What to Do in Merida as a First Time Visitor, Merida, Mexico

Deciding on what to do in Merida, Yucatan State’s bustling capital city can be a challenge for the first-time visitor. But the truth is that most of its essential sights are concentrated around the historic centre and the tree-lined boulevard of Paseo de Montejo.

We spent ten days in the city during April 2022 amidst afternoon temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). So we took things fairly slowly and restricted most of our activities to the morning or evening.

To be honest, the fabled beauty of the city’s buildings didn’t quite match the hype that led us to them. Indeed, rather than admiring the mansions that line Paseo de Montejo, or the historic buildings that surround Plaza Grande, we took greater pleasure from simply wandering the streets and photographing the crumbling exterior walls, doors and window frames of much humbler dwellings.

And, for us, these are the city’s true riches. Along with its excellent food scene and proximity to a wealth of nearby attractions.

So, rather than just walk you through everything that Merida has to offer, here’s our personal guide to getting the best out of your visit.

Merida was one of the first cities to be founded (1542) in Mexico by the Spanish Conquistadors. Specifically by Francisco de Montejo, whose family name still dominates all around. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).