A week in the White City, Yucatán | Travel tips
A week in Yucatán is enough to soak up its culture and tourism. A little planning and these suggested spots are all you need to get soaked to the bone.
Seven days are enough to create a world — and also to get to know the White City. An organised schedule is all it takes to be amazed for a week in Yucatán. If you don’t know where to start, begin with these tips.
You were wondering where to go in Mérida? Now we’ve put together a plan so you can spend a week in Yucatán and see the best places in the best city on the peninsula.
Tourism keeps growing and caters to all kinds of needs. If you’re wondering what to see in the city, the possibilities are endless.
Known as the White City, it’s a favourite among foreigners and Mexicans alike. Low prices, fantastic cuisine, and a warm, humid climate all year make this destination the ideal getaway. But that’s not all.
The city’s closeness to magical towns, beaches, archaeological ruins and cenotes shows that tourism in Mérida is synonymous with natural and cultural life. Ready to pack your bags with a week’s worth of clothes for Yucatán? Don’t forget to pack repellent!
Immerse yourself in Yucatán’s culture. Must-see places for a week
In the historic centre there are several places you should visit almost as a matter of obligation. Its old town, with ancient churches and mansions, is very picturesque. From an urban point of view it’s also walkable and very easy to explore on foot.
Need accommodation?
There are different kinds of places in Mérida: from boutique hotels to hostels, there are options for every budget. We recommend:
- Casa Lecanda Hotel Boutique: Calle 47 471, between 54 and 56.
- Rosas y Xocolate. Paseo Montejo 480.
- Hostal Catedral Mérida.
- Nómadas Hostel. Calle 62 c/ Calle 51, # 433.
Buildings that tell stories
Flanked by some of Mérida’s best colonial buildings, including the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, as well as Mérida’s best museums such as the MACAY, it’s the ideal place to discover the city and mingle with locals and visitors.
Cathedral of San Ildefonso from afar…
If it’s about seeing architectural heritage in just a week, walk along Paseo Montejo (read: Paseo de Montejo. An avenue to walk over the soul of Yucatán). This emblematic boulevard is home to incredible neoclassical mansions, many now turned into museums such as the Palacio Cantón, today the Museum of Anthropology.
Taste the real flavour of Yucatán in its most popular kitchens
You only have a week in Yucatán to taste the best of the city. Going to a market and discovering the most traditional side of Yucatecan cooking, or choosing gourmet options, are your main choices. We recommend a few alternatives for any preference:
- Chaya Maya. Calle 57 x 62, Parque Santa Lucía.
- Los Almendros. Parque de la Mejorada, historic centre.
- La Tradición. Calle 60 Norte x 25, Mérida, Yucatán.
- Mercado Lucas de Gálvez. Calle 56A, between Calle 67 and Calle 69.
- Mercado de Santiago. Calle 57 s/n.
On Paseo de Montejo, near the historic centre, bars, pubs and restaurants abound. If you’re looking for where to go in Mérida to hear live music. Some options are:
- Hennessy’s Irish Pub. Paseo Montejo. C 56-A No. 486A x 41 y 43.
- Cubaro, Slavia and Tobago. Paseo Montejo, opposite the Monument to the Homeland.
It’s also a must to visit neighbourhoods like Santa Ana and Santa Lucía. In their squares you’ll find musical events every night.
Magical places to see in less than a week
Uxmal
83.4 kilometres from Mérida, Uxmal is the third most important archaeological site in the region, after Chichén Itzá and Tulum.
Izamal
Known as the Yellow City, its buildings stand out for their colonial, contemporary and Indigenous influence. 67.6 kilometres away.
Chichén Itzá
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World and one of Mexico’s main attractions. It’s 118.7 kilometres away.
Progreso beach
Whether you spend a week in Yucatán or not, Progreso beach is a must. Close to Mérida — 43.3 kilometres — its coast is bathed by the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Cuzamá cenotes
Three fabulous cenotes to visit and swim in, just 46 kilometres from Mérida.
Have you noted how much you can see in seven days as a tourist? We assure you that a week in Yucatán is enough for the ancestral magic to win over each and every one of its visitors.
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