What to do in Merida, Yucatan

Merida, Yucatan.   Dear Visitor, on behalf of the people of Yucatan, I would like to welcome you to the State of Yucatan. Yucatan proudly receives thousands of visitors every year who are attracted by Yucatan’s culture, natural beauty and its people characteristically warm manner. We would like to thank you for choosing Yucatan for your vacations. You’ll find endless number of attractions, including archeological sites, cenotes, caves, colonial monuments, haciendas, beaches, natural protected areas, and above all, the hospitality of the people and their pride in their roots. We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy everything we can offer and that you take with you warm memories of our traditions, culture and cordiality. We will always be waiting for you with open arms to share the magic experience of discovering and living in Yucatan.   Merida, founded on January 6th, 1542, by Francisco de Montejo el Mozo over the ancient Maya city of T’ho. Its 700,000 inhabitants, beautiful buildings, streets and parks all make it a welcoming city. Plaza Grande in Merida’s heart is surrounded by historic and modern buildings. Teatro Merida, an “art deco” beauty used for major cultural events. Nuevo Olimpo, a gem of modern traditional architecture also for cultural events. City hall, with a façade that complements its surroundings. House of Montejo the most beautiful example of Mexican Plateresque architecture; designed by conquistadors and sculpted by Mayans. Macay: colonial building now housing a contemporary art museum. Cathedral: oldest on the American mainland, its imposing façade fronts a somber nave housing an impressive carved wooden cross, altar and the venerated blistered Christ.   60th Street, heavily visited, with cobblestone – style streets, streetlamps and multicolored facades. Hidalgo park: troubadours and coffee al fresco. State Capitol: traditional architecture with murals by the famous Yucatecan painter Fernando Castro Pacheco. Paseo de Montejo: impresses all with its promenades, sidewalks and sumptuous masions, like Palacio Canton.