Seven Day Stay - August 2019

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

Check into Hotel Casa del Balam and discover the Centro Histórico on foot. See the Catedral de San Ildefonso, Casa Montejo, and the original Fernando Castro Pacheco murals which depict the history of Yucatán in the Palacio de Gobierno before having lunch at Bistrola 57. In the evening, go to the free Vaquería at the Palacio Municipal at 9 pm (get there early to find a seat!) for a taste of a unique Yucatecan tradition.

Tuesday

Start the morning early and drive to one of the New Seven Wonders: Chichén Itzá. After you explore, cool off at nearby Ik Kil, a fantastic cenote only 3 km from the archaeological site. Afterwards, check in at Hacienda Chichén Resort, an eco-cultural destination where you can relax poolside, wander through the magnificent gardens, and have a superb meal.

Wednesday

On the way back to Mérida make a stop in the beautiful “Yellow City,” Izamal. Take photos of colonial buildings, go to the Kinich Kakmó pyramid, and have lunch at Restaurante Kinich. Afterwards, visit Hecho a Mano on the main square for a memento. In the evening, back in Mérida, go for dinner at Hennessy’s Irish Pub, then have mango ice cream at Sorbetería Colón.

Thursday

Spend the day in beautiful Sisal. First, hire a tour of the mangroves and estuary which will end with a dip in the freshwater spring. Visit the historical village before settling yourself on the beach and when you’re hungry, a seafood feast awaits! Before the sun goes down, head back to Mérida where you can go to the Serenata in Parque Santa Lucía at 9 pm.

Friday

In the morning, visit the landmarks of Paseo de Montejo: The Monumento a la Patria, Museo Palacio Cantón, and Casa Museo Montes Molina. Then, go for a relaxing massage at Ki’óol Spa. In the late afternoon, organize your own cantina crawl to some of Mérida’s favorite spots: start at La Negrita, make your way to Pipiripau, and finish at Malahat, a super-trendy speakeasy.

Saturday

Get your morning coffee at Café Orgánico and check out the stalls of the Slow Food Market that congregates every Saturday morning. Then, head to Hacienda Santa Cruz for a traditional Yucatecan lunch and sightseeing. After a restful siesta, go for contemporary Mexican food, drinks, and live music at Catrín 47.

IMOX

Sunday

For your last day, treat yourself to a special breakfast at Mansión Mérida. Once you’ve finished, walk to IMOX and Casa de Artesanías Mercado for some souvenir shopping, and you can stop at the Tercera Orden church and Palacio de la Música enroute. For your last dinner in Mérida, try Maíz de lo Alto; some farewell tacos are in order.

Editorial by Maggie Rosado
Photography from various sources for use in Yucatán Today