The city of Merida just ranked number one on the list "World's Best Small Cities: 2019 Readers' Choice Awards" held annually by Condé Nast, where travelers have the final decision.
Located 3 hours from the city of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Merida is a perfect destination for a quick visit, full of culture, history, and gastronomy.
We share with you a useful itinerary so you can spend your time wisely.
How to Enjoy 24 Hours in Merida
Merida is an important point within the Yucatan Peninsula, you can find pre-Hispanic cities just one hour away that belong to UNESCO World Heritage, such as Chichen-Itza and Uxmal.
On this occasion, we will only dedicate focus in Merida, a city where most of its facades have a Spanish colonial architecture without leaving aside the great Mayan culture.
Enjoy your morning in the City Center
We recommend you to start the day in the center of Merida, where there are several restaurants where you can get authentic Yucatan food, Manjar Blanco is our go-to place, here you can enjoy dishes like the famous antojitos yucatecos, panuchos, queso relleno and much more.
After that head to the city's zócalo, commonly known as “Plaza Grande”. Here you can visit a lot of important spots such as the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, Casa Montejo Museum and Museum of the City of Merida. Visiting these 3 places shouldn’t take you more than 3 hours.
Some other points of interest in the Historical Center of Merida are:
- Teatro Armando Manzanero
- Pasaje Revolución
- Barrio Santa Ana
- Centro Cultural Olimpo
If you are an observer, you will notice that there are arches all around downtown Merida, these arches used to mark the gateway to the city.
The locals recommend visiting Fundación de Artistas, a non-profit organization, located in an old 19th-century mansion that has been restored to function as a space dedicated to local, national and international artists.
In the afternoon walk along Paseo de Montejo
Now head to Paseo de Montejo, Merida’s most important avenue. It goes from the Santa Ana neighborhood in the city center to the exit towards the port of Progreso. The design of this avenue is inspired by the French boulevards, full of monuments, roundabouts, and trees. You will find incredible mansions from the Porfiriato period, boutiques, museums, and restaurants.
Some points of interest in Paseo de Montejo are:
- Canton Palace
- Monument to the Homeland
- Quintas Molina
Merida is a city with high temperatures, it’s important that you take occasional breaks to hydrate and even to take a snack. A very traditional option in Paseo de Montejo is Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón, where you can refresh yourself with all the flavors of sherbets, ice creams, and sweets.
Say goodbye to Merida with dinner and a night tour.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and it’s time to say goodbye to Merida by dining and toasting to new trips.
If you are really into gastronomy then you can’t miss Kuuk! Get ready to enjoy avant-garde Mexican cuisine, cooked with 100% Mexican and Yucatecan ingredients. Originality and experimentation are synonyms that define Kuuk.
Another option is La Negrita Cantina, a traditional bar located in the center of Merida and open to the public since 1917. You really can get it all here, there’s dinner, drinks, and even an area to dance salsa with live music.
To finish your night we recommend you to walk along Paseo de Montejo or through the streets of downtown.
