Merida

When to go

Jan-March

Ideal length

4 nights

Transfer time

1 hour flight from Patagonia

Merida is the capital of the Yucatan and depicts much of the splendour of Colonial Mexico containing many buildings in varying states of repair.  This vibrant city was founded by the conquistadores in 1542 and built directly on top of an existing Mayan city.  Its impressive cathedral is the oldest in Latin America, completed in 1559. 

OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO IN MERIDA

DZIBILCHALTUN

This unique Mayan site had been founded as early as 1000BC before evangelising friars built a 16th century chapel in the main plaza as a symbol of the invading religion.  Each Mayan site was built close to a cenote – sinkholes used for drinking water and as a ceremonial portal to the underworld.

CITY TOUR

The city itself has a wealth of colonial architecture, in part a display of the prosperity brought about by the henequen industry. One of the best ways to see the city is to rent a horse drawn calesa (cart) and take a drive up the Paseo de Montejo, an impressive boulevard lined with colonial mansions.

IZAMAL

This once major Mayan religious site was chosen by the Spanish as a centre to convert to the locals to Christianity.  First they converted the physical site and a huge convent and church was begun in 1549, reusing Mayan stonework. The whole complex was painted rich ochre yellow leading to its nickname as ‘the golden city’.

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