A 3 Day Guide to Merida, Mexico

On the opposite end of the Yucatán Peninsula from the famous resorts and beaches of the Riviera Maya, Merida is a colonial city that is a fascinating and worthwhile destination in itself. If you love good food, culture, history, and mesmerizing city centers, spending 3 days in Merida will offer you all that and more! 

What I really appreciate about Merida is how livable and comfortable the city feels, even if you’re just visiting the Yucatán for the first time. While you could easily spend several weeks here, I found that 3 days offered enough time to get the lay of the land and sample the best of what Merida has to offer. 

Below you’ll find all my recommendations for a perfect 3 day Merida itinerary. And, be sure to scroll down to the bottom for my recommendations on where to stay, where to eat and drink, what to do, and other tips for visiting!

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Yucatán

A 3 Day Guide to Merida, Mexico

Day One: Explore Merida’s Historic City Center

Merida’s historic city center is one of the biggest draws to any visit, so plan on starting your 3 day trip by getting acquainted with the city and exploring it on foot! Merida is one of a handful of colonial cities in the Yucatán Peninsula, and it’s famous for its colorful buildings, European-style architecture, wide walkable streets, and lively plazas. Spanish conquerors first arrived in the 1500s, and converted the area into a new civilization named after Merida, Spain. Before the Spanish arrived, though, the city was known to the Maya people as T’ho, and fortunately (though many structures and cultural artifacts were destroyed and repurposed during colonization), Maya culture still prevails in the city’s culture, traditions, food, and people. 

For a brief time in the 1800s, the Yucatán was actually an independent nation with Merida as its capital. While the Yucatán ultimately rejoined the rest of Mexico during the Mexican-American War in 1846, Merida continues to this day to serve as the peninsula’s cultural and financial capital. It is one of the largest historic districts in the Americas, along with Mexico City and Havana. 

Today, Merida is actively in the midst of a renaissance, and many of the old historic buildings are being restored. So, you’ll find a good mix of restored and aging facades, each with its own history and stories to tell. It’s a mesmerizing place to get lost in and deserves your entire first day to explore!

The Plaza Grande

Also known as the main plaza or the zocalo, Merida’s Plaza Grande is one of the nicest and most charming in the entire country. Here, you’ll find wide promenades, ample park benches, perfectly manicured trees and shrubs, one of the city’s colorful “Merida” signs, and tons of attractions to kickstart your Merida itinerary. Nearly every evening, you’ll find something happening here too, from dancing to live music and markets. 

TIP: If you need to make a call or check directions, you can rest easy here – more than 50 parks and plazas in Merida are equipped with free WiFi, including Plaza Grande!

Cathedral of Merida

Next to Plaza Grande, you can’t miss the massive Cathedral of Merida (also known as the San Ildefonso Cathedral). Built on a central site of Mayan ruins from T’ho, the cathedral is the only one in all of the Americas to have been built and completed entirely in the 1500s. It’s free to enter and explore, and inside you’ll find a large crucifix – Cristo de la Unidad – which is supposed to symbolize the coming together of Maya and Spanish settlers here in Merida. 

The Governor’s Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) 

Opposite the cathedral, the Governor’s Palace is home to the Yucatán’s government offices. Built in the late 1800s, this rectangular building features gorgeous arches, massive halls, and beautifully ornamented decor that transports you back in time. For a great perspective of the Plaza Grande and the cathedral, head to the second floor balcony!

Palacio Municipal

The city’s town hall, Palacio Municipal, is a stunning building with pink walls and high archways dating back to the 16th century. It is free and open to the public every day except for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Here, if you prefer a more guided overview of Merida’s city center, you can actually take a tour! The Merida tourism office, which is located in the Palacio Municipal, offers a free daily walking tour (about 1.5 hours long) departing at 9:30 am.

Paseo de Montejo

About 30 minutes from the Plaza Grande on foot, you’ll find Paseo de Montejo, otherwise known as the neighborhood for the most wealthy and famous of Merida’s residents back in the day. Around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the state of Yucatán saw a big economic boom thanks to the growing importance and export of henequen (a type of agave plant). Because of this, a number of Yucatecan merchants became incredibly wealthy during this period and set off to Merida to build beautiful European-style mansions for themselves and their families. The biggest concentration of these homes can be found on Paseo de Montejo. 

This wide, gorgeous boulevard akin to Champs-Elysees in Paris is lined with tall trees and lavish mansions on either side. There are a number of awesome places to see and experience along the way while exploring Paseo de Montejo, including a couple of well-preserved mansions you can actually enter and explore! 

• Monumento a la Patria: an eye-grabbing, massive monument in the middle of a roundabout intersecting Highway 261 and Paseo de Montejo. Unlike anything else in the city, this gorgeous landmark is a symbol of the city’s history and the history of Mexico as a whole. 
• Palacio Canton: Originally built for General Francis Canton back in the early 1900s as a personal residence, Palacio Canton is an architectural masterpiece that remains completely untouched and preserved over the last century. Designed by Italian architect Enrico Deserti, the home combines European neo-classic, classic, and Baroque design into the intricate residence you see today. Today, it also serves as the city’s Anthropology and History Museum, where you can come to get a crash course on Maya culture and artifacts. 
• Quinta Montes Molina: Constructed around 1902, this home is another perfectly preserved window into the life of Merida’s wealthiest citizens back in the day. You can explore the Montes Molina House Museum here to get a closer look at the residence’s European architecture, flooring, artifacts, and antiques. 
• Casas Gemelas: The Casas Gemelas, also known as the twin houses (though not actually twins), are rare in that they are some of the only mansions that remain privately owned. These homes are inspired by French architecture and are incredibly ornate, even when just glimpsed from the street view.

In addition to the boulevard’s mansions and landmarks, you’ll also find some shops, restaurants, and cafes along the way. I personally loved stopping at Dulceria Y Sorbeteria Colon, where I had some of the freshest, sweetest dragonfruit and passionfruit sorbet of my life. For coffee and a bite, check out Marago Coffee or Cafeteria Impala – both are good for people-watching.

TIP: In total, Paseo de Montejo is about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long, so plan on spending the entire afternoon here strolling around and taking it all in!

Day Two: Take a Day Trip to Uxmal and Enjoy Merida at Night 

Merida is in a prime location for visiting some of the Yucatán’s Mayan ruins. There are so many in this particular region in Mexico, and according to archaeologists and Maya historians, only a small portion of ruins in existence have been discovered or made accessible to the public. There are supposedly countless more structures, sites, and civilizations yet for us to even know about! 

But, one of the sites we do know about for sure is Uxmal. Uxmal has been my favorite Maya city to visit so far, and I’m sure it will leave you speechless, too. For that, I’d say it’s well worth a half-day trip!

Visiting Uxmal from Merida

About an hour outside of Merida, Uxmal is an incredibly well-preserved and beautifully restored Maya city that has earned itself the designation of UNESCO World Heritage Site. One key differentiator between this site and the more famous Chichen-Itza is that typically, Uxmal is less crowded and because of that, it feels much larger. There’s a lot to explore when you are here, so be prepared to spend at least two hours roaming around!

Uxmal was a powerful city and political hub in this area of Maya civilization in the 8th and 9th centuries, and generally remained prominent until the Maya peoples ran out of a consistent water supply and abandoned the area (shortly after, Spanish colonizers arrived). What struck me the most about Uxmal was how magnificent and clean-cut some of the structures were. The Pyramid of the Magician, which is the first structure you’ll see when you enter the grounds, is an architectural masterpiece. 

The best way to get to Uxmal is to…

• Rent a car in Merida, or
• Take a guided tour from Merida to Uxmal

Nightlife and Entertainment in Merida

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Once you’re back in Merida, you’ll want to take in some of Merida’s incomparable nightlife. And, I’m not just talking about clubs. From dancing, to street performances, to night markets, Merida’s after-dark scene is truly in a class of its own. 

For a cool bar or club, wander into Mambo Club (for dancing), La Negrita for drinks and snacks, El Cielo Lounge for a trendy scene, or Mezcaleria La Fundacion if you’re into mezcal. 

To see some great street performances, nightly festivals, or just to find out what’s happening around town, your best bets will generally be between calle 57 – 61. You’ll find the Teatro Peon Contreras here which often bring in performances from all over the world. Also, wandering past any park or plaza in the evening might surprise you with a fun event or performance!

Day Three: Spend the Morning in Izamal and Stroll Merida’s Many Museums

While Merida is no doubt one of the most stunning and intriguing colonial cities in Mexico (in my opinion), it isn’t the only one! Another day trip from Merida that I cannot recommend enough is Izamal. Spend your third and final day exploring Izamal and then wandering through some of Merida’s museums to soak in all of the region’s impressive history, culture, and artifacts. 

Visiting Izamal from Merida

Also known as La Ciudad Amarilla (The Yellow City) and El Pueblo Magico (The Magic Town), Izamal is a small colonial town about an hour away from Merida that is instantly recognizable because of its bright, ochre yellow color. I’m telling you – the entire city center is all yellow! And it is truly a magic town. 

Pueblos magicos are towns throughout Mexico that have a goal of preserving their special architecture, customs, and cultural histories. Izamal is just one of 120+ pueblos magicos in the country, each with its own unique story to tell. Izamal in particular was founded 2,000 years ago by the Maya. After the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, the town today has become somewhat of a intersection between Maya, Spanish colonial, and modern cultures. Today you’ll find Spanish architecture alongside pyramids side by side within the city center. 

Whether or not it’s your thing, I highly recommend taking a horse carriage ride around the city center to really take it all in. I took a carriage ride right before dusk and consider it one of the most magical ways to experience this magical town! Just outside of the famous church that symbolizes the center of the historic city – the Monastery of St. Anthony of Padua – you should have no trouble finding horse carriages parked alongside, waiting for visitors who’d like to be taken for a spin around town.

The best way to get to Izamal is to…

• Rent a car in Merida, or
• Take a guided tour from Merida to Izamal

Museums in Merida

After a morning spent exploring Izamal, use the last couple of hours of the afternoon to explore Merida’s museums. There are many to choose from, but here are some of the most prominent: 

• El Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
• Anthropology and History Museum
• City Museum of Merida
• Museo Fernando Garcia Ponce Macay

Day Trips from Merida & Other Things to Do if You Have More Time

• Visit a Cenote: Outside Merida, along the Chicxulub Crater line (the impact zone of an asteroid that struck this region of Mexico millions of years ago that is widely regarded as the asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs), you’ll find nearly 900 of the Yucatán’s 6,000+ cenotes. So, you’ll have countless opportunities to take a dip!
• Explore Chichen-Itza: Take a day trip from Merida to Chichen-Itza to witness one of the Seven New Wonders of the World up close. While you can certainly take a tour from Merida, driving yourself is also just as easy and you can hire a local guide on the spot when you arrive for around $40 – $65 USD.
• Enjoy the Beach in Progreso: Just because Merida isn’t a beach city doesn’t mean there isn’t one nearby! Progreso is the place to go for beach lovers living in or visiting Merida. It’s just 45 minutes away by car or an hour bus – search “Auto Progeso” on Google Maps to find the bus station.
• See the Flamingos in Celestun: Celestun is a small fishing town not far from Merida, and it’s well-known as the gateway to the Celestun Biosphere Reserve. Here, you can find beautiful well-preserved scenery as well as countless birds, including but not limited to the thousands of pink flamingos that call Celestun home. 
• Experience More Colonial Charm in Valladolid: Valladolid is often overlooked, but I’ve heard it’s just as charming and fascinating as Merida and well worth a visit. If you’re heading to Chichen-Itza, make a day out of it and head to Valladolid afterwards for lunch and an afternoon of exploring!

RELATED: The Top Things to Do in Merida, Mexico

Where to Stay in Merida

• Rosas Y Xocolate Boutique Hotel+Spa: Bright pink, beautifully designed, and centrally located, Rosas Y Xocolate is without a doubt one of the places to be and be seen in Merida. Very romantic and recommended for couples!
• Coqui Coqui: If you want to be transported back in time to experience the opulence of century-old Merida without losing any high-end comfort or convenience, Coqui Coqui needs to be on your radar.
• Other Hotel Options in Merida
• Casa del Limonero Airbnb (where I stayed! this super spacious Airbnb is so beautifully designed, comes with its own pool, and is walking distance to the center of town)
• Other Airbnbs in Merida (New to Airbnb? Use this link to save up to $55 on your first booking!)

Where to Eat and Drink in Merida

• Merci
• Mercado 60
• Hermana Republica
• La Chaya Maya
• La Fundacion Mezcaleria 
• Cerveza Patito 
• Cafeteria Impala 
• El Barrio
• Wayan’e
• Soco Merida
• Dulceria Y Sorbeteria Colon
• Marago Coffee
• Lucas de Galvez Market
• Mercado de Santiago

Tips to Know Before You Go

• Currency: Merida uses the Mexican Peso ($1 USD = ~20 MEX$). You shouldn’t have any issues using credit card or finding an ATM in the city, but it still doesn’t hurt to carry cash. Attraction entrances (like to Uxmal), bus transportation, and certain restaurants will be cash-only. 
• Language: The official language spoken in Merida is Spanish, but in the city center you may be able to get by with English. A little Spanish, even just a few basic phrases, goes a long way!
• Transportation: If you’re staying close to the city center, Merida is extremely walkable. But, if you want to cover more ground more quickly, you have a number of ways of getting around Merida at your disposal:
  • Bike Rentals: Biking is very easy and popular in Merida. On Sundays, Paseo de Montejo even closes down in the morning from 8 am to 12 pm to allow for pedestrian and bike-only traffic, so that you can really enjoy this large, sweeping boulevard from a new perspective!
    • Find car rentals in Merida here
    • Find car rentals in Cancun here (the driving distance between Cancun and Merida is about 4 hours) 
  • Hire a taxi or an Uber: Uber is easily available in Merida. Taxis are also pretty abundant and will generally operate on a fixed rate. You can also try our Didi or Cabify, other apps that enable you to get taxi drivers on demand. 
  • Taking the bus: Use this link to see Merida bus routes and schedules. And, use an app called Moovit to figure out how to get from point A to point B using public transportation in the city. 
• Weather: The weather in Merida is warm, humid, and tropical year-round, with temperatures averaging 75 – 90 degrees F during the day and 60 – 75 degrees F in the evening. 
• Attire: Pack a good selection of lightweight, loose, breathable clothing so you can be comfortable throughout Merida’s hot days and warm, humid evenings. If you’re into photography or social media, the streets here are charming and very photo-worthy, if you want to plan some outfits around Merida’s colonial architecture and colorful facades! Also, if you plan on taking day trips to cenotes or beaches in the area, bring a good selection of swimwear and beach cover-ups, plus waterproof footwear and good walking shoes. 
• Bathrooms: Bathrooms throughout the Yucatán will kindly ask that you throw your toilet paper away in the trash can versus in the toilet. The plumbing in this part of Mexico can’t handle toilet paper the way toilets can in the US. So, keep that in mind!

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