Known as the "White City" for its cleanliness and extensive use of white paint and white limestone in its architecture, Merida, a sprawling, elegant metropolis of nearly 1,000,000 people, may exhibit the grandeur of Colonial Mexico more than any other city. Founded in 1542 by Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo, this fascinating city was built on the site of the Mayan city of T'ho ("city of the five hills"), a place that was the center of Mayan life for centuries.
Considered to be one of the oldest continually-occupied cities in Latin America, Merida is a gateway to a region rich in Mayan ruins and diverse ecological wonders. Because the city has spent much of its history geographically isolated from the rest of Mexico, it has developed a culture all its own. The indigenous people who thrived here did not surrender easily to their Spanish conquerors, and vestiges of Mayan life, including indigenous dress, written histories and spoken language, are still evident throughout the city.
For much of its history, this was a city surrounded by walls, which were built to protect the residents from Mayan uprisings. The Central District boasts architectural remnants from Merida's Colonial past, and stately homes from the 18th and 19th centuries still line the Paseo de Montejo, the beautiful main thoroughfare. The historic Plaza Mayor is the cultural and economic heart of the city and is known for its festive Sunday fairs. Merida also boasts the oldest cathedral in North America, the simple but impressive Catedral de San Ildefonso, which was partially built with carved Mayan stone. Outside of Merida, the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Uxmal should not be missed.
Merida is a busy but safe and friendly metropolis, and Merida vacations are filled with activity. There are museums, theaters, shops and cultural centers, and buses run throughout the city which is crisscrossed primarily by one way streets. Taxis, too, are available and are often the best way to get around town. Restaurants are plentiful and the local cuisine, which with Caribbean and Middle Eastern influences is much different from the cuisine in other parts of Mexico, includes delicious Poc Chuc (barbecued pork), tangy Sopa de Lima (a lime soup with a chicken broth) and stick-to-your -ribs Bul keken (beans and pork).
When it comes to lodging, Merida resorts and hotels come in all shapes and sizes, and most are on the European plan in which only the room is included in the price (everything else is an extra charge). Whether on a Merida budget vacation or on a lavish Merida honeymoon vacation, there is a hotel for everyone.
On the expensive side, the Fiesta Americana Merida is a lavish, 6-star Merida hotel with 350 rooms, gorgeous Victorian architecture, modern, beautifully appointed rooms, an attentive staff and an elegant, formal dining room. Located along the grand Paseo de Montejo, this lovely property may be Merida's best hotel.
For those on a budget but still seeking comfortable lodging, the Hotel Caribe is a small Merida hotel located downtown and has 53 rooms, gardens, a rooftop swimming pool and a parking lot. This modest but welcoming property is located in the heart of this historic city.
