Merida, Yucatan's Big City

Merida is the very center of the state of Yucatan, and all roads lead to Merida from the entire Peninsula. There's so much to do, you'll wish you were staying longer!

Right off the bat, try to be here over a weekend. On Saturday nights, there is dancing and music in the streets from the center of town, the zocalo, all the way up to the beginning of Paseo de Montejo.

Merida hosts musical acts from all over the country and the world. There are museums, restaurants, shopping and many different outdoor events all within easy walking distance to our hotel.

In fact, one of the best nighttime events in Merida happens every Tuesday night at our own Santiago Park. A big band sets up outdoors under the stars and plays for a crowd of local people who come to listen and to dance. You can join them on the dance floor or sit and eat local Yucatecan food for dinner while you watch them. These Yucatecans are good dancers, and your feet will be tapping before you know it!

Of course, there is a lot to do the rest of the week too. Merida has some of the most incredible turn-of-the-last-century architecture you can see this side of the Atlantic. Stroll the Paseo de Montejo and enjoy the stately mansions with their French wrought iron fences and doors. For a real treat, go to Merida's Anthropological Museum and you can go inside one of those mansions.

Merida has art museums too. And a growing group of art galleries. Work by local artists can be seen and purchased every Sunday morning along the Paseo de Montejo, and you can meet the artist too.

Interested in the food? If you aren't, you will be. The local food is so good, Rick Bayless did a whole season on Yucatecan cuisine last year. And you can buy the best of it just two blocks from the Aventura Hotel.

Merida has a lot to offer... we look forward to sharing it with you!