1 Day in Mérida: The Perfect itinerary (1st Time Visit)

One Day in Mérida, Mexico: Best Things To do + Where to Stay

Are you planning a day trip to Mérida and wondering what to see? You’re in the right place!

I’ve put together a 1-day itinerary that will help you discover the best of Mérida, from must-see attractions to hidden gems.

This plan will guide you through the main highlights in the city center, take you to the bustling Lucas de Gálvez market, then to the fascinating Museo del Mundo Maya, and finally let you enjoy traditional Yucatecan music as night falls.

Of course, I’ll also share my top tips to make the most of your day, including recommendations for places to eat and the best hotels to stay.

So, what are the best places to visit in Mérida in 1 day?

Let’s dive in!

The best itinerary for one day in Mérida

Morning: Discover the Heart of Mérida

A. Walking Tour of Mérida’s Plaza Grande

Plaza Grande, the main square of the city, is filled with free attractions, making it the perfect first stop for your one-day visit in Mérida.

As the second largest square in Mexico after Mexico City’s, it’s the beating heart of Mérida, surrounded by the city’s most important buildings.

It’s a lively meeting point where locals gather to enjoy the benches and lovely gardens.

Begin your visit at Casa de Montejo, a 16th-century house built for the family of Francisco de Montejo, the city’s founder.

In 1981, the National Bank of Mexico acquired the house, restored it, and further transformed it into a museum.

Today, the Casa Montejo Museum includes four rooms showcasing the lifestyle of wealthy Yucatecan families in the 19th and 20th centuries: an office-library, a living room, a bedroom, and a dining room.

Next, head over to the Mérida Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of San Ildefonso.

This is one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas, dating back to the late 16th century, and it was built on the site of a Mayan temple. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find the “Christ of Unity,” a sculpture considered to be the largest indoor representation of the crucified Jesus Christ in the world.

Besides the cathedral stands the Pasaje de La Revolución, an open-air sculptural forum featuring works by renowned Mexican and international artists.

Adjacent to this is the MACAY Museum, housed in a large and beautifully restored building.

As the only museum of modern and contemporary art in the Yucatán Peninsula, it offers a great place to experience the vibrant art scene of Mérida and see some thought-provoking artworks.

Additionally, enjoy its lovely inner courtyard, full of plants—it’s my favorite free spot in Mérida to relax in the shade!

After exploring the MACAY Museum, head to the Palacio de Gobierno, an administrative office that also offers free access to art and history.

On the second floor, you’ll find a series of 27 murals by the painter Fernando Castro Pacheco, depicting the history of Yucatán. The highlight here is the beautiful view of Plaza Grande from the balcony, which is the best spot to take photos of the square!

B. Lucas de Galvez Market

To wrap up your morning and head into lunch, the best place to go is the market!

There are 5 emblematic markets you can visit in the center of Mérida: Mercado San Benito, Mercado de Santa Ana, Mercado de Santiago, Mercado de Chem Bech, and finally, the one I suggest for a first visit, Mercado Lucas de Galvez.

At Lucas de Galvez Market, you’ll find a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, hardware, flowers, and most importantly, many food stands! It’s a deeply traditional spot in Mérida, first established in 1887, where you can savor authentic Yucatecan dishes.

My personal recommendations are to taste the delicious cochinita pibil tacos from Doña Rosi at El Popular Turix and the relleno negro from Doña Paty, two local classics. And don’t miss the lechón al horno from Taquería La Tía—you might just feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven! 🤤

Afternoon: Explore Mérida’s Rich History and Culture

C. Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

After your morning adventures, head to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya in the afternoon: it’s a must-visit to understand the history and culture of the Maya civilization!

Plan to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring its 1,200 archaeological pieces, which include textiles, documents, engravings, sculptures, and ceramics, all presented through four thematic sections: The Maya—Nature and Culture, The Maya of Today, The Maya of Yesterday, and The Ancient Maya.

There are also short films and animations, making the visit more interactive and giving you enjoyable breaks—I was so glad to have those!

Evening: Enjoy Mérida’s Vibrant Nightlife

D. Evening Culture and Ambiance in Mérida

In the evening, return to downtown Mérida to enjoy the lively atmosphere at Parque Santa Lucía, a popular spot for both locals and visitors to relax and socialize.

You’ll find a variety of restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, perfect for a meal or a drink while soaking up the ambiance.

If it’s Thursday, don’t miss the Serenata Yucateca at 9 pm, where you can enjoy musicians performing traditional Yucatecan music. It’s a beautiful cultural experience that you shouldn’t miss.

There are also other exciting possibilities:

If it’s Monday, don’t miss the Noche de Vaquería at 9 pm on the Plaza de Armas, in front of the Palacio Municipal. It’s a great opportunity to see regional dances like the Jarana Yucateca, and everyone joins in!

If it’s Saturday, head to La Noche Mexicana at 8 pm at the end of Paseo de Montejo (corner Calle 47 and 56 A). This event features live music, colorful costumes, and dances that celebrate the diversity of Mexico.

The best part—all these events are free!

Best Places to Stay for a 1-Day Trip to Mérida

• Che Nomadas: Mérida’s best hostel, for adults only, very well located in the city center. Friendly atmosphere, swimming pool surrounded by plants and hammocks, many activities (yoga, cooking, outings, etc.). Starting at just 8$usd for a bed in a dormitory or 44$usd for a private room!

• El Gran Hotel: ideally located in the very center of Merida, right next to the cathedral. It is a very charming hotel, where time seems to have stopped with its colonial look and beautiful woodwork. There’s a restaurant, the rooms are spacious and the wifi works well. Good value for money, starting at only 45$usd per night!

• Hotel Hacienda Merida VIP: this small, luxurious hotel is the ideal place to spend a few romantic days in Merida. Located in the historic center, it is an elegant hacienda-style building, illuminated by candlelight at nightfall. Here you will find a charming swimming pool, comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a bar. Starting at 165 $usd per night

• Hotel Boutique Mérida Santiago: this is a small, comfortable hotel with a colorful hacienda look, modern and with a traditional Mexican touch. There’s a swimming pool with sun loungers and umbrellas. With excellent homemade breakfasts and spacious rooms, it is the ideal hotel if you are looking for comfort without falling into luxury. Starting at  180 $usd per night

1 Day in Mérida: Your Easy Orientation Tourist Map

Here are the must-see attractions for a day in Mérida, Mexico

Is Spending Just 1 Day in Mérida Enough?

You might be wondering if spending just one day in Mérida is enough, and the short answer is yes.

Of course, a single day is not enough to see everything the capital of Yucatán has to offer, but it’s definitely enough to get a good taste of its rich culture, history, and atmosphere.

By following this itinerary, you’ll hit all the must-see attractions in Mérida for a one-day visit and make the most of your time, ensuring a day well spent.

If you have more time, I highly recommend spending a few more days to explore the city and surrounding areas.

There’s so much more to see in Mérida, including the Palacio Canton, which houses the Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatán, the City Museum and the Museum of Popular Art. 

Stroll along the colorful Calle 64, take a leisurely walk on the Paseo de Montejo, inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris, and relax at Parque de Santiago and Parque de Santa Ana.

If you want to fully immerse yourself in Mérida’s culinary scene, you should definitely try this guided market tour with a authentic Yucatecan cooking class: Book the food tour here!

Of course, Mérida is also renowned for its amazing attractions in the surrounding areas.

You can book the best day trips from Mérida by clicking on the name of each destination below:

• Uxmal Archaeological Site: Explore Uxmal and Kabah, visit the “Choco-Story” chocolate museum, and have lunch.
• Celestun: Take a boat tour to see flamingos in the Celestun Biosphere Reserve and relax on the beach.
• Hacienda Sotuta de Peon: Access the hacienda and its cenote, and discover the henequen production process.
• Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos: Discover the pink salt pools of Las Coloradas, enjoy free time at Cancunito Beach, and take a boat tour in the Río Lagartos Reserve to see flamingos.
• Cuzama Cenotes: Spend free time at the Cascabel, Chaksikin, and Pool Cocom cenotes, with lunch included.

How to get to Mérida for a one day visit

• By bus: several departures from Cancun (4h30), Playa del Carmen (4h), Tulum (3h) and Campeche (2h30). For bus fares and schedules to Mérida, visit the ADO website
• By plane: there are many national and international direct flights (Dallas/Fort-Worth, Miami, Houston, Toronto) to Manuel Crescencio Rejón Airport, just 15 minutes from downtown Mérida.
• By car: Mérida is easily accessible from major cities in the Yucatán Peninsula (Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, Cancún, Campeche, Tulum) via Highway 180.

Find the Best Flight Deal to Merida Mexico

Mérida Airport handles many national and international flights.

However, it’s worth comparing prices with Cancún Airport, which is much larger, keeping in mind that if you arrive in Cancún, you’ll need to take an ADO bus to Mérida (4h30)

To find a cheap flight to Mérida or Cancún, use our flight comparator in partnership with Skyscanner. It guarantees the lowest prices!

Rent a car in Yucatan

The easiest way to visit Mérida is to rent a car, as buses are limited and there is a lot to see in the area.

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Yucatan and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

You’re traveling in Mexico? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Mexico: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.

• The 35 Best Things to Do in Mexico
• Yucatan Peninsula: Top 20 things to Do and See

• Mérida: 20 Best Things to Do and Must-See Attractions
• Where to stay in Mérida? (For an EPIC First Time Visit)
• 2 Days in Merida – An Epic Itinerary
• Uxmal (Mérida): the Definitive Guide + tips

• Celestun: How to see pink flamingos?
• Chichén Itzá: the definitive guide + My tips
• El Cuyo: The Ultimate Guide to Mexico’s Hidden Paradise
• Izamal: 11 Best Things to Do in Yucatan’s Yellow City
• Valladolid: the 25 Best Places to Visit!

• Itinerary: 8-10 days in Mexico – From Mexico City to Oaxaca
• Itinerary: 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City, Chiapas and Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Mexico – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Riviera Maya
• Itinerary: 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
• Road trip in Mexico: The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month

• Itinerary: 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
• Itinerary: 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
• Itinerary: 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
• Road trip in Yucatan: The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month

You’re using Pinterest? Here is the picture to pin!