TRAVEL | A STROLL IN MERIDA
My Latin America love affair started when I was 18, spending 6 months touring South America and ever since, I’ve been obsessed with their vibrant cities populated with rainbow coloured houses, the bustling plazas, each city’s life and soul and their stunning churches. Case in point, Merida where we took a pipstop before attending a wedding in Riviera Maya.
Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, is a beautiful gem and offers the authenticity that much of Cancun and Riviera Maya have lost as they made way for package holidays. In fact, Mérida has the highest indigenous population within any Mexican metropolis which explains how it’s rich culture has been keep intact.
In some jaded mindset, I had decided to book a direct transfer from Cancun airport so after enduring a pretty difficut 8 hour day flight with lively 18 month olds, we then took a 3.5hr car journey to Mérida where we checked into Hacienda Mérida VIP, a boutique hotel in the heart of the city.
The 19th century mansion has been converted into a smart boutique hotel with its 12 rooms surrounding its ‘outside in’ colonnade courtyard, and it’s perfectly sized pool offers a respite from the city’s steamy temperatures.
Yuacantan’s earthy yellow and orange colours dominate the exterior and rather then completely overhaul and modernise, its original features have been restored and the minimalist antique style, combined with the original burgundy floor and warming coral walls are in keeping with its age. It’s a joy to step back in time and enjoy its historical charm.
Breakfasts are simple with a fruit plate, pastries, optional eggs and as expected, excellent coffee but no lunch or dinner. This gorgeous B and B is better suited to couples but cots are on offer, just be prepared to eat out.
With toddlers, we never planned to tick off every attraction but simply wanted to experience the city so we got lost strolling its cobbled pavements, marvelled at its coloured sidewalks, intricate architecture, played football with the girls in the plazas and absorbed it’s slower pace of life as the locals went about their everyday business. However, must-sees are:
Casa de la Cultura Jurídica Mérida: an ornate light blue building which is also often seen in many blogs .
Mérida Cathedral: built in 6th century, this is one of the oldest cathedrals in Latin America.
Casa de los Montejo: the former home of Francisco de Montejo, the Spanish conquistador who founded the city in 1542. It’s now a museum that hosts various art and cultural exhibitions.
Paseo de Montejo: a tree-lined boulevard designed to look like a Parisian avenue with beautiful mansions.
