Centro
First-timersAround the Plaza Grande, with most hostels.
City guide
Things to do in Mérida
The capital of Yucatán: colonial squares and mansions, free music and dancing most nights, the best Yucatecan food, and Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, cenotes and flamingos within a couple of hours.
26
Hostels in the city
8.0
Average, from 12,604 reviews
1542
Founded
3–4
Days
The White City
Mérida, the capital of Yucatán state, was founded by the Spanish in 1542 on the site of the Maya city of T'hó, and its cathedral is built partly from its stones. It is a city of pastel colonial houses, shady squares and the grand mansions of Paseo de Montejo, built on the henequen (sisal) boom.
It is one of the safest cities in Mexico and a good base for the Yucatán: the Puuc ruins of Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, dozens of cenotes, the flamingos of Celestún and the beach at Progreso are all within reach.
Mérida also puts on free culture almost every night. It is very hot, especially in April and May, so plan the middle of the day indoors. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
The Centro, near the Plaza Grande, for walking everywhere; Santa Ana and Santiago for quieter streets with bars and markets.
Santa Ana
Quiet, foodAround the Santa Ana market and park.
Santiago
Local, barsWest of the centre, with a market.
Paseo de Montejo
MansionsThe grand avenue north of the centre.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 6 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Mérida
Start at the Plaza Grande with the cathedral, the murals in the Palacio de Gobierno and the Casa de Montejo. Walk or cycle Paseo de Montejo, and visit the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya.
Catch the free evening events: Mérida en Domingo turns the centre into a market and dance floor on Sundays, and the city stages music, dance and a re-enactment of the Maya ball game during the week.
Take day trips to Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc, Chichén Itzá, the cenotes around Homún and Cuzamá, the flamingos at Celestún, and the yellow town of Izamal.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Plaza Grande, the cathedral, the Palacio de Gobierno murals and Paseo de Montejo are free. The city's evening music and dance events are free too.
On Sunday mornings Paseo de Montejo closes to cars for cycling.
Free walking tours leave from the tourist office on the Plaza Grande.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Yucatán has its own cuisine. Try cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork), sopa de lima, panuchos and salbutes, and poc chuc. Tacos and tortas cost €1 to €3.
The Lucas de Gálvez market and the Santa Ana and Santiago markets have cheap food. Marquesitas are the street dessert.
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in sit-down restaurants; check the bill first, as some add a service charge (propina).
Nightlife
Going out
Mérida's nights start with the free events in the squares, then move to the bars and cantinas of Calle 60 and Calle 62 and the craft beer and cocktail bars of the Centro.
Old cantinas serve free snacks with drinks in the afternoon.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
The Centro is walkable, and Uber and DiDi work well. Mérida's airport has flights to Mexico City and some international routes.
ADO buses go to Valladolid, Cancún, Campeche and Palenque. The Tren Maya stops at Teya station on the edge of the city and runs to Valladolid, Chichén Itzá and Cancún.
Colectivos and second-class buses go to Celestún, Progreso and the cenotes; renting a car is easy for the Ruta Puuc.
Costs
What Mérida costs
Hostel beds start at around €10 to €18 a night. Tacos cost €1 to €3.
Uxmal costs about €28 for foreigners, Chichén Itzá about €32, and a cenote about €3 to €10.
Pay in pesos. Cards work widely in the Centro.
Safety
Safety and scams
Mérida is one of the safest cities in Mexico. Normal care with valuables is enough.
The main risk is the heat: drink water, wear a hat and avoid the midday sun. In cenotes, wear a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer.
Do not drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hostels provide. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Ruins, cenotes and flamingos.
Uxmal
Puuc Maya ruins.
Chichén Itzá
The famous pyramid.
Celestún
Flamingos in the lagoon.
Izamal
The yellow town.
Progreso
The beach.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Culture, the dead and Carnival.
Every Sunday
Mérida en Domingo
The Centro
Market, music and dancing.
31 October to 2 November
Hanal Pixán
Citywide
The Yucatán's Day of the Dead.
February or March
Carnival
Mérida
Parades.
January
Mérida Fest
Mérida
Arts festival for the city's anniversary.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Mérida, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Hostal Boutique Casa Garza
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Casona la Garra Charrúa
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
CHE Nomadas Merida
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Hostik
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Guaya Hostel
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Hostal La Ermita Merida
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to February is the most comfortable time. April and May are very hot, often near 40 degrees. June to October brings rain and humidity; hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Carnival
Mar
Warm
Apr
Very hot
May
Hottest
Jun
Rain
Jul
Rain
Aug
Rain
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Rain
Nov
Hanal Pixán
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Mérida prices.
Treat these as a guide. Ruins and tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Mérida questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Mérida safe?
It is one of the safest cities in Mexico.
How do I get to Chichén Itzá from Mérida?
By ADO bus, the Tren Maya or a tour, about 2 hours.
How much is Uxmal?
About €28 for foreigners.
How hot is Mérida?
Very; April and May can reach 40 degrees.
What should I eat in Mérida?
Cochinita pibil, sopa de lima and panuchos.
How many days do I need?
Three to four.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February.
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