Gallery. (C. 39 449B, López Mateos). This charming cafe is housed inside an old colonial home and boasts gorgeous azulejo tile floors and high ceilings. It doubles as an exhibition space so you will often find the works of local artists adorned on the walls.

Nearby, Latte Quattro Sette (Calle 47 #465, Zona Paseo Montejo, Centro) is a beautiful shabby-chic cafe that serves strong coffee and international brunch options, while Baretto Espresso Bar (Calle 47 478-por 54 y 56, Zona Paseo Montejo) and Cafe Latte Itzimna (Calle 18, Av. Rotary Internacional No. 101) are great for take out coffee.

Shop for beautiful one-of-a-kind clothing pieces 

There are several wonderful boutique clothing stores in Merida that are owned by independent designers.

Casa T´HŌ is a luxury concept restaurant and shopping experience set inside a 19th-century mansion that was formerly owned by the noble Mier and Teran Lejuene family.

The central courtyard features a restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired fare by day, and live jazz and aperitivos by night. 

The rooms that center the courtyard have been converted into boutiques showcasing the creations of independent Mexican designers.

You can find everything from resort wear and swimwear, to formal attire. Aldrin Ayuso is another Yucatecan designer to be aware of who designs modern contemporary versions of traditional clothing like huipils and guayaberas.

For Tuluminati-style clothing, head to Jiwa, Coqui Coqui, or Kukul, and for understated, chic designs, add Juana Y Jo  and  Color Amor  to your radar.

Take a walking tour of Merida 

Opting to take a walking tour is a great way to get your bearings in a new city. Exploring with a local also means that you will obtain more information and context into the various buildings and neighborhoods that you see than you would ever be able to get independently. 

Better still, exploring with a Merida local means that you have a city expert on hand. You can ask them for their best recommendations for things to see and do in the city, where to eat a particular type of food, where to hang out, etc. 

Recommended Merida walking tours for 2024

A selection of reputable Merida tours that you may be interested in is detailed below for your consideration. Book your place online in advance to avoid disappointment!

• Merida cantinas walking tour
• Three-hour food tour of Merida, Mexico
• Merida street food walking tour
• Cooking class and shopping tour in Tekit, Merida

Have a scare at the Paranormal Museum 

One of the more unique things to do in Merida Mexico is the Paranormal Museum (Calle 63ᴮ 230 x8 y 10, Cortés Sarmiento). Mexican paranormal Youtuber Jorge Moreno owns this unique museum which contains more than 500 items sourced from across the globe that are supposedly haunted or possessed. 

Think of this place as the Mexican version of the Warren House in the United States. It is the only museum of its kind in Latin America. Highlights include dolls made using the same cut of fabric as the notorious Anabelle doll, dolls retried from the creepy Isla de la Muñecas in Mexico City, and voodoo items from New Orleans.

Admission to the museum is 80 pesos per person. When you arrive, one of the staff members will give you a tour in either Spanish or English.

Spend an evening at Parque Aleman

Parque Aleman is one of the best places to experiment with regional street food in Merida, particularly if you want to experience a truly local area away from tourist hordes. During the day, the park really isn’t that much to write home about, although there are some cute cafes that encircle the main plaza. 

It is at night that Parque Aleman really comes to life. Street vendors set up their stalls selling elotes, tostilotes and churros, and families and groups of friends have al fresco picnics on the benches and the grass. 

There are also fairground games and rides, and the park has a really fun atmosphere if you want to do something a little different in the evenings. 

Take a salsa class 

Many cantinas in Merida offer salsa classes, including the popular Dzalbay bar (Calle 64 x 53, Esquina, No.443, Centro). Since La Negrita cantina mostly plays salsa music and hosts live salsa musicians, you can go along there and simply try to join in with the locals too if you prefer not to have a formal dance lesson.

Take an electric carriage tour of Merida 

You will find little horse and carriage stations situated every few paces down the Paseo de Montejo. While the Merida horses look healthy and well cared for, I do not support animals being forced to carry heavy loads in this way. 

Fortunately, a more ethical alternative was introduced a couple of years ago and you can now take electric carriages around Merida. This is a great way to see all the impressive mansions on the Paseo Montejo and the Avenida de Deportista, especially when its hot and you dont feel like walking. 

Your driver will also be able to give you more history and context to the various architectural marvels that you see, and most are bilingual. 

Visit the Charrería 

Did you know that the “national sport” of Mexico is the charreria? This is the Mexican version of the rodeo and a great place to see bullriding, horse taming, and other equestrian activities. 

The sport has even been recognized by UNESCO.  You will find events hosted regularly at the Lienzo Charro Los Laureles (Av. Temozon 18260, Temozon Norte, Temozón Nte, 97302) near Temozon, just north of Merida. 

It is free to come along and spectate and the atmosphere is fantastic. Local men dress up like charros (cowboys) while women wear beautiful Adelita dresses. 

Head out to the Dzibilchaltun ruins

Depite being frequently overlooked, the Dzibilchaltun Mayan ruins are actually within the confines of Merida’s city limits and are one of the best archeological sites in the region. Local buses do run to the area, although the easier option is perhaps to take an Uber or an Indrive which will get you there in 10-15 minutes for just around $5-$6 or so. 

Dzibilchaltun means “writing on the flat stones” in Mayan – perhaps a nod to the old stone tablets found around the site, although time and the elements have seen their inscriptions worn away. The site is actually pretty large and dates back to 300 BC. 

The most notable structure within the complex is perhaps the “Temple of the Dolls” dedicated to Yum Kax, the Mayan God of Corn. Seven crudely made dolls with exaggerated genitalia were excavated from the area and believed to have been used in some sort of harvest ritual. 

Admission to the Dzibilchaltun ruins includes admission to the Dzibilchaltun museum where the dolls and some other artifacts are stored. You should dedicate at least half a day to this site. 

See a performance at Teatro Peon Contreras 

The Teatro José Peón Contreras is the home of the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra. It was inaugurated on December 21, 1908, and was designed by the architects Pío Piacentini, Enrico Deserti, and Fernando Ceicola. 

Theatrical shows, operas, and classical music performances are often hosted here. You can check their schedule online to see if there is anything that interests you that corresponds with your travel dates. 

Try a typical Mexican hot chocolate 

Since Mexico was the birthplace of chocolate, it makes sense that there would be plenty of shops and cafes where you can sample hot cocoa and other chocolate products in Merida. To sample a thick, rich, dense and sinful cup of thick Mexican cacao and other chocolate treats, check out the Ki’Xocolatl store in Santa Lucia or Mina Kim on Calle 61.

Spend a day at a ranch 

There are several ranches around Merida and the wider Yucatan peninsula that you can contact in order to explore their properties or take a horse ride. Rancho Don Chencho near Dzununcán village is one place I would recommend as the horses are well cared for and the owners are very nice.

Do note that most people in Merida do not speak English so it is helpful if you have some Spanish language skills. Be careful about riding horses if you are not an experienced rider as you do not know the temperament of the horses. 

Try an Ojo Rojo 

There are many Mexican drinks that you ought to try during your time in the country. One of the best-loved and fun to experiment with is the “michelada”, known as an “ojo rojo” in Mexico.

This is a beer cocktail that is made by mixing beer with tomato juice, soy sauce, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lime, and spices. Mexicans swear by it as being an effective hangover cure!

Make dinner reservations at Hacienda Teya 

While many haciendas have been converted into hotels, Hacienda Teya is a beautiful property that purely functions as a restaurant and an event space. It is one of the most sought-after locations to host a wedding or other forms of celebrations in the Yucatan. Their lunch and dinner menus are unparalleled and if you consider yourself as being a foodie traveler, this is absolutely one place that you must stop by while you are in town. The hacienda was founded in 1683 by Mrs. Ildefonsa Antonia Marcos Bermejo Calderon y de la Helguera, wife of the Count of Miraflores. It operated as a place to raise cattle and then became a henequen hacienda before being abandoned in the first half of the 20th century. Today, it is a symbol of the Yucatan and its cuisine has won several awards both domestically and internationally. 

Tour the Museo Casa Montejo

The Museo Casa Montejo is a grand colonial house that was built shortly after Merida was founded in 1542. It has been modified and restored throughout the centuries and today, it exists as a cultural space to demonstrate what life was like as a Merida noble in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is free to enter and worth a look inside. Sometimes, other temporary arts, culture, and history exhibits are also hosted here. 

Admire beautiful Merida churches 

The vast majority of the Mexican population is Catholic. So, it makes sense that there would be an abundance of beautiful churches scattered throughout Merida.

Even if you are not religious, you can appreciate their charm. A good way to explore the city and discover new neighborhoods is to search for old, historic churches on the map and make your way to each one, seeing what you stumble upon along the way.

The Iglesia de Santa Lucia is a magnificent church that dates back to 1620 and sits beside the central park of the same name. The Iglesia de la Tercera Orden is a baroque-style church with indigenous influences that is quite unlike anything you will find elsewhere.

Heading south from the city center, the pastel yellow Rectoría de la Ermita de Santa Isabel sits beside the park of the same name. A grand parade starts here during the Dia de Los Muertos festivities and the little adjacent park is a great spot for sampling different street food delicacies.

Treat yourself to a luxury hotel stay 

Opting to stay somewhere luxurious can really complement your travel experience. There are some gorgeous properties in Merida set in old mansions that seemingly transport you back in town.

Rosas Y Xocolate (P.º de Montejo 480) is one of the best luxury boutique properties in town.

The hotel sits inside two exquisite, restored French-style mansions. Each of the seventeen rooms has been decorated differently and boasts jacuzzis on the balconies and designer furnishings.

El Palacito Secreto Boutique Hotel is another great choice. This gorgeous 19th-century property has been decorated with ornate, authentic 19th-century furniture to give you the feeling of being royalty while staying in a secret palace.

Day Trips That You Can Take From Merida 

There are dozens of wonderful day trips that you can take from Merida to various cultural and archeological sites and truthfully, you could easily spend weeks/months here and barely scratch beneath the surface. (Heck, I have been living in Merida for 2.5 years and I am still constantly finding new things to love about the city!)  

Travel to Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc

The Uxmal ruins (pronounced “Uss-mal”) are what remain of one of the most important Mayan cities in Mexico. The UNESCO protected site dates back to 700 AD and was once home to 25,000 people. 

In many ways, it can rival Chichen Itza in terms of its size and the number of impressive structures within the complex. In particular, keep your eyes peeled for the Temple of the Magician (which has a fascinating legend behind it), the Governor’s Palace and the Nunnery Quadrangle. 

If you are renting a car in Merida or decide to catch the Ruta Puuc bus on a Sunday morning, you can also continue onwards to the other Mayan archeological sites along the Puuc route . 

Namely, the cities of Kabah, Labna, Sayil and Xlapak. 

With a car, you can also stop for ice cream in the charming village of Santa Elena, or swing by Mani , Muna, and Sacalum.  

Learn about the history of chocolate at Choco-Story 

Did you know that chocolate was invented in Mexico? Just across the road from Uxmal is the Choco Story museum which offers an interactive experience that teaches you about the history of chocolate. 

There are, of course, free samples to try, including chunks of chocolate and a delicious Ancient cacao drink known as Chokoj Ha. If you take the bus from Merida to Uxmal and need to wait for the bus back, the museum is a great place to kill some time. 

Take the bus to Playa Progreso 

The beach town of Progreso is the go-to spot for most Merida residents when they want to spend a day by the sea. While it can get busy on weekends, the waters are cerulean and the sands are soft, white, and powdery.

It is pleasant to walk, cycle or skateboard along the beachfront Malecon, stopping here and there for drinks along the waterfront. Vendors wander up and down the coast selling everything from chicharon to meringue (Yucatecan candies). 

You can lay down your towel wherever takes your fancy, or you can opt to spend a day relaxing at one of the local beach clubs. Slicer Beach Club is an upscale spot where you pay to rent a cabana for the day, while Marymar , is my favorite, that offers sunbeds, hammocks and a pool that are free to enjoy as long as you buy a couple of drinks and snacks. 

Check out the ruins at Mayapan 

The Mayan city of Mayapan is massively overlooked from most people’s Yucatan itinerary , despite being just over an hour south of Merida. Historians consider the city to be the “last great” Mayan settlement since King Kukulkan II and his people moved here after abandoning Chichen Itza. 

Many of the structures at Mayapan were built as replicas of the buildings at Chichen Itza and the large pyramid here is a copy of “El Castillo”. However, archeologists have noted that they were very much inferior copies, and that many buildings in Mayapan were built hurriedly, marking the beginning of the end for the Mayans. 

The site is seldom busy and you can climb most of the structures here and get some great photos. Entrance is 65 pesos for foreigners and free for Mexicans. 

Visit a Mexican ghost town 

If you have an interest in the eerie or the macabre, or you like doing things that are a little different when you travel, you will love visiting the off-the-beaten-path ghost town of Misnebalam . This “pueblo fantasma” was once a thriving farming community, complete with a grand hacienda (also now dilapidated and abandoned). 

In its heyday, more than 170 people worked here, but a number of reported hauntings and eerie goings-on over the last couple of centuries saw the residents gradually move away. It started when the former hacienda owner, Don Fidencio G Marquez was murdered in 1921, and people reported seeing his ghost wander around the grounds.

There have also been reports of a mischievous child ghost known as “Juliancito” and the ghost of a headless monk. The last Misnebalam residents finally left in 2005 and the town has been in a state of spooky disrepair ever since. 

When you head to Misnebalam today, you will see roads leading to nowhere, overgrown cemeteries, and signs advertising hotels that no longer exist. Even paranormal series like “Most Haunted” have been filmed here.

Explore the beach towns along the Ruta Esmerelda 

The Ruta Esmerelda is a gorgeous 98km coastal route that runs along the Gulf of Mexico in the northern part of the Yucatan state. It extends from Celestun in the west, to El Cuyo in the south. 

The spectacular Yucatan beaches found here could definitely give the better known beaches of the Riviera Maya a run for their money, and are characterised by their soft, powdery white sands and translucent turquoise waters.

Progreso beach town may be the most popular spot but some other great beaches near Merida to consider are detailed below. 

• Yucalpeten/pig beach – comparable to “Exuma” in the Bahamas where you can swim with adorable pigs
• Chicxulub – quaint fishing village that was the site of the Chicxulub meteor crash that wiped out the dinosaurs
• Playa Uaymitun – gorgeous tropical beach framed by palm trees that most people arent aware of

Take a day trip to Izamal 

The “yellow city” of Izamal is one of the prettiest pueblo magicos in the Yucatan peninsula and a steady trickle of tourists have finally started coming here in recent years. Everything in the city is painted in the same uniform shade of yellow – supposedly in honor of the Mayan sun god Kinich Kakmo.

A pyramid dedicated to this deity sits at the center of town and is one of only a handful that were not torn down by the Spanish. The hilltop Convento de San Antonio del Padua is one of the oldest convents in North America and is still in operation to this day. 

It makes a great spot to watch the sunset and capture some photos from above the city. 

Oh! If you decide to drive to Izamal, look out for the man selling ice cream from a thatched palapa hut on the side of the Merida-Izamal carreterra. You will see that someone has painted the word “helados” onto a giant stone. 

This Mayan man makes mouthwateringly good strawberry, vanilla and elote (corn) flavored ice cream. There is usually a line of cars parked at the side of the road and people waiting to try it!

Take a tour of Homun cenotes 

While there are several cenotes that are right on your doorstep in Merida, they are not necessarily the best ones to visit in the area. For the best cenote-hopping experience, spend a day in the little village of Homun. Homun is located in an “anillo de los cenotes” (ring of cenotes) and there are more than 20 in the area. You can reach Homun by car or bus and once you arrive, you can hire one of the local tuk-tuk drivers and have them take you to 4-5 cenotes. The cost is 200 pesos ($10) for half a day per person, and tips are always appreciated. It is worth paying for a guide rather than ambling around independently as many of the best Homun cenotes are spread out or located down rural roads and dirt trails.  

The Santa Barbara cenotes, cenote Cholul, and cenote Hool Kosom are all worth adding to your list. You can tell the guide what kind of cenotes you like (e.g. places with platforms for people who cannot swim, cenotes that are not crowded with tourists, etc).

Spend a day in Valladolid 

Valladolid makes a great day trip from Merida and is one of Mexico’s “Pueblo Magicos “.

The city dates back to 1543 and was developed by the descendants of Spanish Conquistadors. It was originally built close to a lagoon but then relocated inland, to its current location on the site of a Maya town.

This led to several violent clashes and fights between the Spanish and the Maya that would last for centuries. Modern-day Valladolid is sleepy and tranquil – a stark contrast to its violent origins.

Stop by the church of San Servacio, and the convent of Convent San Bernardino – one of the oldest convents in the Yucatan. There are several cenotes just outside the town that are worth visiting if you have access to a car.

Take a day trip to Chichen Itza

No trip to the Yucatan peninsula would be complete without visiting Chichen Itza . Take the first bus from Merida to Chichen Itza to get to the site as early as possible.

It opens at 8 am daily and if you are able to arrive before 8.30 or 9, you will be able to avoid most of the crowds. The site is actually more expansive than you may realize and you should definitely allocate at least half a day to your visit.

Aside from the infamous temple of Kukulcán, there are several structures to look out for. For instance, just in front of the main temple, is the “Tzompantli”, a small stone platform decorated with carved skulls.

The Ancient Maya would stack the skulls of dead enemies here in order to scare enemy tribes. A ten-minute walk past Kukulcán leads you to the sacred cenote where the Mayans would sacrifice men and children in order to please the gods.

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Merida 

Do you have any further questions about the best things to do in Merida, or planning a trip to Southeastern Mexico in general? This article has wound up far longer than I intended it to be but as you can see, there are so many wonderful things to do and experience in this city.

This is, without hesitation, one of the most interesting places in the Yucatan to visit. 

As Merida continues to change and develop and as I discover new wonderful things in my home, I will add them to this list. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything. 

Safe travels and enjoy Mexico!

Buen Viaje! Melissa xo 

Melissa Douglas

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20 FUN things to do in Mérida, Mexico (+ 3 day itinerary!)

Last updated on November 30th, 2023

Looking for the best things to do in Mérida, Mexico? In this guide we’re sharing the best things to do in Mérida, Mexico, plus where to stay, our favorite places to eat, and more! To kick off our 2023 adventures we decided to head to Mérida, Mexico for two weeks! We were in need of a “workcation,” which for us, means going somewhere and knocking out a bunch of work, while also having a bit of fun. With how close Mexico is to Texas, and how much we have loved Mexico in the past, it felt like the best option for us. But Mexico is a large country, with many incredible cities, so how were we to choose where to go? Our goal was to visit a less touristy destination that had beautiful buildings to check out, delicious food, and a variety of different activities nearby…and Mérida checked all of our boxes!

Watch our experience in Mérida, including exploring the city, eating tons of local foods, and going on two day trips!

During our two weeks in Mérida we fell in love with the city! It was the perfect homebase for us and we enjoyed many walks all around town, tried as many restaurants as we could (plus revisiting some favorites many times), checked out free events, and went on a couple day trips. And in this guide we’re sharing 20 of the best things to do in Mérida, Mexico, plus other helpful tips for your visit, where to stay, and so much more!

Looking for more things to do in Mexico? Check out our Mexico guides and vlogs!

• 10+ Yucatán food items to try in Mérida, Mexico (& where to get them!)
• How to get to Uxmal ruins by bus from Mérida
• Everything you need to know to visit the Uxmal ruins near Mérida, Mexico
• 5 Day Mexico City Itinerary
• Watch all of our Mexico Vlogs

About Mérida, Mexico

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Mérida is located in the northwest part of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Mexican state of Yucatán. In fact, it is the capital and largest city in the state, with almost 1 million residents! Although home to Mayans for centuries, the city was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, a Spanish conquistador, and today is known for its Mayan history and colonial architecture. The city was once home to five major Mayan pyramids, which were destroyed and their ruins were used to build some of the important buildings that make up the city today. Beyond its architecture, it is also said to not only be the safest city in Mexico, but one of the safest in all of North America! While things can happen anywhere (so always be alert!), we will say that we never once felt unsafe (even at night) or had any safety issues while visiting the city.

One of the things we loved most about visiting Mérida is that there is always something to do! From just walking around and admiring the buildings, to checking out one of the nightly events, to going for a day trip, it’s a very vibrant, hopping city! Below are 20 fun things to do in Mérida, as well as in the surrounding area!

Visit Plaza Grande 

The heart of Mérida is Plaza Grande , which is a large, square park surrounded by many important buildings and iconic photo opportunities! Here are some of the iconic buildings and other spots to check out while here!

Catedral de San Ildefonso

The Catedral de San Ildefonso was built in the late 16th century and is considered to be the oldest cathedral in the Americas, and that includes North, Central, and South America! You are able to go inside the cathedral and admire the architecture, which is equally as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside.

Pasaje de la Revolución

Next to the cathedral is Pasaje de la Revolución , which isn’t a building per se, but is a large covered pedestrian-only passageway. The passageway is sandwiched between the cathedral and MACAY, which is the Mérida Museum of Contemporary Art, and the museum displays artwork in the passageway on a rotating basis. We highly recommend coming here at night, when the colored lights on the ceiling are lit up!

Palacio de Gobierno

On the north edge of the Plaza Grande is the Palacio de Gobierno . Built in 1892, the two story classical building houses the offices of the government of the state of Yucatán. You can visit this building’s inner courtyard and upstairs, where you’ll find 27 huge mural paintings by Yucatecan painter Fernando Castro Pacheco, which depict history between the Mayans and Spanish. The building and paintings are free to visit and admire and is definitely worth a quick visit!

Palacio Municipal de Mérida

Also framing Plaza Grande is the Palacio Municipal de Mérida , which is a pink building with a clocktower and gorgeous archways on both the first and second floor. This building has a great view of Plaza Grande from the second floor and it is open to the public to visit, you’ll just have to check in with security. They also have free bathrooms here (at least they were free during our visit)! 

Museo Casa Montejo

Finally, on the south side of the plaza is Museo Casa Montejo , which is a museum in a 16th century house that was built by Francisco de Montejo and was the first building built after Merida became a city. It is one of the few examples of Renaissance civil architecture from the 16th century and has different rooms that show how wealthy Yucatan families lived. This museum is FREE to visit and only takes about 30 minutes to go through!

Colorful Mérida blocks

On top of all the history that Plaza Grande oozes, there are also plenty of photo opportunities, including the colorful Mérida block letters, which can be found in many of the Pueblos Magicos across Mexico. You can’t visit Mérida and not get a photo in front of this sign!

Kissing Chairs

As a huge gathering place in the city, Plaza Grande has lots of seating options, with the most unique being white pairs of chairs called “kissing chairs,” as the chairs face each other. They are perfect for hanging out with your friend or significant other!

Go on a free walking tour

One of our favorite ways to experience a new city is to go on a walking tour and the tourism office in Mérida, which is located on the bottom floor of the Municipal Palace, offers FREE walking tours! These tours happen every day, except Sunday, at 9:30AM and leave from outside the tourism office. They are about 1.5 hours long, but make sure to arrive early, as we read they are capped at 25 people per tour and ours seemed pretty close to full on a Friday. The guide does speak Spanish and English and depending on who all is on the tour, will alternate speaking both. On our tour we walked around Plaza Grande, before heading towards Parque Hidalgo and Iglesia de Jesus. We learned so much more than we could’ve on our own, both about the history of Mérida, as well as the history of specific buildings. Even though the tour is free, be sure to tip your guide! A good range would be $100-$200 Mexican pesos per person. If you want a different tour option than the one offered by the tourism office, there are some other options with different start times, including this tour from Free Walking Tour Mexico or Estacion Mexico .

Walk along Paseo de Montejo

One of the main tourist areas in Mérida is the Paseo de Montejo, which is named after the city’s founder, Francisco de Montejo.  This street is inspired by the French Boulevard and is lined with palm trees and other large trees, plus huge mansions, including some that have been renovated and converted into museums you can visit. A couple popular museums to check out are Quinta Montes Molina and Museo de Antropología e Historia .  There are also many shops, restaurants, and other businesses that line the boulevard, but one of our favorite spots to check out on this road was Monumento a La Patria ! This monument has 300 hand carved figures that tell the story of México from the establishment of Tenochtitlán to the mid 20th century, as well as different figures that are significant to the Mayan culture. There is so much to see and look at and we read that it took 11 years to complete!

Attend a FREE local event

There is almost always something free to do in Mérida! The city hosts almost nightly free events, ranging from dancing, to a Mayan ball game, to video projections on the Cathedral. Some of the top events to check out are: Monday night (9 PM): Vaquería at Plaza Grande On Monday nights, there is Vaquería, which is a traditional Yucatán celebration and dance at Plaza Grande, just outside of the Palacio Municipal.   Tuesday night (8:30 PM): Dancing at Parque de Santiago Unlike the other dancing events listed, this is not a performance, but rather live music that the public comes to dance to. This would be really fun to go join! Friday night (8 PM): Video mapping on Catedral de San Ildefonso Many regular events were canceled during our time in Mérida due to Mérida Fest, but this is one event that we were able to catch! Every Friday night at 8 PM, they put on a video mapping show on the Cathedral in Plaza Grande, which is so beautiful! You get to watch different displays dance along the cathedral, along with music and/or narration. Saturday night (8 PM): Pok Ta Pok Pok Ta Pok is a Mayan ball game that dates back thousands of years and the players can only use their hips (we also heard elbows and knees) to score. And every Saturday night, they play this game at Plaza Grande! Unfortunately this is one event that was canceled during our visit due to Mérida Fest and we were SO bummed to not see it, but we did get to see one of the courts at Uxmal.  NOTE: We suggest checking with the tourism office about the current days and times of these events, as they do change over time.

Bike the streets during BiciRuta 

Not only is Mérida an extremely walkable city, it is also bike friendly, and another fun event to check out in Mérida is BiciRuta ! BiciRuta means “bicycle route” in Spanish and every Sunday from 8 AM-12:30 PM, 5 km of roads, starting at Monumento a la Patria and ending at Parque de la Ermita, are closed to cars so that the public can bike and walk on them! Along this route you’ll get to bike down Paseo de Montejo and see its mansions, can stop at different cafes, explore Plaza Grande and its Sunday market, and more! When we visited we hoped to join in on the fun of this event and rent bikes from BICIMERIDA , but once again, they unfortunately weren’t doing BiciRuta due to Mérida Fest, so we weren’t able to experience this weekly Mérida tradition. Next time!

Walk the streets and admire the beautiful architecture and buildings

Paseo de Montejo isn’t the only street worth seeing when visiting Mérida! Most streets in Mérida are filled with tons of color and character. Everywhere we went there were interesting and beautiful buildings and houses to admire. We couldn’t stop saying “wow” and “oh how beautiful” to ourselves as we walked the streets!  Just wandering around you’ll stumble upon delightfully vibrant streets on your own, but a beautiful spot we found was Calle 64A . We had heard that this section of street was one of the most colorful in Mérida and the rumors were true!

Eat delicious Yucatán foods

One thing we LOVE about Mexico is the regional variety of cuisines and the Yucatán, including Mérida, is no exception! The Yucatán’s cuisine has been heavily influenced by its Mayan roots and offers many food items that are unlike anything else we have tried in Mexico! Some of the themes we noticed when trying Yucatán food is the high presence of turkey as a protein, as well as hard boiled eggs. Pork is also prominent and many meats are slow cooked, instead of grilled. As for spice, they love habanero and you’ll find it in salsas and sauces. Eating Yucatán food is hands down one of the top things to do in Mérida and below are some delicious restaurants to visit that offer Yucatán food items.

To learn much more about Yucatecan foods and where to find them in Mérida, check out our guide to trying Yucatecan foods which also includes some tips on ordering food in Mexico. You can also watch our Yucatán food tour video where we tried 12 Yucatán dishes!

La Chaya Maya

Maybe the most popular restaurant in Merida is La Chaya Maya . There are two locations, but we went to the La Chaya Maya Casona location because it has a beautiful open-air courtyard in the middle of it, which is a common theme at restaurants in Mérida, which we loved! At La Chaya Maya you can try many Yucatecan dishes like cochinita pibil, papadzul, huevos, motuleños, poc chuc, and lots more! We tried the papadzul and poc chuc and both were excellent! 

Taqueria La Lupita

In our two weeks in Merida we went to Taqueria La Lupita FIVE times! The Airbnb we stayed in was only a 5 minute walk from the market where Taqueria La Lupita is and that definitely played a part in why we went so many times, but we also went back again and again because it is ridiculously good! We loved their lechon al horno, relleno negro, and cochinita pibil on either salbutes or panuchos! One important thing to know is that this is mostly a breakfast and lunch spot, as they close at 1:30 PM.

Maíz, Canela y Cilantro

Maíz, Canela y Cilantro is a weekend-only, family run restaurant serving several different traditional Mexican dishes, as well as Yucatecan dishes. We recommend the huevos motuleños! The restaurant itself is beautiful, with a cozy outdoor courtyard. And on your way out to the courtyard, you’ll pass by the kitchen, which looks just like a kitchen in a home rather than an industrial kitchen you might normally find in a restaurant. It made us feel like we were just eating at a local’s house!

Manjar Blanco

Similar to La Chaya Maya, at Manjar Blanco you can find tons of traditional Yucatecan dishes, with maybe most famous being their cochinita pibil, which was featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles. And we can confirm it is very tasty!  We also tried sopa de lima, which is a soup similar to tortilla soup, but made with lima agria, as well as queso relleno, which is a stuffed Dutch cheese. Besides the delicious food, what takes Manjar Blanco to another level is the ambience and atmosphere. They have beautifully decorated inside and outside areas where you can eat. And you may even see some cats!

It’s a tie between Taqueria La Lupita, El Apapacho, and Wayan’e for our favorite restaurant we tried in Mérida. Wayan’e is said to be one of the best taco spots in Mérida and is very highly praised for its castacan, which is crispy pork belly. We ordered ours in taco and torta form and had heard to add cheese, which you never have to tell us twice to do! And we can confirm…it is worth the hype! I think our reaction in our Yucatán food tour video spoke volumes as to how much we loved it!  The meat is so fatty, tender, and rich, which is only heightened by the addition of cheese. It was PERFECT! And their salsas and chaya con piña/lima aguas frescas were amazing too! We had to walk quite a ways from our Airbnb to get to Wayan’e (and did it twice), but we’d walk miles and miles again for this treat!  Similar to Taqueria La Lupita, this spot is mostly for breakfast and lunch, as it is only open until 2:30 PM.

Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca- MUGY

The Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca shares the ingredients and flavors of the Yucatecan cuisine through exhibits, demonstrations, and a restaurant to sample traditional dishes.  It is housed in a casona, which means big house, and the exhibits share the history of the people of the Yucatan Peninsula’s use of beans, chiles, turkey, pork, and other ingredients. The demonstrations will show you how these ingredients and dishes are prepared including how they roast a whole pig in the ground. In the outdoor village at the back of the museum you can see a recreation of thatched palapas where the demonstrations take place.  The restaurant is highly rated and is high on our list to try and experience on our next visit!

Marquesitas

Marquesitas are like crunchy crepes and are a very popular sweet treat in Mérida! The batter, which tastes similar to a waffle cone, is poured onto a grill, and traditionally is filled with queso de bola, which is edam cheese from the Netherlands, the same cheese used for queso relleno. It is then filled with toppings and rolled up once crispy! As for toppings, a couple of the most popular ways to order them are with cheese and nutella or cajeta (caramel). We tried one with nutella and cheese and another with cajeta, lechera (condensed milk), and cheese and both were super good, but the second time we went we took them to another level and got them with cheese, cajeta, lechera, nutella and a banana! The banana makes the dessert a meal!  We read that the marquesita originated in Mérida in the 1900s when an ice cream vendor’s sales were down in the winter, so he created the marquesita to use the waffle cone in a different way. We aren’t 100% sure if it’s true, but we’re sure glad it was created! You can find these fun and delicious treats all over town, mostly at night from little stands that are often driven around by an attached motorcycle. We tried two different stands and our favorite was this marquesita stand , mostly because he really loaded up the ingredients! 

Try other amazing restaurants

You can find more than just Yucatán dishes in Mérida! Mérida is also home to some other amazing restaurants that have delicious Mexican food items that aren’t necessarily from the Yucatán. Below are some of our favorites for each meal!

El Barrio This small spot makes some amazing breakfast! We LOVED their chilaquiles and their horchata con cacao, which was basically Mexican chocolate milk. Since it is small, we recommend making a reservation, which you can easily do online . Voltacafé This restaurant has a wonderful outdoor courtyard and we really enjoyed their coffee, chilaquiles, and breakfast sandwich.

Lunch or Dinner

El Apapacho El Apapacho wins for our favorite restaurant (that isn’t tacos) in Mérida! This is part restaurant and part bookstore, with the most gorgeous outdoor courtyard we experienced on our trip, covered in colorful murals and filled with beautiful, lush plants. They even provide some OFF bug spray at every table, which is super thoughtful! We came here twice and both times started off with one of their mocktails, which were SO good, and then got mole based dishes for our meals, including shrimp and mole (the BEST shrimp we have ever had!) and enmoladas, which are corn tortillas stuffed with your choice of filling then smothered in mole. We tried the mole negro and it was smoky, spicy, creamy, and so flavorful!   The wait staff are super nice and friendly as well!

Mercado 60 One of the coolest spots we visited was Mercado 60, which is a large outdoor food hall with a great variety of food options including burgers, burritos, empanadas, Japanese food, a smoothie bar, bbq, and several bars.  We tried the empanadas from Divina Gracia Empanadas and they were phenomenal! The empanadas were so crispy on the outside and the fillings (we tried them all!) were so tasty, with our favorites being the cheese based ones as the cheese was SO gooey and creamy. The sauces are all delicious too! The food is super good, but the atmosphere and vibe of the space is really fun! It’s a very large space with several different areas to sit and hang out with friends. There are a variety of seating options to choose from including large community tables, bar areas, and relaxing chairs arranged in circles, sort of like around a campfire. The entire space is covered in fun and festive strung lights and other fixtures. On some nights they have live music as well which would make it an even more fun experience! If you’re coming with a group, this is a place you could easily spend an entire evening at. 

Taqueria de la Unión Taqueria de la Unión is another spot we went to multiple times! Their tacos are all delicious, as is their guacamole and queso fundido. We tried a handful of meats here including al pastor (which is shredded, a unique twist!), castacan, carne ahumada, lechon al horno, cochinita, and campechano.

Pola Gelato Our one and only ice cream we tried in Mérida was Pola Gelato and it was so good that we went twice! This cute shop offers several classic gelato flavors, as well as some unique and local flavors, including stracciatella, marquesita, piña con chaya, and several others. We highly recommend the marquesita and their peanut butter flavor. They work so well together! Note: It’s cash only!

Paleteria las Rellenas de la 60 No trip to Mexico is complete without a paleta or two! Paletas are Mexican popsicles and they can be fruit based or milk based. As their tagline proclaims “it’s what’s inside that counts,” and that is what makes these paletas special…the filling inside of them! We tried the Mexican chocolate flavor, which was delicious, but the real star was the queso de bola with cajeta filling! The cajeta (caramel) inside was SO gooey and the outside had actual cheese in it. It was like a marquesita, in frozen form. Just like almost all the places we visited in Mérida, the inside shop and indoor and outdoor seating areas were beautifully designed and relaxing!

Some spots we want to check out next time

Chilakilez Morning Food & Treats SOCO Mérida Cafetería Impala  Catrín Café Montejo Micaela Mar & Leña

Visit a local coffee shop

It’s no secret we love coffee (I am currently drinking my second cup as I write this)! And Mérida has an awesome coffee scene. Before and during our trip we pinned so many coffee shops to checkout and had full intentions of visiting as many as we could, but ended up only visiting a handful because the ones we did go to were so good that we had a hard time pushing ourselves to visit others! Here are the ones we loved, plus the others we had planned to visit, but will have to check out next time!

Manifesto Casa Tostadora Calabrese

Quite possibly our favorite coffee shop that we visited in Mérida was Manifesto Casa Tostadora Calabrese . The staff inside are extremely friendly and knowledgeable and the inside space has a cool mix of wood and stone, with pops of blue. It is multilevel (although you can’t go to the second story) with the roaster on the second floor that you can see from the lower level. We even bought a couple bags of beans to bring home! Every drink we tried was great, but we especially LOVED their flat whites. They also serve a variety of food options, most notably toasts, and they are also open until 9 PM most days. 

Part cafe, part book library, Sempere is a calm, tranquil, and relaxing cafe that offers exceptional coffee and food items, including toasts and fruit plates. We tried their flat white, Americano, yogurt and fruit bowl, and a pesto, tomato, and cheese avocado toast…all were spectacular! We especially loved the ambience and concept of this place. Adam could spend all day in a library or bookstore and this coffee shop had a few bookshelves that he couldn’t stop browsing. It’s a concept many coffee shops utilize, but this was the best execution of it, in our opinion. 

Baretto | Espresso Bar

Located Calle 47, just a block east of the southern end of Paseo de Montejo is Baretto . They have a beautifully designed interior space and also a walk up to go window. We had several of their flat whites and Americanos during our visit and they were excellent and the pastries they sell inside looked top notch as well!

More coffee shops we want to try:

Latte Quatro Sette Portavía Pan & Køf.feé Márago Coffee

Shop at the markets

Mérida is filled with fun and colorful markets throughout the city. You can find a lively market on any day of the week where you can buy craft goods, souvenirs, and try the local Yucatecan cuisine. We are sharing some of the more popular markets below!

Saturday slow food market

If you aren’t familiar, the Slow Food movement is an international food movement that promotes local food production, healthy eating, and preservation of regional culinary conditions. The Slow Food Yucatán market is an official chapter of the Slow Food movement and aims to promote, preserve, and enjoy the culinary heritage and local food production.  You can visit this market every Saturday from 9AM-1PM at Centro Comercial Colon , a few blocks west of the north end of Paseo de Montejo. 

Mérida en Domingo Sunday Market

On Sundays in Plaza Grande is the Mérida en Domingo Sunday Market. The market runs from 9 AM-9 PM every Sunday and includes dance and live music performances, food stalls, and merchandise stalls.

Lucas De Galvéz market

The largest and busiest market is the Lucas De Galvéz market which has been in operation here in Merida since 1887! It has been demolished multiple times to make it what it is today and is currently 156,000 square feet with over 2,000 vendors, who sell about everything you could imagine, including clothing, spices, food stalls, produce, flowers, crafts, and so much more! We had a blast walking through the market! It felt very local and there were tons of things to see!

Mercado de Santiago

Mercado de Santiago is located in the Santiago neighborhood and is a small covered market that has produce and meat areas, flowers, and most notably Taqueria La Lupita! 

Visit the many small parks and plazas

One of our favorite things we noticed in Mérida was how all the small parks and plazas were always busy with people enjoying the day with friends and family. Both during the early morning, during the day, and at night, the parks were always places full of life! While Plaza Grande may be the most popular, these smaller parks and plazas still offer a lot to see, with evening markets and events, restaurants nearby, gorgeous, old churches, and free WiFi. Below are a few we especially liked!

Parque de Santiago 

Parque de Santiago is where you can find Mercado de Santiago, but besides that, there are some nice seating areas, a church, a playground for kids, and a fountain. It was always busy at night too!

Parque de Santa Ana

Parque de Santa Ana is home to one of the most picturesque churches in Mérida! It is a spacious area that is surrounded by restaurants, including Manjar Blanco, plus lots of street food vendors pop up here in the evenings

Parque Hidalgo

Parque Hidalgo is a great spot to find marquesita stands, especially on the weekend! One Saturday night we counted 5 lined up right next to each other! They also had a market at night, which may be nightly, offering different arts and crafts.

Check out Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya (Great Museum of the Mayan World)

The Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya is a museum focused on the history of the Mayan people and culture. The museum showcases over 1,100 artifacts including textiles, religious items, engravings, books, art, and so much more! It only costs around $8 USD for foreign visitors, making it an affordable activity.

Swim in Cenotes

Not only is there a lot to do in Mérida, but there are also so many fun destinations nearby, including beaches, cenotes, Mayan ruins, and other towns. For the final handful of things to do in Mérida we’re going to focus on these day trip options, starting with cenotes! There may be no streams or rivers on the surface of the Yucatán, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any water to be found. Underneath the ground is the longest underwater cave system in the world and thousands of other natural sinkholes and caves filled with water, called cenotes.

Being the only source of water for the Mayans, cenotes were extremely important and considered sacred. Mayans believed they were entrances to their “underworld,” where their Gods lived and today they are popular for locals and tourists to swim in. Some are very busy and crowded with tourists, while others are hardly visited at all.  We read and heard different numbers, but there are between 9,000 and 12,000 cenotes on the Yucatán Peninsula, with many near Mérida. Cenotes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, with some being completely covered, while others are semi-open or fully open. They are all beautiful and unique!

While visiting Mérida we went on a tour we booked through Airbnb experiences to visit two cenotes ( Cenote Kankirixche and Cenote Yaal Utzil ), plus had lunch at a local’s house who prepared some traditional Yucatecan and Mayan dishes, and checked out a nearby hacienda. It was a blast and you can watch our full experience in this video !

See Mayan Ruins 

Another one of the top things to do in Mérida is visit Mayan ruins! The Yucatan Peninsula is the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization and Merida is close to many different Mayan ruins including two of the most popular, Chichén Itzá and Uxmal. 

A little over an hour south of Mérida is Uxmal , which is said to be first settled around 500 BC, (although we read so many conflicting dates), but grew in power in the ninth and twelfth centuries AD. Although the word Uxmal means “thrice built,” the Pyramid of the Magician, one of the most iconic buildings, is actually made up of five temples built in different periods on top of each other. Other notable structures at Uxmal are the Nunnery Quadrangle, Pok Ta Pok Court, and the Governor’s Palace. 

Uxmal isn’t a massive site so it would only take you about 2 hours to go through the whole ruins site at a normal pace. To learn more about the ruins and what to expect while there, check out our guide to visiting Uxmal and watch our experience ! There are a handful of ways to get to Uxmal, including hiring a guide, driving yourself, or taking a bus from Mérida, which is what we did. We were apprehensive about taking the bus out to Uxmal from Mérida because we couldn’t find a ton of information about the bus route online and didn’t want to get stuck out there. We did a lot of research and used other blogs to get comfortable with taking the leap and the day couldn’t have gone any better! You can read everything you need to know about taking the bus to Uxmal in this guide !

Another attraction across the street from Uxmal is Choco-Story , which explores the history and importance of cocoa to the Mayan people. It’s a fun experience that leads you through some exhibits about cocoa, gives you the chance to see a Mayan ceremony, and ends with a hot cocoa tasting. There are also some rescued animals, who are unfit to be in the wild, like monkeys and two jaguars, 

Chichén Itzá

One of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Chichén Itzá is the most popular Mayan ruin site on the peninsula. Once a main hub of Mayan civilization, today it is an impressive set of preserved ruins.  Because of its impressive distinctions, it is a very popular tourist destination. We’ve read that lots of tour buses drop off tons of tourists throughout the day and the area is packed with vendors that really take away from the experience, so we ultimately decided to visit Uxmal instead. Chichén Itzá is 120 km (75 miles) from Mérida and you can get there from Mérida by hiring a guide , driving a car, or taking a public bus.

Dzibilchaltún

If you want to visit ruins closer to Mérida instead, check out Dzibilchaltún , which is only 30 minutes from the city! It is a smaller set of ruins to visit, but makes for an easy trip if you’re low on time.

Visit a Hacienda

Dotted around Mérida are hundreds of haciendas, which were large production compounds that were originally built as cattle ranches, but later became facilities for the production of henequen, a fiber derived from a type of agave plant that was used to make rope.  This industry boomed in the 19th and 20th centuries and these haciendas were owned and run by Spanish noblemen and the workers, who were pretty much slaves, were local Mayan people and other people recruited from other areas.  The workers experienced harsh working conditions with little food and water and were paid with money that was only accepted at their hacienda. The production of henequen was so popular that hundreds of haciendas popped up and the product was sold all over the world.

With the invention of a synthetic material known as plastic in the early 1900s, the boom of henequen production burst and the haciendas began to be abandoned. These haciendas sat abandoned for decades until some hotel owners began buying them up and renovating them to be luxury resorts and wedding venues.  We visited Hacienda Uayalceh during our cenotes tour and it was really interesting to hear about life here and see the buildings, especially seeing how nature has taken over some of them! Some others you can visit are Hacienda Xcanchakan and Hacienda Sotuta de Peón and you can also stay at some of the renovated haciendas like Hacienda Xcanatun , Hacienda Santa Cruz , and Hacienda San Antonio Hool . 

Take a day trip to Progreso 

Even though Mérida isn’t on the beach, it’s close to the beach and the most convenient beach to visit is Progreso, about a 40 minute drive north of Mérida. You can get there by taking a collectivo from Mérida, renting a car, or hiring a guide to take you out.  Here you’ll find a gorgeous beach, the town of Progreso, and the world’s longest pier which is  4 miles long! It’s also a hot spot for kitesurfing !

See the flamingos in Celestún 

Another nice coastal day trip when visiting Mérida is Celestún! Celestún is about a 1.5 hour drive west of Mérida and is home to both a beach and thousands of pink flamingos!  The town is surrounded by a biosphere reserve, which is where these beautiful pink birds flock to in the winter months, with the best time to see them being between November-April. You’ll want to book a tour to see them, as they are best seen from a boat through the mangroves.  You can get to Celestún by renting a car and driving, taking a public bus from Mérida, or hiring a guide to take you . 

See Izamal “The Yellow City”

Izamal is one of the nearby Pueblos Magicos and is known as “the Yellow City” because the entire town is painted in the same shade of yellow. It is one of the few monochromatic towns in the world! Here you’ll find Spanish colonial architecture, Mayan ruins and the Pirámido Kinich Kakmó , and a charming small Mexican town.  We’ve read you can walk the whole 4 square mile town in an afternoon, but to escape the heat and experience the town when it’s the most hoppin’, make sure to stay until the evening, when the town comes alive and you can watch a lightshow in the courtyard in the middle of town.  Izamal is only a little over an hour drive east of Mérida and you can take a bus, drive yourself, or go with a guide . It was one of the most highly recommended things to do in Mérida from our audience, but unfortunately we didn’t have enough free days to make it happen, so it is on our list to visit next time! 

Explore Valladolid

Another Pueblo Magico and Spanish colonial town worth visiting is Valladolid. Located about two hours east of Mérida, Valladolid is centrally located on the peninsula and some top things to do here include strolling the Calzada de los Frailes , visiting the Parque Principal , and seeing the San Bernardino Convent with the Valladolid sign. 

Admire the pink water of Las Coloradas

If you’ve ever seen those photos online of the bright pink water in Mexico, it is likely the water on the coast of Las Coloradas. This area is actually owned by a salt company and they use a microorganism that helps create a better salt yield from the ponds, which gives it that pink color.  The best time to see the pink water is midday, as that is when it is most vibrant. You can see the water from the road, but if you want a closer look, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee and have a guide.  However, we do hear very mixed things about going. People say the fee is overpriced for what you get, so for us, this wouldn’t be worth a trip on its own, but if you plan to visit the Rio Lagartos, which similar to Celestún has pink flamingos, it may make it more worth it.

Now that you know of some of the best things to do in Mérida, it’s time to plan out your time in the city! Although we spent two weeks in Mérida, the majority of our time was spent working at our Airbnb, so you could easily spend less time than us and still experience much of what the city and surrounding area has to offer. So how many days do you need in Mérida? It depends on what you’d like to do! If you just want to visit the city and also do a cenote tour and see some ruins, you can accomplish a lot in 3 days. But if you want to have a more leisurely visit in the city and check out another town or two, in addition to ruins and cenotes, we’d suggest closer to 5 days. Below is a 3 day itinerary to help get you started, with some suggestions on what to add on for additional days as well!

• Enjoy a breakfast of tacos, salbutes, and panuchos from Taqueria La Lupita. Make sure to go early, as you do have a slight deadline this morning!
• Grab coffee to go from Manifesto and then head to Plaza Grande. 
• Spend the next 1.5 hours or so going on a free walking tour! You could either do a free walking tour through the tourism office (9:30 AM) or do one of the other options we listed, which start around 10 AM. 
• For lunch, head to Manjar Blanco or La Chaya Maya Casona to try as many Yucatecan dishes as you can!
• Walk along Paseo de Montejo, checking out any museums that may interest you and visiting Monumento a La Patria.
• Check out more of Mérida’s parks and plazas, as well as the shops that surround them.
• For dinner, head to El Apapacho or one of the other restaurants we listed!
• Grab a marquesita from one of the stands around town.
• Enjoy one of the free nightly events (if one is happening that night).
• Go on a day trip to visit cenotes! We highly recommend the tour we booked through Airbnb Experiences !
• After a likely hot day at the cenotes and hacienda, grab a cool, sweet treat from either Pola Gelato or Paleteria las Rellenas de la 60!
• Head out to one of the restaurants we listed for dinner.
• Spend today visiting some Mayan ruins! We suggest Uxmal, but you could also do Chichén Itzá and add on Izamal as well. 
• After returning from the ruins, which will likely be in the late afternoon or early evening, grab dinner at one of the spots listed in this guide and a dessert that you have yet to try!

Have more time?

We’d suggest using your additional days in Mérida to add on another day trip to Izamal, or any of the other day trips we listed in the guide, like Progreso, Valladolid, or Celestún. You could also use your additional time in Mérida to explore the city at a slower pace and eat more of its delicious local foods!

You can visit Mérida year round and have a great trip, but some months will give you more pleasant temperatures than others. The best time to visit Mérida, Mexico is between November and March , when the temperatures are the coolest. But be warned, even the “cool” months can still be warm. We visited in mid January and it still reached into the 90s several of the days during our two weeks.  We’d recommend not visiting May-September because those are the warmest, humid months, and wettest months. The mosquitos can also be swarming in those summer months!  Besides weather, one other thing to keep in mind is local events. As we mentioned earlier in this guide, we visited during Mérida Fest, which is a celebration of the city’s founding. It was a very festive time to be there, but many regular events, like BiciRuta and Pok Ta Pok games, were canceled, so if you’re really hoping to partake in those, we’d suggest not visiting during this time.

Flying to Mérida, Mexico

The Mérida International Airport (MID) is only about 8 km, or a 20-25 minute drive, from the heart of the city. This is a small airport, but is really nice inside, with a handful of food offerings and quite a bit of seating. It offers flights on a handful of airlines, including Aeromexico (what we flew!), Volaris, WestJet, American Airlines, and United, to name a few. If coming from the US, you’ll likely have a connection, with Mexico City being a popular stop along the way.

Transportation from the airport

One important thing to know is that rideshare companies like Uber and DiDi are not allowed to legally pick up people from the airport (they can take you to the airport though). While some will accept your ride request, they may make you walk off of the airport property, so the safest and most legal way to get a ride is to take a taxi.  There are taxi stands in the airport by the baggage claim and you will just go up to the stand, tell them the address you want to go to, and then you’ll pay at the stand. You’ll then be given a receipt and will wait in line for a taxi. Just a warning, you may have to wait a while! We paid $285 MXN (~$15 USD) for a ride from the airport to Barrio de Santiago, which was a lot more than our DiDi ride back to the airport, but still not too bad overall. Besides taxis, there is a cheap bus you can take into town. You can find out a bit more about it in this article , but if you’re not staying right in town, it may not be as convenient, as you’d likely have to walk a bit with your luggage.

Visiting from elsewhere on the Yucatán Peninsula?

Mérida makes for a great stop if you’re road tripping on the Yucatán Peninsula! Here is how long you can expect to drive from nearby popular destinations. Campeche: 170 km (106 miles) | 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic Tulum: 277 km (172 miles) | 3.5-4.5 hours, depending on traffic Playa Del Carmen: 305 km (190 miles) | 3.5-4.5 hours, depending on traffic Cancun: 320 km (198 miles) | 4-5 hours, depending on traffic

Something we loved about Mérida is that it’s a very walkable city! We walked everywhere so easily and many days we chose to walk, even if it meant miles, because we enjoyed walking around so much!  But for the times we had to go a bit further, or carry groceries from Walmart, we used Uber or DiDi, which is a Mexican equivalent to Uber. We hadn’t used DiDi before, but it was usually cheaper and usually more available than Uber. For both services we never paid more than $10 for a ride, even with tip.  There are also taxis, but we personally like using rideshare apps, as we know the price beforehand and can see our driver’s name. And you can also take colectivos, which are small vans that are similar to buses, but we personally did not use these, as DiDi and Uber were affordable and easy. You can also rent a car , however this isn’t necessary in the city. But if you want to do day trips and not have to rely on public buses or tours, this would be a good idea. Just be aware that driving in Mexico is a bit more chaotic than in the United States, at least in our opinion. As someone with car anxiety, I felt a bit nervous in the car while in the city, but once out of the city, it is a lot calmer. If you’re a US citizen, your driver’s license will work in Mexico, just make sure to have your passport with you as well.

For tourists visiting Mérida, we’d suggest staying in Barrio de Santiago (where we stayed), Paseo de Montejo, or Centro. These areas are all close and walkable to the action and all felt very safe to us. The only place we read to avoid is south Mérida. One nice thing about Mérida is that coming from the US, the prices are a lot cheaper. You can find many options under $100 a night, with some being under $50 a night. Below are some lodging options to consider, ranging in price!

Hotels 

Higher end hotels.

Rosas y Xocolate Boutique Hotel + SPA   The Diplomat Boutique Hotel   El Palacita Secreto   NH Collection Paseo Montejo

Budget Friendly Hotels

Kuka y Naranjo Hotel Plaza by Kavia HIT Mérida Hotel La Nacional  

Vacation Rentals

If you’re visiting Mérida for an extended stay or just want a more homey experience, a vacation rental is a great choice. And there are tons of options to choose from, many with personal pools!  Casa Mariachi in Barrio de Santiago (1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms) This is where we stayed during our two weeks in Mérida and it was spectacular! It is a large space with 1 bedroom, 2 full bathrooms, spacious kitchen and dining space, AND the best part…a back patio area with a dipping pool! It is such a beautiful space, with exposed stone, six different tile floor patterns, and lots of character and charm. Amenities include air conditioning in every room, laundry, a charcoal grill, WiFi, drinking water provided, and tv with streaming services. The hosts are very responsive as well!  Majical Casa Iguana Maya (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)  Casa Izquierda (1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms) Casita Frida (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Majikal Casa Shiv a (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Casa Kaab (2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms) Casa Picasso (2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms)

Know some Spanish 

Although many places you’ll visit in and around Mérida will have people who can speak at least some English, Spanish is the official language of Mexico and it’s always helpful to know a few common phrases to show respect and get your needs across clearly. 

Some helpful phrases for ordering and paying include:

• Good morning – Buenos días
• Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
• Thank you – gracias
• Please – por favor
• How are you? – Cómo está?
• Bien – good
• I’m sorry – lo siento
• Busco un… – I’m looking for…
• Where is the bathroom? – ¿Dónde está el baño?
• I would like – Me gustaria un/a taco
• I want a ___- quiero un/a ____
• Sin – without
• Con – with
• The check, please – la cuenta, por favor
• Propina – tip
• Por ciento – percent
• Learning numbers will be helpful for ordering and paying
• Learn more phrases here

We love practicing our Spanish with the Duolingo app. If you spend a couple weeks learning Spanish it will be very helpful for your trip! 

Carry cash (+ ATM tips!)

Mexico’s currency is the Mexican Peso and you’ll definitely want to carry some cash in Mexico! Many restaurants and other businesses will only accept cash and you’ll soon find out that you have to pay a small fee (usually $5-10 pesos) to use public bathrooms.  As for using ATMs, depending on your bank, there may be a partner ATM you can go to in order to avoid fees. During our trip we used our Bank of America debit card, which partners with Scotiabank, so anytime we went to a Scotiabank ATM (there are a handful in town), we were able to get cash out without paying an ATM fee, although we did still have a 3% foreign transaction fee. Our card also does give us one free ATM fee per month for non Bank of America or partner banks. However, we will be taking a different approach moving forward and have signed up for a Charles Schwab checking account, which refunds ATM fees from ANY ATM worldwide! This will give us much more freedom as we travel to use whichever ATM is most convenient. Some other cash and ATM tips:

• ATMs at actual banks tend to have better conversion rates and are safer, as they have more security. These ATMs are often accessed outside of the bank and are available 24/7.
• Don’t take all of your cash with you in public. We recommend just taking what you need and securing the rest at your accommodation, just in case you experience theft.
• Decline the exchange rate! We learned this tip from Beach Please Mexico and we recommend reading their blog to understand more, but basically, when using an ATM, just before you get the cash it will ask you if you accept the exchange rate, which for us always said 12%. When we first saw this we panicked and clicked “decline,” figuring it would cancel the whole transaction and we’d just find another ATM. But then the machine spit out our cash and we were so confused. We then found the blog post linked above and learned that this is a LEGAL scam and to always press decline, which will give you the money for the regular exchange rate and not charge an additional percentage. This saved us $15 on our first ATM trip!

International phone data

If traveling from the US, make sure to check your phone provider’s international text, talk, and data policy beforehand. We have Verizon and with our plan we get 2 GB of data (plus regular text and talk usage) in Mexico, for no additional fee. If your normal plan does not work in Mexico, we highly recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo . We have been using this on more recent international trips and it saves the hassle of having to get a physical SIM in a new country!

Travel insurance

We highly recommend buying travel insurance for any international trip. For our trip to Mexico we purchased insurance with SafetyWing for the duration of our trip, which was affordable and gave us a ton of peace of mind. SafetyWing is travel medical insurance that will cover you outside of your home country for however long you need it. We purchased their Nomad Insurance plan, which not only gave us travel medical insurance, but also provided coverage for lost baggage and travel delays! Thankfully we didn’t have to use any of it!

Don’t drink water from the tap

You have probably heard this before, but it is not safe to drink tap water anywhere in Mexico and Mérida is no exception. Make sure to have filtered water handy, which you can buy as bottles or as large jugs (we had 20L jugs in our Airbnb). As for ice, since locals cannot drink the tap water either, the ice at restaurants will be made from filtered water. We had many iced drinks and felt great!

Cleaning vegetables

Similar to water, vegetables can be unsafe to eat in Mexico without getting sick. In order to prevent that from happening, we suggest buying an antibacterial solution to clean vegetables while in Mérida. You can find this near the produce section at the store and will add it to water and soak the vegetables for a specific amount of time. We used it many times and had no issues with the vegetables we ate and we also couldn’t taste the solution either!

Grocery stores

If you need to grab groceries while in Mérida, we suggest going to Walmart ! It’s located along Paseo de Montejo, so it’s not a far trek from most accommodations and has a pretty good selection. We also had a Súper Aki near our Airbnb, which was fine, but we struggled to find some items we normally like to get here.

Toilet Paper

One thing we weren’t expecting in Mérida is that you’re not supposed to flush toilet paper. Most restaurants will have signs asking you not to flush toilet paper, as well as a trash can right there to put your toilet paper in. This is because the plumbing system cannot handle it, so please follow this rule. 

You likely don’t need a visa to visit Mexico, but make sure to check in advance. As US Citizens, we did not need a visa.

To see our top travel gear, plus a packing list, check out this blog post ! But beyond those items, there are a few that we especially suggest bringing with you when visiting Mérida!

If traveling from outside of Mexico, make sure to bring your passport with you!

Sunscreen is a MUST in Mérida! Not only is it hot, but it’s also very sunny and if you plan to visit any Mayan ruins, where there can be a lack of shade, you will definitely need to protect yourself from the sun. While you can buy sunscreen in Mérida, it may be good to bring a small amount so you don’t have to worry about it right away. Keep in mind that you should not wear sunscreen in cenotes, as it can contaminate the water. Note: Make sure any liquids you bring on a plane are 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and are in a clear quart sized bag where they can be easily inspected if needed!

Bug spray is another item you’ll want to have handy for Mérida! We didn’t get attacked by bugs, but we did get some bites, and we tried to wear bug spray as much as possible to combat it.

If you plan to visit cenotes and want to capture the experience, we suggest bringing a waterproof camera, like a GoPro ! We brought our old GoPro HERO8 Black (we just upgraded to a GoPro HERO11 Black after this trip) and it was so fun to film and get photos underwater.

Reusable water bottle

We brought our Hydroflask water bottles to Mexico so we could fill them up with filtered water and have water with us on the go, instead of constantly buying plastic bottles.

Stomach medicine

While we hope you don’t need it, it may be a good idea to bring some medicine in case your stomach gets upset. During our previous trip to Mexico City we could’ve really used some, but thankfully we did not need it this time. However, we brought some just in case!

Ready to explore Mérida?

Pin this list of things to do in Mérida, Mexico guide to help plan your trip!

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One thought on “ 20 fun things to do in mérida, mexico (+ 3 day itinerary) ”.

We just completed a 5 day trip in Merida after being inspired by this video series and wanted to share some tips/experiences for anyone one else planning a trip. First, let me say Merida is a wonderful city. It is big (especially if you choose to drive), but everyone was very friendly and we always felt very safe, even walking at night. There are some touristy spots, but a lot of the city is just lovely and historic and it seems like there was something interesting to see around every corner. Here are a few random tips/observations (note, we went in late December 2023, for reference): 1. Taqueria La Lupita and Taqueria de la Union were both amazing! La Lupita can get busy. If you show up and there is a crowd, you will need to get a number to wait to be called. Just go and ask one of the employees behind the chain. Totally worth the wait. The Chamorro Negro at de la Union was my wife’s favorite thing she ate in Mexico. 2. Manjar Blanco and Mugy were our two favorite sit down places to eat. We also tried El Apapacho, but it was pricier and I thought just ok. Mugy especially feels magical, the Poc Chuc there was probably one of the best things I ate in Mexico. 3. The tacos were great, but be sure to try the other tortilla options as Adam and Katherine noted, there is so much variety, be sure to try something new. 4. Uxmal is absolutely stunning. We drove by Chichen Itza and it was a zoo! Uxmal was chill and really mind blowing! 5. If you walk Paseo de Monteo, be sure to stop in the museum in the mansion. Really neat artifacts and the building is amazing. 6. If you want to see a bit more of the “real” Merida, be sure to check out the Mercado San Benito. It was overwhelming, but really neat too. Also lots of nearby bakeries/panaderias for tasty treats! 7. Finding people who spoke English was tougher than in many places. We muddled through, but some basic Spanish will go a long way. 8. You can tell Merida is growing in popularity. Almost all the prices are higher than what you see online. It is still a pretty affordable place, but just beware. 9. Almost no one takes credits cards, so plan to have cash! 10. We rented a car in Cancun and really enjoyed the freedom for day trips. We went to four cenotes, Uxmal, and saw the flamingos at Celestun. We had no problems driving and the police in the area, while everywhere, were nothing but helpful. We recommend having a car (guided trips of course work too).

Thanks to Adam and Katherine for this great series. We had never heard of Merida before it and were so glad to travel to this gem!

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The 15 Best Things to do in Mérida, Mexico

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Mérida is the buzzing hub of the Yucatán Peninsula. With its vibrant indigenous culture, fantastic craft beer scene, and fascinating history, this is one Mexican city that we can’t get enough of! This is the capital and largest city in Yucatán, and trust us when we say it won’t disappoint. 

If you think you know Mexico , then think again. Mérida has a life of its own. One of the safest cities to visit in the country, you’ll hear Mayan spoken alongside Spanish as you lose yourself in colorful markets and grand plazas. 

Indigenous history is all around Mérida. The Catedral de San Ildefonso – the oldest cathedral in Mexico – was built using the stones from destroyed Mayan temples. Ancient Mayan ruins like Uxmal await you on the Ruta Puuc, and modern Mayan culture can be found on the Camino del Mayab, a new multi-day hiking and biking route near Mérida.

Take a stroll through shaded parks and the tantalizing aroma of tortas will follow you through sun-drenched streets flanked by colonial mansions. Immerse yourself in craft breweries, boutique cafes, and foodie tours, or take a trip to the nearby beaches at Progreso or Celestun. 

With so many things to see and do, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Mérida for you. Try these fun and unique Mérida bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an exceptional time exploring this wonderful Mexican city!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Mérida, Mexico

1. take a free walking tour of mérida.

The best things in life aren’t free, goes the old saying – except for walking tours. When you first arrive in the city, one of the top things to do in Mérida is a free walking tour. You’ll take a stroll past the city’s best streets, plazas, and attractions alongside a local guide, giving you a fantastic introduction to Mérida.

The original free walking tour in Mérida is organized by the tourism office. They offer a genuinely free walk around the main sights most days at 9:30 am. The tour departs from the tourism office in the Plaza Grande, on the opposite side of the square from the Catedral de San Ildefonso. 

But with increasing demand for walking tours in Mérida, there are many more options available, several times a day. Estacion Mexico has walking tours at 10 am and 5:30 pm daily in English and Spanish. Meet the guides outside Casa Montejo in the Plaza Grande. 

Free Tour Mérida has departures at 10 am and 5 pm daily, meeting at the giant chairs in Parque de Santa Lucia. Both of these take in the main Mérida attractions in the Centro Histórico – including the cathedral, the Plaza Grande, and much more – and are tips-based (so you only pay what you feel the tour was worth at the end). 

Explore and Enjoy the Views of Merida

2. Explore the Sights in the Plaza Grande

Mérida is arranged in a classic grid system that’s focused on the Plaza Grande, the central public square that’s so iconic of Mexican cities. But Mérida’s Plaza Grande has more history than most. 

While the public buildings and old mansions that line the square are notably colonial in design, they’re all built on the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of T’ho. The city’s founding date is 1542, but in reality, the Spanish conquistadors knocked down an already thriving center of commerce, religion, and public life when they founded Mérida. 

Today you’ll see the surreptitious evidence of this in the very stones found in the cathedral’s walls, while a mural in El Palacio de Gobierno (the Governor’s Palace) depicts Spanish conquistadors asserting their power over the Maya. You can visit the Casa de Montejo (the family home of the Montejos, the leading conquistadors) to learn more. 

But as it always has, the Plaza Grande remains the center of public life in Mérida. It’s always busy and bustling, with street food vendors and musicians feeding and playing to crowds. And a visit to the Plaza Grande on a Sunday is one of the must-do things in Mérida when the square is turned over to a tantalizing food market serving Yucatec classics like cochinita pibil and sopa de lima all day long. 

Explore Plaza Grande in a Fun Way

3. Visit the Catedral de San Ildefonso

One of the most important things to see in Mérida is the Catedral de San Ildefonso . Construction of this towering stone cathedral began in 1562, a few years after the conquistadors had conquered the local Mayan kingdom. 

This was the first cathedral to be completed by the Spanish in Mexico, and it was built using the stones of Mayan temples, which had been torn down. Today, the cathedral remains a mighty testament to the conquistador’s rule. It’s also the focus of religious life in Mérida, and it’s always busy with church services and religious events (particularly on Sundays, as you’d imagine!). 

Visit the cathedral at night, though, for a fantastic view of the light show which dances across the centuries-old stones.

4. Learn about Indigenous History at the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida

A visit to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida is one of the best things to do in Mérida. This is the largest museum in the world dedicated to Mayan history, and it’s a fantastic place to learn more about the region’s indigenous culture. 

You’ll start with prehistory. Before humans, the Yucatán was populated by dinosaurs, but they were wiped out by a meteor strike that’s thought to have scored a direct hit on the peninsula (that’s right, you’re on the site of the dinosaur extinction). 

You’ll then learn about the origins of Mayan civilization going back thousands of years, explore the rise of grand cities like Chichen Itza, and delve into the stories, writing systems, and day-to-day lives of the Maya. 

Then you’ll see the destruction wrought by the Spanish conquistadors, learn how the Yucatán’s indigenous peoples were forced into slavery on henequen plantations, and see how Mayan culture and language are now making a steady resurgence in Mérida. 

Visit the Museums of Merida 

5. Delve into the City’s History at the Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida

There’s no doubt that Mérida is a fascinating city. This is a place where layer upon layer of history is waiting to be uncovered, and you can learn more at the Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida . 

The Museum of the City of Mérida is located next to Mercado Lucas de Galvez, just a few blocks away from the Plaza Grande. Set inside the old “Federal Palace” – a grand building built in 1908 – you’ll be able to explore the history of the city from its early days until the present. 

The museum doesn’t begin with the “official” founding date of 1542, though. It starts in a time before the Conquistadors, as you learn of the Mayan foundations of modern Mérida. Move through time as you see how the city grew and expanded in the modern era, as you browse through galleries packed with excavated archeological finds and more. 

6. Shop, Eat, and Drink Until you Drop at the Mercado Lucas de Galvez

You’ll be tempted into the Mercado Lucas de Galvez by the smell of freshly made tortillas and sizzling tacos as soon as you leave the Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida. Daily life in Mérida is always loud and colorful, and you’ll love exploring more as you lose your way inside this sprawling undercover market in central Mérida. 

Watch your step as you’re distracted by the sight of shredded pork being shoved into giant tortas covered in spicy sauce. Let yourself be tempted by the delights of cochinita pibil served simply on plastic plates at the back end of the market. Wash it down with a jumbo-sized refresco (our favorite is Agua de Jamaica – hibiscus water), or pull up a seat and order a few cervezas as you watch the world walk by. 

One of the top Mérida attractions, Mercado Lucas de Galvez is also a practical place to pick up a few supplies. You can buy almost anything here, and the market is roughly divided into different sections for fruit, vegetables, toys, electronics, clothes, hardware, and much, much more. If you’re self-catering while in Mérida, then this is the perfect place to pick up a few fresh ingredients for dinner!

7. Admire the Grand Architecture of the Paseo de Montejo

Mérida’s most prestigious boulevard is named after Francisco de Montejo, the conquistador who defeated the Maya and claimed the Yucatán Peninsula for Spain. This long avenue was built later, though, by wealthy citizens of a city that boomed through the wealth of the 19th-century henequen trade. 

While Mérida’s elite made their money off rural haciendas – where henequen (known as Green Gold) was grown to meet the demand of ropemakers and shipbuilders – they often preferred to live in the city. 

Paseo de Montejo became the site of an extravagant building spree as wealth was funneled into grander and grander mansions. The finest materials – like Yucatán marble and stones – were used to construct lavish houses in European styles, while even loftier statues of Mérida’s historical heroes were raised along the same avenue. 

You can still see all this today, although many of the houses have since been abandoned or turned into hotels (as with all things, the henequen trade eventually withered as cheaper substitutes were discovered). 

Visit the interesting Quinta Montes Molina House on the Paseo de Montejo to learn more. Built for the Molina family in the 1900s, this beautiful villa is now a superb museum. 

8. Visit a Hacienda to Learn about ‘Green Gold’ 

You can’t escape Mérida’s henequen history when you’re in the city. Mérida owes much of its architecture to the wealth made by “Green Gold” as the trade boomed in the 19th century. You can learn more by visiting one of the many haciendas that are found outside Mérida.

Haciendas were vast estates run by Mérida’s wealthiest citizens, with fields of henequen growing around lavish country homes. Many haciendas have been restored to their former glory or turned into boutique hotels. Many more lie in ruins – when the henequen trade died, so too did the haciendas sustained by their wealth.

But there’s a darker side to this story, too. While the rich profited greatly from Green Gold, the indigenous workers were typically forced into a type of servitude that was no better than slavery. Indebted to hacienda owners, many spent their lives slaving away in abject conditions on the farms. 

There are several haciendas to visit near Mérida, including Hacienda Yaxcopoil, Hacienda Santa Cruz, and Hacienda Xcanatun. 

Take a Hacienda Full-Day Trip

9. Eat Your Way Around Mérida on a Street Food Tour

Let’s be honest, the real reason we love Mexico is for the food , and Mérida has a delightful smorgasbord of dishes for you to try. This is the heart and soul of Yucatec cuisine, which merges indigenous recipes and ingredients with Spanish and other European influences. 

Yes, you’ll find tacos and tortas all over town, while classic breakfast dishes like chilaquiles or huevos rancheros are always on the menu. But you’ll want to try some serious Yucatec favorites, including slow-cooked cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork) and sopa de lima (a wonderful lime-based soup).

The best way to explore the food scene is on a dedicated street food walking tour, which is easily one of the most fun things to do in Mérida. If that’s not for you, then why not visit a few great local restaurants, including Kuuk , the Museum of Yucateca Gastronomy , or La Chaya Maya ? 

Try the Local Street Food of Merida

10. Catch a Game of Pok-ta-Pok in the Plaza Grande

Head to the Plaza Grande on Saturday evenings for a fiery event like no other. You’ll find the square filled with a crowd of people as they await the 8 pm start of the weekly pok-ta-pok show. 

Pok-ta-pok is the ancient Mayan ball game. Once played in the dedicated ball courts that you’ll still see today in ruined cities like Chichen Itza or Mayapan, pok-ta-pok was played for the glory of the gods. 

The exact rules of the game have been lost, but in Mérida, they recreate a modern version of this sacred tradition that embellishes pok-ta-pok with liberal use of fire (yes, toward the end of the game, the ball gets set on fire). 

Local ball players are dressed up in Mayan costumes as they battle it out in front of the cathedral. Watching a game of pok-ta-pok is one of the coolest things to do in Mérida, but it’s more of a spectacle than a sporting event. No one cares who wins or what the rules really are, because it’s really just a celebration of the Mayan past! 

11. Travel with a Difference on the Long-Distance Camino del Mayab Trail

If you’d love to experience more of the Yucatán’s indigenous culture, then you’ll want to join a tour of the Camino del Mayab . One of the most interesting Mérida attractions, this long-distance hiking and mountain biking trail weaves its way through the rural communities outside of Mérida, where a network of homestays, community-run cenotes, and local restaurants and haciendas cater to intrepid hikers and bikers getting off the beaten track. 

Established by a local social enterprise as a way to provide work for Mérida’s disadvantaged Mayan communities, you’ll be giving back to the local economy while also learning more about the region’s past and present. 

As you hike or cycle your way along dusty trails that cut through the jungle, you’ll encounter crumbling haciendas where the Maya were forced to work in slave-like conditions growing henequen (the Green Gold that brought riches to Mérida’s elite). 

You’ll also stop at beautiful cenotes to cool off, see the Mayan ruins of Mayapan, meet with community leaders starting businesses in an effort to combat unemployment, and see a side of Mérida that’s a world away from the city. 

You can join a fully supported three-day biking tour or a five-day hiking tour of the Camino del Mayab led by local guides. You’ll be given a Camino del Mayab “passport” to get stamped at stops along the way, with tours starting and ending in Mérida. 

12. Escape the City with a Day at Progreso Beach

We love Mérida, but as you’re in Mexico, it won’t be long before you’re craving the feel of soft sand between your toes. With ridiculously good weather all year round, you’ll be looking for the nearest beach before the week’s out!

You don’t need to go far (and forget about heading over to Cancún!) because a 35-minute drive north of the Centro Histórico brings you to the white sands of Playa Progreso, one of the top Mérida attractions. Overlooking the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this sheltered coastal location is a dream for beach lovers. 

The cruise ship crowds love it here too, and you’ll often see huge ships bringing passengers into the port here. Luckily, there’s plenty of space for everyone here, and you can rent a sun lounger and laze the day away as you order up micheladas and margaritas . 

There are a few all-inclusive beach clubs if you’re looking for a more refined setting, but despite the cruise ships, the real appeal of Progreso is that local beach feel that’s far removed from the resorts in neighboring Quintana Roo. 

Enjoy the Beaches of Puerto Progreso

13. See the Pink Flamingos at Celestun

An hour-and-a-half drive west of Mérida brings you to Celestun, a beautiful beach town lined by white sands on one side and dense mangroves on the other. The beach is gorgeous, and you can easily spend a day soaking up the sun outside a beach bar, ordering freshly-grilled snapper, plates of fried calamari, and buckets of Corona. 

But before you do that, stop off at the boat launch on the way into town. This is the jumping-off point for the spectacular Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve , a unique wetland habitat that’s home to large flocks of pink flamingos. 

This is one of the most unique Mérida activities. You’ll need to get here early to see the flamingos in large numbers in the morning, but you can rent boats from the quay all through the day. Take a boat tour and be guided through the mangroves as you look out for birds, crocodiles, and flamingos. 

Visit Ria Celestún Biosphere Reserve

14. Explore Mayan Ruins along the Ruta Puuc

All too often, it’s Chichen Itza that steals the limelight on the Yucatán Peninsula. But Chichen Itza was just one of many, many cities built across the region during the heyday of the Maya civilization. 

If you’d love to explore fascinating ruins and delve into Mayan history, then you’ll love the Ruta Puuc. This great tourist trail has none of the crowds you’ll find at Chichen Itza, and you’ll have the chance to visit as many as five different sets of ruins on a day trip from Mérida.

Rent a car or join a dedicated Ruta Puuc tour to head into the countryside. You’ll stop off at Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna, all of which date back hundreds if not thousands of years. The highlight, though, is Uxmal, where you’ll see the distinctive “Puuc” style of architecture that results in rounded walls in all its glory.

Uxmal was the capital of a great Mayan kingdom around 900 AD before falling into ruin in later centuries. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you’ll appreciate the preservation work that’s gone into excavating entire palaces and temples from the forest. 

15. Have a Drink in Mérida

Are you wondering what to do in Mérida now that you’ve seen all the sights? Might we suggest popping into one of the city’s many bars, breweries, pubs, or cafes? 

We love Mérida for its food and drink scene as much as we love it for the traditional attractions, and across the Centro Histórico and north toward the Paseo de Montejo and Avenida Colon, you’ll find everything from speakeasies to boutique coffee roasters (try Marago Coffee , Latte Quattro Sette , or Bengala Kaffeehaus for expert brews and perfect roasts!).

Mérida is all about the old-school cantinas, and you’ll love spending the night in a courtyard bar or an old-fashioned pub. With a huge selection of cocktails (served by the jug) and a fantastic array of beers, La Negrita is one of the most popular cantinas in Mérida. 

The Mayan Pub is super touristy, but sometimes that’s just great, Malahat is a super hidden speakeasy, and Mezcaleria La Fundacion is perfect for mezcal lovers. Mérida has a huge craft beer scene, too. Try La Hermana Republica for great stouts and Cerveza Patito for tastings straight from the brewery.

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Mérida. What’s your favorite thing to do in Mérida?

Planning a trip to Mexico? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Richard is an award-winning travel writer based in Southwest England who’s addicted to traveling off the beaten track. He’s traveled to 75 countries and counting in search of intriguing stories, unusual destinations, and cultural curiosities. Richard loves traveling the long way round over land and sea, and you’ll find him visiting quirky micronations and breakaway territories as often as he’s found lounging on a beach (which is a lot). When he’s not writing for BBC Travel, National Geographic, or Lonely Planet, you can find Richard writing for the Wandering Wheatleys or updating his off-beat travel blog, Travel Tramp.

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Roaming Around the World

Travel Guides, Tips, and Tales

The 15 Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico: Travel Guide & Tips

January 25, 2024 By John Widmer 79 Comments

Mérida, Mexico, has so much to offer visitors. We’ve been regularly traveling to Yucatan’s lovely capital city for nearly a decade and continue to discover so many awesome things to do in Merida each visit. It’s become one of our favorite travel destinations in Mexico. Hence, we’re always happy to share with fellow travelers this list of ideas of what to do in Merida.

If you are planning a trip to the Yucatan, we hope this detailed travel guide inspires many fun things to do in Merida, Mexico!

• Introduction to Merida, Mexico
• 15 Best Things to Do in Merida
• Where to Stay: Hotels in Merida
• More Merida Travel Tips + What To Pack 

A Brief Intro to Travel in Merida, Mexico

Merida truly is a beautiful travel destination, inside and out. Merida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan and is the largest city in the region, with a population of over a million residents. Visitors are drawn to Merida for its culture, history, cuisine, safety, and quality of life, among other desirable attributes.

Nicknamed the  ciudad blanca (white city), you certainly do see some white structures while roaming around the charming colonial city. Yet the white buildings seem to be outnumbered by colorful pastel dwellings, adding much vibrancy throughout Merida’s colonial architecture throughout the tropical Mexican environment.

But it’s Merida’s culture that shines  even brighter. Perhaps that helps to explain why Merida is the only city that has been twice selected to serve as the American Capital of Culture (2000, 2017). You can find culture oozing all throughout Merida, whether admiring ancient Mayan artwork at a museum or simply soaking in the local culture that’s abundant within the swinging doors of Merida’s cantinas. The many cultural things to do in Merida, Mexico, and even the daily cultural events are a big appeal to Yucatan’s largest city.

Adding to the cultural allure, the people living in Mérida, many of Mayan descent, are such a friendly and welcoming bunch. Another aspect of Merida’s culture to enjoy is the unique Yucatan gastronomy. The local cuisine throughout Merida is delicious and distinctive to the region. After dinner, you’ll find that Merida’s nightlife is fun and active, particularly so on weekends. In fact, if planning a trip to Mérida, we recommend trying to stay over a weekend. That’s when the entire city tends to come out to play!

As this website often focuses on travel value around the world, we’d be remiss not to mention that Mérida offers fantastic value  to travelers. Your pesos can go far here, particularly so in comparison to popular travel destinations along the neighboring Riviera Maya to the east (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum). In Merida, prices in restaurants, tour excursions, and hotels are typically far less than what is found on the other side of the Yucatan peninsula.

So while roaming around Merida, don’t hold back on eating your weight in delicious 10-peso (~$0.50) tacos. Additionally, most of the top things to do in Mérida are free , from free walking tours to Merida’s many free museums. After dancing the night away at Merida’s free nightly cultural events, you can rest well at many great inexpensive places to stay in the center of town. A handful of fantastic 3-star hotels typically offer rates within the US$35-per-night range . (We’ll show you our top picks towards the end of this post).

Additionally, with daily car rental prices in Mérida usually hovering under US$15 and bus tickets for just a few pesos, travelers can afford to use Merida as a base for further explorations throughout Yucatan. It’s all this incredible value Merida delivers, which helps to make it a fantastic travel destination for all budgets.

Are you looking for ideas on what to do in Merida, Mexico? This detailed Merida travel guide dishes out what we’ve found to be the 15 best things to do in Merida that we now recommend to you!

Best Things to Do In Merida Mexico (2024)

There are so many great things to do in the city of Merida itself. Yet it can become a bit perplexing to figure out exactly where everything is and how best to plan out a day in Merida. Use the map below to help navigate your way around the city by pinpointing each of Mérida’s attractions suggested throughout this article.

After figuring out what things you may want to do in Merida, come back to this map to help plan out your itinerary. You can even access it on your phone with Google Maps to help navigate once you arrive in Merida.

15) Best Intro to Merida: Take the Free Walking Tour

Every morning there is a free walking tour of Merida’s historic center that departs from the centrally located Plaza Grande. A friendly guide offers a great lesson in Merida’s history while also providing you with bearings to know your way around town.

The free walking tour of Merida is a perfect introduction to many of the sites and attractions all around Merida centro . It’s a great way to learn a lot about the city itself. Merida’s walking tour is full of interesting facts that you likely have not read up on before you have arrived in town.

If staying in the city for a few days, we recommend starting your visit with this free walking tour as the very first thing to do in Merida. It provides such a nice overview of Merida to help new visitors get acquainted and oriented with the city.

During the Merida free walking tour, you’ll learn how this Catholic church was constructed from Mayan ruins. The guide also reveals the hidden locations of ancient Mayan symbols.

This free walking tour of Merida is put on by Merida’s Tourism Office. They ask participants to register there, in person, before the tour.

Alternatively, you may want to consider pre-booking a private walking tour of Merida .

We recommend the Merida Free Walking Tour as an inexpensive intro to the city. But if the Free Walking Tour is filled to capacity, the 9:30 am time doesn’t work for your schedule, or you simply prefer not to join a group of strangers, then you may want to consider booking a private walking tour of Merida.

This private walking tour can be scheduled at nearly any time, including Sundays. It’s 5-star rated and well-priced (currently only US$25 /person). Check the availability and price of this tour during your travel dates.

14) Discover the Mayan World at the Gran Museo de Mundo Maya Merida

If you want to learn more about the Mayan people, culture, and history, the Great Mayan World Museum is most definitely the place to do it! We don’t know of anywhere else in the world with more Mayan artifacts under the same roof. There are over 1,100 different pieces here !

This expansive museum will leave visitors with a deep understanding of the Mayan civilization. The Mayan World Museum takes guests on a journey that begins with natural history from the beginning of time. The exhibits slowly progress to the life of the modern Maya today.

It’s all a great primer before visiting the many ancient Mayan sites throughout the Yucatan. Most of those ruins lack information at the actual sites. So visiting the Maya Museum in Merida can be a smart idea to gain some knowledge before venturing out to the Mayan ruins, such as Uxmal and Chichen Itza.

In fact, some of the artifacts that have been dug up at Chichen Itza are now on display here in the museum. Those who are fascinated with history can likely spend several hours perusing the exhibits of the Mayan World Museum. There are lots of exhibits to peruse and information to read.

There is some signage in English throughout the museum. Yet if you’d like to have a full tour of the Great Mayan World Museum, be sure to come to the museum on Saturdays or Sundays for the 11:00 am English tour.

Since the museum is entirely indoors and you could spend a lot of time there, the Gran Museo de Mundo Maya would make for a great thing to do in Merida on a rainy day.

Alternatively to the Grand Maya World Museum, the Palacio Canton Museum of Anthropology houses a smaller number of Mayan artifacts and is currently open. More info is listed in #9 of this article.

13) Get Lost Amongst Chaos in the Lucas de Galvez Market Merida

Merida’s main market is a site not to be seen. The Lucas de Galvez market is something that should be experienced! You can find everything from fresh vegetables to homemade crafts, local clothing, and lots more in between. A visit to the market is one of the best things to do in Merida to get a good feel for local life in the city.

Merida’s bustling market dates back to the late 1800s when it was just a small shed. It sure has grown since then. Today Merida’s main market is a sprawling and delightfully chaotic place that’s now packed with local life. That’s all part of the fun. Weave your way through the hectic maze-like atmosphere and browse away at all the local goods!

You can even eat lunch at the Lucas de Galvez market. So you may want to plan to grab a bite from one of the many vendors hawking freshly made plates of food.

We’ve had good luck with both tacos and pork here, but we shy away from the grilled fish that has a very fishy smell. Agua frescas and horchatas near the entrance are also a good bet if you fancy something cool to sip on while strolling through the warm mercado .

If near Merida’s city center in the daytime, a visit to Lucas de Galvez market Merida is a must to get a taste of local life in Merida. Note: We recommend staying clear of the pet section towards the center of the market due to the poor conditions observed during our last visit.

12) Attend One of Merida’s Annual Festivals

Merida has some interesting and popular annual events to consider if your visit happens to coincide with the right time of year. There are so many things to do in Merida all year long!

January is Merida Fest

This is one of the largest celebrations of the city and spans the course of several weeks of nightly fiestas. The annual festival celebrates the founding of Merida. The 2024 celebration of Merida Fest commemorates the city’s 482nd anniversary!

Throughout Merida Fest, expect numerous concerts, cultural shows, artistic performances, and other events. Combine all of these events with milder temperatures and you’ll understand why January can be such an excellent time to visit Merida.

While Merida Fest brings an assortment of activities that span weeks, be sure not to miss the opening night trova stroll to Plaza Grande that precedes an awesome fireworks display.

📅 When : Usually begins January 5 and spans through most of January. In 2024 Merida Fest runs Jan 5-24. 📍 Location : Various venues throughout Merida. ℹ️ More info : Check back at the event’s official site, merida.gov , for more info.

February-March is the Carnaval of Merida

During Merida’s Carnaval season, events are held throughout the city, with celebrations, concerts, and several big parades held at Merida’s Ciudad Carnaval . Carnaval is a very fun and festive time to be in Merida!

Dates vary each year, based on the Lent/Easter calendar, usually falling in February although occasionally in March (e.g., 2025). The parades and biggest events of Merida’s Carnival season typically occur the Friday before Ash Wednesday and continue through Tuesday.

📅 When : In 2024, the main celebrations for Merida Carnaval run from Jan 27-Feb 13 with the main parades of Merida’s Carnaval occurring Feb 9-13, 2024. 📍 Location : Carnaval City, also known as the X’matkuil Fairgrounds, located here . Free shuttle buses provide transportation from the center of town to Carnaval City. ℹ️ More info : Official info about Merida Carnaval here: merida.gov .

March-April in Merida is Holy Week and Spring Equinox

If you happen to be in Merida on the Spring Equinox (March 19th in 2024), definitely consider venturing out to a nearby Mayan ruin to witness a spectacle! Go to Chichen Itza in the late afternoon to see the serpent appear in sunlight/shadow form on the side of the pyramid. Better yet, much closer to Merida are the Dzibilchaltún ruins, where the door of a temple is illuminated at sunrise. (More info about these ruins is later in this article.)

Just as in the rest of Mexico, here in Merida, you can expect to experience the culture of Semana Santa processions surrounding Easter. On Good Friday, consider going to the Merida Cathedral to see the stages of the cross acted out in traditional clothing.  In 2024, look for Holy Week events running March 24-31, 2024.

September Merida Celebrates Mexico’s Independence Day

During Mexico’s Independence Day, Merida has festive celebrations throughout the city. Head over to Plaza Grande on the evening of Sept 15th, 2024, for El Grito . That’s when the Cry of Dolores is reacted in Merida, along with bands and celebrations. The fiesta continues throughout the city on Sept 16th, 2024.

Also around this time is the Fall Equinox, when you again have an opportunity to see the sun interact with nearby ruins in spectacular fashion. In 2024, the Fall Equinox is September 22.

Late October and Early November is Hanal Pixán, Merida’s Day of the Dead

Early November ushers in traditional Day of the Dead displays and festivities that you can find throughout Centro. Día de Muertos in Merida is known locally as Hanal Pixán . It’s the Mayan tradition of Day of the Dead.

In Merida, the holiday is punctuated by Paseo de las Animas event in which a spirited stroll occurs from San Juan to the General Cemetery. Day of the Dead is Nov 2 and since this falls on a Saturday in 2024, expect the bulk Merida’s Hanal Pixán festivities happening throughout the entire week leading up to the Saturday’s celebrations.

Throughout November, Merida typically hosts Yucatan’s state fair , Feria de Xmatkuil . It’s a huge event, attracting millions, and includes rides, food stalls, concerts, agricultural exhibits, and more.

December Is Christmas in Merida

Finally, Navidad ( Christmas ) in Merida brings out decorations, a festive atmosphere, and other holiday traditions. It’s a fun time of year to spend in Merida, for a warm-weather holiday season.

Be sure to visit Plaza Grande to see Merida’s grand nativity scene, along with other seasonal decorations. Walk around the city center at night to enjoy the lights! Consider attending Christmas mass at the Cathedral. Also, know that Christmas Eve in Merida is not a ‘silent night,’ and is instead filled with celebration.

More : The suggestions listed above are only a smattering of Merida’s biggest annual events. There are many other happenings every year in Merida in addition to these. Expect to find sporting events, concerts, ballads, operas, races, craft fairs, cantoya (balloon) festivals, and so much more!

11) Have a Night at the Theatre in Merida

Even if you’re not actually going to have a night out at the theatre, curious visitors should at least pop into the Teatro Jose Peon Contreras during the day. It’s a worthwhile thing to do in Merida to simply have a look around the elegant century-old theatre, built between 1900-1908.

While stopping by, don’t hesitate to visit the small, free, air-conditioned art museum on-site. This little museum can simultaneously be used as a great excuse to cool off while viewing the funky exhibits.

After taking in the art, walk by the impressive marble staircase towards the box office to see if there may be any events during your visit. Typically, the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra performs at the theatre on most (not all) Fridays at 9:00 pm and Sundays at Noon.

🔥 Important note for 2024 : Sadly, this theatre caught fire a bit more than a year ago due to a short circuit on the third floor. Although significantly damaged, thankfully the theatre is not a complete loss since the damage was to the interior rather than the structure. Performances here have been relocated while restoration takes place. Much restoration work has been completed and officials expect the theatre to reopen in 2024.

So Teatro Jose Peon Contreras could still be worth checking out this year, particularly if you’re in Merida later in 2024 when events may be returning to the famed theatre. In the meantime, you can still catch the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra at their temporary new home , the nearby Palacio de la Musica. And it’s still worth taking a quick stroll by Teatro Jose Peon Contreras to admire the theatre from the outside and see how renovations are progressing.

10) Experience Pok Ta Pok: Representation of the Mayan Ball Game

The tradition of this ancient Mayan sport is kept alive during this weekly event that unfolds in front of the Cathedral. Each Wednesday, watch the players battle it out while traditional live music accompanies the spectacle. Although this game is played as a re-creation for demonstrative purposes, the players are very much into the game with a high level of competitive spirit.

Players of Pok Ta Pok slide onto Merida’s cobblestone street in an attempt to score by hitting the ball with their hips into the post. Once you witness the sport in action, the game will make more sense. The way they slide so hard onto the ground, it’s a miracle each player doesn’t leave the ball court scraped and bloody.

Scoring is quite rare. Doing so is extremely difficult, particularly during this abridged 30-minute version of this game. So if someone does manage to complete a goal, consider yourself lucky (we’ve never seen it), and be sure to cheer loudly!

The Pok Ta Pok event in Merida is a free event held every Saturday at 8:00 pm in 2024. But we strongly suggest arriving earlier than 8:00 pm. Seats do fill up and may not be available for late arrivals.

9) Roam Around Merida’s Famed Paseo de Montejo

You can’t come to Merida without seeing the grand Paseo de Montejo. This wide avenue built in Merida’s henequén heyday conjectures images of Paris’s Champs-Élysées. Historic mansions line the grand avenue, as do many quaint cafes.

There’s even an inviting Starbucks along the Paseo that blends right into the white cityscape. But with so many great local cafes, we suggest stopping into one of those instead. For example, we can personally recommend Márago Coffee as a fantastic place to break apart your morning stroll with an intricate cup of coffee.

Or go to Posheria , where they’ll add a shot of pox (local Mayan liquor) into your iced latte, upon request. To satiate your sweet tooth, try some cool local treats at Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón .

Continue walking along the boulevard past the mansions, cafes, and museums until reaching the ornate Monumento a la Patria (AKA the Flag Monument) that’s encircled by a busy roundabout. The intricate monument makes a good spot for a photo and a good turnaround point.

How you experience the Paseo de Montejo is entirely up to you. You can easily walk it. The sidewalks along the Paseo de Montejo are the widest and most pedestrian-friendly in all of Merida. Frequent trees offer shade to help protect you from Merida’s often intense sun. We suggest strolling the Paseo in the morning when it’s not as warm.

The most scenic stretch of Paseo de Montejo is from the Montejo Monument near Plaza Santa Ana to the Monumento a la Patria . This 1.6-kilometer section can take about 30 minutes to walk, each way if taking a leisurely stroll, without any prolonged stops. To beat the heat, consider a one-way walk and return to Centro using one of the frequent public buses that run down Paseo de Montejo. Or walk back along the opposite side of the boulevard if it’s comfortable outside.

You could easily spend a half-day along the Paseo if breaking apart your walk by entering museums, relaxing at cafes, gawking at mansions, taking photos at monuments, enjoying lunch or ice cream, and discovering other points of interest you may stumble across along the way.

While a slow stroll is recommended to really absorb this grand avenue, you may also consider experiencing the Paseo de Montejo more quickly by car or bicycle. More information on the latter can be found in a subsequent section of this Merida travel guide. However you tour this famous boulevard, just make sure that it’s on your list of things to do in Merida, Mexico!

8) Step Back in Time and into the Historic Mansions along the Paseo

You can find two notable museums while strolling the west side of the Paseo. While their exhibits are interesting, entering these museums simultaneously gives visitors a chance to waltz through Merida’s historic mansions that are otherwise only viewed from the outside.

Palacio Cantón

The Palacio Cantón , also known as the Museum of Anthropology and History, showcases Mayan archaeology across two levels of a big century-old Neoclassical mansion, pictured below.

If you don’t have a chance to make it to the Mayan World Museum (suggested earlier in this article), then the Palacio Canton provides a closer albeit smaller alternative to consider visiting to view Mayan artifacts.

Before you go, know that most signage is in Spanish here. So non-Spanish speakers won’t be able to absorb info from the exhibits. Even so, it can still be worth a visit to walk the mansion’s grand halls and see the rotating exhibits.

🕙 Hours : Tuesday-Saturdays, 8:00-5:00 💲 Price: $95 pesos 📍 Location : Here , along the Paseo between Calles 41 & 43.

Casa Museo Montes Molina

In the Casa Museo Montes Molina, visitors can tour the opulent period furnishings original to this Merida mansion.

Upon entering the museum, a 10-minute briefing (available in English) provides visitors with the details of how this historic mansion has served generations of Montejos, descendants of Merida’s founder. Then you’re free to explore the rooms that are filled with ornate antique furnishings.

🕙 Hours : Monday-Sunday 10:00-6:00 💲 Price: $85 pesos entrance, guided tour $100 pesos 📍 Location : Here , along the Paseo near Calle 35 ℹ️ More info: See the museum’s website

7) Drink Your Way Across Merida

There are many great cantinas and lively bars to enjoy throughout Merida. Happy hour runs late here, so you can often find great drink deals into the 8:00 pm hour and even beyond.

Whether you’re after cervezas, margaritas, palomas, tequila, mezcal, pox, or micheladas, there’s no shortage of local libations to taste throughout Merida. There are even some local craft beers made in Merida that you can find throughout centro.

If you enjoy drinking, you must visit some of Merida’s  cantinas , traditional drinking establishments in Mexico. La Negrita is a traveler’s favorite that’s a comfortable introduction to cantinas in Merida, given its friendly service, live music, complimentary botanas (snacks), and local cerveza artisanal (craft beer).

Speaking of craft beer , there are a few good breweries that have popped up in Merida during the past couple of years. While you can venture to the Northern fringes of Merida to Cerveza Patito , there are more local breweries now springing up in the Centro. Try one of the six beers on tap at Bacap Cervecería ($90 pesos). Or check out the new Cuerno de Toro taproom, which is recieving great reviews for its unique brews (pints $75-$95 pesos).

To try a local liquor, look for pox (pronounced: poshe) while drinking around Merida. Made from corn, pox is a regional specialty in Mexico’s Mayan areas. Those intrigued should stop into the Posheria store to sample the many different pox offerings ranging from traditional pox to ceremonial pox to flavored pox. Buy a few bottles to bring home to share this unique liquor with friends.

For something even stronger, try La Fundacion Mezcaleria to dabble in the mezcal, the famous agave liquor produced in Oaxaca, Mexico . The mezcal in this bar is served in traditional fashion – with sour orange slices and a salty powder made from ground-up worms. The sal de gusano (worm salt), as it’s called, tastes much better than it sounds!

Lastly, no overview of Merida’s unique drinking establishments would be complete without mentioning the secret speakeasy that popped up in town a few years ago. It boasts excellent cocktails in a fun atmosphere. So where is it? Half the fun is finding Merida’s hidden speakeasy, so we’ll just let you know that it’s somewhere in Centro to help keep it a secret. Good luck!

But really, we advocate for out-of-towners to check out Merida’s cantinas for a more local experience.

If you’re a bit intimidated to walk through the swinging doors of a questionable cantina, or if you’re just not sure where to begin your bar crawl of Merida, then try this Merida Cantina Walking Tour . The fun-filled tour will usher you to three of Merida’s best cantinas. During the cantina crawl, a guide explains all about Merida’s cantina culture and tells entertaining stories along the way. The price includes drinks and hearty local snacks at all three of the cantinas you visit.  Check availability and the latest reviews here .

6) Relax & Connect Among Mexico’s Most Pleasant Plazas

If you’re searching for what to do in Merida, don’t overlook just taking a break in the center of town to absorb all the beautiful ambiance. The Plaza Grande is the perfect place for that.

It’s a great central spot to simply unwind. Plaza Grande is where many Meridians and travelers alike congregate during the day, into the evening, and particularly on the weekends. Surrounded by architectural marvels, like the Cathedral and Government Palace, this central city square provides a beautiful 360-degree backdrop.

Find a bench shaded by a tree to get out of the heat and let the breeze drift by. Visit one of the many food vendors that set up along the edge of the plaza, particularly on Sundays, to indulge in a mid-afternoon snack. Watch children feeding the pigeons and buying balloons.

Enjoy the company you’re with or practice your Spanish by making some new friends. Merida’s Plaza Grande is the place to do so. Yucatan’s signature dual chairs scattered throughout the plaza make it easy to chat with one another. Plaza Grande is also the spot to snap a photo in front of the colorful Merida sign .

Alternatively, catch up on a few emails or post to your Instagram to show your friends back home how beautiful Merida is. Plaza Grande is connected! Complimentary Wi-Fi and numerous charging stations are found throughout this pleasant plaza right in the heart of Merida.

Plaza Grande may be the most central and well-known of Merida’s plazas. Yet there are several more that you should check out while strolling around town. So also consider other interesting plazas in Merida to stop at, relax, and enjoy local life:

• Parque Santa Lucia : Merida’s second-most popular plaza is lined with great restaurants, has the enormous novelty-sized “you-and-me” chair for fun photos (see below), and free concerts on Thursday nights.
• Parque Santa Ana : Sunny open plaza on the northern part of centro.
• Parque Santiago : Square with an adjacent market, food vendors with an abundance of turkey specialties, and a Tuesday night orchestra with dancing that attracts an older, local crowd.

5) Explore the Free Public Buildings Surrounding Plaza Grande

Within this one recommendation, there are another five things to do in Merida! There is so much to see and experience all around the Plaza Grande’s perimeter. So once you’re done relaxing in the plaza, be sure to check out each of these Plaza Grande attractions.

Perhaps best of all, each of the following museums and buildings lining the Plaza Grande are entirely free to enter . And many of them are air-conditioned too, providing some much-needed relief from the heat if roaming around town in the hot afternoon. Thank you, Mérida!

Some of these buildings are nondescript, with no signage. Security guards are stationed in front of the government buildings, leading unsuspecting visitors to believe they are off-limits. But these buildings are actually open to the public. Those of you who are now in the know can walk right past the security guards to enjoy fantastic balconies hidden in plain sight .

5.1) For Art – Museum of Contemporary Art, Merida

View the artwork found throughout the free Museo Fernando García Ponce-MACAY ( Museo de Arte Contempoáneo Ateneo de Yucatán ). You’ll walk through the contemporary art museum’s open courtyard and along the interior balcony, where curators periodically escort you into private rooms through old large doors. Once in these rooms, you’ll find beautiful and eccentric artwork, on both permanent and temporary display, and both from the Yucatan and further afield.

The museum building itself is also of interest. The building dates back to the early 1600s when it was built to be the Archbishop’s Palace. The building was later used as a seminary in the 1700s and a university in the 1800s, all before ultimately becoming an art museum in 1993. So as you admire the art, be sure to also appreciate this historic structure itself. Note the short opening times (below).

5.2) For a Glimpse into Merida’s Wealthy Past – Casa de Montejo Museum

Want to know what wealthy Victorian Mexican life was like back in the hacienda days?  Then wander on into the free  Casa de Montejo on the Plaza’s south side to take a peek at the rooms, furniture, and fine china of this former Meridian mansion.

The Montejo House Museum is another very early structure to Merida. Built between 1542-1549 this building is nearly 500 years old! It is said to be the only example of a Renaissance-style civil house in Mexico.

5.3) For Merida’s Grand Cathedral – Catedral de San Ildefonso

Marvel at the architecture of the historic Catedral de San Ildefonso, also known as the Mérida Cathedral. The building of the Cathedral was completed in 1598, making it what is often touted as the oldest completed cathedral on the mainland of the Americas . Needless to say, this cathedral packs history!

Built on the former site of a Mayan temple, you can find some of the stone from that temple used in the construction of this 400+ year-old cathedral. Feel free to take a peek inside to see the huge Cristo de la Unidad (Christ of Unity) crucifix behind the altar. If you do enter, just make sure to be dressed respectfully and remain quiet, all while Meridians come in to pray periodically. Although there is no strict dress code, shoulders and knees should be covered as a sign of respect if entering the Merida Cathedral.

5.4) For Views & Architecture – Palacio Municipal, Merida

Merida’s Municipal Palace can be easily identified from Plaza Grande by looking for the beautiful pink building with a clock tower. Located on the plaza’s west side, head upstairs onto the long shaded balcony of the municipal building to capture a nice panoramic view of Merida’s Plaza Grande.

After Merida’s Palacio Municipal was closed to public access for the last few years , in 2024 visitors can again enjoy the building’s balcony views. This can be a great spot for taking photos of Plaza Grande. Also be sure to view it at night too, when it’s all lit up!

Also, note that there is a convenient and helpful tourism office on the ground floor here.

5.5) For Open-Air Strolls and Magnificent Murals – Palacio de Gobierno, Merida

Our favorite building in this area to roam around is the roomy halls and courtyard of the Palacio de Gobierno. Built during the late 1800s, the lovely “government palace” now houses some large and impressive murals depicting the history between the Mayans and Spaniards, by artist Fernando Castro Pacheco.

When approaching Merida’s Government Palace, you may encounter a guard. Just ask him if you can enter and he’ll let you in to roam around. It’s one of the few buildings surrounding Plaza Grande that is open fairly late (9:30 pm). As a result, the open-air building makes for an enchanting evening stroll through its corridors as the Cathedral lights up at night.

📍 Location : North side of Plaza Grande, along Calle 61, right here .

4) Dance in the Streets of Merida During Its Weekly Fiestas!

There’s always something going on every night of the week in Merida. You simply have to know when and where to look. Merida loves to dance. The city’s streets and plazas come to life at night with weekly cultural performances, concerts, and dances open to the public that you can join. So pack your dancin’ shoes!

So here is what to do in Merida every night of the week, which often involves dancing the night away:

• Monday’s in Merida :  Vaqueria Night is the beautiful Folkloric Ballet of Merida shows regional music, dance, and clothes, accompanied by the Jaranera Orchestra. 📍 Calle 62 in front of the Municipal Palace. 🕘 9:00-10:00 pm Mondays. 💲   Free
• Trova kicks off Tuesday nights with a regional Trova performance of romantic music, regional to Yucatan. 📍 Cultural Center . 🕗 8:00 pm Tuesdays. 💲   Free
• Musical Memories allows the romance to continue by finding a partner to dance the night away, as Big Band sounds are played under the stars by a live orchestra. 📍 Parque Santiago . 🕗 8:30-10:00 pm Tuesdays. 💲   Free
• Wednesdays in Merida : Take a break from the dancing to see the Dialogues of the Conqueror show every Wednesday. Outside of his home, a representation of Francisco de Montejo portrays historic events along with video mapping. 📍 In front of the Casa de Montejo Museum  🕗 8:00 pm Wednesdays. 💲   Free
• Thursdays in Merida : Yucatecan Serenade is one of the longest-standing weekly events in the city, having been going on for over 40 years. Watching this folkloric show is a must for things to do in Merida on a Thursday night. 📍 Parque Santa Lucia 🕘 9:00 pm Thursdays. 💲   Free.
• Video mapping of the Cathedral is the main cultural event of the Friday evenings in Merida. During this event known as “Sacred Stones,” the Cathedral of Merida is lit up with colorful images and impressive animation. 📍 Cathedral 🕘 9:00 pm Thursdays. 💲   Free.
• Corazón de Mérida : Yet for something more lively on Fridays, stroll along the two blocks of Calle 60 which become closed to vehicles on Fridays (and Saturdays) as the restaurants, cafes, and bars spill onto the street. 📍 Calle 60 between Calles 57-61 🕗 8:00 pm – 12:00 pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays. 💲   Free.
• Noche Mexicana  boasts a night of Mexican culture with traditional music and dance performances spanning from the Yucatan and other regions across the country. 📍 Remate Paseo Montejo 🕗  8:00 – 10:00 pm. 💲   Free
• Pok Ta Pok. Reminder: the Mayan ball game, already highlighted in this guide, is Saturdays. 📍 Cathedral 🕗 8 :00 pm Saturdays. 💲   Free.
• Sundays in Merida :  Merida en Domingo is an all-day event in which food stalls and pop-up restaurants congregate in the plaza with more marquesita stands than you can count. As night approaches, bands begin to play and people start to dance. It’s a beautiful Sunday tradition in Merida that compliments the Sunday bike route (see Merida Thing to Do #3). 📍 Plaza Grande 🕗 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Sundays 💲   Free.

3) Go for a Bike Ride on Sunday Morning: BiciRuta Merida

We sure do love a good bike-friendly city. Unfortunately, Mérida is not one. There are no bike lanes or paths throughout Merida centro. Instead, you’ll find hectic narrow streets and skinny sidewalks which are for pedestrians only.

But this all changes each Sunday morning.

Every Sunday, some of Merida’s most beautiful and popular streets are shut down for La Biciruta (Bike Route). This allows cyclists a chance to ride around town. Much of the city comes out on Sunday morning to partake in this weekly Sunday bike ride tradition.

There’s no need to worry about traffic or cars at all on Sunday mornings. It’s only then that vehicles are blocked from the Biciruta route that cuts right through the heart of Merida.

Cruise on up the beautiful wide streets of Paseo de Montejo which were modeled to be like the Champs-Élysées. Pedal on past the lovely town squares. Have a friendly race with a child. If you’re here on a Sunday morning, the Bici-Ruta is THE thing to do in Mérida. Don’t miss it.

You don’t have to look far to find a bike rental. Simply walk up the Paseo, where you should find stands that are renting bikes.

Check near the Flag Monument. Or closer to Centro there’s typically a bike rental place located right here .

2) Discover Local Yucatan Cuisine in Merida

Merida is home to some of the best cuisine in Mexico. Sure, you can find Mexican favorites such as great tacos and elote (corn) in Merida. But the Yucatan holds its own regional specialties. Any visitor to Merida absolutely must try the local Yucatan cuisine. There are many regional dishes found in Merida that are unique, distinctive, and quite different from elsewhere in Mexico.

Much of this Yucatan cuisine has roots in traditional Mayan cooking, yet with heavy influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and other Mexican regions. The culmination of cooking cultures makes for some interesting local cuisine to try in Merida. That’s what makes eating one of the best things to do in Merida!

Below are some notable Yucatan dishes you will find on local menus. Try these delicious local foods in Merida :

• Cochinita pibil: This is arguably the most notable Yucatecan dish (and our personal favorite). Cochinita pibil is tender slow-cooked pork marinated in sour orange, achiote, and other spices. There’s also a tasty chicken version, pollo pibil .
• Sopa de lima : (Lime soup) A hearty soup loaded with shredded turkey in a deliciously tangy broth thanks to the namesake lime juice.
• Poc-chuc : Thinly sliced pork that has been marinated in sour orange juice and grilled to perfection.
• Queso relleno : A hollowed-out ball of Edam cheese is stuffed with ground pork and cooked until it becomes gooey before being smothered with gravy.
• Pavo relleno negro : Turkey covered in a rich dark chili sauce.
• Papadzules : A great local vegetarian dish of hard-boiled eggs, wrapped in tortillas and topped with a pumpkin seed sauce.
• Huevos M otuleños : A Yucatan breakfast dish, named after the nearby town of Motul where it originated. It’s composed of tortillas with eggs, beans, and cheese that’s covered in a salsa and topped with chopped ham and peas.

Also, be sure to try Heather’s absolute favorite Yucatan snack, marquesitas. (You can thank us later, after biting into this unique sweet and savory street food in Merida.) Marquesita stands are easily found everywhere throughout Merida.

What is a marquesita? See our video demonstration below:

So where do you find all this yummy Yucatan food in Merida? We wrote a separate post that details what we suggest are some of our favorite places for local eats. Read: Best Restaurants in Merida for Local Cuisine and Value. (Note, we need to update that article for 2024, but it should still give you some solid places to try.)

Yet to really get to know the food scene in Merida, we recommend this highly-rated Street Food walking tour (Monday-Saturday). Some reviewers even rate this 3-hour tour as the best thing they did while visiting Merida. It’s a perfect introduction to Yucatan cuisine throughout Merida, allowing visitors to sample all of Yucatan’s best cuisine with a local guide who knows all the best spots. Check availability and all the recent 5-star reviews .

The #1 Thing to Do in Merida, Mexico: Day Trips!

Mérida itself is a fantastic place to explore for a few days. Yet perhaps one of the best things about Merida is its central location within the Yucatan. This allows for so many amazing day trips for endless adventures around the peninsula.

Merida is surrounded by countless ancient Mayan ruins, beautiful blue cenotes (natural underground pools), fascinating haciendas, quiet strands of Gulf beaches, and intriguing Mayan villages dotting the land in between. This is why day trips top our list of best things to do in Merida. There is always a new Yucatan adventure to embark on from Merida.

Merida is such a perfect hub city as it connects so many of these sites within a short hour or two jaunt from the city center. We love using Merida as a charming base to explore the Yucatan to the fullest during the day, then retreat back to Merida for more comfort, food, and fun in the evening.

• Catch a boat to see the wild flamingos in Celestun ,
• Visit nearby cenotes such as our favorite: the  three cenotes of Cuzuma , connected by horse cart,
• Take this well-rated Chichen Itza Day Trip from Merida ,
• Tour an old hacienda outside of town,
• Have an extreme caving adventure in Grutas Calcehtok   or Grutas Tzabnah,
• Journey to the nearby yellow Mayan town of Izamal ,
• Explore the lesser-visited Mayapan Ruins or the closest Mayan ruins to Merida – Dzibilchaltún ,
• Take a road trip across the Ruta Puuc for a driving adventure connecting many ruin sites,
• Simply have a relaxing day at a beach near Merida , or
• Try this awesome tour of Uxmal , to see the Yucatan’s other famous ruins and our favorite (see video below).

The possibilities of how to explore the Yucatan from Merida are virtually endless. Take a second-class bus out of the city for the day, rent a car to explore entirely on your own, or join one of the many tours in Merida you can find on offer. Search Viator for a good selection of well-priced day tours .

Mérida is the perfect base to go out and explore the Yucatan during the day. Have some amazing adventures, then return to Merida in the evening for the excellent restaurants, the culture, and the festive nightlife. For us, that is truly what Mérida’s appeal is all about! And that is what continues to draw us back to this magical city, again and again, as we keep discovering so many awesome adventures all throughout the state of Yucatan.

We have published an accompanying article with all of our recommendations for the: Best Day Trips from Merida .  This additional Merida travel guide details all of the best excursions from Merida, reviews the best ruins to visit, the best beaches to go to, the best cenotes to explore, and the best cultural towns that are all within a two-hour drive from Merida.

• Read next: Best Day Trips from Merida, Mexico

Where to Stay in Merida Mexico

If you’re trying to determine where to stay in Merida, you’re in luck because great Merida hotels are abundant at bargain prices. Book early though, as some of the best accommodations and prices do tend to get reserved in advance.

There are two main hotel districts in Merida where many visitors stay:

• the Centro around Plaza Grande, or
• Plaza Fiesta Americana near the intersection of Colon and Paseo Montejo.

Of the two, we recommend staying close to Centro Merida within easy walking distance of Plaza Grande. That way you’ll be close to most of Merida’s main attractions, many restaurants & bars, and where the fiestas take place. But if you do opt to stay around Plaza Americana instead, you’re really not far from all the action either. It’s just a 30-minute walk or a very quick Uber/taxi/bus ride to Centro and Plaza Grande.

We’ve listed some of our Merida hotel and accommodation recommendations below. For ease of searching and to obtain pricing for your exact dates, we’ve included affiliate links to HotelsCombined.com, which then scours through all the main booking sites (Expedia, Orbitz, Agoda, Travelocity, Booking, etc.) to determine which site gives you the very best rate.

Hostels in Merida Are Best for Solo Travelers

If you’re a solo traveler in Merida, hostels are a great choice. But if you’re traveling as a couple or a group, you’ll find much better value at the city’s very reasonably priced hotels instead.

Hostel beds in shared dorms start around $10 USD per night in Merida. Meanwhile, private rooms at hostels start closer to $35 USD, making hotels a better option for those who want a private room, since 3-star rooms can be had for about the same price.

The consistently top-rated and recommended hostel in Merida is:

• Nomadas is centrally located, has a big pool, and free breakfast. But book early, as Nomadas regularly sells out, particularly during high season (winter months). Check availability for Nomadas on HostelWorld now .

Great Midrange Hotels in Merida for Only US$35 per Night!

There are some great 3-star+ properties right in the heart of Merida Centro for US$30-40, making for excellent value! We’ve stayed at many of them ourselves, including each of these three steals below.

• Hotel Maria Jose has large-sized rooms, a nice pool, a great location in Centro, and the strongest wifi of any hotel we’ve stayed at in Merida.
• Hotel Doloralba Merida is difficult to beat in terms of value. The centrally located 3-star hotel has an outdoor pool and nice clean rooms. But their rack rate is nearly $100 USD (not worth it). However, they regularly run online deals for under $50 USD, which even includes a decent hot breakfast buffet for two! That’s an absolute bargain in Merida that we couldn’t refuse. We now wholeheartedly recommend it. Just check current rates .

And for just a bit more, also consider one of the best in Merida:

• Luz en Yucatan : There’s a reason why this 15-room boutique hotel has been consistently listed as a #1 accommodation in Merida by popular travel guidebooks and Tripadvisor alike. Perhaps it’s the excellent location right next to Parque Santa Lucia. Maybe it’s the well-appointed rooms that are all different from one another. Perhaps it’s the relaxed atmosphere, the inviting pool, the communal kitchen, and the dining area. Nah, we think it’s because Luz is owned by travelers who have mastered what travelers are looking for in a place to stay. Oh, and the freebies go well beyond coffee at Luz. You’ll find complimentary cervezas in the mini-fridges and there’s a mythical hospitality bar if you fancy a shot of tequila! (I know where we’re staying next visit!) Note: Luz tends to book up solid during the high season, so reserve early. Check availability now .

Home Rentals and Boutique Offers in Merida

Rental apartments and small boutique hotels have exploded throughout Merida in the past years. As a result, many beautiful rental options abound. Here’s a rental we scored during our last stay in Merida, which included this beautiful enclosed pool!

Rental sites like Airbnb can work well in Merida, as they have some fantastic apartment and home listings, many located right in Merida’s centro. Just beware that the best rental units tend to get booked up well in advance. Those who are booking last minute may be met with high prices and/or undesirable offerings.

If using short-term rentals, like Airbnb, in Merida, we strongly recommend booking early and vetting reviews.

For Those Who Want Luxury in Merida

If you’re looking for a little more luxury, consider staying about a kilometer North of the center of Merida. Near the intersection of Colon and Paseo Montejo is where you’ll find reliable upscale hotel chains in Merida that still offer some pretty generous rates. Here you find  Intercontinental Presidente Merida and the Hyatt Regency Merida .

Two other fantastic local luxury hotels within the $100 range to consider are Hotel Hacienda Merida and Hotel Hacienda VIP .

Merida Travel Tips: Plan Before Your Trip

Here are a few travel tips to keep in mind as you plan to roam around the streets of Merida:

⌛ How many days to spend during a trip to Merida, Mexico?

Most of the Merida city highlights mentioned in this travel guide can be experienced within about two days or so, not including any day trips. For those pressed for time, 2-3 days in Merida can suffice. But if time allows, spending 5-7 days in Merida would be far more ideal to pursue the abundance of awesome day trips that surround the city.

Having a full week in Merida will allow time to get out to Merida’s nearby ruins, cenotes, eco-attractions, villages, and beaches. A one-week stay in Merida will further allow you to experience each of Merida’s nightly cultural events. Staying for a week in Merida also allows trying many of the great restaurants in town and simply get to know this city on a deeper level.

So if you have the time and interest, try to stay for a week.

✈️ Getting to Merida, Mexico

Merida has its own airport with regular domestic flights throughout Mexico. International flights to Merida are limited to Miami, Houston, Dallas/Ft Worth (seasonal), Atlanta (resumes March 2024), Orlando (begins July 2024), Toronto (seasonal), Havana, and Guatemala City. If flying to Merida from elsewhere internationally, a layover will be necessary.

Two Ways to save flying to Merida :

• Fly to Cancun + transfer : With a far greater abundance of international direct flights into Cancun, it can often prove more economical and convenient to fly into Cancun, then transfer to Merida using bus or the new train. There are regularly departing ADO buses direct from the Cancun airport to Merida. The comfortable 4-hour bus ride from CUN to Merida can save time and money compared to dealing with an airport layover and a more expensive flight route. New for 2024, catch the Maya Train directly from the Cancun Airport into Merida.
• Stopover in MEX : If flying to Merida from outside Mexico, consider flying into Mexico City first. There are many economical flights into Mexico City from the US and all over the world. Then book a separate subsequent flight to Merida using one of Mexico’s domestic budget airlines. VivaAerobus and Volaris have daily cheap flights from MEX for under $1,500 pesos (less than $75 USD).

🚂 Take the Maya Train to Merida, Mexico

In December of last year, the inaugural section of the Tren Maya (Maya Train) finally began running. This connects the Merida by rail to locations such as Cancun, Campeche, and Palenque. This new train offers an interesting transportation option when traveling to/from Merida throughout this region.

Although the Maya Train has officially begun operating, services have been suspended at the time of updating this article (Jan 2024). Check the official Tren Maya website for updates and the potential for purchasing train tickets when service resumes (expected soon).

💵 Money matters in Merida, Mexico

This is Mexico, so Mexican pesos are the currency, of course. Rarely, if ever, is USD or other currencies accepted.

ATMs abound throughout Merida, accept foreign cards, and provide good rates. (Just check with your bank before departing to inquire about international fees your bank may charge.)

Credit cards are also accepted around Merida. But smaller businesses will likely only take pesos in cash. Currency exchange places can be easily found in Merida centro and at the Merida airport. Rates vary.

🚕 Getting around Merida, Mexico

Centro Merida is easily walkable.

But to go further afield or even a short distance during a particularly hot afternoon, consider taking an Uber . It’s a safe way to get around Merida and they’re frequent. Ubers can be particularly convenient if your Spanish isn’t good enough to explain directions since you input the destination in the app. You can use the same Uber app in Merida that works for you at home. Just ensure you have a local or international data plan on your phone. Most rides around Centro come out to $50 pesos (~$2.50 USD).

Taxis are also available in Merida.

 ☔  Rainy Season in Merida, Mexico

June-October is when rain chances become higher in Merida. Note, that it doesn’t rain all day, every day in Merida during those months. So don’t let Merida’s rainy season be a reason to halt travel plans. But there is a likely chance of rain at some point during a summer visit. Just be prepared for occasional showers during this time of year. Pack a good rain jacket or a compact travel umbrella like this .

June through November is also hurricane season for the Yucatan peninsula. Again, we wouldn’t hesitate to take a trip to Merida during this time and have many times. But it’s still worth monitoring any disturbances brewing in the tropics as a summer or fall trip to Merida approaches.

☀️ Beware of Merida’s afternoon heat

Merida can be very hot, year-round. The most pleasant temperatures tend to come between November and February, but visitors will still likely find warm afternoons during that time. April-August ushers in the intense heat into Merida. Yet it’s the month of May tends to be the hottest when it’s not unusual for temps to exceed 100° F (38° C). Those high temps come with sticky humidity that can make it seem even hotter.

Mid-afternoons bring upon the hottest temperatures. So at any time of year, consider reserving outdoor activities for the mornings, unless it’s a water-bound activity. Visit nearby Mayan ruins early in the morning and save the cenotes for the afternoon.

Also, make sure you come to Merida armed with sunglasses, a hat, and sunblock. Check Merida’s monthly weather averages to have an idea of the temperatures to expect during your trip.

💦 Stay hydrated

You’ll likely sweat a lot more in Merida than you’re accustomed to in your hometown. Make it a point to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. Bottled water can be easily found all over the city.

🚰  Don’t drink Merida’s tap water

The tap water in Merida is generally not safe to drink. Use bottled water only. Also, consider traveling with this compact LifeStraw . We have one and it’s come in handy a few times during our travels when water wasn’t drinkable and stores were closed.

💬 Learn Some Basic Spanish

There is some limited English spoken throughout Merida in places where tourists and expats tend to go. But most people throughout Merida speak Spanish, in addition to Mayan dialects. It can be a great idea to learn some basics before a trip to Merida. If you don’t speak any Spanish at all, it’s still possible to get by, albeit with some difficulties. Yet knowing even a tiny amount of Spanish and some simple pleasantries can really go a long way to enhance a visit to Merida.

We like to use Babbel as an easy, fun, and inexpensive way to learn Spanish. With each lesson just 10-15 minutes, it’s something we can always work into the day. The associated app even lets us learn Spanish on the go. It’s a great way to brush up before visiting Merida. Right now you can use this discount link to save up to 60% off a subscription.

☠️ Stay Safe in Merida

Mexico’s Yucatan state is regularly touted as being the safest state in all of Mexico. Yucatan’s capital, Merida, is a shining example of this accolade. Data aggregator Numbeo reports Merida’s crime rate as: low . For perspective, Numbeo’s crime index for Merida is even lower than many US and European cities of the same size.

We never feel any sense of danger in this welcoming city. We feel completely comfortable walking around day and night. That said, it can always be a wise idea to take modest precautions to stay safe in Merida, as you would in any city around the world. Look before crossing Merida’s busy streets. Keep belongings close in crowded places. Don’t get drunk and look for trouble. Follow local laws and regulations. Simply put, just use common sense.

⚠️ Have You Purchased Travel Insurance Yet?

While Merida is largely a safe city, you never know what may happen during a trip to Mexico. Things can and do go wrong. Possibilities include getting sick, a flight getting canceled, hurricanes (June-Nov), car accidents, lost baggage, electronics becoming lost or stolen, rental car damage, a sudden injury, etc.

Travel insurance will help protect you, cover the costs, keep you safe, and/or get you back home if these unfortunate possibilities were to occur in Merida. We never roam around Mexico without travel insurance. We use and have been happy with   World Nomads , with what we’ve found to have the best price and coverage combination.  Enter the dates for your trip   to get a quick estimate and see coverage.

💡 The Best Mexico Travel Tips to Know – All in One Place

While those aforementioned travel tips are specific to Merida, we recently published an in-depth article full of travel tips relevant to those traveling to Merida and beyond throughout Mexico.

This detailed travel guide discusses cultural etiquette to follow in Mexico, provides tipping guidelines for who to tip (and how much), shows you how to use your mobile phone in Mexico, suggests money-saving tips for getting pesos, advice to stay safe and so much more.

Be sure to read (or bookmark): 75+ Mexico Travel Tips You Need to Know Before Your Trip

What to Pack for Merida

Before you depart on your trip to Merida, Mexico, here are a few final preparations to consider:

What to Pack for Your Trip To Merida? We recommend packing for Merida just as you would for any warm weather climate. You already know the essentials you require like clothes, toiletries, and a camera. So here are some items specifically for Merida, that you may want to consider adding to your regular travel luggage:

• Biodegradable sunscreen is very important to bring if you plan to go into the area’s cenotes. Regular sunscreen can cause damage to the cenotes, kill the fish, and add chemicals to the freshwater. So please use biodegradable sunscreen, which can be difficult to find in Merida. This Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45 is a great choice on Amazon , has consistently great reviews, and is inexpensive too.

• Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat & sunglasses . Keep that sun off your face and out of your eyes.

• Men’s ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxers
• Women’s ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs
• A Travel Guide Book : For more background information about Mexico and further travel advice, you may want to grab a guidebook. We like the  Lonely Planet Mexico Travel Guide .
• To ensure you haven’t forgotten anything important, check out all of our specific suggestions in this post: Ultimate Packing Checklist , which is full of packing tips and recommendations for any trip!

More Free Online Travel Guides to Merida Mexico

Here you can find additional detailed travel guides for the Merida area and beyond:

• Best Day Trips From Merida to plan out your Yucatan adventures to the area’s best ruins, beaches, cenotes, and more.
• How to Visit the Ruta Puuc from Merida details how to pursue the Yucatan’s ultimate road trip across the ancient Mayan World.
• 75+ Mexico Travel Tips You Need to Know Before Your Trip reveals how to save money, avoid hassle, stay safe, respect cultural etiquette, and have fun all throughout this wonderful country.
• Where to Next?  Consider heading south to cool off in the mountains of Cristobal de las Casas . Or head over to the Palenque ruins along the way. Both are accessible by bus from Merida.

Enjoy Your Visit and All the Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico!

We hope this provided some good ideas and travel inspiration for what to do in Merida, Yucatan. Enjoy the food, the culture, the people, the fiestas, and all the fun things to do in Merida that make it such a great place in Mexico to visit!

We hope this Merida travel guide is helpful to your planning and it has given you a few ideas for fun things to do in Merida. Let us know in the comments section below. Or feel free to ask any questions.

Bookmark this page or pin the image on the right to your travel Pinterest boards so you can easily come back to review all the things to do in Merida.

Publishing note: this travel guide about The Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico was originally written in January 2014 and is regularly updated after subsequent visits, in an attempt to keep current. Most recently updated January 2024.

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October 22, 2022 at 10:59 PM

Thank you so much for such an informative, organized and well laid out post. This was absolutely amazing, I feel like this was all I needed to read to plan for my first trip to Merida this December. I have a feeling we will be coming back to this city. I truly appreciate you sharing your experiences and advice. I stumbled upon this post when searching for best things to do in Merida, and will for sure now be following you for future adventures!

January 6, 2022 at 11:54 PM

This is so helpful! Thanks for all the incredible tips. We’re planning our trip to Merida now!

August 1, 2020 at 3:32 PM

Thanks for all the tips! I’m looking forward to going to Merida and appreciate those who can recommend house museums. There are some good gems on this list!

December 3, 2019 at 4:34 PM

An update on the taxi from the airport to Centro: there are booths outside the airport where you can buy a ticket. Mine cost 220MXP. Taxi takes your ticket so no haggling required. My driver spoke excellent English and the cab was clean. No cookies or water however. Feel hyped now. LOL.

November 19, 2019 at 12:53 AM

John! Thanks for this wealth of knowledge on this beautiful country. I am living here for 9 months and this will come in so handy! Again, THANK YOU! I like your vibe and the activities you value are in line with my own!

August 17, 2019 at 10:54 PM

‘Quite helpful! And informative. Well-written, too. I met a woman from Merida and I live in Morelia. Soooo, you know–I have to learn a bit about things before I go.

Sooooo … thank you! I KNOW how long composing, editing, and posting photos, etc. can take. I appreciate your efforts. And the tip on “better underwear” was eye-opening. I’d thought about the heat in many, many ways–but not THAT way. LOL ‘Great tip.

Again, thanks!

August 20, 2019 at 11:59 AM

Hope you have a great trip to Merida! It’ll be a bit warmer down there compared to Morelia. (We’re currently nearby enjoying Patzcuaro’s cool weather.) Having that dry-wicking underwear is such a funny little tip, but it’s really proven so useful for us in hot, sticky climates like Merida. I’ve just ordered a few more pairs for our next trip, lol. Buen viaje!

July 5, 2019 at 8:36 AM

Thank you for all this information about Merida. This town has a lot of history and beauty must be a place to visit to discover the real Mexico. Not only the city is important but eating is too. I was so glad that you talk a lot about this. My personal favorites are papadzules, cochinita, Chaya and ice cream at “Colon” in the Paseo Montejo. If people want to learn about Merida and Yucatan from a Novel I recommend Xtabentum: A Novel of Yucatan. Enjoy the city. Better to gon in winter!

July 7, 2019 at 3:55 PM

Yes, it’s such a beautiful city with an equally beautiful culinary offerings to match! 🙂 Thanks for the book recommendation – hope to try and read it before our next visit.

April 27, 2019 at 5:44 AM

How do I join this webpage and blog. Great, we will be in Merida next week and this webpage is so helpful. Thanks so much. Ron

May 4, 2019 at 4:33 PM

So glad to hear it was helpful and hope you’re enjoying Merida! 🙂 We don’t currently have an email newsletter but it’s a consideration for the future. You can find all the different ways to stay connected to our blog on the “Contact Us” page, here: https://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/contact/ Happy travels! 🙂

January 17, 2019 at 4:45 PM

Amazing Merida post with tons of info I am going to bookmark it and refer to it for when I next visit Yucatan.

December 11, 2018 at 8:48 AM

I just wanted to thank you for your blog post. SO HELPFUL!

November 8, 2018 at 8:55 PM

Many, many thanks for your blog post! After struggling to navigate Merida on our own, we are just following in your foot steps and things are looking up! 🙂

We are only staying here 4 days, so we don’t have a lot of time for trial and error.

PS: Indeed Las Vigas is awesome!

November 10, 2018 at 12:18 PM

Awesome, so glad you’re finding the guide helpful! Hope it helps you to continue to enjoy all that Merida has to offer. Four days is still a nice amount of time to pack in lots of activities in and around the city. Enjoy! And have some ribs or a burrito at Las Vigas for us! 😉

October 31, 2018 at 12:01 PM

Thank you very much for the very useful information!! We will spend Christmas in Merida, December 21-January 1st, and your information is very helpful. We will spend a night in Celestun at Hotel San Julio as you recommend in your blog. I think we will need to come back to do all the very interesting things you talk about.

October 31, 2018 at 3:33 PM

So glad this to hear this was helpful to your planning. Hope you have a fantastic trip to Merida and the Yucatan! That should be a very nice time to go, with mild temps and holiday festivities. ¡Buen viaje!

September 22, 2018 at 7:49 PM

Hey! I just wanted to thank you for your insights into Merida. We just returned from a 6-day stay there, and did almost everything you recommended – and more! What a delightful area. Many of your suggestions were for places we would have missed had I not read your post before we left. Thanks again.

September 25, 2018 at 2:47 PM

Thanks so much for stopping back by our blog with the positive feedback. Always puts a smile on our faces to hear we may have helped others to discover some of the interesting places this city has to offer. So glad you enjoyed Merida! 🙂

July 22, 2018 at 7:00 AM

Will be headed to Merida in August for something new and R&R, (have done the Caribbean side extensively). Will also be looking at potential second home around the nearby beach communities. Any recommendations on realtors to show us around or X-Pat communities to visit? all the architectures are awesome. if any one want to make a 3d architecture deign then visit

July 25, 2018 at 5:19 PM

There are many great realtors around Merida and on the beach in Progreso that particularly cater to expats looking for second homes. We don’t personally have any experience with them since we’ve just sought out short-term apartment rentals and hotels during our travels. So can’t recommend any from our personal experience.

April 20, 2018 at 11:57 AM

Here it is 2 years later and your post is still super helpful. Thanks so much!

May 9, 2018 at 11:37 AM

So glad it’s still helpful! And we’re actually very excited to be traveling back to Merida yet again in next month (June 2018) so we can continue to explore this awesome city and further update this post with even more great things to do in Merida! 🙂

December 30, 2017 at 12:50 PM

Update to the Mayan ball game in Merida. A little bit of commentary is now in English. P.S. We saw 3 goals!

December 30, 2017 at 9:06 PM

That’s great to hear about the added commentary in English – thanks so much for letting us know. And 3 goals? Wow! We’ve been about 5 times and have never seen a single goal. Congrats! 🙂

December 25, 2017 at 2:33 PM

Thank you for the great information regarding the Merida area. I will be spending the first week of 2018 there and this website has been very helpful in planning my time there.

December 29, 2017 at 9:10 PM

That’s always nice to hear! Thanks for stopping by to comment! 🙂 We hope you have an awesome trip to the Yucatan – January is a great time to visit. ¡Buen viaje¡

August 12, 2017 at 5:56 PM

My wife and I will be spending a couple of months in Merida in Feb/Mar 2018. We thoroughly enjoyed every line of your website and expect that we will have a great time in the city and surrounds. One thing that we have learned in traveling to many different lands and cultures is that our expectations are usually met. If you expect to be disappointed and “taken advantage of” will will probably be successful. We love meeting different people, experiencing different things and mostly learning.

Thanks you for your thoughtful words and kindness in encouraging people to experience Merida. I thought that your responses to Meg were right on the mark. Sometimes in order to really communicate with someone you have to (unfortunately) go to their level so that they can understand you. Nicely done and still professional.

We will experience many of the things that you suggest and will look forward to finding some others on our own. Muchas Gracias!

Tim and Karen

August 16, 2017 at 9:06 PM

Thank you. We really hope you enjoy your time in Merida – Feb is such a great time to visit too. Cooler weather! 🙂 And thank you for the kind words and weighing in on this silly little debate. We had only intended this post to provide travel suggestions for the things to do in Merida that we enjoyed, to pass on to other travelers. We really hope you enjoy your time there and some of those suggestions ultimately prove helpful as you explore Merida on your own next year. Bien viaje! 🙂

January 4, 2018 at 9:18 AM

I appreciate you sharing all this information. I found it to be very helpful. We are leaving in a couple weeks and my sister and her husband were in Merida last year based on a recommendation I received from a person who goes every year and stays for a month. My sister was not disappointed and wished they’d had more time. I have had trouble finding specific information on the boat tours out of Celestun – you suggest going early but I don’t know how early the boats go out. Do you know? Thanks.

January 5, 2018 at 7:52 PM

So glad to hear your sister had a great visit and hope you do too! 🙂 Regarding Celestun, I don’t recall exactly what time the begin, but we arrived shortly after sunrise and there were boat guys there ready to get out on the water. If you go shortly after sunrise, I’d imagine you will either be able to organize a boat or shouldn’t have to wait long. And there will likely be boat tours available for the remainder of the day but it’s just a matter of timing if you want to share the boat costs with other passengers. Have a great trip to the Yucatan!

August 2, 2017 at 9:30 PM

I know, people keep talking about how much they love it and we just don’t see it at all! We went to almost every place this article suggested and we found it so underwhelming (the cathedral has been looted of all art…it’s empty, for example), and we still have yet to find any good food for a reasonable price. It’s like we’re in the wrong merida or something. Or maybe people like it better than the city because people speak English here and they think the run-down parts are “authentic.” Or they don’t realize that all the tour offers are three times the price of going alone and they think it’s a good deal. Anyhow, we’re trying really hard, but we just don’t get the love people have for this place. All I’m left with is the small of the diesel busses in our face! Also, we talked to some people who live here (a self proclaimed “welcome committee”) and they said there wasn’t really any good street food in the city and the thing to do really is just drink all the time and take day trips out of here. I can understand why people like the day trips, but honestly, I would recommend people just staying in one of the smaller less touristy towns instead…they can get to the same places from there. Mexico has so many great places and art to see, all I was saying is that merida is not what it was cracked up to be and they should reconsider visiting. Sorry if that doesn’t fit into your conception of the place!

August 3, 2017 at 7:53 PM

To each their own. One thing I think we can both agree upon is that Merida and Mexico City are very different from one another. The DF is great. But Merida is NOT Mexico City. And that is something we’ve enjoyed about Merida.

We also didn’t find it to be this English-speaking touristic destination that you paint Merida as. Sure, there are certainly some touristic restaurants and shops that cater to that crowd, as there are in many cities throughout Mexico, including Mexico City. I didn’t find that aspect to be overwhelming in Merida as you describe. And we’ve always enjoyed practicing our Spanish in Merida, only seldom coming across English speakers aside from the occasional expats.

And yes, also like everywhere in the world, tours tend to cost much more than doing day trips on your own. That is why we gave two different detailed directions in our day trips guide on how to do it on your own and compared that to tours, to let readers decide which best suits them. Some people enjoy the convenience of a tour, desire more information a guide can provide, don’t feel comfortable driving, and/or perhaps don’t speak Spanish; so tours can be great options for some people, even if they do cost more.

Another point I’ll agree with you on is that the smaller towns throughout the Yucatan are very nice to stay in, as we’ve stayed in many. It’s a great experience for a night. But for more than a night, I definitely prefer to base myself in Merida for day trips, given there is so much more eating/drinking/doing options in Merida for when we’re not out exploring the Yucatan.

Also, you claim that you can get to the same places from the smaller towns as you can from Merida. But from our experience, that is completely untrue. Merida is the most centrally located hub in the region with all roads leading to/from there. If traveling around by bus, you would almost certainly have to go back to Merida to transfer to get to anywhere else, adding hours of travel time and hassle. It’s also the most convenient location for rental car and tour options too. But I digress.

“All I was saying is that merida is not what it was cracked up to be.” So Merida was underwhelming to you. That’s fine. I get that. But actually that’s not all you were saying. You also said, “I wouldn’t recommend anyone visit Merida.” And that’s wrong. Merida certainly isn’t for everyone, but most people do enjoy it. We like to encourage others to explore a destination and decide for themselves. But that’s still not all you were saying. You also attacked our “traveling” articles as untrustworthy. But just because your opinion of a place differs from ours, it doesn’t invalidate all the information we’ve put a lot of effort into providing here for free, and the trust we’ve built with our readers.

August 2, 2017 at 3:58 PM

I wouldn’t recommend anyone visiting Merida. I honestly have no idea what this article is talking about. You could walk for a mile before finding any street food, which may be possible if the sidewalks weren’t too small (a fact that also limits any kind of meaningful street life). The traffic is loud, the prices insane for Mexico, and everything is a tourist trap. If one of the top ten things to do anywhere is sitting in a tiny plaza, I would reconsider visiting. You can get to all the ruins from far more pleasant places. I would recommend spending more time in Mexico City. The museums and street scene there are fantastic, the food is much better and EVERYTHING is cheaper. It’s also far more beautiful and actually less polluted and hectic than merida. Plus all the people in the plazas, restaurants and coffee shops don’t endlessly bother you with tourist traps and recommendations to bad restaurants. Frankly, I wouldn’t even trust these “traveling” articles anymore for even suggesting merida as a good place to visit.

August 2, 2017 at 8:03 PM

Wow, that’s pretty harsh. Am sadden by the hatred you have for what we found to be such a lovely city. The way you describe it, it almost sounds like you visited an entirely different place. We found loads of street food, never had problems with sidewalks or traffic, never got caught in any tourist traps, never had any touts hassling us, loved the different Yucatecan cuisine, and found everything to be very reasonably priced. Actually, probably cheaper than your beloved Mexico City. But that’s just our experience. We loved Merida and you’re the first person we’ve ever heard from who has not enjoyed their time there.

I find travel to be like food or music. People have different tastes. It’s clear you did not have a taste for Merida and that’s okay. You didn’t appreciate all of its charms that we found there and that’s fine. But to recommend “anyone” against visiting Merida just because you were one person who didn’t like it, is pretty one-sided and closed-minded. We hope you continue to enjoy Mexico City!

May 25, 2018 at 2:19 PM

I appreciate your Blog,, I am traveling to Merida to visit my tanta who bought a hacienda You helped me feel comfortable about going there. I will miss my pistol Feel sad for Meg, some folks can’t find the positive in anything,, poor miserable thing! Will contact when I return!

March 3, 2021 at 6:35 PM

Thank you for writing such a kick-ass, thorough article! Wow, so well done! Saludos, Los O’Gradys in Mexico

July 26, 2017 at 12:57 AM

Can you make a suggestion regarding transportation from Tulum to Merida and then Merida to Cancun Airport. There will be 5 of us, one who is 85 years of age. Private car? Rental car. ADO bus has been used, just not sure we want to do that when trying to get to Cancun airport.

July 27, 2017 at 1:11 PM

There are ADO buses that connect Tulum-Merida and from Merida to Cancun Airport. I’ve taken both routes many times. It’s inexpensive, comfortable enough, and air-conditioned. But for Merida to Cancun Airport, just be sure to get the one directly to the airport, as there are others that go to the downtown Cancun bus terminal instead. But depending on the 85-year-old’s mobility and depending on your budget, you may want to consider a rental car or private driver instead. A private driver will be expensive though. I’ve seen them listed for about ~$250-$300 USD, each way. Rental car could work well. But it may be difficult to do a one-way rental that begins in Tulum and ends Merida. Instead, it would be better to start and end in Cancun. I’ve found the roads to be good and easily navigable, if staying on the main roads. Hope that may help!

July 23, 2017 at 11:24 PM

Will be headed to Merida in August for something new and R&R, (have done the Caribbean side extensively). Will also be looking at potential second home around the nearby beach communities. Any recommendations on realtors to show us around or X-Pat communities to visit?

July 27, 2017 at 1:25 PM

We’ve only visited Merida and Progreso as travelers (and monthlong temporary residents), so we can’t really recommend any realtors. (We used Airbnb for our monthlong rental.) There are a number of websites out there, like yucatanexpatlife.com, that have listings and recommendations, but I really can’t speak to how good they are. What I would recommend before buying a second home there is to live in the area for a month (if you have the time to do that) to really get a better feel for the areas, prices, and houses you may prefer. You’ll gain a much better understanding and will be able to connect with many expats living there who can offer their two-cents on realtors and housing. Best of luck on your search for a second home in this charming part of Mexico!

January 22, 2018 at 12:21 AM

Thanks….. if anyone reading this had bought in Merida , would like some perspective on their experience. (Regrets?)

August 31, 2018 at 5:14 PM

I moved from Illinois in 2015, it’s a very good State and city to live, and also it’s where you want to live, if you want to find a house let me know I can help you with it.

June 9, 2017 at 11:32 AM

Hey guys, great blog! It’s been very helpful to us as we explore Central America.

FYI – we did the free walking tour in Merida this week and it starts at 9:30, not 9 AM. We learned about it through your site but found conflicting information online about the start time.

June 12, 2017 at 11:38 AM

Thank you for letting us know about the updated walking tour times. It’s very important for us to try to keep this resource up-to-date, so thanks to you, I have edited this post to reflect the new 9:30 am start time.

March 14, 2017 at 4:21 PM

What an excellent article! This is one of the best write-ups I’ve ever seen on Mérida. As one of the vety fortunate residents of this magical city, I thank you for the time and effort you’ve spent in describing our town in such wonderful detail. Everything is factual, including the prices, and I’m writing this in March, 2017! We have been voted America’s Cultural Capital for 2017, and your article beautifully explains why. One of our most popular solicitors (lawyers), who is also a fantastic writer, says that “Mérida is where you come to learn how to love again,” and that is so very true. The people, the trees and flowers, the music, even our hot weather, exude love!

March 15, 2017 at 5:59 PM

Hi Patricia, thanks so much for the comment and kind words. You truly live in a magical city! How fantastic that Mérida was voted America’s Cultural Capital for 2017, a well deserved award for the city.

December 11, 2016 at 8:01 AM

Hi dd says Me and my family will be traveling for doctor appointment and thereafter to enjoy the ambiance of this city. What is the cost to get to uxmal and also what are the events happening their for the New Years of 2017..we should be arriving on the 28th December and leaving January 2nd 2017

December 12, 2016 at 3:13 PM

For costs of the different ways to get to Uxmal, please check out our other post on the Best Day Trips from Merida here, in which we provide the pricing a number of different ways to get to Uxmal: http://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/best-day-trips-yucatan-merida-mexico/

For New Years, there will likely be a big party in the historic center of Merida and many of the clubs and restaurants I’m sure will have festivities to attend. I’d recommend heading to the historic center on New Years Eve. Also, as Dec 31 gets closer check the event calendar.

November 6, 2016 at 8:49 PM

Excelente blog, gracias! Muy informativo e interesante! (I know you understand that) 🙂 You made my husband and I really excited about visitng Merida this January 2017! Gracias, gracias, gracias!

November 10, 2016 at 12:37 PM

De nada! Con gusto! 🙂 Merida is so much fun! We hope you enjoy it as much as we have. The weather in Merida is perfect in January too – that’s when we always tend to visit. Enjoy! 🙂

June 26, 2016 at 4:11 PM

We’re headed to the Yucatan in December 2016 — we love the ideas in your blog posts and will use them to plan our trip. We are interested in diving near Cancun and Cozumel. We have also heard about diving in the cenotes near Merida — would you please recommend dive shops where we can rent equipment? Thanx! Danita and Juan. from San Jose.

July 2, 2016 at 8:28 AM

So glad to hear you’ve found some of our blog posts helpful in planning your trip. I’ve dove in Cozumel once before but it’s been years, so unfortunately can’t recommend a dive shop there. Sorry! As for diving in cenotes around Merida, a friend of mine recommends Freedom Divers Mexico, but I personally have never dove with them. Hope you have an awesome trip to the Yucatan in December!

June 7, 2016 at 8:47 PM

While there is a lot of good information on this blog number 7, horse drawn carriage rides should be dropped. With a horse having collapsed and died on Paseo Montejo in April it’s the last thing people should be thinking of doing. There is so much wrong with it. Please consider not advertising it.

June 8, 2016 at 12:18 PM

What a horrible incident and thank you for bringing it to our attention. During the time we spent in Merida, we had only witnessed horses that appeared to be well cared for. I’m hoping that your comment will help to serve as a warning to other travelers to Merida so they can use discretion before pursuing this activity.

June 1, 2016 at 3:14 AM

Great Info!!! I am currently in Merida exploring some of the options that you mentioned as I am bringing a large group of Rotarians in January of next year to this city to do some social projects. We are contemplating one dinner at Progreso to look for a lovely sunset and a dinner and light show at the Uxmal Ruins.

June 8, 2016 at 12:46 PM

Thanks Arturo! I hope you and your Rotarian group enjoy Merida and the Yucatan as much as we did! 🙂 I think a Progreso sunset dinner and the Uxmal ruin light show both sound like a great idea! Have a great trip!

May 19, 2016 at 11:49 AM

Thanks!!!!!!!! Great post

April 29, 2016 at 10:54 AM

Awesome stuff! Very detailed and informative post. Looking forward to exploring some of Merida today!

May 2, 2016 at 12:19 PM

Thanks for the feedback and we’re so glad to hear you’ve found this to be helpful. Hope you have (or had) a great time exploring Merida! Enjoy it and happy travels!

April 8, 2016 at 6:25 PM

I just wanna say i was really excited about going to Mérida. There are some really nice recomendations mentioned here, that I try and I recommend a 100%!!

There is just one thing missing, I had an awesome massage in a spa called Boho Spa. There is one located in the center part of the city and is really beautiful! I really recommend to go!

April 9, 2016 at 1:41 PM

Thanks Emily! Glad to hear these recommendations were helpful. And thank you for commenting with your suggestion of the Boho Spa. Sounds like a perfect way to relax and wind down after a hot Merida day!

March 9, 2016 at 1:08 AM

Wow what a great read. My GF an I are coming to Merida in Sep. for a week an cant wait. We are staying at the Luz De Yucatan. This article has us so pumped up we wish it was sep. now. Thanks for this an im going to go back an read it again. Yours Truly Steven A Chambers.

March 11, 2016 at 10:08 AM

Hi Steven, Thanks for stopping by our site. We can sense your excitement and it puts a smile on our faces to know its getting you pumped. You’r going to love Merida! September can’t get here soon enough! We’re in the midst of writing a new post detailing all of our favorite day trips from Merida so stay tuned for that within the next few days to give you a handful of other activities to get excited about! 🙂

March 11, 2016 at 1:49 PM

Thanks for the reply. Done many AI hotels in MR an Cancun but this time we are going to travel around a bit to see the Yucatan. Holbox,Merida Campeche an maybe a few others. Love your blog an look forward to reading your new posts. Thanks an have a great day. Yours truly Steven A Chambers from B.C Canada

March 5, 2016 at 2:29 PM

Great Blog! We are a family of 4 with kids 8yo and 12yo. We’re staying in Cancun for 7 days but venturing out April 6-8th to the central Yucatan. We will have a rental car and originally we planned on going to Valladolid for 2 nights, but after reading your blog I’m thinking I should just go to Merida for all the actvities of this vibrant city. I want to take day trips to the Mayan ruins, but not too keen on a “tour” as i find too many hours are spent on the bus going from hotel to hotel. Question…are there locals that you can arrange to meet at the ruins for a personal “tour” or people for hire once you get to the ruins for a “tour”?

March 6, 2016 at 1:48 PM

Hi Matt! Glad you found our blog. If you have a car, you’ll be in good shape to simply drive to the ruin sites and won’t need to take a packaged bus tour. At Chitzen Itza there will be plenty of locals there eager to provide you with a tour of the ruins. Expect to pay about 600 pesos. Same for Uxmal, if you go there. At the Izamal temples, there are local horse and carriage drivers who can tour you around the area. Some of the smaller sites like Mayapan ruins, you likely won’t find any local guides there. The ruins are still easy to explore on your own, you just won’t get all the interesting facts to go along with them.

As for Valladolid vs Merida… that’s a tough call. Valladolid is a lovely town too. Much smaller. I’d decided based upon the sites you’re planning to see. If you are planning to see Chitzen Itza, Izamal, Coba, and the cenotes near Valladolid, it may be more convenient to just stay there. But if you’re taking day trips further afield, Merida might be the better option.

Hope that helps or at least gives you some ideas. Have a great trip to the Yucatan!

February 6, 2016 at 5:17 PM

Hi, there are some really nice recomendations mentioned here, which I’ll definetly gong to try 🙂 You wrote that on weekend evenings there is some “Fiesta”-atmosphere in Merida. I would arrive on a sunday afternoon. Are there also some special events going on sundays? I would have liked to ride a long on a bike in merida. But as you mentioned in your blog, I guess that I wont make it since I am arriving in the afternoon.

February 6, 2016 at 5:55 PM

Hi Sandy! Yes, there always seems to be something going in Merida every day and Sundays certainly aren’t excluded 🙂 In fact there’s a weekly event called “Merida en Domingo” (Merida on Sunday). Head to the centro and you’ll find many food vendors other booths set-up. They sometimes have bands playing too. I’m not sure when you’re arriving but if you are coming this Sunday (Feb 7) you may also want to go our to the fairgrounds because it is Carnaval, which will be happening there tomorrow and into the evening. Hope you have a great trip to Merida!

January 5, 2016 at 11:29 PM

Great article. We’ll have to add Merida to our to-do list. Is there any diving?

January 7, 2016 at 10:18 AM

Thanks! There is diving in some nearby cenotes, which sounds really interesting although we haven’t done it (yet!). I’ve heard about a place called Alacranes Reef, about 60 miles off the coast here, but it seems difficult to venture too. The closest accessible ocean diving is about 3-4 hours drive away, closer to the Caribbean side of the Yucatan, with Holbox possibly being nearest to Merida.

December 20, 2015 at 11:34 AM

I was in Merida last january with my girlfriend, we researched the area and of we went, we spent a week there and it was fabulous. We visited all the ruins big and small, and we loved them all, very impresive and we were the only visiters in most of the lesser known ruins, the feeling we had walking around all by ourselves was incredible and i recomend it to all, Ek-Balam, Uxmal, Mayapan and you can climb all the buildings. From the food, its culture, historical buildings, and most of all its people I recomend it to all. We are going back in late Jan.

December 30, 2015 at 11:07 AM

Isn’t that the best when you’re the only people at such incredible places like those ruins!? We’re also heading back to the Yucatan soon and hope to make it out to explore some of the ruins that you’ve mentioned. And we’ll second the notion about loving the food, culture, historic buildings, and the people! That’s why people like us return! 😉 Oh, I can’t wait to get back. Thanks for dropping by our blog and happy travels!

December 5, 2015 at 5:57 PM

Awesome Post John (and Heather),

We are heading to Merida Jan/Feb of 2016 for 2 weeks and so looking forward to doing as many of the items you described as possible! Are you aware if there is any Karaoke in town? What is the best way to get to our Hotel (Near Plaza de Independancia) from the airport?

December 5, 2015 at 10:58 PM

We hope you enjoy Merida and the surrounding area as much as we did! We never stumbled across any Karaoke while we were there but I would’t be surprised if there may be a Karaoke night somewhere in town. If not, there is plenty of live music on the weekends to enjoy. From the Merida Airport to Centro, I’ve actually never flown into the airport and have always arrived from elsewhere in Mexico by bus, so I can’t speak from experience. But I understand that the easiest way would be a taxi which should cost no more than 250 pesos (~$15 USD). You can catch an ADO bus for significantly less but it’ll take more time and you’ll need to walk a bit from the bus station where it drops you off, so I’d probably recommend a cab. Happy travels to the Yucatan!

January 29, 2017 at 2:00 PM

There is a kiosk at the front of the airport, you can book your cab there and when we did it they handed us each a small bottle of water and a package of cookies. The cost was about USD20 into the Centro Historico and we did give him a tip. The cab was clean and we had no qualms about using it..

September 10, 2015 at 10:50 PM

Thank you for writing such an informative post about Merida! I am visiting here in November and am starting my research of things to do while I am there. Your list was very helpful and I will be sure to do many of your suggestions!

September 11, 2015 at 2:13 AM

Glad to hear it was helpful! I hope you enjoy Merida and the surrounding area as much as we did!

November 6, 2015 at 9:04 PM

Thanks! I am sure I will. It definitely looks and sounds like my ideal type of city 🙂

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