Merida: A Good Base for Exploring the Yucatan

A colonial city and capital of the state of Yucatan, Merida has a lot to offer travelers who love culture, cities, and history. Well-preserved colonial architecture is not one of Merida's strengths, however. Unlike Campeche and San Miguel de Allende, whose historical districts are architectural showcases, Merida has a jumbled, rather downtrodden visage. Bus and car pollution seems worse here than in other cities, and combined with the heat, can be very disagreeable.

But despite its flaws, Merida is the second-most visited city in the Yucatan Peninsula, after Cancun. It is an excellent base for visiting some of the peninsula's prestigious archaeological sites. Chichen Itza is the region's most extensively excavated Maya ruin, the most famous, and therefore, the most visited. But there are many more, including Ek Balam and Dzibilchaltún. The former has a fabulous carved frieze on its main temple. Dzibilchaltun is less exciting, but in its favor it is very close to Mérida and has a good site museum and a lovely green sinkhole for swimming. The Maya ruins of the Ruta Puuc (Labná, Kabah, Sayil, and Xlapax) are well worth visiting for lovers of Maya lore. These can be visited on a one-day tour out of Mérida along with much more extensive Uxmal, a must-see site known for its well-proportioned and graceful architecture.

Aside from being a good base for excursions, Merida offers countless cultural activities, many of them free. On Saturday evening and most of the day on Sunday, streets surrounding the main plaza are closed to traffic. Out come the marimba players and mimes along with families enjoying the evening breezes and cooler temperatures. On other days you can see theatrical and musical performances at Teatro Peón Contreras, or visit the archaeological museum on Paseo de Montejo, a wide boulevard lined with mansions built during the late-19th and early-20th centuries, when plantations (first corn, later, and most successfully, henequen, or sisal fiber) brought wealth to the peninsula's privileged elite.

The main plaza, between Calles 60 and 62, 63 and 61 is a beautiful place to relax or explore. Here you'll find the contemporary art museum, the cathedral, cultural center, and Casa de Montejo: originally the home of the Spanish father and son team that conquered the city, now a Banamex bank.

Shopping and Stuff

Mérida has lots of shops for browsing, although fewer interesting handcrafts and folk art than one might imagine. Among the best souvenirs are guayaberas (pleated men's shirts), embroidered shirts and dresses, huipiles (the sacklike dresses worn throughout the region) and the fancier version of the huipil, called the terno, with a wide, square lace collar. You can purchase wonderful, colorful hammocks in a variety of sizes (see our article about hammocks, http://www.mexicoguru.com/hammocks.php) and fine 'Panama' hats.

The municipal market is a covered arcade packed with small stores. There are shops stacked high with baskets, baby clothes, marzipan in the shape of different fruits, and cheap wristwatches. Key makers make copies of house keys on ancient machines. The surrounding area is dedicated to commerce, too. El Mayab newsstand sells small books and scandal sheets. Flower shops sell roses from Cuernavaca, gladiolas and mums. Calle 65 between Calles 56 and 54 is dedicated to piñatas and the candy used to fill them. People hurry along with bundles tightly clasped to their chests; buses sail by, music blaring. You'll sometimes see Mennonites in town to buy supplies, the women in gathered print dresses, their men in freshly laundered blue dungarees and overalls.

Cancún is fancier and more expensive than Merida, while much smaller towns like Ticul and Izamal offer accommodations for those fond of provincial towns. But bustling Merida, often sweltering in the tropical heat, offers a glimpse into both the peninsula's Maya past and its lively, friendly, very Mexican present.

...........FESTIVALS AND EVENTS.............

November, 2009

Mid November VII Annual Yucatan Bird - Birdwatching Merida, Yucatan Banquet, field trips, photography and competition all related to birdwatching

January, 2010

January 5--23 (annual) Festival Internacional de las Artes - Cultural Merida, Yucatan Government-sponsored cultural event this arts festival featuring concerts, dance, theater, fine arts and photography.   Beginning of January 466th Anniversary of the founding of Merida - Cultural Merida, Yucatan 999/942-000 More than two weeks of nonstop cultural festivities to celebrate Merida’s 466th anniversary. Music, theater, free outdoor concerts and entertainment, food, and fun. http://www.merida.gob.mx

Merida Real Estate   ♦   Merida Rentals   ♦   Merida Hotels

Tierra Yucatan - Real Estate - near Merida   48.64 hectares or about 130 acres of virgin jungle with a beautiful cenote, just off the main Merida-Cancun highway. Ideal to build a beautiful home or for eco-tourism. Bargain priced at $53,000 US! Izamal, Yucatan (52-999) 9-23-76-15 http://www.jensyucatan.com

Aventura Hotel   Budget Hotel - Tucked away only two blocks from Santiago Square is the best hotel value in Merida! A clean, comfortable place where everything works, the Aventura is priced the way hotels used to be in Mexico. Muy barato! Merida, Yucatan http://www.aventuramerida.com/

Nice holiday bungalow in Merida   The bungalow is located in the north of Merida. The north of Merida is known as the more dynamic part of town. Many modern facilities and nightlife are there. The house is very well equipped with a/c, cable tv etc. Downtown is easy reachable by bus (5 pesos) or taxi (50 pesos). Supermarket, bank, restaurant, pharmacie, internetcafe etc. are close by.. calle 74A # 499 X57 y 59A, Merida, Yucatan (0052) 9992854447 http://yucatan-holiday.synthasite.com

Hacienda Xcanatun   The magnificent Hacienda Xcanatún-Casa de Piedra (meaning Calle 20 S/N Entre 19 y 19A, Comisaría Xcanatun, Merida, Yucatan 1 800 728 9098 mexicoboutiquehotels.com/haciendaxcanatun

Mundo Maya Bienes Raices/Real Estate   Full Service Real Estate Company Serving Merida and Area #502 Calle 43 Merida Centro 60y62, Merida, Yucatan Cell 999-243-8591 http://www.steveomalley.com

Yucatan Discovery Tours   Day trips, tours, guides, ecotourism vacation travel in Yucatan. Mayan ruins, haciendas, beaches, colonial towns, cenotes, caves, wildlife sanctuaries, history, culture & more. Calle 54 #476 X 55 & 57, Merida, Yucatan 52-999-923-4711 http://www.yucatandiscovery.com

Gorgeous B&B Merida Santiago downtown Merida   Yucateca colonial style house with big pool and 2 very nice suites with big bathrooms. The suites have kingsize and queensize beds, a/c with remote, lcd flatscreen, minibar, poolview, big rainshowers etc... Location very good in center of Merida. Great for exploring Merida and Yucatan calle 74A #499 x57 y59A, Merida, Yucatan (0052) 9992854447 http://yucatan-holiday.synthasite.com

Alma Mexicana-Folk Art   Mexican folk art, home decor pieces, lighting & furniture, gifts, traditional Day of the Dead art, tour guide books, Tequila & gourmet foods. Located downtown Merida Yucatan. Calle 54 #476 x 55 & 57, Col. Centro, CP97000, Merida, Yucatan 52-999-923-4711 http://www.folkart-mexico.com

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