Merida, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, offers a splendid winter getaway. With its delightful weather and relaxed ambiance, it serves as an excellent alternative to the bustling atmosphere of Cancun. The city’s main square, particularly vibrant on weekends, hosts an expansive outdoor market featuring unique gifts and delicious street food—don’t miss trying the elotes, one of my personal favorites.
As the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida boasts stunning colonial architecture and an abundance of live music across numerous restaurants. While there are many activities to enjoy inside the city and its surroundings, the following highlights are particularly recommended for first-time visitors.
Accommodation Options
Merida offers a variety of lodging options, ranging from well-known hotels such as the Holiday Inn to boutique establishments like Hotel Boutique Real San Juan , where I personally stayed. Additionally, numerous excellent AirB&bs are available, many of which feature private pools.
Optimal Visiting Period
For an ideal experience, consider visiting between January and March. During this time, temperatures typically hover in the 80s with plenty of sunshine. The summer months can become intensely hot and humid, while fall marks hurricane season, making winter the prime time to escape colder climates.
Traveling to Merida
Travel options to Merida include various direct flights, although most travelers will connect through Mexico City. That airport is quite accessible, but be sure to allow extra time for customs clearance.
Transportation Options within the City
In Merida, travelers have a variety of transportation choices for exploring the city and its surroundings.
Rental Car
Renting a car in Merida is quite affordable, and I recommend using Discover Cars . This service collaborates with local rental companies and often provides insurance coverage. It is important to note that your credit card may not suffice; local liability insurance is mandatory, which is conveniently included in Discover Cars rentals.
While this option may not be the most sustainable, it is remarkably convenient.
Bus Service
Public transportation in the area is continuously improving. A bus service from the airport to downtown Merida costs just over $2. Upon arrival, head to the ADO counter to purchase your ticket, and the bus will be waiting just outside the terminal.
Additionally, buses are available to destinations such as Celestun, though the journey can take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours due to numerous stops and occasional scheduling irregularities.
Ride-sharing with Uber
Using the Uber app in Merida provides an economical and reliable transportation alternative without the concern of taxi overcharging. While Uber can take you to most locations, some sights, including Uxmal, may be more challenging to reach via this service.
Taxi Services
Though taxis are readily available, be cautious as they may take advantage of tourists. If you opt for a taxi, ensure that you select one equipped with and using a meter.
Guided Tours
One of the most straightforward and enjoyable ways to experience the surrounding area is by taking a guided group or private tour. Choosing a private tour offers the benefits of a flexible schedule and the ability to customize the itinerary. It is advisable to arrange your tours in advance, as they can fill quickly, and you won’t want to miss the chance to see flamingos or swim in a cenote.
Recommended Dining Venues
Merida boasts a plethora of culinary delights, ranging from food stalls and street vendors to upscale dining establishments. For a local favorite like elote, the food stalls near the main square are unbeatable on weekends.
Some notable dining recommendations include Gorditos, El Trapiche, Picheta, Las Chaya Maya, and especially El Nuevo Tucho for its fresh ceviche and live music.
Must-See Attractions
Visit Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza stands as one of the most frequented archaeological sites in the region. Being closer to Cancun, it tends to attract larger crowds annually compared to Uxmal. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is indeed impressive, albeit more commercialized due to the high volume of visitors. Many tour operators provide day trips to this location, with no clear standout among them.
Discover Uxmal and Kabah
In my view, Uxmal and Kabah are the highlights of the archaeological sites worth exploring. Kabah offers an intimate atmosphere, ideally suited for those seeking solitude. While visiting, I encountered only one other couple, enhancing the experience of this remarkable site. Although local guides can provide deeper insights into the Mayan ruins, the available signage effectively communicates the history of the region’s inhabitants.
Uxmal, a larger archaeological site, attracts approximately 300,000 visitors annually. While this is significantly lower than Chichen Itza’s millions, Uxmal allows visitors to get closer to the ruins, all of which are exceptionally well preserved. During my visit, I was captivated not only by the ruins but also by the playful spiny-tailed iguanas that darted around, almost as if they were the guardians of these ancient structures.
Explore Celestun and Experience its Flamingos
Celestun is an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxed beach atmosphere combined with rich wildlife experiences in the biosphere reserve. It ranks among the top day trip attractions from Merida. My time there was truly enjoyable.
Opt for a boat ride to observe the pink flamingos, especially if you visit between December and March during their migration season. The tour also takes you through the mangroves, where you can experience mud baths reputed for their healing properties.
If you wish to explore further, consider a kayaking option. While direct tour arrangements from Merida are limited, this mode of exploration allows for a deeper investigation of the mangroves and wildlife, which may be preferable for those wishing to spend more time in Celestun.
Experience the Magic of Cenotes
The Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its cenotes—natural pools formed by limestone among interconnected underground rivers. There are various styles of cenotes, including fully enclosed, partially covered, and those that are entirely open.
The highest concentration of cenotes is found in Homun. I recommend visiting the Santa Barbara area, which features four different cenotes showcasing all three types. Access to these cenotes can be achieved via taxi (least desirable), rental car, or tour.
Additional Suggestions
The Chocolate Museum is typically included in tours to Kabah and Uxmal along with a cenote located on an abandoned hacienda. However, during our private tour (costing 3500 pesos for two people), we chose to instead visit the Santa Barbara cenotes in Homun. Other travelers have reported that the Chocolate Museum is certainly worth a visit, though the cenote they encountered was disappointing.
Final Thoughts
The vibrant architecture, rich culture, delectable cuisine, and the breathtaking beauty surrounding Merida make it an appealing destination. With so much to discover both within the city and the nearby areas, a stay of at least a week is advisable to fully appreciate this enchanting locale. Consider relaxing in Celestun for a few days, and perhaps even journeying four hours to Tulum to see various wildlife reserves. You will not be disappointed.
If you are interested in exploring other sustainable travel options, consider reviewing my post on the top 5 sustainable destinations to visit in 2025.
