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 MERIDA 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
Transfer from Merida airport is not available.
News From Merida and the Yucatan | Spring 2008 |
Easter Week is known in Mexico as Semana Santa. It is really more like two weeks. Two weeks of vacation for a lot of Mexicans, who use this time to become tourists in their own country, mingling with the usual group of tourists from around the world. In the Yucatan, this season is marked by gremios (religious processions through the streets, usually carrying statues of saints and banners, accompanied by singing and music), church events, Passion Plays (like the famous one in
and a lot of fiestas with family and friends. The beaches of the Yucatan are well-attended during Semana Santa and most hotels are as busy as they get all year. When Semana Santa is over, Merida settles down to get ready for the heat.
 Spring in Merida
The hottest month in Merida is typically May, and April is one of the driest months. During April, the Mayans burn their fields, hoping to return some nutrients from last season's crops to the soil. The smoke from their milpas
(fields) can sometimes be smelled in the middle of town. Agriculturists and the government have been trying to educate the Mayans to leave behind the slash-and-burn technique of farming, and the burning is less than it used to be.
Don't Worry About the Smoke!
If you are visiting this time of year, you might smell smoke but don't panic. There is very little that can burn in the city of Merida. During these months, you might also be treated to the sight of a swarm of locusts. Every once in awhile, on a schedule we aren't privy to, the locusts descend on the Yucatan, eating up the crops where they land. Occasionally, they can be seen in town. If you see a strange, shifting dark cloud in the air, don't panic! Watch and be amazed as the swarm flies, shifting directions and swirling in the air like a school of fish. They won't hurt you unless you have green leaves and grow from roots. If you get a chance to see one of the locusts up close, you'll notice they look like sturdy, multi-colored and quite interesting grasshoppers.
Art in Merida
What's also hot in Merida these days is ART! More and more art galleries are opening their doors, and the streets are full of art. The new MACAY sculpture exhibit on Paseo de Montejo will feature sculptures from Mexico and Germany. They will be installed at the end of March and will stay there until a few weeks before Carnaval 2009.
Exhibits featuring photography, original painting, installations, videos, poetry readings and much more are opening in March as well. And the Sunday morning Art on Paseo Montejo is continuing to grow. For all the latest art news, as well as addresses, times, phone numbers and more, go to the definitive listing for art venues in Merida, Yucatan Living's
. The page has a downloadable map, which can also be picked up at any museum, gallery or information booth in Merida.
Music in Merida
Music has always been a big part of Yucatecan culture. Merida even boasts a Music Museum (you can find its location on Calle 59 in the Mejorada District in the Art in Merida article mentioned above). Now, Merida is experiencing a revival of jazz, with not one but two jazz clubs featuring live music every week. The Mayan Pub on Calle 60 and Jazzin' Merida on Calle 56 bring live performers from around the world to play for audiences in Merida, and by the looks of it, there is a lot of interest here. If you are visiting and love jazz, be sure to check out the jazz with latin influences that is played so beautifully here.
Mother's Day
One of the biggest holidays in Merida in the Spring is Mother's Day. Mother's Day is a day that all of Mexico takes very seriously, and if you are here on that day, you will see a lot of people selling or buying flowers to give to a special mother. If you are planning to go out to dinner that evening, consider making a reservation, because everyone in town AND their mother will be going to dinner too. Usually, reservations are not necessary in all but one or two restaurants here, but Mothers Day is an exception.
Merida News is brought to you by
Expatriates - Living, Working and Playing in Merida and the Yucatan
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
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 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.
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 about the Komchén Bird Sanctuary visit:
http://www.komchen.org
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.
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 are sprinkled about. Pope John Paul visited the Franciscan Convent in 1993. The Community Museum 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. Cenote Dzitnup is great for swimming. The San Roque Museum has huge murals depicting Mexican history.
Ik Kil
Ik Kil is a favorite cenote near Chichen Itza.
 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.
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
