After a busy 10 days visiting New York and New Orleans, it was time for some quiet time and a new country. Mérida, the vibrant capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, seemed like the perfect destination for it. It has been on my list to visit for a while and I was really looking forward to going. Relaxing in Merida Mexico sounded perfect.
Whenever I travel, one of the very first things I do upon arriving at a new place is to take a walk and find something to eat. And that’s exactly what we did. Mérida is safe to walk around at night, and still hungry from New Orleans, I was eager to taste some Mexican food! We found a beautiful restaurant at a nearby square and ordered a lot of food. It was delicious. What a great start to our relaxing time in Mérida, Mexico.
…
Merida, Mexico
We had six days in Mexico, planning to do very little in Mérida and stay mainly local. And that’s exactly what we did. The DECU Downtown Boutique Hotel was the perfect spot for it. It’s a really charming boutique hotel with only eight rooms, very friendly staff, and an amazing pool. It couldn’t have been better. We spent our days walking, drinking cocktails, and swimming in the pool. We sampled lots of tacos with handmade tortillas, visited a few music bars, and did lots of salsa dancing. It was perfect.
…
Mérida is truly a beautiful and charming place. I really liked it. The colourful houses were very photogenic, no matter how run down and old they were. A perfect background for some great photos.
The people in Merida Mexico are super friendly as well, and I had the chance to practice my Spanish a little bit. (It’s been a while since I’ve been to Spain. Read blog posts here).
I really enjoyed Mérida. And because we stayed a while, relaxing in Merida, visiting more or less the same bars at night, we made some great friends here. Which made the stay even more enjoyable. Especially when they take you on a day trip to see the cenotes.
After all, they know the area best, right?
…
The Cenotes of Yucatan
A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole formed when limestone bedrock collapses and exposes the groundwater beneath. Due to their amazing clear and blue water, the water-filled sinkholes are a very popular tourist destination in Yucatán. Apparently there are approx 10,000 cenotes in Yucatan, and we had the chance to see the one that is favoured by the locals. Thank you friends!
Our journey began with a 1.5-hour drive, starting on the highway and transitioning to off-road terrain to reach the first swimming hole. Wearing our swimwear and ready to enjoy the beautiful blue waters, we first had to climb down into a narrow hole. Only to be then disappointed by the very brown water. Where was the clear blue water gone?? I guess it was all due to the hurricane and recent rain. What a shame!
Oh well, it certainly didn’t stop me from jumping right in. The water was very refreshing and surprisingly very clear.
…
We had an incredible trip to the Yucatan countryside with our friends. From driving along the Mexican roads, to eating delicious food in the small town Izamal and swimming in a Yucatan cenote, the day was filled with fun. The last time I visited a swimming hole was in Oman, which was also an amazing experience. Read blog here.
…
Relaxing in Merida Mexico
And so…
After one week in Merida I was a little bit sad to leave this place. I really enjoyed this cute little town, its people and the vibe. Our relaxing in Merida Mexico was a full success. It is a place I can see myself returning to. Who knows…
For now, our journey is taking us back to the USA. Las Vegas here we come!! xx
(post 198)
