Weekend in Merida
My oldest sister visited Merida in 2019 and fell in love with it so much she decided to live there for a few months! I wish I was as ballsy as that to move to Tallinn for a few months (maybe one day), but dang did she do it! One thing that I love about Mexico is how rich their culture is. They have such deep traditions and they express that in their food, their love, and their hospitality. On all of my trips to Mexico, I have never had an issue with the locals and have always felt incredibly safe. You wouldn’t think that given how it is portrayed in the media, but if you visit Mexico, odds are you’re going to a touristy location, and I have felt that most of the locals try to protect the tourists because tourism is such a huge part of their economy - both locally and nationally.
Some accolades about Merida I found fascinating, and very telling are:
Safety:
Awards:
Has won Culture Capital of the Americas twice, more than any other city.
So while I always preach to be safe and cognizant of your surroundings, Merida is about as safe as you can be :)
How to get there:
We flew to Merida from Memphis with a layover in Miami! There are a few different routes depending on who you purchase your ticket through, but it’s about a 5-6 hour flight overall.
Getting around: They do have Uber in Merida, but it is super easy to walk around. We stayed technically in the city center, but about a 10-minute walk from the main hubbub.
Where to stay:
By now, you probably know I ‘m not big into Airbnbs. My sister was living there for a few months and had rented an Airbnb and we loved it! There are quite a few hotels all less than or around $100/night. Most of the homes have “plunge pools,” which are basically mini pools to cool off because it is HOT.
What to pack:
I packed:
3 linen shorts
1 linen top
2 tank tops
2 dresses
3 bathing suits
Chacos
sandals
tennis shoes
It is HOT. You’re in the middle of the jungle and the humidity is unbearable. We went in September and we were still dripping sweat. I thought Memphis got hot, but man, it is a beast in Mexico. Be sure to pack very light clothing that is breezy and shoes that have a good grip. Also, be sure to pack mosquito repellant.
Things to do:
There are so many things to do in Merida! Even just walking around is so much fun. I suggest walking around and visiting the church and the shops. Outside of the city I recommend:
Uxmal
These ruins were a much better experience than Chichen Itza. We were able to climb some of them and there weren’t many tourists there.
Progreso
The beach, Progreso, is about 30 minutes from Merida and is worth it if you want a beach day! The water wasn’t great, but it was warm and there are tons of great bars and restaurants.
Hacienda Mucuyuche: This cenote was BEAUTIFUL. There are technically 2 cenotes connected by a lazy river and it was so nice. There were quite a lot of tourists here, but we didn’t feel crowded at all.
Cenotes Cuzama
This place was wild……….. It’s about an hour away from Merida so it’s a drive. There are 3 cenotes here and they’re insane. We were pulled in a horse-drawn cart along a manmade train track in the jungle. The horses were about to die on us and there were dogs everywhere. We get to the first cenote and the stairs are just free in the air away from a wall or a floor, so if you fall, you’re falling either onto the rock platform or into the water about 15-20 feet below. The stairs also tilt up from your toes, so your heels are below your toes which is difficult to deal with when walking downstairs… The second cenote had a straight-down staircase… into a pitch-black hole. You cannot see anything except for a foot in diameter circle of water because of the hole in the ceiling/ground. There was one more cenote left, but we were already 30-45 minutes into the jungle and it started storming. So we didn’t want to be struck by lightning on a metal track with a dying horse.
Places to eat:
Hennessey’s
An Irish pub in Mexico? Yes, please! We came here twice (because of me lol) and it was great both times. Get the Guinness beef pot pie and potato wedges… Yum!
Apoala Mexican Cuisine
This was our first meal in Merida and it was so delicious. We had a braised short rib, a deconstructed taco plate, and and some white fish on root vegetables, along with the best margarita I’ve ever had. This was our most expensive meal, but was truly worth it.
Mercado 60
This was an outdoor food market that had some amazing food stalls. I got pasta (I’ve had some of the best pasta in my life in Mexico, actually). We stayed here for a while and listened to the band and watched everyone salsa dancing. IT was a great time!
Sonora Grille
If you like meat, come here. We couldn’t decide what kind of steaks we wanted so they brought us a platter of the cuts to choose from… They also have a roaming bartender to make your drinks at your table. When they brought the steaks out, they even had 4 different salts to choose from! My stomach was happy even if my heart health wasn’t ;)
Final Thoughts
I have been to Mexico a few times now, and Merida is possibly tied with Isla Holbox as my favorite location. It is so rich in culture, the architecture is unbelievable, the people are so kind and helpful. The food!!!! We had the absolute best time and I am forever jealous that my sister was able to LIVE there and fully immerse herself in the culture!
If you have the chance to go to Mexico, I highly recommend skipping Cancun or Tulum. Visit Merida. It is such a beautiful city and centrally located, as well!
They also have some incredible things to buy there. I got my mom a handmade hammock, Neal’s mom a handmade blanket (one of the best things I’ve ever bought), some handmade pottery and jewelry boxes, and lots of tequila and mezcal :)