Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucatán and the first stop on our trip around the Yucatán Peninsula – we were here on 13 November 2023. The city was built on the site of a former Maya city, today about a million people live here, and for many it’s a gem of colonial architecture. You can see practically all the main sights in one day: mostly a few churches, parks and mansions.
1:49Table of contents
- The main square, the cathedral and the churches
- Colonial mansions and colourful streets
- Is Mérida worth a visit?
- Practical information
The main square, the cathedral and the churches
It’s best to start at the main square in the centre. It’s dominated by the Cathedral of San Ildefonso from the 16th century, considered one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas. On the square there’s also the colourful “Mérida” sign – a must for a photo – and all around it colonial buildings with arcades.
Walking around the centre, you’ll come across several more churches – in November decorated with garlands in the colours of the Mexican flag – and buildings in surprising styles, like the one with an arch reminiscent of Moorish architecture.
Colonial mansions and colourful streets
Mérida’s greatest adornment is its elegant colonial mansions and palaces – white, yellow, sky blue, with wrought-iron gates, balustrades and decorated windows.
Beyond the grand buildings of the centre stretch streets of low, colourful houses. Unfortunately, pretty buildings alternate here with run-down ones, which spoils the impression of the city a little.
Is Mérida worth a visit?
Honestly – Mérida didn’t win us over. There’s mainly a few churches, parks and mansions to see, and the museums were closed on Monday anyway. On top of that it was scorching – about 40°C – and there’s hardly any greenery in the centre to hide in. Without much to do here, we only stayed one night (13 to 14 November) so we could get to the Gulf of Mexico sooner – to San Crisanto.
If you’re short of time in Yucatán, you’re better off spending it on the cenotes near Valladolid and Chichén Itzá. Mérida is, however, worth knowing as a transport hub – buses leave from here for the gulf coast and further east across the peninsula.
Practical information
- How much time? One day is enough for the main sights in the centre.
- Museums – they were closed on Monday, worth bearing in mind when planning.
- Accommodation after a night bus – we arrived on a night bus first thing in the morning, and for the first time on the trip we didn’t get our room before check-in time. We left our big backpacks at the hostel and went sightseeing with one smaller (but still heavy) one.
- Onward travel – you can get to San Crisanto on the Gulf of Mexico by bus (about €4.50 per person, 2–3 hours), and to Valladolid on ADO buses.
