Merida is an unimaginable metropolis in Mexico to go to. Nestled on the Yucatan Peninsular, round 3-Four hours west of Cancun, Merida is attractive, with heaps of eating places, historic buildings and beautiful neighbourhoods to go to. Truthfully, there are heaps of the most effective issues to do in Merida that can fill any journey to the town.

Nonetheless, with a lot alternative, comes some powerful selections! 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 liked our time in Merida and we’d return in a heartbeat. In reality, I’d go so far as saying that it’s my favorite metropolis in all of Mexico.

So, that can assist you get probably the most out of your journey, I’m sharing the highest issues to do in Merida if you go to.

1.) Cathedral of Mérida

Located proper inside the coronary heart of the historic centre, the Cathedral of Mérida is one spot you don’t need to miss while strolling the town. Not solely is it completely attractive, but it surely 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 free of charge to discover the cathedral. Now, like a number of websites in trendy-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 spiritual beliefs. In reality, the cathedral was even constructed utilizing the stones from the Maya Temple that when stood as an alternative.

That every one being mentioned, the positioning is one spot you possibly can’t miss in Merida, particularly because it’s stood for nearly 500 years.

Oh, and don’t overlook to move outdoors the cathedral each Saturday at Eight 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 free of charge, so count on crowds and arrive about 25 minutes early if you wish to be on the entrance.

Learn extra: Best issues to do in Mexico Metropolis

2.) Plaza Grande

When you’re already at Merida Cathedral, you’ll simply cease by Plaza Grande (that’s proper outdoors). Now, the plaza itself is without doubt one of the busiest areas of Merida metropolis centre, which makes it an excellent place to discover on foot.

In reality, 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 protected.

It’s one of many most secure cities in Mexico to go to. This implies you don’t want a information when strolling the town and you’ll simply pinpoint locations on Google Maps to stroll between.

As soon as right here, be sure 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 because the 1800s and there are some unimaginable murals to see inside.

Learn extra: Best issues to do in Mexico Metropolis

3.) Merida Motels

For us, a superb lodge could make a visit to a brand new metropolis; and we stayed in some gems in Merida that we completely liked.

Casa Olivia is a small ‘casa’ of about Four rooms. It’s completely quaint and the entire property is completely lovely and the workforce are so welcoming. Not solely that, they’ve probably the most attractive pool within the centre of the Casa. It’s like an oasis within the coronary heart of Merida and we liked it.

Now, Casa Olivia is a little bit on the pricier facet with regards to lodges in Merida; but it surely was properly value it for the expertise.

One other gem within the metropolis is Decu Merida. It’s one other smaller model lodge (with lower than 10 rooms) which is completely lovely. Identical 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 lodge, or the newer a part of the lodge. Each are attractive, and your alternative actually does come all the way down to the type of model you want.

Oh, and don’t overlook, 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 the most effective 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 they usually even have artwork displays that change seasonally. Heads up, there’s not a lot data in English, so be sure to brush up in your Spanish if you wish to be taught extra about every of the displays while you’re there.

Learn extra: Best issues to do in Mexico Metropolis

5.) Eating places in Merida

Merida is such a foodie metropolis. In reality, I’d go so far as saying it’s certainly one of my favorite cities in all of Mexico for its eating places. It’s acquired that good mixture of regional delicacies, but in addition actually cool locations which are 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 energetic spot that’s properly-identified in Merida. We completely liked 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 are so good. We liked this spot for dinner and their frijol con puerco (Yucatan Model Black Beans with Pork) is so tasty.

Although, you need to reserve a desk when you’re going for dinner. We struggled to get a seat on our first go to.

If you would like a cool vibe for dinner and drinks, then head over to Vana. This was certainly one of our favorite locations in Merida and was stuffed with locals and guests alike.

Staying longer in Merida? Then, don’t overlook to go to Dzalbay (for its dwell music), Café Riqueza (for its espresso) and Chook 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 a must to take when visiting Merida. You see, it’s one of many world’s most vital Maya websites.

As soon as right here, you’ll get to stroll across the Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo) which is iconic. Like a number of Maya websites, you received’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 overlook that you simply’ll get to stroll by way of the ball courts that had been performed 1000’s of years in the past.

Now, to make issues simpler, e-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 occasions.

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7.) Uxmal

One other certainly one of 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 individuals and homes so many buildings you could nonetheless see to at the present time. Identical to Chichen Itza, you possibly can e-book at the present time journey 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 way of the Governor’s Palace and go to the Quadrangle. It’s so spectacular to see and the most effective 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-Four hours, so plan forward, particularly on highly regarded days.

You see, there’s little or no by way of shade and it might get highly regarded. Take chilly water round in your stroll and ensure to slap on that sunscreen.

Learn extra: Best issues 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 value 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 you could tour earlier than hopping into the water. Although, only a heads up, you will want to e-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 necessary life jackets and lifeguards that observe your progress while there. We liked that, as we’ve been to some cenotes the place there’s little or no by way of security precautions.

Learn extra: Best issues 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 lightweight on Maya tradition and historical past that’s properly value a go to.

In reality, I’d go so far as saying that it’s the most effective issues to do in Merida to be taught extra about Maya historical past and the results of Spanish colonialism.

Now, you do pay a small payment to enter (round $10 USD) and also you’ll doubtless spend round 90 minutes trying round and studying the historical past of the Maya individuals.

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10.) Palacio de la Música

Round a 5-minute stroll from Plaza Grande, Palacio de la Música is properly value visiting if you wish to be taught extra about Mexican music and the historical past of music from the broader Yucatan Peninsular.

Now, the museum itself is absolutely good however I might say that it might really feel rather less thrilling when you’re not likely thinking about musical historical past. If that’s you, possibly give this spot a miss when visiting Merida.

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11.) Paseo de Montejo

Most likely certainly one of Merida’s most well-known streets, Paseo de Montejo is as grand as it’s lengthy. In reality, it’s acquired among the grandest buildings in all of Merida and is properly value 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 circumstances, you possibly can head inside the homes which at the moment are museums. Plus, others are nonetheless accessible with guided excursions. Simply be sure to provide yourselves round Three hours to walk the avenue and cease by among the spectacular mansions.

Afterwards, stroll on over to Parroquia Santa Ana, which is a surprising Catholic Church that’s a couple of 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.

Learn extra: Best issues to do in and round Cancun

12.) Celestun

Fancy a visit to the shoreline? Then e-book this tour to Celestun to discover the gorgeous 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 the most effective issues to do in Merida for a day journey, particularly because it’s one of the vital areas for flamingoes north of the equator.

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