If you’ve recently moved to Mérida or are planning an extended stay, you’re in the right place. Mérida is widely known as one of the safest cities in Mexico and offers an irresistible mix of Mayan heritage, colonial architecture, vibrant food culture, and easy access to cenotes, beaches, and archaeological sites. This guide boils down the best experiences around Mérida into eight must-do activities, plus practical tips to help you settle in and make the most of your time here.

Outline

• Paseo de Montejo: Stroll a grand avenue
• Yucatecan cuisine: Where and what to eat
• Izamal: The yellow town day trip
• Cenotes: Best ways to cool off
• Historic center: Walks, markets, and free tours
• Celestún: Flamingos and mangroves
• Cultural nights: Performances and the ancient ballgame
• Uxmal: A top archaeological site
• Practical local tips for expats

Paseo de Montejo — Mérida’s elegant boulevard

Paseo de Montejo is Mérida’s answer to a European boulevard: wide, tree-lined, and dotted with roundabouts and monuments. You’ll find impressive colonial mansions along the avenue—many converted into museums, cafes, and galleries. Make this your go-to afternoon stroll when you want to unwind, people-watch, or take photos of classic architecture without leaving the city center.

Try Yucatecan cuisine — food you’ll crave

Eating in Mérida is essential, not optional. Yucatecan cuisine blends Mayan, Spanish, and Lebanese influences, with staples like chiles, cheese, corn tortillas, eggs, and beans. For expats, the culinary scene is incredibly accessible—street food, mercados, and sit-down restaurants all offer authentic flavors.

• Breakfast: Look for local favorites—hearty morning dishes that will keep you fueled for hot days.
• Lunch: Try Sopa de Lima, a fragrant limey broth with shredded turkey and tortilla strips.
• Dessert/snack: Don’t miss marquesitas, a crispy rolled crepe filled with cheese and sweet fillings.

Tip: Join a walking food tour to learn about local ingredients, try several dishes in a single morning, and discover spots you’d otherwise miss.

Izamal — a bright and quick day trip

About 70 km (43 miles) from Mérida, Izamal is perfect for a day trip. The downtown is famous for its yellow-painted buildings, giving the town a sunny, cohesive vibe. The town’s central pyramid—Kʼinich Kakmó—is right in the plaza and often free to enter. For convenience, take a collectivo or a short bus from the city; travel is under 1.5 hours from central Mérida.

Why it’s great for expats: It’s an easy, low-cost trip that gives you a feel for Yucatán’s colonial and pre-Hispanic layers in a relaxed, walkable town.

Cenotes — cool off the Mérida way

Mérida sits in a region full of cenotes—natural limestone sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water. These are lifesavers on a hot day and a highlight of living in the Yucatán.

• Popular but busy: Cenote Santa Bárbara and Cenote Kuxma (often connected by a horse cart service).
• Quieter options: Seek out lesser-known cenotes if you prefer solitude—some require a rental car or a short hike.
• Practical tips: Go early to beat the crowds, bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and a waterproof bag for your phone.

Historic center — markets, plazas, and free walking tours

The historic center is the cultural heart of Mérida: colorful houses, grand churches, parks, and a steady rotation of restaurants, shops, and street entertainment. The streets are clean and easy to walk, making it the best place to learn the city’s rhythm.

• Free walking tour: Many run daily (often starting around 10 a.m. from central parks). These tours last about two hours and cover Plaza Grande, the cathedral, and key historical sites—great for new residents who want a rapid orientation.
• Markets: Explore markets for fresh produce, local snacks, and bargains on everyday items.

Celestún — flamingos, mangroves, and a beach day

About 100 km (62 miles) from Mérida, Celestún is the place to see tens of thousands of flamingos from November to February. Boat tours into the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve let you glide among birds and mangroves; many tours also include time on a quiet beach perfect for relaxing or swimming.

Getting there: Buses run from Mérida and the trip takes roughly two hours. Consider a guided boat tour to maximize wildlife viewing and local knowledge.

Cultural nights — free performances and the Maya ballgame

Mérida truly comes alive at night. Weekday or weekend, you’ll find free cultural performances in plazas across the city—traditional dances, concerts, and community events that are easy to join. One standout performance to see is a demonstration of the ancient Maya ballgame (known locally by various names). The game features a rubber ball and players who attempt to pass it through stone rings using hips and forearms—an evocative link to pre-Hispanic culture.

Why you’ll love it: These events are family-friendly, free, and a brilliant way to meet locals and other expats while soaking up the city’s communal energy.

Uxmal — a top archaeological site near Mérida

Uxmal is one of the Yucatán’s most impressive Mayan sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. About 85 km (53 miles) south of Mérida, Uxmal is less crowded than Chichén Itzá but equally rich in architecture and history. The Pyramid of the Magician, palaces, and intricately carved façades are highlights.

How to visit: Consider a guided day tour from Mérida to learn the site’s history and get transportation handled for you. Early visits avoid heat and give the site a more atmospheric feel.

Practical tips for expats living in Mérida

Settling into Mérida is easy if you keep a few local realities in mind:

• Heat management: Mérida gets hot—schedule outdoor activities early morning or late afternoon, and always carry water and sunscreen.
• Transportation: Buses and collectivos are affordable. For more flexibility, rent a car for day trips to cenotes and ruins. Bike lanes and Sunday morning bike rides are popular—join locals for group rides around the city.
• Safety: Mérida is widely regarded as safe. Still, practice normal urban caution—watch your belongings in crowded markets and avoid poorly lit streets at night.
• Social life: Use plazas, cultural nights, language exchanges, and walking tours to meet other expats and locals. Food tours and cooking classes are great for integrating into the culinary culture.
• Must-do extras: Museums (like the Mayan World Museum), nearby beaches such as Progreso, and other ruins like Zibilchaltun offer more variety when you want a change of pace.

Mérida is the kind of place that rewards curiosity. As an expat from the US or Canada, you’ll find it easy to build a comfortable routine here while having endless weekend options: stroll historic boulevards, eat unforgettable food, swim in cenotes, watch flamingos, and step back in time at Uxmal. If you want to know more and are thinking of moving to Mérida, book a consultation call with Mérida Moves.