- Cochinita pibil on Sundays at the market portales
- Sopa de lima and papadzules at Santa Lucia
- Marquesitas on the Plaza Grande in the evening
Merida Travel Guide
The cathedral on Merida's Plaza Grande, Yucatan. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Merida, the White City, is the Yucatan's elegant capital: limestone mansions, the Paseo de Montejo, and a food culture built on cochinita pibil and lime soup. It is consistently ranked one of Mexico's safest and most livable cities.
The city is the base for the Puuc ruins, the cenote country to the south, and the flamingos of Celestun. Evenings bring the free cultural program: serenatas, vaqueria dancing and video mapping on the cathedral.
What to do in Mérida
Historic center
- 1
Plaza Grande and cathedral The main square with one of the oldest cathedrals on the American mainland. - 2
Paseo de Montejo The grand boulevard of henequen-era mansions. - 3
Gran Museo del Mundo Maya The modern Maya museum north of the center. - 4
Santa Lucia and Santa Ana The food-and-music barrios: Thursday serenatas at Santa Lucia.
Day trips
- 1
Uxmal The Puuc masterpiece, about 80 km south. - 2
Chichen Itza The great city, about 120 km east via Valladolid. - 3
Celestun The flamingo estuary, best by morning boat. - 4
Izamal The Yellow City and its great convent.
Mérida Hotel Guide
How to choose the best places to stay in Mérida. Verified properties below; for the full list, search live availability on Booking.com.
Where to eat
Getting there and around
Merida International (MID) takes flights from Mexico City, the US and Canada. ADO buses serve Uxmal, Chichen Itza and the coast; the Maya Train links Merida with Cancun and Campeche.