Dreaming of Merida, Part 1

A charter flight to Cancun and first class bus ride to Merida, or choose to fly to Houston and directly into Merida, capital of the Yucatan

(El Centro, Merida Mexico - a perfect blend of old and new)

If you haven't already noticed, my family is partial to visiting Mexico.  We are not the all-inclusive holiday family, although we have tried, as we enjoy getting out and experiencing the culture of our surroundings.  My husband and I still have many places to see in Mexico, and as his dream is to own a snowbird's escape in this country, we want to turn over many leaves before settling on "the" place.

One area of great interest is Merida.  The capital of Yucatan, but a world's distance from Cancun on every level.  Firstly, it is on the other side of the State from the Mayan Riviera and a good three hour highway drive.  It is also a Colonial town oozing with character, history (building dating back to 1500), art and culture that has been drained out of the Cancun coastal area many years ago.  Considered exceptionally safe, inland, though only 20 minutes from the Coast, Merida boasts everything you would need for a long term stay, including the familiar Coscto and Walmart while the vibrant farmers markets, museums, art galleries, shops, wildlife reserves, ruins, bistros and bars keep a tourist busy for weeks.


And for those interested in climate, it is in the tropical zone with cool winds that blow from the nearby coast.  Temperatures range from 28 - 35 throughout most of the year.

From Travel Yucatan:

Founded upon the ruins of the Mayan city T’ho, which was constructed with white limestone and means "Face of Infinity," Merida is known today as "The White City". It has beautiful and solidly built colonial buildings that house the city’s history, art, traditions and culture. In the downtown Historic Center, you can visit the city cathedral, an impressive 16^th century construction. Or you can go to interesting museums, such as the Yucatan Museum of Archaeology, which you’ll find in Palacio Canton, an elegant building dating back to the Porfirian era. You can also take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage down the city’s main avenue, Paseo Montejo, which is lined with 19^th century mansions and well-known hotels.

You can use Merida as a base to visit old henequen haciendas just several kilometers outside of the city. Many of them have been converted into luxurious hotels. As part of the exciting tour of Merida’s environments, you can check out some amazing cenotes (sinkholes) in underground river systems and you can take in beautiful natural scenery at the Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun, a biosphere reserve and habitat of hundreds of pink flamingos. Also near the White City are many spectacular archaeological zones where you can discover the grandeur of the ancient Mayan culture at sites such as Uxmal, Dibilchaltun and Chichen Itza.

Celesun Biosphere Reserve

Very important for me, some information about the local food:

Merida's cuisine is distinctly different from the rest of the country for several reasons. It is a delicious blend of Mayan cooking with Spanish influence from the colonial period that lasted more than 300 years. European and Arab influences brought here by immigrants, who have been here for decades and are now part of the culture of Merida, can also be seen.


Meridian cuisine is characterized by the use of some special ingredients and condiments, which are found in several typical dishes. Some such examples are the hot but tasty habanero chili peppers, purple onions and green orange juice mixed with annatto seed paste and spices commonly used to marinate vegetables and meats. These special flavors add a spicy and tangy flavor, as well as an appealing color to famous Meridian specialties.

La Habichuela Restaurant, one of many in the city

While in Merida, you can try many of the exquisite dishes characteristic of Yucatecan cuisine. Papadzules and panuchos are made with stuffed corn tortillas and bathed in hot sauce. The traditional cochinita pibil is pork marinated in orange juice and served with beans and red onion.

Coming up in later blogs: hotels, sites and the sea in Merida.