Merida, the Yucatán’s capital city, is famous for amazing textiles, great shopping, exciting day trips, and some of the best food in Mexico. Its colonial charm resonates off the Spanish influenced architecture.
Hidden gems appear every few blocks as you walk the streets with little parks, restaurants, and sidewalk cafés just waiting to be discovered. It creates an intimate atmosphere full of smiling faces and makes you want to take your time to explore its many wonders.
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Here is a list of the best things to do in and around Merida.
1. Strolling Down the Paseo de Montejo
Full of shops, restaurants, markets, and museums, the Paseo de Montejo is the place to be most weekends. A whole section of Merida’s most iconic street shuts down so you are free to explore. Kids ride their bikes while parents walk the dog or go out to enjoy a relaxing breakfast.
2. El Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya (Mayan World Museum)
Don’t let the unusual metal outside fool you (think metal bird’s nest), this museum is a treasure featuring over 1000 pieces of Mayan history dating back to Aztec times. Permanent pieces, temporary exhibits, and light and sound displays take you on a historical journey of all things Mayan. It will pique your interest and spark your imagination, so it is worth the 150 pesos ($7) entry fee. Exhibits are always changing so get the latest information here.
3. Plaza Grande and Cathedral
Right in the heart of Merida you will find the Plaza Grande. The heart of the city. An oasis for everyone to enjoy.
After sunset, a lot of times you’ll find free music and dancing. During the day it’s great to grab an ice cream and watch Merida go by. Groups of friends greet each other, old men come together to discuss their day, excited tourists meet for free walking tours, and you feel like part of the city. You will feel like a part of the community laughing and shaking their heads at kids chasing pigeons. Because there’s always kids chasing pigeons.
Across the road you’ll find the Cathedral. Lit up at night, it is a site to behold and every photographer’s dream. Spanish influenced architecture rises before you in a majestic façade of glowing light terracotta.
4. Dining Out
The sheer wealth of dining choices in Merida is fantastic. From traditional Mexican fare through to all of your international favorites, even the most hardcore foodies will be satisfied. Vegetarians and vegans are welcomed with over 120 veggie friendly restaurants, and most others are happy to put something together for you if it’s not part of their normal menu. With over 500 restaurants you could dine out daily for a month straight and never tire of it.
5. Cenotes
The Yucatán peninsula has over 6,000 freshwater cenotes, a phenomenon created after a meteor impacted the region back in dinosaur times. The heat and force of the strike rippled through the limestone creating a network of underground rivers, cave systems, and open-air sinkholes. Truly spectacular, it is worth the day trip to see these natural wonders.
There are many tour operators, but an excellent one showcasing the four main types of cenotes on a private reserve is Los 7 Cenotes. Untouched by 1000s of other tourists and in a natural setting (not concrete surrounds), this tour offers the best experience I’ve been on and I’m a bit of a cenote addict.
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6. Chichén Itzá
One of Mexico’s most iconic images and undoubtedly most famous archaeological site is Chichén Itzá. The grand pyramid of El Castillo is a world-renowned feat of engineering since being built around 600 A.D.
There are other fascinating structures like the huge Ball Court, or the creepy Wall of Skulls which shows the Mayan conquests. The layered heads of their enemies on spikes. A lot of these historical treasures are original surviving carvings and graphics. Don’t forget a bottle of water and hat because it’ll get hot walking around.
Sitting under the stars at night, the history of the Mayan people is played in a dazzling light show upon El Castillo. It showcases the advancement of their society in mathematics and cosmology along with how they lived their day to day lives. You can find out more about opening times and show programs here.
7. Celestún and Bioreserve
Lagoons fill with every shade of pink each year as thousands of flamingos migrate to Celestún Bioreserve to gorge themselves on the abundant brine shrimp found there. The shrimp turn the waters pink and give the flamingos their bold color. The birds, arriving at the reserve a pale rose pink, feed for months. When they leave, they are a deep, nearly magenta pink.
The sleepy seaside village of Celestún is the perfect place to spend the night. Most of the shorefront hotels are very affordable at under $100 a night and have dining right on the beach. You can enjoy a great meal with a cold beer, while digging your toes in the sand at sunset. It’s tranquil and a glimpse at what a real Mexican town looks like.
8. Santiago Park and Market
This whole neighborhood is a bit of a gem. Get lost in the markets and find some bargains alongside a great selection of fresh produce, then relax in the park overlooking the fountain. It’s a nice part of town for a leisurely stroll. There’s music and some salsa dancing at night, so check the calendar before you go for some outdoor fun.
9. Shopping
Being the state’s capital means there’s a wealth of shopping in Merida. From textiles to jewelry and huge shopping malls to small quirky hole-in-the-wall mom and pop shops, everything you could want you’ll find. Plus, Mexico’s southwest corner holds the Chiapas range where a lot of their famous amber comes from. Be sure to grab some gifts before you leave, I doubt you’ll find it cheaper anywhere else in the world.
10. Visit Izamal, the Golden City
Nothing prepared me for the sheer beauty of the golden streets of Izamal. Every single building is painted a deep golden sunflower yellow with white trim. Under a cobalt blue Mexican sky, it is breathtaking.
In the heart of town, you’ll find its biggest attraction right on town square. The Convento de San Antonio de Padua.
On entering, you’ll find a huge lawn surrounded by wide, covered arch-lined walkways on all sides. The lone path leading up to the church adds to the romance of this holy place. Outside you can take a horse drawn carriage, browse the markets for souvenirs, or just stroll the streets. Remember to take your camera because it a place to remember.
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