Solo Journey Suggestions: Merida, Mexico

I’ve at all times needed to journey solo to Mexico and spend a minimal of 6 months there. Sadly, I haven’t had that likelihood but. Melissa Douglas, who has a Mexico-focused journey weblog, contributed this solo journey tricks to Merida.

The charming colonial metropolis of Merida, Mexico is the capital of the Yucatan state in Southern Mexico. Till just lately, it has remained largely off the overwhelmed path.

Nevertheless, in 2022, famend journey publications reminiscent of Lonely Planet and Journey and Leisure have acknowledged little Merida as being top-of-the-line locations to go to this 12 months. Not like different cities within the Yucatan peninsula reminiscent of Cancun and Tulum, which have began to grow to be gentrified and are occupied by massive swathes of western vacationers, Merida, for now, stays unchanged by tourism.

Town retains its conventional Mexican appeal. Now’s the very best time to go to Merida earlier than phrase will get out. 

As soon as upon a time, Merida was one of many richest cities on this planet. It thrived through the henequen (uncooked fiber from the henequen plant) increase when native farmers would domesticate the sisal plant and use it to make clothes and textiles.

With their newfound wealth, the individuals of Merida constructed enormous sprawling mansions and haciendas. Right now, many of those beautiful buildings have been transformed into luxurious resorts, espresso retailers, and eating places. Merida is a photographer’s paradise.

Arriving in Merida 

Merida is house to a world airport (MID) which is definitely situated proper within the coronary heart of the town, simply quarter-hour away from the historic middle. Nevertheless, there are solely a really restricted variety of worldwide flight routes that service this airport.

You’ll be able to fly into Merida from Miami, Houston, Guatemala Metropolis, and Havana, Cuba. If you’re flying from elsewhere, it is smart to both switch flights in Mexico Metropolis, or to fly into Cancun. 

Cancun is the biggest worldwide airport near Merida, located within the coastal metropolis of Cancun 303km away. ADO buses present common connections between Cancun and Merida a number of instances a day. 

The journey takes roughly 4 hours and tickets value round US$25 every means. The bus terminates at Merida Centro station, proper within the coronary heart of city. 

The place to Keep in Merida 

Merida is a big, sprawling metropolis and the general public transport right here leaves so much to be desired. Decide to remain within the historic middle so to attain many of the metropolis’s foremost historic and cultural highlights on foot. 

Opting to remain in an Airbnb (get $15+ credit score with Airbnb once you ebook for the primary time utilizing the hyperlink) or homestay within the japanese or western components of the town can prevent a good amount of cash. Nevertheless, you’ll most probably should depend upon Uber and cabs to get round because the buses listed below are neither dependable nor straightforward to navigate. 

Lodging in central Merida is reasonably priced and there’s something right here for each style and journey model. So, you haven’t any actual purpose to have to remain outdoors of the principle zones. 

Paseo Montejo 

Paseo Montejo is the principle boulevard in Merida. It runs from the historic middle, all the best way as much as the northern suburbs.

The road was named after Merida’s founder, Francisco de Montejo. You will see that the  Monumento a la Patria right here—a large sculpture created by sculptor Rómulo Rozo that shows the historical past of Mexico by the ages.

Paseo Montejo is house to a various vary of eating places, cafes, and shops promoting artisanal merchandise, conventional Yucatecan clothes, and avenue meals. It’s full of life no matter time you cease by, but it surely isn’t so noisy which you could’t get evening’s sleep in case you base your self right here.

The environment is especially fantastic on Sundays when the road is pedestrianized and closed to site visitors. Hundreds of Merida locals come to jog/stroll/cycle the size of the road and there are numerous locations the place you’ll be able to lease a bicycle and be part of them.

Paseo Montejo has one thing for each finances. Under are among the most respected finances resorts within the space, with costs per room for 2 individuals.

You’ll be able to ebook by way of Reserving.com; simply click on the hyperlink to the properties above. Make certain to learn the opinions so that you’ll know which one most closely fits your wants.

Parque Santa Lucia

Parque Santa Lucia is an effective place to base your self if you wish to expertise Merida by evening. Lots of the finest bars and nightclubs are only a 5-minute stroll away from right here.

Listed here are among the most respected hostels within the space, with costs per room for 2 individuals.

Finest Issues to Do in Merida 

Take a free strolling tour 

A strolling tour is an effective way to get your bearings in any new metropolis. Additionally it is top-of-the-line issues to do in Merida. A free strolling tour departs every single day at 10 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. from outdoors the Casa Montejo museum in the principle sq., with guides talking each English and Spanish. 

The tour takes you round the principle Merida landmarks and historic websites and provides you much more info and context on the assorted buildings that you simply see. You’ll go by notable buildings such because the Merida cathedral, the Palacio de Gobierno, the Teatro Peón Contreras, and varied Merida parks and plazas.

Though the tour is free, it’s tip-based and for the reason that guides dedicate their time to exhibiting vacationers round their metropolis in tremendous scorching climate, it’s well mannered to at all times tip. It’s honest to provide US$5-10 (100-200 pesos) per particular person. 

The opposite beauty of exploring the town on a strolling tour? You have got a neighborhood knowledgeable available to ask for his or her suggestions for the very best issues to see and do within the metropolis and the very best locations to hang around, amongst others. 

Eat your means round city 

The delicacies in Merida and the Yucatan may be very totally different from the delicacies that you will discover elsewhere in Mexico. It’s because Yucatecan meals is pre-Hispanic.

Lots of the recipes listed below are the identical ones that have been utilized by the Historical Mayans centuries in the past and conventional cooking strategies are nonetheless used. Well-known regional dishes that it’s best to add to your radar embrace cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork cooked underground) and relleno negro (floor meat served with turkey and chopped egg).

There are numerous conventional eating places which you could strive. Habaneros (Calle 20-A Num 302 X 5b Y 5c, Xcumpich, 97204) is a neighborhood favourite and though it sits on the outskirts of city, it’s definitely worth the effort to get to. 

Expertise Merida by evening

Should you thought that Merida was pretty by day, you’ll seemingly discover it much more magical by evening. That is when the town actually involves life.

Each evening of the week, you will discover stay music hosted across the metropolis. On Tuesdays, there may be stay music at Santiago Park and on Thursdays, there’s a stay band that performs in Santa Lucia. 

If you wish to strive your hand at studying to salsa dance, there are an enormous quantity of native bars and conventional cantinas that host common salsa nights. Cantina Negrita (Calle 62 esquina, C. 49 415, Centro) hosts stay salsa music every single day of the week.

This is likely one of the hottest nightlife spots on the town, though it does get very crowded and that you must cease by earlier than 8 p.m. to safe a desk. Alternatively, Cantina Dzalbay (Calle 64 x 53, Esquina, No. 443, Centro) gives lessons the place you’ll be able to dance with locals.

Deal with your self to a day on the seashore

Merida itself shouldn’t be located on the coast, however there are a number of beautiful seashore cities that may be reached in simply an hour’s drive from the town middle. Yucatan seashores are sometimes missed in favor of the better-known seashores of the Mexican Caribbean (the areas round Cancun, Tulum, and many others).

Nevertheless, they’re simply as stunning and deserving of your time. The seashores right here boast miles upon miles of powdery white sand coastlines that reach so far as the attention can see. The waters are a shocking shade of crystal-clear turquoise. 

Progreso is the closest seashore city to Merida, located simply 43km north of the town. Take a stroll alongside the Malecon, sip piña coladas in one of many seashore bars overlooking the water, and spend a day lounging on the sand. Most eating places and bars right here allow you to lease a sunbed and an umbrella for the day for just some pesos. 

Discover lesser-known Mayan ruins 

Chichen Itza is with out hesitation, probably the most well-known Mayan destroy on this a part of Mexico. Hundreds of individuals go by its gates every single day. 

Whereas a go to to Chichen Itza is likely one of the finest issues you are able to do in Mexico, this isn’t the one Mayan destroy within the space. There are a number of different Mayan cities that may be reached on a day journey from Merida and are solely 1-2 hours away. 

For example, few individuals have heard of Mayapan, however this was one of the vital vital Mayan settlements. It may be discovered simply an hour south of Merida and the location is expansive and rarely sees many vacationers. Mayapan was the final nice Mayan metropolis and it’s right here the place King Kukulkan II and his individuals moved after the downfall of Chichen Itza. 

Security Suggestions for Solo Vacationers in Merida 

Merida is a really protected metropolis, even for solo vacationers. The Yucatan capital is acknowledged repeatedly as being the most secure metropolis in Mexico, and one of many most secure cities in the complete North American continent.

Sure, Merida is statistically so much safer than a whole lot of cities in the US. Mexico, basically, is so much safer than stereotypes and media representations would have you ever assume.

Nevertheless, the tradition in Merida and the Yucatan feels markedly totally different. Right here, you’ll be able to really feel comparatively snug strolling alone across the metropolis even within the evenings.

Persons are very well mannered and respectful and also you by no means really feel that it’s important to be regularly trying over your shoulder. Nonetheless, it pays to take some extra precautions when touring wherever independently. Just a few security concerns in your solo journey to Merida are detailed beneath. 

Use rideshare apps moderately than taking avenue cabs 

Most Mexicans choose to make use of Uber moderately than taking random avenue taxis. Whereas individuals in some nations could query the protection of Uber, that isn’t the Mexican perspective.

In fact, getting right into a automotive on Uber normally means that there’s extra accountability than getting right into a random automotive on the road. You have got the driving force’s particulars and their license plate quantity, and you may share your journey info along with your family and friends members.

Sadly, scams should not unprecedented in Mexico and also you usually tend to be ripped off or taken on a roundabout route by city in case you get right into a random avenue taxi. When utilizing Uber right here, there are a number of precautions which you could take.

Verify your driver’s profile and solely journey with drivers which have achieved a number of thousand journeys and have a score of 4.5 or above. If you’re uncomfortable with the look of your driver or they’re fully new to the app, you’ll be able to cancel and discover a new driver for no cost.

Watch out when heading out at evening alone 

Merida is a protected metropolis, even within the evenings. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply that you simply shouldn’t use widespread sense or not concentrate on your environment.

Attempt to not stroll alone at evening, significantly in case your route takes you down quiet facet streets and alleyways. Mainly, in case you wouldn’t do one thing in your hometown, you shouldn’t do it in Merida.

Should you head out to bars or stay music venues alone or with new pals, watch your drink and by no means depart it unattended. Be cautious of over-friendly strangers and at all times belief your intestine intuition.   

Watch your belongings in crowded areas 

The one actual crime that it’s important to fear about in Merida is petty crime and issues like bag snatchings. Nonetheless, this stuff are unusual and solely actually occur in crowded areas.

Watch your belongings in busy marketplaces such because the Lucas de Galvez market or the Mercado San Benito. A theft-proof backpack is an effective funding. Ideally, it’s best to carry your backpack in entrance of you and guarantee that any valuables are securely tucked away. 

Merida is a protected and fantastic colonial metropolis within the coronary heart of the Yucatan. It makes a fantastic getaway vacation spot in itself, but it surely additionally completely enhances a wider Yucatan journey itinerary. 

Have you ever been to Merida? What different ideas are you able to give to solo vacationers?

Melissa Douglas is a British Journey Author based mostly in Merida Mexico. She has written for a number of high-profile journey publications throughout the globe, together with Matador Community, Forbes Journey Information, The Huffington Submit, and the Instances of Israel. She manages the solo feminine journey weblog Excessive Heels and a Backpack, and the Mexico journey web site Mexico Journey Secrets and techniques the place she encourages vacationers to enterprise off the overwhelmed path in Mexico.

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