Mérida is the perfect place to travel to explore and enjoy the southeast of Mexico. Its location is perfect for a road trip, letting you explore nearby places. You can book a car online in MÁS Rent a Car and start your trip in Merida airport. Remember that you can prepay your reservation online to save time and money.

Mérida has a Mayan and colonial past seen in its buildings, landmarks, roads, and colors. The blend of these influences is present on every corner. Its climate is mainly hot and humid, surrounded by various types of jungle and close to the Gulf of Mexico.

If you enjoy comfortable travel, exploring landscapes, history, food, and maximizing your trip, Mérida is ideal for you. Find a cozy place to stay in the city and then go explore the places you want to see.

Here are 6 things you can do on your next trip:

1.- Chuburná and Progreso

Chuburná is a quiet port located 50 minutes by car from Mérida. The first stop will be Isla Columpios, where you can enjoy calm and shallow waters amid mangroves.

Upon reaching Chuburná, you'll see an entrance to a port with boats. You can pay between 200-300 pesos per person for a stay of approximately 2 hours in a palapa.

Some offer food services such as ceviche or shrimp cocktails for an extra cost, as well as drinks. They will take you on a boat for approximately 10 minutes, where you can observe some birds, such as flamingos.

We recommend going early to have a better chance of seeing these beautiful birds. For two hours, you can relax in calm waters, swim, kayak, or appreciate the beautiful scenery.

Don't miss on taking a stroll trough the port of Chuburná and admire the beautiful beach before heading to Puerto Progreso. Only 25 minutes away you will find the port of Merida, a places where locals like to enjoy the beach with family and friends.

2.- Sisal

One of the most beautiful beaches in Yucatán, full of tranquility and white sands. Located 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Mérida and is a destination we definitely recommend.

Spend the day in this amazing place; you can bring your own drinks and food. Palapa rental services cost approximately 500 pesos for the whole day.

Restaurants and beach clubs offer palapa and lounge chair service for free, as long as you pay for food and drinks in the place.

Sisal is one of the most beautiful beaches in Yucatán. You can walk along the white sand coast and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the pier or at the beach.

3.- Cenotes

Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Campeche are part of the cenote ring. Experts estimate that Yucatán alone has around 7,000 to 8,000 cenotes.

The Maya culture considers them sacred as they play an important role as a source of life and an entrance to another world. People in the past performed rituals and sacrifices in cenotes because they believed it was connected to gods.

Visiting some cenotes is a must on your trip to Mérida. You can visit different types of cenotes in Merida, some open-air, and others in cave form. Yucatán offers many options of cenotes, here are some we recommend:

• Cenotes de Cuzamá
• Cenote Noh-Mozon
• Cenotes Haciendo Mucuyché

4.- Archaeological Sites: Uxmal and Kabah

Uxmal and Kabah are part of the villages from the Puuc stage of the Maya culture. Different from other stages for its architectural style, adding details like masks and ornaments on the walls and structures.

Their buildings and cities project their vision of the universe. Reflected trough techniques and symbology.

Uxmal, part of UNESCO's World Heritage Site, is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Mérida by car.

Mexicans can visit for free on Sundays with their INE card, otherwise it cost $150 for nationals and $441 for foreigners. The schedule is Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00 hours.

The Pyramid of the Magician is undoubtedly its main structure, different from many pyramids in shape and ornamentation. Here you will see the main differences of the Puuc stage of the Maya culture.

You will find the following spaces:

• The Quadrangle of the Nuns, where you will frequently encounter masks of Chaac, the god of rain.
• The House of Doves
• Ball Game
• House of Turtles
• The Great Pyramid
• Pyramid of the Old Woman

Researchers have not fully discovered the complete site yet, but they estimate it to have more structures and pyramids.

A 20-minute drive will take you to the archaeological site of Kabah. The perfect complement to your trip to learn more about the Puuc Route. The main structures you will see here are The Arch of Triumph, The Great Pyramid, and the Palace Group.

In the latter, you can find the so-called Codz Poop, known as the "rolled carpet." This facade has many Chaac masks, connecting snakes and linear shapes, all facing a terrace with an altar.

5.- Downtown Mérida

Traveling to Merida will be a trip full of history and culture. Walking around downtown is the way to enjoy and learn about Merida. Here are some places we recommend you to visit:

• Pasaje de la Revolución
• Main Square of Mérida or "Plaza Grande"
• Cathedral of San Ildefonso
• Montejo House Museum
• Santa Lucia Park

Don't miss out the events that take place on the weekends night at Plaza Grande, where people dance and enjoy the night with music and food.

6.- Gastronomy

Gastronomy in Mexico is well-known around the world. When visiting Mexico, it is crucial to immerse yourself in the culture, history, and food. Merida is not the exception!

Yucatan food is delicious and reflects the historical and cultural journey in every dish. Some of the most typical are:

• Panucho and Salbut: Both made from corn, panuchos are filled with beans and fried until they are crispy. Salbutes are also fried but maintain a more tortilla-like consistency. You can fill both with any stew you choose.
• Cochinita Pibil: Pork cooked with achiote, orange juice, habanero, and banana leaves in a buried oven. You can eat it in a sandwich, tacos, panucho, salbut, etc.
• Roast Suckling Pig: Marinated with bitter orange, garlic, and spices, then wrapped and baked in the oven with wood. This last part is what gives it its flavor. It includes crispy pig skin and you can eat it in a sandwich, taco, panucho, salbut, and more.
• Lime Soup: It is a soup made with turkey or chicken broth flavored with a local lime variety and various spices.
• Poc Chuc: Pork marinated in bitter orange, grilled over charcoal. Generally accompanied by black beans.
• Chaya: A leafy green vegetable used in various dishes, often compared to spinach.

To explore Yucatan cuisine, we recommend visiting local markets and restaurants in Mérida and the places you visit. Some of the markets in Mérida that you can visit are:

• Santiago Market: there are different places to eat like Taquería La Lupita or Loncheria Mary. You can also buy fruits, vegetables, local condiments, and habanero sauces from the stalls there.
• Santa Ana Market: located near Santa Ana Park. Some popular options include Taquería "Gil Valdez" and Taqueria y loncheria el Negro Gil.
• Lucas de Galvez Market: This market is part of Yucatan history, culture, and commerce. Here you will find all kinds of handmade products and food. The variety of places you can eat is high, so we recommend you to visit this market and decide for yourself. You will not regret it!

Mérida is a perfect destination for all types of travelers. MÁS Rent a Car is your best option for car rental companies at Mérida's international airport. You will save a lot of time, money and fuel.

To rent a car you will need:

• Official ID (INE or Passport)
• Valid diver's license
• Credit card

Visit the Yucatán Peninsula and discover the wonders of this area full of history, culture, and beautiful places. Rent with MÁS Rent a Car and don't miss out on everything Mexico has to offer. You can check our Blog to learn more about Merida, Mexico, tricks and tips for renting a car for your next to travel.