Mérida

Overview

The city sits slightly inland from the northwest corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, about 35 km from the Gulf of Mexico coast. Spanish conquistadors including Francisco de Montejo the Younger and Juan de la Cámara founded Mérida in 1542.

Built in the late 16th century from stones taken from nearby Maya ruins, the Cathedral of Mérida is the oldest cathedral on the mainland of the Americas. The palatial home of the conquistador Montejo family stands on the south side of the Zócalo. Every Sunday morning, from 08:00 to 12:00, Paseo de Montejo and Calle 60 close to motor traffic for the Bici Ruta. Calesas, horse-drawn carriages in use since colonial times, wait along Calle 61 on the north side of the cathedral.

Good to know

• Turibus runs a hop-on, hop-off service with two routes; the main one covers the Centro Histórico and the Paseo de Montejo.
• Va y Ven, a public bus system, began in Mérida in the early 2020s.
• Most private bus routes start from 4 blocks east of the Zócalo, on Calles 56 and 58 between Calles 59 and 63.

Every statement above comes from Wikivoyage: Mérida (Mexico) (read 24 Sep 2026); Wikipedia: Mérida, Yucatán (read 28 Sep 2026), available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, shortened and reworded here. Check details that matter to your trip before you travel.

Tours, tickets and experiences in Mérida

• 
  From Merida: Chichen Itza Tour, Izamal, Cenote Ik Kil and Food★ 4.8 (536)12h

  This tour combines the grandeur of Chichén Itzá, the comfort of traveling in new and air-conditioned vans, and the safety of always being accompanied by certified guides. Furthermore, Colibrí Travels offers a safe, organized, and professional experience: Modern and…

  Free cancellation

  from £56.77View on Viator →
• 
  Tour to Uxmal Kabah and Chocolate Museum from Mérida★ 4.7 (169)10h

  This tour combines the grandeur of the Puuc style in Uxmal and Kabah with the cultural experience of the Chocolate Museum, all accompanied by certified guides and with the professional organization that distinguishes Viajes Colibrí. Complete visit to Uxmal and Kabah with a…

  Free cancellation

  from £58.18View on Viator →
• 
  Chichen Itza, Private Cenote/Food Experience & the magic Izamal★ 4.9 (414)10h

  Avoid crowds, beat the heat, no tourist traps, get to taste the best of the Yucatan cuisine home made cooked and swimm in the only private cenote, off the beaten path. Our 5:50 am departure, will guarantee to be the first group inside Chichen Itza and take amazing pictures.…

  Free cancellation

  from £68.05View on Viator →
• 
  Uxmal, two Amazing Cenotes & Local Food Tour from Mérida★ 4.9 (131)8h

  We will start your tour early to avoid the crowds and the heat. In Uxmal, we will have a guided tour with one official guide, where you will learn more about the culture and architecture of this amazing city. Afterward, we will head to a nearby village for a typical lunch from…

  Free cancellation

  from £63.84View on Viator →
• 
  Uxmal, Hacienda Mucuyché, Cenotes & Authentic Yucatecan Cuisine★ 4.9 (9)9h

  Explore the wonders of the Yucatán with a comprehensive tour that combines ancient Maya archaeology, colonial history, authentic gastronomy, and stunning cenotes. Begin with a guided exploration of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a certified official guide reveals the…

  Free cancellation

  from £127.67View on Viator →
• 
  Merida : Chichen Itza, Izamal and Cenote with lunch and pick up★ 4.6 (146)10h

  We will begin our tour in the beautiful Magic Town of Izamal, known as the Yellow City for its vibrant streets and golden colonial buildings. Tour this charming place and enjoy its warm atmosphere and impressive architecture. Our journey continues in Cenote Ik Kil, where its…

  Free cancellation

  from £61.79View on Viator →

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