When people announce that they’re traveling to Mexico, it’s generally pretty safe to assume that they’ll be spending a week at a fancy resort on the coast, parked in a beach lounge chair. While Mexico does have some pretty dang fabulous beaches, this kind of vacation is not everybody’s cup of tea. Me? I get restless laying in the sun all day. I need adventure. I need varied scenery and activities to occupy my time. So when I found some cheap tickets and did some research, I was thrilled to find a long list of things to do in Merida, Mexico.
This Yucatecan capital city is filled with gorgeous, colorful architecture, amazing food, a strong sense of community, and dozens of free and cheap things to do. Merida is the perfect city for people who want to see Mexico beyond its shoreline. If you’re planning a trip to Merida, Mexico, here are 13 fun and cheap things to do!
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Plaza Grande
Every city has its central area, and Plaza Grande is just that for Merida. The town’s central square is made up of a beautiful park area with lots of seating and is bordered by colorful colonial-style buildings, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Some of the main sights you can find in Plaza Grande are:
Cathedral of Merida
This is one of the oldest cathedrals in North America. This cathedral was built on the site of an ancient Mayan temple, and even has pieces of that temple used in its construction.
Government Palace
This minty green building contains mostly governmental offices, but tourists are welcome to view the interior courtyard and the many paintings and murals that decorate the halls.
Merida Sign
All over Mexico, you’ll find these giant, colorful pieces of art made with the names of the city you’re in. Merida’s sign is available for selfies and photo shoots all day, every day, in Plaza Grande!
Take a Free Walking Tour
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Free Walking Tours are amazing ways to get to know a new city without having to spend a ton of money! Offered by the local Tourism office, this 90-minute tour will give you the rundown on the sites around Plaza Grande, and some of Merida’s history. Tours run Monday-Saturday at 9:30am, and are offered in both English and Spanish. To join, just wait outside the tourism office at the Palacio Municipal shortly before the start time, and the guide will meet you there.
Museo Casa Montejo
Another interesting (and free!) place to visit around Plaza Grande is the Museo Casa Montejo. This Renaissance-style home was built between 1542 and 1549 and is now a museum used to peek into Merida’s past. There are four rooms in the museum, furnished and decorated as they would have been in the late 19th century. Not to mention it’s a great place to get out of the sun and into some air conditioning! The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, from 10am to 7pm, and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
Explore the Food Scene
I wasn’t a huge fan of Mexican food until Merida showed me the true glory of a good taco. Therefore, I’ve got to say that eating is probably one of the best things to do in Merida. I’m not the kind of person who normally eats the same type of cuisine day after day. But I ate real Mexican food for 6 days straight in Merida. There wasn’t a place I tried in Merida that didn’t have incredible food. And bonus, I didn’t even have to try to eat cheap! The most expensive meal cost me about $10USD with tip. Here are a few of my favorite places to eat in Merida:
READ » How to Eat on a Budget While Traveling
Gorditas Gorda
This was my favorite place to stop for lunch. For those times when you don’t feel like sitting down in a restaurant and just want something quick, cheap, and yummy, Gorditas Gorda is the place to go. You can choose all sorts of different fillings for your gorditas, then take them across the street to Plaza Grande and eat there!
Wayan’e
If you feel like venturing outside the city center just a bit, you’ve got to hit up Wayan’e. Locals will tell you this is one of the best places in Merida for tacos. At just 10-15 pesos per taco, this place not only serves up delicious tacos but highly affordable ones too! By recommendation of a local, had the Poc-chuc tacos and they were mouth-wateringly good. There are three Wayan’e locations in Merida, but the closest to the center is on Calle 59, about a 15 minute walk from Plaza Grande.
Tala (Hotel Casa San Angel)
For something quieter and a little further away from the busy city center, check out Tala. This restaurant is located inside Hotel Casa San Angel, and offers delicious foods as well as freshly baked pastries and treats. Tala is a great place to spend the heat of the afternoon, sipping on a refreshing limonata con soda, diving into a bowl of guacamole, and washing it all down with a piece of cake. I hear their breakfast is also quite good!
La Chaya Maya
This is my number one recommendation for food in Merida. This place serves authentic Yucatecan and Mayan dishes that are just to die for. There are two locations in Merida: the first on Calle 62, two blocks north of Plaza Grande, and the second on Calle 55, across from Parque Santa Lucia. You’ve got to try the Cochinita Pibil (Pork, marinated in sour-orange juice and cooked in a banana leaf), the fresh, hand-made tortillas, and the Sikil Pak (an amazing dip made of ground pumpkin seed).
Lucas Galvez Market
Merida’s local market is a sight to behold- who doesn’t love a good Latin American market? This is a great place to immerse yourself in local culture, taste some incredible local foods, and buy some locally made goods. You’ll find rows and rows of spices, weaved hammocks, hand-embroidered clothes, flowers, fruits, and more at Lucas Galvez Market. Not to mention all the food stalls cooking up plates of Yucatecan food right in front of you. Make sure you take your time and really experience the organized chaos of Merida’s market. Lucas Galvez Market is open every day from 8am until about 4pm.
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Serenata Yucateca in Santa Lucia Park
Every Thursday night, one of the best things to do in Merida is to go over to Santa Lucia Park for the weekly Serenata Yucateca. From 9:00-10:00pm, locals and tourists descend upon this park to hear musicians play and dancers do traditional Yucatecan dances. Believe it or not, the Serenata has taken place in Santa Lucia Park every Thursday since 1965. The locals of Merida are very proud of their heritage and community, and it is very evident at this weekly event. Make sure to get there an hour or so early if you want a seat!
Pok Ta Pok
Holy cow, I have never been as absorbed by a sporting event as I was watching Pok Ta Pok in Merida! Saturdays at 8:00pm, in front of the Cathedral of Merida, a presentation of the ancient Mayan ball game is performed. If you visit many of the Mayan ruins in the area, you will most likely see the arenas where this game was played. To see it played right in front of you is a fascinating treat. Players must get a ball (sometimes a ball on fire!) through a raised hoop, using only their hips, legs, and forearms.
Historically, the game was very spiritual for the Mayans and there was a lot of ritual and ceremony around it. Often, the game would end in human sacrifice, but luckily they cut that part out of the demonstration! The Pok Ta Pok presentation is mostly in Spanish, but absolutely cannot be missed! Go early for good seats!
Find more fun events around Merida
People Watch in the Park
Sometimes one of the best ways to gain insight into a new place is to just find a comfy bench in a park and watch daily life happen. Merida has SO many parks, both within the city center and its surrounding neighborhoods. You may even find a number of food and snack vendors if you visit the parks around lunch time. Some of the best parks in Merida’s city center include:
- Plaza Grande
- Parque Santa Lucia
- Parque Hidalgo
- Parque San Juan
- Parque Santa Ana
Try Some Sweet Treats
Along with the delicious restaurants and foods in Merida, there are also some killer sweet treats. From a place that serves authentic French croissants, a gelato shop that’s famous for its pork and beans gelato, to the more traditional Mexican bakeries and sorbet shops, Merida is just lined with options to satisfy your sweet tooth! Some of the best local treats include:
Marquesitas
Marquesitas are a delicious street snack that originated in Merida. They are very similar to a crepe, only crunchier and wrapped tightly around a combination of cheese and another sweet topping. The combo may sound strange, but you can’t knock it until you try it!
Sorbet
Sorbet itself is not necessarily a local dessert, but the tropical fruits that are used in Merida’s best sorbets are definitely worth trying! Some of my favorite Mexican fruits for sorbet include guava, mamey, and pineapple!
Paletas
Looking for another way to cool off from Merida’s heat? Paletas are the way to go! These are essentially blended fruits and juices, frozen to create popsicles! You can get them in all different flavors and they’re super cheap!
READ » The Best Restaurants in Merida Mexico for Dessert
Sunday Morning BiciRuta
Sunday mornings, a stretch of the main road through Merida (the Paseo de Montejo) is closed off to vehicular traffic for the weekly BiciRuta. From 8:00am to 12:30pm, locals and visitors grab their bicycles and hit the streets for a fun ride through town. Visitors can rent bikes along the Paseo de Montejo to take part in this fun morning event!
Merida on Sunday
Once you’re finished with the
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Cool Off By The Pool
I won’t lie- it can get pretty hot in Merida! This Michigan gal left the March snow and cold, and was not fully prepared for the midday heat in Merida! One of my favorite things to do in Merida was to just relax in this lovely pool area at my hostel. When it got too hot, it was easy to just jump into the water and instantly feel refreshed. When traveling to Merida, I highly recommend finding accommodations with a pool! This pool is at Nomadas Hostel and it has a great location and an even better price!
Read Reviews on TripAdvisor | Book Nomadas Hostel
Take a Day Trip
As I mentioned before, Merida is an excellent base for taking day trips. There are so many different and interesting places that are a mere 1-2 hour bus ride from Merida! You can choose to have a beach day in Progreso, visit the colorful UNESCO World Heritage cities of Izamal or Campeche, or explore some of the ruins on the Yucatan peninsula. There is even a chance of seeing pink flamingos in Celestun, just 90 minutes away from Merida. Some of the most popular day trips from Merida include:
Chichen Itza
You can’t go all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula and NOT visit this World Wonder! Chichen Itza is about 2-2.5 hours away from Merida, and well worth the trip to see the amazing Temple of Kulkulcan. You can use public transportation to get there, or you can join one of these great tours!
Cenotes in Cuzama
Cenotes are underground pools of freshwater, found all over Yucatan. Some of the closest ones to Merida are near the neighboring town of Cuzama. A short bus or collectivo ride can bring you to the cenotes, and you can spend the day beating the heat and splashing in the cool waters of several different cenotes!
READ » X’tohil Ecotour: 4 Stunning Cenotes Near Merida Mexico
Uxmal Mayan Ruins
Want to see some amazing Mayan ruins, but don’t want the crowds or the distance to Chichen Itza? Check out the site of Uxmal! These ruins are just over an hour away from Merida and receive way fewer tourists than Chichen Itza! Uxmal is very easily done using public transportation, or can be done as a combination tour with some other Mayan sites in the area.
READ » Chichen Itza vs Uxmal Ruins: Which Mayan Ruins Are Better?
Merida is truly a fantastic city for getting to know Mexico outside of its lush resorts. With so many things to do in Merida, you can easily spend a week having daily adventures, stuffing yourself with amazing food, and immersing yourself in the local community events. If you’re thinking of visiting Mexico, but want more out of your vacation, consider staying in Merida!
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35 Comments
I’m with you, I can’t just sit on a beach all day!! I’m restless after about 5 minutes haha. Probably why a trip to Cancun has never appealed to me. But Merida looks delightful! I had no idea that the Mayan game was called “Pok Ta Pok”… I’d think I’d go watch it just for the great name!! Also…that food. Should not have read this before lunch, because now I just really want tacos.
I had no idea Merida was so beautiful! Though I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve only touched a bit of the Yucatan Peninsula but there is so much of Mexico I’d love to explore. And Merida seems to have it all!
I would love to visit merida, it looks like such a bright city. I love all your vibrsnt pics
I love Merida! the free walking tours are so great, and I will always remember the ridiculously delicious food at Chaya Maya. Hoping to go back someday soon.
Merida looks awesome, and your photos make it look like so much fun! I’ll definitely be keeping it in mind for when I plan my Mexico / Central America trip in a few years 🙂
You are a lot like me when it comes to travel! 🙂 I too like to fill my days with a lot of activities. I’ve never been to Mexico, but your account so reminds me of my time in California where I tried a lot of Mexican food and loved all of it!
I can’t sit still so it is nice to read a post that encourages people to go out and about instead. I’ve yet to visit Mexico but the Mayan Ruins are something I really want to see.
The Mayan Ruins are really cool! I’ve got a post planned about some of the ones I visited!
So much to do in this city. I’ve already started adding your recommendations to my Booking.com list. The food looks delicious, makes my mouth water.
Merida seems to be very interesting. The free walking tour is a must. It helps to provide deep insights of the place and you really get to know so much. Loved the food spread in La Chaya Maya. I have a sweet tooth, I would certainly reach out for the desserts. Visiting People’s Park and cooling off by the pool are great ideas to fill in the day. Overall, a great experience I believe.
The Sorbet would be a top priority for me haha The Sunday market/festival sounds cool too with the food vendors
Mmmmm! The food looks fabulous and mouthwatering! It would be difficult for us to watch our diet here in Merida. Hahahaha! The Uxmal Mayan Ruins look very interesting, considering we are Indiana Jones/Lara Croft fans! 🙂
Merida seems like a very fun and charming place to explore, Brianna. There are so many things to do and see there. Plus, the food seems delightful! Is a day trip to Merida a good idea? 🙂
Merida is better as a base. There are so many activities on different nights, it would be hard to pick just one!
It sounds like there are lots of us (in the comments) who can’t stay still on a beach all day! I am not good at that either!!
You found sooo many cool things to try! I would mostly be up for the walking tour and all that fooood! Visiting Uxmal looks amazing as well!
A post after my own heart! I love Merida so much, and it looks so different now from when I was last there. The Biciruta sounds fun, and though I’m not great with spicy food, I’d give these dining options a go! One of my favourite ever cities.
I don’t like spicy food either. I didn’t find anything too spicy at all!
Woah this trip sounds absolutely amazing, Merida has never been on my radar before but now it definitely is. Those tacos plus cenotes and ruins combo? Sounds much better to me than a beach resort vacation. Also, that Sunday bike ride looks too cute.
I’m also not into just sit-on-the-beach-vacations! We didn’t make it to Merida when we were there, but it sounds like an awesome spot. Definitely interested in checking out a Pok ta Pok game. I didn’t realize it was still played!
It’s not really played. It’s more a demonstration of what it was like.
You’re killin’ me with the taco-talk! I’m gonna be thinking about that pork all day. I’m a big foodie, so I think Merida would be a great stop for me. 🙂
Sounds like an excellent way to spend your vacation! I don’t like sitting still either so I loved how you went out and got to see the place a bit! Great photos! Thanks for the awesome read!
One and only I know about mexican food is tortillas hahaha.. thanks for sharing, maybe Mexico will be my next destination.
Ahhh, I’m so jealous! When I went to Mexico last year I stayed in Playa del Carmen, not Merida – though I heard a lot of positive things from travellers who had been there. I did manage to visit Chichen Itza though, it’s such a cool place! So lucky to say we’ve ticked of one of the 7 Wonders of the World x
In Cabo San Lucas, I was at the pharmacy waiting for a prescription and got into a discussion with the nurse. She touts Merida as the place to go. I had never heard of it and have done no research, so thanks for the post. You have secured Merida’s place on my bucket list.
I’m guilty of being a resort dweller when I go to Mexico. On my last trip there this year we ventured into town via a Can, walked around and explored on our own and enjoyed the local and ities. It was nice to get away from the resort to see the real Mexico (or the real tourist part anyway!)
Wow this looks like a lot of fun activities to keep oneself busy. I too cnt be at one place for long and prefer to explore more. Thanks for sharing the list the food and sorbet looks so mouthwatering !
Sounds like a real fun destination. Same here I also love adventure to explore something new. Loving to know there is so much to explore in Merida. The free walking tour and local dishes are must-try for me here.
I live right next door to Mexico, but I have never done my due diligence with exploring it. Mostly because my Spanish is just passable. I hadn’t heard about Merida before (guess I wasn’t paying attention hahaha), but it looks like there are so many affordable things to do there! I definitely need to get off my butt and start exploring Mexico more.
How much cool is this post, how funny you are! Awesome post and well-designed travel blog. We will go to Mexico, hope next year.
I’ve panning a trip to Mexico and I’m glad I found your article! I’ve never thought of going to Merida, but it seems to be a great place to visit! Thanks for all the helpful tips – especially the cheap things. Do you know what the best travel time is?
I visited at the beginning of March and found it a great time to be there!
I haven’t been there but from what I see from this post and many others I would so much enjoy traveling to Mexico. Thanks for writing such a helpful post!
This is great as I am planning to go to Mexico next year. This looks like a great place to visit while on my trip. Great blog.
Ahhhh! Gorgeous photos and you’re giving me a lot of nostalgia. I visited Mexico earlier this year but only went to Cancun, Tulum and Playa Del Carmen. I will most definitely be going back again and will see if I can visit Merida. I will be bookmarking and coming back to read this post again. Super helpful!