Mérida (Mexico)

The capital and largest city of Yucatán state, Mérida is a city of contrasts. You will find elegant hotels, restaurants and malls in the northern part of the city. Downtown, there are hotels and restaurants to suit every budget. A large central market and numerous small shops are found all around the main plaza. Mérida has a rich cultural life which also reflects its diversity. Many free concerts, performances and other events are held daily.
The city was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in the 1540s on top of a centuries-old Maya city called T'ho. The palatial home of the family of conquistador leader Montejo can still be seen on the south side of the Zócalo or main square. Here and there bits of ancient Maya stonework can be seen reused in Spanish Colonial era buildings in the old part of town.
From the later 1800s to the 1920s, Mérida enjoyed prosperous boom times fueled by the henequen or sisal plant harvest, which made Yucatán the rope maker to the world. Progressive Mérida had electric trams and street lights before Mexico City. The wealthy constructed the grand Pasejo Montejo avenue north of the old town, inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris. With the development of artificial twines the sisal boom ended, and Mérida slowed to a more sleepy provincial capital until development picked back up in the late 20th century.
The city's ambiance is colonial and the climate is tropical. The daytime temperature varies; in January, it is about 24°C (75°F) and in June, about 35°C (95°F). To beat the heat, most people are busiest in the mornings. They have lunch and siesta, then go back to work for a few hours in the late afternoon. The cool breezes from the Gulf of Mexico drift into Mérida in the evenings and this is when many of the residents spend their time outdoors. You can see them visiting and talking as they stroll along the streets, sit in the plazas or dine in the many sidewalk restaurants.
From Mérida, it is easy to take day trips to a vast array of destinations: archaeological sites, ecological parks, typical villages, caves, beaches, colonial missions and more. Take your time and really explore the Maya sites, walk for miles along the Gulf of Mexico, attend a village festival, photograph the wildlife, crawl through a cave or swim in a cenote.

• Tourist InformationThe city maintains several tourist information offices, all of which can offer helpful information on accommodation, free maps, and bus connections. All offices also have free copies of Yucatan Today, a helpful weekly Spanish-English publication listing all events in the city and the surrounding region.

• City Hall Information Center

  phone: +52 999 942 0000 x80119
  address: Calle 62 between 61 and 63

• Paseo de Montejo Information Module

  phone: +52 999 920 4044
  address: Ave Paseo de Montejo 56A x 33A

By plane

• Manuel Crescencio Rejón International AirportNon-stop air service is available from all regions of Mexico including regional flights from Cancun and Cozumel in the Yucatan Peninsula with the following airlines: Sala A - Concourse A: AeroMar, Republic Airlines for American Eagle, Aeromexico/Aeromexico Connect, Blue Panorama, United, Westjet (Seasonal). Sala B - Concourse B: Interjet, Mayair, Magnicharters, TAR, Tropic Air, VivaAerobus, Volaris. The only regular international air services offered are from Belize City (Tropic Air); Houston, Havana, Miami and Milan (Blue Panorama). Seasonally from Toronto.

A taxi stand with fixed rates is just outside the baggage claim; pay the fare beforehand at a booth. ADO also have a stop in the island in front of the arrivals doors for a direct bus to Hotel Fiesta Americana and CAME (two separate routes). For a cheaper and frequent option, 79 Aviación (Rt#132) bus makes a round trip from the airport to Calle 60 at 69 in the city center. From the airport you will have to go out to the main road (Calle 23). The bus will be going towards the northwest or the right along Calle 23 and than a right turn or NE on Hwy 261 (Uman-Merida) where the official bus stop is at. You can also hail the bus along Calle 23. From the city center the bus picks up along Calle 69 between 60 & 70 This bus passes by CAME & TAME bus stations and Parque San Juan. The bus departs every 15 - 30 minutes until 21:00, and costs around M$8 (pesos).
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the next nearest airport for a wider range of domestic and international flights. From Cancun International Airport, Grupo ADO offer direct bus service to Merida 2-4x daily (4 hr) or rent a car and drive over along Hwy 180D (3 hr). At other times take a more frequent bus from Cancun International Airport to the downtown Cancun bus station and transfer to another bus to Merida.

By bus

There are several bus stations in Mérida; most visitors will arrive at either the first or second-class stations by an ADO bus. If coming from Cancún (4 hours), Playa del Carmen, the airport (both in Cancun & Merida) and Villahermosa with ADO here are two alternate stations. One at and the other in . Of the two, Hotel Fiesta is in a better location next to several major hotels and near the US consulate north of downtown Mérida while the Altabrisa location is further out in the northeastern suburbs of Altabrisa. The Hotel Fiesta Americana and CAME (see below) are the closest bus stations to downtown:

• Mérida Central de Autobuses (CAME)

  phone: +52 999 920 4444
  address: Calle 70 No 555 btwn 69 & 71
  Mérida's first class bus station is centrally located, and most regional and long-distance travel buses pass through this station. Longer distance buses travel to Cancun, the airport (both in Cancun & Merida); Mexico City (via Campeche, Palenque, Villahermosa) (with the least expensive ticket costing M$1,592) and Tuxtla_Gutiérrez (via Campeche, Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas); Chetumal and Belize City (once nightly). If coming from Mexico City's TAPO station you will need to ask to go to the CAME station.

Lines served include ADO, ADO GL, ADO Platino, and OCC lines. ADO Platino is the highest class of service with free instant coffee packs in the back with hot water along with your choice to choose a single seat by yourself on the left side of the bus, and TVs on the back of every seat allowing you to choose an array of movies and TV shows, some even in English. ADO GL is a step down without the extras but some more legroom than the regular ADO buses.

• Terminal de Autobuses Mérida (TAME)

  phone: +52 999 924 0830 x2909
  address: Calle 69 No 554 btwn 68 and 70
  Mérida's main second class bus station has service to/from most of the same destinations as the CAME station, except that buses stop more frequently at many of the small towns midway and anywhere along the road on request. The routes are operated by OCC, Mayab, ATS, Oriente, and TRT bus lines. There are no second class buses from Mexico City, so travelers pinching their centavos will end up making multiple transfers in between Mexico City and Mérida. Clase Europea operates first class service between the second class terminal (TAME) and Chetumal via Jose M. Morelos and Bacalar along Hwy 184 & 293.

The following are other (second class) bus companies to the surrounding areas south of downtown with their own terminals at:

• AutoCentro

  phone: +52 999 923-9962
  address: Calle 46 No 517, por 65 y 67
  They have buses going towards Valladolid and Cancun with many stops along the way, including Tixkokob, and Izamal. Centro also have buses going to Motul on another route.

• Autobuses del Noreste en Yucatan

  phone: +52 999 924-6355
  address: Calle 67 No 551 btw 50 and 52
  Second class buses to various surrounding towns & villages in Yucatan and Campeche states such as Conkal, Ixil, Dzemul, Motul, Dzidzantún, Yobaín, Cansahcab, Suma de Hidalgo, Muxupip, Tekantó, Bokobá, Izamal, and more. They also offer service to Cancun as well.

• Terminal Auto-Progreso

  phone: +52 999 924 8991
  address: Calle 62 No 524, btw 65 and 67
  Regular and frequent buses up to Progreso along Hwy 261 with additional stops on request to pick up and let off passengers.

• Various taxis and vans

  address: Calle 69a entre 62 y 64
  Various vans & taxis going to/from surrounding villages & towns have stands along the streets surrounding Parque San Juan. In the villages and towns themselves they typically leave from the central plaza rather than a station on the edge of town.

The streets in most of the parts of interest to visitors are in a rough grid with numbers for street names. Even numbered streets run from north to south, with the numbers increasing as you go further west; odd numbered streets run from east to west, with the numbers increasing as you go further south. This makes it easy to tell how many blocks away from something you are (just remember to divide by two when counting blocks in the same direction). Addresses are commonly given as either intersections of two streets, or stated as on a street between two cross streets. For orientation in the old part of town, remember the Cathedral and Zócalo (main square) are at the corner of 60 and 61 ("Calle 60 x 61").

By foot

If staying in the older central part of town, many attractions and restaurants are within walking distance for those who don't much mind walking in the tropical climate.

By bus

Mérida is served by a sprawling network of privately-operated buses with service to the outlying suburbs. Most routes radiate outward from a 4-block area east of the Zócalo, on Calles 56 and 58 between Calles 59 and 63. Destinations of routes are painted on the windshields; if in doubt you can always ask the bus driver. For visitors the most useful routes will be those heading up Paseo de Montejo from the centro – these depart from , and will have 'Paseo de Montejo' and/or 'Altabrisa' marked on their windshields.
Most bus stops are not marked, but many buses can be hailed from points along the route. To get off, simply say (or yell) 'baja!', and the driver will pull over at the next opportunity. A single ride costs M$7 (no transfers); pay the bus driver directly on entering. Buses generally operate between 05:00-21:30 during the week, with less frequency on Sundays and holidays.
The Municipio de Mérida maintains a helpful webpage with a complete list of public bus stops in the Centro. Travelers wanting a more comprehensive route map can purchase a Guía de Transporte Mapa de Mérida from one of the newsstands located at the northwest and the southeast corners of the Zócalo for M$50.

By taxi

Taxis are numerous and reasonably priced. Most taxis do not use a meter, and it's best to agree on a fare before getting in. Taxis marked 'taximetro' use a meter and tend to cost a bit more – make sure that the driver does not switch the meter to the night ('noche') rate if you are traveling during the day.

By bicycle

Mérida is surprisingly bicycle-friendly outside of the centro. Bicycles can be rented from a number of shops.
On Sunday mornings the city holds the weekly Bici Ruta (literally Bicycle Route), when from 08:00-12:00 the entire lengths of Paseo de Montejo and Calle 60 are closed to motor vehicles. This popular event is open not only to cyclists, but to rollerbladers, skateboarders, runners, and those who simply want to enjoy a pleasant stroll with no noisy traffic. For those who don't own their own bicycles, they can be rented from a temporary (open Sundays only) near the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Monteo, as well as from Bici Merida (also on Paseo de Montejo, , M-Sa 09:00-22:00, Su 08:00-15:00).

By horse-drawn carriage

An especially note-worthy type of transport in Mérida is the calesa, a traditional horse-drawn carriage used continuously since colonial times. Carriages can be picked up along Calle 61 by 58 and 60 (on the north side of the cathedral), and head up Calle 60 and return down Paseo de Montejo. A typical tour lasts about 45 minutes and includes narration, costing about M$350.

By tour bus

• Turibus

  phone: +52 920 7636 (main), +52 999 277 0021 (mobile)
  address: Av Colón s/n x 62
  With the collaboration of the city of Mérida, Turibus operates a hop-on, hop-off bus service with two routes. The principal route includes sights in the Centro Histórico and heads down the Paseo de Montejo, with buses departing approximately every hour from in front of the cathedral in the Plaza Grande, as well as from the Holiday Inn Merida. A new secondary route passes through a few historic barrios; this bus also departs from the Plaza Grande. The total circuit requires 1 hour 45 minutes, and tickets can be reserved by email.

By rental car

Most major car rental companies maintain counters at the airport, and also have offices on the ground floor of the Hotel Fiesta Americana and/or in the centro. All rentals include mandatory liability insurance, but this may not always be included in quotes and may lead to confusion if you are shopping around.

• Mexico Rent A Car

  phone: +52 999 923 3637, +52 999 127 8556
  address: Calle 57A No 12, between 58 and 60
  A family-owned operation. The man and his super-friendly mother will tell you how to get out of town, and throw in some sightseeing tips.

There is much to see in Mérida, a city of a million inhabitants that is over 400 years old. Besides the Centro Histórico, where most tourist attractions are located, there are many charming neighborhoods, shopping malls and parks. Progreso and the Yucatán Gulf Coast are only thirty minutes away to the north.

Centro Histórico

Around the Plaza Grande

• Plaza GrandeIn pre-Hispanic times the center of the Mayan city of T'Hó, the central square is at the heart of the historic center of the city. It is surrounded by impressive buildings, most of them built from stones from the Mayan temples which originally stood here. The central park is a pleasant place in which to sit and people-watch, as it is a favorite meeting place of locals, tourists, street performers, and vendors.

• Catedral de San IdelfonsoThis is the first cathedral built in the Americas and the oldest in Mexico, built on the site of the Mayan temple Xbac-Luum-Chaan. The temple stones were incorporated into the new building, and a number of original Mayan carvings are still visible on the church walls. Construction began in 1561 and was completed in 1599, except for the bell tower, which was finished 200 years later in 1774. The building is rather austere in style, partly due to its Franciscan design, and partly due to looting during the Mexican revolution.
  The stations of the cross in the interior on the side naves are particularly noteworthy, as is the painting above a door depicting the baptism of the Mayan ruler of Maní.
  An additional item of interest on the left side is the so-called El Cristo de las Ampollas ('The Christ of the Blisters') located in a side chapel. In 1645 this wood carving was brought from the village of Ichmul, after it miraculously survived a fire which had destroyed the village church. The original was destroyed during the revolution, but the devout still come to pray at the replica.

• Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Arteneo de Yucatán

  phone: +52 999 928 3258
  address: Pasaje de la Revolución entre 58 y 60
  Housed in the former bishop's palace, this museum has a permanent collection of sculptures and paintings by the most well-known artists from the state of Yucatán. Rotating exhibits of work by local artists are also on display.

• Casa de los Montejo

  phone: +52 999 923 0633 x25565
  address: Calle 63 No 506
  The 1549 palace of Montejo the Conquistador – his descendents lived here until as recently as 1978. Although the building was extensively remodeled in 1850, some of the original architectural features remain. The ground floor has been converted to commercial use (a Banamex bank with handy ATMs), but the restored interior of the building is open to visitors during banking hours. If you miss an opportunity to have a look inside, the elaborate facade on the outside is alone worth the visit. Elements of the facade include the Montejo family coat of arms, as well as figures of Spanish Conquistadors standing on the heads of conquered native Maya – a graphic illustration of the new order the Conquest imposed.

• Palacio Municipal

  phone: +52 999 942 0000
  address: Calle 62 x 61 y 63
  Mérida's red city hall, easily spotted by its distinctive clock tower, was built in 1735. From this building in 1821 the Republic of Yucatán declared independence from Spain.

• Palacio del GobiernoThis lovely colonial palace was built in 1892 in the Neoclassical style, with a large couryard and impressive staircase. Upstairs there is a permanent exhibit of paintings by the painter Fernando Castro Pacheco illustrating key events in the history of Mexico and of the Yucatán peninsula. The main balcony upstairs has a good view of the Zócalo and the cathedral.

Museums and galleries

• Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida

  phone: +52 999 923 6869
  address: Calle 56 No 529a entre 65 y 65a
  The Museum of the City of Mérida provides more evidence of the city's long history and rich culture. Admission is free, with guides who speak Spanish, English, and French. The museum has a very interesting permanent exhibit, as well as changing art exhibits upstairs. An added bonus is that the museum is just across the street from Mérida's central market, Mercado Lucas de Galvéz.

• Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatán

  phone: +52 999 928 5263
  address: Calle 50A No 487 x Calle 57
  Housed in an early 20th-century mansion, this museum showcases folk art, textiles, and household objects from Yucatán and across Mexico, with a permanent collection and rotating special exhibits. Highlights includes masks from the states of Guerrero, Morelos, and Oaxaca. There is also a small gift shop.

• Museo de la Canción Yucateca

  phone: +52 999 923 7224
  address: Calle 57 No 464 x 48
  This museum is dedicated to Yucatecan music and musicians.

• Galería Mérida

  phone: +52 999 924 0117
  address: Calle 59 No 452A x 54 y 52
  The largest private art gallery in Mérida, this gallery showcases local Yucatecan artists with rotating exhibits.

• Nahualli Casa de los Artistas

  phone: +52 999 928 6566
  address: Calle 60 No 405, entre 43 y 45
  Owned and operated by two internationally-exhibited Mexican artists, this gallery also offers frequent workshops in painting and sculpture.

• Casa Frederick Catherwood

  phone: +52 999 154 5565
  address: Calle 59 No 572 entre 72 y 74
  In the 1840s English architect and artist Frederick Catherwood joined American explorer John Lloyd Stephens on an expedition across the Yucatán and Central America in search of Mayan ruins. In addition to illustrating Stephens' subsequently published travel journal, Catherwood published a collection of his remarkable lithographs in an edition of 300. Casa Catherwood does not have a direct historic connection with the artist, but does have the only complete collection of his lithographs on display in Mexico, located in a gallery on the upper floor. The building also houses a bed and breakfast and café.

Religious buildings and architecture

• Iglesia de Jesús

  phone: +52 999 924 9712
  address: Calle 60
  This church was built in 1618 as part of a Jesuit college once covering an entire city block – only the church survives today. It was built with stone from an earlier Mayan temple; these carved stones can be seen on the west wall.

• Iglesia de Santa Lucía

  address: Calle 60 x 55
  This was built in 1575 by the merchant D. Pedro Garcia. In 1871 the park of the same name was opened to the public, and the door arches embellished. The obelisk dedicated to General Sebastian Molas was added in 1887.

• Iglesia de San CristóbalThis is the newest church in the centro, with construction begun in 1756 and completed in 1796. Of particular interest is the distinctive scalloped vaulting over the main entrance, as well as a wall-top defensive walkway surrounding the building, used for surveillance in case of revolt. An annual procession takes place here on 12 December in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

• Ermita de Santa Isabel

  address: Calle 66 x 79
  This church was built in the 18th century, and although it hasn’t been well maintained it is worth a visit for the baptismal font as well as the painting of St. Anthony, located in a small niche. The charming garden with small chapel is also worth seeing.

• Estación del Ferrocarriles

  address: Calle 55 No 435 between 48 and 46
  Since passenger rail services had stopped in 1997, this neo-Colonial building has been renovated and now houses an art institute. It is one of the best preserved buildings of its kind and is for this reason worth seeing. The ornate architectural details reflect Moorish influences, and the central tower is especially noteworthy.

• Arches of MéridaIn 1690 a number of arches were built to demarcate the boundaries of the Centro Histórico. All arches share a similar style and are unique in Mexico. Three remain standing today.

• Arco de San Juan

  address: Calle 64 x 69
  This once marked the beginning of the road from Mérida to Campeche. Of the remaining arches, this is the largest and best preserved.

• Arco del Puente

  address: Calle 63 x 50
  Topped by a stone cross, this was named after an earlier bridge situated here, used in times of seasonal flooding. Noteworthy are the doorways on either side of the arch, each of a different height.

• Arco de Dragones

  address: Calle 61 x 50
  Named for the adjoining former barracks of the Spanish regiment, this has a niche on top with a statue of St. Anthony.

Paseo de Montejo

A beautiful, tree-lined street, lined with houses developed by the henequen-industry barons. It's a great place to walk in the evening. Have a dish of ice cream, look at the renovated mansions – an especially interesting villa is the (No 473). A romantic treat is renting one of the horse-drawn carriages, called calesas, that will drive you up and down the grand boulevard. You can catch a calesa at the Plaza Grande and take a trip down Paseo de Montejo and back.

• Museo Regional de Antropología

  phone: +52 999 923 0557
  address: Paseo Montejo No 485
  The regional archaeology museum is housed in one of the grandest mansions from Mérida's boom time, showcasing ancient Maya artworks and artifacts, as well as temporary exhibits. Completed in 1914, the building originally served as the governor's mansion and is worth seeing in its own right.

• Quinta Montes Molina

  phone: +52 999 925 5999
  address: Paseo de Montejo No 469 entre 33 y 35
  Another of the Paseo's grandest old mansions is also a museum, still owned by the original family. 40-minute guided tours of the lavish interior can also be booked by appointment.

• Monumento a la PatriaThis monument was designed by the Colombian artist Rómulo Rozo and inaugurated in 1956, and is dominated by the 14-meter high stone figure of an indigenous man holding a flame. The structure has 31 columns, representing the 28 states of the Republic of Mexico, the 2 territories and the Federal District.

• Museo de las Ferrocarilles en Yucatán

  phone: +52 999 923 3073
  address: Calle 43 No 429, entre 48 y 46
  Rail buffs will love this mostly outdoor museum near the train station northeast of the Centro. Old locomotives and lots of quirky old rolling stock.

Outskirts

• Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

  phone: +52 999 341 0435
  address: Calle 60 Norte No 299 E
  Opened in 2012 and located in a building clearly inspired by the Beijing National Stadium (aka 'Bird's Nest'), the museum has a large permanent collection of Mayan artifacts as well as a number of interactive exhibits.

Cultural activities

The ayuntamiento (city hall) sponsors many cultural events during the week, free of charge. Almost every night visitors and residents alike can enjoy outdoor concerts or dances in one of the many downtown parks and squares. Sunday afternoons at the Plaza Grande (at and around the main square) are a particular treat, and perhaps the most charming time in Mérida. The streets around the square are closed to vehicles, and the locals dress up to go for strolls to see and be seen. Brass bands and dance orchestras hold free concerts, and couples dance – if you're not shy, consider joining in, or ask a local to teach you the steps to a local dance like the jarana. Street vendors sell a variety of refreshments.

• Centro Cultural Olimpio

  phone: +52 999 942 0000 x80121
  address: Calle 62 x 61
  A cultural center where dance performances are staged most evenings. Information on upcoming performances is available in the entrance. These performances are very popular – it is best to arrive early. Shortly before the performance people without tickets gather in a queue stretching sometimes to over 100m, in the hopes that paying audience members leave the performance early and thus vacate a seat.

• Teatro Peón Contreras

  phone: +52 999 928 3843
  address: Calle 60 s/n
  The city's grand opera house. The current structure was designed by a visiting Italian architect and opened in 1908 during the height of the boom times, replacing a less opulent earlier theater of the same name; it is still the largest theater on the Yucatán peninsula. The theater is the center of Mérida's high culture and in 2011 was recently renovated with a new stage and updated air conditioning. If opera, symphonies, and ballets aren't to your taste, the building is still worth a look for the impressive architecture. There is also a sizable art gallery downstairs with changing exhibits.

• Cairo Cinema Café

  phone: +52 999 926 5718
  address: Calle 20 No 98A x 15 y 17
  Independent movie theater, coffee shop and DVD rental store. They show movies from Thursday-Sunday at 19:00 and 21:00. You can have a beer or a glass of wine and a baguette while you're enjoying the screening.

Festivals

• Mérida FestSponsored by the city, this annual festival commemorates the founding of Spanish Mérida in January 1542. All arts are included, with many performers coming from across Mexico to participate. Most events are staged in open spaces and free to the public.

• Mérida y Yucatán Film Festival

  address: Calle 21 No. 117C por 24 y 24A (office)
  An annual weeklong festival devoted to Mexican as well as international cinema. Films are screened at several venues across Mérida.

• Carnaval de MéridaAn annual event with a week of celebrations leading to up to Fat Tuesday. Mérida has one of the five most important carnavals in Mexico.

• Festival de Aves Toh

  phone: +52 999 988 4437 x113
  Established in 2001, the festival sponsors a number of birdwatching and photography tours and workshops throughout the year, culminating in a marathon bird-count (Maratón Xoc ch'ich / Bird-a-thon) held in late November. The organization also maintains a list of qualified guides throughout the Yucatán peninsula.

Other activities

Those who have time to spend several months in Mérida, will also encounter many opportunities to become a volunteer – helping women, children, the disabled, the elderly, the sick and the illiterate. Places to volunteer include PPPN for helping disabled children and AFAD for helping unwanted dogs and cats find health and new homes.
If you are interested in learning Spanish, learning about Latin America and learning more about yourself in the process, Mérida is an excellent place to do so.

• Merida Gay Tours

  phone: +521999 350 5518
  address: Avenida Principal, Industrias No Contaminantes 12613, Hacienda Sodzil Nte., 97110 Mérida, Yuc
  Experiences for the Gay Traveler in the Yucatan. Merida Gay Tours offers experiences and tours around Yucatán for the gay community with a mix of nature, culture and fun with a selection of hot spots of the interest for the gay traveler.

Markets

• Mercado Lucas de Galvez

  address: Between Calle 65-67 at the intersection with Calle 54-56
  Large, crazy indoor market, with small stalls that sell everything from shoes to clothes to fruit and dead turkeys. The Lucas de Galvez market is on the north side with entrances on calle 65/65a with seafood, fruits, vegetables, candy and pets.

• Mercado San Benito

  address: Calle 69 x 54
  Adjoining Mercado Lucas de Galvez on the south size with entrances on Calle 54 is the newer San Benito market housing the meat hall, flowers, jewelry, and some spices. Truly a different experience for most travelers.

• Mercado Domingo

  address: Plaza Grande
  Held every Sunday in the main square, this weekly market is a good place to pick up traditional crafts and clothing, as well as local food items.

Crafts

There are hundreds of stores in downtown Mérida. In and around the Plaza Grande, the large plaza in the Centro directly across from the cathedral, it is common for street salesmen to engage passersby in friendly small talk, by telling them some historical facts about the surroundings. The conversation will quickly turn to recommendations of shops selling hammocks, guayaberas, handcrafts, jewelry, etc. The items sold in stores that use street salesmen to find customers tend to be highly overpriced. While there are honest and hardworking street salesmen, as a general rule, the best shopping strategy is to browse stores without the assistance of any street salesmen and to never allow a street salesman to bring you to a store. Since street salesmen work on commission, tourists are usually charged higher prices if they are brought into a store by a street salesman or other street guide.
Mérida is a great place to pick up a good quality hammock. However, be aware that many people selling hammocks in and around Mérida will try to get the highest price they can from a tourist. A good hammock costs between 300 and 800 pesos, not dollars. The tighter the weave, the better the hammock. You should always insist on unfolding and viewing a hammock before buying it.
There are plenty of hand-crafted things to buy in the shops along Calle 56A.

• Artesanias Bazar García Rejón

  address: Calle 65
  A collection of shops with Yucatecan handicrafts.

• Alma Mexicana

  phone: +52 999 923 4711
  address: Calle 54 No 476 x 55 y 57
  Mexican folk art and crafts. Lighting & furniture, home decor items, Day of the Dead art, retablos and ex-votos, saints and angels, beautiful jewelry, hand-woven bedspreads, designer leather handbags, cards and stationary, curios and unusual gifts.

• Casa de las Artesanías

  phone: +52 999 928 6676
  address: Calle 63 No 503 entre 64 y 66
  This is a government-operated shop selling a wide-range of handicrafts. If you are looking for high-quality, locally-made items, this is a good place to find them. Prices are fixed, no bargaining possible.

Traditional clothing

The Yucatán is also famous for its guayaberas, to the point that the shirts are also known as the camisa de Yucatán (the shirt of the Yucatán). Locally-made huipils, the traditional garment worn by Yucatecan women, and jipijapa hats (aka Panama hats) are also popular items for sale. As with hammocks, quality varies widely.
The street salesmen who offer to bring tourists to stores that sell traditional clothing almost always accompany or direct people to stores that offer the double whammy of low-quality guayaberas and huipils at high prices. (Most such salesmen work on commission, which explains their aggressiveness.)

• Guayaberas Presuel

  phone: +52 999 928 2622
  address: Pasaje Picheta, Calle 61 x 60 y 62
  Family-owned and one of the oldest and most respected outlets on the Yucatán — one that does not employ street salesmen. Known in Mérida for its own brand of high-quality guayaberas and huipils, it has three locations and counts members of the Mexican Supreme Court, telenovela actors, and other prominent people among its clientele. All outlets also sell Mexican handcrafts, jewelry, T-shirts, and other items. The owner of the store, Cristina, is the daughter of the company's founders and speaks fluent English.

• Camisería Canul

  phone: +52 999 923 5661
  address: Calle 62 No 484
  This shop sells high-quality custom-tailored guayaberas and huipiles.

Other items

Cuban cigars are also a common item being sold by street vendors, but beware: many if not most 'Cuban' cigars sold on the streets of Mérida are excellent fakes that are manufactured elsewhere in Mexico. True Cuban cigars can be found in Mérida, but they are sold mostly in non-tourist areas.

Street food

A range of street food is available, especially at , the central food market. This is also a good place to shop for local specialties, including queso mennonito, an unpasteurized cheese made in the nearby Mennonite community.
Near the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo, a family sells tamales every evening (and has been for decades). The tamales are cheap, fresh and absolutely delicious.
On Sunday afternoons the streets around the Plaza de la Independencia (Zócalo) are closed to vehicles, and the square comes alive with craft vendors as well as street food stands serving traditional Yucatecan dishes. Those vendors offering full meals have their own shaded outdoor seating available. Snacks can be enjoyed on the many benches in the plaza, which is also a great place for people-watching.
During the rest of the week, the has a good range of food stalls serving Yucatecan food, with shaded seating.

Budget

• Café Pop

  phone: +52 999 928 6163, +52 999 923 2341
  address: 57 x 60 y 62
  Small and clean but with personality, a favorite of the students of the University of Yucatan just around the corner as well as knowing visitors for generations. The menu offers a curious combination of Yucatecan specialties along with old style diner & soda-fountain treats. Breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner. In the same building as the larger and more upscale Portal del Peregrino.

• Casa Savia Vegetariano

  phone: +52 999 928 6673
  address: Calle 59 #451 x 52 x 54
  This restaurant specializes in vegetarian and vegan cuisine, with creative twists on traditional Yucatecan and Mexican dishes. All ingredients are organic and locally-sourced.

• El Cangrejito

  phone: +52 999 218 2291
  address: Calle 57 #523 between 64 and 66

• D'Al

  phone: +52 999 923 7012
  address: Calle 54 No. 454
  A wonderful local hangout for lunch, menu includes very inexpensive tasty fare, specialties are seafood & local cuisine. Try the shrimp cocktail, delicious. Great specials and soups.

• El Origen

  phone: +52 999 291 0914
  address: Calle 64 No. 557 x 69 y 71
  A small restaurant offering tasty, healthy comidas with vegetarian options, at a very economical price.

• Pizzeria La Fogatta

  phone: +52 999 923 2727
  address: Calle 59 No. 504 x 60 y 62
  One of the better pizza places in Mérida, this tiny place offers wood-fired thin-crust pizzas with creative Mexican twists on standard classics, with such toppings as jalapeños and avocados. They also serve sandwiches and salads.

• Restaurante El Trapiche

  phone: +52 999 928 1231
  address: Calle 62 No 491
  Good and cheap Mexican food, nice atmosphere, friendly staff. The daily comida is an especially good value.

• Taqueria Herrera

  address: Calle 65 between 54 and 56
  Excellent tortas, priced mostly at M$13.

• Wayan'e

  phone: +52 999 938 0676
  address: Circuito Colonias por 4-A 57-C
  A simple taqueria, extremely popular with locals.

Mid-range

• Cafetería Impala

  phone: +52 999 923 8196
  address: Paseo de Montejo 497
  A local institution since 1958, this is a great spot for late night dinners and drinks. Outdoor seating only.

• La Chaya MayaThis restaurant serves up traditional Yucatecan dishes, and is justifiably popular with both locals and tourists, with even several vegetarian options on the menu.

• La Chaya Maya Centro

  phone: +52 999 928 4780
  address: Calle 62 x 57
  The original location, and usually very busy, especially for Sunday comida.

• La Chaya Maya Casona

  phone: +52 999 928 4780
  address: Calle 55 x 60 y 62
  The newer, larger branch, located in a historic colonial mansion. The food is the same excellent quality, but the setting is more atmospheric with more tables available.

La Parrilla Mexican Grill

phone: +52 999 944 3999

address: Calle 30 No 87x17, Prolongación Montejo

A great outdoor restaurant. Be sure to have the Sopa de Lima, which is a chicken soup flavored with lime, a Yucatecan specialty.

Marlin Azul

phone: +52 999 260 2860

address: Calle 62

Restaurante Amaro

phone: +52 999 928 2451

address: Calle 59 No 507 x 62

Andrés Quintana Roo, the attorney and politician who helped draft Mexico's declaration of independence, was born in this colonial house in 1787. Today the building functions as a restaurant, with pleasant ambience in the courtyard and nightly live music. On offer are local specialities, crepes, and pizza, as well as a good selection of vegetarian dishes.

Restaurante Los Almendros

phone: +52 999 928 5459

address: Parque de la Mejorada

This restaurant serves traditional Yucatecan dishes in an informal setting.

Splurge

• Pancho's

  phone: +52 999 923 0942
  address: Calle 59 No. 504
  A steakhouse owned by the same father-son partners as Trotter's.

• Portal del Peregrino

  phone: +52 999 928 6163, +52 999 923 2341
  address: Calle 57 No 501 x 60 y 62
  European and Yucatecan fare in the historic centro.

• Rosas y Xocolate

  phone: +52 999 924 2992
  address: Calle Paseo de Montejo 480
  Serves fusion food with impeccable service.

• Slavia Bar-Restaurant

  phone: +52 999 926 6587
  address: Calle 29 x 58
  Serves fusion food.

• Trotter's

  phone: +52 999 927 2320
  address: Circuito Colonias
  An upscale steakhouse with English-speaking staff, owned by the same father-son duo as Pancho's.

Bakeries and desserts

• Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón

  phone: +52 999 928 1497
  address: Calle 61 No. 500
  Established in 1907, this family-run establishment specializes in delicious sorbets and meringue-filled pastries, perfect on a hot afternoon. Sorbets are in a slew of exotic flavors, including perennial favorites coconut, mango, pineapple, and limón. Outdoor seating is in a prime spot for people-watching.

• Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón Sucursal Montejo

  phone: +52 999 927 6443
  address: Calle 56A #474 x 41 y 39
  This second branch of the popular sorbetería offers the same array of flavors and has ample outdoor seating.

• Panificadora Montejo

  address: Prolongacion Paseo de Montejo s/n
  If you are walking along the Paseo de Montejo during the day, make sure to go to this traditional bakery. The baked goods are delicious.

Look for a drink called agua de chaya, often simply called 'chaya'. It's a cool, green, mildly sweet and very refreshing juice made by pressing a spinach-like vegetable.

• La Bierhaus

  phone: +52 999 928 0330
  address: Calle 62 No 487 x 57 x 59
  Serves a wide assortment of imported German and European beers as well as local Mexican brews, along with traditional German food. Patrons can sit indoors or outdoors in a Biergarten-style setting.

• El Gallito

  phone: +52 999 928 4770
  address: Calle 45 No 511-A x 62 y 60
  The long-established cantina serves a good selection of beers and very generous botanas (snacks), along with full meals.

• Hennessy's Irish Pub

  phone: +52 999 923 8993
  address: Paseo de Montejo at Calle 41
  A favorite with locals, expats and tourists. The restaurant has good food at reasonable prices, a full bar and, of course, Guinness beer. The two impossibly handsome owners are almost always on site and greeting customers. There are various distinct rooms, smoking and non-smoking, outdoors and air-conditioned. Something for everyone, and no need to dress up or make reservations.

• Mayan Pub

  phone: +52 999 923 1271
  address: Calle 62 No 473 x 55 y 57
  Located in a former colonial home, the pub is popular with backpackers and has a beer garden, pool tables, and live music on weekends.

• La Negrita Cantina

  phone: +52 999 102 0033
  address: Calle 49 No 415 x 62 y 60
  Operating since 1917, this classic place is popular with both locals and tourists. Drinks are inexpensive, and include a good selection of tequilas, mezcal, craft beers, and mojitos. They serve standard but tasty cantina food, and there is live music during the week. It gets exceptionally busy on weekends.

Budget

• Aventura Hotel

  phone: +52 999 923 4801
  address: Calle 61 No 580 between Calle 74 and 76
  A clean, American-owned budget hotel. Each room has a private bathroom. Located a few blocks from Santiago Park.

• Casa Nico

  phone: +52 999 286 8944
  address: Calle 63 No 517 btw 66A and 68
  Quiet, clean and cheap hostel with free wifi and good breakfast. Private rooms and 6 bed dorms. Enough common space to meet others.

• Faby Hostel

  phone: +52 999 928 8593, +52 999 142 2010
  address: Calle 44 No 501-B x 61 y 63

• Hotel Aragon

  phone: +52 999 924 0242
  address: Calle 57 No 474 entre 52 y 54
  Placed in a neighbourhood house, 200 meters from the Carmen Church and Park of Mejorada or "Ninos Heroes". 18 rooms with bath, air conditioning, telephone, cable TV and detailed decoration.

• Hotel del Peregrino

  phone: +52 999 924 3007
  address: Calle 51 No 488 x 54 y 56
  A colonial house that has been renovated into a comfortable and clean hotel.

• Hostel Zócalo

  phone: +52 999 930 9562
  address: Calle 63 No 508 x 60 y 62

• Nomadas Hostel

  phone: +52 999 924 5223
  address: Calle 62 No 433 x Calle 51
  Dorm accommodation. Internet and simple breakfast included. Kitchen use. Nice large pool.

Mid-range

• Casa del Balam

  phone: +52 999 924 8844
  address: Calle 60 No 488 X 57
  An elegant colonial boutique hotel.

• Cascadas de Mérida

  phone: +52 999 923 8484
  address: Calle 57 No 593C x 74A y 76
  A unique bed and breakfast, consisting of four casitas built for maximum privacy around waterfalls and a filtered swimming pool.

• Holiday Inn Merida

  phone: +52 999 942 8800
  address: Av Colon No 498
  Has an outdoor pool and fitness, and onsite restaurant and bar. Free wi-fi throughout the hotel.

• Hotel Boutique Mérida Santiago

  phone: +52 999 285 4447
  address: Calle 74-A No 499, x 57 y 59-A
  A small hotel near the center of Mérida. Six spacious suites with big bathrooms. The filtered swimming pool with LED lights is open 24 hours. Restaurant with parking space is available exclusive for clients of the hotel.

• Hotel El Español

  phone: +52 999 923 2854, +52 999 924 1036
  address: Calle 69 No 543c
  Accommodations come in double, triple, standard king, and standard twin types. All guestrooms are air-conditioned and fitted with a deck/balcony. Rooms also come with a refrigerator, IDD telephone, and cable television. Room service is available.

• Hotel Las Arecas

  phone: +52 999 928 3626
  address: Calle 59 No 541 between Calle 66 and Calle 68
  A small 5-room hotelito in the historical center. Modest, clean and run by a local Yucatecan.

• Hotel Los Aluxes

  phone: +52 999 924 2199
  address: Calle 60 No 444 entre 49 y 51
  A great, clean, and friendly place to stay that is only a few blocks to the main plaza. Off-street, secured parking is a big help if you have a rental car. Make sure to have the cafe con leche in the cafe.

• Hotel Luz en Yucatán

  phone: +52 999 924 0035
  address: Calle 55 No 499 x 60 y 58
  Has fully furnished apartments, complete with kitchen and private bath, in a former nunnery.

• Hotel Marionetas

  phone: +52 999 928 3377
  address: Calle 49 No 516 x 62 y 64
  A small charming hotel with colonial style. Every room is different, with unique furnishings, mosaic floor tiles and views of the inner courtyard with pool. Wi-fi, phones and A/C in the rooms.

• Hotel Piedra de Agua

  phone: +52 999 924 2300
  address: Calle 60 No 498 x 59 y 61
  Rooms fitted with a private toilet and bath with shower, internet and DVD player.

Splurge

• Hotel Hacienda

  phone: +52 999 924 4363
  address: Calle 62 No 439 x 51 y 63

• Hyatt Regency Mérida

  phone: +52 999 942 1234
  address: Av Colon esq Calle 60
  289 rooms and suites. The hotel is five minutes from the city's convention centre.

• Rosas y Xocolate

  phone: +52 999 924 2992
  address: Calle Paseo de Montejo 480
  17 rooms and suites. The hotel is five minutes from the Hotel Zone (Hyatt and Fiesta Americana).

• Fiesta Americana

  phone: +52 999 942-1111
  address: Paseo Montejo No.451

Free wi-fi is available in all plazas, including the Zócalo (Plaza Mayor). Additionally, many restaurants and cafés now offer free wi-fi for their patrons.

Mérida is a relatively safe city; however visitors should beware of pickpockets and keep their bags secure. If in spite of these precautions you fall victim to theft your best course of action will be to contact the Policía Turística (Tourist Police), . Tourist police officers wear blue and white uniforms, and many speak English. They can be easily found in the center around the Plaza Grande, and along the Paseo Montejo.
The tourist police also maintain two assistance booths in the centro: one in (corner of Calle 60 and 59), and one in (corner of Calle 60 and 55). Both stands are open daily 08:00-20:00.

Mérida has one of the best hospital networks in Mexico, and receives patients not only from Mexico but from neighboring Guatemala and Belize as well as from the United States. Cooperation with the medical establishment in cities like Houston has helped to develop a comprehensive network for medical care, with many private clinics meeting and even exceeding standards in Europe and the US.
Public hospitals can provide urgent care, but facilities are basic and staff are unlikely to speak English. For visitors who are not confident with their Spanish, private hospitals and clinics offer a good alternative. Many doctors can speak some English, but nursing staff and receptionists will likely not.

• Clínica de Mérida

  phone: +52 999 942 1800
  address: Av Itzáes No 242
  This all-inclusive hospital is the closest to the center, and has experience in dealing with non-Spanish speakers. It operates its own ambulance service.

• Star Médica

  phone: +52 999 930 2880, +52 999 930 2880 x5 (emergencies)
  address: Calle 26 No 199
  Part of a chain of hospitals throughout Mexico, and probably the most modern hospital in Mérida.

• Mérida English Library

  phone: +52 999 924 8401
  address: Calle 53 #524 x 66 y 68
  Although only members can check out books, the library can be helpful for visitors with listings of short- and long-term apartments for rent. The library hosts tours of private historic homes, art studios, and the like, all of which are open to nonmembers for a fee. Free weekly lectures about local and regional topics are also open to the public, and there are public computers with internet access as well as a selection of books for sale.

Consulates

• Belize

  phone: +52 999 928-6158
  address: Calle 58 n° 450 con 35, Apartado Postal 89, Col Centro

• Cuba

  address: Calle 1ᴰ 320, Campestre

• France (Honorary)

  phone: +52 999 930-1500
  address: Calle 60 n° 385 entre las calles 41 y 43, Col Centro

• Germany (Honorary)

  address: Calle 51 n° 329 entre las calles 52 y 54Av, Fracc. Francisco de Montejo

• Greece

  phone: +52 999 930-11-07
  address: Anillo Periferico 12512

• Spain (Honorary)

  phone: +52 999 948-34-89
  address: Calle 50 n° 402D x 33, Col Jesus Carranza

• United States

  phone: +52 999 942 5700
  address: Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31, Col Alala Martin

Maya ruins

Several important archaeological sites are close to Mérida. Many moderate sized sites, such as Dzibilchaltun and Mayapán, are an easy day trip. The largest, Chichen Itza, is somewhat further and much more extensive – while a day trip visit from Mérida can be (and often is) done, if you want to see the whole site without being rushed, Chichen is better visited in two days with an overnight stay. Fans of ancient Maya architecture can also find staying overnight at Uxmal worthwhile, since it has a night-time light & sound show, and the following day one can visit the nearby smaller ruined cities of Kabah, Sayil and Labna.

• Chichen Itza is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization, located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, present-day Mexico. The main edifice, the Castillo or Pyramid of Kukulcan, was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
• Cuzamá is one of the interesting sites on the Ruta de los Cenotes itinerary, with prominent cenotes (sinkholes leading to significant caves). Buses to Cuzamá depart from Terminal Noreste (Calle 67 btw 50 and 52, listed above under 'Get in'). Buses from this station also head to Mayapán, Izamal, and Rio Lagartos.

• Dzibilchaltún

  phone: +52 999 922 0193
  The site has been continuously occupied for thousands of years. Its most famous structure is the Temple Of The Seven Dolls (El Templo de las Siete Muñecas), so named because of seven small effigies found at the site when the temple was discovered under the ruins of a later temple pyramid by archaeologists in the 1950s. On the spring equinox the sun rises so that it shines directly through one window of the temple and out the other. The temple is connected to the rest of the site by a long sacbé. The other major feature of Dzibilchaltún is its cenote, which is used as a swimming hole by local residents year round; it is the first stop on the Ruta de los Cenotes. Also on the site are the ruins of a 16th-century Spanish church, as well as a museum displaying Mayan artifacts from the site and the region.

• Mayapán

  phone: +52 999 944 0033
  A compact, well-preserved pre-Columbian site, Mayapán was the political capital of the Maya in the Yucatán Peninsula from about the late 1220s until 1440s. Unlike at other Mayan sites, climbing of pyramids is permitted, and worth the effort. Hourly buses to Mayapán can be picked up at Terminal Noreste (listed above). Tell the driver you'd like to go to the 'ruinas', and he will drop you off at the beginning of the dirt road; from here it's a 5-minute walk to the entrance. There are toilet facilities but no amenities, so bring your own water.
• Uxmal is a large pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It is 78 km south of Mérida, Yucatán, or 110 km from that city on Highway 261 towards Campeche, Campeche). ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) offers buses to Uxmal that leave at 06:00, 9:05, and 10:40, and come back at 15:20 and 17:00 (also one around 12:00). Buses depart from Terminal de Autobuses Mérida (the main 2nd class bus station described under 'Get in'), M$55 one-way.

Other attractions near Mérida

• Progreso is the port city directly north of Mérida. The beaches aren't quite as nice as the famous ones on the peninsula's east coast in Quintana Roo, but have the advantage of being only 40km (30 miles) north of Mérida. Progresso also has restaurants specializing in fresh local seafood. If you don't want to spend your whole day at the beach, you can combine a visit to the ruins of Dzibilchaltun in your day trip, since it's just off the highway between Mérida and Progreso. Buses to Progreso depart from the Terminal Auto-Progreso (Calle 62 No 524 between 65 and 67, listed above under 'Get in') daily every 10 minutes from 05:15-22:15, with a journey lasting 55 minutes.
• Celestún Wildlife Refuge. The coastal town of Celestún is 90km west of Mérida. Almost 90% of the world's wild pink flamingos spend the winter in Yucatán, and the largest group of these are in the mangrove marshes around Celestún. Take a boat tour in the park for to see great flocks of pink in the trees and flying in the air! The town of Celestún has a couple of restaurants serving fresh seafood.

• Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

  phone: +52 999 941 6441
  address: Municipio de Tecoh
  A former sisal plantation which has been restored and opened up to the public. Sisal, the rope made from the fibers of the henequen plant, put Mérida on the map in the 1900s and made millionaires out of many landowners of that time. The rope came to be known by the name of the port town, Sisal, where it was shipped from to places around the world. Henequen was (and still is) planted throughout the Yucatán Peninsula. The industry crumbled after about 30 years for various reasons, leaving many haciendas in ruin. Today many of those haciendas have been restored, and Sotuta de Peón is an example of one which can be visited without spending the night.

• Hacienda Yaxcopoil

  phone: +52 1 999 900 1193
  address: Carretera Federal 261 Km 186
  Another good example of a hacienda kept in a state of arrested decay as a museum.
• Izamal is a small city about 70km east of Mérida. In ancient Maya times and the Spanish colonial era it was one of the largest cities in Yucatán, leaving impressive historic architecture. Buses to Izamal can be picked up at Terminal Noreste (listed above).
• Oxkintok and the Calcehtok Caves are only 43 miles away. The oldest and most well known building of Oxkintok is the Tzat Tun Tzat, Mayan for labyrinth or place in which one may be lost. Built in three levels on top of each other, its interior forms a maze of long, narrow rooms, connected by small gates and narrow stairs. The Calcehtok served as shelter for the Mayan people during the Caste War. You must have a guide to enter the cave. Rates generally run about M$200 an hour. This large complex of over 30 connected caves offers 4 different tours of varying lengths. Walking and climbing through the cave can be rough, so be sure you are wearing good shoes and are willing to work a bit to see the stalactites, stalagmites, natural formations, and Mayan artifacts.