Mérida Mexico: 15+ Tips on What to See and Do in Yucatán’s Capital

Mérida Mexico is the vibrant capital of the Yucatán Peninsula, and it certainly has a lot to offer visitors. Planning a trip to Mérida? We hope our guide to Mérida will inspire you and help with your planning.

Heading to Mexico for an extended trip? Check out our 2-3 week itinerary covering all the must-see spots on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Mérida, Capital of Yucatán

There’s a reason Mérida was named the American Capital of Culture in both 2000 and 2017. You’ll literally stumble upon Mexican and Mayan culture on every corner.

Every day, the city centre hosts festivals, dance performances, re-enactments of the Mayan ball game Tlachtli, and light shows projected onto colonial buildings.

Mexicans are famous for their smiles and good spirits, and in Mérida this holds doubly true. Locals will beam at you on every corner, and fellow tourists will too — because Mérida is remarkably affordable.

Compared to purely tourist-oriented cities like Tulum or Cancún on the eastern side of the peninsula, you’ll experience more here for less money.

Where to Stay in Mérida

Accommodation in Mérida is on the affordable side, so staying right in the centre isn’t a problem. We recommend choosing one of these neighbourhoods:

• Plaza Americana
• Merida Centro

Both are within walking distance of all the major buildings and landmarks in the city centre, although Merida Centro is slightly more conveniently located.

If you’re lucky and it’s available, book at Hotel Santa María Mérida. It’s a stone’s throw from the centre, has excellent reviews, and there are often discounts on Booking.

Equally good is Hotel Boutique Casa Garza, which is also centrally located, includes a good breakfast, and even has hostel-style rooms.

Things to See and Do in Mérida

The easiest way to soak up the atmosphere of Mérida is to wander through its historic centre.

Centro Historico (Historic Centre)

Plaza Grande

At the heart of the city lies Plaza Grande, where in addition to the iconic white stone benches, you’ll find a colourful sign — a feature that seems to pop up in every major city on the Yucatán.

Around Plaza Grande, there are five public buildings that offer wonderful views of the surroundings, and admission is free. Some of them even have air conditioning!

At the entrance of most of the buildings we’re about to mention, you’ll see armed guards. Don’t be intimidated — just walk right past them. If you’re unsure, ask them if you can go inside. They won’t say no. You can explore these buildings:

• Palacio Municipal (views from the second-floor balcony)
• Catedral de San Ildefonso
• Casa de Montejo (Victorian-style museum)
• Museo Fernando García Ponce-Macay (art)
• Palacio de Gobierno

Parque de Santa Lucia

North of Plaza Grande you’ll find Parque de Santa Lucia, which in the evening hours transforms into a sea of tables and chairs brought out from nearby restaurants.

The park and square are probably the most touristy spots in Mérida, so we recommend exploring the surrounding streets and nearby parks as well — Parque de Santa Ana, Parque de Santiago, and Parque de San Juan.

Guided Walking Tour of Mérida

Every morning you can join a free walking tour of the historic centre, organised by a local group of guides. You’ll learn fascinating facts about Mérida’s history and get your bearings in the city.

Whether you’re in town for one day or several, we recommend starting with one of these tours.

Paseo de Montejo Promenade

Have you ever been to the Champs-Élysées in Paris? That’s exactly the impression Mérida’s Paseo de Montejo gives — a grand boulevard built by colonialists during the city’s golden age.

Lining the promenade are rows of luxurious villas and haciendas that have preserved their original appearance to this day. Although most are now owned by companies, some are still home to descendants of the original owners.

While strolling along the boulevard, you’ll come across several small cafés and museums, among which Museo de Montes Molina is worth a mention — it takes you through the house of one of Mérida’s founding families.

The promenade stretches for 8 kilometres, and if you don’t set out early in the morning, the heat can be quite unpleasant. We recommend walking the most interesting section on foot (1.5 km, from Monumento de Montejo to the Monument to the Fatherland) and covering the rest by bus or Uber. For the romantically inclined, you can hire a horse-drawn carriage at the start of the promenade.

Casas Gemelas

Casas Gemelas, two prominent buildings in Mérida, were constructed between 1906 and 1911 in an elegant French style for the Zavala family, prominent members of the local social elite.

These houses were designed by Gustave Umbdenstock, a French architect best known for his work in railway architecture.

One of the buildings now serves as a museum known as Montejo 495. Casas Gemelas are often considered iconic symbols of Mérida, particularly of the Paseo de Montejo area. Other notable buildings nearby include Casa Peón de Regil, Casa Vales, and Casa del Minaret.

Palacio Canton

Palacio Canton, also known as the Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán, is one of the most significant landmarks in Mérida. This imposing palace was built at the beginning of the 20th century and showcases the lavish architectural style popular among the Yucatecan elite of that era.

The palace was originally built as a residence for General Francisco Cantón Rosado, a prominent political figure in the region.

Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

If Mayan civilisation fascinates you as much as it does us, this museum is a must. Inside, you’ll find over a thousand Mayan artefacts spanning all the periods during which the Maya lived on the Yucatán.

If your itinerary allows, visit any Mayan pyramids after this museum. You’ll learn everything about Mayan history here, and history lovers could easily spend several hours.

The museum is about twenty minutes by car from the centre of Mérida. As in all large Mexican cities, we recommend using Uber — a ride will cost around 80–100 pesos (approximately €4–5).

Lucas de Galvez Market

Lucas de Galvez is the largest all-day market in Mérida. You’ll find everything from vegetables and fruit to handcrafted goods, clothing, and tourist trinkets.

A market has existed on this spot since the 18th century, and it shows. The whole place is a bewildering maze of tiny shops and locals carrying bags full of cactus and limes.

If you visit the market, make sure to have lunch there. There’s no better way to experience the local atmosphere than eating at a small food stall in the middle of the market, watching the hustle and bustle around you.

Casa Azul

Casa Azul is a historic building with a tropical garden, now converted into a luxury hotel. You’re welcome to pop in and have a look around!

Experience a Festival

Mérida hosts dozens of festivals and smaller celebrations every year. It’s rare to walk through the streets in the evening without encountering some kind of performance or light show.

On the main square, you can watch folk dance performances nearly every evening, featuring children aged six to eighteen.

In January, Mérida holds the Merida Fest, which kicks off with a spectacular fireworks display from Plaza Grande and lasts a full three weeks.

In January and March you’ll encounter carnival parades, in April Easter is celebrated (processions with crosses, etc.), and in November don’t miss El Día de Muertos — the Day of the Dead.

Christmas is apparently wonderful too — while it’s still warm in Mexico, Mexicans love their Christmas trees and decorations. Imagine strolling through the city on a sweltering day while pickup trucks drive past with decorated Christmas trees on the back!

Experience the Tlachtli Ball Game

Although we didn’t manage to catch this Mayan ball game ourselves, don’t make the same mistake! Every Saturday evening, the ancient ball game Tlachtli is played on the main square — a game that for the Maya was more of a religious ritual than entertainment.

After the match, one of the teams — or at least the captain — was sacrificed to the gods. Today nobody gets sacrificed, and the game is purely entertaining to watch. The players must pass the ball through a hoop without using their hands or feet.

Based on social media posts, we recommend arriving at least twenty minutes before the game starts, otherwise you risk not being able to see past the crowds.

Day Trip to the Fishing Town of Progreso

Fifty minutes by bus north of Mérida lies the quiet fishing town of Progreso, where you can relax on a spacious beach.

Although the water isn’t as crystal-clear as on the east coast along the Riviera Maya, the sand is white and incredibly fine. It can be quite windy here though, so it’s not ideal for lounging all day — even though a sunbed, umbrella, and a drink cost just a fraction of what you’d pay at the purely tourist beaches.

We recommend Progreso especially for seafood lovers and pleasant beach walks. After the chaos of Mérida, a day spent listening to nothing but the sound of the sea is just what the doctor ordered.

Visit the Mayan Ruins of Uxmal

Thanks to its location, Mérida is an excellent base for day trips to the wider region. Our favourite is a visit to the Mayan city of Uxmal, one of the most important and best-preserved Mayan sites in Mexico.

Check out all the Mayan ruins on the Yucatán.

The city reached its peak at the end of the 10th century AD, and at its height was home to around 25,000 people. Its strategic location allowed inhabitants to harness the surrounding natural water reservoirs, which filled during the rainy season.

Tips and Tricks for Travelling the Yucatán