Ask any American out there what’s their go-to country for a vacation, and chances are they’ll say Mexico:
While that’s of course subjective, and we’re yet to interview every U.S. citizen out there regarding their travel preferences, it’s not a secret Mexico is a well-loved destination among its Northerly neighbors… and the funny thing is, most of them don’t even know it all that well.
Yes, Cancun’s luxurious all-inclusives are great, and there’s no doubt Tulum’s beaches are nothing short of paradisiacal, but have you ever wondered what lies beyond the resort-packed coast?
As it turns out, Mexico’s best-kept secret does not line the Caribbean.
In fact, it’s not a coastal location at all! Instead of fun in the sand, it offers an authentic Mexican experience, ancient ruins, and more affordable prices than its Riviera competitors:
It’s Time You Stop Sleeping On Merida
Located in the Yucatanese hinterland, miles away from the resort zones, Merida may not be your first destination of choice when planning a trip to Mexico, but you might be surprised to learn it’s been on the radar of a growing number of travelers.
Though it lacks Caribbean access, it’s seen a record increase in visitors as of late: José Luis Martínez Semerena, the local director of Economic Development and Tourism, has confirmed the share of international arrivals in Merida has augmented from 8% to 15-16%.
In his own words, Merida is inspiring ‘greater interest’ among visitors, and particularly U.S. nationals, who make up a significant percentage of the foreign guests, followed by the French and Canadians––and we couldn’t help but wonder why.
Why are Americans, or more intriguingly even, Europeans flying all the way to Mexico to visit an inland city with no beach in sight?
It’s All In The Culture
Well, as it turns out, a majority of travelers could be flying into Merida for the culture and unique experiences it offers.
You see, unlike Cancun, it wasn’t built in the early 70s around tourism: this is a city dating back not only a few decades, but centuries, encompassing periods of Mayan dominance and Spanish control, and a historic center still largely preserved from way back then.
Essentially, Merida’s Centro Historico has been left untouched since the Spaniards raised it out of the ruins of disassembled Mayan structures during their initial incursion into Mexico, dominated by a towering stone cathedral, and playing host to beautiful colonial mansions and picturesque plazas.
The cathedral is the main landmark in town, and being the oldest in the mainland Americas, it draws in hundreds of curious onlookers every day, but it’s not the only reason tourists are going out of their way to pay Merida a visit:
The city is also known for its white-limestone Iglesia de la Tercera Orden, where you’ll find Christian shrines adorned with relics from ancient Mayan temples, Casa de Montejo, a perfectly preserved 16th-century dwelling, and the popular Mayan World Museum.
Costing only 150 Mexican pesos, or around $7.52 to visit, the museum displays over 1,100 Mayan artifacts collected from neighboring archeological sites, and it’s well worth a visit if you love History.
The Gateway To The Mayan World
Other than its undeniable colonial charm, Merida is often considered the gateway to Yucatan’s lost but not forgotten Mayan World:
It’s a short 1h-2h drive away from some of the most iconic Mayan sites of Antiquity, including Chichen Itza, the most visited archeological zone in all of Mexico, characterized by its imposing Temple of Kukulcan and grand ball courts.
Booking this $63 cultural tour starting from Merida, you get to visit not only Chichen Itza, but the historically-charged Cenote Ik Kil as well, where the Mayans carried out sacrificial offerings, not to mention the Instagrammable, yellow-washed city of Izamal.
Chicen Itza is only the most famous, but if you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path alternatives that are not as crowded, and just as fascinating, we’d recommend you stop by Dzibilchaltún, a much shorter half-hour drive from the city, home to the mystical Temple of the Seven Dolls and a clear-water cenote.
Uxmal is not too crowded, either, and being a one-hour drive from Merida, it’s easily doable as a day trip, with its ornately-carved Palace of the Governor, one of the finest architectural ensembles of the Mayan period and of course, the Temple of the Magician:
This 90-step pyramid, distinct for its rounded sides, is, in fact, taller than Chichen Itza’s Temple of Kukulcan by about 5 meters and by no means less impressive.
Mexican Mecca For Foodies
Food is as big a draw for tourists heading to Merida as the awe-inspiring culture, and how could it not when it lays claim to some of the country’s greatest culinary triumphs?
From cochinita pibil––slow-cooked pork shoulder marinated in citrus and other juices––to enchilada’s veggie equivalent papadzules, there’s something in Merida to appease even the most demanding of taste buds, or should we say, a wide range of different eateries from casual to upscale.
If you’re out and about in the city looking for a laid-back spot to sample traditional Mexican at affordable prices, you’ll want to stop by Taqueria La Lupita inside Mercado Santiago: the tacos are generously-filled and incredibly tasty, and prices average between 20-25 MXN per item.
Now, whenever you’re craving a sit-down meal in a lively gastropub environment that’s considerably pricier but still won’t break the bank, head over to Emplumado, where they (arguably) serve the best steak in town.
For a romantic dinner, our top pick is a cozy La Dona Restaurante & Cantina: everything on their menu tastes delicious, but we strongly recommend you try their tuna tiradito with eggplant dip, the truffle potatoes, or their signature camarones ajillo.
As you’ll soon realize visiting Merida, this is a foodie hotspot of the first order, and one of Mexico’s greatest offers on the culinary front, so much so that an official Gastronomic Corridor has launched in the heart of the city, taking you through some of the most renowned venues.
Merida Is Cheaper Than The Mayan Riviera
Culture and cuisine aside, Merida’s affordability is a major factor contributing to its soaring popularity:
Seeing not everything revolves around tourism, and this is a thriving city where locals are yet to be pushed out of the historic center in favor of leisure zones and luxury hotels, prices continue to mostly reflect the purchasing power of the local populace.
Using Budget Your Trip as a comparative tool, mid-range travelers spend on average $78 per day in Merida, against $132 in Cancun:
In the former, you can easily eat (reasonably well) on under $26 a day, if you’re not into fancy restaurants with multiple courses and wine pairing, and hotels cost a median $79 per night, though it starts from as cheap as $26 at Hotel Cupules on Booking.com.
Meanwhile, a 4-star stay at HIT Merida Boutique Hotel will only set you back by $54 a night, while a sojourn in a Junior Suite at Casa Italia Luxury Guesthouse, an adults-only listing in the very center of Merida, is listed from $135 upward.
Merida Is Very Safe
As low-risk as tourist destinations in Mexico are, in general, safety remains a big concern for Americans going south of the border, and we understand why.
What with all the talk of organized crime, violent clashes between police and gangs, and even corruption on local authorities’ part, it’s normal to feel apprehensive about vacationing in Mexico, particularly the Mayan Riviera, where there’s a large influx of tourists dollars, and thus, crime tends to be higher.
In Merida, however, security levels are much more elevated.
Based on a recent report called the Mexico Peace Index, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, it is the safest city in all of Mexico, with lower rates of urban violence and pickpocketing compared to other Mexican urban centers.
This means Americans shouldn’t be overly worried about their personal safety when exploring Merida; this does not mean they should let their guard down, as petty crime can occur on occasion, but there’s absolutely no need to be on edge, clutching your bag tightly all the time.
As the U.S. State Department corroborates, Merida is a Level 1 destination, meaning it’s as safe as a Mexican city can be, and as long as you exercise normal precautions, such as avoiding deserted areas at night and keeping an eye on your belongings, you’ll be fine.
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