Mall Fun in Mérida

Mérida is hot. There, I said it. It is hot and sometimes we all need to escape the heat and just relax in an air conditioned environment. So what do locals do when the heat gets to be too much? One popular option is to head to a shopping mall. There are a number of malls around the city and each has something different to offer families looking for fun, indoor, activities. You could easily mix and match a few mall activities in a day.

The malls are pretty much all in the north of the city so will require a taxi or bus ride if you’re staying in Centro.

Gran Plaza

Gran Plaza

If your kids like to bounce, then head to Gran Plaza to check out Xtreme Jumping, a trampoline park that has recently expanded to include a Laser Tag room. Here, everyone can enjoy the fun since there’s a space specifically for little ones. There’s also a cinema at the other end of the mall.

Gran Plaza Mall
Prolongación Montejo, Col. Gonzalo Guerrero
Open every day 10 am – 10 pm

Altabrisa

Head here for some bowling fun at Altabrisa Bowling, to see a film at the cinema, or even for arcade fun for all the family at ¡Recórcholis! where there is also a soft play option for kids. At the other end of the mall, near the supermarket, you’ll find Panda Play, a play space for toddlers and tiny kids. Zooriders has toy horses for kids to ride around the mall, which my kids find hilarious.

Altabrisa Mall
Calle 7 #452 x 20 y 22, Col. Altabrisa
Open every day 9 am – 11 pm

Galerías Mérida

Galerías

If being cooled by air-con isn’t enough for you, Galerías has a full size ice-skating rink in the middle of the mall. For just $120 pesos per person (including ice skate rental), you can skate as long as you wish. The skating rink is open to the public Monday – Thursday 11 am – 3:45 pm and 7:45 pm – 9 pm, and Friday – Sunday 11 am – 9 pm. At the far end of the mall, above the fountains, is an arcade with games for all ages. Little ones can also enjoy a small train that rides around the mall.

Galerías Mall
Prolongación Montejo, Zona Industrial, Col. Nueva Revolución
Open every day 11 am – 9 pm

The Harbor

Newly opened in the north of the city, The Harbor has a fun playground for younger kids and a free climbing wall upstairs near the cinema. It also has a nice outdoor area where, although not specifically designed for kids, they can have fun running around.

The Harbor Mall
Prolongación Montejo, Zona Industrial, Col. Nueva Revolución (just north of Galerías)
Open every day 10 am – 9 pm

La Isla

Another new mall, calling itself ‘malltertainment,’ includes green areas with play space, a large lake, cinema, fun fair, Barrio Frenezí where you’ll find bumper cars, a carousel, a free fall, climbing wall, and much more. There’s also a hot air balloon on site. In the mall itself, smaller kids will enjoy riding pretend horses around. A new trampoline park has just opened up here too that I’ll be checking out with my kids soonest.

La Isla Mall
Calle 24, Cabo Norte
Open every day 11 am – 10 pm

Needless to say, each mall also has its own food court with options for everyone.

Editorial by Cassie Pearse
Photography by Cassie Pearse for use in Yucatán Today