A bustling urban area and the capital of Yucatan, Merida offers visitors a glimpse of deeply entrenched Mayan culture, gorgeous architecture and a past steeped in history and tradition. Visitors here meander about the Plaza de la Indepencia, at the center of the downtown. Just walking through Merida, you can spend an entire day admiring the sights and sounds. There are a fair number of museums and monuments to check out. Not to mention, Mayan ruins and archeological sites are prominent in the region and really do open a door to the ancient past.