Tips for travel to Merida

Our Merida travel tips section is designed to provide you with valuable information on the destinations we serve. You can access weather reports, convert currency, browse through destination guides, research passport and visa information and much more.

Introduction

Dining & Entertainment

Entry Requirements

Money & Emergency

Weather

Map

Fun Things To Do

Health & Safety Links

Flight Overview

Introduction

Merida is known as the "white city"; it's also the Capital City of the State of Yucatan, famous for its rich Mayan history and of course some of Mexico's most important archaeological sites.

Because of the large peninsula on Mexico's southern region, Merida is actually a few degrees further north than the nation's Capital, even though people in Mexico City talk of travelling "south" to Merida. It's difficult to get lost in Merida itself; the city is laid out in a grid with even numbered streets running north-south; odd numbers east-west.

As the State's Capital, Merida is a hub of activity and extremely well connected by land and air to other parts of the region and the country. The city has a considerable charm and buzz about it; and it's contrasts help this to come about: Merida is cosmopolitan and quaint; Mexican but with a strong Mayan influence.

The city is an excellent base from which to explore the rest of the region, including the Archaeological wonders of Chichen Itza and Uxmal and many other less well known, but equally important ruins in the vicinity.

There are hotels and amenities here to suit every budget, style and taste and there is always something happening in Merida: concerts, festivals, parades and celebrations are almost a constant feature in this vibrant city.

Getting around is easy; the streets are laid out in a grid format and you can walk to most of the main attractions in the centre; and even taking a cab to the places further away from the heart of the city is good value thanks to the well managed taxi system introduced by the local government here.

Historically, Merida's wealthy inhabitants were land barons; the scale of their wealth can be seen today on Paseo Montejo, an avenue which was inspired by the "Paseo de la Reforma" in Mexico City and which is host to large, opulent white stone mansions, which today house, in the main, public buildings, museums and corporate offices. Today Merida's wealth is built around the maquiladoras (assembly plants) and tourism, both of which have grown significantly during the last two decades.

In recent years, Merida has seen and continues to undergo an explosion of art and culture. If you're travelling around Mexico's southern peninsula, a visit to Merida is a must; better still as a base from which to explore the region, but even if you've only come to this part of the world to see beaches or archaeology; spend a day or three in Merida, you won't leave disappointed.

What To Do

Colonial Centre
The central plaza, Plaza Grande, is dominated by the Catedral de San Idelfonso; it's not the most striking in Mexico, but its size is immediately apparent when you arrive at the main square.

The Municipal Palace is on the opposite side of the square while the Government Palace, which looks alright on the outside but is stunningly attractive inside, features some wonderful paintings and murals that depict Yucatan's rich Mayan history, in contrast to the murals and paintings in Government Palaces in central and northern Mexico, where it is the Aztec indigenous cultures that feature.

On the south side of the Plaza Grande is the Casa de Montejo which locals sometimes refer to as the "Palacio de Montejo". It was a private home, inhabited by the descendents of its creator (and Merida's founder), Francisco de Montejo until 1980. Most of the building is closed to the public; today it's a working bank branch for Banamex and also offers currency exchange.

Paseo de Montejo
The "White City" title that Merida has derives from the stately homes and mansions that adorn the sides of Paseo Montejo, about 10 blocks north of the centre, standing opulently in gleaming white stone. The Paseo de Montejo is a tree-lined boulevard, which was supposed to be as grand as Mexico City's "Reforma Avenue". There are still some private homes along here, although many of the buildings have been turned into banks, offices and one of the most majestic buildings is now home to Yucatan's Museum of Anthropology.

Museums
Merida has a number of fine museums.

The most significant is the impressively houses Museo de Antropologia (Anthropology Museum) which is situated at the majestic Palacio Canton on Paseo de Montejo. This museum holds many of the fine artefacts from the Mayan ruins and also explains much about the history of the region going back to age of mastodons. Note that much of the information is provided in Spanish only.

The Museo Nacional de Arte Popular (National Popular Arts Museum) is a few blocks northeast of the Plaza Grande and offers displays of fine art and crafts from the locality.

On Calle 61 you'll find the Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) which displays a history of the city and the region.

Parks, Gardens and Zoo
To see a park full of trees, one from each country on the American Continent, visit Parque de las Americas which is Avenida Colon.

There's a children's playground, zoo, botanical gardens visit Parque Centenario. The zoo features some exotic species of animals as well as fauna from the region.

Dining

Eladio's - This is where locals come to relax in their off hours, drink very cold beer, and snack or dine on Yucatecan specialties. You have two choices: order a beer and enjoy una botana (a small portion that accompanies a drink, in this case usually a Yucatecan dish), or order from the menu. Cochinita, poc chuc, and longaniza asada (a local variety of sausage) are all good. Or try a panucho or salbute if you're there in the evening. Often there is live music in this open-air restaurant, which is around the corner from Los Almendros, by Parque la Mejorada.

Restaurante Kantun - This modest little restaurant serves up the freshest seafood for a good price. The owner-chef, a son of a cook, is always on the premises taking care of details. The menu includes excellent ceviches and seafood cocktails, and fish cooked in a number of ways. The dining room is air-conditioned, the furniture comfortable, and the service attentive.

Alberto's Continental - There's nothing quite like dining here at night in a softly lit room or on the wonderful old patio framed in Moorish arches. Nothing glitzy -- just elegant mudejar-patterned tile floors, simple furniture, decoration that's just so, and the gurgling of a fountain creating a romantic mood. For supper, you can choose a sampler plate of four Lebanese favorites, or traditional Yucatecan specialties, such as pollo pibil or fish Celestún (bass stuffed with shrimp). You can finish with Turkish coffee.

Entertainment

Mérida's club scene offers everything from ubiquitous rock/dance to some one-of-a-kind spots that are nothing like what you find back home. Most of the dance clubs are in the big hotels or on Paseo de Montejo. For dancing, a small cluster of clubs on Calle 60, around the corner from Santa Lucía, offer live rock and Latin music.

Teatro Peón Contreras, Calle 60 at Calle 57, and Teatro Ayala, Calle 60 at Calle 61, feature a wide range of performing artists from Mexico and around the world. El Nuevo Olimpo, on the main square, schedules frequent concerts; and Cine Mérida, a half-block north of the Nuevo Olimpo, has two screens for showing classic and art films, and one live stage.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Money

Banks & ATMs
Banks in Mexico are rapidly expanding and improving services. They tend to be open weekdays from 9am until 5pm, and often for at least a half day on Saturday. In larger resorts and cities, they can generally accommodate the exchange of dollars (which used to stop at noon) anytime during business hours. During times when the currency is in flux, a particular bank may not exchange dollars, so check before standing in line. Some, but not all, banks charge a service fee of about 1% to exchange traveler's checks. However, you can pay for most purchases directly with traveler's checks at the establishment's stated exchange rate. Don't even bother with personal checks drawn on a U.S. bank -- the bank will wait for your check to clear, which can take weeks, before giving you your money.

Travelers to Mexico can easily withdraw money from ATMs (automated teller machine) in most major cities and resort areas. In most resorts in Mexico, the use of ATMs is perfectly safe -- just use the same precautions you would at any ATM. Universal bank cards (such as the Cirrus and PLUS systems) can be used. This is a convenient way to withdraw money and avoid carrying too much with you at any time. The exchange rate is generally more favorable than that at a casas de cambio. Most machines offer Spanish/English menus and dispense pesos, but some offer the option of withdrawing dollars. The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587) networks span the globe; look at the back of your bank card to see which network you're on, then call or check online for ATM locations at your destination. Be sure you know your personal identification number (PIN) before you leave home and be sure to find out your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. Also keep in mind that many banks impose a fee every time a card is used at a different bank's ATM, and that fee can be higher for international transactions (up to $5 or more) than for domestic ones (where they're rarely more than $1.50). On top of this, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee.

Traveler's Checks
Traveler's checks are something of an anachronism from the days before the ATM made cash accessible at any time. Traveler's checks used to be the only sound alternative to traveling with dangerously large amounts of cash. They were as reliable as currency, but, unlike cash, could be replaced if lost or stolen.

You can get traveler's checks at almost any bank. You can also get American Express traveler's checks over the phone by calling tel. 800/221-7282.

Visa offers traveler's checks at Citibank locations nationwide, as well as at several other banks. Call tel. 800/732-1322 for information. AAA members can obtain Visa checks without a fee at most AAA offices or by calling tel. 866/339-3378. MasterCard also offers traveler's checks. Call tel. 800/223-9920 for a location near you.

If you choose to carry traveler's checks, be sure to keep a record of their serial numbers separate from your checks in the event that they are stolen or lost. You'll get a refund faster if you know the numbers.

Credit Cards
Credit cards are a safe way to carry money: They also provide a convenient record of all your expenses, and they generally offer relatively good exchange rates. You can also withdraw cash advances from your credit cards at banks or ATMs, provided you know your PIN. If you've forgotten yours, or didn't even know you had one, call the number on the back of your credit card and ask the bank to send it to you. It usually takes 5 to 7 business days, though some banks will provide the number over the phone if you tell them your mother's maiden name or some other personal information.

Charges will be made in pesos, then converted into dollars by the bank issuing the credit card. Generally you receive the favorable bank rate when paying by credit card. However, be aware that some establishments in Mexico add a 5% to 7% surcharge when you pay with a credit card. This is especially true when using American Express. Many times, advertised discounts will not apply if you pay with a credit card.

Dear Visa: I'm Off to Merida! -- Some credit card companies recommend that you notify them of any impending trip abroad so that they don't become suspicious and block your charges when the card is used numerous times in a foreign destination. Even if you don't call your credit card company in advance, you can always call the toll-free emergency number if a charge is refused -- a good reason to carry the phone number with you. But perhaps the most important lesson is to carry more than one card on your trip; if one card doesn't work for any number of reasons, you'll have a backup.

Emergency

Centro Medico de las Americas
Address: Calle 54 No. 365, (intersection of Avenida Perez Ponce), Merida, Mexico, 97000
Phone: 55.99.26.2111

Clinica de Merida
Address: Avenida Itzaes No. 242, Colonia Garcia Gineres, Merida, Mexico, 97070
Phone: 52.99.20.0411

Emergency Contacts

Ambulance: 060
Police: 060
Fire: 060

Fun Things To Do in Merida

Attractions & Activities

Merida Attractions

Most of Mérida's attractions are within walking distance from the downtown area.

Exploring Plaza Major
Downtown Mérida is a great example of a lowland colonial city. The town has a casual, relaxed feel. Buildings lack the severe baroque and neoclassical features that characterize central Mexico; most are finished in stucco and painted light colors. Mérida's gardens add to this relaxed, tropical atmosphere. Gardeners do not strive for control over nature. Here, natural exuberance is the ideal, with plants growing in a wild profusion that disguises human intervention. Mérida's plazas are a slightly different version of this aesthetic: Unlike the highland plazas, with their carefully sculpted trees, Mérida's squares are typically built around large trees that are left to grow as tall as possible. Hurricane Isidore blew down several of these in 2002, and has changed the appearance of these plazas as well as the Paseo de Montejo.

Plaza Mayor has this sort of informality. Even when there's no orchestrated event in progress, the park is full of people sitting on the benches, talking with friends, or taking a casual stroll. A plaza like this is a great advantage for a big city such as Mérida, giving it a personal feel and a sense of community. Notice the beautiful scale and composition of the major buildings surrounding it. The most prominent of these is the cathedral.

The oldest cathedral on the continent, it was built between 1561 and 1598. Much of the stone in the cathedral's walls came from the ruined buildings of Tihó, the former Maya city. The original finish was stucco, and you can see some remnants still clinging to the bare rock. However, people like the way the unfinished walls show the cathedral's age. Notice how the two top levels of the bell towers are built off-center from their bases -- an uncommon feature. Inside, decoration is sparse, with altars draped in fabric colorfully embroidered like a Maya woman's shift. The most notable item is a picture of Ah Kukum Tutul Xiú, chief of the Xiú people, visiting the Montejo camp to make peace; it's hanging over the side door on the right.

To the left of the main altar is a small shrine with a curious figure of Christ that is a replica of one recovered from a burned-out church in the town of Ichmul. In the 1500s a local artist carved the original figure from a miraculous tree that was hit by lightning and burst into flames -- but did not char. The statue later became blistered in the church fire at Ichmul, but it survived. In 1645 it was moved to the cathedral in Mérida, where the locals attached great powers to the figure, naming it Cristo de las Ampollas (Christ of the Blisters). It did not, however, survive the sacking of the cathedral in 1915 by revolutionary forces, so another figure, modeled after the original, was made.

Next door to the cathedral is the old bishop's palace, now converted into the city's contemporary art museum, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán. The palace was confiscated and rebuilt during the Mexican Revolution in 1915. The museum's entrance faces the cathedral from the recently constructed walkway between the two buildings called the Pasaje de la Revolución. The 17 exhibition rooms display work by contemporary artists, mostly from the Yucatán. Nine of the rooms hold the museum's permanent collection; the rest are for temporary exhibits.

Exploring Calle 60
Heading north from Plaza Mayor up Calle 60, you'll see many of Mérida's old churches and squares. Several stores along Calle 60 sell gold-filigree jewelry, pottery, clothing, and folk art. A stroll along this street leads to the Parque Santa Ana and continues to the fashionable boulevard Paseo de Montejo and its Museo Regional de Antropología (Anthropology Museum).

The first place of interest is the Teatro Daniel de Ayala, only because it sometimes schedules interesting performances. On the right side of Calle 60 will be a small park called Parque Cepeda Peraza (or Parque Hidalgo). Named for 19th-century General Manuel Cepeda Peraza, the parque was part of Montejo's original city plan. Small outdoor restaurants front hotels on the park, making it a popular stopping place at any time of day. Across Calle 59 is the Iglesia de Jesús, or El Tercer Orden (the Third Order). Built by the Jesuit order in 1618, it has the richest interior of any church in Mérida, making it a favorite spot for weddings. The entire block on which the church stands belonged to the Jesuits, who are known as great educators. The school they left behind after their expulsion became the Universidad de Yucatán.

Exploring the Paseo de Montejo
The Paseo de Montejo is a broad, tree-lined boulevard that runs north-south starting at Calle 47, 7 blocks north and 2 blocks east of the main square. In the late 19th century, stalwarts of Mérida's upper crust (mostly plantation owners) decided that the city needed something grander than its traditional narrow streets lined by wall-to-wall town houses. They built this monumentally proportioned boulevard and lined it with mansions. Things went sour with the henequén bust, but several of these mansions survive -- some in private hands, others as offices, restaurants, or consulates. Today, this is the fashionable part of town, with many restaurants, trendy dance clubs, and expensive hotels.

Of the mansions that survived, the most notable is the Palacio Cantón, which houses the Museo Regional de Antropología (Anthropology Museum). Designed and built by Enrico Deserti, the architect of the Teatro Peón Contreras, it was constructed between 1909 and 1911, during the last years of the Porfiriato. It was the residence of General Francisco Cantón Rosado, who enjoyed his palace for only 6 years before dying in 1917. For a time the mansion served as the official residence of the state's governor.

Viewing the museum also affords you an opportunity to see some of the surviving interior architecture. The museum's main focus is the pre-Columbian cultures of the peninsula, especially the Maya. Topics include cosmology, history, and culture. Captions for the permanent displays are mostly in Spanish. Starting with fossil mastodon teeth, the exhibits take you through the Yucatán's history, paying special attention to the daily life of its inhabitants.

Merida Activities

Downtown Mérida is a great example of a lowland colonial city. The town has a casual, relaxed feel. Buildings lack the severe baroque and neoclassical features that characterize central Mexico; most are finished in stucco and painted light colors. Mérida's gardens add to this relaxed, tropical atmosphere. Gardeners do not strive for control over nature. Here, natural exuberance is the ideal, with plants growing in a wild profusion that disguises human intervention. A perfect example is the courtyard in the Palacio Montejo. Mérida's plazas are a slightly different version of this aesthetic: Unlike the highland plazas, with their carefully sculpted trees, Mérida's squares are typically built around large trees that are left to grow as tall as possible. Hurricane Isidore blew down some of these last year, which has changed the appearance of these plazas as well as the Paseo de Montejo.

Plaza Mayor (often referred to as El Centro) has this sort of informality. Even when there's no orchestrated event in progress, the park is full of people sitting on the benches, talking with friends, or taking a casual stroll. A plaza like this is a great advantage for a big city such as Mérida, giving it a personal feel and a sense of community. Notice the beautiful scale and composition of the major buildings surrounding it. The most prominent of these is the cathedral.

The oldest cathedral on the continent, it was built between 1561 and 1598. Much of the stone in the cathedral's walls came from the ruined buildings of Tihó, the former Maya city. The original finish was stucco, and you can see some remnants still clinging to the bare rock. However, people like the way the unfinished walls show the cathedral's age. Notice how the two top levels of the bell towers are built off-center from their bases -- an uncommon feature. Inside, decoration is sparse, with altars draped in fabric colorfully embroidered like a Maya woman's shift. The most notable item is a picture of Ah Kukum Tutul Xiú, chief of the Xiú people, visiting the Montejo camp to make peace; it's hanging over the side door on the right.

To the left of the main altar is a small shrine with a curious figure of Christ that is a replica of one recovered from a burned-out church in the town of Ichmul. In the 1500s a local artist carved the original figure from a miraculous tree that was hit by lightning and burst into flames -- but did not char. The statue later became blistered in the church fire at Ichmul, but it survived. In 1645 it was moved to the cathedral in Mérida, where the locals attached great powers to the figure, naming it Cristo de las Ampollas (Christ of the Blisters). It did not, however, survive the sacking of the cathedral in 1915 by revolutionary forces, so another figure, modeled after the original, was made. Take a look in the side chapel (open daily 8-11am and 4:30-7pm), which contains a life-size diorama of the Last Supper. The Mexican Jesus is covered with prayer crosses brought by supplicants asking for intercession.

Next door to the cathedral is the old bishop's palace, now converted into the city's contemporary art museum, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (tel. 999/928-3236). The palace was confiscated and rebuilt during the Mexican Revolution in 1915. The museum's entrance faces the cathedral from the recently constructed walkway between the two buildings called the Pasaje de la Revolución. The 17 exhibition rooms display work by contemporary artists, mostly from the Yucatán. (The best known are Fernando García Ponce and Fernando Castro Pacheco, whose works also hang in the government palace described below.) Nine of the rooms hold the museum's permanent collection; the rest are for temporary exhibits. Moving clockwise around the plaza, on the south side is the Palacio Montejo. Its facade, with heavy decoration around the doorway and windows, is a good example of the Spanish architectural style known as plateresque. But the content of the decoration is very much a New World creation. Conquering the Yucatán was the Montejo family business, begun by the original Francisco Montejo and continued by his son and nephew, both named Francisco Montejo. Construction of the house started in 1542 under the son, Francisco Montejo El Mozo ("The Younger"). Bordering the entrance are politically incorrect figures of conquistadors standing on the heads of vanquished Indians -- borrowed, perhaps, from the pre-Hispanic custom of portraying victorious Maya kings treading on their defeated foes. The posture of the conquistadors and their facial expression of wide-eyed dismay make them less imposing than the Montejos might have wished. A bank now occupies the building, but you can enter the courtyard, view the garden, and see for yourself what a charming residence it must have been for the descendants of the Montejos, who lived here as recently as the 1970s. (Curiously enough, not only does Mérida society keep track of who is descended from the Montejos, but it also keeps track of who is descended from the last Maya king, Tutul Xiú.)

In stark contrast to the severity of the cathedral and Casa Montejo is the light, unimposing Palacio Municipal (town hall) or Ayuntamiento. The exterior dates from the mid-19th century, an era when a tropicalist aesthetic tinged with romanticism began asserting itself across coastal Latin America. On the second floor, you can see the meeting hall of the city council and enjoy a lovely view of the plaza from the balcony. Next door to the Ayuntamiento is a recently completed building called El Nuevo Olimpo (The New Olympus). It took the place of the old Olimpo, which a misguided town council demolished in the 1970s, to the regret of many older Meridanos. The new building tries to incorporate elements of the original while presenting something new. It holds concert and gallery space, a bookstore, and a lovely courtyard. There is a comfortable cafe under the arches, and a bulletin board at the entrance to the courtyard with postings of upcoming performances.

Cater-corner from the Nuevo Olimpo is the old Casa del Alguacil (Magistrate's House). Under its arcades is something of an institution in Mérida: the Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón, an ice cream and sweet shop that will appeal to those who prefer less-rich ice creams. A spectacular side doorway on Calle 62 bears viewing, and across the street is the new Cine Mérida, with two movie screens showing art films and one stage for live performances. Returning to the main plaza, down a bit from the ice cream store is a shopping center of boutiques and convenience food vendors called Pasaje Picheta. At the end of the arcade is the Palacio de Gobierno, dating from 1892. Large murals by the Yucatecan artist Fernando Castro Pacheco, executed between 1971 and 1973, decorate the walls of the courtyard. Scenes from Maya and Mexican history abound, and the painting over the stairway depicts the Maya spirit with ears of sacred corn, the "sunbeams of the gods." Nearby is a painting of mustachioed Lázaro Cárdenas, who as president in 1938 expropriated 17 foreign oil companies and was hailed as a Mexican liberator. Upstairs is a long, wide gallery with more of Pacheco's paintings, which achieve their effect by localizing color and imitating the photographic technique of double exposure.

Further down Calle 61 is the Museo de la Ciudad. It faces the side of the cathedral and occupies the former church of San Juan de Dios. An exhibit outlining the history of Mérida will be of interest to those curious about the city; there is explanatory text in English.