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Last Updated on third March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Looking to spend 3 days in Merida? This itinerary is full of ideas and methods to assist plan the proper keep on this Mexican metropolis. With cobblestone streets lined with vibrant buildings, a dramatic cathedral sitting on the prime of a big central sq., with charismatic markets and engaging museums, you’ll love exploring the highlights of Merida.
While town is awash with allure and alternatives to get pleasure from native life, it’s not as generally visited as different Mexican areas – vacationers usually spend their time in Mexico on the seaside (in locations like Tulum or Cancun) or go to the cities with stand-out points of interest (like Mexico City).
However, Merida has allure and charisma, and you can spend a lifetime soaking in its vibe and genuine Mayan tradition. But when you solely have three days in Merida, right here’s find out how to make them depend!
How to spend three days in Merida
From consuming conventional Yucatecan meals to absorbing Merida’s great historical past, you’ll love exploring Merida in three days!
Your Merida itinerary will embody experiencing historical past and tradition within the metropolis centre, visiting historical ruins simply outdoors of town and taking journeys to the close by Yucatan shoreline.
Day 1: Explore the City Centre
On your first day in Merida, start within the metropolis centre! If you need to get to know town like an area, reserve a free strolling tour on the Free Tour web site.
With a educated, bilingual information, you’ll discover Merida’s metropolis centre, taking in points of interest just like the Catedral de San Ildefonso, a shocking baroque-style church that was constructed within the sixteenth century.
It was the primary accomplished cathedral within the Americas, and whereas the outside is grand, the inside is sort of sparse, because of being ransacked within the Mexican Revolution.
Whether you’re on a tour or not, go to the Palacio de Gobierno, a powerful constructing that was constructed within the nineteenth century and was the state of Yucatan’s authorities workplaces. You’ll additionally discover murals, accomplished in 1970, that depict the historical past of the Mayan folks.
There are a lot of unbelievable cafes on the town: strive the genuine espresso at Manifesto, take within the fashionable vibes at El Apapacho (half cafe, half library!) and benefit from the brunches at Pan & Koffee.
Once you’ve had lunch, go museum-hopping! Merida’s greatest embody:
- The Museum of the City of Merida, which particulars the story of town and its historical and colonial historical past
- MACAY artwork museum which acts as town’s artwork gallery
- The Mayan World Museum of Mérida (positioned a 25 minute drive outdoors of town centre) the place you’ll be able to study all about Mayan historical past
Also, don’t miss the Casa de Montejo, an impressive mansion that was constructed within the sixteenth century, and has since become a museum.
In the night, head to Parque Santa Lucia, which is understood for weekly dancing and two large white chairs dealing with one another!
You’ll discover these white chairs everywhere in the metropolis, generally known as “sillas tu y yo”. The chairs have been supposedly made to cease younger women and men from getting too shut when sitting collectively on a bench! The supersized model in Parque Lucia is called a Merida landmark.
For dinner, head to Apoala restaurant, serving deliciously cooked Mexican fare in a tremendous eating ambiance.
If it’s a Saturday, head to the cathedral for 8pm. A weekly conventional pok-ta-pok recreation takes place right here, the place locals display the traditional sport that their Mayan ancestors used to play.
It’s a ball recreation the place gamers should use their hips to hit a ball right into a web; and the talents that these sportspeople have are severely spectacular!
Day 2: See Merida’s ruins
Soak in historical historical past in your second day in Merida, by taking a visit to the close by Maya ruins of Uxmal and Kabah. They’re about 20 minutes from one another, however each are about an hour’s drive south of town.
Uxmal is a powerful Maya archaeological metropolis, that includes among the most well-preserved constructions from the traditional civilization.
The website contains the Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor’s Palace which is positioned on the highest of a hill and is ornately embellished by snakes and gods like Chac and the Nunnery Quadrangle which dates again to 900 and was thought to resemble a convent.
After exploring Uxmal, head to Kabah. Kabah’s somewhat smaller than Uxmal however is famend for its gorgeous sculptures and mosaics. The website contains the El Palacio de los Mascarones (Palace of the Masks), which is adorned with over 300 stone masks that depict Chaac, the rain god.
Once you make it again to town, both get pleasure from some drinks and dinner on the town (you can spend all night in La Negrita cantina, or get pleasure from Yucatan dinner at La Chaya Maya), or head to Progreso to catch the sundown!
Progreso is a forty five minute drive from Merida, and there are many seaside bars serving recent seafood – strive Almadia and Sliver Beach Club.
Day 3: Take a day journey
On your third day in Merida, head out from town! The metropolis’s advantageous place implies that there’s a large number of day journeys to get pleasure from. Here are two of one of the best:
Chichen Itza – Cenote Saamal – Valladolid
There are few locations as traditionally important as Chichen Itza; you’ll be able to take a direct ADO bus from Merida to right here. One of the brand new wonders of the world, Chichen Itza was as soon as the most important and strongest Mayan metropolis.
Harking again 1,500 years, Chichen Itza is an enormous advanced, with El Castillo pyramid being probably the most well-known construction. There’s additionally Temple of the Warriors which was the place festivities was once held and The Great Ball Court the place metropolis dwellers performed Pok te Pok.
Then, take a collectivo to Valladolid, stopping at Cenote Saamal on the best way (it’s simply outdoors of city). This is without doubt one of the most spectacular cenotes – that are dramatic azure underground swimming pools – in Yucatan, together with a Mexican restaurant and cultural area.
Once you’ve cooled down within the cenote, hop into one other collectivo to Valladolid. This brightly colored metropolis is famend for its cobbled streets and historic sq..
Celestun
If you need to discover extra of Merida’s shoreline, head to Celestun! The seaside right here is nowhere close to as spectacular as additional down in Quintana Roo, however it’s a stunning cease if you wish to see the seaside and dine at a seafood restaurant – La Palapa has tables and chairs proper on the sand itself!
However, most individuals go to Celestun for one more water-based exercise. The city sits on an island, and there’s a lagoon on the opposite facet. Jump in a ship and head onto the mangrove forests, the place you’ll be able to spot flamingos and crocodiles (keep firmly within the boat!).
Where to remain in Merida
Nomadas Hostel is positioned within the historic heart of Merida, providing non-public and shared rooms. There’s a swimming pool if it’s essential cool off within the Merida warmth, or you’ll be able to simply relax within the stunning courtyard.
The four-star Hotel Boutique Casa San Angel is located in a lovingly restored colonial mansion with individually embellished bedrooms, comfy beds, a swimming pool with tropical crops round and excessive ceilings.
Situated simply north of town in a historic hacienda, Hacienda Xcanatun is located in an 18th century constructing, with four-poster beds, brightly colored partitions and a deep blue swimming pool. It’s the last word place to remain if you need someplace genuine to chill out!
How to get to Merida
Being a big metropolis of near 900,000 residents, Merida does have its personal airport, though it doesn’t have many worldwide connections.
If you’re flying from outdoors Mexico, you’ll need to fly to Cancun and take a bus from there to Merida (a pair per day depart from the airport on to Merida, or you’ll be able to hop on a bus to central Cancun the place ADO buses depart often all through the day).
However, you’ll be able to fly to Merida from Mexico City and some different Mexican cities.
Merida can also be linked to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, Campeche and Chetumal by ADO bus. These buses are comfy, spacious and secure and supply a helpful method to get round Southern Mexico.
How to get round Merida
Merida is a walkable metropolis, and when you’re staying within the centre of city most locations are in simple attain. There’s additionally a bus community. With this being mentioned, you’ll need to put on comfy footwear as you’ll be in your toes rather a lot throughout this itinerary!
Uber is operational all through Merida, and taxis are hail-able on just about any road nook. These have to be paid for with money.
Is Merida secure?
Mexico as an entire is usually a lot safer than the way it’s depicted within the media and Merida specifically is among the many most secure cities within the nation. It has a really low crime price and just about no cartel exercise. In this regard, it’s a lot safer than vacationer hotspots Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Personally, I’ve discovered Merida to be a lot safer when it comes to road harassment too; when strolling round alone there, I by no means skilled any catcalling, which is sadly fairly widespread in cities like Oaxaca.
Are you prepared to go to Merida?
With lengthy, leafy boulevards, the constant recent odor of scrumptious Yucatecan delicacies, welcoming buildings and loads of Mayan actions to get pleasure from, Merida’s a metropolis that entrances.
This three day itinerary covers the highlights, however you’ll undoubtedly be planning your subsequent sojourn to Yucatan’s capital the second you allow! For extra Mexico inspiration, be sure you try our ideas for 2 weeks in Mexico.
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Claire Martin is a journey blogger and freelance author who specialises in overland adventures. She’s drove round Australia, travelled from Bali to London with out flying, lived in Mexico and has spent many months exploring Europe. You can comply with her adventures on her weblog, Claire’s Footsteps.
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