Holiday in Merida

About Merida

Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan and is nicknamed The White City – partly due to the radiant white colonial buildings, and partly because of the traditional white clothing of the Maya population. With over one million inhabitants, it is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula and has been repeatedly voted the best city in Mexico for quality of life. A vibrant cultural life shapes everyday life: Every evening, free concerts, dance performances, and cultural events take place in public squares. The historic center around Plaza Grande impresses with the oldest cathedral on the American mainland from 1598, the Palacio de Gobierno with its impressive murals by Fernando Castro Pacheco, and the elegant Paseo de Montejo with its magnificent mansions in French style. The Mercado Lucas de Galvez offers an authentic insight into Yucatecan cuisine with specialties such as Cochinita Pibil, Papadzules, and Sopa de Lima. Merida is the ideal starting point for excursions to the Maya sites of Uxmal, Chichen Itza, and the lesser-known Ruta Puuc, as well as to picturesque cenotes and the Celestun flamingo reserve, where thousands of pink flamingos wade in the lagoons. The city combines urban comfort with Yucatecan tradition and offers excellent value for money. The best travel time is from November to March, when the temperatures are somewhat milder.