Merida is the kind of destination for those who want a little bit of everything. If you are an Eco-tourist, architectural aficionado, a gastro-specialist, a shopper, or a beach lover, the resort city of Merida, located in the northern end of the Yucatan Peninsula, is the place to go.
You have most likely heard of Cancun and 
Playa del Carmen. If you watched The Love Boat, you know about Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. If you are of the Frank Sanatra era, you are familiar with Acapulco. But Mexico has a hidden gem—Merida. This resort town has been described as having a brilliant mix of nearly everything that would appeal to travelers who seek multiple adventures.
Merida is … just three hours from Cancun
and is in the
Northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. It has its own international airport about 20
minutes from downtown. Merida has connections through Mexico City or Cancun, and you can fly Aeromexico or United through Houston. Whichever airline you take, the beauty of Merida is that when you visit, you’ll be inspired by the nearby Mayan ruins, the food, the shopping, and the beach.
Why go to Merida … It is always fun and exciting to be on the “ground floor” of an up-and-coming destination. Merida is always in the mix for something going on. It has a Sunday open-air market to the annual events and festivals. It has nightlife that has dance clubs you can find all through the city. It has restaurants that make the evenings filled with Spanish, Cuban, and Brazilian cuisine amazing.
You could also take a cooking class with Chef David Sterling in Los Dos (los-dos.com). This is the first school in Mexico devoted exclusively to the cuisine of the Yucatan, and has been featured in the magazine Gourmet and on Oprah Winfrey’s Oxygen channel.
What to see in Merida … There are many things
to see but I have only time to mention a few. On the top of the list is the Cathedral of San Ildefonso. It is the second oldest in the New World and was constructed over the top of the Mayan ruins. Mayan carvings can still be seen in the stones of the cathedral.
Another important destination to see is … Chichen Itza and Uxmal, where you will be a part of a World Heritage Site.
You will need to pack to go to the beach because it is about thirty minutes away but so worth it. Progresso Beach is absolutely gorgeous, with emerald green waters, beachside cafes and shops, and a famous four-mile-long pier that juts out into the ocean.
Where to stay in Merida … This is a traveler’s choice. If you
want to be in the heart of the city, I would suggest the Hyatt Regency or the Fiesta Americana Merida. The Hyatt has great amenities and has been recently renovated and reopened a terrific restaurant with dishes from Peru, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, and Mexico. The Fiesta Americana has a ground-floor shopping mall and a Colonial-like exterior that takes your breath away. If you want to be in luxurious accommodations, try Mansion Merida or the Villa Merida, a 19th-century nobleman’s Boutique Mansion with only eight rooms.
What to remember about Merida … You can barely see the ocean from your hotel room. Yes, the ocean is there; it just takes a little time to get to it. The beach will be an “excursion” for one or two days within your vacation time—a vacation to Merida consists of many other “adventures” in the city. So, as it says in the title, you need to be a Multiple Adventurer to enjoy what Merida has to offer.
About the Author: Annette Gaddis
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