Mérida Centro

Mérida

Merida Cathedral which includes night scenes and heritage architecture
Mérida Centro
Anthropology and History Museum featuring heritage elements
Mérida Centro
Montejo House which includes a garden

The core of the White City is a fusion of Mayan ruins, Spanish colonial churches and intriguing galleries and museums.

With its wealth of religious structures and visitor attractions, Mérida’s Centro is one of the largest historic districts in Latin America. It has a high indigenous population and a strong Mayan influence that can be seen in its buildings and museums. Visit Mérida’s Centro to learn about the harmony of Mayan and Spanish customs in a fascinating Old Town quarter.

At the heart of the neighborhood stands the impressive Main Square or Plaza Grande, which is shaded by laurel trees. Wander along its paths and enjoy a picnic on the grass.

Admire the impressive buildings overlooking the plaza, including the Catedral de San Ildefonso, whose walls contain stones from a former Mayan temple. Enter the impressive building and study the Christ of the Unity wooden sculpture symbolizing the union of Mayan and Spanish cultures.

Near the cathedral stands the Palacio de Gobierno dating back to 1892. Enter for the murals by artist Fernando Castro Pacheco and see its majestic façade brightly lit at night.

Along the southern side of the plaza is the Museo Casa Montejo, whose restored 16th-century building hosts all types of art exhibitions and events. Weave through the Museo de la Ciudad, with an elegant pink façade, to study its pre-Hispanic Mayan artifacts.

Find many other museums in the historic center, such as the Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatán and the Museo Fernando García Ponce-Macay.

For a change, bring your kids west to the Parque Zoológico del Centenario. The little ones will delight at the sight of giraffes, reptiles and primates. Nearby stands the Casa Frederick Catherwood, containing the artist’s 19th-century lithographs of Mayan ruins.

The area is a little west of the geographical center of Mérida. From Aeropuerto Internacional de Mérida-Manuel Crescencio Rejón, drive northeast for 4 miles (7 kilometers). Travel through the city to see other districts such as Pacabtún, Las Palmas and the Zona Paseo Montejo.

The Centro zone merges Mayan and Spanish traditions, with historic symbols and architecture.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Mérida Centro

Gamma Mérida El Castellano
Gamma Mérida El Castellano
3.5 out of 5
Calle 57 NO. 513 62 x 64, Col. Centro, Mérida, YUC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$100 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
S$100
15 Jul - 16 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
"The room was spacious and very clean. Comfortable beds and safe location."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Gamma Mérida El Castellano
Courtyard by Marriott Merida Downtown
Courtyard by Marriott Merida Downtown
4 out of 5
Av. Colon 504, Mérida, YUC
The price is S$147 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
S$147
19 Jul - 20 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (542 reviews)
"The Courtyard by Marriott Merida Downtown is now one of my favorite places to stay. The staff was very friendly and helpful, the room was nice, and the breakfast buffet was delicious. I'll be staying there again in the near future. Thank you for making my stay really good."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Merida Downtown
Holiday Inn Merida by IHG
Holiday Inn Merida by IHG
3.5 out of 5
Av. Colon : 498 Entre Paseo, Montejo Y Calle 60, Mérida, YUC
The price is S$128 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
S$128
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (849 reviews)
"It was a very nice experience to stay at this hotel, very clean, easy check.Because it’s near Paseo Montejo it was totally to get around restaurants, museums, etc"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Holiday Inn Merida by IHG
Hotel MID Project
Hotel MID Project
2.5 out of 5
Avenida Itzaez #565, Centro Mérida, Mérida, YUC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$82 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
S$82
15 Jul - 16 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (718 reviews)
"El tamaño de habitación es muy cómodo pero solo entro el ruido de pasillo."

Reviewed on 9 Jul, 2025

Hotel MID Project
Fiesta Americana - Merida
Fiesta Americana - Merida
4 out of 5
Paseo Montejo No. 451, Esq. Av. Colon Col. Centro, Mérida, YUC
The price is S$204 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$204
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,073 reviews)
"Too noisy rooms. There was construction near and the hammer was too loud. When I entered in my room I founded a beatle on the floor"

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 2025

Fiesta Americana - Merida
Holiday Inn Express Merida Centro by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Merida Centro by IHG
3 out of 5
Calle 60 No. 491, Mérida, YUC
The price is S$122 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
S$122
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"The hotel was clean and all the staff were very attentive. The hotel is also in close proximity to restaurants and shops."

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Merida Centro by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Mérida Centro

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Santa Lucia

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Santa Lucia and surrounding area, you can visit Mérida Cathedral and Plaza Grande.

Santa Lucia
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San Juan

Though San Juan may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like US Visa Applicant Service Center and Plaza Grande.

San Juan
Casa Frederick Catherwood showing interior views and art

Barrio de Santiago

While visiting Barrio de Santiago, you might make a stop by sights like Casa Frederick Catherwood and Merida English Library.

Barrio de Santiago
Anthropology and History Museum showing heritage architecture

Zona Paseo Montejo

While visiting Zona Paseo Montejo, you might make a stop by sights like Paseo 60 and Paseo de Montejo.

Zona Paseo Montejo
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García Ginerés

When in García Ginerés, you can plan a visit to Paseo 60 and Casa Montes Molina Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

García Ginerés
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Itzimná

Itzimná might not have many top sights, but Paseo 60 and Monument to the Fatherland are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Itzimná

Mérida Centro