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.

Plaza Grande is a central spot where many local residents 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 set up along the edge of the plaza to indulge in a mid-afternoon snack.

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.

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 ambling about town. So also consider other interesting plazas in Merida to stop at, relax, and enjoy local life:

• Parque Santa Lucia is Merida’s second-most popular plaza which is lined with great restaurants.
• Parque Santa Ana is a sunny open plaza in the northern part of the city downtown.
• Parque Santiago is a square with an adjacent market and food vendors with turkey specialties.

There are free concerts on Thursday nights in Santa Lucia Park, and Parque Santiago has a Tuesday night orchestra with dancing that attracts an older, local crowd.

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.

Each of the following museums and buildings lining the Plaza Grande is 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.

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 totally open to the public.

Those of you who are now in the know can walk right past the security guards to enjoy fantastic balconies that are hidden in plain sight.

• Museum of Contemporary Art, Merida
• Casa de Montejo, Merida
• Catedral de San Ildefonso
• Palacio Municipal, Merida
• Palacio de Gobierno, Merida

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.

Lucas de Galvez is Merida’s main market every tourist should visit. You can find here everything from fresh vegetables to homemade crafts, local clothing, and lots more in between.

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.

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.

Mayan World Museum

If you want to learn more about the Mayan culture, and history, the Mayan World Museum is most definitely the place to do it! This expansive museum will leave visitors with a deep understanding of the Mayan civilization.

The Mayan World Museum in Merida will invite 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.

Most of those ruins lack information on the actual sites, so a visit to the Maya Museum can be a good idea to do in Merida to gain some knowledge about the Maya before venturing out to the nearest ruins.

The museum is located in Merida’s northern outskirts but it is worth the visit.

Palacio Canton Museum of Anthropology

Alternatively to the Mayan World Museum, you can visit the Palacio Canton Museum of Anthropology located in the center of Merida. The museum houses a smaller number of Mayan artifacts but is also worth a visit.

While Mérida may not be known for its bike-friendliness, every Sunday morning, the city transforms for the Bici Ruta (“Bike Route”). It’s a chance for cyclists to explore Mérida’s beautiful streets without the worry of traffic.

Join locals on this weekly bike ride tradition and explore the city on two wheels.

Every Wednesday, witness the ancient Mayan ball game’s revival in front of the Cathedral.

The tradition of this ancient sport is kept alive during this weekly event.

Scoring is actually 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 and be sure to cheer loudly!

Arrive at least 15-20 minutes early for the best seats.

Plan your visit to coincide with Mérida’s exciting annual events:

• Merida Fest (January): Enjoy weeks of nightly fiestas, including a trova stroll and dazzling fireworks.
• Carnaval of Mérida (February/March): Experience vibrant parades and celebrations at the X’matkuil Fairgrounds.
• Independence Day (September): Join the festive celebrations on September 15th and 16th in Plaza Grande.
• Day of the Dead (November): Explore traditional displays and festivities throughout the city during Hanal Pixán.
• Christmas and New Year (December): Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with festive decorations and traditions.

Mérida’s annual events offer a diverse range of experiences, from cultural celebrations to sporting events and more. Most of these events and festivals are free and take place in the city center.

Don’t miss the chance to savor the unique Yucatan cuisine.

While you can find Mexican favorites like tacos and elote (corn on the cob), Mérida offers distinct regional specialties rooted in Mayan cooking with influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and other Mexican regions.

Exploring local cuisine is a highlight of any visit to Mérida.

Mérida’s nightlife comes alive on weekends.

Even if you’re not attending a theatrical performance, a visit to the Teatro Jose Peon Contreras is a must. Explore the century-old theater’s elegant interior and cool off in the air-conditioned art museum.

Check for events like symphonies on Fridays and Sundays for a classy and budget-friendly evening.

If you find yourself with extra time during your stay in Mérida, don’t miss the opportunity to embark on exciting excursions in the surrounding areas. Here are some suggested remarkable options:

Route of the Convents

Discover the enchanting villages and historic convents on the famed Route of the Convents. Key stops along this route include Oxkutzcab, Maní, Chumayel, Mama, Tekit, Tecoh, and Acanceh.

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of these picturesque locations.

Puuc Route

The Puuc Route offers a combination of awe-inspiring activities.

From exploring ancient Mayan temples to taking refreshing dips in cenotes and even venturing into mystical caves.

Highlights of the Puuc Route include the remarkable archaeological sites such as Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, X-Lapak, Labná, and Oxkintok, as well as the captivating Calcehtok and Loltún Caves.

If you don’t have a car, consider booking an excursion to make the most of this experience.

Celestún Excursion

Venture to Celestún for a unique opportunity to witness flocks of flamingos in their natural habitat. With a bit of luck, you’ll encounter hundreds of these majestic birds. Don’t miss the chance to join this fascinating tour.

Chichen Itza

A visit to the Yucatan Peninsula wouldn’t be complete without exploring the iconic Chichen Itza. This tour includes transportation, entrance fees, a knowledgeable guide, a delicious lunch, and a refreshing visit to a cenote.

Immerse yourself in the wonder of this ancient Mayan site.

Mayan Ruins Exploration

Mérida is surrounded by several remarkable Mayan ruin sites: Kabah, Uxmal, and Ek Balam. Taking a tour that allows you to visit multiple sites in a single day. Ek Balam, in particular, is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss.

Mayapán

Discover the lesser-known yet equally captivating ancient city of Mayapán. You can explore this site on your own or opt for a guided tour from Mérida. Mayapán’s historical significance is a true marvel to behold.

Cenote Adventures

The Yucatan Peninsula boasts an abundance of cenotes, and these natural sinkholes are perfect for cooling off on a hot day. If you have a car, consider organizing a day of cenote hopping.

For those without a vehicle, we recommend two excellent cenote tours:

• Excursion to the Cuzamá Cenotes
• Homún Cenotes Tour

Mérida, with its rich cultural heritage, is one of the most intriguing cities in Yucatan. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or adventure, there’s something here for every traveler to discover and enjoy.

Puerto Vallarta has been an expat haven for over 60 years. What was once a small village on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is now a major international resort, with an urban area that runs for nearly 30 miles along the shore of Banderas Bay.

The entire area—from southern Jalisco up to the bay’s northern point at Punta de Mita, in the state of Nayarit—is referred to as Costa Vallarta.

Costa Vallarta offers a seemingly endless number of activities, thanks to the natural attractions and the tourist infrastructure that has built up over time. You can saunter down the malecón (boardwalk) that stretches along the downtown area and look inside the boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.

Or you can spend the day on any of the more than half-dozen golf courses in the Puerto Vallarta area.

If you want to escape the heat, the nearby Sierra Madre mountains offer exhilarating activities such as hiking, biking, and canopy tours that take you swinging from branch to branch.

Near the Bay of Banderas are more options—whale watching, boat tours, fishing, sailing, dolphin excursions, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and parasailing.

Flights from Puerto Vallarta’s international airport can get you back to the U.S. in just a few hours. Puerto Vallarta is also a popular medical tourism destination, with several top hospitals offering state-of-the-art medical care.

Considered one of the prettiest small towns in Mexico, San Miguel is a Spanish colonial jewel glowing in pastel colors.

With a rich arts-and-crafts tradition, San Miguel has small shops a-plenty where you can spend hours admiring (and buying) pottery, painting, sculptures, hammered-tin mirrors, and lamps…the list is endless.

You can also enjoy its many art galleries, restaurants, and scenic plazas.

Like Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel is home to thousands of expats from all over the world. Here you can get by in English if you want, or speak Spanish if you prefer. If you greet folks in Spanish when you enter a shop, they continue in that language unless you decide otherwise.

Most North Americans love its high-desert climate, with warm days and cool nights most of the year, so it’s not surprising that of 140,000 people living in the metropolitan area, it is estimated that around 10,000 are expats.

There’s no international airport right in San Miguel, so choose from two in the region: León, which is about two hours away, and Querétaro, about an hour. Or if you prefer, just fly into Mexico City, three hours away, and take the bus to San Miguel.

Like San Miguel, Mérida is a Spanish-colonial city. But Mérida is a very different animal…

Unlike small-town San Miguel, Mérida is a metropolis of almost a million people, with universities, major corporations, museums, and its own international airport with direct flights back to the U.S.

In addition, Mérida is in the semi-tropical Yucatán Peninsula, at the opposite end of the country from San Miguel. It’s just half an hour from the Yucatán Gulf Coast, where the white-sand beaches are punctuated by little beach towns and you can still find beach homes for around $100,000.

Mérida is one of the safest cities in Mexico. Depending on how many suburbs are included, the population of metropolitan Mérida is approaching 1 million. But when you walk down the city’s tree-lined streets, some paved with hand-laid tiles, you feel as though you are in a city that is much smaller.

Mérida’s expat community numbers about 4,000, but that’s a drop in the bucket for a city this size. As a result, you’ll have more need—as well as opportunity—to learn Spanish here than in Puerto Vallarta or San Miguel. Or learn to sing it—this is a very musical city.

You’ll find bands performing in some plaza or other almost every day of the week. And if you think you know Mexican cooking, think again—Yucatán cuisine is distinctly different, and on display here in Mérida.

Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest lake, and the surrounding area is also home to the largest concentration of US expats in the world.

Both US and Canadian expats have been attracted to the Lake Chapala area by homes with gentle arches, hand-painted tiles, and adjoining gardens that bloom all year round. It’s a part of the world where it’s easy to afford a cook, a maid, and a gardener.

Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake, is about 50 miles long from east to west but not much more than 12 miles wide at its broadest point.

Chapala is about a mile high—roughly the same altitude as Denver—and the climate is delightful. January is the coolest month around Lake Chapala, with temperatures reaching about 71 F, May is the warmest month, with highs around 84 F.

Guadalajara a city of more than 5 million residents, is only 45 minutes away by car.

Real estate shoppers are often impressed with the Chapala area’s cultural and sporting opportunities, including English-language theater, frequent concerts, garden clubs, golf, tennis, hiking, yoga, and horseback riding.

On the north side of Lake Chapala, villages combine charm with an increasing amount of sophistication.

The town of Chapala itself is the largest, and along its cobblestone streets are taverns, shops, cafés, street vendors, and high-quality restaurants. Close by is the community of Vista del Lago, which has a popular country club and golf course.

Ajijic and Chapala are havens for artists and writers.

Expats and locals often get together on Wednesdays, when Ajijic’s huge outdoor market is open. It’s a great place to shop for hand-made carvings and jewelry, not to mention clothes, flowers, fruits, vegetables, cooked food, and household items.

Not far from Ajijic is San Antonio, a village that keeps a much lower profile. Here, a large percentage of expats live in beautiful houses that are secluded behind high walls.

Tulúm is a charming and growing resort town on the southern end of Mexico’s famed Riviera Maya.

With a palpable Bohemian vibe and a plentiful scattering of yoga practitioners and therapeutic massage businesses, this growing community retains its backpacker roots.

Some say they can feel the presence of the ancient Maya culture which dominated this region over 1,000 years ago.

The adjacent and spectacular archeological site of the same name is a prominent and impressive testament to this once-dominant civilization. At its peak between the 13th and 15th centuries, this ruin was a bustling trade and cultural center and is now a frequent stop for tourists.

The town of Tulúm, bisected by the coastal highway, is a stone’s throw from the sparkling sand and warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

About 80 miles and two hours south of Cancún, the town is no longer the hidden gem it once was but is now well into the development phase with the construction of homes and condos on the rise to keep up with those wishing to claim their slice of paradise.

Living in the central town area will not require you to own a car, and walking and bicycling are both quite popular.

In fact, it seems there are often as many bikes on the road as there are motorized vehicles. Motor scooters are also quite popular for those who would rather not pedal around town.

Tulúm’s reputation as a spectacular vacation destination and a growing expat community is well-deserved. With a tropical climate, Tulúm offers a Caribbean lifestyle without the need to travel to and from an island.

Residents enjoy warm, turquoise Caribbean waters, a sparkling, perfect beach, and an offshore reef that provides plentiful opportunities for fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

With the introduction of new, modern homes and condos, the population is thought to be well over 20 thousand and continues to rise as more people seek an affordable Caribbean lifestyle a bit off the beaten path.

Huatulco is a development planned by FONATUR, the Mexican government’s national trust fund for tourism development. It was one of five destinations picked by FONATUR more than 30 years ago as having world-class potential.

In many ways, Huatulco is a small town still emerging as a major destination. There are only about 56,000 residents, according to official figures, with about 1,000 being expats or pre-retirement, part-time visitors who own property.

Even during rush hour, you can drive from one side of town to the other in about six minutes.

You’ll see great—and puzzling—contrasts in Huatulco. This was originally a fishing village, and the larger town that has grown up, thanks to investments in the 1980s and 1990s, has a slight Disney-like quality.

In some areas, for instance, you’ll find large public walkways and promenades that have been built with no surrounding businesses to draw tourists and locals to them.

The four-lane highway that hugs the coast here is oversized for Huatulco’s current traffic needs.

The water treatment facilities are some of the best in Mexico.

Fishing, snorkeling, and diving are all very popular here. Every year Huatulco hosts several fishing tournaments. The biggest tournament, the Torneo de Pez Vela Huatulco (Huatulco Sailfish Tournament), attracts professional sports fishermen.

If you don’t feel like cooking, Huatulco has plenty of restaurant options and a variety of cuisines.

And despite its small population, Huatulco has an international airport with direct jet service to the U.K., U.S., and Canada, as well as to other parts of Mexico.

Ensenada is an attractive city that has long been one of the area’s major ports. Today Ensenada is also a top cruise ship destination and the site of numerous luxury housing developments.

Fishing, surfing, swimming, scuba diving, and sunbathing are popular in Ensenada, as they are in most other ocean-side cities in Baja. In Ensenada, there’s also golf, tennis, many excellent restaurants, nightclubs, cafés, theater, and ballet.

The city is host to several important sporting events during the year, such as regattas and the Baja 1000, an off-track race for motorcycles, and a variety of car classifications.

In the winter, the city’s bay (Bahía de Todos Santos) is a great spot for watching gray whales.

What the casual tourist may not know, however, is that Ensenada has several excellent research institutions and Mexico’s highest concentration of scientists, leading many to call Ensenada the “City of Science.”

Although real estate and daily expenses are much less in Baja than in most parts of the U.S., residents here almost always have a car.

Most air travelers either fly to San Diego and cross the border into Mexico or fly to the international airport in Tijuana.

A recently opened “air bridge” now connects San Diego with the Tijuana Airport. Travelers have reported taking a mere five minutes to cross the bridge on foot, avoiding the delays that cars crossing the border can experience.

Many expats in Baja take advantage of healthcare in nearby San Diego, but others use local facilities. Both Rosarito and Ensenada have some fine hospitals.

Facilities in Rosarito include the Clínica y Hospital Bonanova and the Sanoviv Institute, as well as several small hospitals and public hospitals.

In Ensenada, you’ll find the Clínica de Especialidades Médicas San Fernando, the Hospital Santa Rosa de Lima, and the Hospital Velmar, among others.

Getting around

Zona Hostellera
Downtown
Punta Cancun
Museo Maya
Parque Ecológico Kabah
El Mirador
Nightlife

How to get there?

Ferry boats run from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and vice-versa all day.

Ferry from/to Puerto Juarez 8$ (30 min) every 30 min.
Ferry via Playa de Tortugas 16$ (40 min) every 2 hours.

Getting around

You can visit Turtle Farm
The 19th-century hacienda was built by pirate Fermin Mundaca.
There is a small ruin and a temple to Ixchel.
You also can take a Whale Shark Tour, snorkel at Garrafon Park, and swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery Park.
Swim at multiple beaches.
Or just rent a bike and go around and have fun.

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last ferry runs to Cancun.

How to get there?

A lot of buses during the day, estimated time on the road is from 2:00 to 2:45 hours.
Better to buy or reserve tickets yesterday evening.
Multiple operators service this route.

First Class bus: $18-$26
Economy Class Bus: $8-$13

Getting around

Downtown
Cenote Zaci

How to get there?

Bus: Valladolid – Tizimin $1-$21 (1:05 hour), each hour
Bus: Tizimin – Rio Lagartos $3 (1:15 hour), each 2 hours
Taxi: Rio Lagartos – Ria Lagartos Reserve $1-$2 (8-10 min)

Getting around

Guided boat tour

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus returns to Tizimin and then to Valladolid.

How to get there?

Bus: Valladolid – Chichen Itza $1-$21 (0:42 min), runs each 4 hours a day.
Then around 2 km more in a taxi: $1 (1 min)

Or just search for “colectivo”, they run directly to the site.

Getting around

The famous pyramid, mysterious cenote, and ball court. Just walk around and have fun, there is a lot to see around.

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus or “colectivo” return to Valladolid.

You could stay in Valladolid, walking around and take a bus to Merida by the evening.

How to get there?

Buses from Valladolid to Medira run each hour or even more often during all the day.
Multiple operators service this route.

Valladolid – Merida $4-$26 (2:15 hours)
Valladolid – Izamal – Merida $1-$4 (3:20 hours)

Getting around

Mérida has a “centro histórico” (“hisctoric center”) typical of colonial spanish cities.
Just take a walk and enjoy this beautiful town with a lot of history.

How to get there?

There are a route via Hoctún and another route via Euán.

Buses from Merida to Hoctún $1-$3 (0:54 min) run hourly during the day.
Buses from Hoctún to Aké $4-$6 (0:24 min).

Buses from Merida to Euán (1:00 hour) run each hour during the day.
Buses from Euán to Aké $1-$3 (0:11 min).

Getting around

The 19th-century hacienda henequenera with chapel also has a specialized area for raising deer.
The hacienda also has a small archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

Entrance fee

The tour duration: 1:30 (approx):

MXN 250 (includes a free drink).
MXN 400 (includes free drinks and snacks).

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus or “colectivo” return to Merida.

How to get there?

Merida – Uxmal

Bus $2-$9 (1:35 hours) runs once daily.
Taxi $15-$19 (1:15 hours)

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus returns from Uxmal to Merida.

Bus Merida – Izamal $1-$4 (1:20 hours), each hour.

Bus Merida – Ticul $2-$4 (1 hour), each 30 min.
Taxi Ticul – Mani $3-$4 (15 min).

How to get there?

Buses from Merida to Campeche are $5-$28 (2:25 hours) and run each 30 minutes daily.
Buses from Merida via Umán and Tenabo to Campeche for $7 (4:10 hours) run every 30 min daily.
Taxi $30-$40 (2:30 hours)

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How to get there?

Taxi $10-$20 (0:55 min)

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last taxi returns to Campeche.

How to get there?

Bus from Campeche to Chetumal for $17-$40 (6:45 hours) runs just once daily at 14:00.
Taxi $70-$85 (5:50 hours)

…

How to get there?

Buses to Bacalar $1-$2 (0:30 min) run each hour daily.
Taxi $7-$9 (0:35 min).

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus, “colectivo” or taxi returns to Chetumal.

How to get there?

Buses Chetumal to Playa del Carmen $14-$45 (4:15 hours) run each hour daily.
There are also buses from Chetumal via Bacalar to Playa del Carmen $18-$61 (4:50 hours), each hour daily.
Taxi $80-$100 (4:50 hours)

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Bus to Cancun (1:10 hours).

Mérida is located in the northwest part of the state of Yucatán, which occupies the northern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula.

The city is also located in the Chicxulub Crater. It has a very flat topography and is only 9 m above sea level.

The land outside of Mérida is covered with smaller scrub trees and former henequen fields. Almost no surface water exists, but several cenotes (underground springs and rivers) are found across the state.

Climate

Merida features a tropical wet and dry climate. The city lies in the trade wind belt close to the Tropic of Cancer, with the prevailing wind from the east. Mérida’s climate is hot and its humidity is moderate to high, depending on the time of year.

The average annual high temperature is 33°C, ranging from 28°C in January to 36°C in May, but temperatures often rise above 38°C in the afternoon during this time.

Low temperatures range between 18°C in January to 23°C in May and June. It is most often a few degrees hotter in Mérida than in coastal areas due to its inland location and low elevation.

The rainy season runs from June through October, associated with the Mexican monsoon which draws warm, moist air landward. Easterly waves and tropical storms also affect the area during this season.

Mérida was named after the Spanish town of the same name.
It is the largest of the four cities in the world that share the name Mérida, the other three being in Spain, Venezuela, and the Philippines.

Mérida has been nicknamed “The White City” (La Ciudad Blanca), though the exact origin of this moniker is not clear.

Some explanations include the common color of its old buildings painted and decorated with “cal” (though anyone visiting modern Mérida can see that buildings are not all white nowadays) or the fact that the residents keep the city particularly clean.

There were three Spanish conquistadors named “Francisco de Montejo”:

• Francisco de Montejo “el Adelantado” (“The Lieutenant”, the eldest)
• Francisco de Montejo y León “el Mozo” (“The Boy”, his son)
• Francisco de Montejo “el Sobrino” (“The Nephew”)

Mérida was founded in 1542 by Montejo y León (“el Mozo”) and named after the town of Mérida in Extremadura, Spain.

It was built on the site of the Maya city of T’hó, which was also called Ichkanzihóo or Ichcaanzihó (“City of Five Hills”) in reference to its pyramids. T’ho had been a center of Mayan culture and activity for centuries: because of this, some historians consider Mérida the oldest continually occupied city in the Americas.

Carved Maya stones from ancient T’ho were widely used to build the Spanish colonial buildings that are plentiful in downtown Mérida and are visible, for instance, in the walls of the main cathedral.

Much of Mérida’s architecture from the colonial period through the 18th century and 19th centuries is still standing in the historic center of the city. From colonial times through the mid-19th century, Mérida was a walled city intended to protect the Peninsular and Criollo residents from periodic revolts by the indigenous Maya.

Several of the old Spanish city gates survive, but modern Mérida has expanded well beyond the old city walls.

Late in the 19th century and the early 20th Century, the area surrounding Mérida prospered from the production of henequén. For a brief period, around the turn of the 20th century, Mérida was said to house more millionaires than any other city in the world.

The result of this concentration of wealth can still be seen today. Many large and elaborate homes still line the main avenue called Paseo de Montejo, though few are occupied today by individual families.

Many of these homes have been restored and now serve as office buildings for banks and insurance companies. Korean immigration to Mexico began in 1905 when more than a thousand people arrived in Yucatan from the city of Incheon.

These first Korean migrants settled around Merida as workers in henequen plantations.

Mérida has one of the largest centro histórico districts in the Americas (surpassed only by Mexico City and Havana, Cuba).

Colonial homes line the city streets to this day, in various states of disrepair and renovation; the historical center of Mérida is currently undergoing a minor renaissance as more and more people are moving into the old buildings and reviving their former glory.

In August 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the city on his third trip to Mexico. The city has been host to two bilateral United States – Mexico conferences, the first in 1999 (Bill Clinton – Ernesto Zedillo) and the second in 2007 (George W. Bush – Felipe Calderón).

In June 2007, Mérida moved its city museum to the renovated Post Office building next to the downtown market. The Museum of the City of Mérida houses important artifacts from the city’s history, as well as an art gallery.

Mérida hosted the VI Summit of Association of Caribbean States, in 2014.

Mérida is the cultural and financial capital of the Yucatán Peninsula, as well as the capital city of the state of Yucatán. In recent years, important science competitions and World events have been held in Mérida – FITA Archery World Cup Finals, the International Cosmic Ray Conference, a Physics Olympiad, etc.

Mérida has a “centro histórico” (“hisctoric center”) typical of colonial Spanish cities.

The street grid is based on odd-numbered streets running east/west and even-numbered streets running north/south, with Calles 60 and 61 bounding the “Plaza Grande” in the heart of the city.

The more affluent neighborhoods are located to the north and the most densely populated areas are to the south.

The “Centro Histórico” area is becoming increasingly popular with Americans and other expats who are rescuing and restoring the classic colonial structures.

Historic sites

• Monumento à la Patria (1956)
• Palacio de Gobierno (1892)
• Catedral de San Ildefonso (1598), first in the continental Americas
• Barrio y Capilla de Santa Lucía (1575)
• Barrio y Templo Parroquial del antiguo pueblo de Itzimná
• Barrio y Templo Parroquial de San Cristóbal (1796)
• Barrio y Templo Parroquial de San Sebastián (1706)
• Barrio y Templo Parroquial de Santa Ana (1733)
• Barrio y Templo Parroquial de Santa Lucía (1575)
• Barrio y Templo Parroquial de Santiago (1637)
• Capilla de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (1706)
• Capilla y parque de San Juan Bautista (1552)
• Casa de Montejo (1549)
• Antiguo convento de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación (Nuns)(1596)
• Iglesia del Jesús o de la Tercera Orden (Third Order) (1618)
• Templo de San Juan de Dios (1562)

Mérida has served as the American Capital of Culture in the years 2000 and 2017.

Each year, the MACAY Museum in Mérida mounts a new sculpture installation, featuring works from Mexico and one other chosen country. Each exhibit remains for ten months of the year. In 2007, sculptures on Paseo de Montejo featured works by artists from Mexico and Japan.

For English speakers or would-be speakers, Mérida has the Mérida English Library, a lending library with an extensive collection of English books, videos, tapes, and children’s books. The library is also the site for expatriate meetings, children’s storytelling hours, and other cultural events.

Mérida is also home to the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra, which plays regular seasons at the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre on Calle 60 and features classical music, jazz, and opera.

Cultural centers

• Centro Cultural Andrés Quintana Roo, in Santa Ana, with galleries and artistic events
• Centro Cultural Olimpo. Next to the Municipal Palace in the Plaza Grande
• Casa de la Cultura del Mayab, the Casa de Artesanías (house of handcrafts) resides there. It’s in downtown Mérida
• Centro Estatal de Bellas Artes (CEBA). Across the El Centenario, offers classes and education in painting, music, theater, ballet, jazz, folklore, and Spanish dance, among others
• Centro Cultural del Niño Yucateco (CECUNY) in Mejorada, in a 16th-century building, with classes and workshops specifically designed for kids
• Centro Cultural Dante is a private center within one of the major bookstores in Mérida (Librería Dante)

Museums

• Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, Yucatán’s Mayan Museum, offers a view of Yucatán’s history and identity
• Museo de Antropología e Historia “Palacio Cantón”, Yucatán’s History and Archaeology Museum
• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (MACAY), in the heart of the city right next to the Cathedral. Permanent and rotating pictorial expositions
• Museo de la Canción Yucateca Asociación Civil in Mejorada, honors the trova yucateca authors, Ricardo Palmerín, Guty Cárdenas, Juan Acereto, Pastor Cervera y Luis Espinosa Alcalá
• Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida, in the old Correos (post office) building since 2007 offers information about the city from the prehispanic times’ Tho’ or Ichcaanzihó to current days
• Museo de Historia Natural, natural history museum
• Museo de Arte Popular, a popular art museum, offers a view of popular artistry and handcrafts among ethnic Mexican groups and cultures
• Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán

Major theaters with regular shows

• Teatro José Peón Contreras
• Teatro Daniel Ayala Pérez
• Teatro Mérida (Now Teatro Armando Manzanero)
• Teatro Colón
• Teatro Universitario Felipe Carrillo Puerto
• Teatro Héctor Herrera

Mérida and the state of Yucatán have traditionally been isolated from the rest of the country by geography, creating a unique culture. The conquistadors found the Mayan culture to be incredibly resilient, and their attempts to eradicate Mayan tradition, religion, and culture had only moderate success.

The surviving remnants of the Mayan culture can be seen every day, in speech, dress, and in both written and oral histories. It is especially apparent in holidays like Hanal Pixan, a Mayan/Catholic Day of the Dead celebration.

It falls on November 1 and 2 (one day for adults, and one for children) and is commemorated by elaborate altars dedicated to dead relatives. It is a compromise between the two religions with crucifixes mingled with skull decorations and food sacrifices/offerings.

Merida is a perfect city to stay there for a while exploring the surrounding areas in daily tours on your own or guided ones.

Suggested 1-day tours from Merida:

• Uxmal + Kabah
• Uxmal + Kabah + Sayil + Xlapak + Labna + Chacmultun (Puuc Route)
• Acanceh + Mayapan
• Ake + Izamal
• Mani
• Dzibilchatun
• Progreso + Xcambo
• Celestun + Ria Celestun
• Chichen Itza

For more information about all these suggested places to visit and how to get there, use the search form on our website or related tags.

Bus

City service is mostly provided by four local transportation companies: Unión de Camioneros de Yucatán (UCY), Alianza de Camioneros de Yucatán (ACY), Rápidos de Mérida, and Minis 2000.

Bus transportation is at the same level or better than that of bigger cities like Guadalajara or Mexico City. Climate-controlled buses and micro-bus (smaller in size) are not uncommon.

The main bus terminal (CAME) offers first-class (ADO) and luxury services (ADO PLATINO, ADO GL) to most southern Mexico cities outside Yucatán with a fleet consisting of Mercedes Benz and Volvo buses.

Shorter intrastate routes are serviced by many smaller terminals around the city, mainly downtown.

Taxis

Several groups and unions offer Taxi transportation: Frente Único de los Trabajadores del Volante (FUTV) (white taxis), Unión de Taxistas Independientes (UTI), and Radiotaxímetros de Yucatán, among others. Some of them offer metered service, but most work based on a flat rate depending on the destination.

Competition has made it of more common use than it was years ago.

Taxis can be either found at one of many predefined places around the city (Taxi de Sitio), waved off along the way, or called in. Usually, a taxi will respond and arrive within 5 minutes.

Another type of Taxi service is called “Colectivo”. Colectivo taxis work like small buses on a predefined route and for a small fare. Usually accommodating 8 to 10 people.

Uber also offers services in Merida

Air

Mérida is serviced by Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport with daily non-stop services to major cities in Mexico (D.F, Monterrey, Villahermosa, Cancún, Guadalajara, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Toluca) and international (Miami, Houston, La Havana) and usually receiving charter flight services to and from Europe and Canada.

Also, there is a good amount of freight and cargo planes moving in and out. As of 2006, more than a million passengers were using this airport every year, (1.3 in 2007) and it is under ASUR administration.

Train

There is a passenger train service to the city. The Meridano train runs from Mexico City to Merida.

Roads

Main roads in and out of Mérida:

• Mérida-Progreso (Federal 261), 33 km long with 8 lanes. It joins the city with Yucatán’s biggest port city, Progreso
• Mérida-Umán-Campeche (Federal 180), connects with the city of San Francisco de Campeche
• Mérida-Kantunil-Cancún (Federal 180), 4 lane road that becomes a Toll road at kantunil. It joins Mérida with Chichén Itzá, Valladolid, and ultimately Cancún
• Mérida-Tizimín (Federal 176) connects Mérida with Tizimín (2nd. largest city in Yucatán)
• Mérida-Teabo-Peto is known as Mundo Maya Road Carretera del Mundo Maya, its utilized in both the “convent route” Ruta de los Conventos, and linking the ancient maya city of Mayapán and Chetumal, the state capital of Quintana Roo