A two-time winner of the American Capital of Culture award and winner of the Best Small City in the World recognition by Condé Nast magazine, Mérida is now included on CNN’s list “Where to go in 2024: The Best Places to Visit.”
It is the only Mexican destination included on the list.
Known as the “White City” due to the predominance of white limestone in its historical buildings, Mérida in inland Yucatán is an “unexpected urban treat,” says CNN, in a state known for its sunny pristine beaches.
Founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo “el Mozo,” Mérida was built on the ruins of the ancient Maya city T’hó.
Considered one of the safest cities in Mexico, Mérida has a population of over 900,000 people today and is a modern, cosmopolitan destination with restaurants, shops, museums, art galleries and a wealth of historical buildings. Landmarks include the Cathedral of San Ildefonso — the oldest cathedral in Mexico and one of the oldest in the Americas — and the Paseo Montejo, “lined with historic mansions, museums, art galleries and local vendors,” CNN describes.
Located in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, the city is in close proximity to Maya ruins such as the ancient cities of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá, cenotes, and white sand beaches like Progreso, Pig Beach and Celestún (famous for its flamingo population).
The “White City” is also recognized for its cuisine, offering a varied array of regional dishes including the famous pork specialty, cochinita pibil (included on the TasteAtlas list of world’s best traditional dishes), sopa de lima (lime soup) and panuchos (fried tortillas stuffed with beans and topped with meat and vegetables).
“It is evident that Yucatán is currently witnessing a historic moment in terms of tourism,” the Yucatán government said in a statement acknowledging CNN’s list, noting that while 2022 was a record-breaking year for Yucatán, it “is likely that 2023 will break that record.”
Mexico News Daily
Merida is an absolutely wonderful city of about one million people. One you would enjoy revisiting often. An easy direct flight a couple hours from Guadalajara. I wouldn’t recommend having a house there year round because of the hot humid summers. Would be a great place for a winter home. Progreso a short distance away to see the Gulf of Mexico and an excellent home base to explore Yucatán.
Merida Fest is in January. On now.
The 482nd anniversary of the City of Mérida, musical groups, folklorics, artists of international stature are gathered, in conjunction with a series of events in various venues, with more than 150 shows and 768 artists of dance, literature, visual arts, theater, music and dance. For this, various points of the City such as theaters, parks, colonies and police stations are transformed into the scenarios where the cultural richness of the Mexican Southeast is shown.
Love Merida as long as its in the rainy season, otherwise its unmercifully hot.
We spent part of our honeymoon in Merida in 1972. It was quiet w horse drawn carriages and a pleasant plaza. We stayed at Toledo hotel. An open interior w large covered patios. A nice memory. Perhaps my wife of 52 years should return. We now live in los Cabos.
Enjoyed the month of March at an Airbnb in centro area in 2016. Lots to see and do. Bike riding with hundreds of locals on Sunday mornings when the main Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic. Dancing with locals at several parks certain evenings. Symphony orchestra concert. Folkloric groups performing in main plaza. Spanish schools for all levels. Day trips by rental car to Uxmal and Progreso. And now, does the Maya train run through Merida?
The Maya train stops at the old train station on the east side of town
The Maya train stops at the old train station on the east side of town
Oh, I am sooooooo happy CNN left San Miguel de Allende alone. Delighted to put the well-deserved spotlight elsewhere to give us somewhat of a breather.
And Oaxaca as well!