Merida, the capital of the State of Yucatan, is today a large City with over a Million inhabitants. Merida has preserved its Colonial Heritage in the Historic District of the Town. It is the Center of the State and all the roads converge at the State Capital. Such is the case of The ceremonial Center of UXMAL and the nearby PUCC route, The Circuit of The convents and IZAMAL or the Coastal scenic roads leading to Flamingo Territory. Eastwards a Modern Highway take you to CHICHEN ITZA sacred Maya Ceremonial Center, voted one of today’s Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Merida’s Central Square or “Plaza Grande” is surrounded by ancient buildings that form the Historic District such as The San Idelfonso Cathedral of Merida, the most antique church of the American Continent, built in the second half of the XVIth Century. Merida’s Cathedral has one of the biggest interior Statues of Christ in the World.

Merida is renowned for its Excellence in Hospitality where people take pride in service. Merida is poetic in its music and splendid in its regional Folklore. Inside the large Merida Colonial District you will find many squares and parks with enormous trees which are the witnesses of a different way of life and tradition. Merida was founded in the year 1542 by the Spanish Conqueror Francisco de Montejo who foresaw the place which would connect with the many Maya Communities that were not so easily conquered by the Spanish Army during the awakening of the American Continent to the European Civilization.  As Merida was founded, and the first Cathedral on the American Continent, on the Southern end of La Plaza Grande, Francisco de Montejo also built his Palace which is still standing for the delight of visitors.

Attractions and things to do in Merida

In Merida on the opposite side of Francisco de Montejo’s Palace, you will find the State Government Main Building inaugurated in 1892 which includes Historic Murals.  A block away from Merida’s central square you will be able to visit José Peon Contreras Theater, elegantly built with a large show room in pure 19th Century European Style, showing an extended white Marbel stair way. The Early 20th Century Paseo Montejo Avenue has splendid constructions such as the Canton Palace, today the siege of Merida’s Anthropology Museum showing the main History of the Maya Civilization. There are 2 large Parks Centenario which includes a Zoo and a small lake and the Las Americas Park with an expo center, library and open air theater. All over Merida you will find small and large plazas with ancient churches, a heritage from the Colonial Period. Every day of the week, there are folkloric activities in different parts of the City, very especially serenades on Thursday and the Saturday and Sunday down town Merida on the Central Square and adjacent streets with Music and dancing. Of course as it is known, Merida has roads and highways that connect you to main Maya Attractions  such as UXMAL, CHICHEN ITZA, The PUUC Route and the Circuit of the Convents. Only half an hour away from Merida, you have the Port of Progreso with its nice white sand beaches. Along the Coast not so far from Merida, you will also find Natural and Ecological sites with Pink Flamingos and other charming Species.