Merida Hostels and Frugal Hotels

By Carly Roden



If you're a flexible traveler and don't need a chocolate mint on your pillow to have a relaxing and memorable vacation, hostels are a great alternative to pricey hotels and resorts. In addition to saving you mucho dinero, which can then be put toward adventurous day trips, a stay at a hostel gives you the chance to meet new people from all over the world.

There are more hostels and frugal hotels opening daily in Mérida with a variety of accommodations and amenities- and most are within walking distance from the city's main attractions.

We have reviewed a few of them to give you an idea of what is available. But because things are changing quickly in Mérida, we highly suggest you also check other websites, such as hostelworld.com for feedback from recent visitors. Also, prices at hostels in Mérida are very dependent on the time of year and the competition. So please take the prices in this article as guidelines, not the definitive word.

The Hostel Faby is a beautiful house which has been transformed into a most charming and comfortable hostel. The hostel is situated on Calle 44 #501-D between 63 and 61 streets in the historic heart of the city of Mérida, in the quiet "barrio" known as Mejorada. A 10 minute stroll will take you to the Main Square, the Governor's Palace, the City Museum, the House of Montejo "El Mozo" and San Ildefonso Cathedral, the oldest ever built on the American Continent. Only 5 minutes from the Hostel Faby can be found the Museum of the Yucatecan Song. Here you will find all you need to know about the great Yucatecan composers. The Faby Hostel has two kinds of quiet and comfortable dorms which allow 4 people per room. Some dorms have ceiling fans and shared bathrooms ($13 US per bed per night), and others have air conditioning and private bathrooms ($20 US per bed per night). There are also some private rooms with a king size bed, private bathroom, ceiling fan, or air conditioning, with rates from $45 to $60 US per night. Every morning the guests enjoy a continental breakfast at no extra charge. The hostel has a well-equipped kitchen for the guests, and it also has a pleasant terrace with sun beds and hammocks. Other services offered by the Faby Hostel include tours to the main archaeological zones and other nice places in our state. The staff is very efficient and friendly and they are always ready to help you with everything you need. Hostel Faby is one of the quietest and safest hostels in town and it is highly recommended.

The Nameless Place is a modest, two-story building just down the street from the University of Yucatán. Their co-ed dorms have single and double bunks with shared bathrooms for $50 and $80 pesos per night, or rooms with private baths starting at $140 pesos per night for two people. Guests have free access to lockers and kitchen facilities, laundry service is available for $30 pesos, and there is an Internet café next door. The rooms stay reasonably cool with electric fans, but do not have air-conditioning. Payment is expected in advance, along with a deposit of $100 pesos.

The Peon Contreras Zócalo Hostel is in a prime location, across the street from the city's main plaza and next to the old Montejo House that currently houses a Banamex branch office. The hostel is actually on the second floor of the building, which makes finding the entrance a bit tricky. From the street you will see a small sign for the hostel, but because the hallway below it is set up like a souvenir shop, it's easy to get confused. Just head straight to the back of the hall and you will find a staircase leading up to the hostel. They offer single beds in gender-segregated dorms, complete with mosquito nets and lockers at $60 pesos per night.

Although the bathrooms are shared, they are large and very clean with separate facilities for women and men. Guests are provided with a simple complimentary breakfast every day and have use of the kitchen any time.

During your down time, you can relax in the common room and watch TV or sit on one of the balconies that overlook the plaza. The view from that balcony is unique to all of Mérida!

Nomadas Hostel is another excellent choice, located on Calle 62 near Santa Lucía Park. Beds in gender-segregated dorms with lockers (with deposit) and shared bathrooms are available for $59 pesos per night, or $50 pesos with student ID. There are also private rooms for $159 pesos per night, or $198 with a private bathroom. The back yard has room for camping or sleeping in hammocks, as well as basins for hand washing clothes. There is a common room with T.V. and a large, attractive patio area that hosts free live music and salsa lessons for guests three nights a week. A continental breakfast is provided each day, and there are also kitchen facilities and a small restaurant and bar on the premises. One of Nomadas' best perks is the in-house travel agency that offers good deals on rental cars, day trips and flights to places like Cancún and Cuba. The staff is extremely welcoming and helpful, including a doctor and 24-hour receptionist. A listing of local events like trova concerts and craft markets is posted each week in the lobby, and the building is conveniently one block from both a laundromat and an Internet café.



One of the most beautiful frugal hotels in Mérida is Hotel del Peregrino. Also located in the Centro Histórico, it boasts a terraza bar, private rooms, and breakfast included. This hotel is in a tastefully renovated colonial home, with a new Canadian owner as of December 2008. The private rooms are $49 to $59 US per night. There is easy access to the roof terrace and the Palapa Bar, a great place to have a drink and watch the sunset or the stars. Also included is free wireless Internet access, and the use of their beautifully decorated kitchen to prepare your own lunch or dinner.

To find out more about these hostels in Mérida, you can email or go to the individual websites listed below. Or visit www.hostels.net

Faby Hostel
Calle 44 No. 501-D x 61 y 63 centro
Tel. (999) 928 8593 Mobile (999) 142 2010
E-mail: info@hostelfaby.com.mx
www.hostelfaby.com.mx

Hobo Hostel
Calle 60 No. 432 x 49 and 47
(999) 928-0880


Hotel del Peregrino
Calle 51 #488 between Calles 54 and 56, 
Tel. 999-924-5491 or 999-924-3007.
www.hostaldelperegrino.com



Nomadas Hostel
Calle 62 #433, at the corner of Calle 51
Phone:999-924-5223
E-mail: nomadashostel@hotmail.com

Hostel Zocalo
Calle 63 #508 x 60 y 62 (on the Zocalo)
Phone:999-930-9562
E-mail: lacasa_delpoeta@hotmail.com

The Nameless Place
Calle 57 #495, between Calles 58 and 60
Phone: (Spanish) 999-924-0859 (English/French) 044(999)969-5282
E-mail: r_espejo@yahoo.com