Merida Mexico: Ultimate Guide on The Best Things to Do (2024)

Considering a trip to Merida, Mexico?

This up-and-coming Yucatan Peninsula destination is quickly heading to the top of many people’s travel bucket lists. In this article, I’m going to walk you through my top recommendations on things to do in Merida.

Located not far from Mexico’s top destinations of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, Merida is a gorgeous colonial city that offers a different experience to the more typical beachy Yucatan destinations. 

Located more or less in the center of the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida also makes a wonderful home base to explore so much of this part of Mexico.

As far as things to do in Merida, there’s no shortage of amazing sites within the city limits. There’s also a seemingly endless number of great Merida day trips, including to Chichen Itza and other Mayan ruins, and to the nearby cenotes and haciendas.

Let’s take a look at some of the amazing options you have for things to do in Merida, Mexico. However, first, we’ll clear up all the basics you need to know for your Merida trip.

The founders of this blog also spent 2 months living in Merida so they have also added a ton of fantastic insider tips on the best things to do in the area so keep on reading!

Best Time to Visit Merida

If you’re looking to visit Merida, Mexico anytime soon, then you’re in luck! Some of the best times to visit Merida are between December to March if you want to take advantage of the dry weather and do a ton of fun activities. 

In terms of the worst time to visit Merida, Mexico, it’s best to actively avoid May to September, unless you’re a huge fan of hot, humid weather. You’ll experience extremely hot conditions that even the locals in all of Latin America hate, especially because the mosquitoes are out and about.

The only time it’s recommended to visit Merida, Mexico during these months is when you want to attend the Hanal Pixan festival, the Mayan Day of the Dead, which happens from late October to early November. While it’s still hot, the festival and activities involved are worth the extra heat!

Want a detailed list of the weather schedule in Mexico? Check out a few of our articles. You can also click here for a guide on the best time to visit Cancun.

• Weather in Mexico in January
• Weather in Mexico in February
• Weather in Mexico in March
• Weather in Mexico in April
• Weather in Mexico in May
• Weather in Mexico in June
• Weather in Mexico in July
• Weather in Mexico in August
• Weather in Mexico in September
• Weather in Mexico in October
• Weather in Mexico in November
• Weather in Mexico in December

How to Get to Merida, Mexico

The easiest way to get to Merida is to fly into Merida International Airport (code: MID).

From there, you can rent a car; however, this really only makes sense if you plan to do several day trips as Merida itself, is quite walkable and there are taxis and Uber. Also, while Mexican car rentals seem inexpensive online, those price quotes never include car insurance, which can sometimes double your price.

If you aren’t renting a car, you can call Uber as soon as you exit the airport, or take a taxi.

In Mexico, you negotiate the taxi price before getting in the cab. As the airport is only about 30 minutes from downtown, this should cost about $300 pesos ($15USD/€12); however, the taxi driver has to agree to this price.

The other option is to fly into Cancun International Airport (code: CUN). Flights into this airport are often cheaper, though Cancun is about 4 to 5 hours from Merida.

You can rent a car at this airport, or take an ADO bus to Merida. One-way bus fares fluctuate, but you can plan for about $500 pesos ($25USD/€20).

Editor’s Note: Want to know more about Mexico? Check out our article on Fun Facts about Mexico

How to Get Around Merida

There are various ways you can explore Merida, but the two best ones are by foot or car, may it be your own rented car, taxicab, or Uber. While it’s possible to use public transport, it might be tough navigating the stops if you didn’t do your research. 

Merida Public Transport 

There are various local bus routes you can ride throughout your stay, with bus stops all around the city, as it’s like in other parts of Latin America. Do note that the buses run from 6AM to 11PM, so if you go out any later than that, then it’s best to catch a taxicab or Uber home. 

Moreover, it’s recommended that tourists take Ubers or taxicabs as non-locals might find it challenging to figure out the routes to take and where the buses will stop. If you would like to try public transport, you can check out Merida’s transit website for more information. 

Is Uber Available in Merida? 

Fortunately, Uber is available in Merida for easier, safer, and more convenient transportation! There is no Lyft available in Merida or Mexico, but Uber is a great mode of transportation to get to where you’re going quickly and without trouble.

To get a gist of how much an Uber can be, a ride from the international airport to the city center would cost about 130 pesos, which is around $7. 

Besides Uber, you can also take a taxi, which is also safe and easy to hail down. Just make sure you know and learn Spanish words to communicate with the drivers.

That said, Uber is known to be just a tad cheaper than taxicabs, and you save yourself some hassle trying to explain where to go if you can’t speak Spanish. 

Merida Things to Do Highlights

Best Things to Do in Merida, Mexico

Now, let’s get into all the best things to do in Merida. I’ve categorized these based on area so that you can easily make sure you catch everything note-worthy while you’re there. 

1. Walk Along Paseo de Montejo

Paseo de Montejo is a 2-mile/3.2km tree-lined, walkable street, with plenty of things to do, see and eat. It runs north to south, and there are beautiful things to see if you walk the whole thing.

This is one of Merida’s most famous streets, where the wealthy aristocrats once built their giant mansions. Some of those mansions have since been turned into museums or other public spaces. 

2. Admire the European Mansions of Merida

Three of the most beautiful mansions along Paseo de Montejo are Palacio Canton, Casas Gemelas and Quinta Montes Molina.

The largest, most picturesque of all Paseo Montejo’s buildings is Museo Palacio Canton. This palace-turned-museum has a gorgeous classical European design aesthetic and also features a nice collection of Mayan artifacts.

Founder Francisco de Montejo had these mansions built for his family in stunning European designs. These buildings add to the overall colonial city vibes that Merida has.

Quinta Montes Molina is a smaller mansion, though also has many classical European design elements and decor. They offer tours by appointment only. The last of Montejo’s large mansions, Casas Gemelas (Twins Houses), are privately owned so you have to admire them from the outside.

3. Enjoy Brunch at the Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel

Who doesn’t enjoy brunch, especially in a pretty and pink place? The Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel isn’t only a fantastic place to stay, but they also boast of being one of the best brunch spots in the city.

You’ll have a wonderful experience with a smorgasbord of local dishes and even Sunday Jazz Brunch if you go on a relaxing weekend!

4. Head to the Restaurant Row

If you’re a foodie out for an adventure your stomach will thank you for, then check out Restaurant Row, which is at the southern end of 47^th street.

As you can expect, you can feast in many of the best restaurants and trendiest cafes in the city, such as Catrin, Oliva Enoteca, Baretto Espresso Bar, Micaela Mar y Lena, Menta y Rosa, and many more! The octopus dish that we had in Micaela is one of the best dishes we’ve had during our stay!

5. Check Out Monumento a la Patria

Paseo Montejo has several monuments to admire, which you’ll find in the middle of the street. Its most famous is the Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Mother/Fatherland), located at the northern end of Montejo.

Unlike all the other monuments, you can go right up to this one to check out the details! On the Monumento a la Patria, you’ll find more than 300 figures, hand-carved by Colombian sculptor Rómulo Rozo.

This monument chronicles hundreds of years of Mexican history, from the establishment of Tenochtitlan (present-day Mexico City), through the mid-20th century. There’s also several figures that spotlight the Yucatan’s Mayan culture, including a Chacmool (god of rain) sculpture and more.

If you can’t make it during the day, the Monumento a la Patria is also beautiful at night. This monument gets lit up with beautiful multi-colored lights after the sun goes down.

6. Explore Merida’s Centro Historico

There’s so much to see and do in Merida’s Centro Historico. One of the best things to do is really just walk around with no agenda. Merida is a beautiful, colorful city, with Colonial architecture and an overall cool vibe.

The colorful walls make it the perfect backdrop for Instagram photos!

7. Enjoy Lunch at Manjar Blanco

Does this restaurant’s name ring a bell? Oh, that’s right, it was featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, and for many great reasons! They offer traditional Yucatan food made by hand, serving up the best cochinita pibil tacos in the city. Besides that, you must also try their famous house specialty, the queso relleno nengro.

8. Take a Free Walking Tour of Merida 

For a more structured look at the city, take the free walking tour. The Merida Tourism Office offers daily, one-hour, free walking tours to show visitors the highlights of downtown. The tours begin at 9:30am, and depart from the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace) in Plaza Grande.

Tip: Tour guides all speak English. Though free, it is customary to tip at the end of this tour; consider a gratuity of at least $100 pesos ($5USD/€4) per person.

9. Head to Plaza Grande (Main Plaza/Central Square)

This is the main plaza, also known as the zocalo of Merida. In the center of all Mexican towns, you’ll find a zocalo, where the main church is, as well as many of the city’s notable buildings and a park to hang out in.

This is also called Plaza Grande.

In Merida’s Plaza Grande, you’ll find the San Ildefonso Catedral. San Ildefonso Catedral is the oldest church on the Americas Continent, and the sign spelling out Merida’s name.

These large, colorful letter signs are found in many of Mexico’s well-known cities and towns.

Here, you’ll also find some of Merida’s prettiest colonial buildings, including the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace). This green building houses government offices, as well as beautiful murals painted by Yucatan artist, Fernando Castro Pacheco, that depict the area’s history.

10. Get a BiciRuta Merida Bike Ride for FREE!

BiciRuta translates to “bike route,” and you can enjoy taking a tour along the Paseo Montejo for free every Sunday morning from 8AM to 12NN.

This is a popular activity in the city because of the free bike rentals, perfect for fitness junkies who want to burn some calories while exploring the city before a sumptuous lunch.

11. Relax in Merida’s Parks

Merida has several parks downtown that are both pretty and make a nice place to take a break from walking around. If you want to check out a traditional mercado (market) to sample some street food, head to Parque Santa Ana, where you can eat in the park.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to take a photo on the large, white Tú y Yo (You and I) “kissing chairs” in Parque Santa Lucia. Not far from here, check out Parque Hidalgo and Parque de la Madre.

12. Check out Casa Tho

Casa Tho is named after the Mayan name of Merida, which is T’hō. As you can see, it’s an Instagrammable location where you can enjoy a lazy stroll, buy cool products in one of their boutique shops, or have a snack when you’re feeling a bit puckish before dinner.

Merida is also known as La Ciudad Blanca or The White City. This is from using tons of white limestone and paint. A visit to Casa Tho will give you a sample of the white interiors that Merida was known for!

13. Snap Photos of the El Pinar House

Unfortunately, no one is allowed to enter the El Pinar, which translates to The Pine Grove. It’s too bad because it’s an Instagram-worthy French-style mansion filled with color and classic architecture. Because it’s privately owned, the best you can do is to take a few photos to look back to and show to your loved ones!

14. Visit the Museums and Art Exhibits

The largest museum in Merida is the Casa Museo Montejo (Montejo House Museum). Entry is free to check out the rotating art exhibits of mostly classical art. Apart from this, you also have a range of other art galleries in Merida.

Right next to the cathedral in Plaza Grande, you’ll find the Pasaje a la Revolución (Revolution Passageway), a walkway with a changing lineup of large-scale art installations by Mexican and international artists. The Fernando García Ponce-Macay Museum is next to this walkway, and features works by Mexico’s contemporary and modern artists.

There’s also the Fundación de Artistas (Artist’s Foundation), a hybrid museum-shop-cafe, featuring unique pieces by local artists and a Mediterranean-style outdoor cafe. The Artist’s Foundation is slightly off the beaten path but provides the perfect place to shop for local art.

Though not located downtown, Merida’s largest museum is the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (Mayan World Museum). You’d have to take an Uber or taxi to this one, but this gorgeous, contemporary building houses Merida’s largest collection of Mayan artifacts.

12. Shop Till You Drop at Downtown Merida

If you’re looking to take some souvenirs home with you, head to La Casa de Los Artesanos (The House of Artists), considered the best artisanal shop in downtown Merida. There’s also Artesanaria and the Miniaturas Folk Art, where you’ll find smaller art pieces.

Want to shop where the locals do? Check out the Bazaar de Artesanías and Bazaar García Rejón. Note these are local markets, meaning they won’t be super fancy, and many people won’t speak English, though they will have genuine products and offer an authentic experience.

The Coqui Coqui Perfumeria is a unique Merida store where you can create your own perfume in a beautiful setting. If you’re curious about traditional Yucatan cacao and chocolate, buy some at Ki’Xocolatl, located in Parque Santa Lucia.

13. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Downtown Merida

High atop many lists of best places to eat in Merida, is La Chaya Maya. This restaurant is gorgeous and offers traditional Yucatecan foods; don’t forget to say muchas gracias to the women outside hand-making your delicious tortillas.

Looking for a smaller meal? Check out Los Platos Rotos De Frida (The Broken Plates of Frida Kahlo) and Alma Calm (Calm Soul). Though not a traditional Yucatan food, those needing a taco fix can head to Los Trompos to sample Mexico’s famous tacos al pastor. There are a variety of different types of tacos so chose your pick!

When it comes to nighttime dinner spots, 500 Noches in Parque Santa Lucia and Bikiak Enoteca Gastro Bar are great options. Mercado 60 is a fun food hall that comes alive at night with its hip atmosphere, funky decor, and live music.

14. Check out the Slow Food Market

The Slow Food Market is a weekly street market filled with a lot of organic produce, along with freshly baked bread you can enjoy for breakfast. You may even find a few artisan products to your liking as a souvenir. 

We would go here during the weekends to buy some homemade bread as well as tortillas! They also have a lot of edible items up for sale.

15. Watch Pok Ta Pok

Pok Ta Pok is an ancient Mayan ball game the locals have been playing for centuries. If you visit Chichen Itza, you’ll be able to see the largest Pok Ta Pok ball court in the world. It’s worth visiting the site, as it’s deemed one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and where you can see the best of the ancient Maya city.

You can even watch a reenactment of the ballgame (without sacrifices involved) every Wednesday night starting at 8PM. It’s a great way to learn more about the Mayan culture. 

16. Discover the Magic Town

Izamal is also called the pueblo magico (magic towns) or the Yellow City, and once you head to the area, you can see why. The whole of its downtown is painted yellow, being one of the only monochromatic cities on the planet.

It’s a small place and makes a great day trip as you can walk around the entire area in under two hours!

17. Shop in the Merida en Domingo Sunday Market

Sundays are one of the best days in Merida, especially when you’re in Plaza Grande. The streets are closed off to cars and the entire area transforms into a fun fair and street market filled with vendors selling traditional Mayan handicrafts and souvenirs.

You may even catch a Vaquería folkloric dance show and Boda Mestiza, where locals reenact a traditional wedding ceremony so you can see what the Mayan culture is like.

18. Learn Traditional Yucatecan Cuisine

The Merida Gastronomy Museum is perfect for foodies. It’s both a restaurant and museum where you can sample the best Yucatan foods like the ipoc chuc, sopa de lima, cochinita pibil, and more.

As you wait for your food, you can take a museum tour to learn all about the cuisine and how these infamous dishes are made. You can even view the museum’s recreation of a traditional village with their kitchens back in the day of an ancient Maya city.

19. Enjoy the Symphony at the Teatro Peon Contreras

Not only does Merida offer a feast for the eyes and stomach, but the ears as well. You can watch a live performance in the Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, which is Merida’s oldest theater. It was designed by Italian architects, inspired by grand European theaters from the 19^th century.

The Yucatan Symphony Orchestra would perform here when in season, and if you’re visiting at the time, you must witness their show!

20. Visit the Beautiful Merida Arches

There are three Merida arches that continue to stand today, while the other five have fallen throughout the years. They are breathtaking and worth taking photos of, admiring the design and strength as you go.

Imagine the things these arches have witnessed in the past centuries when the ancient Maya city was alive! Afterward, you can continue walking to see so many other tourist attractions and beautiful sights. 

21. Bar Hopping

No one can say no to drinks and fun nightlife! While many cantinas would close by 8PM, you can find other bars that stay open until much later, such as La Negrita and Dzalbay.

You can also explore the other bars to try their refreshing drinks and yummy snacks, like the Mayan Pub, Pipiripau, Malahat, and more! 

Dzalbay is a local jazz club which we frequented and is a must visit when you’re in town. Apart from this, Merida also has a ton of great mezcalerias and speak easys!

22. Enjoy a Day Trip to Mayapan and Cenotes Homun

Now, this is one of the most majestic sites you will ever see! The Mayapan area is filled with stunning monuments that actually built the Mayan culture. Here, you can learn so much more about Mayan history and even bathe in the cenotes.

23. Check Out Celestun

Take a day trip to Celestun, a fishing village in the west of Merida. The area is in the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a natural reserve and feeding site for pink flamingos.

If you go at the right time, you can see so many pink flamingos while enjoying your time exploring the recovered mangroves. 

Best Day Trips from Merida

Want to get out of the city for a day? There are many great options for Merida day trips. 

From cenotes to swim in, and haciendas to explore, to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and even one of the Seven Wonders of the World, there’s something for everyone with Merida’s day trip options.

Merida Cenotes

Never heard of a cenote? In a nutshell, they are swimmable sinkholes with freshwater — that also happen to be gorgeous. These natural pools are found in only a few places on Earth, with the largest concentration of about 6,000 in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

There are companies in downtown Merida that offer tours to the cenotes, as they are often found in rural areas you’d need a car to access. The tours often go to the Houman cenotes, a group of cenotes in the nearby city of Houman.

Cenote X’Batun is about 45-minutes from Merida by car. There are two cenotes here, one above ground and one underground and inside a cave.

As cenotes are sinkholes, they were once totally encased in the native limestone. Over time, the rock has eroded to reveal the water beneath. Depending on how much limestone has fallen away, some cenotes are completely above ground, and some are accessed by entering a cave; these are known as underground cenotes. 

If you’re looking for just an above-ground experience, Cenote Ik-Kil and Cenote Oxman are two of the best known. For an underground experience, head to Cenote Suytun. Note that to get to these three cenotes, some of the most famous in the Yucatan, you’d need a car.

A cenote tour can be a great way to visit more than one cenote. This tour, which uses public transportation like the public minivan and 4-seater motorbikes, will take you to three cenotes and you’ll end the day with a local lunch. 

If you want a more in-depth guide, check out our post on the best Merida Cenotes

Beaches Near Merida

Puerto Progreso is the closest beach to Merida at about 30-45 minutes away. You can get there by car or on the Auto Progreso, a luxury bus that goes to/from Progreso all day. This town is a stop for several cruises, so it does have a big of a party vibe, especially when the ships dock.

Looking for a more laid back beach day? Sisal, San Crisanto and Chelem have beautiful, calm beaches, a few seafood cafes, and little else. All are located within about an hour of Merida.

Haciendas Near Merida

The grounds of the 18th century Hacienda Mucuyche have been kept in a semi-ruin state, but that’s just part of its appeal. Head here to tour the hacienda estate, and then cool off in the two cenotes here, Cenote Carlota and Cenote Azul Maya.

Located in a more remote part of the Yucatan, Hacienda Yaxcopoil was built way back in about 1650. It has been fully restored, and is known as one of the most beautiful haciendas near Merida.

The inside of the main house is basically a museum showcasing how Merida’s wealthy class lived. Outside, walk the gardens and grounds and head to the Machine House to see the large-scale machinery used to make Merida’s most lucrative export, sisal, a thick plant fiber used for rope twine.

About 30-minutes from Merida, the 17th century Hacienda Santa Cruz is the perfect place to see a traditional hacienda, eat brunch overlooking the beautiful grounds and have a spa day. After enjoying your meal, head to the spa for a massage, facial, and traditional Mexican temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremony.

Visiting Tulum sometime soon? Check out this article on the Best Time to Go to Tulum!

Mayan Ruins Near Merida

The most well-known Mayan ruin site is, of course, Chichen Itza. As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, about 2.5 million people visit each year. It is located about 1.5 to 2 hours from Merida, and easily accessible by car and bus. You can also opt for a full-day tour.

The second most visited site is Uxmal. Like Chichen Itza, this is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and located about 1.5 to 2 hours from Merida. Though Chichen Itza is the obvious choice, many say Uxmal provides a more authentic experience because it’s further off the tourist radar.

Those driving to Uxmal can also explore the entire Ruta Puuc (Puuc Route), a 19-mile drive with a total of five sites to explore. Besides Uxmal, there’s Labna, Kabah, Sayil, and Xlapak, which all have similar carved stone buildings.

For a guided experience, check out this full-day tour of Uxmal and Kabah.

Short on time? Head to the Dzibilchaltun (pronounced zee-bee-shall-tune), the closest ruins to Merida. Though small, this site also has a museum and Cenote Xlach to swim in after exploring the ruins.

For a full guide on the best Mayan Ruins in Mexico, check out our article.

Is Merida, Mexico Safe?

The short answer is yes. Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula are considered very safe areas of Mexico. In fact, Merida consistently ranks as one of the safest cities on the Americas Continent. 

Following general safety guidelines — don’t wear flashy jewelry, don’t carry around wads of cash, be alert of your surroundings, listen to your intuition above all, don’t walk alone at night, etc. — will surely suffice on your Merida vacation. 

Though English is widely spoken within city limits, once you venture out off the beaten path and into the pueblos (small towns), you’ll find less and less English. It is both good for safety and good travel etiquette to learn some basic Spanish before you visit Mexico.

After living in Merida for over two months, we can definitely say that it is an extremely safe city even for solo female travelers and families!

Related: Is Tulum safe to visit and is Playa Del Carmen safe to visit?

Where to Stay in Merida

Merida, especially for first-time visitors, really boils down to two places you’d want to stay in: Centro Historico (historic downtown) and Paseo de Montejo (Montejo Street/Walkway). Both of these areas have plenty of hotel, hostel, and Airbnb options, lots of things to do and see, restaurants, cafes and bar options, and walkability.

Anywhere on a map within Colonia Centro (downtown) should be a good choice for lodging For Paseo de Montejo, anywhere within 5 to 6 blocks of that street makes for a good, safe choice. 

Here are a couple of our top recommendations.

NH Collection Merida Paseo Montejo

This hotel offers accessibility as it’s close to the city center and filled with fantastic amenities and cozy rooms to relax in.

Casa del Balam

This lovely hotel is set in a restored museum, donning classical yet modern designs from the lobby to their charming rooms.

Hotel Caribe Merida Yucatan

The Hotel Caribe Merida Yucatan is strategically located in central Merida, a mere three-minute walk from the main square and its many shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. 

Hotel Merida

Hotel Merida is in the heart of Merida, known for its colonial-style architecture that has you feeling like you went back in time! 

El Palacio Secreto

This boutique hotel was one of the nicest places we stayed at when we were in Merida. Fantastic location and amazing staff!

Whatever area you choose, make sure to always check ratings before booking.

Prefer to go the Airbnb route? Merida has some awesome, stylish Airbnbs for a great stay. Check out the best Merida Airbnbs here!

Merida Mexico FAQ

This post was originally written by Shelley Marmor but has since been updated by the Adventure in You team.

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Headed to Mexico? Check out our guides:

• Mexico Travel Tips
• Tulum Cenotes
• Things to Do in Riviera Maya
• Playa del Carmen vs Cancun

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