We have been to the Yucatan, Mexico several times now, and most recently, we spent a week in the large city of Merida.  This bustling city has much to offer and is known for being safe. We spent a lot of time exploring the city by foot and by car, and there is so much to see!

Here are some tips we learned along the way.

Stay cool, and wear comfortable clothing and shoes

We did a lot of walking in Merida, so it is good to be prepared with comfortable shoes.  It was also quite hot, so it is a good idea to be prepared for the heat as well. Make sure to stay hydrated. Tip – a lot of people who live in the Yucatan drink Electrolit, the equivalent of Pedialyte in the US. It was everywhere we shopped, and we ended up drinking a lot of Electrolit stay adequately hydrated!

It is also nice to venture out during the evening, when you aren’t dealing with being in the sun. You’ll find that places like city squares and restaurants are bustling with activity in the evenings as well.

Make a list of sights to see and give yourself time to explore

There are so many things to see in Merida, it is good to create a list of things you want to see. If you are on a limited time frame, such as a short trip, you can prioritize which things you don’t want to miss.  The city is quite large, so it is also a good idea to organize attractions by region.

Merida is a large city, and it takes time to travel around the city even by car.  Between food, museums, historical landmarks, and other attractions, you can easily stay busy for many days. We could have easily stayed busy if we stayed longer.

Be Safe

Merida is considered to be very safe, but it is always good to exercise caution any time you are traveling. Keep valuables and money in a safe place and be aware of your surroundings. 

We rented a car from Avant Car Rental in Cancun, and drove throughout the Yucatan. If you decide to drive in Mexico, you will need to be as prepared as possible. Here are our Tips for Driving a Rental Car in Mexico.

Check out historical sights and museums

There are lots of historical places in the city, from museums to churches. We checked out some historical spots like Museo Casa Montejo, Merida. Keep in mind that many of these are reasonably priced or free.

Visit plazas

Plazas can be very scenic, often with a historical landmark such as a church. There are also usually vendors or other attractions, from music to food and souveniers.

Check out markets and street vendors

There are lots of great foods around the city, not just in restaurants, but at vendors. If you visit Mexico, you must try a marquesita! This dessert is native to the state of the Yucatan, and is a crepe filled with sweets, such as nutella and fruit.

You can also find lots of great fruits and other goodies at markets and vendors, and we like to support small businesses when we can.

Consider Day Trips from Merida

Merida is a great place to stay as a base for activities, not just in the city, but beyond.  We stayed towards the center of Merida, and spent several days just going on day trips. 

Some of places we went to as a day trip included:

Cenote Chel-Paak, Homun
Cenote Chukum, Tikuch
Cenotes Cuzama, Cuzama
Cenote Dzonot-Dzik, San Crisanto
Cenote Hool Kosom, Homun
Choco-Story, Uxmal
Izamal, The Yellow City
Kinich Kakmó Mayan Ruins, Izamal
Reserva Ecológica El Corchito (Raccoon Reserve) Progreso, Mexico
Salinas Rosas Pink Salt Flats, Telchac, Mexico
San Crisanto Mangroves and Cenote Dzonot-Dzik (Cenote Bravo)
Uxmal Ruins, Uxmal

Check out our other Mexico blog posts here.

Don’t forget to check out our Tips for Driving a Rental Car in Mexico.

Marysa

About the Author: Marysa

Busy blogger and mom of two girls. We love traveling and the great outdoors, and are always looking for our next adventure!