Merida: A Good Base for Exploring the Yucatan

A colonial city and capital of the state of Yucatan, Merida has a lot to offer travelers who love culture, cities, and history. Well-preserved colonial architecture is not one of Merida's strengths, however. Unlike Campeche and San Miguel de Allende, whose historical districts are architectural showcases, Merida has a jumbled, rather downtrodden visage. Bus and car pollution seems worse here than in other cities, and combined with the heat, can be very disagreeable.

But despite its flaws, Merida is the second-most visited city in the Yucatan Peninsula, after Cancun. It is an excellent base for visiting some of the peninsula's prestigious archaeological sites. Chichen Itza is the region's most extensively excavated Maya ruin, the most famous, and therefore, the most visited. But there are many more, including Ek Balam and Dzibilchaltún. The former has a fabulous carved frieze on its main temple. Dzibilchaltun is less exciting, but in its favor it is very close to Mérida and has a good site museum and a lovely green sinkhole for swimming. The Maya ruins of the Ruta Puuc (Labná, Kabah, Sayil, and Xlapax) are well worth visiting for lovers of Maya lore. These can be visited on a one-day tour out of Mérida along with much more extensive Uxmal, a must-see site known for its well-proportioned and graceful architecture.

Aside from being a good base for excursions, Merida offers countless cultural activities, many of them free. On Saturday evening and most of the day on Sunday, streets surrounding the main plaza are closed to traffic. Out come the marimba players and mimes along with families enjoying the evening breezes and cooler temperatures. On other days you can see theatrical and musical performances at Teatro Peón Contreras, or visit the archaeological museum on Paseo de Montejo, a wide boulevard lined with mansions built during the late-19th and early-20th centuries, when plantations (first corn, later, and most successfully, henequen, or sisal fiber) brought wealth to the peninsula's privileged elite.

The main plaza, between Calles 60 and 62, 63 and 61 is a beautiful place to relax or explore. Here you'll find the contemporary art museum, the cathedral, cultural center, and Casa de Montejo: originally the home of the Spanish father and son team that conquered the city, now a Banamex bank.

Shopping and Stuff

Mérida has lots of shops for browsing, although fewer interesting handcrafts and folk art than one might imagine. Among the best souvenirs are guayaberas (pleated men's shirts), embroidered shirts and dresses, huipiles (the sacklike dresses worn throughout the region) and the fancier version of the huipil, called the terno, with a wide, square lace collar. You can purchase wonderful, colorful hammocks in a variety of sizes (see our article about hammocks, http://www.mexicoguru.com/hammocks.php) and fine 'Panama' hats.

The municipal market is a covered arcade packed with small stores. There are shops stacked high with baskets, baby clothes, marzipan in the shape of different fruits, and cheap wristwatches. Key makers make copies of house keys on ancient machines. The surrounding area is dedicated to commerce, too. El Mayab newsstand sells small books and scandal sheets. Flower shops sell roses from Cuernavaca, gladiolas and mums. Calle 65 between Calles 56 and 54 is dedicated to piñatas and the candy used to fill them. People hurry along with bundles tightly clasped to their chests; buses sail by, music blaring. You'll sometimes see Mennonites in town to buy supplies, the women in gathered print dresses, their men in freshly laundered blue dungarees and overalls.

Cancún is fancier and more expensive than Merida, while much smaller towns like Ticul and Izamal offer accommodations for those fond of provincial towns. But bustling Merida, often sweltering in the tropical heat, offers a glimpse into both the peninsula's Maya past and its lively, friendly, very Mexican present.

...........FESTIVALS AND EVENTS.............

November, 2010

Mid November VII Annual Yucatan Bird - Birdwatching Merida, Yucatan Banquet, field trips, photography and competition all related to birdwatching

January, 2011

early January (annual) Festival Internacional de las Artes - Birdwatching Merida, Yucatan Government-sponsored cultural event this arts festival featuring concerts, dance, theater, fine arts and photography.   Beginning of January 466th Anniversary of the founding of Merida - Cultural Merida, Yucatan 999/942-000 More than two weeks of nonstop cultural festivities to celebrate Merida’s 466th anniversary. Music, theater, free outdoor concerts and entertainment, food, and fun. http://www.merida.gob.mx

Merida Real Estate   ♦   Merida Rentals   ♦   Merida Hotels

Mayan Living Real Estate   Property for Sale Merida, Yucatan 999 178 3606 More Info

Great Location! Close to the beach & Merida Centro   Property for Sale Merida North, Merida, Yucatan +52 9991465991 More Info

Alma Mexicana-Folk Art   Calle 54 #476 x 55 & 57, Col. Centro, CP97000, Merida, Yucatan 52-999-923-4711 More Info

Colonial House for rent -vacation rental   Property for Sale calle 10, Merida, Yucatan 9999885056 More Info

Yucatan Discovery Tours   Calle 54 #476 X 55 & 57, Merida, Yucatan 52-999-923-4711 More Info

Yarima Barrera   Property for Sale Merida, Yucatan 9993053214 More Info

Spanish Institute of Merida   Spanish School Calle 60 x 37 #358 Colonia Centro, Merida, Yucatan 1-800-539-9710 More Info

Yolisto Yucatan International Community   Merida, Yucatan More Info

Jewelry & More/Joyeria y Mas   Fraccionamiento Montebello, Merida, Yucatan More Info

Evolution Dental Care   Av. Colon 201 x 24 and 26, Merida, Yucatan (999) 240-9946 More Info

Bungalo for rent   Property for Sale Merida, Campeche 718-791-8978 More Info

Hacienda Xcanatun   Hotel Calle 20 S/N Entre 19 y 19A, Comisaría Xcanatun, Merida, Yucatan 97302 1 800 728 9098 More Info

Put your listing here

Merida real estate, rentals, hotels, restaurants, weather, map, and travel guides.