Merida

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Merida (General)

More Photos
PushiRubiano
PushiRubiano
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
9
Reviews
28
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 9
Editor Pick

A Pastel City in Mexico

  • October 5, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
A Pastel City in Mexico

Driving our rental car from Chichen Itza into the bustling city of Merida, one thing struck us immediately...this city was beautiful. And very colorful. I wanted to grab my camera right away and start capturing the beautiful pastel color combinations.

After settling down in the hotel we were staying, Luz en Yucatan, we put on our walking shoes and headed out to meander in the city center. Small enough to easily find your way around, but large enough to have plenty to do - Merida was a lovely stop during our Mexican vacation, and I'm glad we got to explore for a little bit there.

In the center of town are a few lovely squares, the main one being flanked by restaurants, cafes and shops on 3 sides and the large cathedral on the 4th. The cathedral is worth a quick look, as is the side chapel which houses regular prayer services. Avoid the main tourist sidewalk cafes and shops directly on the square, as the prices are inflated, but you don't have to walk too far down a side street to find better, more authentic options.

On Sundays, there is an outdoor market/fair called Mérida en Domingo in the main plaza. Eat, people-watch, and shop... and remember that hammocks are this region's specialty, so if you want to bring a hammock back from Mexico, be sure to shop for one here. Look for a good, tight weave, and material made from agave (not cotton)...as agave won't shrink and some say helps in repelling moquitos.

A unique thing to notice in this town, are small plaques on the street corners. Normally placed on the side of the corner building, these small signs display images and funny old Spanish descriptive names for the streets (as the official street names are all numbered). These names were passed down from many generations past and have significance with someone/something or an event that happened on that street.

Overall, Merida is a lovely stop for a day or two, as there are many things to wander around and explore, although not too busy, it's a great place to slow down a little and just see what you come across.

From journal Inland Yucatan :: Chichen Itza & Merida

Shopping: Mermeladas Catalina

  • September 16, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by PushiRubiano from Eagle, Aruba
You might want to consider bringing home an unexpected and sweet souvenir: jams/marmelades from Mermeladas Catalina. This place seems to be striving to get yet another world record to Merida: the place that sells the most flavors of jams! They have about 160 at the moment, all made organically and by traditional recipe. If in doubt if you'll like a flavor, they offer jam-tastings! They sell all kinds of attractive (hand painted) gift boxes with a selection of jams or you can just choose your flavor separately.

The main store is at km 19 on the Carretera Transandina (Transandean Highway) on the way to the town of Mucuchies opposite 'Los Aleros' but their products (though not such a wide selection) are available at the 'Mercado Principal' market and at the Zoo Cafe in front of the "Chorros de Milla" Zoo in Merida.

From journal Merida Preciosa

Laguna Mucubaji

  • September 16, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by PushiRubiano from Eagle, Aruba
Laguna Mucubaji

Laguna (Lake) Mucubaji (about 3.500m altitude), in the Sierra Nevada National Park near the town of Apartaderos, is the largest of the lakes of the national park. It is thought that this area was covered with glaciers some 100's years ago that have retreated but the lake is still fed by melt water from the glaciers in the distance. This is a prime bird-watching spot (we saw lots but I'm no birder, I only recognized a cormorant). Fishing is not allowed in the lake itself but the streams feeding it contain lots of trout and are popular for fishing. There is a cafeteria and restrooms. The park charges a small entrance fee for access to the lake.

From journal Merida Preciosa

The Condor Re-introduction Program

  • September 16, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by PushiRubiano from Eagle, Aruba
The Condor Re-introduction Program

Part of your trip to the 'paramos' will most probably be a visit to the condor re-introduction program close to the Paso el Aguila, a cooperation of the BioAndina program and the Cleveland Zoo. Condors, the largest flying birds in the world with a wingspan of up to 3,5 m, live to about 60 years and mate for life. Currently there are three condors at the station: a couple, Combatiente and Anicsi, and a third condor, tagged for release. Combatiente was raised in a zoo in Argentina and Anicsi is a wild condor who lost a wing in an accident. Because of this, none of the two can be released into the wild anymore. It was hoped that their chicks would form a new generation of condors in Venezuela but sadly enough, this program has failed, mainly because of the superstition of farmers who think the condors kill their livestock (condors are carrion eaters so this is absolutely not true). This is a big difference with countries such as Peru and Ecuador where there is a large Indigenous population who consider the condor a messenger from the gods.


For more information, check the website: www.tierramerica.net/english/2005/1217/iarticulo.shtml

From journal Merida Preciosa

Surrounding towns: (San Rafael del) Mucuchíes

  • September 16, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by PushiRubiano from Eagle, Aruba
Surrounding towns: (San Rafael del) Mucuchíes

The next interesting town(s) you'll pass through are Mucuchíes and the smaller village of San Rafael del Mucuchíes.

Mucuchíes is best known for two things: the breed of dog of the same name (considered the national dog of Venezuela) and, just outside of town, the little stone chapel made by a local artisan, Juan Felix Sanchez.

There is a touching story regarding the Mucuchíes breed of dog. This is a fierce breed, a mix of the Great Pyrenees and local dogs. When Simon Bolivar passed through the area on his campaign against the Spanish, a local farmer presented him with a dog and an Indian boy (!) as tokens of appreciation. It is said that both dog and boy accompanied Bolivar in all his battles and were ultimately killed at his side. The dog, called Nevado (Snowy), is seen in a famous painting of Bolivar.

The Sanchez stone chapel, just outside of town, was entirely made by hand using indigenous techniques and without cement. A wonder it's still standing! Sanchez was, as per his wish, buried inside the chapel.

From journal Merida Preciosa

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 9

Compare Merida Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Merida Travel Deals