A cultural hotspot of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is an unmissable stop during your trip to this part of Mexico. Merida is the capital of Yucatan State and offers a welcome respite from the touristy coastal cities like Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and even Tulum. Merida offers world-class museums, rich gastronomy, and great prices perfect for budget travelers. It’s also within a quick drive to many beaches along the Gulf of Mexico where you can escape the crowds and take a break from the city. From culture and history to rich cuisine and tons of natural wonders within a quick drive, there are plenty of reasons for you to spend at least 3 days in Merida when spending some time in Mexico.
This guest post was written by Daria from The Discovery Nut.
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. Without costing you anything extra, the small commission will help me produce more free content for you. For more information, please refer to my privacy policy.
Where is Merida?
Merida is located in the western part of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 320 kilometers (about 200 miles) from Cancun. You can get to Merida from many parts of the Yucatan Peninsula by taking an ADO bus or renting a car.
3 Days in Merida: Itinerary
This 3-day itinerary will tell you how to make the most of your 3 days in Merida, and what places not to miss.
Day 1: Explore Historical Mérida
Have breakfast at a local café
Start your day with a traditional Yucatecan breakfast, perhaps trying huevos motuleños or salbutes. Yucatan boasts one of the most famous regional cuisines in Mexico, and you can’t spend time in Merida without trying it.
You can try traditional Yucatan dishes all over Merida. Starting from small hole-in-the-wall restaurants where you can pay only with cash, to fancy eateries where local dishes are served in a fine dining setting. The truth is, you don’t have to splurge to enjoy the authentic flavor of the Yucatan cuisine. I recommend La Chaya Maya, one of the best restaurants to try traditional Yucatec and Mayan dishes in Merida where you can enjoy local flair and homemade food served by friendly staff.
Explore Plaza Grande
After enjoying traditional Yucatan food, it’s time to explore the center of the city, Plaza Grande, where you can see the impressive Mérida Cathedral, Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), and Casa de Montejo, a colonial mansion that houses a small museum.
One of the main attractions of Plaza Grande is the Cathedral of Mercia. It’s one of the oldest cathedrals in Latin America that was constructed in 1598 by Spanish conquistadors on top of the ancient Mayan city. The cathedral was constructed partially with rocks from the Mayan pyramids that were destroyed by Spanish colonists. Palacio Municipal is Merida’s town hall dating back to the 16th century. It’s a classic example of typical Yucatan architecture. It’s free to the public and you can also take a tour of the building.
Visit El Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya (The Museum of the Mayan World)
Like the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida has a dry tropical climate, and it can be very hot here. One of the best places to escape the midday heat in Merida is the Museum of the Mayan World. Here you can learn about Mayan history through various artifacts and exhibits. It’s a truly fascinating place where you can get a better understanding of the Yucatan culture and the history of the region. Remember that the museum is closed on Mondays like all other museums in Mexico.
Other museums in Merida that are worth a stop:
- Anthropology and History Museum
- Museo Fernando Garcia Ponce Macay
- City Museum of Merida
Take a free walking tour of Merida
If you want to learn more history of Merida without going to museums, take a free walking tour during your 3 days in Merida that’s offered by one of the local guides. Remember that while the tour is free, you should always leave at least a small gratuity to show your appreciation.
Have lunch at a local market
Merida is home to many great markets, where you can buy everything from souvenirs to produce and street food. Head to Mercado Lucas de Galvez or Mercado Santiago to sample authentic Yucatecan street food like salbutes, paunches, and cochinita pibil. Whenever you visit street markets in Merida or other parts of Mexico, always bring cash with you because local vendors rarely accept credit cards. You can also haggle to get a better price. Especially when you shop for goods and souvenirs. But remember to brush up on some Spanish ahead of your trip.
Go for a walk at Paseo de Montejo
As the afternoon heat begins to subside, go for a walk along this 6-km long boulevard lined with colonial mansions, reminiscent of Mérida’s wealthy past. Another popular stop along Paseo De Montejo is Palacio Canton. It’s a gorgeous mansion built in the colonial style. As well as Casas Gemelas and Quinta Montes Molina, a privately owned mansion where you can see the traditional Yucatec furniture and style.
As you walk along Paseo De Montejo, don’t miss out on Monumento De La Patria (Monument to the Fatherland). It sits in the middle of the busy roundabout. The monument showcases the history of Mexico from the establishment of the country in Tenochtitlan through the middle of the 20th century and was created by the Colombian artist Romulo Rozo. It’s a great place to take photos, thanks to its ornate features. So don’t forget to bring your camera.
Head to Parque Santa Lucia for a quick break
After walking along Paseo de Montejo and exploring the city all day long, it’s time for a break. And a perfect place to take a break is Parque Santa Lucia where you can find street performers and vendors. The park is also famous for its huge white chairs facing each other that make for a cute picture. Get your camera out and snap a quick photo. Alternatively, you can also visit Parque Hidalgo.
Enjoy a dinner at a traditional Yucatec restaurant
End the first of your 3 days in Merida with a dinner at one of Mérida’s many charming restaurants offering regional specialties like cochinita pibil, paunches, or poc chuc. One of my favorite specialties from Yucatan is sopa de lemon. It’s a delicious soup made with veggies, tortillas, and meat (you can have it just with veggies upon request).
Day 2: Nature and Relaxation
After spending your first day in the city, you will likely want to spend time in nature. And the surrounding areas offer plenty of opportunities.
Day trip to Celestún
Celestun is a charming coastal town on the western side of the Yucatan Peninsula. The town is known for its stunning beaches and the Celestun Biosphere Reserve with its large population of flamingos. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Merida, with tours departing the city early in the morning and returning in the afternoon. When you visit Celestún Biosphere Reserve, expect to see flamingos, mangroves, and pristine beaches framed by the stunning emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Once you get to Celestun, you will enjoy a quick tour of the town followed by a boat tour of the mangroves where you will see different species of birds and animals. The tour also includes a visit to the flamingo habitat and some free time on the beach.
Other popular day trips from Merida
Ruta Puuc: If you are a history buff, don’t miss out on Ruta Puuc during your 3 days in Merida. It’s a collection of remote ruins within a quick drive from Merida. Since these archaeological areas don’t have good public transportation, this road trip works better if you have a rental car. The route includes Mayan ruin sites Uxmal, Labna, Xlapak, and Sayil away from the busy travel routes. Each site has its separate fee, which has to be paid in cash. Once you get here, you will likely be the only tourist here, as very few people get here. Bring your water and snacks, as there are no stores or amenities here. One of the most popular ruins along the Ruta Puuc is Uxmal. It’s famous for its impressive Pyramid of the Magician.
Merida cenotes: The Yucatan Peninsula is home to over 6,000 cenotes, natural sinkholes filled with rainwater. The area surrounding Merida is home to several where you can take a refreshing swim on a hot day. Some of the most popular cenotes in Merida are located near Homun and Cuzama, two small towns that make a perfect getaway. Cenote Cascabel, Cenote Chalksikin, and Cenote Xoch.
Watch Pok Ta Pok Game
If you are in Merida on Saturday night, don’t miss a chance to watch the recreation of the ancient ball game called “Pok Ta Pok,” which takes place in the city’s historic center in front of the Merida Cathedral. The ball game was an important ritual among pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Maya. The ball courts that were used for this game can be found in many archaeological sites in Mexico and Central America. Players had to get the ball through the ring located on the side of the court by playing with their hips or shoulders.
Day 3: Cultural Immersion
Cooking class
In addition, Merida’s cooking classes are not to be missed. During a cooking class learn how to prepare traditional Yucatecan dishes like sopa de lima or papadzules. It’s a fine experience that will help you to connect with the Yucatan culture and gain a better understanding of local traditions, as you will go to the market and cook your meal from scratch.
Ride a bike on the streets of Merida
Every Sunday many streets in Merida are closed to traffic to allow bicyclists to enjoy the streets of the city. Jump on a bike and pedal along the bike route (or La Bici Ruta) with hundreds of locals to enjoy this fun activity. You can rent a bicycle from stores along Paseo Montejo or take part in a guided bike tour.
A quick trip to the beach
For a quick getaway during one of your 3 days in Merida, consider visiting one of the beaches near Merida, like Progreso or Sisal. Both can be accessed by a quick drive from Merida by public bus or car. I wasn’t a big fan of Progreso, as it was very crowded and busy. But I loved Sisal, which was quiet and had pristine beaches, and ultimately felt one of the beaches off the beaten path before they got discovered. Sisal and Progreso are both along the Gulf of Mexico, where you can enjoy different water activities. If you visit Sisal, you will take a tour of the mangroves and flamingo habitats in the area. You can go to Merida on the same day, or spend the night in a beach town.
How to get to Merida
By Air
You can fly into Mérida International Airport (code: MID) from many cities in Mexico, as well as a few destinations in the United States like Miami and Houston. Once you arrive at the airport, you can take a taxi or take private transportation to your hotel.
By Bus
Mérida owns a network of buses that connect it to other major cities in Yucatan and the rest of Mexico. Several bus companies operate routes to Mérida from locations like Cancún, Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, and other cities. You can check schedules and book tickets online or at bus terminals. ADO and Mayab are two major bus companies that serve Mérida.
By Car
Mérida is accessible via well-maintained highways from various parts of Mexico. From Cancún, for example, you can take Highway 180, also known as the Cancún-Mérida Highway. From Mexico City, you can take Highway 180D, which is part of the larger Mexico City-Cancún corridor. Be sure to have a valid driver’s license and insurance if you plan to drive in Mexico.
Don’t forget to save this post for your next 3 days in Merida!
