Travel to Merida

You should include Merida in your Travel Bucket List. Its popularity is continuously growing, especially after winning twice the designation “Cultural Capital of the Americas” by the International Bureau of Cultural Capitals, first in 2000 and then in 2017. Merida is sometimes called by many the “White City” because of its cleanliness and buildings made of white stone.

Merida is the capital of the Mexican State of Yucatan and the largest city in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is in the Northwest part of the State, about 35 km (22 miles) from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Merida is a vibrant historic town with rich Mayan and colonial heritage. These mixed values have coexisted for 500 years and contributed to the culturally and magnificent destination we can see today. Here you will find churches built in the 17th century, colorful buildings, and authentic Spanish colonial homes.

While it does have a thriving ex-pat community, Merida is still off the radar for many tourists visiting the Yucatan Peninsula. Still, Merida makes tourists feel like they are in another place and time

Besides great food, there is no shortage of fun bars in Merida. Whatever your mood, you’ll find a spot to enjoy the nightlife in Merida alongside locals and a few tourists.

The ruins of Uxmal, about one hour and 15 minutes south of Merida, are an incredible place to visit. This site is much less crowded than the famous Chichen Itza, considered one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayans and declared one of the “new seven wonders of the world.”

Although Merida is not right on the beach, it is a short distance from Progreso, Celestum, and other beaches.

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its unique cenotes — natural freshwater pools in limestone caves. These pools are connected through the world’s most extensive underground river system.