50 Best Things to Do in Merida, Mexico (From a Local)
Looking for the best things to do in Mérida, Mexico?
You’re in the right place.
I have lived in Mérida, on and off, since 2019, and these are the places I send every friend who visits.
Mérida is the capital of Yucatán state, and it’s known for its colonial architecture, Maya culture and some of the best food in Mexico.
It’s also known as one of the safest cities in Mexico, which you can read more about in Is Mérida Mexico Safe?
From grand mansions on Paseo de Montejo to cenotes and Mayan ruins just outside the city, you won’t run out of things to do.
I’ve grouped the 50 best things to do in Mérida by area, so you can plan your days around them.
Ready? Let’s get to it!
🗺️ BONUS: All of these Mérida things to do are pinned to the map at the end of this article.
🏨 Still deciding where to stay? The hotel I recommend most is Rosas & Xocolate on Paseo de Montejo.
For a vacation rental, check out CasaBlanca, a restored colonial home.
For more options, see my guides to the best hotels in Mérida, boutique hotels, Airbnbs and haciendas.
Things to Do in Centro Histórico (Downtown Mérida)
1. Explore Centro Histórico
Centro Histórico, Mérida’s historic downtown, never gets old.
It’s full of colorful homes, vintage cantinas, colonial churches, street food stalls and leafy parks with bougainvillea. There’s always something to see, eat or photograph.
Most of the sights in this section are within a few blocks of Plaza Grande, so it’s easy to see them on foot.
If you’re here in late October or early November, don’t miss Hanal Pixán, Mérida’s Day of the Dead.
2. People-Watch in Plaza Grande
Plaza Grande is Mérida’s main square. It’s also called the Zócalo, and it’s as old as the city itself.
Grab a bench in the shade and watch the city go by.
The Cathedral, Palacio de Gobierno and Casa de Montejo all face the plaza, and the Merida sign sits right in front of the Cathedral.
3. Take a Photo of the Mérida Sign
In many Mexican cities, you’ll find big, colorful letters spelling out the town’s name.
In Mérida, the sign is in Plaza Grande. With the Cathedral in the background, it’s one of the most popular photo spots in the city.
💡 Mérida Travel Tip: Go early in the morning for a photo without a crowd.
4. Marvel at the Mérida Cathedral
The Catedral de San Ildefonso was built between 1561 and 1598, partly with stones from the ancient Maya city of T’hó.
It’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas and the biggest church in Mérida.
The outside and inside are both beautiful. Just remember to be quiet and respectful if you take photos inside.
5. See the Cathedral Video Mapping Show
On Friday nights, the Cathedral’s façade usually becomes the screen for Piedras Sagradas (Sacred Stones), a free video mapping show.
It tells the story of the Cathedral, built with the stones of T’hó, with 3D animation and music by the Mérida city choir.
The narration is in Spanish, but you’ll still be able to follow along with the images. Get there early if you want a good spot.
💡 Mérida Travel Tip: Schedules change, so check the Visit Mérida Facebook page for the current dates and time.
6. Watch a Pok Ta Pok Mayan Ball Game
Pok Ta Pok is the ancient Maya ball game, played for thousands of years across Mesoamerica.
If you’re visiting Chichén Itzá, you’ll see its Great Ball Court, the largest in the Maya world.
You can also see a ball court at Uxmal, one of the best Mayan ruins in Yucatán.
In Mérida, a free reenactment usually takes place on Friday nights at 8 pm in front of the Cathedral.
7. See the Murals in the Palacio de Gobierno
Built in 1892, the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) houses Yucatán state’s executive offices.
The green building is lovely from the outside, but head inside to see the art.
On both floors, you’ll find murals and oil paintings by Yucatecan artist Fernando Castro Pacheco, telling the history of the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Palacio de Gobierno Address: Calle 60, between Calles 61 and 59, Centro
- Admission: Free
8. Visit Casa de Montejo Museum
The façade of Casa de Montejo (Montejo House) is a work of art in itself.
It’s one of the few examples in Mexico of the plateresque style, brought over from Spain in the time of the conquistadors.
Descendants of the Montejo family lived here for centuries. Today, it’s a free museum with period rooms and rotating art exhibits.
🎨 Want another free museum? The Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida (City Museum) is in the old post office building, facing the Lucas de Gálvez market.
- 📍 Casa de Montejo Address: Calle 63 #506, Centro
- 🎟️ Admission: Free
9. Stroll the Pasaje de la Revolución
The Pasaje de la Revolución (Revolution Passageway) is a covered walkway right next to the Cathedral.
It often has free art installations from Mexican and international artists, and it’s a nice shady shortcut on a hot day.
10. Take the Free Walking Tour of Mérida
The city of Mérida runs a free, bilingual walking tour of downtown called Por el Corazón de Mérida.
Certified local guides take you to the Palacio Municipal, Casa de Montejo, the Cathedral and the Palacio de Gobierno, ending at Parque Santa Lucía.
Tours start Monday to Saturday at 9:30 am, and there are sometimes evening tours, too, depending on the season.
Meet at the tourist information module on the ground floor of the Centro Cultural Olimpo, on Calle 62 between 61 and 63.
Arrive 10 minutes early, since each tour takes up to 25 people.
💡 Mérida Travel Tip: It’s customary to tip your guide. I suggest at least 100–200 pesos (about $6–11 USD) per person.
11. Shop the Mérida en Domingo Sunday Market
On Sundays, the streets around Plaza Grande close to cars, and the square turns into a street fair.
Mérida en Domingo (Mérida on Sunday) starts around 10 am, with music, dancing, Yucatecan food and handicraft stalls.
If you pass by at the right time, you’ll catch a vaquería, Yucatán’s traditional folk dance.
12. Visit the Palacio de la Música
The Palacio de la Música is a music museum a block from Plaza Grande. It’s also home to Mexico’s national center for Mexican music.
Its interactive museum takes you from pre-Hispanic sounds to Yucatecan trova and today’s music.
It also hosts concerts, from the Yucatán Symphony Orchestra to free trova nights on some Fridays. Check their Facebook page for the schedule.
- 📍 Palacio de la Música Address: Calle 58 x 59, Centro
- ⏰ Museum Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
- 🎟️ Admission: 200 pesos (about $11 USD)
13. Relax in Parque Hidalgo
Of all the parks downtown, Parque Hidalgo tends to be the most relaxing.
Grab an ice cream or a coffee, sit on the white sillas confidentes (kissing chairs) and people-watch.
🌃 Looking for things to do in Mérida at night? In the evenings, you’ll often find artisans selling handmade jewelry, hammocks and souvenirs here.
Before you leave, head inside El Gran Hotel and Hotel Caribe Mérida to see their historic lobbies.
Right across the street, Parque de la Madre (Mother’s Park), the Iglesia de Jesús (Church of Jesus) and La Bella Época building are all photo-worthy.
14. Sit on the Giant Chairs and Stay for Dinner in Parque Santa Lucía
In Parque Santa Lucía, you’ll find Mérida’s famous giant white chairs.
They don’t always look it in photos, but these chairs stand almost 8 feet tall (2.5 m), so you’ll want a photo of yourself sitting in one.
The park comes alive after the sun goes down. There’s often live music and dancing, and the restaurants around it set out tables for dinner al fresco.
Some of the best restaurants in downtown Mérida are here. Try the Michelin-recommended NOL Restaurante for modern Yucatecan food, La Tratto Santa Lucía, or the gastrobar Rosa Sur 32°.
💋 History of the Yucatán Kissing Chairs
These white chairs go by several names: Tú y Yo (You and I) chairs, Sillas Confidentes (Confidant Chairs) and Kissing Chairs.
You’ll find them all over downtown Mérida and Yucatán state, but no one knows exactly where they came from.
One popular story says an overprotective father designed them so his daughter and her suitor could sit together and talk without touching.
15. Walk Under Mérida’s Colonial Arches
Three of Mérida’s colonial arches still stand today.
The Arco de Dragones (Dragons’ Arch) and Arco del Puente (Bridge Arch) sit at either end of Calle 50, so you can see one from the other.
For photos, Arco de Dragones is on the quieter side.
The Arco de San Juan (Saint John’s Arch) is the prettiest of the three. It’s on the southern edge of downtown, where you’ll get a glimpse of everyday local life.
🚶♀️ Mérida Travel Tip: Walk under the Arco de San Juan and head down Calle 64 to see a whole street of colorful buildings.
While you’re there, don’t miss the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista and Parque de San Juan next to the arch.
- Arco de Dragones: Calle 50 and Calle 61
- Arco del Puente: Calle 50 and Calle 63
- Arco de San Juan: Calle 64 and Calle 69
16. Shop for Perfume at Coqui Coqui
Coqui Coqui started as a perfume house in Valladolid, and its Mérida location fills a beautifully restored colonial home.
Downstairs is the perfume shop, with candles and scents made in Yucatán. There’s also a small café and a one-suite boutique hotel.
I love browsing their perfumes, and the house itself is worth seeing. It’s also one of the best boutique hotels in Mérida.
- 📍 Coqui Coqui Mérida Address: Calle 55 #516, between Calles 62 and 64, Centro
17. Photograph Hotel Casa Azul
Hotel Casa Azul (Blue House Hotel) is a restored historic mansion and one of the best boutique hotels in Mérida.
Its light blue façade makes for a beautiful photo, and so does the courtyard. Just ask the front desk nicely before snapping a few photos inside.
- 📍 Hotel Casa Azul Address: Calle 60 #343, Centro
Things to Do on Paseo de Montejo & in North Mérida
18. Stroll Paseo de Montejo
Paseo de Montejo is Mérida’s grand boulevard, lined with mansions built during the henequen (sisal) boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
It’s full of history, cafés and shops, so go ahead and walk the whole thing. You’ll find many of its highlights in this section.
It starts at the small park called El Remate on the south end and runs north to the Monumento a la Patria.
💡 Mérida Travel Tip: North of the monument, the street becomes Prolongación Paseo de Montejo, and there’s not much to see, so you can stop at the monument.
19. Photograph the Monumento a la Patria
The Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Fatherland) is beautiful during the day, and at night when it’s lit up with colored lights.
Unlike many monuments, you can walk right up to this one and look at the details.
Colombian sculptor Rómulo Rozo carved more than 300 figures into it, telling the story of Mexico.
You’ll spot the founding of Tenochtitlán (present-day Mexico City), the Maya rain god Chaac, and more.
20. Marvel at Palacio Cantón
Palacio Cantón is the most photographed building on Paseo de Montejo.
It was built between 1904 and 1911 for General Francisco Cantón Rosado. Its Beaux-Arts design is stunning inside and out.
Today, it houses the Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán (Regional Museum of Anthropology), run by INAH, with Maya artifacts and temporary exhibits.
Locally, though, everyone still calls it Palacio Cantón.
- 📍 Palacio Cantón Address: Paseo de Montejo #485, Centro
- 🎟️ Admission: 210 pesos (about $12 USD)
21. Tour Casa Montejo 495 (Casas Gemelas)
The Casas Gemelas (Twin Houses) are two French-style mansions built in the early 1900s with plans brought over from France.
The other house is privately owned, but Montejo 495 is open as a house museum.
The inside is beautifully preserved, with original furniture, tapestries, stained glass and Carrara marble columns. It’s like stepping back in time.
- 🏛️ Mérida Travel Tip: Visits are by guided tour, and like most Mérida museums, it’s closed on Mondays.
- 📍 Casa 495 Address: Paseo de Montejo #495, Centro
- ⏰ Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
- 🎟️ Admission: 250 pesos (about $14 USD)
22. Visit Quinta Montes Molina
Quinta Montes Molina is another of Paseo de Montejo’s grand mansions, and it’s open as a house museum.
It was built in 1902, and the Montes Molina family bought it in 1915. It still has the family’s original furniture.
On a tour, you’ll see Carrara marble floors, Baccarat and Murano chandeliers, antique clocks and porcelain.
- 📍 Quinta Montes Molina Address: Paseo de Montejo #469, Centro
- 🎟️ Admission: 95 pesos (about $5 USD)
23. Shop the Boutiques at Casa T’hō
Casa T’hō Concept House takes its name from the Maya name for Mérida, T’hó.
It’s a renovated mansion around a courtyard, with about 10 boutiques selling clothing, jewelry, perfume, bath products and more.
It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon of shopping in Mérida.
If you’re hungry or thirsty after shopping, grab a bite and a cocktail or coffee at T’hō Aperitivo, the Casa T’hō café.
📍 Casa T’hō Address: Paseo de Montejo #498, Centro
24. Ride the Sunday BiciRuta
What is the Mérida BiciRuta?
The BiciRuta (Bike Route) is a free, city-wide bike ride every Sunday morning, from about 8 am to 12:30 pm.
Streets close to cars along a route that includes Paseo de Montejo, Plaza Grande, La Mejorada, Gran Parque La Plancha and Santa Ana.
It’s popular with locals and visitors alike, and it’s a great way to see the city. You can rent a bike along the route if you didn’t bring one.
Afterward, do as the locals do and head to Café Impala for breakfast, then on to Mérida en Domingo in Plaza Grande.
25. Visit the Mayan World Museum (Best Museum in Mérida)
Want to check out the best museums in Mérida? Start at the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (Mayan World Museum).
It has the largest collection of Maya art and artifacts in Mérida.
If you won’t make it to the Mayan ruins near Mérida, this is the next best thing.
It’s about 20 minutes north of downtown by Uber or taxi, which is the easiest way to get there.
- Mérida Travel Tip: The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
- Mayan World Museum Address: Calle 60 Norte #299 E, Unidad Revolución
- Hours: Wednesday–Monday, 9 am–5 pm
- Admission: 200 pesos (about $11 USD)
Mérida Neighborhoods, Parks & Markets
26. Visit Parque Santa Ana and Its Church
Built in 1733, the Parroquia Santa Ana (Saint Anne’s Parish) is one of the prettiest spots in the hip Santa Ana neighborhood.
In the park next to it, you’ll find more of Mérida’s white Tú y Yo chairs and the small Mercado Santa Ana.
At the market, try some traditional Yucatán food, like cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) and sopa de lima (lime soup with chicken).
27. Explore Lucas de Gálvez Market
For a traditional Mexican market, head to Mercado Lucas de Gálvez.
It’s the largest market in Mérida, where you can shop for fresh fruit, spices, flowers and souvenirs, and eat cheap Yucatecan food.
- 📍 Lucas de Gálvez Address: Calle 56 and Calle 65A, Centro
- ⚠️ Note: It’s great for photos, shopping and cheap eats, but it can be hectic. Keep a close eye on your belongings.
28. Go Organic at the Saturday Slow Food Market
On Saturday mornings, head to the Slow Food Market, Mérida’s best farmers’ market, from 9 am to 1 pm.
It’s part of the international Slow Food movement, so everything is local, fresh and made by small producers.
You’ll find organic produce and eggs, fresh-baked bread, cheese, sauces, vegetarian food, ready-to-eat dishes and more.
📍 Slow Food Market Address: Calle 33-D #498, Reparto Dolores Patrón
29. Spend an Afternoon at Gran Parque La Plancha
Gran Parque La Plancha is Mérida’s newest big park, built on the city’s old railway yards, a short walk from downtown along Calle 47.
It covers more than 20 hectares (about 50 acres), with a lake, walking paths, playgrounds, a skate park and a dog park.
There’s also a food market, plus the Museo de la Luz (Museum of Light) and the Railroad Museum.
On weekends, there are often free outdoor movies at night, and the park hosts food festivals throughout the year. It’s free to visit.
30. Visit Parque Zoológico del Centenario
Parque Zoológico del Centenario, or simply El Centenario, is Mérida’s classic family outing.
It opened in 1910 to celebrate 100 years of Mexico’s independence, and it’s free to visit.
Besides the zoo, there’s a lake, an aviary, playgrounds and a little train that circles the park for just a few pesos.
- 📍 El Centenario Address: Avenida Itzaes and Calle 59
- ⏰ Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm; Saturday–Sunday, 8 am–6 pm (the animal area closes at 5 pm)
- 🎟️ Admission: Free
31. Shop for Authentic Mérida Souvenirs
From handmade hammocks and huipil dresses to local Maya honey, habanero salsa and chocolate, you’ll leave Mérida with plenty of keepsakes.
For a complete guide, head to 15 Best Mérida Souvenirs & Gifts to Buy.
🛍 Looking to do a lot of shopping? You’ll also find the best malls in Mérida in that guide.
Food, Drinks & Nightlife in Mérida
32. Eat Brunch at Rosas & Xocolate
Not only is Rosas & Xocolate one of the best boutique hotels in Mérida, it’s also one of the best brunch spots.
Go for the Sunday Jazz Brunch with live musicians, though brunch is great any day of the week.
The pretty pink hotel sits right on Paseo de Montejo, so you also get great people-watching.
🏩 Want to Stay at Rosas & Xocolate?
Rosas & Xocolate is one of the best hotels in Mérida, with a spa, restaurant, boutique shop and a prime spot on Paseo de Montejo.
There are only a handful of rooms, so book early.
33. Have Lunch at Manjar Blanco (As Seen on Netflix)
Manjar Blanco was featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, in the season 2 episode “Cochinita Pibil.”
Owner Señora Miriam Peraza and her team of abuelas (grandmothers) cook traditional Yucatán food by hand, the traditional way.
- Manjar Blanco Address: Calle 47 #496, Centro
- 💁♀️ Pro Tip: Try their famous queso relleno negro, the house specialty.
34. Learn About Yucatecan Food at the Gastronomy Museum (MUGY)
The Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca, or MUGY, is part restaurant and part museum.
Many visitors are surprised to learn that Yucatecan food is very different from traditional Mexican food.
At MUGY, you can try all the classics, like cochinita pibil, sopa de lima and poc chuc (grilled pork).
While you wait for your food, take the short museum tour through a recreated Maya village with traditional kitchens.
You’ll learn about the recados (spice pastes) that give Yucatecan food its unique flavor.
- 📍 MUGY Address: Calle 62 #466, Centro
Want to try more authentic Yucatecan cuisine?
Head to La Chaya Maya, one of the most popular restaurants downtown. Of its two locations, the La Chaya Maya Casona on Calle 55 is much prettier.
35. Have a Rooftop Dinner at Picheta
For the best views of the Cathedral, have dinner on the rooftop at Picheta, right on Plaza Grande.
The menu is traditional Yucatecan food with a modern twist. If you don’t want a full meal, go for drinks and small plates at sunset.
It’s popular, so make a reservation.
- 📍 Picheta Address: Calle 61 #501, Centro
36. Eat Your Way Down Calle 47 (Restaurant Row)
Head to the southern end of Paseo de Montejo and turn onto Calle 47, which locals call Restaurant Row.
Here, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Mérida and its trendiest cafés. Check out these favorites:
🍷🍽 Best Mérida restaurants on Calle 47
- Micaela Mar y Leña: Mexican and Yucatecan fusion, with a seafood focus. (Note: This is my personal favorite restaurant in Mérida!)
- Catrín: A hip Yucatecan gastropub with funky artwork.
- Oliva Enoteca: Upscale Italian food with a great wine list.
☕️ Best Mérida cafés on Calle 47
- Latte Quattro Sette: One of the prettiest coffee shops in Mérida, with decadent pastries.
- Te Extraño, Extraño: A beautiful indoor-outdoor breakfast and lunch café, just around the corner from Calle 47 in the Lagala building.
- Baretto Espresso Bar: A European-style café, perfect for a quick coffee and pastry.
- Centro Cultural Punto MID: Part bookstore, part café, with cool art on the walls.
- Menta y Rosa: An adorable pink and mint-green café, just around the corner from Calle 47.
37. Have a Late-Night Meal at Café Impala
Cafetería Impala, at the corner of Calle 47 and Paseo de Montejo, is a local favorite.
This indoor-outdoor, old-school diner has been serving Mérida since 1958, and it’s popular day and night.
Many locals stop here for breakfast after the Sunday BiciRuta 🚴♀️
- 📍 Café Impala Address: Calle 56A #500, between Calles 47 and 45, Centro
38. Eat at Taquería La Lupita (As Seen on Netflix)
Inside the Mercado de Santiago (Santiago Market), next to Parque Santiago, you’ll find La Lupita.
This no-frills taco stand was featured on Netflix’s Salt Fat Acid Heat, in the episode “Acid,” with chef Samin Nosrat.
Try the panuchos and salbutes, and wash them down with a piña con chaya (pineapple and chaya juice). It’s one of the best places for cheap eats in Mérida.
📍 Mercado de Santiago Address: Parque Santiago, between Calles 57 and 59 and Calles 70 and 72, Centro
39. Enjoy Dinner & Live Music at Mercado 60
Mercado 60 is an open-air food hall a block from Parque Santa Lucía, with lots of vendors selling everything from tacos to pizza.
It’s open in the evenings, with live music most nights and salsa dancing several nights a week. With so many options, it’s great for groups.
📍 Mercado 60 Address: Calle 60 #461, Centro
40. Go Bar Hopping at Mérida’s Cantinas & Bars
In Mérida, traditional cantinas are a big part of the culture.
When you order drinks at a traditional cantina, you’ll be served free botanas (small plates), similar to tapas in Spain.
Some cater more to visitors, like Dzalbay Cantina and La Negrita Cantina, which many call the best cantina in Mérida.
Locals’ favorites include El Cardenal and El Lucero del Alba.
🍻 Want a guide? Book this Mérida Cantina Crawl Tour (rated 5 stars)!
Many cantinas close early in the evening, but Dzalbay and La Negrita stay open later.
For more of the best bars in Mérida, head to La Fundación Mezcalería, Mayan Pub, Gin 47 for gin cocktails on Calle 47, or Trópico 56, a laid-back patio bar near Paseo de Montejo.
For something different, try Flamel, a hidden speakeasy. Make a reservation through their Instagram.
41. Take a Yucatecan Cooking Class
A cooking class is one of the best ways to understand why Yucatecan food is so different from the rest of Mexico.
Most classes start with a market tour to pick out ingredients, then you’ll cook dishes like cochinita pibil, sopa de lima and fresh tortillas.
My top pick is this Mérida Market Tour, Yucatán Cooking Class and Lunch.
For more options, see my guide to the 9 Best Mérida Cooking Classes.
Best Day Trips From Mérida: Beaches, Ruins & Cenotes
Mérida sits near the center of the Yucatán Peninsula, which makes it the perfect home base for day trips.
Within a couple of hours, you can reach haciendas, beaches, pueblos mágicos (magic towns), cenotes and Mayan ruins.
Here are nine of my favorites. For even more, check out these guides:
- 25 Best Day Trips From Mérida
- 30 Best Mérida Cenotes
- 15 Mayan Ruins Near Mérida
- Mérida to Chichén Itzá Tours
- Mérida to Campeche City
- Valladolid Travel Guide
42. Progreso Beach
Puerto Progreso is the closest beach to Mérida. (Note: Mérida itself doesn’t have a beach.)
The Auto Progreso bus gets you there in 40–50 minutes. It costs 28 pesos (about $2 USD) each way and leaves about every 15 minutes.
Stroll the beachfront Malecón, rent a beach chair, or relax at a beach club like Silcer or El HaGuay, next to the Progreso letters sign.
🏝 Related Article: 15 Best Mérida Beaches in the Yucatán Peninsula
43. Chichén Itzá & Cenote Ik Kil
Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, needs no introduction.
It’s about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Mérida by rental car or bus, or you can go on a Mérida to Chichén Itzá tour.
You now pay one ticket at the visitor center: about 700 pesos (about $39 USD) for foreign visitors.
With your own car, combine it with a swim in Cenote Ik Kil, less than 10 minutes away.
44. Celestún Flamingos
The small fishing village of Celestún, about 1.5 hours from Mérida, is home to the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve.
It’s the best place to see flamingos near Mérida, and they’re usually easiest to spot from about November to March.
🦩 To see them, book this boat tour through the mangroves. Then relax on one of the Celestún beaches.
45. Uxmal Mayan Ruins & the Ruta Puuc
Uxmal (pronounced oosh-MAHL) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important ancient Maya cities in Mexico.
Chichén Itzá is more famous, but many people prefer Uxmal because it’s less crowded and its buildings are beautifully decorated.
It’s just over an hour from Mérida by rental car, or you can book one of these Mérida to Uxmal tours.
If you’re driving, consider doing the whole Ruta Puuc (Puuc Route), with the smaller ruins of Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak and Labná.
46. Dzibilchaltún Mayan Ruins
The closest Mayan ruins to Mérida, about 30 minutes north, are at Dzibilchaltún (pronounced zee-beel-chahl-TOON).
It’s a small site compared to Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, but it has the Museo del Pueblo Maya, with an impressive collection of Maya artifacts.
At sunrise on the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun lines up perfectly with the door of the Templo de las Siete Muñecas (Temple of the Seven Dolls).
💧 Cenote Xlacah
Inside the site is Cenote Xlacah, one of the closest cenotes to Mérida.
⚠️ Note: The cenote has been closed to swimmers for several years, but you can still see it. The ruins and museum are open.
47. Izamal, the Yellow City
The Izamal pueblo mágico (magic town) is about 1 hour from Mérida by rental car or bus.
Its whole downtown is painted yellow, including the huge Convent of San Antonio de Padua.
While you’re there, climb the Kinich Kak Mo pyramid (Izamal Ruins), right in town.
Izamal is small, so you can walk all of downtown in a couple of hours, or take a calesa (horse-drawn carriage) if it’s too hot.
When you get hungry, head to the Mercado Municipal for cheap, authentic Yucatán food.
48. Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché
The grounds of this 18th-century hacienda have been left in semi-ruin, which is all part of its charm.
It has two gorgeous cenotes, Cenote Carlota and Cenote Azul Maya, which look like a mix of the Garden of Eden and the Blue Lagoon.
Visits are by guided tour only, so book your tour in advance. You’ll tour the hacienda, then cool off in the cenotes.
WORTH IT! This place has the most beautiful cenotes! People in Yucatán and everyone I know that has come to this hacienda says they’re the prettiest ones they’ve seen… —Nicole (Read more reviews)
49. Valladolid & Cenote Zací
Valladolid, one of the best pueblos mágicos near Mérida, is about 2 hours away.
To really enjoy this colorful colonial town, book a Valladolid hotel for a night or two.
Walk Calzada de los Frailes, the town’s prettiest street, to the San Bernardino Convent. Then head to the main square for the Iglesia de San Servacio.
Don’t miss the Casa de los Venados folk art collection.
💧 Cenote Zací
End your day with a swim in Cenote Zací, a few blocks from Valladolid’s main square.
50. Cenotes Santa Bárbara
The Santa Bárbara cenotes are in Homún, about 1 hour from Mérida, where you’ll find many of the best cenotes near Mérida.
One ticket covers several cenotes, including Cascabel, Chaksikín and Xooch, the most beautiful of them.
Get between them by bike or by truck, a little cart pulled along rails by a horse. It costs about 250 pesos (about $14 USD).
Best Things to Do in Mérida Map
All the best things to do in Mérida in this article are pinned to the map above, so you can plan your days.
You’ll notice that many of them are close together. Mérida isn’t a big city, so you can see a lot even in 2 days in Mérida.
If you have more time, take one of these Mérida tours, or hop in your rental car and head to Valladolid or Campeche.
My Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Mérida, Mexico
Is Mérida worth visiting? Absolutely.
It’s a cultural hub with beautiful architecture, amazing food and a relaxed pace that’s hard to find in Mexico’s beach towns.
And with its central location in the Yucatán Peninsula, it’s the perfect home base for beaches, cenotes, haciendas and Mayan ruins.
Give yourself plenty of time here. There’s something for everyone in Mérida.
Want even more ideas? Here are a few more of my guides: