Merida

Merida Yucatan: "The white city"
Her remote Mayan roots and the splendor of her turn to the XIX century architecture, has made Merida a captivating mixture of cultural influences. The city is full of superb colonial monuments, cathedrals and churches. The main thoroughfare, Paseo de Montejo is always lined with original sculpture by up-and-coming local and foreign artists, as part of an exhibit.

Inside the city you can't miss walk down through its main streets to visit cathedrals and churches, museums and exquisite art galleries. Merida's surrounding archaeological sites, amazing cenotes and old Haciendas superbly as luxury hotels are also worth a visit.

What to do in Merida:
The proximity of some of Mexico's most impressive Mayan archaeological sites and a vibrant cultural scene make Merida a fascinating destination. The city itself has a rich colonial history. The Paseo Montejo its main avenue, was designed along the same lines as the Champs Elysees and it is also lined with monuments, restaurants, stores, hotels and all in the shade of glorious flamboyant trees.

Its beautiful colonial buildings as the grand cathedral, Casa de Montejo, the Governor's palace, the Peon Contreras theatre, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the several beautiful monuments as the Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Fatherland) are just some of the main hotspots you can't miss.

Merida is also a fabulous base for a Yucatecan adventure. For day trips, the Yucatan offers something for all tastes. From the impressive Mayan pyramids (Uxmal, Chichen Itza), to an enormous selection of underground lakes (cenotes) where you can swim away from the heat, or even go diving, to local haciendas developed into first class restaurants, to mangrove countryin Celestun where pink flamingoes can always be seen.

Local beaches at Progreso, Chiburna, Chelem, Chicxulub and other communities are just down the road and easily accessible from Merida, with a wide selection of great seafood restaurants. The Mayan Riviera is also only a three hours drive away.

Merida will surprise and charm you!