Merida is an unimaginable metropolis in Mexico to go to. Nestled on the Yucatan Peninsular, round 3-4 hours west of Cancun, Merida is attractive, with heaps of eating places, historic buildings and gorgeous neighbourhoods to go to. Actually, there are heaps of one of the best issues to do in Merida that may fill any journey to town.
Nonetheless, with a lot selection, comes some powerful choices! In any case, you need to take advantage of out of your go to to Merida and never waste any time when you’ve arrived.
We completely beloved our time in Merida and we’d return in a heartbeat. In actual fact, I’d go so far as saying that it’s my favorite metropolis in all of Mexico.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your journey, I’m sharing the highest issues to do in Merida whenever you go to.
1.) Cathedral of Mérida
Located proper throughout the coronary heart of the historic centre, the Cathedral of Mérida is one spot you don’t need to miss while strolling town. Not solely is it completely attractive, however it additionally has a historical past that dates again to the 1500s. This, alone, makes the Cathedral of Mérida one of many oldest cathedrals on the continent.
Now, the cathedral is unimaginable to go to, and you’ll head inside at no cost to discover the cathedral. Now, like plenty of websites in modern-day Mexico, cathedrals are sometimes trampled over and tried to suppress native Mayan tradition by the Spanish.
Their constructing was typically an try and ‘convert’ locals to Catholicism; recurrently on the expense of native tradition and non secular beliefs. In actual fact, the cathedral was even constructed utilizing the stones from the Maya Temple that after stood as a replacement.
That every one being stated, the positioning is one spot you’ll be able to’t miss in Merida, particularly because it’s stood for nearly 500 years.
Oh, and don’t neglect to go outdoors the cathedral each Saturday at 8 pm each week.
The roads across the plaza are closed and also you’ll get to witness a reenactment of the Maya Ballgame that was as soon as integral to Maya tradition. It’s all at no cost, so anticipate crowds and arrive about 25 minutes early if you wish to be on the entrance.
Read more: Best things to do in Mexico City
2.) Plaza Grande
If you happen to’re already at Merida Cathedral, you’ll simply cease by Plaza Grande (that’s proper outdoors). Now, the plaza itself is among the busiest areas of Merida metropolis centre, which makes it an amazing place to discover on foot.
In actual fact, the broader historic centre of Merida is ideal to discover on foot. Not solely are there heaps of eating places, cafes and bars, however the metropolis of Merida can also be fairly secure.
It’s one of many most secure cities in Mexico to go to. This implies you don’t want a information when strolling town and you’ll simply pinpoint locations on Google Maps to stroll between.
As soon as right here, be sure that to walk down Pasaje de La Revolución and head into the Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Yucatán. The latter has been within the plaza for the reason that 1800s and there are some unimaginable murals to see inside.
Read more: Best things to do in Mexico City
3.) Merida Accommodations
For us, a great resort could make a visit to a brand new metropolis; and we stayed in some gems in Merida that we completely beloved.
Casa Olivia is a small ‘casa’ of about 4 rooms. It’s completely quaint and the entire property is completely stunning and the workforce are so welcoming. Not solely that, they’ve essentially the most attractive pool within the centre of the Casa. It’s like an oasis within the coronary heart of Merida and we beloved it.
Now, Casa Olivia is a bit of on the pricier facet with regards to lodges in Merida; however it was properly price it for the expertise.
One other gem within the metropolis is Decu Merida. It’s one other smaller model resort (with lower than 10 rooms) which is completely stunning. Similar to Casa Olivia, it has its personal courtyard and out of doors pool that basically seems like a secret backyard within the metropolis.
Now, inside Decu Merida, you’ll get to decide on rooms within the historic ‘casa’ a part of the resort, or the newer a part of the resort. Each are attractive, and your selection actually does come all the way down to the form of model you want.
Oh, and don’t neglect, they’ve their very own little speakeasy that’s hidden behind the bookshelves.
4.) Museo Casa Montejo
Simply on the fringes of Plaza Grande, Museo Casa Montejo is a museum that also homes among the furnishings and items courting again from the 1500s.
It’s simply probably the greatest issues to do in Merida to get a really feel of the Spanish affect within the metropolis. Plus, it’s free to wander round and the rooms are simply attractive.
Visits take round 25 minutes and so they even have artwork reveals that change seasonally. Heads up, there’s not a lot info in English, so be sure that to brush up in your Spanish if you wish to study extra about every of the reveals while you’re there.
Read more: Best things to do in Mexico City
5.) Eating places in Merida
Merida is such a foodie metropolis. In actual fact, I’d go so far as saying it’s one among my favorite cities in all of Mexico for its eating places. It’s obtained that excellent mixture of regional delicacies, but additionally actually cool locations which might be all inside strolling distance across the metropolis centre.
Now, for dwell music and hearty Mexican meals, head over to La Nagrita Cantina. It’s a full of life spot that’s well-known in Merida. We completely beloved it right here and the cocktails are actually good.
Simply be sure you arrive early within the night if you wish to be sat close to the stage for dwell music. La Nagrita Cantina fills up actually fast.
Alternatively, head on over to Holoch which has inside and out of doors eating choices which might be so good. We beloved this spot for dinner and their frijol con puerco (Yucatan Model Black Beans with Pork) is so tasty.
Although, it’s best to reserve a desk for those who’re going for dinner. We struggled to get a seat on our first go to.
If you’d like a cool vibe for dinner and drinks, then head over to Vana. This was one among our favorite locations in Merida and was crammed with locals and guests alike.
Staying longer in Merida? Then, don’t neglect to go to Dzalbay (for its dwell music), Café Riqueza (for its espresso) and Bird for drinks (that’s close to Decu Merida).
6.) Chichen Itza
Round a two-hour drive from Merida, Chichen Itza is a day journey it’s important to take when visiting Merida. You see, it’s one of many world’s most necessary Maya websites.
As soon as right here, you’ll get to stroll across the Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo) which is iconic. Like plenty of Maya websites, you gained’t be capable to climb the pyramids – which I like. In any case, we need to protect them for so long as potential.
Oh, and don’t neglect that you simply’ll get to stroll by means of the ball courts that have been performed 1000’s of years in the past.
Now, to make issues simpler, book this guided tour of Chichen Itza. Not solely will you get a professional information to take you round Chichen Itza, however you’ll additionally get picked up from the centre of Merida. This makes all of it really easy.
Simply be sure you e book your tickets earlier than arriving in Merida. Areas can promote out quick at peak instances.
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7.) Uxmal
One other one among Mexico’s UNESCO World Heritage Websites, Uxmal is round 60 miles from the centre of Merida.
Way back, Uxmal was a vibrant buying and selling metropolis for the Maya folks and homes so many buildings that you could nonetheless see to today. Similar to Chichen Itza, you’ll be able to book this day trip from Merida which can take you throughout Uxmal.
As soon as right here, be sure you stroll across the Pyramid of the Magician, stroll by means of the Governor’s Palace and go to the Quadrangle. It’s so spectacular to see and probably the greatest issues to do in Merida if you wish to discover the area’s Mayan historical past.
Now, a go to to Uxmal (when you’ve arrived) will take round 2-4 hours, so plan forward, particularly on highly regarded days.
You see, there may be little or no by way of shade and it might probably get highly regarded. Take chilly water round in your stroll and ensure to slap on that sunscreen.
Read more: Best things to do in Tulum
8.) Hacienda Mucuyché Cenote
Now, for a very distinctive cenote in Mexico, head to Hacienda Mucuyché. It’s not too removed from Uxmal (about 40 minutes away) and properly price combining with a visit there.
Now, what makes this cenote so particular is that it’s additionally on the web site of a historic hacienda that you could tour earlier than hopping into the water. Although, only a heads up, you will want to book this Hacienda Mucuyché guided tour earlier than arriving.
This does must be organized earlier than turning up as some excursions are all in Spanish or all in English.
After touring the grounds of Hacienda Mucuyché, you’ll get to leap into the cenotes itself. The workforce provide obligatory life jackets and lifeguards that observe your progress while there. We beloved that, as we’ve been to some cenotes the place there may be little or no by way of security precautions.
Read more: Best things to do in Tulum
9.) Mayan World Museum of Mérida
On the outskirts of Merida is the Mayan World Museum, a hub that shines a light-weight on Maya tradition and historical past that’s properly price a go to.
In actual fact, I’d go so far as saying that it’s probably the greatest issues to do in Merida to study extra about Maya historical past and the consequences of Spanish colonialism.
Now, you do pay a small price to enter (round $10 USD) and also you’ll possible spend round 90 minutes trying round and studying the historical past of the Maya folks.
Read more: Best things to do in Tulum
10.) Palacio de la Música
Round a 5-minute stroll from Plaza Grande, Palacio de la Música is properly price visiting if you wish to study extra about Mexican music and the historical past of music from the broader Yucatan Peninsular.
Now, the museum itself is actually good however I’d say that it might probably really feel rather less thrilling for those who’re not likely all for musical historical past. If that’s you, possibly give this spot a miss when visiting Merida.
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11.) Paseo de Montejo
In all probability one among Merida’s most well-known streets, Paseo de Montejo is as grand as it’s lengthy. In actual fact, it’s obtained among the grandest buildings in all of Merida and is properly price taking a stroll down the avenue while visiting Merida.
As soon as right here, begin off on the Monument to the Fatherland and head south down Paseo de Montejo. As you stroll, you’ll get to cease by Casas Gemelas, the museums like Quinta Montes Molina and Palacio Cantón.
In some instances, you’ll be able to head inside the homes which are actually museums. Plus, others are nonetheless accessible with guided excursions. Simply be sure that to provide yourselves round 3 hours to walk the avenue and cease by among the spectacular mansions.
Afterwards, stroll on over to Parroquia Santa Ana, which is a shocking Catholic Church that’s a few 10-minute stroll from Paseo de Montejo itself. Alongside the way in which, you’ll be capable to cease off at El Barrio, an unfussy lunch spot, that serves up some tasty Chilaquiles and horchata.
Read more: Best things to do in and around Cancun
12.) Celestun
Fancy a visit to the shoreline? Then book this tour to Celestun to discover the attractive shores of the Yucatan Peninsular.
As soon as right here, you’ll get to discover the broader Ria Celestún Biosphere Reserve and even spot among the resident pink flamingos.
Not solely that, you’ll get to board a ship and tour the reserve to rise up shut and private with the flamingos. It’s probably the greatest issues to do in Merida for a day journey, particularly because it’s one of the crucial necessary areas for flamingoes north of the equator.
Read more: Best things to do in and around Cancun
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