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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 | Winter 2010 |
 Anniversary of the City of Merida
If you thought that the Winter festivities in Yucatan were over, you have never been to Merida in January. As soon as Dia de Los Tres Reyes is past, the Anniversary of the City of Merida begins. This holiday celebrates the founding of the City of Merida, number 468 this year, and there can be as many as 500 events in the few short weeks until the end of January. The new season of the Symphonic Orchestra begins, along with new shows in all of the art galleries.
Carnival Is Just Around the Corner
Don’t look for Winter to begin dragging on in Yucatan. It only gets more exciting from here! Now it is time to begin the festivities leading up to Carnival. This is one of the most exciting times of the year in Merida and yet another opportunity where fireworks in abundance accompany many local events. Starting with the Burning of the Bad Humors on Wednesday, February 10, until a week later, Merida is filled with revelers, music, street vendors and there’s a parade every day!
The Children’s Parade starts at 4 pm on Thursday, Feb. 11… a real crowd pleaser. The last parade is on Tuesday at noon along the main parade route on Paseo de Montejo.
Lent is a Great Time of Year in Yucatan!
During the season of Lent, you will find marvelous entertainment opportunities throughout the State of Yucatan. This is the most active time of year for the Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan and they perform not only in the beautiful Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, but throughout the State of Yucatan as well. This year, there will be World Championship Boxing in Merida on Feb. 20, and a Guiness Judge will be coming all the way from New York City, on March 7, to judge the world’s largest Cochinita Pibil in Merida’s Convention Center.
Pipe Organ
Did you know that Merida has the largest pipe organ in all of Southern Mexico right here in our main Cathedral? This year, as it has been every year for the past twenty five years, a pair of pipe organ repairmen from the United States are here visiting Merida to repair and enhance the organ. A local expat has taken the organ as his pet project and will soon be holding secular concerts and tours to see the organ that is bigger than most apartments in New York City! Stay tuned to YucatanLiving.com for news on this subject soon.
Sir Elton John To Sing at Chichen Itza
On April 3, 2010, the night before Easter Sunday, Sir Elton John will join the ranks of the select few with a performance at Chichen Itza, which is now one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.
Ticket prices are: $10,000 pesos, $7,000 pesos, $5,000 pesos, $3,000 pesos, $2,000 pesos and $1,000 pesos; and are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com.mx and Siglo XXI Convention Center. This is a once in a lifetime event, so don’t miss it if you can possibly get to Yucatan!
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
The week that runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday is second only to Christmas in importance in Mexico. This is the time when many Mexicans take their vacations. In Yucatan, many Yucatecos have beach homes and flock to the beaches by the tens of thousands. Since children are out of school for that week, the beach towns provide plenty of fairs and other activities to keep them occupied, while beach businesses provide lots of water toys, along with great shows and outstanding food for adults. Its a great time to brush up on your beach volleyball or just hang out with a good book in a hammock in the shade. If you are planning on visiting Yucatan, you couldn’t choose a better time than Semana Santa.
Everything we have listed here is in addition to the unbelievable array of ongoing events in Merida, and in addition to the opportunity to see, and even to purchase, some of the finest art found anywhere in the world. Whether you want to swim in a cenote or take advantage of the Art Walk on Sunday, its all there in Yucatan. Visitors can expect free serenades in the parks, almost 7 nights a week, as well as the opportunity to visit restored 16th century churches. It is even possible to purchase many items from the artisans who created them at the next AANY show on March 20-21 (for more information, check the events listings on YucatanLiving.com). Nowhere in the world will travelers fine the diversity of experiences there are to be had in the State of Yucatan!
Everyone is guaranteed to have a wonderful time in Yucatan no matter which part of the Winter season they choose to visit. However, don’t forget, hotels and B&Bs fill up quickly so don’t forget to make reservations early!
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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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Cancun
