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Mérida
Outdoor activities

Outdoor activities

Our most recommended Mérida Outdoor activities

From Mérida: Chichén Itzá, Izamal, Valladolid, & Cenote Trip

1. From Mérida: Chichén Itzá, Izamal, Valladolid, & Cenote Trip

Spend a day full of culture, history, and cuisine on a multi-stop guided tour from Mérida to Izamal, Valladolid, Cenote Chichikan, and Chichén Itzá, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Discover traditional cooking during a live demonstration. Enjoy breakfast, a buffet lunch, and entry tickets. After meeting your guide in Mérida, head to the archeological site of Chichén Itzá. Walk through the center of this thousand-year-old place and see highlights like the Temple of the Warriors. For breakfast, enjoy a packed meal. Later, transport your senses to the root of regional cuisine, one of the greatest legacies of the Mayan culture, during a demonstration of the region’s unique gastronomy. Learn about tradition and innovation in the use of plants, vegetables, and wild fauna. Enjoy a buffet lunch of local products, then let yourself be enchanted by the story and cultural richness of two magical towns of Yucatan during the next stops. Explore Valladolid, known for its natural beauty, cobbled streets, coffee shops, restaurants, and delicious food. Stop at the main plaza for some free time to wander before moving on to Izamal. Learn why the town's houses are all painted yellow and fall in love with its colonial architecture, dating back to the 16th century. Spend time at the main landmark: the Convento de San Antonio de Padua. In between the Valladolid and Izamal stops, seize the chance to take a dip in the cool waters of Chichikan Cenote. 

Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Half-Day Tour

2. Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Half-Day Tour

Set off on an excursion to Tulum, a picturesque, must-see Maya archeological site located next to the turquoise sea. Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off in the Riviera Maya and visit two breathtaking cenotes. Be picked up from your hotel and make your way to the Tulum archaeological zone on the picturesque Caribbean coast. Embark on a comprehensive guided walk. Have some free time to explore the ancient solar observatory in the Temple of the Frescoes and the seaside Temple of the God of Wind. Snap once-in-a-lifetime photos of the Pyramid El Castillo and pristine white-sand beaches. Stop at the cenote Mariposa and immerse yourself in the cave's crystal-clear waters. Look up to admire the lush jungle canopy as you swim, and try to spot the wildlife that lives among the branches. Make a stop at the Chen-Ha cenote before returning to your accommodation.

Mérida: Panoramic Sightseeing Tour Bus Ticket with 2 Routes

3. Mérida: Panoramic Sightseeing Tour Bus Ticket with 2 Routes

Discover Méridaand in a flexible and relaxing way with this sightseeing bus ticket. Enjoy 2 routes taking you to the city's main avenues, its Cathedral, the historic center, its beautiful parks, and much more, with the ability to join and leave the bus as you wish. Board one of the distinctive red double-decker buses to uncover the city's Mayan and Colonial heritage. Absorb the atmosphere of a place where colonial residences and beautiful architecture rub up against the vibes and movement of a modern city. Hit the top deck and take in the great views throughout your journey. Learn about the city's ancient past, its traditions, and the ongoing Mayan influence on the present from your audio guide as you go. Board the North Circuit to see sights like the Cathedral, Peon Contreras Theater, Santa Ana Park, G. Canton Palace, Flag Monument, Itzimna Church, Las Americas Park, and Plaza Paseo 60. Alternatively, hop on board the Barrios Circuit to see the Cathedral, the San Juan neighborhood, Ermita, San Sebastian, the Merida Zoo, the Santiago neighborhood, Paseo Montejo Avenue, and the Flag Monument.

From Mérida: Chichén Itzá and Cenote Tour with Buffet Lunch

4. From Mérida: Chichén Itzá and Cenote Tour with Buffet Lunch

Experience the mysticism of the historic city of Chichen Itzá with a visit to its archaeological site, named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Take a detour during your trip to Yucatán and join an excursion from Mérida to learn about history, swim in a sacred cenote, and taste authentic food. Head directly to Chichén Itzá on a bus ride from Mérida. Make the most of your travel time by hearing about the Mayan civilization and its history from your expert guide. Reach Chichén Itzá while it's still early before the crowds arrive and the heat sets in. Admire the perfection of El Castillo, recognized as the masterpiece of the complex. Visit the old field where the pre-Hispanic ball game was played, the Mayan astronomical observatory known as El Caracol, and the Temple of the Warriors. Take some time to explore at your own pace. Up next, taste a delicious Mexican buffet lunch with vegetarian options and recharge energies before heading to your next stop. Discover a beautiful cenote, a natural freshwater pool, where you can swim in its cool waters, sacred to the Mayans. Hop back on the bus and return safely to Mérida.

Mérida: Uxmal and Chocolate Museum Choco-Story

5. Mérida: Uxmal and Chocolate Museum Choco-Story

Enhance your Merida visit by embarking on a guided cultural tour. Our expert cultural guide will lead us as we commence our journey along the Puuc Route, starting in the ancient city of Uxmal. Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as one of the most pivotal cities in the Mayan world, sharing its significance with Chichén Itzá. Our adventure continues as we explore The Yucatan Choco Story Museum which is a delightful and educational destination for chocolate enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located in the heart of Yucatan, Mexico, this interactive museum offers a captivating journey through the rich history of cocoa. Visitors can trace the fascinating origins of cocoa, exploring its ancient roots and global significance. The museum brings to life the story of cocoa's cultivation, distribution, and its various uses throughout history, shedding light on its role in shaping cultures and traditions around the world. One of the most captivating aspects of the Yucatan Choco Story Museum is its focus on the Mayan civilization's ancient methods of cocoa preparation. Guests can immerse themselves in the millennia-old Mayan techniques, gaining a deeper appreciation for the cultural importance of cocoa in this region. Whether you're a chocolate lover or a history enthusiast, a visit to the Yucatan Choco Story Museum promises an enriching experience that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the delicious and culturally significant world of cocoa.

Mérida: 3-Hour Walking Food Tour

6. Mérida: 3-Hour Walking Food Tour

Start the tour by meeting on Plaza Grande, the heart of the city of Mérida. Enjoy a small-group tour of no more than ten people with an expert local guide. Discover the traditional cuisine of the city away from the main tourism hotspots. Start by enjoying some traditional refreshing drinks with your first dish of the day, gorditas. Then, try some grilled poc chuc, a dish of grilled meats prepared in citrus marinade. Next, visit one of the main food markets in town. Taste salbutes, tamales and also try some local fruit. Finish the tour by trying some tacos al pastor and carnitas.

From Mérida: Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour

7. From Mérida: Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour

Start the tour with a pickup from your hotel in Mérida and travel to the amazing Ria Celestún Biosphere Reserve to discover a jewel of the Yucatán Peninsula declared a wildlife refuge forty-four years ago. Celestún, a natural paradise in the Gulf of Mexico, is a biosphere reserve located in a coastal corridor of wetlands with mangroves, dunes, pentanes, lowland jungle, and grasslands that protect the natural evolutionary processes that are the heartbeat of the Gulf of Mexico. Explore the biosphere on a boat ride through the beautiful estuary for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Visit the feeding area of several birds such as flamingos. Explore the primary site for pink flamingos wintering in the northern hemisphere and get up close to the magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Look for some of the other 300 species of native and migratory birds, along with reptiles, mammals, and different plants. Enter the mangrove trails to discover the special balance of this ecosystem. Afterward, have lunch at a local restaurant (cost not included) with free time to enjoy the beach before returning to Merida.

Mérida Cooking Class, taste of Yucatan

8. Mérida Cooking Class, taste of Yucatan

You start your activity by having a walk through Merida’s Downtown. Your guide will give a quick briefing on the most important buildings overlooking the Main Square, and then walk with you to one of the main markets of Merida, Lucas de Galvez. Your guide will talk in depth about the regional fruits and vegetables, as well as the recados, the achiote, the peppers in general and especially the chile habanero and xcatic. All of this while shopping for everything you need for your traditional family lunch. Once you have everything, take a public bus with your guide to the local hostess’s home for the cooking class. Yucatecan cuisine has one of the most varied arrays of delicious dishes amongst the 32 states of Mexico. Some of them are unique to the Yucatan and very hard to find outside of the peninsula, while others are eaten throughout the country. The influence of ancient Mayans, Spaniards, French and Lebanese are specially noted in the cuisine. While you cook, chop, fry, and get the dishes ready, your hostess and guide will explain some of the local traditions, the influence of other cultures in Yucatan and the differences between the Yucatecos and the people from other parts of Mexico. You will also learn some Spanish and Mayan words while tasting the delicious dishes prepared by yourself! You will enjoy a three course meal, including appetizers, main course and dessert. Beer and soft drinks like hibiscus flower tea, or chaya water are included. Please advise in advance if you are vegan or vegetarian, because there are many dishes you will enjoy! Your experience with Yucatecan cuisine comes to an end after a long chat with your host, and its time to say good bye to your new friends. Your guide will take you in a cab back to Downtown. 

From Riviera Maya: Cenotes & Akumal Turtle Swim Trip

9. From Riviera Maya: Cenotes & Akumal Turtle Swim Trip

Explore the striking natural wonders of Tulum and Akumal from Riviera Maya on a tour that takes you swimming in cenotes and with sea turtles. Begin your journey with a visit to Cenote Mariposa, an open cenote that beckons you to its crystalline waters glistening under the sun. Here, bask in the untouched beauty of this geological marvel and marvel at the intricate rock formations and vibrant aquatic life that call it home. Continue your exploration to the enchanting Chen Ha cenote. This semi-cavern cenote promises an otherworldly experience, where shafts of sunlight pierce through the openings above, casting an ethereal glow upon the water below. Immerse yourself in the cool embrace of the cenote's emerald waters, surrounded by captivating stalactites and stalagmites that bear witness to the passage of time. But the true highlight of this adventure awaits you in Akumal's azure waters – a magical encounter with gentle sea turtles. Slip into the turquoise ocean, guided by experienced instructors, and find yourself swimming alongside these graceful creatures in their natural habitat. Head back to Riviera Maya, having experienced nature at its best in Mexico.

From Merida to Cancun: Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote

10. From Merida to Cancun: Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote

You will start the day tour from a convenient pickup from your hotel in Merida to journey to one of the most important Mayan monuments. The first stop will be at Chichén Itzá, where you will see the pyramid of Kukulcan (El Castillo), known for the play of light from the equinox that casts shadows on each step to create an image of a serpent descending, here, you will be accompanied by an expert certified bilingual guide, who will explain the historical significance of all the most important temples of this ancient city before leaving you to enjoy Chichen Itza at your own. After your walking tour, we set off at an ancient cenote, one of the sinkholes that form part of a network of underground rivers sacred to the Maya people; there same, you will enjoy a delicious Yucatecan buffet meal, then take a stroll around the colonial city of Valladolid to complete your experience; Valladolid is one of the most beautiful colonial cities of Yucatan and is known for the majesty of its temples and the ancestry of its old neighbourhoods; today, it is a peaceful city where you can admire beautiful old houses. Then we will proceed to drop you off at Cancun or Playa del Carmen city so that you can relax and enjoy the rest of your vacation.

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What people are saying about Mérida

Hermoso Lugar

One of the best guided tour experiences ever! The tour was very good organized: we got breakfast and water, the group was not big, the bus was comfortable, with air condition, our driver, Pablo, was good and professional. Our guide Hector made our day really perfect: he is very knowledgeable, polite and professional, we learned a lot about Mayan culture, colonial culture, Mexican traditions and food, he answered all of our questions and gave a lot of recommendations. All locations we’ve visited were amazing! We arrived to Chichén Itzá at the right time in the morning and it was not crowded, the lunch was delicious, cenot was beautiful and not very touristic, with a very nice chill zone. Highly recommend!

This trip to Celestun was amazing. The driver was prompt at our hotel, courteous and friendly. The other attendees were nice, too. The flamingo/boat ride was so fun and interesting. Never thought I'd see flamingos in real life. What an experience. We finished the day with the beach side relaxing. The food from the restaurant was fine- maybe lacking for me since I'm vegetarian but there was an option or two. The weather and water was beautiful. And the ride back was quick. Thank you!

I spent a very good day! Hector is an excellent guide, you can see since the beginning that he is very prepared and that he puts a lot of energies in his job. I really enjoyed the typical buffet lunch with cochinita pibil. The only thing: there a nicer cenote in the area, the one we saw was not really nice, pity. Please be aware that you will have to pay 30 US dollars more in order to enter in Chichen Itza. I would recommend this experience!

Chichen is closed at the moment and they offered us the tour to Ek Balam, it is an Archaeological zone where one can climb the buildings, very beautiful, the cenote is beautiful and the buffet is very complete and rich, the visits to the cities are short, but very informative, our Guide Carlos is highly recommended

Great tour. Carlos - the guide - made sure we understand. Good English from him and driver.