The Best Things to Do in Merida, Mexico (according to me…)
Merida, Mexico is one of the cities in the world that is nearest to my heart. When I set off on a four-month backpacking trip around Mexico, Merida (in Yucatan state) was the first city where I took this step into the unknown. At the time, Merida was far from a “rising” destination, but it was definitely not as well-traveled as places like Cancun or Los Cabos. It was one of the first cities where I really had to dust off my Spanish, and a city where I knew no one. I was on my own for the first time in a while, and Merida, Mexico welcomed me with open arms.
Since then, the city has transformed considerably with new hotels, restaurants, and a rising young professional class that has extra money to burn. It’s vibrant, cultural, historic, and packed with shopping, dining, and activities.
Glamorous, yet very much down-to-earth, Merida is one of my favorite places in all of Mexico, and the perfect jumping off point from which to see the other treasures of the state of Yucatan. Get your first looks at this city with my guide to the best things to do in Merida, Yucatan.
How to Get to Merida, Mexico
The capital of the state of Yucatan, Merida is the one city within the state that receives the most flights. While the direct air access from the United States is still limited compared to destinations like Cancun, you can still find flights with United Airlines and American Airlines. You’ll also find there are many flight options from Mexico City, in case you are okay with doing a layover.
The other (longer) option is to fly to Cancun and take the ADO bus up to Merida, which is roughly four to five hours. You can also take the bus from Playa del Carmen.
A third option is to fly into Cancun and rent a car. Both the bus and car options are perfectly safe, they just take more time.
Best Things to Do in Merida, Yucatan
Merida is one of Mexico’s oldest European-settled cities, though the Mayans occupied the land for much, much longer. The Spanish took over in 1542, turning Merida into one of the most important cities for Spain. A walk through the city’s Centro Historico will take you straight back to the 16th century, where you’ll be able to see centuries-old Spanish architecture, expansive plazas, tree-lined boulevards, and shops and restaurants bathed in bright colors.
A first-timer’s visit to Merida ought to begin in the Centro Historico. The main avenue, Paseo de Montejo, is a beautiful entree to Merida’s historic past. It was fashioned after Paris’ glamorous Champs-Elysees. One look at the avenue and you’ll be able to see the influence, from the various roundabouts to the rows of 19th-century mansions that flank either side.
The avenue was named after Francisco de Montejo, the conquistador that Europeanized the city. It became the address of many wealthy Yucatecans in the 1800s and today many of these homes are open for historic tours. Others have been transformed into museums, like the Regional Museum of History and Anthropology.
But keep in mind that the Paseo de Montejo is probably one of the most tourist-trafficked avenues, akin to New York’s 5th Avenue, so if you’re planning to do any shopping or dine at any restaurants, just note that this is the most expensive place to do so.
After you’ve seen the Paseo de Montejo, you may want to catch some of the Centro Historico’s other beautiful sites, like the historic Plaza Mayor, which has the Merida Cathedral. The cathedral was built on top of a Maya temple, which basically sums up a lot of the history of the city. Sites of Mayan importance were built over with Catholic institutions and Spanish structures. Still, the church is quite beautiful.
Tip: The Plaza Grande has five historic buildings surrounding it that are free to enter, and you'll get some great views from each of them.
Museo Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay
Casa de Montejo
Catedral de San Ildefonso
Palacio Municipal
Palacio de Gobierno
You may also want to wander around the Parque Santa Lucia, which is Merida's second-most popular plaza. The small, shady park is wreathed in restaurants, and one of its borders is the famous Calle 60, which is another important street in Merida for dining and shopping. In the evenings, the street is closed to car traffic and becomes one outdoor pedestrian thoroughfare.
Be sure to stop by the Parque on Thursdays for the Yucatan Serenade. This tradition has been going on for more than four decades. It's a weekly folkloric show, free, and held every Thursdays at 9 p.m.
While the Spanish conquest of Mexico is a major part of Mexico's history, it is super important to remember the people who lived and ruled this part of Mexico first — the Mayans. A visit to the beautiful Gran Museo de Mundo Maya Merida is a must. With more than 1,000 different art pieces, this vitally important museum will help shed light on the Mayan world, especially as it pertains to this part of Mexico. If you plan on visiting Mayan sites in Yucatan (and I strongly insist that you do), this is a great spot to whet your appetite.
Back when I visited in 2017 I decided to take myself out for a night of culture. I must say that this was one of my better ideas. The Teatro Jose Peon Contreras is absolutely beautiful, and the venue has symphony performances on most Friday evenings, as well as Sundays in the afternoon. Even if you don't snag a performance, the theater is still beautiful to look at and they have a small museum inside of it. Worth a stop, for sure.
Best Restaurants in Merida (and what to eat)
The beauty of Mexico’s regions is that each one has its own distinct type of cuisine. Yucatecan cuisine is among my absolute favorite styles of Mexican cooking. So much of it is rooted in Mayan traditions, but it also brings in the styles of all of Merida’s international influences. When you come to Merida you cannot leave without eating:
Cochinita pibil: The most famous dish from Yucatan, this is one you've likely heard of. It's that slow-roasted pork, marinated in achiote for that deep orange color. You'll find it in almost everything, but heaped atop a tortilla for a taco de cochinita pibil, squeezed with a shot of lime juice, should be illegal, it's so good.
Sopa de lima: Another Yucatecan delicacy, sopa de lima is a brothy lime soup with shredded turkey.
Pavo relleno negro: Turkey is a very important part in Yucatecan cooking, so you'll want to try the turkey smothered in this dark sauce made from chilies.
Huevos motuleños: This breakfast dish is made with tortillas, eggs, beans, and cheese that is smothered in salsa and peppered with ham and peas.
When I first visited Merida, I began my morning (each and every morning) at El Barrio. This restaurant was the number one reason I stayed as long as I did in Merida. While the ownership has changed, the food is still spectacular. You cannot go wrong with absolutely anything on the menu. It’s only open for breakfast and brunch, so do not miss it.
While visiting Merida recently I was able to try Hermana Republica. This bar has three locations and is known for its craft beer, but its food is also particularly delicious. Everything on it is divine, but tuna tostada is heavenly. The pitas de arrachera and the tacos de cochinita pibil are also excellent.
Speaking of pita, Merida actually has a very strong Lebanese influence. Immigrants from Lebanon came to this part of Mexico during the Ottoman occupation. As such, you'll find many Lebanese-inspired dishes in Yucatecan cuisine, but the most famous are the tacos de arabe, which use pitas instead of tortillas. We ate at Salon Gallos, which serves Mexican/Lebanese fusion. It was super, super trendy — think Brooklyn lofts come to Merida. If you’re into that, you’ll enjoy the atmosphere. Personally I found it way too loud to carry on a conversation and the food was just okay.
Of course, you can't come to Merida and not try the tacos. There is a strong debate over who has the best tacos in town, but you won't go wrong with Wayan'e or El Pastor Suizo. Both are excellent.
For fine dining, Apoala, on the Parque de Santa Lucia, often tops the list, but this menu swings more Oaxacan. You can also eat at the restaurant in Rosas y Xocolate Boutique, one of the swankier hotels in town. This restaurant overlooks the Paseo de Montejo. It's pricey by Merida standards, but the food is insanely good. And it’s still rather reasonably priced for fine dining, in my opinion.
Day Trips from Merida
Perhaps one of the best things to do in Merida is to take a day trip. Fortunately, Merida is well-positioned so that you’re never very far from the amazing things to see and do in the rest of the state.
If you like ruins, then a visit to the Mayan site of Uxmal is a must. Uxmal is just an hour outside of Merida and you can either rent a car, take a taxi (Merida has Uber!), or join an organized tour. When I was in Merida in 2017 I did the latter and it was a really fun way to meet friends. The tour was affordable and included a Yucatecan lunch. You’ll easily find tours online or through your hotel/hostel.
Uxmal is rather impressive. In fact, it's considered to be one of the most important Mayan sites, rivaling Chichen Itza (also in Yucatan), and Tikal in Guatemala. The buildings here are remarkable, and you can climb many of them for different vantage points over the abandoned city.
While Merida itself is not on the coast, the state of Yucatan has a beautiful coastline that rims the turquoise-colored Gulf of Mexico. The most important coastal city is Progreso, known for its thriving cruise port and bustling malecon. This is certainly the most touristy beach town in Yucatan, but I personally prefer Celestun. Celestun is much, much sleepier, with powdery soft white beaches, a smattering of bungalow-style hotels, rustic palapa-covered restaurants on the sand, and easy access to the biosphere reserve, where you can view the thousands of flamingos that call it home.
Other day trips from Merida can be to Chichen Itza, the small Spanish city of Valladolid, or the Magic Town Izamal, which is a city entirely drenched in yellow.
Best Hotels in Merida
When it comes to the best hotels in Merida, the city has a wide array from which to choose, whether you're looking for hostels or the pampered luxury of a converted hacienda. In fact, what's cool about many of the hotels in Merida is that they are built into the bones of some of the most historic buildings in the city. Note: Booking any hotels through my blog may earn me a small commission.
El Palacito Secreto is a wonderful option, built into a 19th-century mansion, featuring sweeping staircases and soaring columns. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time with this incredibly elegant stay. It’s also one of the best boutique hotels in Merida.
I also happen to like The Diplomat Boutique Hotel. The rooms all open up to the pool, and the design blends classical elegance with modern-day flair. Plus, you get a welcome cocktail on arrival and I don't see the harm in that.
For something more budget-friendly, the Hotel Palacio Maya is a great option. It has both an indoor and outdoor pool and is really close to Paseo de Montejo, meaning you're at the heart of the city's action.
Of course, I can't forget to mention Rosas & Xocolate. This gorgeous, pink-splashed building sits right on the Paseo and features only 17 rooms, all of which have outdoor tubs. The spa and restaurant here make it particularly lovely.
One of the main draws to the state of Yucatan are the hotel haciendas in Merida. These are grand, elaborate estates that have been converted to luxury hotels. Hacienda Xcanatun is one of the best-known. It is surrounded by four acres of lush, tropical jungle. The 18th-century Mexican manor-style house has 18 rooms. The resort is also known for its on-site restaurant.
Of course, I also like renting Airbnbs in Merida because it’s such a user-friendly city that sometimes it’s nice to simply feel like you’re one of the residents.