After a busy 10 days visiting New York and New Orleans, it was time to slow down and discover a new country. Mérida, the vibrant capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, seemed like the perfect destination. It had been on my travel list for a while, so I was really looking forward to finally going. Relaxing in Merida Mexico sounded like exactly what I needed.
Whenever I travel, one of the first things I do after arriving somewhere new is take a walk and find something to eat. Naturally, that was exactly what we did. We felt comfortable walking around Mérida at night, and after our journey from New Orleans, we were more than ready to try some Mexican food! Before long, we found a beautiful restaurant in a nearby square and ordered plenty of food. Everything was delicious. What a wonderful start to our relaxing stay in Mérida, Mexico!
Of course there is lots of other things to do in Mérida. We met some great locals, danced a lot of salsa and did a day trip to some of the connotes in Yucatán. It was a great trip!
…
Merida, Mexico
We had six days in Mexico and planned to take it easy, spending most of our time locally in Mérida. And that’s exactly what we did. The DECU Downtown Boutique Hotel was the perfect base for our stay. With only eight rooms, friendly staff, and an amazing pool, this charming boutique hotel couldn’t have been better.
Instead of filling our schedule with sightseeing, we focused on the simpler things to do in Mérida Mexico. We spent our days walking around the city, drinking cocktails, and relaxing by the pool. Along the way, we sampled plenty of tacos made with handmade tortillas, visited a few live-music bars, and did lots of salsa dancing.
It was exactly the relaxing holiday we wanted.
…
Mérida is a truly beautiful and charming place, and I really liked it. The colourful houses were incredibly photogenic, no matter how old or run-down they appeared. They provided the perfect backdrop for some great photos.
The people in Mérida, Mexico, were also very friendly, and I had the chance to practise my Spanish a little. (It had been a while since my last visit to Spain)
I really enjoyed relaxing in Mérida Mexico. Because we stayed for a while and often returned to the same bars at night, we made some wonderful friends, which made our visit even more enjoyable. They even took us on a day trip to see the cenotes of Yucatán. (Sinkholes for swimming)
After all, locals know the area best, right? Read more below…
…
The Cenotes of Yucatán
Although relaxing in Mérida, Mexico was the main purpose of our trip, we were also excited to explore beyond the city. Visiting the region’s cenotes is undoubtedly one of the most memorable things to do in Mérida, Mexico, and the surrounding Yucatán.
A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole formed when limestone bedrock collapses, exposing the groundwater beneath. Known for their beautifully clear blue water, these natural swimming holes have become popular attractions throughout Yucatán. There are believed to be around 10,000 cenotes across the Yucatán Peninsula, including more than 3,000 in the state of Yucatán. We were lucky enough to visit one favoured by the locals. Thank you, friends!
Our adventure began with a 90-minute drive. After following the highway for a while, we continued off-road to reach the first swimming hole. Dressed in our swimwear and ready to enjoy the beautiful blue water, we first had to climb down through a narrow opening.
However, we were slightly disappointed when we discovered that the water was brown. Where had the clear blue water gone? I guessed that the recent hurricane and heavy rain were responsible. What a shame!
Nevertheless, it certainly didn’t stop me from jumping straight in. The water was incredibly refreshing and, despite its brown colour, surprisingly clear.
…
We had an incredible day trip through the Yucatán countryside with our friends. From driving along quiet Mexican roads to eating delicious food in the small town of Izamal and swimming in one of Yucatán’s cenotes, the entire day was filled with fun.
The last time I had visited a natural swimming hole was in Oman, which had also been an amazing experience. Read my blog post here: Hiking and swimming in Oman.
…
Relaxing in Mérida Mexico
And so…
After one week in Mérida 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 Mérida Mexico was a full success and it is certainly 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)
