How to plan a trip to Merida Mexico?

Merida, in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, is famous for its rich cultural heritage, festivals and lively nightlife. But it’s also the perfect place to get away from conventional tourism and immerse yourself in an authentic environment. That’s why we’ve prepared this post where we help you plan your trip to Merida and squeeze every second out of your stay.

In this post we have set out to make you fall in love with the city and make your experience unforgettable, so we will accompany you during the organisation of your trip with many tips and recommendations that we learned during our stay. We are sure you will love the city, and even more so after reading this article.

1. Prepare your travel documents for Merida

While tourists travelling from the United States, Canada, Europe or some Latin American countries can enter the country with just a valid passport, all other travellers will need to apply for a visa.

Even if you are exempt from applying for a visa, remember that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, that you must present a return ticket and sometimes proof of financial solvency and accommodation.

If you need a visa to travel from your country, here is all the information you need to consider:

• You must apply for a visa in person at the embassy.
• An application form must be completed.
• Presentation of the original passport and a copy of the page with personal details, photograph and signature.
• A recent passport size photograph, in colour, white background and without glasses.
• All documents in a language other than Spanish must be officially translated into Spanish.
• The visa fee is $53 USD and is non-refundable, even in the event of a visa refusal.
• It is advisable to check that the documentation is complete before submitting the application.
• The usual processing time is approximately 10 days after the interview.
• For longer stays, additional health tests may be requested.

If you want to hire a car, remember that you will need to obtain an international driving licence. Another thing to bear in mind is the Multiple Migration Form (FMM), a document available both online and at points of entry into the country that you’ll need to keep for the duration of your trip. If you arrive by plane, it will be processed directly at customs by the agents.

When we travel, we always like to carry a copy of our travel and personal documents with us in case they get lost. With the Passporter App, we can travel with peace of mind because we always carry all our documents and visas safely and securely.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Merida

To avoid the high temperatures of summer, it is recommended to visit Mérida between November and March, when the weather is cooler and rainfall is scarce. During these months the skies are clear and the weather invites you to spend the whole day outdoors.

If you travel in January you can attend the Festival de la Ciudad, which celebrates Mérida’s anniversary. This festival includes concerts, dances and cultural activities that showcase the diversity and richness of Yucatecan culture. Although it’s high season with more tourists and somewhat higher prices, the experience of the city at its cultural peak is well worth it.

3. Find out how to get to Mérida

Although Merida is well connected by air with its own international airport, most visitors arrive from Cancun, where there are more international flights. So you’ll probably want to know how to get from Merida to Cancun.

• Car: you can get there from Cancun via highway 180D. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Bus: ADO is the main company offering services from Cancun to Merida, with options such as ADO Primera and ADO Platino, which provide comfort and efficiency with prices ranging from MXN500 to MXN850.
• Organised excursions or transfer: from the hotel you can book a group excursion to Merida or a private transfer. If you have never travelled to Mexico before, this is the most recommended option.

Once in Merida you can get around on foot or by public transport. City buses cover the whole city with fares starting at MXN8 and with taxis it is possible (and advisable) to negotiate the price before you get on. Another option is to rent a bike and get around as you please.

4. Find the accommodation that fits your expectations to enjoy Mérida

Merida offers a variety of accommodation options that reflect its rich history and modern culture, such as traditional lodgings in colonial mansions and more contemporary options such as sleeping in old haciendas converted into luxury hotels. However, some areas are better to stay in than others, so we’ve put together this selection of the best neighbourhoods:

• Historic Centre: is the most popular option due to its proximity to major attractions such as the Cathedral and the Plaza Grande. It offers a wide variety of prices, with options ranging from budget to luxury.
• North Merida: A more modern area with access to shopping centres and restaurants. Good but pricey accommodation options, ideal for travellers looking for modern conveniences.
• Paseo de Montejo: known for its elegance and the majestic mansions that line the avenue. It offers luxury hotels and is perfect for those who enjoy architecture and a quiet atmosphere. It is generally more expensive.
• Barrio de Santa Ana: is close to the centre but offers a quieter atmosphere. It has good boutique hotel options and varied prices to suit different budgets.

By searching for accommodation in advance you can find more options and choose the price that best suits your budget. With the Passporter App you can compare and book directly through Booking and always have all the information at hand.

5. Where and what to eat in Mérida?

Merida’s cuisine and its delicious dishes are heavily influenced by Mayan culture and Spanish colonial techniques. In general, local preparations employ ingredients such as corn, citrus fruits, and meats such as turkey and pork, and are notable for their use of strong and sometimes spicy seasonings that give them a distinctive flavour and colour.

Here are some of the dishes you can’t miss in Merida:

• Cochinita Pibil: pork marinated in achiote and sour orange juice, slow-cooked in banana leaves and sometimes underground.
• Sopa de Lima: this is a chicken broth with a hint of sour lime, accompanied by fried tortilla strips.
• Panuchos: corn tortillas stuffed with black beans, topped with turkey meat, pickled onions and avocado.
• Salbutes: lightly fried tortillas topped with turkey, lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
• Papadzules: corn tortillas dipped in pumpkin seed sauce and stuffed with hard-boiled egg.

We also recommend you try Xtabentún, an aniseed-flavoured alcoholic beverage typical of Yucatán that is made with fermented honey from the xtabentún flower and aniseed.

6. Choose the activities you want to do in Merida

This Yucatecan city, known as the ‘White City’, is a fascinating mosaic of history, culture and Mayan gastronomy that invites you to spend at least 3 days discovering the local essence. In this post you can read more about Merida: Things to see and do in Merida Mexico.

And so you can start preparing your travel itinerary with Passporter today, here’s a quick summary of the must-sees:

• Paseo de Montejo: avenue adorned with henequen-era mansions. It also houses the Museum of Anthropology and History (85 MXN entrance fee) and the Monumento a la Patria
• Grand Museum of the Mayan World: this modern museum is essential for understanding the rich Mayan history. General admission at 150 MXN.
• Plaza Grande: the heart of Mérida, surrounded by the Cathedral of San Ildefonso and the Government Palace.
• San Ildefonso Cathedral: the oldest cathedral in continental America. Admission is free.
• Casa de Montejo: get to know this 16th-century house, which showcases Yucatecan colonial life. Free admission.
• Montejo House Museum: explore the oldest house in the city, a reflection of the lifestyle of the Yucatecan elite in the 19th century. Free admission.
• Santa Lucia Park: a lovely place to dine and enjoy traditional Yucatecan music and dance.
• Barrio de Santa Ana: explore this traditional neighbourhood with its market and the church of Santa Ana.
• Lucas de Gálvez Market: experience the authentic Mérida with a stroll through this bustling market, ideal for sampling the local food.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Merida

There’s nothing better than discovering the secret corners of Merida than with your best friends. Travelling accompanied is a pleasure, but there can also be certain conflicts of interest or logistical problems. That’s why it’s important to plan the trip to Merida well and that everyone in the group is involved in the creation of the itinerary.

A good way to organise your trip with friends is through the Passporter App, with which you can create a common travel route and share your experience through images and comments with other travellers. We have also prepared this post where we leave you some useful tips for travelling with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Merida Mexico

• The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso.
• The country’s official language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken.
• The plugs are type A and B, which are the same as those used in the United States and Canada. These plugs have two or three flat pins. The standard voltage in Mexico is 127V with a frequency of 60Hz.
• Before you travel, do your research on Merida Mexico. In addition to the most popular attractions, look for lesser-known activities that can give you a more authentic view of the country, such as popular fiestas or festivals.
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return date and always carry all other necessary travel documentation with you.
• If you do not like spicy food, you can ask restaurants to adjust the spiciness.
• Always remember to drink bottled water and avoid ice
• Protect yourself from the sun. Use sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re going to be outdoors for long periods of time. A hat and sunglasses are also a must to protect yourself from the sun’s intense radiation.
• Although tourist areas are generally safe, it is always wise to take basic precautions such as not displaying valuables and keeping an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places.
• Using apps like Passporter to plan your trip to Merida Mexico is free and helps you get inspiration from other travellers, as well as organising your itinerary efficiently.
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose a good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
• Respect the environment. When visiting natural areas, always follow conservation rules to protect the environment around you.
• Check if you need an international driver’s licence if you plan to hire a car.
• Buy an eSIM card for mobile internet access. Our favourite company is Holafly as they offer cards for Mexico with unlimited data.
• Book your flights and accommodation in advance, especially in high season or for popular destinations.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Merida Mexico

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Merida Mexico.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter. 

10. Frequently asked questions about how to plan a trip to Merida Mexico