News From Merida and the Yucatan

Winter 2008

Christmas in the Tropics is a different animal, but one thing that isn't different: people scurrying around trying to buy presents, going to a lot of parties and generally getting excited. Look for more traffic in the cities during the month of December!

Virgin of Guadalupe
During the first two weeks of December, people start putting up Christmas lights and making altars in their homes. Are they preparing for the Baby Jesus? Well, eventually. But first, there's the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Queen of Mexico. Guadalupe is the deity closest to the heart of Mexico, and she is celebrated from coast to coast, in every little pueblo and big city. If you want to see how they celebrate in the Yucatan, check out the on the Yucatan Living website. If you want to know more about the history of this uniquely Mexican phenomenon, buy Carla Zarebska's new book (published in both Spanish and English editions) through her new website (www.carlazarebska.com).

Christmas and New Years Eve
Throughout the Yucatan, cities are decorating for Christmas. In Merida, there are at least four huge Christmas trees around the town (in the Governor's Palace, at the end of Paseo Montejo, at what is known as the Burger King Circle, and across from the Gran Plaza shopping mall). They are all lit up at night and beautiful to see. Most of them are accompanied by Santa Claus and assorted helpers, ready to talk to children about their Christmas wishes.

New Years Eve is usually celebrated with fireworks, champagne and 12 grapes. At the stroke of midnight, light off every firework you've got and eat 12 grapes while making 12 wishes. Wash it all down with a glass of your favorite champagne after toasting the New Year with friends and family. You won't have to go far for fireworks, either. Starting about a week before the end of the year, enterprising entrepreneurs will be selling fireworks at many of the stoplights around Merida. Be careful (the city is less and less excited about having all those fireworks set off at once, but its not illegal yet) and have fun! Don't even think about sleeping through the first hour of the new year… it's a very noisy time in the city!

Art on Paseo Montejo
A few weeks ago, the city started a wonderful new program: an weekly Art Fair on Paseo Montejo. Every Sunday from approximately 10 am to 1 pm, more than 20 artists have been setting up their easels and selling their newest creations to the public in this outdoor fair. This is a chance to meet some of Merida's most talented artists, and another lovely thing to enjoy looking at along Paseo Montejo. The Art Fair begins on the east side of the avenue, just outside of the VIPS restaurant (the same corner as WalMart and the Fiesta Americana hotel) and continues south for a block. The rest of the Paseo south of that corner is the venue for the MACAY's continuing outdoor sculpture exhibit which will be up for another month and a half, before they take it down to prepare for Carnival.

Carnival Comes Early
Speaking of Carnival, it isn't too late to start planning to attend. Especially because Carnival comes early this year. Fat Tuesday is on February 5 this year, and the festivities start a week before that. Hotels and B&B's are filling up already, so be sure to reserve your spot. A few new places to stay in Merida include the Hotel Hacienda Merida, Casa Santiago and the home-away-from-home Casa Alvarez. Want to get a taste of Carnival in Merida? Check out our story about .

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.