About Mérida, Yucatán

The Spaniard Francisco de Montejo “El Mozo” founded Mérida on January 6, 1542. When the Spaniards arrived, Mérida was a large Maya city known as T’ho, situated on what is now the Main Plaza. It was conquered by the Spaniards, who dismantled all the pyramids and used the huge stones as the foundation for the Cathedral of San Ildefonso (1556-1599), the oldest cathedral on the American continent.

The Cathedral, situated on the east side of the Plaza, is only one of Mérida’s many interesting sites. Directly across the Plaza is the Palacio Municipal (1735), Mérida’s Town Hall. On the south side is the Casa de Montejo (1542), the former home of the conqueror of Yucatán.

The Palacio de Gobierno (1892), on the north side, houses 27 murals by Fernanco Castro Pacheco illustrating the somewhat violent history of Yucatán.

One of the major influences on Yucatán history is the henequén plant, also called sisal (for the Yucatecan city of Sisal from which shipments left the continent). This plant became known as ‘green gold’ or verde oro for the wealth it lavished upon the hacendados or hacienda owners in this area. In the early 20th Century, as a result of the henequén or sisal trade, Mérida was the home for numerous millionaires who built their lavish homes on Paseo de Montejo, and their impressive haciendas throughout the jungle surrounding Mérida.

TIs a wonderful way to view some of these mansions, many of which are completely restored, and some of whose romantic decay are food for the imagination.

For centuries, geography made it difficult for the Yucatecans to communicate with the rest of Mexico. As a result, architectural and cultural influences from Europe, the Caribbean and New Orleans were as strong or stronger in the growth of the city. To this day, the people who live here consider themselves Yucatecans first, Mexicans second. If you look carefully, you will see tshirts and bumper stickers proclaiming Orgulloso Yucateco, Yucatecan Pride.

Because of its tranquility and cleanliness, Mérida has become a popular place for families from other Mexican states. Many people have moved here from Mexico City, where crime, pollution and overcrowding are evergrowing problems. Crime is not tolerated in Mérida, and it has the distinction of the city with the lowest crime rate per capita in Mexico.

Yucatán is one of Mexico’s most tranquil and safest states, with a climate resembling that of Florida or Cuba. Yucatecans are good, tranquil and hospitable people who have strong roots and traditions. They take pride in their city, known as “The White City”, not only for the predominance of white limestone as a building material, but because of its streets, plazas and parks that are cleaned daily.

Free tours of the Centro Histórico of downtown Mérida are available from Monday to Saturday at 9:30 am. Call (999) 942 0000 Ext. 80119 or go to the Tourist Office on the ground floor of the Municipal Palace (corner of Calle 61 and Calle 60).

There are also 2 comfortable ways to get to know the city in about 1-1/2 to 2 hours: the red bus called Turibus that is very easy to spot because its a double decker and you can hop on on any of its many stops around the city; and the local company Carnavalito City Tour bus that leaves from Santa Lucia Park (Calle 55 and 60) at 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm daily (no 7 pm trip on Sunday).

Take the Carnavalito: bus at 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, or 7 pm in Santa Lucia Park or the Turibus red bus that stops every 2 hours at the plaza.

In the evening: enjoy a free outdoor concert with traditional “Vaquería” a Yucatecan dancing and dress at the Palacio Municipal on the main Plaza at 9 pm.

Travel to the Maya: archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. In the evening, dance for free to big band music of the 40’s in Santiago Park on the corner of Calle 59 and 72 at 8:30 pm.

Visit Hacienda Teya: on the way to the City of Izamal, or take the Convent Route of Acanceh, Tecoh, Telchaquillo, Tekit, Mama, Chumayel, Mani and Oxctzcab. If you stay in town, enjoy the video mapping Diálogos del Conquistador at Casa Montejo at 8 pm.

Calle 63 between 62 and 62, Centro.

Visit the Maya archaeological: site at Dzibilchaltún on your way to the beaches of Progreso, Chelem, Chicxulub, Telchac and Xcambo. Visit the co-op next to the church in Dzibilchaltún.

Perhaps you might like dinner at Hacienda Xcanatun on your way back: At evening time there is an open-air concert in downtown Mérida featuring Yucatecan dress, dance, music and folklore at the Santa Lucia Park on Calle 60 and 55 at 9:00 pm.

Go shopping at the markets: Pasaje Picheta or the best in the city, Casa de las Artesanías on Calle 63, with handcrafts from Yucatán made by Yucatecans with the best prices in the city.

In the evening: you can enjoy another free event, the video mapping Piedras Sagradas at the San Ildefonso Cathedral at 8 pm. Calle 60 by 61, Centro.

Explore the Puuc Route: Kabah, Labna, Sayil, Xlapak and Uxmal. Stop by Yaxcopoil. Evening time brings more free events, the first one at the end of Paseo de Montejo with Calle 47 called Noche Mexicana from 8:00 pm to midnight. And the second free event is the Pok Ta Pok, a free representation of the Maya ball game at the San Ildefonso Cathedral at 8 pm. Calle 60 by 61, Centro.

Visit the handcrafts Market “Lucas de Gálvez”: it has everything. Enjoy Mérida en Domingo, outdoor handcraft markets and food festivals in the Main Plaza, Hidalgo Park and Santa Lucia Park from 9 am to 9 pm. Also visit Museo MACAY for free. Bici Ruta, every Sunday from 8 am to 12 pm more than 5 kilometers of roads in Mérida are closed off to traffic.

The airport code for Mérida is MID and you fly into the Manuel Crecencio International Airport. Flights with United Airlines, Aeromexico, Interjet, Volaris, VivaAerobus, Aeromar, American Airlines, Blue Panorama Airlines, Magnicharters, Mayair, TAR, Tropic Air, Westjet and Delta Airlines. Bus lines are an excellent resources you are arriving in Cancún.