Where to stay in Merida?

Staying in Plaza Grande

Mérida's main square, known as Plaza Grande or Plaza de la Independencia, is a must-see during your stay in this charming Mexican city. Here are just a few of the things you can do or see in this area of Mérida:

Mérida's impressive cathedral, called Catedral de San Ildefonso, is located in the plaza. It is one of the oldest cathedrals on the American continent, built in the 16th century on the remains of an ancient Mayan temple. You can admire its majestic architecture and step inside to discover its magnificent altars and religious works of art.

Opposite the cathedral, the Government Palace is another imposing building on the Plaza Grande. It is famous for its murals depicting the history of Yucatán, including scenes from the pre-Columbian period and Spanish colonization. You can enter free of charge and admire these magnificent frescoes.

Right next to the Government Palace is the Casa de Montejo, a 16th-century mansion belonging to the Montejo family, the founders of Mérida. This historic building features remarkable colonial architecture. Today, it houses a bank, but thebuilding's exterior is well worth a look.

You can also visit the Casa Montejo Museum, the Fernando García Ponce Museum and the Teatro Mérida.

The Plaza Grande is often the gathering place for various cultural and festive events. If you're lucky enough to visit during a local celebration or fiesta, you can enjoy concerts, traditional dances, parades and other vibrant cultural events.

Around it, you'll also find numerous stores and craft stalls where you can buy souvenirs, ceramics, textiles and other typical Yucatán handicrafts. It's the ideal place to bring back authentic gifts.

The plaza is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike. You can simply sit on one of the benches, watch the people go by and soak up the lively atmosphere of the city. If you want a more picturesque experience, you can take a horse-drawn carriage for a guided tour around Mérida's square and historic center.

As you explore Mérida's main square, you'll be immersed in the region's history and culture while surrounded by a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

This is the ideal place to stay if you're visiting Mérida for the first time. Accommodation is a little more expensive, but you'll be perfectly situated to discover the city and its truly exceptional setting.

Lodging in Santiago's popular district

Santiago is a very charming district of Mérida. Located in the city's historic center, it offers an authentic atmosphere and a rich history.

At the heart of the district is the Parque de Santiago, a central square surrounded by colorful houses and colonial buildings. This park is a popular gathering place with shaded benches, a central fountain and an iconic church, the Iglesia de Santiago, as a backdrop.

This historic church is located on the west side of the park and is a true architectural treasure. Built in the 17th century, it boasts a beautifully carved stone façade and beautiful decorative elements inside.

Right next to the park, you'll find a traditional market where locals come to do their shopping. Here you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, handicrafts and much more. It's a great place to sample local cuisine and discover regional products.

In fact, Santiago is packed with restaurants and food stalls serving delicious Yucatecan dishes. Be sure to sample local specialties such as panuchos, salbutes, cochinita pibil and papadzules.

Santiago is also home to numerous artists' studios and craft stores, where you can find unique pieces created by local artisans. Whether it's textiles, jewelry, ceramics or paintings, you'll be able to take home beautiful souvenirs.

On Tuesday evenings, Santiago Park hosts a popular flea market, where you can hunt for vintage objects, books, second-hand clothes and souvenirs.

One of the reasons the Santiago district is so popular is its warm, welcoming atmosphere. You can stroll the quiet streets, chat with the locals and soak up the daily life of the Meridanos.

In short, the Santiago district is a picturesque, culturally rich and enjoyable place to discover during your visit to Mérida. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, cuisine or handicrafts, you're sure to find something to suit you in this charming Mexican neighborhood.

Located east of Plaza Grande, about 10 minutes' walk away, this neighborhood is ideally situated and perfect for families looking for accommodation in Mérida. Accommodation here is quite expensive, but you'll enjoy a superb setting.

Lodging in the lively Santa Lucía district

Santa Lucía is a residential district renowned for its friendly, authentic atmosphere. At its heart is the Parque de Santa Lucía. This square is famous for its lively atmosphere, open-air concerts and folk festivals. It's a popular gathering place, and the ideal place if you want to go dancing in Mérida.

Every Thursday evening, for example, Santa Lucía comes alive with a cultural event called Les jeudis de Santa Lucía. Here you can enjoy open-air music, dance and theater performances, showcasing the region's culture and traditions. You can also attend the Yucatan Serenade music and dance festival. Every Saturday, there's also the Noche MexicanaI, featuring dance performances and concerts.

Santa Lucía also offers a variety of restaurants and bars where you can sample local and international cuisine before dancing the night away. The area is characterized by cobbled streets lined with trees and colorful houses with ornate facades. It's a real pleasure to stroll through these picturesque alleyways, brimming with small shops, art galleries and charming cafés.

Not far from the square, you'll find the Caracol Púrpura Handicraft Experience, an art gallery, the Palacio de la Música museum and the Jose Peon Contreras theater. Within walking distance. Located 500 meters north of the Plaza Grande, Santa Lucía is the ideal place to go out and party. Accommodation to stay there is not very expensive, although there are some very nice exceptions.

Lodging around Paseo Montejo: Mérida's most famous avenue

Paseo Montejo is one of Mérida's main avenues. It's a pleasant avenue for strolling or cycling. You can stroll along the avenue and admire the architecture under the shade of the trees. The avenue is lined with elegant colonial mansions dating back to the 19th century. These buildings reflect the opulence of Yucatán's golden age, when sisal production was at its peak.

Some of these buildings have been restored and transformed into museums, hotels or restaurants. For example, you can visit the Musée Régional d'Anthropologie de Yucatán, which is particularly interesting for its exhibitions on the region's history, Mayan art and local culture.

Located at the end of Paseo Montejo, the Monumento a la Patria is dedicated to the history of Mexico and pays tribute to the important figures of Mexican independence and revolution. Surrounded by well-kept gardens, it offers an excellent starting point for exploring the avenue.

Although Paseo Montejo is a lively avenue, it also offers peaceful spaces where you can relax, such as the parks and squares along the avenue.

All in all, Paseo Montejo is a must-see destination on your visit to Mérida. It's also worth staying in this area if you want to enjoy a more modern setting and more upmarket accommodation.

Stay in the Santa Ana art district

Just north of Santa Lucia lies the charming artistic district of Santa Ana. Centered around the Parque de Santa Ana, the area is renowned for its many art galleries and museums.

In the Plaza de Santa Ana itself, you can visit cultural attractions such as the Santa Ana church, or a monument dedicated to politician Andrés Quintana Roo. This lively square is also home to street vendors and food stalls.

In general, this area is fairly quiet and residential, and you won't find much to do or see. On the other hand, if you want to visit the attractions of the historic center, staying in Santa Ana is a good alternative. In fact, this small neighborhood is only a 15-minute walk from Plaza Grande. In short, if you're looking for a nice, inexpensive place to stay that's not too far from the center, Santa Ana is the place for you.