5 BEST Mérida Tours [Free Guide]
1. Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins: One of the 7 Wonders of the World
What you can expect:
✅ Tour Chichen Itza Ruins with a Local Guide
✅ Swim in a Private Cenote
✅ Visit the "Yellow Town" of Izamal (Yes, it really is all yellow)
✅ Transportation included
Why I recommend this tour:
Chichen Itza is a bucket list destination for many, and one of the most-visited places in all Mexico. As you might expect, it VERY quite crowded.
I love this tour because you'll get to Chichen Itza early enough to beat the crowds. Also, you get an entire cenote all to yourself (well, you and the rest of the tour group) which is a truly magical experience.
If all that wasn't enough, you'll visit Izamal, one of Mexico's coolest "pueblos magicos" (meaning magic towns). One of the world's only monochromatic cities, all the buildings in Izamal are pained yellow.
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2. Swim in the Cenotes
What you can expect:
✅ Swim in 4 of the best cenotes near Merida
✅ Visit the "Yellow Town" of Izamal (Yes, it really is all yellow)
✅ Lunch included
✅ Transportation included
Why I recommend this tour:
The cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays) are some of the most magical places in Mexico. In fact, Mexico is the country with the most cenotes — and there are about 6,000 of them!
With so many, it can be hard to figure out which ones to visit, so this tour that takes the guess work out of that process.
Beyond swimming, you will enjoy a traditional lunch and visit the Izamal pueblo magico (meaning magic town). In total, there are 177 pueblos magicos.
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3. Street Food Walking Tour
What you can expect:
✅ Taste savory specialities from the Yucatan Peninsula you've probably never had before, like cochinita pibil, panuchos, salbutes, sopa de lima, marquesitas, and more
✅ The tour includes a meal at a sit-down restaurant, as well as street foods and a visit to a traditional mercado (market)
✅ Get to know Merida itself on a walking tour with a local guide
Why I recommend this tour:
Beyond the food (which is amazing), walking tours are a great get to know Merida. I always recommend a walking tour, especially on your first day in town because the tour will help you to get your bearings.
Now, it's a food tour, so food is the main attraction.
Though many think Mexico is just tacos and burritos, the food is very regional. The Yucatan Peninsula has a local cuisine you won't always find in other parts of Mexico.
Since many aren't familiar with these foods, having a local guide is a game-changer so you learn about them and taste all the best ones — so you know which ones to order when you're exploring on your own.
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4. Uxmal Mayan Ruins Tour
What you can expect:
✅ Tour the Uxmal Ruins with a local guide
✅ Tour the Kabah Ruins on the Ruta Puuc
✅ Transportation included in an air-conditioned vehicle
Why I recommend this tour:
Though not as popular in name as Chichen Itza Ruins, I personally like visiting Uxmal even more. (Oh, and it's pronounced yoush-mall).
Why? Chichen Itza is super crowded, and frankly, super touristy. I like the more laid back feel to Uxmal, and the site itself is just as impressive.
While it's not one of the "Wonders of the World" like Chichen Itza is, Uxmal is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico, so it holds a lot of historic and archeological value as well.
Besides Uxmal, you'll also visit the nearby ruins of Kabah. As an off-the-beaten-path site, you might have these ruins all to yourself! For those looking to experience authentic Mayan culture, this tour is a must.
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5. Merida Cooking Class & Market Tour
What you can expect:
✅ Cook a traditional 3-course meal alongside a local chef — and eat it when you're done!
✅ Visit a traditional mercado (market) where the chef will teach you about local ingredients, and you'll get to sample some small bites
✅ Vegetarian and vegan options available (please specify when booking)
Why I recommend this tour:
The cooking class takes place in a local chef's home, so this is a great way to both get a taste of local life, and get a taste of authentic local cuisine.
I also love cooking classes because knowledge is one of the coolest souvenirs you can take home from a trip — and what better knowledge to leave Merida with than knowing how to cook the best local foods.
Also, the bustling markets of Mexico can be a bit intimidating if you're not used to them, so it's nice to be able to go with a local to get your bearings.
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