Mérida Travel Guide: How to spend 5 days in Mérida, Mexico

The capital of the state of Yucatán, the city of Mérida is full of history and culture. Mérida really feels like it was plucked out of a movie set from its trendy restaurants to vibrant buildings! We spent quite a bit of time exploring the city and surrounding areas (hint: there’s a lot to do). This guide breaks down how to spend 5 days in Mérida, with everything from where to stay, to where, to eat, to day trips!

How to spend 5 days in Mérida:

Before visiting the city, many people we spoke to said that Mérida makes for a great hub for visiting other spots on the Yucatán peninsula. Therefore, we spent most of our time taking day trips to other parts of the peninsula, with just 2 days in the city (which felt like the perfect amount).

Day 1: Explore the city with either a self-guided tour of the top tourist spots, or take a free walking tour.
Day 2: Day trip to Chichén Itzá, Vallodolid & Izamal
Day 3: Day trip to Las Coloradas & Río Lagartos
Day 4: Cenotes & Uxmal
Day 5: Relax in Mérida and explore

Where to stay in Mérida: Mérida Hotels & Airbnbs

There are many gorgeous options for where to stay in Mérida. While there are modern choices (like the Hyatt), a city as historic as this one deserves an architecturally unique stay. We stayed at this Airbnb and not to be dramatic but it was the best Airbnb we’ve ever stayed in. The host was amazing, the rooms were cozy, the price was unbeatable, and the architecture was everything we could have dreamed of! If your preference is a hotel, see below for some recommended boutique hotels:

Rosas & Xocolate : 4 stars, ~$300/night

Boutique by the Museo : 4 stars, ~$300/night

YA’AX Hotel Boutique : 4 stars, ~$250/night

Hotel Unknown : 3 stars, ~$150/night

Where to eat: Mérida Restaurants

If there’s something I learned about Mérida restaurants, it’s that there’s an abundance of trendy coffee shops and bars. You can imagine with 5 days in Mérida, we really ate our way through the city! Also, Yucatán food is extremely rich and heavy, so pace yourself. See below for our favorite spots in the city:

Breakfast, Brunch & Coffee

Rosas & Xocholate – part of the boutique hotel. Located on Paseo Montejo (perfect for taking a walk)
Plaza Carmesi – coffee shop meets boutique meets bookstore. The boutique has some great gift items.
Chango Mango – vegan and super healthy. Much needed after a lot of heavy food!
Sempere – cozy cafe with a small boutique and bookshop. For breakfast and coffee on the go.
Escargot Panadería Artesanal – big menu of breakfast and brunch items. Don’t miss the french toast!
Te extraño, extraño. – classic Mexican dishes with a modern twist. Also a great spot to grab and coffee and get some work done.
Casa Patrona – no frills little spot with delicious breakfast and lunch.

Lunch & Dinner

Casa Tho – grab an afternoon drink or lunch before checking out the chic boutiques in their courtyard. Definetly a vibe!
Mercado 60 – a must in the evening! This chic foodcourt meets live music venue was one of our favorite evening spots.
Micaela Mar & Leña – fresh seafood and a modern take on classic Yucatán dishes.
Los Almendros – no frills classic Yucatán food. A classic in the city.
Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca – one of our favorite restaurants in Mérida with a gorgeous ambiance.

Drinks

Picheta – technically a restaurant, but their rooftop is great for grabbing a drink and light bites.
La Fundación Mezcaleria – chic bar in the front, fun and casual live music venue in the back.
Cantina El Dzalbay – jazz and blues club
La Negrita – Latin bar/pub with live music

9 Things to do in Mérida:

When visiting a new city, I love to start with a free walking tour to get an understanding of the history and main attractions in the area. You can check out this free tour here. Note: while the tour is free, the guides are paid based on tips. So the recommended amount is ~$5- $10 per person.

If you’re planning to explore on your own, don’t miss these spots:

Palacio del Gobierno
Casa de los Montejo
Plaza Grande
Paseo de Montejo
Merida Cathedral
Gran Museo de Mundo Maya Merida
Monumento a la Patria
Palacio Municipal

Day trip Ideas from Mérida:

There are a lot of day trip options from Mérida. This article details the 7 best day trip ideas from Mérida. A few notes on day trips:

Many of the organized tours cover more than one spot in one day so you cover more ground.
We found that Airbnb Experiences had the best deals for tours.
Everything on the peninsula is pretty far. You could rent a car or take public transit, but taking a tour is the easiest option.

Day trip ideas:

Las Coloradas (pink sea)
Río Lagartos (for seeing flamingos and other wildlife)
Chichén Itzá (Mayan city)
Vallodolid (pueblo mágico)
Izamal (pueblo mágico)
Uxmal (Mayan city)
Cenotes

Tips for visit Mérida:

Mérida is a relatively easy city to navigate (and feels pretty safe). But here are a few tips for making your trip a real success.

Carry cash. Many restaurants don’t accept card. And, you’ll also need cash for things like tipping tour guides.
Be aware of Montezuma’s Revenge and carry Pepto Bismol with you. Basically, tourists tend to get stomach sick while in the area (I’m guilty of this). A few tips on this specifically.
1. Only drink bottled water and always use that to brush your teeth.
2. Avoid fresh fruits, salad, and anything that isn’t cooked. Especially from stands.
3. Pace yourself on the eating. Mexican food is heavy in sauces. Mix up the cuisine a bit!
Mérida is the safest city in Mexico. At least that’s what they say. But, it really does feel safe. Still, make sure to always be aware of your surroundings.
Visit during November to February. Technically, this is also the busy season. But the weather is the best (not too hot, not too much rain), so it is worth it!
Uber is really cheap. Don’t sleep on Uber for getting around. It’s extremely cheap and reliable.