The Best Parks and Playgrounds in Mérida, see which one is near you.
In Mérida, parks are an integral part of the city's cultural and social life. They serve as vibrant community hubs where people gather for recreation, socializing, and cultural activities. The word “parque” can also refer to the neighborhood square surrounding a church or market, a place to take in the sights and let children feed the birds. Whether you’re looking for a playground, green space, sports facility, or simply a place to connect, Mérida has it all. The city boasts an abundance of parks, but a few stand out from the rest.
While Mérida is lucky to have many fantastic local parks, some stand out from the rest. Here is a list of the ones my kids seem to love the most. Each of these spots offer plenty of space to run around and enough outdoor entertainment to make the drive worthwhile. Just don’t be surprised if you visit a park after lunch and don’t see anyone there! Locals tend to go after 5 pm, to avoid the midday heat. Also, keep in mind that during the rainy season, mosquitoes come out in the evenings, so it’s a good idea to bring along some repellent.
Playgrounds
You don’t have to venture far to find a playground in Mérida. Nearly every neighborhood has one, and many have been recently updated with modern equipment. But if you’re looking to really entertain the kids, check out these larger parks that are sure to surpass your expectations! Each of the following is free to the public, offers snacks for purchase, and has well-maintained bathrooms on-site.
Parque de la Plancha
One of the newer parks in Mérida, this is a must-see destination if you’re visiting Mérida with kids! This is a huge modern park with multiple playgrounds, paved pathways for biking and skating, an interactive fountain, a skate park, and a dog park. It also features a lake, museum, amphitheater, and even a food court! You can easily spend an entire day here. Parque de la Plancha is also a great spot to visit after dark, with well-lit playgrounds and captivating fountain light shows.
Gran Parque de La Plancha
Calle 50 x 43, Col. Industrial, Mérida
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nKUZfHfeiicXTj41A
Parque Municipal de Deportes Extremos
This adventure park may not be as large, but it’s packed with fun rides and equipment for every age. You won’t believe that it’s free! Instead of traditional playgrounds, you’ll find climbing towers, a zip-line, a labyrinth, trampolines, a huge slide, and go-carts. Older kids and adults will have a blast here as well, whether playing a game of human foosball or enjoying an adrenaline-pumping ride.
Parque Municipal de Deportes Extremos, Mérida
Calle 132 x 67 #349, Bosques del Poniente
Tue. - Thu. and Sun., 2 - 9 pm / Fri. - Sat. 2 - 10 pm
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gGRH2RU7iiU9Q1898
Unidad Deportiva del Sur “Henry Martín”
Imagine an adventure park right next to a water park—that’s exactly what you’ll find here! The water area features a large splash pad for kids aged 4-12, complete with water slides, a dumping bucket, sprinklers, and various play equipment. Beside it, there’s a shaded area with picnic tables where parents can comfortably watch. The adjacent adventure park offers rides similar to those at Deportes Extremos, including slides, go-karts, climbing structures, and a zip-line. The park complex also holds a boxing gym, batting cage, soccer and baseball fields, and basketball courts. This place is sure to be a hit with the kids!
Unidad Deportiva del Sur “Henry Martín”
Col. San José Tecoh, Mérida
Tue. - Thu. and Sun., 2 - 9 pm / Fri. - Sat. 2 - 10 pm
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qffSsvN6tJX9Hf7q7
Green spaces
After spending some time in Mérida, you might start craving some nature. While it may seem like wide open green spaces don’t exist in the city, they actually do! The following three parks offer visitors a natural retreat. They have playgrounds that stay open after dark, but it's best to visit these parks during the daylight hours to fully explore them. Each of the following is free to the public and provides basic bathroom facilities (bring hand sanitizer and toilet paper just in case).
Parque Ecológico del Poniente
Visitors will enjoy the serene surroundings of this ecological park. A dirt pathway runs between the trees, leading to a grassy clearing with a pond. Families often gather here to feed the ducks and geese. On the other end of the 10-minute trail, there’s a playground, adding an element of excitement for kids no matter which direction you take. This park is perfect for a memorable family outing or a peaceful jog.
Parque Ecológico del Poniente
Calle 116 x 67 diagonal, Yucalpetén, Mérida
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AeqTf2g5U7LzGzxLA
Acuaparque de Vergel
If you enjoyed the pond and ducks, you'll definitely love a visit to Acuaparque! This is a beautiful park that features a walking trail circling a large pond brimming with ducks and lily pads. Although some parts of the trail may remain flooded during the rainy season, most of it is still accessible, and the scenery and wildlife make the trip worthwhile. The entrance stairs, swimming pools, and large concrete slide are currently out of service. You can access the park via the ramp on the east side, next to the basketball court.
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Acuaparque de Vergel
Calle 6-A x 27-A, San Antonio Kaua II, Mérida
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/awGsKHG4xr3SZEkH8
Parque Recreativo del Oriente
My family refers to this park as the “pyramid park” because there are actually a few small pyramids on site. My kids absolutely love climbing on them, while I personally enjoy the wide open grassy area behind it— a rare find in Mérida and irresistible for running on. There are also walking trails that connect this area to a basketball court, workout area, and the playground (don’t miss the little nature trail between the playground and pyramid)! This park covers a large area and is a delight to explore with the family. Plus, on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, at least two canine obedience and agility clubs meet at the park grounds; if your family enjoys looking at dogs of different breeds and sizes, watching them practice is definitely an experience they’ll love.
Parque Recreativo del Oriente
Calle 55 x 10 y 16 #671, Fraccionamiento del Parque
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zAnX7qHqKEL6LGw29
Sports facilities
Looking for organized sports? The following facilities are open to the public and offer a range of options. You can use the walking trails for free, pay a small fee for access to the pool and courts, or sign up for a class. All three sports complexes offer classes in tennis, padel, basketball, soccer, swimming, karate, and aerobics, along with many others! Bring the whole family—there's something here for everyone.
Complejo Deportivo Kukulkán
The largest of the three, this top-of-the-line sports center boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, well-maintained courts, and several soccer fields. A large building houses indoor classes, along with a concession stand, picnic area, and bathrooms. In addition to the standard sports, they offer gymnastics (including trampoline and rhythmic), diving, and archery.
Complejo Deportivo Kukulkán
Calle 6 x Circuito #315, Unidad Morelos
Every day, 6 am - 10 pm
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c9ozBCvTPxtsrx8c6
Unidad Deportiva Benito Juárez
This recently renovated facility features brand-new tennis and padel courts along with a range of sports classes, including fencing, ping-pong, field hockey, boxing, water fitness, dance, and rhythmic gymnastics. If you’re interested in sports, this place is a must-visit!
Unidad Deportiva Benito Juárez
Calle 31-A x 10 y 12 Col. San Esteban
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 8 pm / Sat. - Sun. 6 am - 6 pm
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ttyqxBcfqoCDLnfY9
Estadio Salvador Alvarado
Established in 1939, this facility is an iconic venue for sports and recreation. It is located close to Centro and has the most scenic walking trail of the three, with a row of old trees shading the wide dirt path. While it’s not as modern, it has stayed just as vibrant, and offers a long list of classes for both kids and adults. Beyond the usual sports, you’ll find classes in volleyball, salsa dancing, Pilates, CrossFit, boxing, taebo, jumping, and water fitness.
Estadio Salvador Alvarado
Calle 16 x 11 Col. Yucatán
Mon. - Sat. 5 am - 10 pm / Sun. 6 am - 9 pm
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/56DoEWGhQXW53YKTA
Community Favorites
A couple parks in Mérida stand out as treasured community hubs for recreation, socializing, and cultural activities. The following have been around for decades and are long-standing family favorites. Evenings at these parks often delight visitors with pop-up performances, fitness classes, or artisan fairs.
Parque de la Alemán
Beloved by locals, Parque de la Alemán offers family activities and a warm community atmosphere. Covering an entire city block, it features playgrounds, grassy areas for playing, benches for sitting or enjoying a snack with friends, a skate park, and a track around the perimeter ideal for walking dogs—in fact, a recent remodel includes a fenced-in dog area with agility equipment. In the evenings, the park comes alive with food vendors, go-karts, a bouncy house, and a small amusement park with a merry-go-round and rides. It's also common to find exercise classes or artisan fairs here. While there are no bathrooms on-site, several restaurants are just a short walk away.
Calle 21 x 24 y 26, Col. Miguel Alemán
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9A2yXfXp5Sx77xHZA
Parque de las Américas
Parque de las Américas is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Along with a kids' play area featuring playgrounds, a bouncy house, and skate trails, the park also includes a fountain, an amphitheater, and a cultural center. Spanning four city blocks, Parque de las Américas offers families a chance to unwind and play in a culturally rich environment filled with small gardens, and monuments commemorating the countries that make up the Americas (from Canada to Argentina), historical figures, and events. In the evenings, food vendors line the streets, offering the best local snacks around (the marquesitas and esquites here are especially delicious!). You might even catch a concert, dance performance, or cultural festival while you’re here. Finding a bathroom at the park can be tricky (there’s one in the cultural center, but it’s not always open to the public), so it’s best to go before you visit.
Calle 20 y 23, Av. Colón, García Ginerés
Ubicación: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n9kQsuhRomouwSME9
Photography by Monica Starling, Cassie Pearse y Yucatán Today, for its use in Yucatán Today.
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 441, in September 2024.
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