Are you looking for things to do in Merida, Mexico?
One thing you’ll always notice about going to a place like Merida is not only the sheer amount of heat but the number of things to do.
While some cities can feel overly busy and tourist-trappy, this is a city that manages to find a happy blend of things to do.
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Things to do in Merida, Mexico
Those that enjoy backpacking in Mexico often find themselves drawn to the Yucatan Peninsula more than anywhere.
Not for any reason, other than it is one of the best places to travel in Mexico for the ocean.
If you find yourself in the area, Merida will provide a wonderful day out or you can even stay here a few nights like I chose to do.
Not only is Merida home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas named Catedral de San Ildefonso, but it’s also the perfect city to walk, eat, drink and dance your way around.
Let’s look at some of the cultural things to do in Merida.
Best Things to Do in Merida
Merida is a place with a lot of life, and you’ll find entertainment to last you more than one night. So on your first night make that you head towards the main square also known as plaza grande.
Plaza Grande
Is history your thing? Then a trip to Plaza Grande is a must. It’s a place to learn about local Mexican traditions and experience the life of locals.
With a spot of people watching and a decent camera, you should have no problem at all in taking in some truly interesting sights.
You will get to snap some amazing photos from the Plaza, and just a short walk north you can find the Parque de Santa Lucia; a great place for eating out and finding a place to mingle with fellow travelers.
Uxmal and Kabah
Suppose you don’t want to go alone, a good way to spend a full day is to take an archaeology trip to both Uxmal and Kabah.
You will find there is much to learn in both spots, making this one of the best things to near Merida.
See the tour details here, it’s definitely one for photographers!
You get to pick up a fair amount of info from your guide, and the shots you can get both inside and outside of the ruins are unforgettable
Best of all is the fact that it isn’t such a huge tourist trap like Chichen Itza because not as many tourists are aware of its existence.
Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Another choice is to go and see the Celestun Biosphere Reserve.
For the best part of a full afternoon and evening, you can spend time running around with animals and creatures you usually only see on TV.
Be sure to listen to the guides! They’ll tell you what to look out for and what to avoid; not all the animals here are as friendly as one another!
Take a dip in a cenote
Merida is a wonderful part of Mexico, but boy does it get hot.
Even those that love hot sunshine often find themselves seeking shade from the hot sunshine. This cenote tour stops at 3 different cenotes.
Rather than seeking refuge under a tree, however, a much nicer way of cooling off would be to take a dip in a cenote.
If you didn’t know, cenotes are natural openings in limestone bedrocks, which house cooling and inviting groundwater that looks amazing.
They feel even better!
Basically, think of them as natural swimming pools made by Mother Nature herself. Just remember to pack your finest swimwear.
Ancient Mayan Ruins of Uxmal
Usually, when travelers think of the Ancient Mayans, it’s the ruins of Chichen Itza that get all of the attention most of the time.
However, I learned locals prefer the ruins located in Uxmal, which is located around an hour away from Merida.
There is no need to take a tour here but as I mentioned earlier you can do this special tour which mixes Uxmal and Kabah in the same trip.
The star attraction for me was the ruins of Uxmal which consists of a towering 40-meter high pyramid, though there are countless other ruins scattered around the area.
Relax on Progreso Beach
Really though, what would any travel Mexican travel guide covering the essence of the Yucatán Peninsula be without mentioning a beach?
If you’re tired of exploring and want a day or two to relax and unwind, why not head over to Progreso Beach.
💡Smart Travel Tip
Merida is known as “the white city”. Many believe it’s to do with Merida being one of the safest places in Mexico due to the low crime rate.
With white sand, turquoise waters, and blue skies as far as the eye can see, Progreso Beach really is a tropical paradise.
Merida, which has places like Celestun and other surrounding villages, really does have something for everyone.
Best of all is the fact that it is located in a fishing village, so the seafood here is really fresh and tastes simply divine.
Where to Stay in Merida
Expect great picks when looking for places to stay in Merida online.
I managed to find a great hostel with a pool. It can get so hot that a dip in the hostel pool quickly became my daily ritual.
Getting by on just basic Spanish, I met other backpackers and travelers who (at that time) had much better Spanish than I did.
There are some AirBnb options which are great if you:
- Prefer to meet locals
- Learn more about local life
- Need a private kitchen
However, if you prefer Hostels, here are three simple reasons why I have used hostels in Merida during my travels.
Hostels are a great choice if you want to be more social, but you can chop and change throughout your trip.
- Get involved with activites
- Like to drink lots of alcohol
- Backpacking on a tight budget
If you’re thinking of traveling solo in Merida, hostels are great for building up your social circles and connecting with other travelers.
Mérida has a wonderful colonial feel to it, and no matter where you decide to stay, you should feel warm and cozy.
Changing my stays helps me to gain a richer experience of each place I visit, and I’ll sample all three of the above modes of accommodation.
Traveling light is a goal of mine, and I like to travel with less whenever possible. Consider traveling lighter than you usually would to Mexico.
Where to Eat in Merida
It’s not named the Latin American Capital of Culture twice for nothing. The food is rather unique in Merida. In fact, most of the cuisine in the Yucatan area seems to have a unique twist.
Think seafood, and if that’s your flavor, you won’t be disappointed. Below I’ll leave you a couple of suggestions to whet your appetite.
- Wayan’e:Calle 15 X 18A y 20, Itzimná, 97100
- Merida en Domingo:Plaza Grande on Calle 60
- Las Vigas:503 x 62 y 64 63#, Centro, 97000
What I loved about the restaurants in Merida is that they’re not shy to play music and, in most cases, live music.
Depending on where you eat, the restaurants even offer you some complimentary food – definitely not to be sniffed at if you’re managing to travel on a backpacker’s budget.
So, depending on whether you prefer fine restaurants, or snack on the best Botanas in a local cantina, I assure you that you won’t go hungry.
You may just need a few barrels of water (or cerveza) to wash it all down prefer the healthier option, but I don’t let it slow me down.
Merida Travel Tips
See these travel tips for Merida to ensure you have the best stay whether you’re on vacation, backpacking, or traveling with friends.
⤵️ Dan’s Travel Tips For Merida:
- Take a free walking tour and visit at least one museum. It’s a great way to learn about Merida and get useful information from locals.
- Be sure to visit El Mercado de Mérida Lucas de Galvez (the market). You’ll find fresh fruits and delicious dishes.
- When visiting the cenotes in Mexico you’ll want to take a dip so pack your swimsuit, and your GoPro if you already have one.
- Try Xtabentún, a liquor of Mayan origin. This is a super strong liquor but it is worth a try (not for the faint hearted though).
- Try Papadzules (a dish made of tortilla, eggs, and pumpkin sauce), Sopa de Lima (lime soup), and dulce de papaya (preserved sweet papaya). You’ll find more traditional Mexican dishes you’ll love too.
- If you are not used to eating spicy and seasoned food, be careful when trying local food. Always ask what ingredients the food has first.
- Carry a water bottle with a filter to cut down on plastic, a sunhat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Also, a good pair of walking shoes.
- You can easily find ATMs in Mérida and even pay with a credit card in many places. But keep cash is always recommend, and a must when joining day trips because in towns cash is only accepted.
- Learn some basic Spanish words and phrases before traveling. In Mérida is not common that people speak English.
- There is Uber in Mérida! A great option, especially when it’s not easy to find renting bikes and the heat in the afternoon can be intense.
- Mérida is an extremely safe city during the day and at night, however, follow the usual precautions to stay extra safe.
Travel Insurance for Merida
Staying safe whilst traveling in Mexico and the rest of Latin America means ensuring that you have the right insurance cover.
I always recommend backpackers and travelers (no matter who you are) use World Nomads Insurance for fully comprehensive cover.
If you are due to travel soon, you can get a Get A Free Quote by clicking the link or the image above and filling out your details – that way you’ll get instant cover from the exact date that you choose.
On many occasions World Nomads has provided me with reliable insurance cover for travel in Latin America and the rest of the world.
Backpacking Merida
With so much to do in the city, I recommend that you try out all of the options above.
It will give you a good idea of what you are looking to find in this amazing city, and help you to grow to love its interesting quirks.
Are you feeling inspired yet? See this extremely useful guide to planning a trip to Mexico if you are currently still deciding where to go.
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