News From Merida and the Yucatan

Winter 2007

Carnaval Celebration - Fat Tuesday falls on Valentine's Day this year, or Día de La Amistad as it is called in Mexico. Merida is one of the few cities in the world that celebrates Carnaval, and wow, do they celebrate!.

For seven days, the center of the city is filled with music, food, drinking, dancing and parades. The website has video of last year's events, a photo gallery and a complete rundown of which parades are worth seeing. The official also has a schedule and a map of the parade routes.

Bring a Sweater - If you are traveling to Merida in January, February or even March, be sure to bring a sweater. This is the season for nortes, the cold storms that sweep in across the Gulf of Mexico from the north. The temperatures can drop into the 50's at night and might not even get above 85 during the day. And when it rains, it isn't as warm as the tropical rains of summer. Those of us who live in Merida welcome the break from the heat and the chance to use our sweaters. If you are planning to visit Merida during this season, don't worry! Nortes don't last long, but bring at least one thing to keep warm when the north winds blow.

Takin' It to the Street - Coming up on March 18 is the now-famous and much anticipated Merida English Library Chili Cookoff. This year, the organizers have convinced the city to close off Calle 53 in front of the library for a block party. The annual garage sale is going to be held on the same day, with the added attraction of seven or eight local antique dealers who will also be showing their wares. The entire block will be filled with tents full of good buys and delicious food. And it all benefits the English Library, which benefits the community. For details see:

More than a Week - Semana Santa is a big deal in Mexico, and even more so in Merida because it seems that a lot of people come from all over Mexico to vacation in the Yucatan during that time. And contrary to its name, Easter Week lasts for two weeks here. From April 1 until April 15, visitors to Merida and the Yucatan Gulf Coast will find hotel rooms harder to find (and more expensive) and attractions more crowded. Beaches especially seem to get a big influx of visitors. On the week preceding Easter Sunday (April 8), there will be gremios (religious processions) in the streets commemorating the Easter story. In front of the Cathedral on the zocalo in Merida, you can find handmade decorations made of palm leaves on Palm Sunday (April 1).

Equinox - The Vernal (or Spring) Equinox will be on March 21st this year. This is the day when the sun spends an equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on the planet. The Mayans commemorated this day at Dzibilchaltun, a site just outside of Merida, by building the Temple of the Seven Dolls in just the right way so the rising sun shines perfectly through the two doors on that day. On the Castillo in Chichen Itza, the phenomenon is even more spectacular, as the shadows cast by the sun create the body of a slithering serpent whose head is at the bottom of the pyramid. If you want to see the Dzibilchaltun phenomenon, you'll have to get up early as the sun rises about 5 AM. At Chichen Itza, the best time for viewing is at sunset, so you could technically take in both events in one day. Count on crowds in both places, as people come from around the world to enjoy the phenomena in the Yucatan.

Vote with your Mouse - Chichen Itza, the most famous of the Yucatan's Mayan Ruins, is being considered to be one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Thanks to the Internet, now everyone in the world can cast their vote. The new list will be announced in Lisbon, Portugal on July 7, 2007. Cast your vote at

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.