A Seven-Day Stay in Yucatán – August 2018

With 106 municipalities, countless cenotes, beaches, archaeological sites, and haciendas, Yucatán boasts one of the world’s densest cultural landscapes thanks to its ancient and contemporary Maya population. Accept that you’ll never be able to explore it all, but pack in as much as possible with our monthly recommendations for a week-long adventure. Sift through the archives on our website to mix and match your perfect trip!

Monday

Arrive to sunny Mérida with plenty of sunscreen and get lost in the Colonial City. Explore the Cathedral and Palacio de Gobierno in the Plaza Grande and have lunch at La Chaya Maya. Then skip over to the neighborhood “barrio,” Santiago, for a coco ice cream at Helados Polito.

Tuesday

Let the colorful streets guide you to the Museum of Popular Art in the Mejorada barrio. Discover folklore and shop for the handmade treasures of México. Have lunch at Los Almendros, then search out more handicrafts at the Casa de las Artesanías and the Tienda de las Miniaturas.

Wednesday

Go on a cenote hopping day-trip to Cenotillo. A little over 100 km from Mérida, this pueblo is a gold mine of caves and crystal blue waters. Take an underwater camera as you dip through up to 12 cenotes, bedding down for the night at Hotel Roazi in Tizimín. Enjoy dinner at Tres Reyes in the town’s Centro.

Thursday

Head to Las Coloradas and pay $50 pesos to see the salty pink lagoon. Go on to Río Lagartos in time for check-in at Hotel Villa Pescadores and lunch at Ría Maya Restaurant, then take a deluxe boat tour with Río Lagartos Adventures, which includes the Maya Bath, flamingo sightings, and a bright sunset over the Gulf of México.

Friday

On the way back to Mérida, adventure to the archaeological site Ek Balam, where you can climb the pyramid and discover the temple of the mouth of the jaguar. Get back to Mérida in time for salsa lessons and dinner at Mercado 60, where the incredible band “La Siembra” will get you moving.

Saturday

Have a delicious breakfast at Local 59, then head to the outskirts of Mérida for an unforgettably wild adventure at Animaya, Mérida’s zoological park which was founded on the country’s Bicentennial. At night, visit Paseo de Montejo for La Noche Mexicana, then go dancing at Pipiripau.

Sunday

Spend the day riding bikes and catching street music in the Bici-Ruta along Paseo de Montejo. Roll to the Centro, where you’ll be hugged by tradition during Mérida en Domingo. Grab a marquesita and shop for artisan goods until 7 pm. Finally, top the week off with a mezcal margarita at Pancho’s.