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.
About 10 miles north of the city, you will encounter this fascinating archeological site. A small city of ruins, the site boasts the Temple of the Seven Dolls, so named for the artifacts originally found there. There is also a cenote in the center of Dzibilchaltún in which plenty of fossils and archeological remains have also been found.
Perhaps the most prominent avenue in the city, this is a can’t-miss. Here you’ll find some of the city’s most historic monuments; the avenue was created originally to offer farmers and townspeople places in which to gather and socialize—and it still is quite the gathering place today.
While sightseeing here is great, many come to Merida for a culinary adventure. There are a few local markets boasting the freshest, most exotic produce available. The restaurants range from gourmet to local eats—there are also several restaurants that offer visitors cooking classes.