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Mérida

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About Mérida

Mérida is the capital and largest city on the Yucatán Peninsula, and is also the region's vibrant cultural heart: rich in colonial history with its graceful plazas and famed cuisine, while also bright with traditional colour in the narrow streets and bustling markets. Nearby is the peninsula's ancient treasures and the beaches and resorts of Quintana Roo. It is the kind of city with something to offer every budget and is the ideal destination for a romantic break. Our collection of the best places to stay in Mérida range from luxury hotels to chic boutiques.

Mérida's Plaza Grande, the historic centre, is where you'll find a lot of the little shops and cafes, but it also hosts regular markets, concerts and performances. This is also where you'll find the severe, square cathedral, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Governor's Palace and stonework reclaimed from the ancient Mayan city upon which Merida was built. The downtown area is where you'll find the hostels and inexpensive restaurants, while the more boutique offerings and elegant restaurants are in the city's north.

Mérida retains a wonderful colonial feel, partly due to the jungle setting and architecture, and partly from the climate - it's tropical, so people get most of their work done in the morning, take long siestas in the afternoon and come back in the evening when the cooler breezes roll in off the Gulf of Mexico. Nowhere is Mérida's grace and elegance more obvious than on El Paseo Montejo, a romantic street upon which to stroll of an evening. One of the other great places to be is the Plaza Grande on Sunday evenings when the whole area around is closed to traffic and there are bands, free concerts and street vendors keeping everyone satiated and refreshed.

What not to miss

  • Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by visiting the beautiful and stark cathedral in the city centre.
  • Walk through the market on Plaza Grande.
  • Check out the Museum of Contemporary Art.
  • Go for a romantic stroll down El Paseo Montejo.
  • Head towards the downtown area and enjoy the countless bars and chic cafes.

Merida is the ideal place for a romantic break. Check out our collection of the best places to stay in Merida to start planning your trip.

The Best Places to Stay in Mérida

In Mérida's historic heart

  • Rosas & Xocolate (Chocolate and Roses) is a themed property, converted from two beautiful mansions. The conversion is luxurious, and the themes run all the way to the chocolate spa treatments. Great for couples.
  • Casa Lecanda stands in the heart of the city, offering rooms with tiled floors, high ceilings and large bathrooms; there is a spacious outdoor pool, wine bar and a restaurant serving sumptous international cuisine. A real delight! 

For a jungle escape

  • The Hacienda San José is a stylish jungle escape with a world-class spa. Accommodation comprises of a collection of 11 rooms and four very private villas. The villas have private jacuzzi pools and hanging double beds.
  • Hacienda Xcanatun is just outside the city, set amidst tropical trees, offering traditionally-styled rooms adorned with antiques and tiled floors, two freshwater swimming pools, a pampering spa and a renowned gourmet restaurant. The perfect jungle retreat. 

Luxury boutique

  • Coqui Coqui: a stylish one-room boutique with a balcony overlooking a courtyard, offering an ornate and indulgent room, royally-elegant, with a pampering spa and Parisian cafe. Adults only. Perfect for a romantic break.

On a budget

  • Hotel Hacienda Mérida offers fabulously stylish accommodation just a short walk from the main square. A traditional exterior belies contemporary interiors plus a bar and two pools.

Travel information

  • Mérida’s small international airport, the Aeropuerto Internacional de Mérida, is about ten kilometres outside of town. At the moment you can’t fly direct from the UK and will need to change in Mexico City.
  • If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.
  • Mérida’s weather doesn’t change too much throughout the year. It’s always pretty hot and rarely drops below 30ºC and peaks out at about 38ºC during the warmest months, May, June and July. There’s not much rain outside the rainy seasons which are October to January and April to July. September is nice and quiet, and January and February are very pleasant too, though Christmas and New Year are also among the most popular times to visit.

Still not sure?

Weather

Monthly Weather in Mérida

Best Hotels in Mérida

  • Hotel Hacienda Merida Mérida (No 439 x 51 y 53 Centro) 12 rooms from £101

    Local markets  -  Mercado Maya for local souvenires such as Panama hats and hammocks
    Sights nearby  -  Visit the beautiful Iglesia de Jesus
    Four poster beds  -  For romantics.
    Swimming Pool  -  Indoor/outdoor
    Swimming Pool
    Recommended by  -  I Escape

    Unlike its traditional facade, this hacienda, located in the heart of Merida is contemporary in style. There is a bar and a chlorine-free pool. Whilst only breakfast is served, you are stumbling distance from the bars and cafes of Plaza Mayor. Book early for the balcony rooms! See More

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  • Casa Lecanda Mérida (Centro) 7 rooms from £162

    Sights nearby  -  Go see La Mejorada Park, Merida Cathedral or the Main Square (all of which are within walking distance)
    Swimming Pool  -  Indoor/outdoor
    Boutique
    Restaurant  -  Recommended.
    RestaurantSwimming PoolGardenParking

    Casa Lecanda is situated in central Mérida. It offers smart rooms with high ceilings, tiled floors and large bathrooms whilst there's also an outdoor pool-perfect for a refreshing dip to escape the heat! Visit the wine bar and enjoy international cuisine in their restaurant. A superb city choice! See More

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  • Hacienda Xcanatun Mérida (Km 12 Carretera Progreso Merida) 18 rooms from £180

    Spa breaks  -  A glorious spa offering holistic treatments using indigenous herbs, flowers and honey.
    Local exploring  -  Well located as a jump off point for exploring Mayan ruins.
    Sights nearby  -  Explore the Mayan cities of Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Dzibilchaltun and Yaxunach.
    Birdwatching  -  Find over 100 species at the mangroves in the Celestun Nature Reserve.
    Air conditioningTennisSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenParkingNo pets
    Recommended by  -  I Escape

    A beautifully renovated Hacienda situated just outside Mérida. Well proportioned rooms are traditional in style with high beamed ceilings, antique furniture and tiled floors. Boasting two freshwater pools, a fabulous spa and renowned gourmet restaurant. Close to many Mayan ruins. Superb. See More

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  • Rosas & Xocolate Colonia Centro Mérida 14 rooms from £183

    Spa  -  Unique cocoa paste used for facials and massage.
    Swimming Pool  -  Interior courtyard pool.
    Lively  -  Offers DJ/Nightclub
    Sights nearby  -  Well located for major sights.
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGarden

    Uniquely themed hotel made of two converted mansions. 'Chocolate and Roses' run throughout the property, from the simple but attractive decor to the chocolate spa treatments. Also offers a luxury range of amenities such as spa, gym, restaurant, breakfast in bed and swimming pool. A quirky delight. See More

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  • Hacienda San Jose, Mérida Mérida (Yucatan) 15 rooms from £211

    Hideaway  -  A small boutique property nestled in the jungle.
    Diving  -  Dive in Mayan sacred cenotes for an unforgetable experience.
    Sights nearby  -  Make a trip to the ‘yellow city’ of Izamal.
    Romantic  -  Good for couples.
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenPet friendlyParking
    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith

    Hidden amidst thick jungle find an absolute treasure of a property. A small boutique hotel painted mustard yellow. Enormous rooms are traditional in style with high ceilings, whirring fans and four poster beds. A superb spa is utterly spoiling and the pool completely tranquil. The perfect hideaway. See More

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  • Coqui Coqui Merida Mérida (Centro) 1 rooms from £320

    Honeymoons  -  This stunning one room boutique offers a caverneous and resplendent suite complete with private balcony and side by side baths
    City Style  -  A fabulous boutique situated above a famed perfumery- glittering chandeliers, smooth marble and orginal Mexican tiling
    Other Activities  -  It is hard to pull yourself away from this fabulous suite, spend as much time as you can in this velvet trimmed haven
    Hotel Entertainment  -  The wonderful one room spa offers signature Coqui Coqui rituals to restore you to your full potential
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolViewsParking
    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith

    A majestic one room boutique, sitting above a famed perfumery in Mérida’s Centro Histórico. You will feel like royalty in this indulgent suite, with a balcony overlooking the courtyard, it is gilded and glittering, without feeling overdone. The cafe and bar are relaxed and Parisian in feel. Superb. See More

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