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Merida, the capital of the Yucatan, is one of Mexico's colonial city marvels.
Take a City Tour
There are many colonial buildings, monuments, parks, and churches to visit in Merida. A great way to see many of these is to hire a private driver or jump on a city tour bus for a guided visit to many of these important places. Once you've had the chance to tour these sites, you can always return to your favorites for a longer visit. Most hotels and tour/travel agences can sell you tickets for the city bus tour.
Plaza Mayor (Zocalo)
This is Merida's main plaza in it's historical center. The plaza is surrounded by Spanish-era colonial buildings including the city and state government buildings and the Cathedral. Take a stroll here in the evening to get a sense of life in Merida.
Catedral de San Idelfonso
The central cathedral in Merida, it is located on the Plaza Grande. It is said that the architectural design was sent from Spain and was originally intended for a town in Peru. The designs were mixed up, and Merida got a much bigger church than the Spanish designers had intended. The Cathedral is quite large and beautiful and a "must-see" if you are visiting the "White City".
Museum of Contemporary Art
Known in Merida as "MACAY", this museum houses modern and some historical art from local and national artists in the building that used to be the city's Armory.
Open Wednesday-Monday, 10am-6pm * Admission is Free
Calle 60 x 61-A y 63 * Tel: (999) 928-3258
Archaeological Sites
Celestun
Haciendas
The Yucatan peninsula was once divided into land grants or haciendas for the original Spanish conquistadors.
17th century Hacienda Yaxcopoil |
Over time, the land was split among relatives and new arrivals. Even these partitioned areas of the original land grants were very immense and included a local village of laborers. Many owners in the 16th-19th century built incredibly large mansions and outer buildings for production on their hacienda which included animal |
grazing, crops of fruits and vegetables, and later henequen.
Some mansions (or what most people refer to as haciendas) have be restored into their original form as luxury accommodations, others are less expensive and some are simply cultural centers, museums, or restaurants. Most allow visitors, some for a fee, to walk around an experience a different era in the Yucatan peninsula. See Travel & Lodging for Haciendas which offer lodging or click here for a list of others which you can visit during a day trip from Merida.
Progreso
Puuc Route
Rio Lagartos
Valladolid
 Caravan Tours
 Fully Escorted Motor Coach Tours In Business Over 51 Years Tour Mexico's Ancient & Colonial Cities
All Meals - All Excursions Photographer's Delight
Chicago, IL * US Tel: (800) 227-2826
EcoColors
Unique 1, 3, 7 & 15 Day Eco-tours Throughout the Yucatan
Rio Lagartos Reserve
Birdwatching
Exploring Mayan Ruins
Cancun * Tel: (998) 884-9580
Ecoturismo Yucatan
Custom Designed Tours to fit your Specific Interests & Needs
Kayaking
Birdwatching
Culture
Natural History
Archaeology
Your Merida & Yucatan Tour Specialist
Merida * Tel: (999) 920-2772
Explora Mexico
Tours & Reservations in Merida & the Yucatan
5 Day Merida Mini Tour
8 Day Yucatan & Cancun Tour
Calle 72 # 363-A x 33-D y Av. Colon * Tel: (999) 920-4294
Iluminado Tours
Spiritual and Cultural Merida & Yucatan Tours.
Special Custom tours for groups.
In Mexico call +01 52 (999) 900-1414
Rio Lagartos Eco Tours
Guided Adventures in the
Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Flamingo & Birdwatching Grounds
Hourly to Full Day Tours
Rio Lagartos (135 Miles Northeast of Merida)
TuritransMerida
Package Tours
Tour Buses, Vans & Cars
Bilingual Tour Guides
Individual & Group Excursions
Calle 55 #495, A & 58 * Tel: (999) 924-1199
Yucatan Bird Festival
Yearly Bird Festival
Info Source for Birding Accomodations
Source for Yucatan Birding Guides
Info Source for Yucatan Peninsula Eco Tours
Calle 13A No. 98 entre 18 y 20 * Tel: (999) 927-5947
Carnaval Transportadora Turistica
Merida City Tours
Merida * Tel/Fax: (999) 927-6119
TC International
Tours & Travel in Yucatan
Calle 60 x 49 y 59 * Tel/Fax: (999) 923-0298
Los Dos Cooking School
A Unique Cooking School owned & run by Chef David Sterling
Designed for People who love to Cook
Learn to Cook Traditional Yucatecan Dishes
Calle 68 #517 x 65 y 67 * Tel: (999) 928-1116 * Fax: (999) 928-1115
Ecoturismo Yucatan
Diving Trips to Alacranes Reef
4 Day, 3 Night Dive Expedition
A Coral Reef 62 Nautical Miles from Progreso
Merida * Tel: (999) 920-2772
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