Whenever you hear someone discuss their latest Mexico journey, chances are they’re probably bang on about locations like Cancun, Los Cabos, or, if they’re into the whole pressure of a big city, possibly Mexico City … however only seldom will they raise Mérida.
Located on the other side of the Yucatán Peninsula, away from the Riviera Maya resorts, it is a city that has actually traditionally drawn the attention of a very niche group of tourists, particularly those who like cultural expeditions, instead of all-inclusive trips.
In recent months, however, Mérida has seen a substantial uptick in global arrivals, leading us to wonder whether it’s finally getting the recognition it should have outside certain taking a trip circles:
1.2 Million Tourists Landed In Mérida So Far This Year
< img width="1200 "height="800 "src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/This-Safe-Gorgeous-City-In-Mexico-Is-Breaking-All-Time-Tourism-Records.jpg"alt="This Safe & Gorgeous City In Mexico Is Breaking All Time Tourism Records "/ > According to La Jornada Maya, a Spanish-language news website based in Mexico, Mérida’s International Airport(MID), alternatively referred to as Manuel Crescencio Rejón, has actually seen a 3.7 percent increase in arrivals in the very first quarter compared to 2024. In numbers, that’s precisely 1,239,442 travelers recorded from January to April 2024, currently the highest start-of-the-year figures Mérida has actually seen given that tracking started.
Currently, the airport has connections with as many as 12 other cities throughout Mexico, most significantly Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, as well asfour U.S. centers: Miami, Orlando, Houston, and Dallas.
The convenience of direct flights might discuss the popularity uptick, specifically given how a growing number of Americans are now feeling the ‘Cancun fatigue’, and seeking options to the all-encompassing model, however there’s more:
Among Mexico’s Oldest Colonial Capitals Is Right Here
For starters, Mérida is among the most traditionally considerable cities in Mexico. Having been founded early on in the Spanish colonization of the area, right in the heart of spiritual Mayan land, it boasts the kind of material heritage and cultural appeal that modern locations like Cancun simply do not have.
Its vast Historic Center, amongst the largest in the country, makes up picture-perfect streets: going back to the Spanish era, they are lined with elegant colonial-style townhouses, typically painted in lively colors, and differentiated for their wrought-iron verandas.
If you’re not easily impressed by flashy hotel apartments and leisure strips, try strolling down through History at Paseo de Montejo, a beautiful boulevard flanked by 19th-century French-inspired mansions, or take a look at the majestic Catedral de San Ildefonso.
How Gorgeous Is This Cathedral?
< img width="1024" height=" 1024 "src ="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Aerial-View-Of-The-Cathedral-In-Merida-Mexico-1024x1024.jpg.webp"alt= "Aerial View Of The Cathedral In Merida, Mexico"/ > The city might have been developed by European settlers in the 16th century, and that is also when the cathedral’s cornerstone was laid, making it among the earliest in the American continent, however the lesser-known reality that will blow your mind is that the structure itself has native origins: Though it is undisputably Iberian in character, with its skyrocketing towers and Mudejar-Baroque front portal, the stones used to raise it remained in truth stolen from much-older Mayan structures in the area, and this describes the unique beige hue of the ensemble.
Before the Europeans came, these were Mayan grounds, keep in mind? More specifically, Mérida was the website of the ancient Mayan city of T’ho, mostly lying in ruins underneath the Europeanized downtown.
Colonial Wonders Galore
< img width ="800"height="800" src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colonial-Building-In-Merida-Yucatan-Mexico-Latin-America.jpg.webp" alt="Colonial Structure In Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, Latin America "/ > The cathedral is among numerous colonial landmarks scattered around the Historic Center, so it’s no
wonder a growing number of immigrants are flocking here to take in the Old World appeal. Palacio de Gobierno, or Governor’s Palace, has been the seat of the Yucatanese administration given that the 19th century, and it has a striking green facade dealing with the main square.
If you’re visiting the museum, do not forget to go by the sensational Fernando Castro Pacheco murals, understood for depicting the area’s complicated history, from Mayan to Spanish to Mexican.
Somewhere else, on Casa de Montejo, you’ll discover a rare example of a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial estate, constructed all the way back in 1549 by the Montejo household (one of the earliest inhabitants). Aside from the architectural value, it now houses a totally free museum with art shows.
Still can’t get enough of historical structures? The Municipal Government (or Palacio Municipal) is certainly not to be missed out on, with its unique pink-washed exterior and arched passages, and don’t forget the richly-decorated Church of the Third Order, or as the locals call it, Iglesia de Jesús.
It may have a modest exterior, however inside you’ll discover mesmerizing wood altars, neatly carved, and fascinating religious art.
Amazing Food All Over
In any Mexican city,you can
generally find the average American traveler any place the best food is, and in the Yucatanese capital, it’s no exception. There are a variety of public markets around Mérida, peppered with traditional food stalls, serving all your preferred takeout treats, from cochinita pibil tacos and chicken-filled tortas, to regional delicacies like panuchos.
Travelers appear to like Mercado Lucas de Gálvez, as it is rather main, just a couple of actions far from the cathedral, or Mercado Santa Ana, simply off Paseo de Montejo, but if you wish to follow the local crowds, head to Mercado Santiago rather.
Stashed in the authentic Santiago community, it’s the leading area in Mérida for a casual lunch that won’t break the bank: we’re talking sandwiches for around $3.50, and freshly-squeezed juice for just a few cents of dollar.
Mérida Is More Cost Effective Than The Usual Mexico Resort Vacation
In general, Mérida is substantially more economical than the Riviera Maya and other overtouristed Mexican locations. Food in local markets will generally cost $5 tops, and if you’re sitting down for a meal in a regional-frequented cantina, not the ones in the vicinity of the primary square that will charge you above-average prices, you’ll get set back approximately $12–$18 each time.
Some of the more upscaledining establishments can charge upwards of $30 or even $50 for an elaborate meal, including an entrée and a drink, however, it will generally be in an expensive dining setting that validates the higher-end costs.
In other words, you’ll rarely seem like you’re being swindled for no factor.
In addition, accommodation can be just as inexpensive: absolutely nothing’s exactly ultra-cheap in Mexico nowadays, however you can still discover 3 or 4-star hotels in downtown Mérida from $57–$94 per night, like Hotel Mody.
They even have a pool!
Mérida Is Extremely Affordable
< img width="800"height ="800" src ="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/plaza-grande-merida-mexico.jpg.webp"alt="plaza grande merida mexico"/ > Last but definitely not least, Mérida’s increasing popularity can be attributed in part to its status as one of Mexico’s safest cities.
Along With San Francisco de Campeche, it is one of only 2 state capitals to include at Level 1 on the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory.
In non-technical terms, it is as safe as can be, with other typically low-risk locations south of the border like Cancun and Cabo all including at Level 2 (one degree greater in unsafety).
Violent criminal activity is way less commonin Mérida than in other parts of Mexico, and even petty crime isn’t as prevalent compared to Cancun and much of the Mexican Caribbean.
Every Mexican city has its own security level assigned, so it can be quite complicated to navigate as a non-frequent tourist. However hey, there’s an easy, and uncomplicated way of double-checking security suggestions at your Mexico destination, in just a couple of seconds!
Experiment with our brand-new Top U.S. Travel Advisory Checker, which works for different Mexican locations individually. Awesome, right?
Oh, and if you’re heading to Mexico in the future, you may wish to go ahead and use our Entry Requirement Checker as well. It’s a crazy world, after all, and you simply never know when visa guidelines may alter.
< img alt=""src ="https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/670a9f78091c16bd874672b1cb939f4e22e64fe6c391eb68b0f897b10dbfd49e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"height ="96" width="96"/ > Vinicius Costa Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Course, has more than 60+ nations under his belt (and presently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into helpful stories that will have you packing your bags.
The Travel Off Course Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit