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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:
Airport Transfer
News From Merida and the Yucatan | December in Merida 2009 |
 el Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Throughout November, while attention is on the State Fair at X'matkuil, the people of Merida are getting ready for a month that has not one, but two of the most important religious celebrations in all of Mexico. December 12 is el Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, often thought of as either one or a combination of the Mother of Christ and Tonantzin, the Native American Earth Mother, especially since she is said to have asked for her church to be built on the place where Tonantzin was worshiped. No matter what version you believe or don't believe, 25 popes have honored la Virgen and Pope John Paul II declared Dec. 12 as a Liturgical Holy Day for the North American Continent. He placed the cause of life and the lives of innocent children under la Virgen's care. He visited her shrine four times and all of the people of Mexico loved him because he loved her.
As December 12 draws near, groups of either bicyclers or runners will be traveling all over Mexico, and some will begin to arrive in Merida. They are only part of the millions of Mexicans who make a pilgrimage to honor la Virgen de Guadalupe because of a promise they made to her at some point during the year. For those who are already here, altars are set up in homes and even in many businesses, each decorated with Christmas lights around a statue of la Virgen.
Novenas (Catholic rituals) are held in private homes, along with neighborhood fiestas. By daybreak on December 10, the music and dancing will begin to flow out of the homes and toward the Church of San Cristobal and other local churches. By December 12, el Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe becomes a fiesta that grips the entire population in a wave of loving smiles and joyous music, dancing, singing and, as always in Yucatan, great food and excellent friends.
Christmas in Merida
No sooner does one holiday end than another begins. This time, it is Christmas! Paseo Montejo and the Plaza Grande become a Christmas wonderland. In recent years, Merida's malls have begun to get in on this act themselves. This means that there are beautiful scenes of Christmas, from religious scenes to Santa scenes, available for all to enjoy! Paseo Montejo has a new creche (Nativity Scene) at the remate (the southern end) in the glorieta (traffic circle) and a huge Christmas tree in the park itself. In the creche you'll notice there is no Baby Jesus until Christmas Eve. Throughout the City of Merida, there will be signs of Christmas at individual homes as well. These include everything from simple Christmas lights on the homes of the poor to elaborate lawn decorations, complete with sound, at the homes of Merida's wealthier citizens.
Beginning on December 16, there will be 9 days of Posadas, which are processions in which children portray Mary and Joseph as they search for an inn. These are elaborate affairs, complete with burro, angels, shepherds, and the Three Kings. When the young Mary and Joseph finally reach the designated house, admittance is granted and a huge party ensues. During this time, there are also Pastorelas, which are shepherds' plays that depict the angel announcing the birth of Jesus and the shepherds' trials and tribulations on their journey to find their baby king. These include angels, the Magi, and a variety of animals. On Christmas Eve, families and friends get together for good food, good company and exchanging gifts.
December 28th is the Day of the Holy Innocents (Santos Inocentes), which commemorates King Herod's order to slaughter all male infants in his kingdom, in an effort to kill the Christ Child. Since King Herod failed in his quest, this day is celebrated much like an April Fool's Day.
Three Kings Day
December festivities continue through New Year's Eve and on to January 6th, which is Epiphany in other places, but is Día de Los Reyes (Three Kings Day) in Mexico. Since the 3 Kings brought presents to the Baby Jesus, this is the day that children in Mexico wake up to find their gifts from the Wise Men. This is the day that Rosca de Reyes (King Cakes) are eaten. Whoever gets the hidden Baby Jesus must give another party on or before Candlemas (the Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Christ at the Church), which is Feb. 2.
Festivals and Fiestas
Here is the list of festivals and fiestas that begin in mid-December:
Tizimin Fiesta: Dec. 15 through Jan. 10
Tixpéhual: Dec. 17 through Dec. 20
Espita Fiesta Dec. 19 through Dec. 28
Tunkas Fiesta Dec. 20 through Dec. 24
And there's more! (Visit Yucatan Living's Events for additional information)
December 5 - 6: AANY Art Show: The work of "undiscovered" three-dimensional artists at Club de Leones, Avenida Colon #198A x 14 y 16. This is THE place to shop for original but affordable art that make great Christmas presents.
December 5: Mano a Pata 2009 (Hand in Paw 2009): A benefit for Merida's AFAD Animal Shelter.
Each December, Merida and Progreso play host to the Carlos Torre Memorial International Chess Tournament.
December 11 at Galeria Maya: The Purpura Plastika group, which brings art to disadvantaged kids here in Merida, sells the art that the kids produce to support another year of their fantastic program.
The Women Artisans of Yucatan hold their annual fair in the Plaza Grande the week before Christmas.
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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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