08.03. 2021.
Merida as the capital of Mexican state Yucatan is a total surprise, which you should not miss if you’re nearby. At first it looks noteless, bringing all buildings to look the same.
For your refence, you’ll need 3,5 hours from Cancun and around 3 hours from Playa del Carmen, 3,5 hours from the enchanting Tulum. Just when I entered the center some Mexicans approached me telling what should I visit. It was a straight answer to my confusion as I didn’t prepare myself pretty much about Merida.
While visiting Tulum, take into account these beach hotels.
What makes Merida so elegant:
Plaza Grande- the elegant square of Merida
This is a typical mexican square where you will see colourful letters of Merida. A charmant church lies around the lovely park. Elegant and colourful buildings fill the entire city center, whether hotels whether just houses or city offices.
Encircled by many souvenir shops and tourist agencies, Merida still keeps its colonial charm.
Paseo de Montejo or French Boulevard
This beautiful shady alley takes roots in 1888. Thanks to the initiative of the group of landowners, industrialists and retailers of the time, you shouldn’t miss it.
In the beginning it served as a way to build connection with the little town Itzimna. The alley itself got name by the founder of Merida Francisco de Montejo. Historical monuments take place here out of which I should outline Monumento a la Patria. It’s a huge impressive monument, lying at the last roundabout of the boulevard. Describing the mexican history from the times of Tenochtitlán, it’s pretty impressive. Finally, it was inaugurated in 1956. thanks to the colombian sculptor Rómulo Rozo. Monumento a la Patria became not only a touristic attraction, but something that Merida’s people identify with.
One hour away by foot from central Merida, take a chance to visit an exquisite Mayan World Museum of Merida.
Paseo de Montejo is full of restaurants, caffes and elegant buildings. Dedicating few hours here will bring cultural and relaxing discovery.
Markets in Merida
Merida has plenty of artistic and colourful markets, Mercado Lucas de Galvéz is surely the most authentic. This is a place where you can see local crafts and large offer of food through its labyrinth. This beautiful red building is located only 10 minutes by foot from Plaza Grande.
Mundo Maya is the crafty market near Plaza Grande, which is the easiest to reach You’ll see here many hammocks and carpets.
Eating in Cantina
These bars are the remarkable characteristic of Merida. In these authentic places people gather to drink, have some snack or even a good meal. The most popular and praised is Cantina Negro.
Chitzen-Itza- an incredible Mayan heritage
If you’re travelling solo, I strongly advise taking a tour from Merida or even Playa del Carmen. The fact is that tours are much cheaper in the other places than from Valladolid, which is the closest town. Tours from Valladolid are 3 times more expensive. Luckily, I meet at my hostel in Valladolid two girls that went with their rented car, so I joined.
When travelling abroad, tours are such an awesome choice- you can see many things for a nice price. Tours from Merida include Chichen Itza, some cenote, yellow town of Izamal and even the lunch. The fascinating Izamal is only one hour away from Merida. I could get it under discount for the cheep price around 700 pesos which is equivalent around 30 euros.
Regarding other tours, you can visit Uxmal, mayan pyramid on which you can climb unlike Chichen Itza. Many cenotes that are not reachable by walking like Santa Barbara present a fantastic opportunity. Pink lake Las Coloradas with their flamingos is something you would surely dream of.
Festivals in Merida
January is the time when many of festival in Merida come alive.
The most famous one is the Merida fest, which brings theatral, dance and circus events alive together with fireworks. Even the weekly fiestas are the fantastic opportunity to experience Merida’s cheerfulness. They include: Vaqueria Night on Mondays, Musical Memories in Parque Santiago on Tuesdays, Yucateecan Serenade in Parque Santa Lucia on Thursdays, Video Mapping on Fridays at the Cathedral, Noche mexicana on Saturdays and all day event on Sunday at Piaza Grande.
Final thoughts
Merida bursts with charm, not only because of its colourful vibe. It represents a cultural and historic centre of Yucatan. Being a fantastic base to discover some cheep cenotes nearby, it will be definitely something unique.
So don’t miss Merida, you’ll love it.
I’ve never been to Mexico although experiencing and authentic Dia de los Muertos is high on my bucket list. The colours and architecture of Merida are just beautiful – thank you so much for sharing your lovely photos.
Ohh this sounds like a dream! Would love to visit during festivals!
I’ve been to Mexico a few times and just loved it. I’d go back in a heartbeat! Your snaps are lovely, they really capture the vibe!
Rosie
Interesting place there in Yucatan! Love the tourist spots you’ve been to. Looks like you had fun! Thanks for sharing xx
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
Merida certainly does look like a stunning city to explore, I love the photographs!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Beautiful city and photos
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
Looks like a great place. I haven’t been to Mexico yet but I definitely want to go.
I have never been to Mexico, but I really just want to pack up and visit Merida! It looks so colourful and stunning to visit! Thanks for sharing x
Amazing place..
That place looks amazing, your photo’s show the real beauty of the architecture. I certainly might consider visiting Merida should going on holiday again be something I might do at some point
Definitely you should..
Wow what a beautiful place. Hope I can get here sometime, it looks so beautiful and colourful.
So far from the beautiful beach destinations! It looks and sounds lovely, though, so I like your idea of taking a tour from Playa del Carmen. 🙏🏽🙂
I think your blog is going to be one of my favorite reads. You share a lot of interesting places that aren’t so popular in travel magazines. Merida looks so interesting to visit. Thank you for sharing.
Wow thank you, much appreciated. So glad about it..
Gorgeous! I loved Mexico and can’t wait to return! The cenotes was my fav part! Thank you for sharing! I’m just itching to travel xx
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
I can’t wait to return also..
What a beautiful place!
Swoon! The architecture is so gorgeous, I’m loving all of the color.
Just amazing..
I have been wanting to visit the Yucatan Peninsula for a while and your post has inspired me even more! Beautiful photos 🙂
So many places to visit, hopefully you’ll manage soon..
Merida has been one of my favorite places to visit in Mexico. I may be biased because my family is from there, but I always look forward to visiting. You’ll always have a great meal there wherever you go
Sounds amazing, so glad about it
I loved visiting Mexico years ago, we toured around Porta Vallarta, Cabo, Mazatlan and other places. Seeing all your photos reminds me have how much I love their architecture! Beautiful!
Mexico is so colourful..
Merida looks amazing! The colonial style historic homes! I have seen shows about it and always wanted to see it.
After reading this and your great pictures, it makes me want to go all the more!
Beautiful post! I miss traveling!
Love how colourful the city looks, I’ve been dreaming of a Mexican getaway since last March and you’ve made me very jealous.
Great post
Thanks, so glad about it
Wow !!
Loved reading this post really made me feel like I was there.
Added this to my travel bucket list
Absolutely beautiful post and photos. I loved reading and learning so much! Beautiful post!
Oh wow this looks amazing! We’ve been Mexico once before and during this pandemic, going back has been all I’ve thought about.
http://www.garciafamilyuk.com
Mexico is one of those places I’d love to visit some day. This looks absolutely beautiful – a proper hidden gem! Thanks for sharing!
Oooh Merida looks gorgeous! Love the Central American feel of this area. The Chitzen-Itza is such an iconic place! Thanks for sharing about this town!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
This looks like a gorgeous place and I love all your photos! I’d love to visit at some point x
Wow I love how colorful everything is! Thanks for sharing yet another great destination to add to the bucketlist.
I’ve never been to Mexico before but wow this looks incredible! So colourful, I would love to visit one day! That’s another place added to my bucket list thanks 😀
When we were in Yucatan we didn’t have time to visit Mérida, which I regret quite a bit. We took a Collectivo to Chichén Itzá from Valladolid and it worked just fine!
What a gorgeous place! All that color!!