Want to plan the perfect 2-day Mérida itinerary? Let’s see if I can help with that!
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With rows of colourfully painted houses, tons of history to soak up, and a delightfully friendly atmosphere, Mérida had tons of the stuff I love about travel; lots to see while just wandering around the city, and even more to learn.
After spending three months living in Mexico City (check out my four-day Mexico City itinerary here!), this compact, walkable city was a welcome change of scenery. While there’s plenty to do, 48 hours in Mérida feels like a good amount of time to make the most of it.
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Day One in Merida itinerary
Morning: Merida free walking tour
After enjoying breakfast (if your hotel didn’t provide one, I’ve included some recs further down), get an introduction to Mérida kicking things off free walking tour. I love walking tours as you get to learn a lot about the city you’re visiting in a condensed amount of time, meaning I’ve had time to get my bearings and understand more about what I’m looking at for the rest of the stay.
The local guides here in Mérida provided a wealth of insights into the city and the Yucatán region. With so many centuries of history, it was helpful to hear about it from someone who’d lived their whole life there.
There were just three people in my group, and you can book for free online at Estacion Mexico. (Tips are of course welcomed at the end)
During your free Mérida walking tour, you can expect to see:
- The Zocalo: Also known as the main square, the Zocalo is the heart of the city. This is where most Mérida walking tours begin! Most tours start early so you avoid the hot sun, with a second tour in the evening.
- Casa de Montejo: While most facades in the city have been reconstructed, the one on Casa de Montejo is original, dating back to 1540. (The tour guide usually recommends not paying to go inside, as there are better museums elsewhere in Mérida.)
- Mérida Cathedral: One of the oldest cathedrals in the world, including the oldest statue of Christ inside a cathedral. A funny story about this place is that the architects mixed up their plans and sent the wrong one to Mérida! That’s why the Cathedral de Merida is so big despite the relatively small square. Meanwhile, Mérida’s original plans got sent to Lima in Peru, which now has a very small cathedral within a much larger square!
- The lime-green government building: Head inside the Palacio de Gobierno for free to see 27 stunning murals.
- Merida’s university, where students must pass a unit in a Mayan subject (for example Mayan language or culture, etc) to complete their studies. The university was a good reminder that Mayan people very much still exist here in the Yucatan, and the language is still alive.
- Parque de Santa Lucia – where Yucatan’s Cuban culture is thriving. Look out for the white chairs, which were built for responsible dating – they’re great for talking, but not touching!
- Gran Hotel is the oldest hotel in Mérida, dating back to 1901. Peak inside during your walking tour to see its neo-classical architecture.
Afternoon: Museums
In the afternoon, explore one of Mérida’s top museums. If you’ve taken a walking tour in the morning, ask your tour guide for recommendations based on your interests.
- Music Museum (Palacio de la Musica): Music lovers (especially those who play an instrument) should definitely visit this one. The architecture is designed to be open to interpretation; I saw a piano, while my tour guide saw a guitar!
- Great Museum of the Mayan World (Gran Museo del Mundo Maya): This interactive museum is an excellent way to delve into Mayan culture and history. It even features a sound and light show with projections.
- Mérida History and Anthropology Museum: This was the top recommendation from my local tour guide, who loves its extensive collection of Mayan and Spanish cultural artifacts. While here, don’t miss seeing the Mayan Statue at the end of the road!
Note that museums are closed on Mondays. If your first day in Merida is a Monday, I suggest swapping this itinerary around so that you start with day two.
If you are more of a foodie, then I recommend spending your afternoon at a Merida Cooking Class instead! With five-star reviews, this is a fun way to try traditional Yucatan cuisine and even take some Mexican cooking skills home with you.
If you’re more of an eater than a chef, then a Merida street food walking tour might be more up your alley. Private street food tours are also available.
What to do at night in Merida
In the evening, most nights of the week you can enjoy free performances held near the main square on most nights of the week.
For example, On Mondays, you can watch a vaquería performance, which features dances to the rhythm of Jarana – the traditional folk dance of Yucatán that blends Spanish and Mayan traditions.
Day Two in Merida Itinerary
On my second day in Merida, I absolutely loved checking out the Uxmal archeological site and suggest you do the same!
To get to Uxmal, you can take the SUR bus from the Merida ADO Bus Station. Book tickets online on the ADO website or get to the bus station early, as there may be a long queue. If you take the bus, make sure you take the last bus back at 5 pm! Don’t miss it.
If you don’t fancy the bus, this Uxmal and Kabah archeological sites tour from Merida is the top-rated tour in Mérida!
Alternatively, this day tour to Uxmal and Kabah also includes a stop at a cenote.
Uxmal is an incredible archaeological site with Mayan ruins dating back to around 700 AD and was one of my favourite ruins from my trip to Mexico.
Uxmal once had approximately 25,000 inhabitants, and the carefully planned layout of the architecture shows their advanced knowledge of astronomy. Exploring the site was fascinating, even though I was melting in the intense 40°C heat, and the complex was much larger than I expected.
Once, up to 25000 people lived between these crumbling walls, under the shade of the pyramid and the watchful eyes of Chaac the rain God. Built upon the fertile Puuc hills, the Mayan people honoured Chaac by adorning the site with his image.
Yet some historians believe a long drought led to the end of their civilisation, no matter how many sacrifices they gave in honour of their rain God.
With the global threat of declining clean water, I am beginning to understand their desperation. Stark, bright heat hugs me tight as I walk across the site, seeking shade beneath trees and ancient corridors.
What will become of our civilisations today? Will future generations pass through our ruins and wonder how we lived and loved and what we believed? Or will the important sites of today be engulfed by whatever nature survives into the future, our once human homes cloaked by the plants and animals that could evolve and survive our changing climate, when humans could not?
After visiting the Uxmal temple, you might consider stopping by the Cocoa Story Museum, located directly opposite the bus stop. However, I don’t recommend it, as the animals there seem to be kept in poor conditions.
And yet still, again and again, we start anew, learning the same things for ourselves once more and leading our own journeys that feel fresh and different every time.
Evening:
For dinner, my new hostel friend suggested we visit the Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca, a restaurant serving up traditional Yucatán cuisine. The restaurant included vegan versions of Yucatán dishes, so I was happy I got to join in too.
Things to do if you have more than 2 days in Merida:
- Progreso Beach – one of the women in my hostel dorm wanted to cool off from the heat so she got the bus direct to Progreso Beach!
- Celustun – Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve is one of the best day trips from Mérida. On this day tour here, you’ll see flamingoes, crocs, and other wildlife, before heading to a natural spring for a swim in the mangroves and finishing up at an old hacienda that used to produce salt before seeing the pink lake. If you prefer private tours, this top rated one takes you to Celustun, Isla Pájaros, and the beach at Peurto de Celuston.
- Cenotes – Cenotes are one of the most magical features of the Yucatan Peninsula, so if this is your only chance to see and swim in them, I really recommend doing so. This cenote tour from Merida will take you to a few of the best.
- Pink Lake – Head to the bright pink lagoons at Las Coladas on this tour, followed by a stunning beach stop, and boat ride to look out for flamingoes and crocodiles.
- Chichen Itza – check out one of the seven wonders of the world in all its glory! It’s a popular day trip from Mérida or Cancun for good reason. And (as someone wary of crowds), it actually beat my expectations. The complex is pretty massive, and there’s much more to see than the main pyramid, which meant crowds were thinned out across the site during my shoulder-season visit.
This is the top-rated Chichen Itza tour from Mérida. Your day trip will take you to Chichen Itza, Valladolid (below), Izamal (the picturesque yellow city), and a cenote (one of Mexico’s magical sinkholes).
- Valladolid – this gem of a town is like an even more compact, colourful Merida. What it lacks in as many things to do, it makes up by being close to Chichen Itza and a ton of stunning cenotes. You can visit Valladolid on a combined tour from Mérida (like the one suggested above) or as part of a longer Yucatan itinerary.
Merida Mexico itinerary Q&A
How many days in Merida?
2 days in Mérida is perfect. In just 48 hours, you can see many of the city’s highlights on the first, and spend a second day enjoying more Yucatan food and Mérida hidden gems, or take a day trip to one of the nearby historic sites (like Uxmal).
If you have 24 hours in Mérida, stick to the first day of this itinerary. This way, you’ll have enough time to have a full introduction to the town in the morning’s walking tour, learn more about the history and culture in the afternoon, and spend an evening resting or enjoying live cultural performances.
With 3 days in Mérida, you can add one of the day trip suggestions above, or have more time to explore the museums and cafes in town.
Is Merida worth visiting?
Yes, Mérida is absolutely worth visiting.
If you’re only visiting the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, then I highly recommend adding Mérida to your itinerary, especially if you’re spending the rest of your trip in Cancun or the Riviera Maya (such as Tulum). While these places feel built for tourists these days, Mérida is a colonial town, full of history and still primarily lived in by locals.
How to get around Merida?
- Walk – the best way to get around Mérida is on foot, giving you time to soak up the architecture and all round good vibes
- Taxi – it’s easy to get a taxi from your hotel reception… or just use Uber! It’s not too pricey and gives you a stress-free way to visit attractions that are too far to walk to (especially in the heat or if anyone in your group has mobility issues)!
- Bus – ADO Mérida Bus Station is easy to use and provides buses to many attractions near to Mérida
- Tour – Of course, a tour is a great option too, especially if you’re short on time
- Private drivers are a pricier option, but these drivers usually double as a guide, and it will give you tons of flexibility.
It’s also really easy to get to and from Mérida Airport. I took a taxi (make sure you get a ticket from the taxi booth first), but private shuffles and shared transfers are also available.
Is Merida safe for tourists?
Yes, Mérida is safe for tourists. I felt very safe travelling alone in Mérida as a solo female traveller,
That said, bad things occasionally happen everywhere, and we’re always more vulnerable when travelling abroad. Keep valuables safe, don’t wander around strange streets after dark, and in general follow your instincts.
Best time to go to Mérida Mexico
December to March is the high season in Mérida, when you can expect sunny, dry weather that doesn’t get too hot but has higher prices. Book hotels and tours in advance for the best deals.
I was told to avoid April and May, as that’s when the temperatures are highest, but I enjoyed my visit. Just make sure you plan cooling clothes (such as light, loose, long-sleeved fabrics), and sunscreen, and avoid planning outdoor activities for the middle of the day. If you really can’t handle hot weather, though, I’d avoid it altogether. It was around 40 degrees Celcius during my visit.
The rest of the year is rainy, with hurricane season hitting around Autumn. If you can handle the heat and humidity of July and August, it can be a good time to get cheap hotel deals.
Where to stay in Mérida
Budget: Whether you’re looking for a hostel or a budget hotel, I would recommend Hotel & Hostal Boutique Casa Garza for both. It’s the prettiest and best-equipped hostel I’ve ever stayed in. Housed in an old colonial building, it perfectly blends charming original features with contemporary updates, from vibrant interior murals and hanging plants.
The hostel offers both private rooms and dorms. I opted for a six-bed female dorm with an attached bathroom. At thirty-three, I was pleasantly surprised to be on the younger side of guests. I met travellers ranging from their twenties to their sixties, all eager to share fascinating stories from their adventures around the world.
Affordable boutique hotel: With room service and concierge, a pool and garden, and daily breakfast, the Boutique Casa Azuli Santiago offers everything you’d expect from a top-rated hotel but without the price tag.
Mid-range: Level up at the stunning Villa Orquidea Boutique Hotel (amazing facilities in lovely modern rooms, à la carte breakfast, and fab location) and or Merida Santiago Boutique (great location in the historic centre, wonderful room facilities (including family rooms), and an awesome onsite restaurant and bar).
Luxury: First up, the Adults Only Treehouse Boutique Hotel is as nature-filled as it sounds, with tons of plants and natural light brightening up the truly gorgeous and luxe interior. There’s an onsite bar, spa, stunning outdoor pool, and more.
Otherwise, Mansion Merida on the Park is the top choice for anyone who’s all about luxe interiors. Set in a 19th-century French-style mansion, the elegant suites are truly beautiful, as are the onsite restaurant, bistro bar, gym, spa and pool. Meanwhile, the Adults Only Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel is perfect if you’re after the true celebrity treatment, complete with tiled courtyards, stylish tequila and wine bar, an outdoor pool, and luxurious rooms.
