Here’s a list of the 15 best things to do in Mérida (Mexico), along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.
It’s one of the major cities in Mexico and the state capital of Yucatán, where famous resort towns such as Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun are included as well.
Paseo de Montejo
Mérida’s main commercial strip is Paseo de Montejo, a beautiful boulevard lined by trees and sumptuous old buildings. Stretching out over more than three miles, it’s a great stroll full of monuments, shops, and restaurants.
Named after the founder of the city, Francisco de Montejo, it holds the most popular houses in Mérida, the Casas Gemelas. These two buildings are copies of French buildings and serve as a photo opportunity but also a glimpse into the city’s history.
Ruta Puuc
Remnants of the Mayan culture are abundant on the Yucatán peninsula. The Ruta Puuc is a route that begins 80 kilometers south of Mérida and runs through some of the most important Mayan ruins.
Far less popular than Chichen Itza, the monuments on this route are even more impressive in the silence that they can be experienced. Five ruins are connected on this route:
Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, X-Lapak, and Labna. The sights are incredible, from 10,000-year-old handprints to pyramidic temples you can climb.
Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
This museum devoted to the Mayan culture is an impressive structure located just outside of Mérida’s downtown.
Its permanent collection alone is well worth the visit, with over 1000 well-preserved artifacts, including sculptures from Chichen Itza, which is enlisted as one of the new seven wonders of the world.
The impressive, award-winning exterior, built in 2012, was designed to emulate a ceiba, a tree that the Mayas believed connected the living with the underworld and the heavens.
Mérida Cathedral
Mérida’s gigantic cathedral was constructed during the second half of the 16th century, over the site of Mayan temple ruins, whose stone was used in the construction.
One of the oldest cathedrals of the New World, commissioned by King Phillip II of Spain to symbolize Christianity. It has Moorish towers, a Renaissance façade, and Baroque altarpieces.
The artworks mix local legend with Catholicism, like the painting over the south door of Tutul Xiu paying his respects to Francisco de Montejo. The cathedral also boasts a relic, a statue of Cristo de las Ampollas which burned all night yet emerged unscathed.
Cenote X Batun
The Yucatan peninsula is known for its cenotes, and natural sinkholes that expose below-ground water sources, which were often used by Mayans as places of sacrifice.
Cenote X Batun is one of the most well-known cenotes, meaning it can get quite crowded. Located about 30 miles outside of Mérida, the cenote’s surroundings are idyllic, filled with birds and plant life. The water is cool and you can go swimming and snorkeling in it.
Teatro Peon Contreras
This enormous theater was built over the course of eight years, at the turn of the 19th century.
Opened in 1908, its wondrous beauty still amazes today, with a gorgeous staircase of imported marble from Italy, domes painted by Italian artists, and other beautiful decorative pieces.
It is the home of the Yucatán Symphony Orchestra, which performs during the weekends. It is named after José Peón Contreras, Mérida’s famous poet, novelist and politician.
Lucas de Galvez Market
The Lucas de Galvez Market is Merida’s colorful farmer’s market. You can visit the many stalls to find just about anything you could need, from products to fried tortillas to fresh flowers and handicrafts.
The market is open from 8 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. The prices are low and you can find products native to Yucatan, like the sour oranges used in cochinita pibil.
It is located between Calles 65 and 69 and stretches over 156,000 square feet. Remember to bring Mexican pesos, which is the local currency in Mexico. Paying with US Dollars will end up being more expensive.
Join the many festivals of Mérida
Merida is great to visit year-round for those who try to line up vacations with happenings in the city. The lineup of festivals in Merida is worth celebrating! The festival of the city of Merida is all of January, and it is full of art, theater, literature, and music.
Feria Tunich is a celebration of handicrafts, while Hanal Pixán takes place on Halloween and follows an ancient tradition of the Mayas.
You can also catch the Feria Yucatán Xmatkuil, the oldest celebration and most famous as well, marked by a bullfight and musical events, as well as livestock showings.
Watch the weekly Pok Ta Pok
This Mayan ball game has roots in the ancient local culture, and it’s quite an interesting thing to check out. The game is based on the idea of keeping the ball in the air without using one’s hands or feet.
The rubber balls, weighing about seven pounds, were instead hit with the upper arms, thighs, and hips. This sport may have been the first team sport in history, and it was often followed by the sacrifice of a human head.
A game is played every Friday at 8 pm in front of the San Ildefonso cathedral. Watching a game is one of the best local things to do in Merida.
Casa de Montejo
The House of Montejo is located on Merida’s Plaza Grande, and it is one of the most important historical buildings in the city. Dating from 1540, it actually first served as a house for soldiers but was the home of the Montejo family until the 1800s.
The stone façade is replete with Renaissance symbolism, and also includes busts of Montejo the Elder and his family members.
Montejo was a conqueror, who attempted to “civilize” the people of the Yucatan peninsula, and he expressed all of this in the beautifully ornate façade.
Palacio de Gobierno
The Palacio de Gobierno is the location of the Yucatan government body, and it can also be visited by tourists.
It’s more than just a government building, it holds beautiful murals and paintings that outline the history of the Maya and the Spanish. Built between 1887 and 1892, the halls and courtyards hold much of Fernando Castro Pachecho’s art.
Cenote Xlacah
Cenotes are a favorite tourist destination in this part of Mexico, in part because these sinkholes are great for swimming and cooling off in the warmest summer months. Few are located above ground, but the Xlacah cenote is one of them.
In fact, it is in the Dzibilchaltún archaeological zone, and you can see ancient Mayan ruins as you splash around. The pool is 150 feet deep, and expeditions below have found bones,
Anthropology and History Museum
Located at the corner of Paseo de Montejo and Calle 43, the Anthropology and History Museum in Merida holds a wealth of artifacts, many of which were salvaged from Chichen Itza.
The renovated mansion is packed with tales of local Maya history. Stone sculptures, fascinating archaeological finds, and informative exhibitions make this a must-see for history buffs.
Mayapán Archaeological Zone
At just 40 minutes from the center of Merida, the Mayapán Archaeological Zone is a must-visit. The Temple of Kukulcan, its main attraction, is an amazing terraced pyramid that was part of this ancient civilization.
The area also contains dozens of alters, homes, and temples, many of which are quite well preserved. It is definitely one of the most important cities from the latter part of the Mayan civilization and was even considered the capital at the end of the Mayan World.
Over 4000 structures make up this impressive city. It’s one of the best places to visit near Mérida if you’re a history buff like me.
Mercado de Santiago
Mercado de Santiago is Merida’s farmer’s market par excellence. Located in the Santiago neighborhood in the city center, its plain exterior belies a colorful interior of hundreds of stalls and shops.
You can find almost anything, from produce, meats, and spices to clothing and religious paraphernalia. Make sure you grab a bite to eat, too, because there are some great taquerías and authentic food stalls.
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