Five Places for a Different Kind of Plan with Your Favorite People in Mérida
Did you know that in México, Valentine's Day celebrates not only love but also friendship? Today, we bring you a list of activities to spend a different kind of time with the family you chose: crafts, experiences, and workshops are just some of the alternatives these places offer so the fun never ends in Yucatán, whether in February or any other time of year.
Será-Será: A ceramics plan in Colonia Alemán
Imagine taking a break for yourself, having a moment to choose a piece, sketch an idea, select the colors you need, and begin to paint—enjoying the process of bringing life and personality to a ceramic mug.
In Mérida’s Colonia Alemán, just a block away from the famous park, there is a perfect corner to disconnect for a while: Será-Será is a functional ceramics workshop where you can get close to this art form, either by painting a ready-made piece or creating one from scratch.
Inside the studio, you’ll find a wide variety of handmade pieces: mugs, jewelry boxes, adorable kitten-shaped incense burners, and many more. Each piece is unique and changes with the season, so no matter how many times you return, there will always be something new waiting for you.
At Será-Será, you can experience a unique date with your partner or put together a creative plan with friends. If you don't know where to start, don't worry: you’ll have expert guidance on techniques, color combinations, and other secrets hidden within the special pigments used for functional ceramics. Additionally, Será-Será shares a space with Amétodo, a specialty coffee bar, so you can enjoy a delicious drink while you paint.
Calle 26 #296 x 19 y 21, Miguel Alemán, Mérida, Yucatán.
Jue. - dom. 4 - 8 pm.
IG: seraseramx
Nella Candela: Shared candle-making and self-care
For me, this year very clearly brought a new obsession: candles. And in that process of embracing hobbies that are best enjoyed in company, Nella Candela appeared as the ideal plan. Beyond pretty candles, this place feels like a meeting point to go with friends, share tastes, try something new, and have a good time with your besties.
Located in the Cordemex area, across from The Harbor, Nella Candela has become one of those spaces where creating together becomes part of the experience. Although they specialize in soy candles, what truly sets them apart are their monthly workshops, which change according to the season and the mood of the year. It’s a perfect plan to break the routine, use your hands, have a laugh, and take home something made by you.
Fragrances play a key role: vanilla, lemon with rosemary, red berries, coconut, or cinnamon—scents that accompany the entire creative process. During special seasons like Valentine's Day, the workshops change their vibe, and themed molds appear, making the plan even more fun.
Many of these gatherings revolve around setting intentions, manifesting, and connecting with what you want to attract, always from a light and creative place. Additionally, they often add other elements like painting, mosaics, clay figures, stickers, wine glasses, or canvases, almost always accompanied by tasty drinks, making each workshop different from the last.
In the shop, you can also find candles in different sizes and presentations, from the famous “Velotas” (Big Candles) to those that come in tins called “Latosa.” Workshop prices usually range from $300 to $700 pesos and often include a delicious drink to accompany the experience. Nella Candela is one of those places that reminds you that creating in company and spending quality time with friends also counts as self-care.
Nella Candela
Plaza Revolución Planta Alta: Calle 19 x 48, Col. Revolución (Cordemex)
Tel. 990 130 6646
IG: nella.candela
FB: Nella Candela - Velas de Soya
Compas Sailing: Paddleboarding among the mangroves of Progreso
Some plans are best enjoyed when the landscape does half the work, and Compas Sailing is exactly that. Their paddleboarding experiences in Progreso are a different way to get to know the coast and the mangroves of Yucatán, far from the noise and with the slow pace that nature demands.
From the moment you arrive, everything feels very accessible, even if you’ve never stood on a board. Before entering the water, they explain the essentials to make you feel comfortable and safe, so no prior experience is necessary. The route winds through mangroves, with calm stretches and narrower sections that make the ride dynamic and fun while remaining relaxed.
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One of the favorites—and for good reason—is the sunrise tour. Waking up early doesn’t always sound tempting, but watching the light begin to filter through the mangroves as you glide over the water completely changes the experience. Fanny, who guides the tours, stays with the group the whole time, keeping an eye on everyone and making everything flow naturally, without haste or pressure.
The tour is suitable for all ages and levels, as the water is shallow and the pace adapts to the group. It’s a perfect plan for couples, friends, or even for trying something new on your own. Tours depart from Marina Laguna Mar and cost around $650 pesos. In addition to the tours, Compas Sailing offers paddleboarding courses and rentals for yachts, catamarans, and sailboats. And since we are in the month of love and friendship, it’s worth knowing they also design personalized experiences for bachelor(ette) parties, anniversaries, proposals, or romantic plans—each made all the better by the Yucatán coastline as a backdrop.
Compas Sailing
Calle 18, Col. Yucalpeten, Yucalpeten
Tel. 990 193 8080
IG: compassailing
FB: Compas Sailing
Sensia Pilates: Wellness, Challenges, and Group Laughs
It’s no secret that Pilates is in style, but it’s also true that not everyone feels brave enough to start alone. For many people, going with company is the difference between quitting after the third class or making it part of the routine. That’s where Sensia Pilates becomes a great ally.

If you are a beginner, there is something you should know from the start: the famous "shakes" are real. And yes, they will most likely become joke fodder in the group chat. But that’s exactly part of the charm. Sensia Pilates makes the exercise feel challenging without being unkind to yourself, even when you’ve been humbled by your own body.
The coaches at Sensia Pilates keep a close eye on you throughout the class—correcting, motivating, and encouraging you to give just a little more, always with respect for your body and without pushing you unnecessarily to the limit. They demonstrate the exercises with an ease that makes you think, “this looks like a breeze,” until you try it yourself and discover muscles in your body you didn't know existed. Even so, the atmosphere remains relaxed, close, and not at all intimidating.

Classes last about 50 minutes and offer something very valuable: they force you to disconnect. During that time, the brain switches off; you concentrate on breathing, moving, and surviving the exercise. When the session ends, you leave tired, yes, but with that delicious feeling that you can handle the rest of the day.
Sensia Pilates offers various packages and a wide range of schedules, which makes it easier to sync planners, even if the only free slot you all have in common is 6 am. It’s definitely a challenge, but the good kind, and, in the end, you might be surprised by how much you’ll enjoy it—and doing it accompanied always makes it even better.
Sensia Pilates
Plaza Puerta de Hierro, Altabrisa
Av. Cámara de Comercio
990 180 1958IG: sensiapilates
Salime Sadek Cooking Studio: The art of sharing the table

More than a space to learn how to cook, this studio functions as a meeting point in the north of Mérida. The atmosphere is cozy, curated, and professional, but without feeling rigid or intimidating. It is the ideal place to celebrate birthdays, special occasions, or simply to set up a different plan with your group and break the routine.
The "cooking parties" are one of their most popular offerings, designed for groups looking to socialize in a fun, hands-on way. Led by Chef Salime Sadek, you are encouraged to explore your culinary side, even if you aren't an expert in the kitchen. Here, no one arrives knowing everything: it’s about learning, experimenting, and enjoying the process without pressure.

Class options are varied and adapt to different tastes: from spreads for sharing, sushi nights, and pasta nights, to Lebanese food experiences and other dishes prepared step-by-step with your own hands. Everything flows dynamically, between clear instructions, constant laughter, and that relaxed atmosphere that forms when there is good company.
The best part is that it doesn't feel like a traditional class. It’s more like a night to disconnect from the daily grind, open a bottle of wine, chat while you cook, and sit down to enjoy what you prepared together.
Salime Sadek Cooking Studio is a great option if you are looking for a different type of hangout: fun, formative, and delicious. It’s an experience to shift gears, leave the stress behind, and remember that sharing a table is also a way to celebrate.
Salime Sadek Cooking Studio
Plaza Puerta de Hierro, Calle 15 #24, Colonia Altabrisa
Tel. 999 550 6860
IG: chefsalimesadek
Author: Yucatán Today
Yucatán Today, the traveler's companion, has been covering Yucatán’s destinations, culture, gastronomy, and things to do for 38 years. Available in English and Spanish, it’s been featured in countless travel guides due to the quality of its content.
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