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 MERIDA MEXICO GENERAL OVERVIEW
Merida is the capital city of the state of Yucatan. Known as "White City" because of the large use of white limestone and white paint this traditional city depicts much of the splendor of Colonial Mexico. This is by no means to say that Merida still exists in a time warp and the contrary could be said. There is old and new exhibited in everything from fashion to architecture.
The Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo founded present day Merida in 1542. An insight into the horrendous pain and suffering of the people who were brutalized by the conquering conquistadors exists in magnificent paintings that are on display in the Governor's Palace located in downtown Merida.
Left in seclusion for many years because of the difficulty of traveling to Merida the people of this region have cultivated a distinct contemporary society that is unique in Mexico.
Merida is a safe place to visit and the people are warm and friendly. I asked a friend once about crime in Merida and he simply stated that there was no place to run there. Being such a close-knit society I took it to mean that violent acts of crime are simply not committed here that often because they are more or less one big family.
There is lots of traffic in Merida, especially downtown. Taking the local bus can be tricky if you do not speak Spanish. The majority of streets are one-way and the bus routes wind all over the place and if you are not on top of things you can end walking more than you expected.
If you are in relatively good shape and don't mind the heat [it's hot in the summer] then you can walk to almost every attraction if you stay near the downtown main plaza. This is a great way to get to know the city and once you figure out the street [calle] numbering system, getting lost is unlikely.
The biggest problem you will encounter in Merida is finding a hotel with a swimming pool that fits into your budget. You may want to inquire if the pool is indeed in operation before you make your booking if you feel you need to have the use of a pool, especially in the summer months.
Merida is nothing like Cancun or Playa del Carmen and if you want to experience Mexican culture while staying relatively close to the Caribbean Sea then Merida is a great place to go. There are lots of interesting shops to browse in, if you seek some familiarity, the Merida WalMart is well stocked and also has a food-court.
Outstanding regional dishes and traditional music and dances local to this region can be found in restaurants, theatres and shops housed both near the main plaza and in palatial mansions along Paseo de Montejo - a boulevard fashioned after Paris' Champs Elysée.
Progreso, Merida's port city, is 30 kilometers north and is an interesting area to visit to see the salt-flats and flamingos.
Being centrally located, Merida is a practical hub to explore numerous ruin sites and ecological wonders. Many charters fly into Merida or you can take a four-hour bus ride from Cancun. There are also two highways connecting Cancun and Merida plus many roads winding their way through the jungle from Tulum.
 MERIDA HOTELS
For current Merida hotel and resort information including rates, availability and secure on-line reservations please see:
 Merida Hotels and Resorts
Merida Airport to Merida Hotels:
Shuttle Information
News From Merida and the Yucatan | Fall 2009 |
Every year, we think that there is no possible way to pack any more excitement into the Fall cultural scene in Yucatan, and we are always surprised to see an amazing array of additional events provided for our enjoyment.
 Otoño Cultural
In the past, Fall officially began with the Otoño Cultural (Fall Cultural Festival) in early October. Now, Merida begins its fall festivities with Mes Patrio (Native Month). This is an important patriotic month for Mexico because Mexican independence is celebrated on September 16. The remainder of the month is devoted to fostering solidarity among the Mexican people and states. Before the red, white and green of Mex Patrio is even put up in the streets, there are already cultural exchanges of music and dance going on between the various states in Mexico. Throughout the month, there will be exchanges of art, theater, music, and dance between the states so that every Mexican will have an opportunity to bond with all of the cultures in their nation.
Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
On September 11 and 13, the new Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan's season begins with a performance called "Sounds of the world, featuring 2 guest directors and three guest musicians. Román Revueltas and the Venezuelan César Iván Lara will be the two invited guest directors. The three illustrias invited musicians are violochelists Inna Nassidze and Ophelie Gaillard, as well as soprano Irasema Terrazas. According to Maestro Juan Carlos Lomonaco, director of our OSY, Inna Nassidze is the greatest chellist in all of Mexico. However, this performance will not leave out Yucatan's own bevy of talented musicians. There will be many opportunities for them to solo and show the world just how talented the Symphonic Orchestra of Yucatan really is. As usual, the performance will take place in Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57, at 9:00 PM on Friday and 12:00 IM on Sunday.
Nuestra Belleza México 2009
On September 20, 2009, Nuestra Belleza México 2009 (Our Beauty Mexico), a national beauty contest, will take place in Merida. Contestants will arrive for instruction and final training on Sept 3. The first phase of the contest will be on the 12th of September. Then, on the 17th of September, there will be the bathing suit and cocktail dress competition. Finally, on September 20th, the 15 finalists will compete for the title of Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2009. Competition will include intellectual preparation, as well as physical beauty. This final competition will be broadcast lived throughout the nation. During the course of the competition, these young ladies will tape their presentations from a number of places throughout our state. These include Celestun, Progreso, Sisal, Valladolid, Uxmal, Chichen Itza, and Merida. These tapes will then become part of their competition and will be shown throughout the nation on the final night of the contest. This will present Yucatan to all of Mexico and will serve to show the Mexican people that Yucatan is a wonderful place to both vacation and to live, and is expected to significantly boost tourism from other states in Mexico.
Otoño Cultural [Fall Cultural Festival]
The Otoño Cultural (Fall Cultural Festival) begins in Merida in early October. This is an amazing production that manages to put on over 1,100 events in the scant space of about six weeks. The Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan shines during this time, as do the various instrumental and vocal groups from UADY and the Municipality of Merida. The array of local, national, and international talent is simply amazing. Look also for Jazz and trova festivals, as well as classic cinema series to be part of this festival, as well as a number of national and international competitions in dance and sports.
Day of the Dead
At the end of October, of course, are the festivities surrounding the Day of the Dead. During the past two to three years, wonderful Day of the Dead alter building contests have sprung up and the offerings become more elaborate and sophisticated with each passing year (as do the monetary prizes for the winners). These alters are not only a way of preserving the past, but also a means of encouraging younger generations of Yucatecos to carry their living and relevant heritage forward into the future.
To see photos from previous celebrations,
Otoño Cultural [ending]
The Otoño Cultural ends with the beginning of Yucatan's 2009 State Fair at X'Matkuil, on the outskirts of Merida. This year, the dates are November 6 through November 29. This is not just any ordinary state fair. As part of this celebration, there are contests to find the best new voices in the state, as well as more - always more - trova and jazz. To get just a taste of what this fair is like, visit the website of
which includes information about both the 2008 and 2009 events.
Toh Bird Festival
November 19 - 22, 2009 are the dates for the
in Yucatan. This festival is a bird-watcher's dream, with plenty of opportunities to not only watch birds, but to get hands on experience with volunteering to help with some of them as well. The array of birds found in Yucatan is astonishing and this is a trip well worth taking for any avid bird-watcher.
Yucatan Living publishes a weekly Events column where you can learn not only what's to do in any given week, but more about what to expect from each performance. We have an Art in Merida page and a page for Ongoing Events and Classes. No matter who you are, there is always something wonderful, created just for you, to do in Yucatan! We invite you to join us at Yucatan Living and enjoy the rich and varied cultural offerings to be found in the magical State of Yucatan.
Each year, Merida comes more alive in the fall and winter seasons, as tourists continue to come from far and wide to experience the unique Mayan culture that is thriving in the Yucatan. Those of us who are residents here are looking forward to a very active and interesting winter season… We invite you to join us!
Merida News is brought to you by
Expatriates - Living, Working and Playing in Merida and the Yucatan
Our tours are perfect for singles, seniors, and children.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
 Plaza Principal
From the Main Plaza (also called Plaza Principal) you can see The Cathedral, on the east side of the Plaza, Palacio Municipal which is Merida's town hall built in 1735, Casa de Montejo, former home of the conquerer of Yucatan and Palacio de Govierno. Horse and buggy rides can be picked up from the Plaza which will take you sightseeing or back to your hotel.
Casa Montejo
Casa Montejo is an excellent sample of Spanish Colonial architecture. Construction on this grandiose home of the founding fathers of Merida started in 1549.
Cathedral
This magnificent cathedral is known for the murals depicting the meeting between Montejo and the Mayan King Tutl Xiu. Construction of this cathedral began in 1561.
Palacio de Govierno
The Governor's Palace houses 27 wall size murals illustrating the somewhat violent bloody history of the Yucatan. The artist spent his entire life working on these paintings.
La Ermita de Santa Isabela
A quiet relaxing place with beautiful gardens and statues. It is located just outside of the city wall.
Paseo de Montejo Boulevard
Historical boulevard fashioned after those found in Paris, France. Stately homes, shops and quaint restaurants. The Merida WalMart is located at the north end of the boulevard, which is quite surprising.
Regional Anthropology Museum
Home to many original stone carvings from nearby Mayan sights. This museum also contains rare objects made of brass and copper [who says the Mayans did not use metal].
The University of Yucatan offers folkloric regional dancing on Friday nights at calle 60 by 57.
Sunday is the day of the outdoor handicraft market and food festival in Merida. Happening at Main Plaza, Hidalgo Park and Santa Lucia Park from 9-9 and Casa de las Artesanias from 9-1:30.
Thursday the Santa Lucia Park hosts the Yucatan Serenade, an open air concert featuring Yucatan dress, dance, music and folklore starting at 9:00. Santa Lucia Park is located at calle 60 and 57.
ATTRACTIONS NEARBY
Celestún
Located 80 km west of Merida on Highway 281.
Celestún is a small fishing village and bird sanctuary on the Gulf of Mexico in the Western Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Inland waterways provide a natural habitat for flamingoes, herons and other tropical birds. If you are lucky you may see a flock of flamingos flying over you which is quite an experience.
Hacienda San Pedro Ochil
Located about 50 km south of Merida on the road to Campeche.
Convenient for visitors to Uxmal and other nearby Mayan ruins.
Contains Museum of Yucatan Peninsula Haciendas and shops with local artisans working on different typical folk-art and clothing.
To learn more visit:
Komchén de los Pajaros
Located 35 km northeast of Merida - 50 km from Rio Lagartos.
The Komchén Bird Sanctuary is a private non-profit organization created at Hacienda Henequenera. This sanctuary provides facilities for the practice of ecotourism. Its mission is "to sustainably develop and conserve a nature reserve and at the same time improve the living conditions of local people".
To learn more visit:
Rio Lagartos
Located about 85 km east to Tizimín and 30 km north.
Declared a wildlife refuge in 1979, the Rio Lagartos Reserve covers over 100,000 acres of a wide variety of habitats including flamingoes, howler monkeys, crocodiles, jaguars, pheasants and white tail deer.
To learn more visit:
Uaymitun
Flamingos can also be seen at Uaymitun, just north east of Progreso. Visit the lookout tower that is right next to the road. Entrance is free and the caretakers will even lend you binoculars.
Izamal
Izamal is located 45 minutes northwest of Merida via car, a bit more by bus or van. Upon arrival head to the Government Palace to see the large model of the entire town and the tremendous amount of Mayan pyramids that sprinkled about. Pope John Paul visited the Franciscan Convent in 1993. The Museums of the Community is located under the Convent in front of the 5 de Mayo Park.
Valladolid
Valladolid is located halfway between Merida and Cancun. It is a small, quaint town that still preserves a colonial flavor. The majority of the townspeople still wear typical dress of the Maya. Cenote Dzitnup is great for swimming. The San Roque Museum has huge murals depicting Mexican history.
Cenote Ik Kil
Ik Kil is a favorite cenote near Chichen Itza.
To learn more visit:
 Club de Golf de Yucatan Merida now has an 18 hole par 72 golf course/country club complete with swimming pool, steam baths, weight-room, children's park, mini golf, pro shop and restaurant.
Built on what was once the grounds of the Mayan ruins of Dzbilchaltun. Dzibilchaltun is one of the oldest known sites in Mayan world. This city and its surrounding area was believed to be home to over 8000 structures spread over nine square miles.
If you are staying in Merida with your family, especially during the summer months then you might want to consider spending the day here, even if you don't play golf.
The club also offers Spinning and Jazz classes as well as nine tennis courts.
Memberships are available to local visitors spending the winter months here.
Facilities include: 18 hole golf course, swimming pool, mini-golf, 9 tennis courts, vapor room [sauna], weight room, children's play park, pro shop and restaurant.
| Designer: | Felix Mier y Teran y Vicente Erosa |
| Holes: | 18 |
| Par: | 72 |
| Yards: | 6,590 |
| Location: | Carr. Merida - Progreso km 14.5 |
The club has a
, [everything is in Spanish].
Club de Golf de Yucatan is located just off the Merida-Progreso highway just outside Merida.
ESTEBAN COLBERTO
Merida is home to the legendary Matador and award winning pastry chef Esteban Colberto.
A household name in Mexico, Esteban's humble beginnings are widely known and even taught as fables in schools.
Senior Colberto presently hosts his own highly popular Mexican language newscast "Colberto Reporto Gigante".
MERIDA CLIMATE
Merida Weather Review [For each month of the year].
Includes: Average Temperature, High/Low Temperature, Relative Humidity And more...
MERIDA TOURIST INFORMATION
Information for tourists can easily be found downtown at:
Tourist Information Center
Corner of calles 60 and 57A
City Tourist Office
Calles 59 and 62
RUIN SITES
Ruin sites located within a reasonable distance from Merida are:
*** large site ** medium site * small site
View Ruin site Map for this area.
For more information regarding visiting ruin sites please investigate
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Cancun
