Merida (capital city)

“White City”

Location: Yucatan State, Yucatan Peninsula, eastern Mexico
Distance from Mexico City: 850 miles east
Population: 710,000
Closest major airport: Manuel Crecencio Rejon Intl. aka Mérida Intl (MID)
Time zone: Central Standard Time

Famous for its white-washed facades of colonial-era buildings, Merida is the capital of the Yucatan and serves as a gateway to Uxmal and the Puuc Zone, an area known for its prehispanic history and extravagant sissal haciendas. The city is built on a large plain, currently inhabited by three-quarters of a million people, and is characterized by colonial and French architecture, Caribbean atmosphere and Mayan cuisine, which make this place an enchanting destination. Merida is also a place of extreme weather, which easily shifts in one day from sunny mornings to fierce midday hailstorms and back to clear evening skies, perfect for a horse-drawn carriage tour of the Paseo Montejo.

For a historical excursion, the Puuc zone is the most important archaeological site in Uxmal and is located approximately 50 miles south of the city. The Museum of Anthropology, in the mansion on Paseo Montejo, is another great place to visit for an interesting background on the city’s Mayan history.

Architecturally, several buildings in Merida still preserve their colonial flavor, including Casa de Montejo, the Palacio Municipal and the Palacio de Gobierno, all magnificent mansions with baroque details and wrought-iron windows. For souvenir shopping, travelers can visit downtown shops carrying local handicrafts and artwork. The lively open-air markets held on Sundays at the Casa de las Artesanias, have a wonderful atmosphere and carry a variety of wooden, shell, leather and pottery handicrafts. A great way to explore downtown Merida's tourists attractions is aboard the trolley bus, "Carnaval," that cruises the historic area.

In the far northeast of the state, 60 miles outside of Merida, is the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, considered one of the most important wetlands in the peninsula. The area shelters a variety of unique species including sea turtles, crocodiles, monkeys, jaguars, white-tailed deer and several migratory birds such as the elegant pink flamingo. The reserve has an area of more than 80,000 hectares, consisting of two different climate and vegetation types – mangrove swamps and low forest.

The various flavors of the Yucatan peninsula are internationally renowned. Main dishes consist of pork – such as beans with pork or poc chuc – and poultry dishes like turkey with black stuffing. Other popular local specialties include lime soup as well as exotic drinks such as rice milk and Xtabentun – an anise liquor mixed with the nectar of the local Xtabentun flower.

Merida is a great place for a pleasant trip into Mexico’s prehispanic world and Mayan culture. The city’s friendly atmosphere, archaeological sites and colonial architecture are only a few of the many reasons to visit.