Are you visiting Merida, which is located in Mexico? Want to know what I can do in Merida, so don’t worry. Here in this post, we will tell you more than 149 things to do in Merida Mexico, that are suggested by an expert.
Merida, the vibrant capital city of the Yucatan state located in Mexico, is known for its rich history, culture, and unique blend of traditional and modern influences. With many activities to indulge in, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options available. However, we have compiled a comprehensive list of 149+ expert-suggested things to do in Merida, Mexico in 2023.
From exploring the city’s historical and cultural heritage to trying out the local delicacies and embarking on outdoor adventures, there is something for everyone in Merida. Art and architecture enthusiasts can marvel at the stunning museums, galleries, and landmarks scattered around the city, while foodies can indulge in the local gastronomic delights and vibrant nightlife.
Whether you’re a solo traveler, traveling with family or friends, or looking for a romantic getaway, Merida has something in store for everyone. This guide will provide you with a well-rounded experience of Merida and its hidden gems, so pack your bags and get ready to explore the fascinating city of Merida, Mexico!
149+ Expert Suggested Things To Do In Merida Mexico In 2023
Here in this section, we will tell you more than 149 things to do in Merida Mexico. On the other hand, to make things easier for we manage to categorize each thing that you can do in Merida.
History and Culture
- Visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza
- Explore the historic downtown area
- Check out the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace)
- Visit the Museo Casa Montejo (Montejo House Museum)
- See the Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Fatherland)
- Tour the Museo Regional de Antropología (Regional Anthropology Museum)
- Visit the Catedral de San Ildefonso (San Ildefonso Cathedral)
- Explore the Paseo de Montejo (Montejo Promenade)
- Visit the Museo del Mundo Maya (Museum of the Mayan World)
- Check out the Hacienda Sotuta de Peón
- Visit the Museo Fernando García Ponce-Macay (Fernando García Ponce-Macay Museum)
- See the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (Great Museum of the Mayan World)
- Explore the Casa de Montejo (Montejo’s House)
- Visit the Iglesia de la Tercera Orden (Church of the Third Order)
- Check out the Casa de la Cultura (House of Culture)
- See the Iglesia de Santa Ana (Church of Saint Anne)
- Explore the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (Contemporary Art Museum Ateneo de Yucatan)
- Visit the Centro Cultural La Cúpula (The Dome Cultural Center)
- Check out the Parque de las Américas (Park of the Americas)
- See the Casa de la Cultura Jurídica (House of Legal Culture)
Food and Drink
- Sample some Yucatecan tamales
- Try some cochinita pibil (pork marinated in citrus and spices)
- Taste some panuchos (tortillas stuffed with black beans and topped with meat and vegetables)
- Try some sopa de lima (lime soup)
- Drink some horchata (a sweet rice milk drink)
- Sample some marques itas (crispy crepes filled with cheese and sweet toppings)
- Try the cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork in achiote sauce)
- Taste the salute (fried tortillas topped with shredded chicken or turkey, lettuce, and tomato)
- Sample the papules (corn tortillas filled with hard-boiled eggs and topped with pumpkin seed sauce)
- Try the panuchos (fried tortillas filled with refried beans and topped with shredded chicken or turkey, lettuce, and tomato)
- Taste the poc chuc (marinated grilled pork)
- Sample the sopa de lima (lime soup with chicken and crispy tortilla strips)
- Try the relleno negro (a black stew made with turkey, achiote, and spices)
- Taste the marques itas (sweet crispy wafers filled with cheese and Nutella)
- Sample the chocolate caliente (hot chocolate)
- Try the horchata (sweet rice milk)
- Taste the agua de chaya (a drink made with chaya, a local green leafy vegetable)
- Sample the mezcal (a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant)
- Try some papadzules (egg and pumpkin seed-filled tortillas topped with tomato sauce)
- Taste some poc chuc (marinated grilled pork)
- Drink some Xtabentún (a sweet anise liqueur)
- Sample some salbutes (fried tortillas topped with shredded meat, lettuce, and tomato)
- Try some cecina (thinly sliced and marinated beef or pork)
- Taste some campechanas (a layered pastry filled with cream and jam)
- Drink some micheladas (a beer cocktail with lime, salt, and spices)
- Sample some limonada con chaya (limeade with chaya, a local leafy green)
- Try some relleno negro (black stuffing, a pork-based stew)
Outdoor Activities
- Visit the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Lagartos (Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve)
- Visit the Cenotes de Cuzamá (Cuzama Cenotes)
- Explore the Parque Ecológico del Poniente (West Ecological Park)
- Check out the Hacienda Teya (Teya Hacienda)
- Explore the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún (Celestun Biosphere Reserve)
- Visit the Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo (El Cielo Biosphere Reserve)
- Explore the Parque Zoológico del Centenario (Centenario Zoo)
- Visit the Parque Zoológico Animaya (Animaya Zoo)
- Check out the Parque Zoológico del Bicentenario (Bicentennial Zoo)
- See the Cascadas de Homún (Homun Waterfalls)
- Visit the Laguna Rosada (Pink Lagoon)
- Explore the Laguna de Yalahau (Yalahau Lagoon)
- Check out the Reserva de la Biosfera Los Petenes (Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve)
- See the Jardín Botánico Regional Roger Orellana (Roger Orellana Regional Botanical Garden)
- Visit the Hacienda San Diego Cutz (San Diego Cutz Hacienda)
- Explore the Hacienda Xcanatún (Xcanatun Hacienda)
- Check out the Hacienda Temozón Sur (Temozon Sur Hacienda)
- See the Parque Estatal El Palmar (El Palmar State Park)
- Visit the Zona Arqueológica de Dzibilchaltún (Dzibilchaltun Archaeological Site)
- Explore the Zona Arqueológica de Uxmal (Uxmal Archaeological Site)
- Check out the Zona Arqueológica de Mayapán (Mayapan Archaeological Site)
- See the Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman (San Lorenzo Oxman Hacienda)
- Visit the Parque Zoológico del Altiplano (Altiplano Zoo)
- Explore the Parque Estatal El Cimatario (El Cimatario State Park)
- Check out the Parque Nacional Los Mármoles (Los Mármoles National Park)
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Art and Architecture
- Visit the Casa de los Montejo (Montano’s House)
- Explore the Iglesia de San Cristóbal (Church of San Cristobal)
- Check out the Templo de San Juan de Dios (Church of San Juan de Dios)
- See the Templo de la Tercera Orden (Church of the Third Order)
- Visit the Museo Casa de los Artistas (Artists’ House Museum)
- Explore the Iglesia de San Felipe de Jesús (Church of San Felipe de Jesus)
- Check out the Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación (Church of Our Lady of Consolation)
- See the Teatro Peón Contreras (Peón Contreras Theater)
- Visit the Palacio Cantón (Canton Palace)
- Explore the Plaza Grande (Main Square)
- Check out the Casa de la Cultura (House of Culture)
- See the Iglesia de Jesús (Church of Jesus)
- Visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (Contemporary Art Museum Ateneo de Yucatan)
- Explore the Teatro Armando Manzanero (Armando Manzanero Theater)
- Check out the Centro Cultural La Cúpula (The Dome Cultural Center)
Festivals and Events
- Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
- Carnaval de Mérida (Merida Carnival)
- Festival de las Ánimas (Festival of Souls)
- Feria de Xmatkuil (Xmatkuil Fair)
- Feria Internacional de la Lectura Yucat
Shopping
- Visit the Mercado Lucas de Gálvez (Lucas de Galvez Market)
- Explore the Mercado Santiago (Santiago Market)
- Check out the Mercado Santa Ana (Santa Ana Market)
- See the Paseo de Montejo (Montejo Avenue)
- Visit the Plaza Galerías Mérida (Galerias Merida Mall)
- Explore the Plaza Altabrisa (Altabrisa Mall)
- Check out the Plaza Las Américas (Las Americas Mall)
- See the Calle 60 (60th Street)
Outdoor Activities
- Take a bike tour of the city.
- Take a kayak tour of the mangroves
- Go birdwatching at the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún (Celestun Biosphere Reserve)
- Take a dip in a cenote (natural swimming hole)
- Go on a nature hike in the Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an (Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve)
- Take a boat tour of the Río Lagartos (Lagartos River)
- Go fishing in the Gulf of Mexico
- Take a day trip to the nearby beach town of Progreso
- Go on a horseback riding tour of the countryside
- Take a hot air balloon ride over the city
Nightlife
- Visit the La Negrita Cantina (La Negrita Bar)
- Explore the La Fundación Mezcalería (Mezcal Bar)
- Check out the Mercado 60 (Market 60)
- See the La Habana Vieja (Old Havana) bar
- Visit the El Cardenal Cantina (El Cardenal Bar)
- Explore the La Negra Tomasa (The Black Tomasa) bar
- Check out the Soho Galleries (Soho Nightclub)
- See the El Colon Bar (Colon Bar)
- Visit the La Bierhaus (The Beerhouse)
- Explore the La Vaquita Merida (The Merida Cow) nightclub
- Check out the vibrant nightlife in Plaza Santa Lucia, which includes live music, bars, and restaurants.
- Dance the night away at La Negrita Cantina.
- Enjoy a drink at La Fundación Mezcaleria, a bar that specialises in mezcal.
Architecture
- Visit the iconic Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Fatherland) in Parque de la Mejorada.
- Admire the stunning architecture of the Palacio Canton, which houses the Museum of Anthropology and History.
- See the beautiful art deco architecture of the Teatro Armando Manzanero (Armando Manzanero Theater).
- Explore the Moorish-style architecture of the Gran Hotel de Merida.
Day Trips
- Visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza
- Explore the city of Valladolid
- Check out the Mayan ruins of Ek Balam
- See the beach town of Tulum
- Visit the colonial city of Campeche
- Explore the Mayan ruins of Calakmul
Cultural Experiences
- Visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (Ateneo de Yucatan Museum of Contemporary Art)
- Explore the Museo Fernando García Ponce-Macay (Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Museum)
- Check out the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace)
- See the Casa de Montejo (Montejo House)
- Visit the Museo del Ferrocarril (Railway Museum)
- Explore the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (Great Museum of the Mayan World)
- Check out the Museo Casa Montejo (Montejo House Museum)
- See the Teatro Peón Contreras (Peon Contreras Theater)
- Visit the Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida (Museum of the City of Merida)
- Explore the Convento de San Antonio de Padua (San Antonio de Padua Convent)
Wellness
- Take a yoga class at a local studio
- Get a massage or spa treatment at a local spa
- Take a dip in the natural underground pools at Cenote Suytun
- Visit the Temazcal Mayan sweat lodge at Hacienda San Jose Pachul
- Take a bike tour of the local countryside
- Try a traditional Mayan healing ceremony with a local shaman
- Take a meditation or mindfulness class at a local studio
- Practice tai chi or qigong in a local park
- Attend a wellness retreat at a local resort
- Take a cooking class to learn about healthy, traditional Yucatecan cuisine
Sports
- Attend a soccer match at Estadio Carlos Iturralde Rivero (Carlos Iturralde Rivero Stadium)
- Play a round of golf at the Yucatan Country Club
- Go horse racing at the Hipodromo de las Americas Merida (Merida Americas Hippodrome)
Conclusion
This is the end of this which is about things to do in Merida Mexico. On the other hand, Merida, Mexico, offers many exciting and diverse experiences for travellers to enjoy. We have highlighted over 149 experts suggesting things to do in Merida in 2023, covering a range of categories, including history, culture, nature, wellness, sports, nightlife, architecture, markets, and more. From exploring museums and ancient ruins to relaxing in natural pools and indulging in local cuisine, Merida has something for every type of traveller.
We recommend planning your trip well to make the most of your time in the city. Don’t miss out on some must-see attractions, such as the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, the Palacio de Gobierno, and the Monumento a la Patria. Also, take advantage of the many unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture, such as trying a traditional Mayan healing ceremony or taking a cooking class to learn about Yucatecan cuisine.
We encourage you to visit Merida and experience its unique offerings. With its friendly people, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful surroundings, Merida is a destination not to be missed. So start planning your trip today and get ready to create unforgettable memories in this vibrant and welcoming city.
