Merida Mexico Travel Guide A Vagabond Life
Merida Mexico Travel Guide
Merida Mexico Travel guide explores the extremely popular capital of the Yucatan. The Spanish arrived and settled Merida on the ancient Mayan site of T’ho in 1542, it was named after the town of Merida in Extremadura, Spain. Carved Mayan stones were used in construction of many of the buildings including the Cathedral.
In the late 19th and early 20th century Merida and the surrounding area grew rich from the production of henequen that was used to make rope which was exported around the world. It is said that at the beginning of the 20th century there were more millionaires in Merida Mexico than any other city in the world.
Indigenous Mayans and immigrants from Korea were used to work the large estates established by the Sapnish landlords, who built grand haciendas. These incredible houses can be seen throughout Merida with the best collection seen along the grand boulevard of Paseo de Montejo.
Merida has a well preserved centro and a lively Zocalo surrounded by loads of restaurnts, cafes and bars. It is also considered to be one of the safest cities in Mexico.
Getting around Merida is very straight forward with a good bus, taxi and uber system. The city flat is also very easy to walk around.
Merida has a hot humid climate with yearly average temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius, it is not uncommon for the temperatures to reach 40 degrees cel. The city experiences high rain fall through the wet season of June – October.
Table of Contents
Merida Mexico map
Merida Mexico Travel Guide (Copy)
Things To See & Do In Merida Mexico
Merida Cathedral - Catedral de San Ildefonso
Merida Cathedral – Catedral de San Ildefonso – Merida Mexico Travel Guide
Merida Zocalo - Plaza Grande
Merida Zocalo – Plaza Grande – Merida Mexico Travel Guide
Merida Colonial Houses
Merida Colonial Houses – Merida Mexico Travel Guide
In the late 19th and early 20th century the Spanish landowners became very wealthy growing Heneguen and the production of rope. In a show of wealth they built larger and larger grand haciendas modeled on French and Spanish styles. The most famous is perhaps “Las Casas Gemelas” (The Twin Houses), which are two side by side French and Spanish style mansions that stand on the Paseo Montejo. Very few of these grand houses are now used as private homes with most having been restored and turned into museums, commercial building and hotels.
Talk a walk up the grand boulevard Paseo Montejo to view a number of these beautiful properties and get a glimpse into the cities past.
Merida Museums
Merida Museums – Merida Mexico Travel Guide
Merida has a number of Muesums. Here are a few highlights;
Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
The World Mayan Museum of Merida is about a 20 minute drive from the centro.
Address: Calle 60 Norte #299, Merida, 97110
Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán
Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán (Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatán) was previoulsy call the Museo Palacio Canton (Canton Palace Museum). This museum is housed in a stunning 19th century hacienda and features a collection of Mayan artifacts along with temporary exhibitions.
Address: Paseo de Montejo #485, Mérida Yucatán,
Casa de Montejo
Cassa de Montejo sits on the south side of the Plaza Grande (Zocalo) and dates from 1540. Originally built to house soldiers, it was later converted into a mansion that housed the Montjo family. Today it is a museum that houses a permanent exhibition of renovated Victorian, neo-renaissance and neo-rococo furnishings of the historic building.
The statues on the facade represent the senior Montejo, his wife and daughter. Also on the facade you will see representations of the Spanish conquistadors standing on the heads of barbarians.
Address: Calle 63 #506, Merida,
Neighbourhood Squares
Neighbourhood Squares – Merida Mexico Travel Guide
Neighbourhood squares are dotted throughout the Merida centro and are a great place to visit. The squares are usually surrounded by restaurants, fruit and vegetable stalls and local vendors. Grab and ice cream and sit under a shady tree and enjoy part of local life.
Uxmal Mexico
Uxmak Mexico – Merida Mexico Travel Guide
An hours drive from Merida Uxmal is a good alternative to the much busier and further away Chichen Itza.
Uxmal is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture, and is considered one of the Maya cities that is most representative of the region’s architectural style. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its significance.
The majority of the structures were built around 850-925 AD and at its peak it is believed to have housed approximately 15,000 people. It is believed that Uxmal, under the rule of the Xiu family were the dominant power in western Yucatan and in an alliance with Chichen Itza dominated the entire northern Maya region.
If travelling to Uxmal get there early and avoid the large tour groups
More on Uxmal Here
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