Popular Topics

Trip Report

Five Nights in Merida and a Day Trip to Cuzama Cenotes and Celestun

This is a five day itinerary for the City of Merida, with two day trips to Cuzama Cenotes and Celestun Biosphere Reserve.

  • Mérida+ 4
  • Mérida
  • A Church in Parque San Juan
  • Five Nights in Merida and a Day Trip to Cuzama Cenotes and Celestun
kylaegan
About Me:Kyla Egan is an educator and advocate for the sustainable tourism industry, with a passion for creating a more responsible future. She is the founder of Impactful Tourism Consultancy, a boutique consulting firm that offers marketing, educa... read more

North AmericaMexico5 days / November 2019

Highs & Lows

Cycling down Paseo Montejo on Sunday morning

Difficulty finding unique and well-crafted souvenirs

Itinerary Overview

In November 2019, I decided to extend my trip from Central Mexico with a visit to the Yucatan. I had heard wonderful things from other travellers and local Mexicans about the city of Merida. Flying in from Mexico City, I spent 5 days in Merida and the surrounding area. 

The itinerary for this trip covers three full days visiting Merida’s parks, museums, and restaurants, as well as two day tours to the Cuzama Cenotes and the biosphere of Celestun. Both day trips offered a relaxing experience among the Yucatan's natural landscapes, and a break from the hustle and bustle of Merida City. 

If I could change one thing about the trip, I would allocate more time to visit Mayan villages around Merida to get a better understanding of the local culture and livelihoods.

  • 5 Nights: Mérida
    Mayan Culture & Colourful Houses
  • Day trip: Cuzamá
    Snorkelling and Swimming
  • Day trip: Celestún
    Flamingos and Beach Time
Mérida - Mayan Culture & Colourful Houses
1

Mérida Mayan Culture & Colourful Houses

Mérida - Mayan Culture & Colourful Houses - null
Mérida - Mayan Culture & Colourful Houses - null
Mérida - Mayan Culture & Colourful Houses - A Church in Parque San Juan3+
A Church in Parque San Juan

Merida is the colourful and picturesque capital of Mexico’s Yucatan State. Filled with palatial buildings, wide boulevards, and lovely parks, Merida has a distinctly different feel than other cities in Mexico. Due to the cultural influences of the Maya people, Merida is also home to unique gastronomy, artisanal, and educational experiences throughout the city. 

Activities: 

Downtown Cycling 

On Sundays Merida closes its main streets, giving a chance to cyclists to enjoy downtown on two wheels without any cars or trucks. The most picturesque street, Paseo Montejo, is where most of the cycling activity takes place. Ride with other cyclists along the wide avenue and look at the colonial mansions that line the street. For a break, grab a seat at a cafe facing Paseo Montejo and watch as Merida’s citizens pass you by. 

Casa Montejo Museum 

Facing Merida’s main square, Plaza Grande, the Casa Montejo Museum is a restored 16th century house built for members of the Spanish government. The home’s unique Plateresque architecture, furniture, and internal courtyards are the main draw for tourists. However, Casa Montejo also has three exhibition halls in which temporary exhibitions appear. During my visit, I got to see an exceptional exhibit that featured masks and sculptures from traditional Mayan folk tales, as well as pictures of Yucatan fisherman from the early 20th century. 

Colourful Houses Walking Tour 

What makes Merida one of the most photographed cities in Mexico is its colourful colonial era houses. Throughout the downtown quarters residents have painted their houses with rich and vibrant hues, complemented with huge wooden doors and maintained greenery. For the most "instagrammable" houses, walk down east-west running streets that are north of the Plaza Grande, such as Calle 53, 55, 57, and 59. There are also numerous walking tours available on AirBnB experiences, which focus on urban photography. 

K’u’uk Restaurant 

Located off of Paseo Montejo, K’u’uk restaurant offers one of the most interesting dining experiences in Merida. For those interested in a culinary adventure, K’u’uk traditional Mayan recipes and ingredients with molecular gastronomy. Enjoy your 8 course meal in a beautifully renovated colonial mansion, then head to the state of the art kitchen for a tour of their newest culinary creations. 

Shopping 

For souvenir hunters, Merida offers an extensive selection of handicraft and artisanal products from around the Yucatan. However, high quality clothing, interior decor, and jewellery were more challenging to find. One of the best areas for boutique shopping was on Calle 55 running from Parque Santa Lucia to Calle 64. The other great shopping location was Casa T’ho located on Paseo Montejo. This repurposed mansion now holds boutique shops offering handcrafted and fashionable products from around Mexico. 

Parque Santa Lucia 

Although Merida’s downtown quarter is filled with many different parks, my favourite was Parque Santa Lucia, located directly north of Plaza Grande. Parque Santa Lucia has a quieter feel than other parts of the city. It is filled with lovely outdoor patios, park benches, and surrounded by some of the best shopping. For lunch, choose one of the many restaurants situated on the square and enjoy a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Cuzamá - Snorkelling and Swimming
2

Cuzamá Snorkelling and Swimming

The word Cenote derives from a Mayan word meaning ‘accessible water.’ Especially associated with the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Cenotes were sometimes used by the ancient Maya for spiritual ceremonies. Today, the Cuzama Cenotes are a great place to swim, snorkel, and relax. Only one hour outside of Merida! 

Activity: 

On my third day in Merida I took a day tour to the Cuzama Cenotes. After driving one hour south from Merida, the tour group transferred to a horse drawn cart to take us between the three Cenotes. The ride on the horse drawn cart is part of the experience; though bumpy, it’s beautiful to watch the forest and butterflies fluttering around you. Once we arrived at the Cenotes, we climbed down a long ladder into an underground cave with clear blue water. I brought my snorkel and spent the day looking at the unusual rock formations and fish underneath the surface. There were very few tour guests at the Cenotes, making for a relaxing day among one of the Yucatan's most famous natural attractions.

Celestún - Flamingos and Beach Time
3

Celestún Flamingos and Beach Time

Celestún - Flamingos and Beach Time - null

Celestun is a popular day trip destination for tourists visiting Merida. The white sand beaches, thatched roof palapas, and awe inspiring flamingos make Celestun an idyllic destination for nature lovers. 

Activity: 

On my last day in Merida I decided to take a day trip to the small fishing village of Celestun, located 90 minutes North of Merida on the coast. Fishing boats dot the white sand beach that stretches for miles with a light breeze making the town feel cooler than neighbouring Merida. Thanks to a peninsula that shelters the town from intense wind and rain, Celestun also has abundant wildlife in its Biosphere Reserve. The most famous attraction here is a gigantic flamingo colony, which can be viewed by boat tour. After swimming and birdwatching, I headed to a beachfront restaurant called La Palapa for lunch. Finally, on the way home we passed through three different Mayan villages, allowing me the opportunity to see small town life for local Mayan populations.

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    Although Celestun was beautiful, I wish I had spent my fifth day visiting small Mayan villages around Merida to get a better understanding of the local culture and livelihoods.
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    The food in Merida is much different than other areas of Mexico, featuring very different ingredients, cooking methods, and taste palate. To learn more about the unique gastronomy in Merida, I would recommend visiting the restaurant La Chaya Maya, which only offers traditional dishes from the Yucatan. Guests can also view live presentations about food preparation in a separate room adjacent to the dining area.
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Merida is a city that is made for walking. To make the most of your trip, plan your walking itinerary ahead of time to avoid the midday heat and create the most efficient route.
  • Packing tips?

    Merida is hot year round. For this reason, I recommend visitors bring clothing that are loose fighting and cool. Since Merida is the capital of the Yucatan, most people dress semi-formally, choosing to wear long pants and skirts. I opted for long dresses and flowy trousers, as well as comfortable walking shoes.
  • Transportation Tips?

    Merida is an easy city to explore on foot. Although for the majority of my trip I walked, for longer distances I chose to use an Uber. If you’re interested in visiting areas outside of the city there are endless day tour options that use a shared van.

Lodging

  • I stayed in an AirBnB located North-West of Plaza Grande. AirBnB’s in Merida offer a tremendous amount of value for guests. These beautifully renovated houses are cool, quiet, and centrally located.