MERIDA

Merida Generals:
Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan, in Mexico. It is located about 300 km/180 mi from Cancun and with a tropical climate and average temperature of 22 degrees centigrade/72 Fahrenheit. But in the Summer, watch out; temperatures can rise to 40 degrees centigrade/104 Fahrenheit so you definitely have to have a hat and lightweight clothing. Finding lodging in Merida is not a problem. There are hotels for every budget and like any self-respecting city, it has first class services and an infrastructure designed to promote tourism. Merida is considered the cultural and health services capital in the South East region of Mexico.

Attractions in Merida:
Daily activities: There are many historical buildings worth visiting in Merida: like the city hall murals, Peon Contreras theater, the University of Yucatan, la Casa de las Monjas (the nuns house), Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion (the Church of Our Lady of Consolation), La Iglesia de Jesus (Church of Jesus), with one of the most beautiful domes you will ever see; the gates of San Juan, Dragones and del Puente, three of the original seven gateways to the colonial city; la Ermita del Buen Viajero (the Hermitage of the Good Traveler), Museo Arqueologico (Archaeological Museum); and the Museo de Arqueologia (Archeology Museum), located in the old Seminario de San Idelfonso, which houses one of the best collections of artifacts culled from the ancient Maya civilization vestiges. It’s also worth mention Pueblo Maya museum, in the small nearby town Dzibilchaltun 20 min away on the Highway to the small coastal fishing town Progreso.
Nighly activities: When the sun sets and night life cranks up in the city, the streets and plazas become a kaleidoscope of colors and sound in a rich bohemian atmosphere. Like wandering minstrels, the traditional Yucatecan singers and guitarists interpret boleros, habanera, bambucos and other rhythms to which heartsick swain compose verses to their ladylove.

Hints for Children:

In Merida it is always fun to visit the Centenario Zoo, also check out the Olimpo Cultural Center and find out what’s happening for kids and don’t miss the Planetarium.

Dining in Merida:

Merida, not only offers visitors a taste of history and culture, but is also an invitation to enjoy one of Mexico’s most varied cuisines. After immigrants arrived at the end of last century and the beginning of this, some typical ingredients of Korean, Chinese, Arab and Syrio-lebanese cuisine were added to the Mayan recipes. The result is a menu filled with cochinita or pollo pibil, pork or chicken cooked in pits called pib; papadzules, egg tacos smothered in squash seed oil; relleno negro, a dish of three different kinds of meat covered in chipotle sauce; panuchos, tortillas stuffed with beans and covered with cochinita pibil; and sopa de lima, chicken soup with lime juice, condiments and lots of other delicious ingredients.

Shopping in Merida:

There are many small handicraft stores and market stalls in the downtown area, which are a major attraction for tourists. In these stores, you can find intricate handicrafts and detailed embroidered cotton clothing. While shopping in Merida, take a look at the traditional women's clothing, called a huipil, and guayabera for men. Artisans weave jipijapa (palm fiber) into hats, purses and decorative items. Many people in Merida don't sleep on beds, preferring to use hand-woven hammocks instead, which also make great souvenirs. Merida also features some large shopping malls which have an excellent variety of boutiques, jewelry stores, sports stores, drugstores, convenience stores and fast food restaurants.

Getting Around in Playa del Carmen:

Merida is a city with public transportation everywhere. On Sundays, streets are closed off to traffic and people stroll freely around enjoying the attractions of folkloric dances such as the jarana, handicrafts and food, bazaars and cultural activities. You can ride in one of Merida's answer to the ricksaw, the "chauffeur-driven" tricycle, or you might prefer one of the typical horse-drawn carriages.