My Merida's Centre Guide

Mérida

A few tips for visiting

Main Airport

Manuel Crescencio Rejón Airport (MID)

Getting Around - Recommended Transportation

There are a few ways to get from the airport to the city center. Only airport-licensed taxis are allowed to pick up directly from the airport. If you wish to use an online platform lift service, you must walk for 10 minutes from the airport area. Additionally, there is the Va-Y-Ven Bus service for 45 pesos, which you can buy from the ADO stand inside and use for transport to other locations. 

If you are only visiting the city, mainly the center, and the Paseo de Montejo area, I would recommend walking, especially for those wanting to experience more of the city, or either using a taxi or platform lift service for those places which might be further away from you. 

Now, for those visiting other places in the state, I would consider a few options as suitable. If you are visiting in a group, renting a car is a great option as it allows you to manage your visits according to your own pace and allows you to explore more. You can find plenty of cheap car rentals in the city. Gas is not a problem either; stations are plentiful around town and the state, and to make things easier, you will always find someone who will pump the gas for you. You just have to say how much money you wish to add and the type of gas to pump. Most stations in the city accept both cards and cash, while cash is a safer bet in the rest of the state.   

Another option is to join a tour group or reserve a private one. The latter will give you similar freedoms as renting but might make the price higher. A more friendly budget option is to join a group. These tours have a predetermined time allocated to a couple of places and often include food at a place as decided by the tour company. Some of these places might not be the best, so keep that in mind. 

Tipping

A 10% to 15% tip on the bill is expected in most restaurants and bars. Depending on the service provided, a tip of between 100 and 250 pesos is recommended for drivers and guides. You can always add more if you think the attention is worth it. It is important to remember that tipping is not mandatory, but it is expected and commonplace in Mexico. 

Safety

Merida and the state of Yucatan are often considered the safest in the whole country of Mexico. Having lived here, I have never experienced a situation that made me feel unsafe. However, as with any other place, you must be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to ensure safety. You can walk in any tourist area anytime, and you should encounter no problems.  

Places to Go

Do

Regional Museum of Anthropology - Palacio Cantón

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The museum is in an eclectic building with classical, neoclassical, and French baroque architecture details. It was built by General Francisco Cantón, governor of Yucatán, at the end of the Porfiriato. It exhibits a collection of the Yucatecan Mayan culture consisting of stelae, carved stones, various sculptures, and ceramic samples, most of which have been obtained from the Yucatan Peninsula archaeological sites. Currently, the entrance fee is 90 pesos.

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Parque de las Américas

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A little further away from other sites in this guide is the Parque de las Américas, located on Avenida Colón. A 10 to 25-minute walk, depending on the location of your hotel. It covers four entire blocks within the García Ginerés neighborhood. Built between 1943 and 1945, its different sections allow for various activities, such as outdoor exercise, reading, walking a pet, attending cultural events, doing homework or work (it has free wireless Internet), or simply enjoying one's time. It is one of the preferred places for recreation for locals. If experiencing local life or seeing how Mérida people go about their lives interests you, the park is something you should not miss. Additionally, you can always find street food stalls selling elotes, esquites, and marquesitas.

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La68

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La68 is a gallery and cultural center where you can find sustainable fashion, a bookstore with new and second-hand pieces, vegan food, cultural presentations, and yoga classes. It is a neat place to spend a quiet afternoon reading or simply relaxing alone or with someone in their cozy space. While it is a niche spot, it does not take away from how comfortable the place can be.

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Santa Lucía Park

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It is a plaza located in the historic center. Along with the Plaza Grande, it is the oldest in the city, dating back to 1542, the year the city was founded. Every Thursday since 1965, the corner of the park has been transformed into a stage for the traditional Yucatecan Trova. Jarana dance presentations also occur. If you are interested in traditional local music or dances, it is a great chance to experience either. The park also has several high-end restaurants, that offer a good variety of food to try out as they focus on different cuisines.

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Jose Peon Contreras Theater

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The Theater, built in a neoclassical style at the beginning of the 20th century and planned by European architects, is one of Mexico's most important opera theaters. It houses the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra and is a site for other artistic presentations of theatre and music. It remains closed for restorations as fire damaged much of the building in 2022. It is still a landmark of the city and remains a worthy stop in town with its adjacent park.

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Mérida Cathedral - San Ildefonso

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This is the second-oldest Roman Catholic cathedral completed in the Americas. Construction began in 1561 and was completed in 1598. Stones from the Mayan temple of Yajam Cumu were used to build it. During the 19th century, some of the cathedral's treasures and works of art were stolen or lost due to the political instability that the city suffered during this period. Most of the remaining art and treasure were further lost during looting that occurred during the Mexican Revolution.

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MACAY

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MACAY is the main museum dedicated to promoting and disseminating modern and contemporary art throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. The museum has 15 rooms for temporary exhibitions, two galleries, and four permanent rooms, where the work of three great figures of Yucatecan art is exhibited: Fernando Castro Pacheco, Fernando García Ponce, and Gabriel Ramírez Aznar.

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Casa de Montejo

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The house was built between 1542 and 1549 for the conquerors of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Montejos, to be used as their family residence in the city's historic center. It is possibly the only example in Mexico of a civil house built in the 16th century in the Plateresque style. The building belongs to the Fundación Fomento Cultural Banamex, A.C., and contains a museum showcasing its architecture and decorated rooms. The entrance to the museum is free.

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Museum of the City of Merida

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The museum building illustrates the historical development of Mérida as it is located at the former Federal Post Office Palace, a building of great importance, both for its architectural characteristics and historical value, which was inaugurated in 1908. It contains exhibitions on the history of the city divided into 4 sections: Pre-Hispanic Merida, the Spanish Colonia or Mérida Novohispana, Mérida in the 19th century and early 20th century, and the Twentieth century and forward. Information is both in Spanish and English, and entrance is free for all visitors.

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San Benito Market

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This market is part of a bigger complex of markets, including stores and stalls that sell all kinds of things, from food, meat, fruits, and vegetables to clothes, kitchenware, handicrafts, and everything in between. The exterior part of the market contains several places where you can taste local and traditional foods, such as panuchos or tacos de cochinita.

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Eat

Los Almendros

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Located in the historic Mejorada Park, this is a great option for those wanting to try Yucatecan food. Originally from the town of Ticul, this restaurant has been offering its food since 1972. As such, it is one of the most traditional sit-down places for regional cuisine. Among their options are different-sized platters that allow you to try various foods. Also, on some days, they have specialty dishes such as Frijol con Puerco or Puchero.

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Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy

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This restaurant offers traditional local dishes such as cochinita pibil, relleno negro or queso relleno. It also works as a museum by explaining the pre-Hispanic, mestizo, and Creole origin of its dishes and by showing various utensils, ingredients, and cooking techniques from the region.

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Pola Gelato Shop

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Pola Gelato Shop is a great place to beat the Yucatecan heat with something refreshing. There are plenty of artisanal flavors to choose from, both unusual and common.

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Holoch

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Holoch offers modernized Mexican cuisine with heavy Oaxacan influences. With different dining spaces that include a courtyard area, there is a vibe for everyone in the mood of having some food along with a few drinks. They are also recognized for some of their cocktails, so don't miss that out.

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Taquería De La Unión

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As weird as it may sound, taco places are not as common as one might think at the Merida Center during the night. Taquería de la Unión perfectly covers that spot by selling the quintessential Mexican food with a regional flare. It also has a few vegan options on its menu.

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Teya Santa Lucía

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One of the state's most traditional places for regional food, Hacienda Teya opened a few locations in the center a few years back. This particular one is located near Santa Lucia Park in a renovated house. They maintain the same flavors and dishes that have made them popular for decades.

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Mercado 60

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Mercado 60 is a food market with various vendors and several dining options. The seating is mostly communal. Live music is often played, and guests usually dance. This place is a good option if you want a lively venue without necessarily having a big party.

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SOCO Mérida

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Soco functions both as a bakery and as a good place to have brunch. While it is not the cheapest of options in town, they provide quality food and their baked goods are often creative and delicious.

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Micaela Mar & Leña

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I would consider Micaela to be definitely the best option for seafood in the center of the city. They offer fresh ingredients and a large selection of mezcal to accompany your meal. Do not miss the aguachile or the wood-fire grilled octopus.

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130° SteakHouse

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130° is among the top steakhouses in the city, if not the best. They have a pretty neat selection of cuts of meat and extensive appetizer options. If you are craving steak and feel like you could splurge some extra money, as it can get expensive, this is the place to go.

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Oliva Enoteca

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Oliva Enoteca is located in an old house in the Historic Center. It offers Italian cuisine in an industrial yet fancy open-kitchen concept. It has an extensive list of over 200 wine labels personally selected by the Chef to complement the menu. As with other restaurants in the same street, it might not be the most price accessible of options but is well worth it if fancying a nice Italian meal.

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Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón

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Founded in 1907, this place offers ice cream and tropical fruit sorbets with original recipes. It also has various traditional sweets. Visiting this establishment is one of the most deeply rooted traditions among Yucatecans and visitors. There are several locations, although the main ones are at the Plaza Grande and the Paseo de Montejo. I recommend the last one, which has a larger open space under the trees that line the avenue. Another recommendation is to try out the local tropical fruit flavors offered. Mamey is among the most popular; soursop is another common option. When in season, do not miss the dragon fruit or ciruela flavors.

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La Terraza

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Lebanese culture is integral to the city's history, courtesy of the wave of immigrants that arrived during the XX century. La Terraza has a tradition of offering Lebanese food with a homemade feel at a great price, so locals often fill the place. If you are interested in learning more about the local culinary options in Mérida, this is a place you should not miss.

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Taquería Nuevo San Fernando

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If you wish to experience cochinita pibil or lechon as it should be, you should move further out from the center and try a torta for breakfast at Nuevo San Fernando. This has been my favorite place for both since I can remember. It really keeps the street food energy with its amazing food while providing the commodities of a sit-down restaurant.

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Drink

La Negrita Cantina

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La Negrita Cantina is an old bar with more than 100 years of history. Renovated to combine the essence of the traditional Yucatecan cantina with a modern and vibrant touch, you can try Yucatecan craft beers, more than 50 types of mezcal, or other drinks. The prices are accessible and allow you to try out plenty of different things. You can enjoy live music like Cuban son, bachata, and trova throughout the afternoon and evening. You can often expect to find people lining up to get in and wait for some time, so take that into account when visiting.

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El Gato

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If you like the speakeasy vibes and ambiance, this bar in a corner atop the remate of Paseo de Montejo is the one for you. The drinks on offer are mainly with Mexican liquor, and their cocktails have a Latin flare. Additionally, these house cocktails are named after Mexican writers. Their selection also includes other classic cocktails and some food to go along with your drink. Later at night, the place turns into a sort of small club where tables are pushed to the side to leave a central space for listening to electronic music. I would advise you to make a reservation through their site or social media if you want to try them out early at night; if you wish to visit later at night, there is no need to do so.

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Bird

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Bird is my favorite place to visit in the city center if I want to have some beer. They have 12 lines of their own craft beer on tap, a wide variety of bottled ones, and some food such as wood-fired oven pizza. Additionally, they also have a curated collection of music on vinyl to add to the bar's general vibe and musical ambiance.

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Mezcaleria La Fundacion

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This is a place for those looking to party, dance, and drink. The small selection of Mexican antojitos and food might not be the best. However, the bar makes up for this by offering various drinks, especially mezcal, as the name might suggest. La Mezca, as it is commonly called, is mostly a space to party and meet people wanting to do the same. It can be packed any day of the week, so expect that when entering.

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Flamel

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This one, another speakeasy in the city, has a good selection of drinks, especially housemade cocktails. The red lighting sets the mood once you enter from behind a small street entrance with curtains. The drinks presentation is eclectic and different from other places, intending to allude to magic elements as they say themselves. Some of their cocktails are of interest, as they are only served at certain specific hours, so be sure to check out the menu and the time of your reservation if you wish to try some of them out. A reservation is recommended if you wish to visit.

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El Lagarto de Oro

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This bar is popular with locals, who frequently fill the place, especially on weekends. I would recommend making reservations if you wish to visit any of those days. Located on the corner of 50th Street, it is a cantina that offers a variety of Yucatecan dishes, drinks, snacks, and desserts. This is a great place to have a drink with some friends, maybe while enjoying live music and dancing in the "bodega" section. Other sections of the bar offer a more relaxed vibe.

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Patio Petanca

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This is a fun place to grab a drink. You can play games with friends and strangers, whether board games or more active ones. The main attraction, as the name implies, is having the space to play Pétanque. A few snacks are also available for an affordable price. It's a great place to spend a relaxed afternoon with more than just drinking.

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SALÓN GALLOS

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While Salón Gallos is primarily a bar, its offerings are pretty comprehensive. In addition to drinks, there is a gallery, a wine bar, a cinema, a restaurant, and several varied events. Their art gallery is an exhibition space for artists, curators, galleries, and institutions. The cinema projects art pieces not shown anywhere else in the city. Their main drinking and dining area is complemented by a DJ playing live music. In summary, Salón Gallos is a perfect place to enjoy drinks while experiencing other activities.

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Cafe

Arista Barista

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It is a wonderful cafe option or breakfast option with great vegan, seasonal, and specialty drinks and food. They have quality tea and coffee, gluten-free dishes, and vegan bread and sandwiches. If you want to try something unusual and special, don't miss the Dirty Orxata, a horchata-based coffee with cinnamon.

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Tinoc Café

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Tinoc has a modern and relaxing atmosphere where enjoying a cup of coffee or tea is easy. It is the type of cafe where people like to take photos as the design and color scheme work as an invitation to visitors. Open for most of the day, you can get breakfast from their selection and, more recently, lunch or dinner with a brand new menu.

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Shop

Taller Maya Santa Ana

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Taller Maya is the place to go if you wish to buy something made by real, local artisans and you want to make sure they receive a fair price for what they make. The store has clothing and home goods designed and handmade by Yucatecan artisans. As such, prices can seem elevated compared to other places, but the reality is Taller Maya is one of the few places offering a fair price. The brand was started by a foundation. This foundation works with different communities to strengthen value chains and generate sustainable income sources by creating and fairly marketing artisanal pieces. Currently, it works with 42 artisan workshops in 32 communities of the Yucatán Peninsula.

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Casa T´HŌ Concept House

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Casa T´HŌ has a varied selection; they have several boutique stores. These stores include art, decorative elements, jewelry, clothes, and perfumes. As they have several options in one place, I would consider it worth a visit if you are interested in buying from these kinds of places.

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Sleep

Piedra de Agua Hotel Boutique

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Piedra de Agua is a colonial-style boutique hotel in the block between the San Ildefonso Cathedral and the Peon Contreras Theater. Among their amenities are a restaurant, a spa, and a terrace, which will make your stay more pleasant. Rooms include AC, Wifi, and a TV in spaces that maintain their colonial architecture while also providing modern comforts.

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Hostik Hostal

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I believe this is a great option for those willing to save money or simply live the backpacker life. Relatively new and comfy, the Hostel offers a variety of rooms and beds at different price points starting from $245 pesos. Often full of younger people, the hostel has various activities one might opt to join. Other amenities include a shared kitchen and a pool, a great place to work from while relaxing at the same time.

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Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel

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Many members of my family who live outside Merida will choose to stay at Casa Lecanda when visiting. It is a luxurious adult-only boutique hotel next to some of the best restaurants in the city. While it can be on the expensive side, the quality of the premises and service provided make up for it. You can arrange your whole trip, including several tours and transportation, right from the moment you book with them. Apart from the serene ambiance and comfortable rooms, the hotel offers other amenities and activities, such as a pool, a spa, or cooking or yoga classes.

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Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel + SPA

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This is my favorite hotel among the ones in the Paseo de Montejo, with its renovated French-style mansions. With spacious rooms, your stay is guaranteed to be amazing. They all have an outdoor Jacuzzi, sound system, high-speed wireless Internet, television, and air conditioning. Other amenities on-site include a quality restaurant, a spa, a boutique store, a gym, bicycles, and concierge service.

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Hotel NH Collection Mérida Paseo Montejo

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This hotel has modern and comfy rooms and is easy to access to the city. It is located near the Paseo de Montejo and the new Convention Center, atop Paseo 60, a commercial plaza with good restaurants and transportation options. ADO buses leave from here to nearby places and cities. Public transport, such as the Va-Y-Ven or other buses, goes through 60th Street at all times. The hotel has amenities such as a pool for relaxing, a rooftop bar with great views, parking, a gym, spacious rooms, and a restaurant.

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Wayam Mundo Imperial

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Wayam Mundo Imperial provides modern, comfy spaces mixed with sustainable design. They pride themselves on this last aspect, a primary concern for the experience they wish to provide. It is located at Av. Colón, the hotel is further away than others in my recommendations. While that means it might take you more time to reach other attractions, it allows you to experience the locals' relatively laid-back lifestyle. That is by being closer to places like Parque de las Américas or the Salvador Alvarado stadium, where people congregate to practice sports. It includes being across the street from a Saturday morning farmers' market. Wayam is my most recommended hotel if visiting for a convention in the nearby center. The hotel includes plenty of parking, a gym, and a pool with a bar. Its restaurant, Cuna, is the perfect spot to grab a bite while admiring the city's afternoon skies.

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