The Ultimate Merida, Mexico Travel Guide
Welcome to Merida, the largest city and the capital of the Yucatán Peninsula. This Mexican city is rich in history and is lined with colorful buildings that showcase a unique blend of Mayan and Spanish influences. From Yucatecan gastronomy to incredible ancient ruins nearby, including Chichen Itza and Uxmal, to a wealth of history and art museums, Merida has something to attract every kind of travel enthusiast. Thinking of heading to the city soon? Keep reading to find everything you need to know in this ultimate Merida, Mexico travel guide!
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling and respect the locals—Merida is their home :)
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Merida Travel Guide
Official Currency: Peso
Official Language: Spanish
Visa:
A valid passport is required for entry into Mexico. Typically, tourists are granted up to 180 days, which cannot be extended. There is no fee for entry. However, the length of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer. While I have never encountered issues with being granted the full stay, there are stories of others not receiving the same treatment. Expect longer passport control lines and remember to remain patient and courteous! Click here for a list of countries that do NOT need a visa to visit Mexico.
How to Get to Merida:
Flying:
Merida has an international airport you can fly into: Merida International Airport (MID). It is around 7 KM from the Plaza Grande.
ADO Bus:
ADO is the main Mexican bus company throughout the entire country and most routes are safe for tourists. You can take an ADO bus from anywhere else in the Yucatan Peninsula to Merida. Prices vary depending on the time of year and time of departure. I arrived in Merida from Valladolid on ADO and the ride was around 2.5 hours.
Colectivo:
A Colectivo is a shared van with other people heading to the same destination you are. They are the favored form of transport by backpackers and travelers with less luggage. ADO also has an “ADO Conecta” option that will be faster and similar to a Colectivo but more comfortable to ride in. I recommend this over a Colectivo.
Note: Colectivos can be small, cramped, and timely. Sometimes they will wait for a full van before departing. They do not always have working air conditioning. If you have a lot of bags or a large bag, they may turn you down for more passengers instead (more money for the driver). There may also be an option from Cancun.
Private Taxi:
A private taxi is always an option but can be quite pricey. I recommend reaching out to multiple companies for quotes before deciding on which to take.
Bonus Tip: Transportation throughout the Yucatán Peninsula is on its way to becoming more accessible with the new Tren Maya Railway. Head here for more information and to stay updated on what routes are open now!
Best Time to Visit:
Hurricane Season: June - October | Dry Season: November-April
Merida, located near the western coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, is best visited during the "cooler" months from November to March. With Merida being landlocked, and the nearest beach being around 45 minutes, cooler weather makes exploring the city less sweaty and more enjoyable.
If you want to partake in Merida Fest, head to the city during January. It is an annual cultural fest to celebrate when Merida was founded (Jan. 6, 1542) and includes several days filled with activities and events (dancing, theater, music, art exhibitions, culinary events, parades, street performances, etc.)
If you prefer higher temperatures and don't mind the chance of rain or even a hurricane, you can visit during the rainy season from May or June to the end of November. When I visited during June, it was extremely hot, making daytime exploration challenging.
Mode of Transport in Merida:
Merida is quite walkable, especially for short-term visitors. It will give you an authentic feel of Merida as you enjoy spotting the colorful houses and streets.
Uber is available and is cheaper than taxis for those who prefer less walking around.
Colectivos, shared vans, ADO Conetas, day tours, etc., are around for day trips outside of Merida. For example, I LOVED my day tour to Uxmal and Kabah (Ruta Puuc). You can find it here!
Where to Stay:
In my opinion, the best area to stay in Merida is either near the Plaza Grande area or along the Paseo de Montejo road. Plaza Grande will offer a more city and bustling atmosphere, whereas Paseo de Montejo will offer a more ‘financial district’ or high-end feel with old colonial mansions lining the streets. I have listed some of the best options below!
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option:
Best Low-Budget:
Best Mid-Budget:
Best Mid-Budget - High-End:
Best High-End Budget:
The Loft Room at Viva Merida Hotel Boutique
The Patio Suite at Cigno Hotel Boutique- Adults Only
Grocery Options:
There are a plethora of grocery options throughout Merida, many within walking distance regardless of where you stay. However, I always use delivery with Chedraui to make life easier, especially being gluten-free and vegan.
Chedraui: This is a large grocery store and chain in Merida, offering nearly anything you could imagine or need for the kitchen. I did all of my shopping here because they offer online shopping with shipping, making it easy for me to get my groceries without needing transportation or trunk space. Shipping is usually around 38 pesos and you can schedule for a specific time slot. There are a few locations throughout the city— you can find the one nearest to you here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do You Need?
The optimal time to explore the city of Merida is 2-3 days to be able to see everything. Add on some days if you want to indulge in the delights of the largest city in the Yucatan Peninsula. You can squeeze all of the sights here into 1 day, but the colorful and charming streets will leave you wanting more.
If you plan to explore nearby destinations including Campeche, Izamal, Celestun (flamingos), Chichen Itza, or Ruta Puuc, add on additional days for each.
Are There Vegan Options?
Yes, there are! Here are a few of my favorites:
Sempere (Cute Coffee Shop)
Avegana Vegano Sin Gluten (The BEST cakes and cupcakes)
La Kombucheria
Sempere
Avegana
Is It Safe?
This is a huge debate with Mexico in general, and it all depends on what you will be doing and where you will be going. I was never out after dark nor do I drink or head out to bars.
I felt pretty safe in Merida, although this city felt more rough around the edges in some areas. I did see some bizarre and questionable things during our time, but never experienced anything that put me in harm’s way. Just be wary of where you are wandering.
ALSO - it is common for locals in Merida to try and speak to you about Mayan culture or events, followed by directing you to a nearby attraction or market. They will then follow you to see if you go there to receive a potential commission on your spending. Your best bet is to simply say no thanks when they start trying to discuss this with you and then continue with your day. This happened to me and I simply popped into a big tourist store to lose him. It was sketchy for sure…
How To Stay Safe:
This is all opinionated and based upon my experiences only, but you should always stay up to date with your country’s travel advisories regardless. Follow basic rules of safety while traveling, in addition to:
Do not walk around dark areas or non-tourist areas alone at night.
Keep valuables locked up and hidden in your room when you are not there.
Do not leave valuables unattended and do not carry around large sums of money.
Do not swing your phone, money, etc., around while walking or biking.
Do not argue, disrespect, or aggravate the locals. This is their home, to be fair, and you are a visitor.
Avoid the Mayan-related scam mentioned above.
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Emergency Contact Number: 9-1-1
Best Things to Do?
Wander the Colorful Streets
Campeche
Izamal
Celestun for the Flamingos
More on this soon!
Digital Nomad Community?
I know there is a large expat community here, mostly from the US and Canada, but I was not in the city long enough to fully dive into it.
Cost of Living (Monthly) :
I think the cost of living in Merida would be quite inexpensive since you would not need daily transportation. Uber is available for less money than taxis. Public transport is available throughout the city as well.
The average monthly accommodation, including amenities like a kitchen, air conditioning, and WiFi, ranges between 250 and 800 USD, though higher-end options are available.
Groceries could be anywhere from 150-250 per month depending on your diet. I would use Chedraui delivery to avoid needing a taxi or vehicle to get to grocery stores.
Laundry was around 35 pesos per kilo, but I did see some other less expensive places around.
Water jugs were the usual, costing around 40 pesos per 20-gallon bottle.
