Mérida is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Yucatan. While heavily influenced by the Mayan culture of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mérida is also a cultural melting pot of Spanish, French, British, and to a smaller extent, Dutch influences. As a result, Mérida is a vibrant cultural center, boasting multiple museums, art galleries, restaurants, and beautiful colonial buildings - a reminder of the city’s colonial history. Meandering, grid-like, narrow streets lead to large, open plazas, where often there is a musical or artistic event taking place, as music and dancing are part of the fabric of day-to-day life. With so much to see here, you’ll need a nice place to while away the nights, or perhaps a long-term rental for an extended stay. Make the most of your trip by embarking on these best things to do in Mérida, Mexico.
1. Admire the artwork at Passage of the Revolution
Passage of the Revolution was established to boost knowledge and creativity among the public through imaginative and compelling artworks. The long, picturesque building, perched between MACAY, formerly the Archbishop’s Palace, and the cathedral, is beautifully roofed with glass and iron structures. Within, you’ll find works of international and Mexican artists to admire, including thematic exhibitions, photographs, paintings, and sculptures. Don’t forget to bring your camera along, and if you ever get tired, there are benches for you to relax.
Passage of the Revolution
Address: C. 58 508, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Website: Passage of the Revolution
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
2. Take gorgeous photos at Letras Mérida
Letras Mérida, the beautiful writing on an esplanade, is where locals and tourists love to take photos with Catedral de Mérida and the town’s hall in the background. But you might wonder: what’s the purpose behind the attraction? The locals are proud of their city! It’s located in a quaint park with benches, free WiFi, and an opportunity to enjoy the scenery, people-watch, or meet new people.
Letras Mérida
Address: Calle 62 498-500, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
3. Have fun at Mérida en Domingo
Mérida en Domingo is a bustling festival, held every Sunday on the city’s main square — Calle 60, between Parque Santa Lucía and the plaza. Here, you’ll enjoy many exciting treats such as live music performances and bike tours. Plus, on-site are many local street foods to try out, including the famous Yucatecan snacks. Artisans also display their beautifully crafted arts for you to purchase as souvenirs. Don’t miss a Sunday stroll through this venue.
Mérida en Domingo
Address: Calle 60 S/N, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Website: Mérida en Domingo
Opening hours: Sun: 6am - 10pm (closed from Mon to Sat)
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4. Learn about Mexico’s past at Monumento a La Patria
The striking Monumento a La Patria allows you to learn about Mexico’s history, from when Tenochtitlán was founded around the 14th century to the 20th century. It was created by Rómulo Rozo, a Columbian sculptor, in 1957, and it has been a pride of the city and a piece of curiosity for tourists. On the figure, you’ll find over 300 handmade arts. On the figure’s facade are statues such as Mérida’s shield, a ceiba tree, and a Chacmool, reminiscing on the Mayan culture and heritage.
Monumento a La Patria
Address: Paseo Montejo En el entronque con las avenidas Carlos Torre Repetto, Rómulo Rozo y la calle 27 A, Merida 97203 Mexico
5. Experience Merida Noche Mexicana
You can’t afford to miss all the excitement at Noche Mexicana, a street party held every Saturday night at Calle 47 and Paseo de Montejo. The colorful event features local dance-style performances by young artists, traditional Mexican music, and more. You will find vendors on the grounds, selling their art and jewelry to the highest bidder. Plus, you can’t go hungry with the food stands on-site, selling food, drinks, and even ice cream.
If you’re wondering which of the two locations is more eclectic, we suggest you check out Paseo de Montejo, where you can also admire some of the most striking statues and historic sites in Merida, Mexico.
City of Merida Noche Mexicana
Address: Calle 56ᴬ 485, Zona Paseo Montejo, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Website: City of Merida Noche Mexicana
Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 11:30pm (closed from Sun - Fri)
6. Checkout Monumento a Gonzalo Guerrero
Monumento a Gonzalo Guerrero is dedicated to the first European who accepted the Mayan culture without resistance. Guerrero is a Spanish sailor who was involved in a shipwreck off Jamaica’s island. Only eight of them survived, and on getting to the Yucatan Peninsula, the natives were aggressive, and four of the visitors were sacrificed, and the rest jailed. Four of the prisoners escaped, including the Spaniard, but were recaptured as slaves by the Cocomes enemy tribe of Tutul Xiúes. Here, he gained his freedom and offered invaluable advice and counsel, unknown to the tribe. The striking monument is located in the tree-lined Paseo Montejo, and it’s worth seeing.
Monumento a Gonzalo Guerrero
Address: Gonzalo Guerrero, 97115 Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
7. Visit the Museum of the Mayan World
Opening in 2012, the last year of the Mayan calendar, the Museum of the Mayan World (Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida) celebrates Mayan culture with a permanent collection of more than 1100 well-preserved artifacts. It is a good place to start your visit to Mérida, to learn about the history and culture of the Mayan people. All of the artifacts come from archaeological sites in Quintana Roo. There are three permanent exhibition rooms: the Mayas de Hoy, the Mayas Room of Yesterday and the Mayan Ancestral Room.
The building itself is a work of art. It was designed in the form of a ceiba, a sacred tree believed by the Maya to connect the living with the underworld and the heavens above. On an outside wall, you can view a free light-and-sound show, at night.
Check out the Opening Night Light and Sound Show in this video!
Museum of the Mayan World
Address: Calle 60 299 E, Unidad Revolución, 97110 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Website: Museum of the Mayan World
8. Admire the architecture of the Cathedral of San Ildefonso
With its construction that began in 1561 and completed in 1598, the imposing Cathedral of San IIdefonso was built on the site of a former Mayan temple and some of the stone from the temple was even used in its construction. The Renaissance style façade contains the main door (“Door of Forgiveness”) flanked by the sculptures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Flanking the sides are four columns, which symbolize the four apostles, charged with protecting and promoting the religion.
The somewhat austere and cold interior pays homage to both Mayan and Spanish religious traditions. The cathedral was more decorated before the Mexican revolution, but in 1915, when General Salvador Alvarado arrived in Mérida, he set about destroying the inside of the cathedral. In the apse behind the altar, stands a massive crucifix, featuring the Cristo de la Unidad (Christ of Unity), as a symbol of reconciliation between the Spanish and Mayan heritage.
Cathedral of San IIdefonso
Address: Calle 60, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
9. Spend an afternoon at Parque de Santa Lucia
Offering great things to do with the family in Merida, Mexico, Parque de Santa Lucía is surrounded on the north and west sides by colorful arcades. In the past, this was the gateway for stagecoaches traveling to surrounding towns and villages. Today it’s a popular restaurant area and venue for Serenatas Yucatecas (Yucatecan Serenades), an open-air dance, with live music and colorful costumes, on Thursdays at 9 pm.
On Tuesdays, you will find jazz musicians playing and you can enjoy the performances from any of the many benches or from a sidewalk restaurant or bar. Get there early if you want a good spot from where to see the performance.
Parque de Santa Lucia
Address: Calle 60 476A, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
10. Take a walking tour in Plaza Grande
If you want to learn about the history of Mérida, head to Plaza Grande at 9:30 am, Monday through Saturday and you can take a free walking tour (consider a well-deserved tip). It is also a good way to get your bearings and learn your way around town, so it’s a perfect way to begin a visit to Mérida. Along with some history, you’ll learn about the city itself and the attractions nearby and also have a chance to go inside historic buildings, surrounding the plaza. The tour takes about 90 minutes to two hours and begins at the city tourism office, located on the west side of the plaza. Make a point to return on Sunday so you can see Mayan dancing and hear the police band.
The Plaza Grande is a popular gathering spot for tourists and locals alike and a perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing. There are plenty of benches and lots of shade, so you can get a bite to eat from one of the many food vendors at the edge of the plaza, or pop in one of the restaurants around the plaza. With the Cathedral de San Ildefonso and other Spanish colonial architecture surrounding the plaza, you have a beautiful 360-degree backdrop.
Walking Tour of Plaza Grande
Address: Mérida Tourism Office, ground floor of the Palacio Municipal, Calle 62 at Plaza Grande
11. Get a taste of local culture at Lucas de Galvez Market
Lucas de Galvez Market is the main public market in Merida and is a good venue to mingle with the locals and get a feel for daily life. The bustling market occupies several buildings, some with stalls, and some with open spaces. There is a plethora of products: hardware, shoes, spices, flowers, prepared food, small live animals, healing herbs, local clothing, jewelry, homemade crafts, and of course food. Go early in the day to make sure you get the freshest fish, which you can get fish prepared any way you want - whole, deboned, sectioned, or filleted. There is also a fresh meat market section.
To learn about local culture and, more broadly, Yucatan culture, Louis de Galvez Market is one of the most recommended places to visit in Merida, Mexico. All the ingredients of traditional Yucatecan food can be found here.
Market is open 6:00 am - 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Lucas de Galvez Market
Address: Calle 65 y 69 x 56 y 56 A, Col.Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
12. See colorful homes and colonial architecture at Merida Downtown
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Exploring Merida Downtown in Mexico is a captivating activity that immerses you in the vibrant colonial heritage of the city. The heart of Merida is a treasure trove of colorful homes and impressive colonial architecture, reflecting its storied past and cultural diversity.
As you stroll through the charming streets, you’ll be enchanted by the beautifully preserved facades adorned with colorful paint, ornate balconies, and intricate details. The bustling main square, or Zocalo, is the focal point, surrounded by historic buildings and lively cafes. The downtown area offers a captivating blend of Mayan and Spanish influences, creating a unique and distinctive atmosphere. Visitors can admire landmarks such as the Cathedral of Merida, Government Palace, and Casa de Montejo, showcasing the city’s architectural splendor and historical significance.
13. Stroll along Paseo de Montejo
Paseo de Montejo, known as Mérida’s “Champs Elysees”, is a lovely, tree-lined boulevard, flanked with some of the most iconic buildings and monuments of the city. Here, you will find the Palacio Canton, which houses the Anthropology and History Museum, Las Casas Gemelas, and the Quinta Montes Molina. There are also many beautiful mansions here, that were built along the avenue by wealthy Yucatecans of the 19th century, some built in French Neoclassical style.
Paseo de Montejo extends north from the Santa Ana District and connects to Highway 231, just south of the Mayan Museum (Gran Museo Maya). A good place to begin is at El Remate, a square located between 47 and 49, which serves as an entrance to the Paseo de Montejo. There are several ways to stroll along the Paseo. You can walk up one side of the avenue and back on the other, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
On Sundays, between 8:00 am. and 12:30 pm, the Paseo becomes a pedestrian street, closed off to vehicles and becomes La Bici-Ruta (bicycle route), a Sunday family tradition. Besides people riding bikes, you’ll also find dog walkers, runners and sometimes live music.
Paseo de Montejo
Location: Paseo de Montejo begins east of Santa Ana Park and runs nearly 8 km (5 miles) to the north.
14. See the Merida Cathedral Video Mapping Show
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Seeing the Merida Cathedral Video Mapping Show in Mexico is a captivating and immersive activity that offers a unique blend of history and modern technology. This spectacular light and sound show transforms the majestic facade of the Merida Cathedral into a mesmerizing canvas for an enchanting visual experience.
The show takes visitors on a journey through time, showcasing the city’s rich history, Mayan heritage, and colonial past through stunning 3D projections, animations, and colorful illuminations. The cathedral’s intricate architecture comes to life as the dynamic display unfolds, accompanied by a synchronized soundtrack that adds depth to the storytelling.
15. Play Pok-a-Tok, a Mayan ball game
Pok-a-Tok (sometimes called Pok-ta-Pok) was a ball game played by the ancient Maya, well over 1000 years ago, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Pok-a-Tok is sort of a cross between soccer and basketball, except much more difficult to play. The object of the game is for the two opposing sides to try and hit the hard rubber ball into a stone hoop, placed at both ends of the playing field, but you can only pass and shoot the ball using your thighs and hips.
The tradition of the game is repeated each Friday night, on Calle 60, in front of the Cathedral on Plaza Grande. There are bleachers for seating and the performance ends with a variation of the game, with a flaming wooden ball. Players use their bare hands to throw the fiery ball.
The Pok-a-Tok event in Mérida is free and begins promptly at 8:00 pm. It is recommended to arrive 15-20 minutes early, to get a good spot in the bleachers.
Pok-a-Tok Mayan Ball Game
Address: Calle 60 in front of the Cathedral on Plaza Grande
Learn More: Pok-a-Tok Mayan Ball Game
16. Visit Zona Arqueologica Uxmal
The archaeological site of Uxmal is located 62 kilometers (38.5 miles), south of Mérida, in the center of the Puuc (“hill” or “chain of low mountains”) region, in the southwestern part of the Yucatan. The ruins of the ceremonial structures at Uxmal represent the pinnacle of late Mayan art and architecture, in their design, layout and ornamentation. Some of the most important buildings at the site are the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Governor’s Palace, the House of the Tortoises, the Ball Court, Great Pyramid and Pyramid of the Magician.
This UNESCO Mayan ruin site is less crowded than others. It is a wonderful balance of both jungle and wide, open spaces - another feature unique to other Mayan archaeological sites. There are three hotels and a museum within walking distance and an overnight stay will give you an opportunity to experience Uxmal at night.
Zona Arqueologica Uxmal
Address: Located in the center of the Puuc region in the southwestern part of the Mexican state of the Yucatan, near the municipalities of Muna and Santa Elena.
Website: Zona Arqueologica Uxmal
17. Tour Mérida market (from USD 69.0)
For an authentic taste of Yucatecan cuisine, take a guided tour of a local food market that is less frequented by tourists, where you will shop for fresh ingredients and later prepare several tasty dishes. As you walk around the outdoor market, your guide will explain the uses and origins of fruits and vegetables, common to the Yucatan region. After you have purchased your ingredients, your guide will escort you to the home of a local host, where you will learn about Mexican culinary traditions, while you prepare a light lunch.
Some Yucatecan local dishes you may have a chance to sample and prepare include salbutes (Mayan tacos), Panuchos (black bean filled tostadas), papadzules (enchiladas topped with pumpkin seed sauce) and codzitos (stuffed and fried tortillas). You will also learn about the influence of other cultures on local culinary traditions.
Included in the tour price are the professional guide, food, non-alcoholic beverages, the cooking session at a local home, transportation to the market and the local home.
Merida Market Tour and Cooking Class
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
The flavors of Mérida, Mexico
The city of Mérida has a uniqueness to it, as a result of its Mayan heritage, but European culture is also part of the fabric of the city. Mérida has successfully kept its pre-colonial traditions alive while embracing its post-colonial imprint. World-class restaurants have put their contemporary slant on traditional Mexican cuisine, while bustling markets showcase local fruits, vegetables, and spices.
The tree-lined boulevards have a distinctly European feel, while both small and grand plazas are steeped in Mexican culture. Keep this list of must-try activities in Merida, to make your trip even more worthwhile.
And if you are decided to maximize your time in Yucatan, feel free to stay in one of the Airbnb vacation rentals in Progreso, a charming coastal town just 40 minutes away from Merida.
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