Explore Merida: Best Things to Do, Itinerary, and More

10 Best Things to Do in Merida, Mexico

1. Visit Uxmal as a Day Trip ☀️ Great Day Trip

One of my absolute favorite day trips from Mérida is Uxmal, a stunning ancient Maya city and one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Yucatán. In fact, I personally prefer Uxmal over Chichén Itzá. It gets considerably fewer visitors, the site is quite large with tons to see, and you can actually take your time exploring the ruins without constantly having to navigate around large tour groups.

There are several highlights you shouldn't miss while exploring Uxmal. Start with the enormous Pyramid of the Magician, the distinctive rounded pyramid that dominates the entrance to the ancient city. This thing is massive, and it will be the first thing you see when you arrive at the archaeological site. Now, that's how you make a great first impression!

Then make your way to the Governor's Palace, one of the most impressive buildings in Uxmal, with an incredibly detailed facade covered in geometric patterns and carvings as well as a great place to catch the view of the surroundings.

Don't miss the Nunnery Quadrangle, a large courtyard surrounded by four beautifully decorated buildings, and the House of the Doves, named after the distinctive cresting along the top of the building that resembles a row of dovecotes.

Getting to Uxmal independently is possible, although it requires a little more planning than visiting Chichén Itzá. The local SUR bus runs from Mérida to Uxmal, with departures at around 8 AM and 9 AM. The journey takes roughly 1.5 hours from the ADO terminal in Mérida.

The bus costs around 114 MXN plus 15.72 MXN one way, but this is a local bus that uses a prepaid card system, so you'll need to get a card and load money onto it before you travel. You can do all this at one of the manned kiosks at the terminal.

For the return journey, the buses from Uxmal leave at around 3 PM and 5 PM. One thing I would keep in mind is that you don't necessarily want to buy a return bus ticket straight away if you're not sure you'll be taking the same bus back. We ended up finishing our visit around 1 PM and didn't want to wait around until 3 PM, so we decided to find another way back to Mérida instead.

Fortunately, one of the local ladies selling drinks near the site was incredibly kind and helped us call a taxi. We paid around 200 MXN for a taxi to Muna, shared by 4 of us, where we switched to a colectivo heading toward Mérida. The colectivo cost around 50 MXN and dropped us off at this terminal in Mérida. Both the taxi and colectivo were cash only, so make sure you have enough Mexican pesos with you.

The entrance fee for Uxmal is currently around 604 MXN (36 USD) in total, consisting of a 499 MXN state fee and a 105 MXN INAH archaeological site fee. Both fees are cash only, so make sure you have enough pesos with you before arriving.

I would also bring plenty of water, as the site is quite large and there isn't a huge amount of shade once you're out exploring the main plazas. There are also no shops inside the archaeological site where you can buy water, so don't make the same mistake as I did and arrive without enough to drink!

I recommend setting aside at least 3–4 hours for Uxmal, especially if you want to take your time and appreciate all the architecture. We were done around 1 PM, but you could easily spend longer here if you are interested in Maya history or photography. Start early if you can, as the Yucatán heat gets intense later in the day.

For a complete travel guide to Uxmal, check out:Visit Uxmal, Mexico: Things to See, Getting There & More

Where to Stay in Merida?

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Hostik Hostal

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Casa Lool Beh

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Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel

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2. Visit Museo Choco-Story

If you finish exploring Uxmal earlier than expected and don't want to sit around waiting for the 3 PM bus back to Mérida, you can visit Museo Choco-Story, located just across the road from the archaeological site. It's a great way to fill an hour or so while learning something completely different about the region, and you can easily visit it before heading back to Mérida.

The museum is spread across a series of small huts and outdoor exhibits, with each section telling a different part of the story of chocolate and its importance to the Maya. You'll learn about how the Maya cultivated cacao and, more importantly, how chocolate was treated as something much more than just a sweet treat. It was highly valued and even played an important role in Maya religious and cultural practices.

Along the way, you can also join a short chocolate-making demonstration and taste chocolate in its pure form. Don't expect something sweet, though! Without sugar or other ingredients, the chocolate is incredibly bitter, but it's a fun way to experience what cacao would have been like before it became the chocolate we know today.

Other than the exhibitions, the place also runs an animal rehabilitation center. You can see animals such as jaguars, monkeys, and crocodiles being cared for here. These aren't animals kept in cages simply for people to see like at a zoo; they are being kept in protected enclosures because they have been injured or are otherwise unable to survive safely in the wild. You can even see some of them struggling to walk.

The whole experience should take around 1 hour, making it a particularly useful stop if you have some time to kill before your afternoon bus. And don't leave without stopping at the café afterward for a chocolate frappe. It was absolutely delicious!

The entrance fee is around 280 MXN (17 USD), and the museum is open daily from 9 AM to 7:30 PM, with last access at 6 PM. If you're visiting after Uxmal, you can simply walk over after finishing at the archaeological site and spend an hour or so here before heading back.

If, like me, you finish everything before the 3 PM bus, you don't necessarily have to wait around. The local lady selling drinks near the entrance to Uxmal was incredibly kind and helped us call a taxi to Muna. The taxi cost us around 200 MXN, and from Muna, where the taxi dropped us off, we caught a colectivo directly to Mérida for around 50 MXN. The colectivo dropped us off at this terminal in Mérida. Both the taxi and colectivo were cash only, so make sure you have enough pesos with you.

3. Explore Plaza Grande 👍 Must Do

One of the first places you should explore in Mérida is Plaza Grande, the main square in the historic center and one of my favorite places to simply sit back and take in the lively atmosphere, which rivals that of bigger cities like Mexico City and Oaxaca.

The plaza is surrounded by beautiful colonial architecture, including the Mérida Cathedral and several other historic buildings, and there are plenty of benches where you can sit, people-watch, and take a break from exploring the city on foot.

While Plaza Grande is worth visiting during the day, I highly recommend coming back in the evening, when the whole area really comes alive. When I was there, there was a concert taking place in the square, with local bands playing famous Latin songs throughout the night.

Locals of all ages came out to enjoy the music, and before long, people were dancing together in the plaza. It was such a lively and welcoming atmosphere, and I had a blast dancing with the locals. My Mexican friend told me this is very typical of Mérida, where people tend to have a much more laid-back and relaxed vibe compared to other cities in Mexico.

The streets surrounding the plaza can also be transformed into pedestrian-only areas during evening events, with plenty of tents and street-side food stalls popping up around the square. It's a great opportunity to try some local snacks and street food while enjoying the music and watching people come and go.

Whether you're interested in the architecture, food, live music, or simply want somewhere to hang out with the locals, make sure you stop by Plaza Grande in the evening. You never know what might be happening when you arrive!

4. Visit Catedral de San Ildefonso

While you're exploring Plaza Grande, be sure to step inside Catedral de San Ildefonso, one of the most important landmarks in Mérida and one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas. Construction began in the late 16th century, shortly after the Spanish founded Mérida on the site of the former Maya city of T'Hó, and the cathedral was completed in the early 17th century.

Its massive scale and stoic stone facade are quite hard to miss. I think it's one of the most eye-catching buildings in downtown Mérida. Take some time to step inside and admire the high vaulted ceilings, enormous stone columns, and the impressive wooden crucifix hanging above the main altar.

You don't need much time here; around 10–20 minutes should be enough to look around. I recommend visiting during the day while you're exploring the plaza, then returning in the evening to see the cathedral illuminated alongside the lively atmosphere of Plaza Grande. The cathedral is open daily from 8 AM - 12:30 PM and 5 - 8 PM, and entry is free.

5. Drop by Museo Casa Montejo

While you're exploring Plaza Grande, make sure to drop by Museo Casa Montejo, one of the most interesting colonial buildings in Mérida. Built in the 16th century by Francisco de Montejo, the Spanish conquistador who founded Mérida, this beautifully preserved mansion gives you a glimpse into what life was like for one of the city's wealthiest colonial families.

The building itself is probably the main attraction. Take a moment to admire the incredibly detailed facade, which features ornate carvings and statues that reflect the Spanish Renaissance style. Inside, the museum has several furnished rooms recreating the lifestyle of an upper-class family during the colonial period, with period furniture, artwork, and decorative pieces spread throughout the house.

The museum isn't particularly large, so you only need around 30–45 minutes to explore it. Since it sits directly on the southern side of Plaza Grande, it's incredibly easy to combine with the cathedral and the rest of the historic center. Entry is free, and the museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily except Mondays.

6. Enjoy a Drink at a Cantina

If you want to experience a more local side of Mérida, one thing you should definitely do is spend an evening at a traditional cantina. A cantina is essentially a Mexican bar where people come to drink, eat small snacks, listen to music, and socialize, and they are a big part of the local drinking culture.

Don't expect a fancy cocktail bar or polished restaurant; the whole point is to relax, have a drink, grab some botanas (snacks), and enjoy the atmosphere with the locals. One place that my homestay recommends is El Cardenal Cantina, a lively traditional cantina in the historic center.

I would especially recommend coming in the late evening when the atmosphere starts to pick up. Grab a drink, order some botanas, and don't be surprised if you end up staying much longer than planned. El Cardenal is open from 12 PM to 10 PM daily, so if you're looking for a lively place to grab a drink, be sure to come and check it out.

7. Have a Cup of Coffee at Placer & Delirio

If you're looking for a nice café to take a break while exploring Mérida, check out Placer & Delirio, a charming bakery and chocolatier that was recommended to me by my lovely homestay. The café specializes in coffee, pastries, chocolates, and traditional Yucatecan-inspired sweets that you can try.

Placer & Delirio draws inspiration from the region's colonial history, incorporating local ingredients such as cacao, pumpkin seeds, ramón flour, honey, and cinnamon into its chocolates, pastries, and drinks. I recommend stopping by for a coffee and pairing it with one of their pastries or desserts.

They serve everything from Americanos and cappuccinos to lattes, along with a huge selection of cakes, chocolates, and baked goods. If you're a chocolate lover, you can also try one of their specialty chocolate drinks, which are a big part of what the café is known for. The café is open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM, and you can expect to spend around 100–200 MXN per visit.

8. Eat Yucatecan Food 🥘 Place to Eat

One of the best things to do in Mérida is eat your way through the city, especially if you want to try some of the dishes that make Yucatecan cuisine so unique. Merida is the capital of Yucatan after all, so there is no better place to explore the best this region has to offer!

There is a strong Maya influence here, and you will find plenty of dishes that you won't commonly see elsewhere in Mexico. Be sure to try local favorites like cochinita pibil, panuchos, salbutes, and papadzules while you're here.

A good place to start is the Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy, which is both a restaurant and a museum where you can learn about the history and traditions behind the region's cuisine before trying some of the dishes for yourself.

They is also a restaurant, so you can order several Yucatecan dishes and try them for yourself. The place is open from 11 AM to 11 PM Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 12 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7:30 AM to 11 PM on Sundays. The museum section is free to enter.

9. Relax in One of Many Merida's Homestays

One of the things I really enjoyed about Mérida is how relaxed the city feels. Compared to the busier tourist destinations around Yucatán, Mérida has a much more laid-back atmosphere, and staying in a local homestay is a great way to experience that side of the city.

The locals are incredibly friendly, and many of the homes and guesthouses here have that beautiful, airy Mexican design you often see in videos on Instagram and TikTok, with colorful walls, high ceilings, open courtyards, and plenty of plants. They really take "Mi casa, tu casa" to the next level!

For my stay, I highly recommend Casa Lool Beh. My host, Ananda, was incredibly friendly and made the place feel less like a guesthouse and more like I was staying at a friend's home. She was also great at recommending local places to eat and things to check out around Mérida, which made it much easier to discover some of the city's hidden gems.

The property itself is beautiful, with a peaceful courtyard and a pool right at the end of the house where you can relax after a long day of exploring. I especially loved the vibe in the evening when the decorative lights were turned on, making the whole place feel even more cozy and inviting. If you're into architecture, you might want to follow CasitaMX's TikTok account; the homestays here really are exactly like the ones you see in their videos 😉.

10. Walk Along Paseo de Montejo

Last but not least, if you have time to spare, go and take a stroll long Paseo de Montejo, the city's grandest boulevard and one of the best places to admire Mérida's beautiful colonial-era architecture. The wide avenue is lined with elaborate mansions, monuments, restaurants, and cafés, and it was heavily inspired by the grand boulevards of Europe.

As you walk along the boulevard, you'll pass some seriously impressive buildings, many of which were built during Mérida's wealthy henequen boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Look out for the ornate Monumento a la Patria at the northern end. The architecture is easily one of the highlights, so take your time, or you can join a guided tour if you're interested in learning more about the history behind these beautiful buildings.

I recommend coming in the late afternoon or early evening, when the temperature is more comfortable and the light makes the buildings look even better. The boulevard is quite long, so you don't necessarily have to walk the entire thing unless you want to. Take your time and enjoy the stroll!

When to Visit Merida?

Mérida is a very hot city, especially during the spring and summer months, so the weather is definitely something to consider when planning your trip.

The best time to visit is generally between November and March, when temperatures are a little more comfortable and the weather is generally drier. Even then, Mérida is still warm, but the cooler mornings and evenings make a big difference when you're walking around the historic center or taking day trips to places like Uxmal.

I visited in late April, which is among the hottest months, and it was unbearably hot and dry during the day. The heat was intense enough that I often had to retreat back to my room around midday just to enjoy some AC before heading out again in the late afternoon.

You can still visit during the hotter months, but I'd recommend planning your days around the heat. Get out early in the morning, take a break around midday, and head back out in the late afternoon or evening. That's exactly what I ended up doing during my visit, and honestly, it was alright! Not as hot or humid as my hometown, Bangkok 😅.

How to Get to Merida?

By Plane: The easiest way to reach Mérida from elsewhere in Mexico or internationally is to fly into Mérida International Airport (MID). The airport serves both domestic and international routes, although the number of direct international connections is more limited than Cancún. From the airport, you can take a taxi, Uber, or the local airport bus into the city. You can look for flights on Skyscanner.

By Bus: If you're already traveling around the Yucatán Peninsula, the ADO bus is probably the easiest option. ADO connects Mérida with major destinations including Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Valladolid, and Campeche. The buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and generally much more convenient than trying to drive yourself. The main ADO Mérida Centro Histórico terminal is right in the historic center, making it particularly convenient if you're staying downtown.

This is also how I would recommend getting around the Yucatán if you're traveling without a car. I used buses and colectivos throughout my trip and found them surprisingly straightforward. Just remember that the ADO buses are heavily air-conditioned, so bringing a light jacket is not a bad idea!

By Maya Train: You can also reach Mérida by the Maya Train, which connects the city with destinations around the Yucatán Peninsula. It's an interesting alternative if you want to experience the train, although for many routes I would still compare the schedule and price with ADO before deciding. Depending on where you're coming from, the bus can be just as convenient or faster and it drops you off right in the city center.

How to Get Around Merida?

By Walking: For exploring the historic center, walking is definitely my preferred option. Places like Plaza Grande, Catedral de San Ildefonso, Museo Casa Montejo, and the surrounding streets are all relatively close together. The only downside is the heat, especially around midday. If you're visiting during the hotter months, start early, take a break during the afternoon, and continue exploring once the temperature drops.

By Uber: Uber are widely available around Mérida and are useful when you're going somewhere farther from the historic center or simply don't feel like walking in the heat.

By Bus: For farther-away places like Uxmal, you can rely on locally operated buses and colectivos. They are affordable and relatively easy to use. However, routes and schedule can be a little confusing if you're unfamiliar with them, and they are not as comfortable as long-distance buses like ADO. I have describe in details on how to get to Uxmal with a bus in its own section, so check it out.

How Many Days to Spend in Merida?

I recommend spending at least 3 days in Mérida to properly experience the city and fit in a day trip or two. Here's a rough itinerary for you:

• Day 1: Explore Plaza Grande, Catedral de San Ildefonso, Museo Casa Montejo, and the historic center. Enjoy Yucatecan food in the evening.
• Day 2: Take a day trip to Uxmal and Museo Choco-Story. Return to Mérida and explore Paseo de Montejo or a local cantina.
• Day 3: Explore more cafés, markets, and neighborhoods, or take another day trip to nearby cenotes or Maya ruins.

Is it Safe in Merida?

Mérida is generally considered one of the safest cities in Mexico, and I personally felt very comfortable walking around the city, including the historic center in the evening. My host also reassured me that it is very safe here, and I agree with her.

For me, Mérida felt particularly relaxed compared to many other large Mexican cities. The historic center stays lively into the evening, with locals out at plazas, restaurants, and cantinas, so you don't necessarily feel like you're walking around an empty city after dark.

That said, it is still a large city, so the usual precautions apply. Keep an eye on your belongings, avoid flashing valuables, and use a rideshare if you're heading somewhere unfamiliar late at night. Stick to these rules of thumb and you should be golden.