Exploring historic Mayan ruins, swimming in cenotes, taking in cultural performances, and indulging in Yucatecan delicacies are just some of the various wonderful issues to do in Merida. Learn on for a more in-depth have a look at all this Mexican metropolis has to supply.
Regardless of being a state capital and widespread vacation spot for nomads, expats, and retirees, Merida lives within the shadow of close by Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. In spite of everything, most vacationers who come to this a part of Mexico head straight to the seashore.
With the closest seashore being 40 km (25 miles) away from Merida, this implies the most important metropolis within the Yucatan Peninsula has lengthy been an afterthought. However, that’s all altering.
15 Finest Issues to Do in Merida
Conde Nast Traveler lately named Merida one of the best small metropolis on this planet. Vacationers are lastly taking discover, and Merida is prepared for its time within the highlight.
Although I’ve spent the higher a part of the final three years residing in Mexico, I hadn’t travelled to Merida till lately. However then I spent an excellent period of time there exploring one of the best issues Merida has to supply.
I’m blissful to say that Merida didn’t disappoint, and it’s one of many finest locations to go in Mexico. It’s a vibrant metropolis with quite a few points of interest and locations to go to.
This submit was up to date in 2023 to incorporate new Merida points of interest and actions.
I’m excited to share a number of the finest issues to do in Merida with you on this submit. Vamos, chicos!
1. Discover Centro Historico & the Zocalo
Kicking off my checklist of issues to do in Merida is a stroll across the metropolis’s Centro Historico. Apparently, solely Mexico Metropolis and Havana, Cuba, have bigger historic facilities than Merida, so there’s so much to see and do right here.
Be a part of a Strolling Tour
I like to recommend becoming a member of the free strolling tour for an informative and entertaining introduction to the town. It begins at 10 AM each day in Santa Lucia Park and lasts about two hours.
On this brief tour, you’ll get launched to the historical past, tradition, and traditions of Merida. I’m sure I realized extra throughout this two hours than I might have throughout two days by myself.
Whereas the tour is free, it’s customary to tip your information for a job properly performed. A superb tip for a strolling tour like that is 100 pesos (about $5). Head to their web site to enroll in the tour.
There are additionally some nice excursions for exploring Merida’s historic middle. You may soar on a 3-hour strolling tour with a neighborhood professional in cultural and pure tourism. Click on right here to test it out and e-book your spot.
When you’re questioning what to do in Merida whenever you first arrive, becoming a member of a strolling tour is an effective wager.
Discover the Zocalo Independently
Even for those who join one of many excursions, it’s price it to spend some additional time exploring the Zocalo by yourself. This tree-lined park may be very a lot the guts of the town and is one of the best place to take in the native tradition.
The park is dwelling to a large Mexican flag and the colourful Merida signal, which is a should in your Instagram feed. It’s additionally surrounded by probably the most well-known and vital landmarks of the town.
These embody the Merida Cathedral, Municipal Palace, Casa Montejo, and the Governor’s Palace. The latter is dwelling to some unbelievable murals depicting the town’s historical past. They’re all free to go to, so take your time and revel in all of them!
There’s additionally a free strolling tour of the Zocalo given by the town’s tourism board. It begins at 9:30 AM on the bottom ground of the Municipal Palace. Click on right here for instructions.
2. Swim in Cenotes
Some of the refreshing issues to do in Merida – a metropolis that’s usually boiling scorching – is cooling off within the surrounding cenotes. When you’re not acquainted with these, they’re principally pure sinkholes.
These are discovered all around the Yucatan Peninsula and quantity within the hundreds. Throughout the hottest time of the day, there’s nothing higher than hiding from the solar and swimming in a cenote.
There are quite a few cenotes throughout Merida, so, simply take your choose!
An amazing possibility for having fun with a couple of cenotes is this tour that visits three — Cascabel, Chaksikin, and Pool Cocom.
The complete-day journey begins at 8:45 AM and contains swimming in three cenotes, plus lunch, transportation, information, and entrance charges. Click on right here to study extra about this prime Merida attraction.
One other highly-rated tour is this tour that visits two totally different cenotes together with a good looking hacienda and a few historic websites. The cenotes aren’t on the common vacationer observe and also you’ll almost definitely have them to your self! After I went, the one different individuals within the water have been those on the tour with me.
Alongside the way in which, your native guides will educate you about Mayan tradition. Meals, transport, information, and entrance charges are included. Click on right here to study extra.
3. Go Museum Hopping
In and across the Zocalo you’ll discover a number of totally different museums, together with Casa Montejo. Constructed within the 1540s, it was the mansion of the conquistador Francisco de Montejo. Nowadays it’s a museum that’s free to go to, making it probably the most widespread issues to do in Merida.
Earlier than you head in, make sure you take a more in-depth have a look at the facade of the constructing. It depicts the Spanish conquistadores standing on the heads of the native Mayans — a reminder of the horrific realities of colonialism in Mexico.
On the appropriate facet of the cathedral, there’s a coated walkway known as Passage of the Revolution. That is the place you’ll discover one other utterly free museum, this one targeted on the artwork of Fernando Garica Ponce and different Mexican artists.
Finishing the trifecta is the Museum of the Metropolis of Merida, the place you may study all in regards to the metropolis’s historical past from the time of the Maya to the current. It’s situated just some blocks from the Zocalo. Click on right here for instructions.
Handle: Casa Montejo, Calle 63 506, Centro, Merida, Yucatan, 97000
4. Be taught About Mayan Tradition
One of many prime locations to see in Merida is the town’s Nice Museum of the Maya World. The constructing itself is sort of a powerful sight, and it holds an enormous assortment of Mayan artifacts.
A standard false impression amongst guests to Mexico is that there aren’t any Mayan individuals round anymore. I’ll admit that I used to be responsible of pondering this after I first traveled there a few years in the past. Nonetheless, this couldn’t be farther from the reality.
It’s estimated that round 60% of the inhabitants of Merida is of Mayan heritage, and this can be a metropolis of practically 1 million. Mayan tradition may be very a lot alive and properly right here, mixing with Spanish, French, British, and modern-day Mexican influences.
The museum is definitely situated fairly a distance from the town middle. You may hop on the bus sure for Progreso and inform them you need to get off on the museum or simply get a cab on the market. Uber can be out there right here and works very properly in my expertise.
It’s open from Wednesday to Monday from 9 AM-4:30 PM and prices 150 pesos for foreigners. On Sundays, it’s free for residents of the Yucatan, so I’d advocate happening one other day.
Handle: Calle 60 Norte No. 299 E, Unidad Revolución, Mérida, Yucatan, 97110
5. Go to Chichen Itza
Surely, probably the most well-known Mayan metropolis of all is Chichen Itza. One of many New Seven Wonders of the World, that is an unbelievable place to go to. Trying up on the huge pyramid often called El Castillo is an awe-inspiring expertise, to say the least.
Visiting Mayan ruins is indisputably one of many prime issues to do in Mexico. A beauty of touring to Merida is that you would be able to simply attain lots of the most epic ruins on a day journey.
Being such a preferred vacation spot, it’s very straightforward to enroll in a tour to Chichen Itza. It’s a bit removed from Merida (about an hour and a half), but it surely’s undoubtedly definitely worth the journey!
You may hop on this highly-rated small group tour that features transport, a information, a go to to a cenote, lunch, and extra. Click on right here to e-book your spot.
One other stable possibility is a tour with a neighborhood man who’s a licensed tour information in historical past and archaeology. His excursions are extremely rated and I had a good time with him. Click on right here to test it out.
Be aware: you is likely to be pondering that 6 AM departure is early, however the line-ups and crowds will be big at Chichen Itza, and the solar will be intense — it’s finest to go as early as you may.
6. Journey the Ruta Puuc
From Merida, you may journey the Ruta Puuc to see a handful of various Mayan websites. Whereas Chichen Itza is by far probably the most well-known, there are tons of different choices for visiting Mayan ruins within the space.
Amongst these, the biggest and hottest is Uxmal. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and probably the most vital locations within the Mayan world. Having been to all the large ones, I can actually say Uxmal is my favourite Mayan web site I’ve visited.
You may simply catch a neighborhood bus there and again, though you might find yourself ready some time on the facet of the street for the return bus as we did. The bus prices 80 pesos per individual every manner.
There are additionally a couple of different, smaller ruins within the space like Kabah, Labna, and Xcalak.
One solution to see all of those is with a rental automotive. When you’d reasonably follow public transportation, the one possibility is catching the bus at 8 AM on Sunday morning. It makes fast stops on the smaller ruins and offers you a couple of hours to discover Uxmal.
A complete go to will be loved on this tour the place you additionally go to the Kabah ruins, the Yaxcopoi Hacienda and a cenote. It contains the information and transport, however you’ll must cowl your entrance tickets. Uxmal prices 418 ($17) pesos for foreigners and the museum is 180.
There are a lot of different excursions that go to each Uxmal and Kabah. Click on right here to study extra and e-book your spot.
7. Hit the Seashore
As a result of it’s an inland metropolis, you may’t simply stroll to the seashore in Merida. It takes a little bit of effort, however a day journey out to Progreso is price it for those who’re searching for a while on la playa.
Progreso is a significant cruise ship port, so it’s undoubtedly bought that vacationer vibe. That being mentioned, the seashore is very nice and it’s an excellent escape from the town to take pleasure in a cerveza or two, and munch on some contemporary ceviche.
When you get on the market early sufficient and are motivated, you may rent a driver or join a day tour to discover the realm. You may go to an ecological park, salt ponds, a pink lake, and a small Mayan web site on a half-day tour.
The most cost effective solution to rise up to Progreso is by catching the native bus. The station is situated a couple of blocks south of the Zocalo. Click on right here for instructions. It solely prices 19 pesos every manner, or about $1.
8. Day Journey to Ria Celestun
One of many prime issues to do in Merida is taking a day journey out to Ria Celestun, a biosphere reserve situated about 100 km out of the town. It’s properly definitely worth the journey right here to discover the pristine seashores, mangroves, and low rainforests.
It’s a novel place as its location creates a mix of freshwater from the estuary and saltwater from the ocean. The realm is thought primarily for its pink flamingoes, who flock right here within the winter.
To go to the reserve, you may join a full-day tour that features a boat journey by the mangroves and lunch. It departs at 8:45 AM from Merida. Click on right here to study extra and to make your reserving.
Ria Celestun is definitely situated within the State of Campeche. When you’re within the space, a go to right here to see the pink flamingos is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Campeche as properly!
9. Eat Scrumptious Meals
Merida actually is a foodie’s paradise. There’s a lot scrumptious meals right here that you could possibly plan your complete keep round what you’re consuming. From avenue meals and native markets to fine-dining, it’s all right here.
Mexico is dwelling to a number of the finest meals on this planet, with the Yucatecan meals being well-known all throughout Mexico — and for good purpose.
Probably the most well-known native dish is unquestionably cochinita pibil — a dish of pit-cooked pork that’s marinated in an acidic citrus juice and seasoned with annatto. It’s principally like pulled pork solely manner higher, and also you get to make tacos with it!
Different must-try gadgets right here embody poc chuc (marinated pork), sopa de lima (lime soup), and papadzules — corn tortillas crammed with hard-boiled eggs and coated in a pumpkin seed sauce. It sounds bizarre but it surely’s scrumptious!
Make sure to skip breakfast for those who join this wonderful meals tour. It takes you to a number of markets and plenty of avenue meals stalls. The tour begins at 10:30 AM and lasts three hours for $59 per individual.
There’s additionally this widespread meals tour the place you go to a market after which pattern a number of dishes in a neighborhood’s dwelling. It runs from 4-7 PM and prices $58 every.
Mexican delicacies is so numerous and scrumptious. Regardless of the way you select to expertise it (on a tour, avenue stands, eating places, on the seashore…), simply be sure you pattern all of it!
10. Take a Cooking Class (top-of-the-line issues to do in Merida for foodies)
Have you learnt what’s even higher than attempting native meals? Attempting native meals that you just cooked your self! Some of the rewarding issues you are able to do in Merida is taking a cooking class, and also you’ve bought plenty of choices.
On this half-day tour, you begin by visiting one of many busiest markets in Merida. You’ll study a number of the commonest substances, together with the spicy habanero chile.
Subsequent, you head to the kitchen to whip up some basic native dishes that you just’ll get to take pleasure in for lunch. Better of all, you may deliver the recipes dwelling and impress your family and friends! This highly-rated tour begins at 10 AM. Click on right here to study extra.
There’s additionally this extremely popular cooking class which takes you thru a market to get all of the substances for the cooking class. Then, you’ll take pleasure in your 3-course lunch in one of many nicest courtyards within the metropolis. It begins at 9:30 AM, is 5 hours and prices $85 every.
11. Admire the Structure on Paseo de Montejo
Strolling across the tree-lined boulevard Paseo de Montejo, you’ll discover some fairly spectacular buildings. Most of those have been mansions constructed within the late nineteenth century when the town was experiencing a big increase because of the henequen trade.
By no means heard of henequen? Neither had I.
This agave plant that in some way thrives right here in a spot with little water or fertilization can be utilized to make rope. The nice occasions didn’t final perpetually, although — as of late many of the buildings are both museums or industrial areas.
Take a stroll alongside the boulevard and make sure you deliver your digicam. You’ll spot attractive buildings just like the Palacio Canton and Quinta Montes Molina, each of that are museums which are price a go to.
Preserve strolling north till you discover the spectacular Monument to the Fatherland. This gorgeous monument depicts the historical past of Mexico and makes for some memorable images.
12. Expertise Biciruta
Among the best issues to do in Merida is collaborating within the weekly Biciruta occasion. Each Sunday morning, the Paseo de Montejo is closed to motorized automobiles for a number of hours.
Locals, expats, and vacationers alike all come out to take pleasure in strolling, skating, or biking alongside the scenic boulevard.
It’s attainable to hire a motorcycle for a couple of dollars an hour. You’ll simply must be sure you have an ID on you.
Apparently additionally they do a particular nighttime Biciruta on the primary Saturday of each month now, in order that’s undoubtedly price testing for those who occur to be within the metropolis at the moment.
Don’t miss this vehicle-free time in Merida!
13. See Cultural Performances
Surely, one of many prime issues to do in Merida is taking in a number of the many cultural performances. There’s one thing happening each night time of the week right here, and so they’re often free.
Among the finest occasions to participate in embody the Yucatecan Serenade, which occurs each Thursday night time in Santa Lucia Park at 8 PM. There’s additionally the very festive Noche Mexicana (Mexican Night time) each Saturday with track and dance performances.
Maybe probably the most enjoyable of all, although, is Sundays in Merida. This can be a day-long occasion within the Zocalo and an excellent cultural expertise. There are meals stalls arrange all day lengthy and performances start later within the day.
There’s no denying the significance of soccer in Mexican tradition. It’s extra like a faith right here than a sport as individuals are very passionate in regards to the recreation!
That’s why one of many prime issues to do in Merida is cheering on the native soccer membership. Venados FC performs within the Liga de Ascenso, which is the 2nd tier league within the nation.
They play over at Estadio Carlos Iturralde with video games going down between January and April. Take a look at their schedule to see if there’s a house recreation whenever you’re on the town.
Handle: Estadio de Futbol Carlos Iturralde Rivero, Unidad Deportiva Kukulcan, Calle 77 S/N por Circuito Colonias, Colonia Morelos Oriente, Merida, Yucatan, 97174
15. Go Cantina Hopping
Final however not least, it’s time for some cantina hopping. For the uninitiated, a cantina is a basic Mexican bar. Suppose swinging doorways, loud music, and loads of tequila.
Historically, a cantina has been considerably of a boys membership. That’s why I often skip out on them once we journey in Mexico, as my spouse doesn’t often really feel comfy going into a spot the place she’s not precisely welcome.
That’s all altering, although, and there are many cantinas in Merida which are open to each women and men. The most well-liked is unquestionably La Negrita. Providing complimentary botanas (snacks) and stay music in a pleasant courtyard, this place fills up each night time of the week.
FAQs About What to Do in Merida
Under are solutions to some often requested questions on what to do in Merida.
Completely! It won’t be on the seashore like its extra well-known neighbor Cancun, however Merida presents cultural and historic websites which are unmatched elsewhere on the Yucatan Peninsula. Plus, the meals is wonderful.
Because the capital of the state of Yucatan, Merida is legendary for its Spanish-colonial structure, conventional Mayan tradition, distinctive delicacies, close by pyramids, and pure areas corresponding to cenotes, sinkholes filled with contemporary water which are nice for swimming and scuba diving.
Merida is widespread with vacationers, but it surely doesn’t really feel like a vacationer lure for a number of causes. Vacationers come from many locations, together with North America, Europe, and elsewhere in Mexico, and the town has an undeniably genuine vibe.
Merida is without doubt one of the most secure cities in Mexico, each day and night time.
Merida is considerably dearer than different elements of Mexico, however vacationers from different elements of the world, particularly North America and Europe, will discover it extraordinarily low-cost. This contains lodging, transportation, and meals.
Now You Know What to Do in Merida
There’s a purpose Merida was named one of the best small metropolis on this planet. It’s an excellent place to go to with a vibrant tradition, loads of attention-grabbing points of interest, and limitless alternatives for adventures within the space.
Whereas close by Cancun is extra of a Disney model of Mexico, Merida is the true deal. When you’re searching for an genuine Mexican metropolis with pleasant locals, scrumptious meals, and raucous nightlife, look no additional.
After years of individuals telling me how cool Merida is, I’m blissful I lastly bought to spend a while there. A 2-week digital nomad stint was simply sufficient to scratch the floor of all of the enjoyable issues to do in Merida and I’m undoubtedly planning on going again quickly.
Have you ever ever been to Merida? Obtained any suggestions for issues to do, locations to eat, or day journeys? Go away a remark under and allow us to hear all about it!
Photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock. Click on right here to study extra.
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