Plan Your Best Stay in Mérida, Mexico | As A Vegan

TravelMexico

Oct 31

Note: This article contains affiliate links where I make a super small percentage that helps support this platform. With that, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mérida, is the capital in the Mexican state of Yucatan along the Yucatan Peninsula. It is known as "The White City" because of its many white limestone buildings. It is one of my most favorite cities in Mexico as firstly, it’s a very walkable city and I love to work. Secondly, it has a rich blend of Mayan and Spanish colonial history, which is visible in its colonial architecture and vibrant culture. Thirdly, it has a great art scene. The city hosts cultural and art festivals throughout the year and if you’re into the arts, they are a must to attend!

How to Get to Mérida, Yucatan?

The Mérida International Airport is just 20 minutes from downtown. The best way to get into the city is by car. You can easily get a taxi outside the airport any where from 250 and 350 Mexican Pesos (MXN), which is approximately $15.50 to 20 US dollars.

When is the best time to go to Mérida, Mexico?

For the best weather, going between October and March is typically the best. As the weather tends to be drier with minimal rain and the temperatures are perfect walking outside weather. Alternatively, going during the shoulder months such as November and May are also great for good weather and cheaper flights.

Mérida is also a city of culture and the arts. It hosts many art festivals throughout the year and I highly recommend attending one if you can. I attended La Noche Blanca which happens in October and its a night where main theatres, museums and venues in the city offer a wide variety of activities such as exhibitions, film series, visual installations, and acrobatic shows. And did I mention it’s all FREE? Check out their tourism board for their festivals and plan your trip around one!

Where to stay in Mérida, Mexico for vegans

Mérida Santiago Hotel Boutique: Located in the heart of Mérida's historic center in a 1920s building, this hotel offers a great vegan/vegetarian breakfast.

Hotel Medio Mundo: A boutique hotel that only has 10 guestrooms, inside a beautiful colonial building that is in walking distance to the city center. Their on-site cafe and restaurant that is 100% vegan, serving international cuisine and they even have a small library and a book exchange.

Kuka & Naranjo hotel: A sustainable and cultural boutique hotel located in a historic building in Mérida Centro. The restaurant attached is fully vegetarian and vegan.

Casa Italia Luxury Guest House: This is an adult only oasis that has courtyard pools, is near the city center, and is even LGBTQ+ Friendly. They have a great breakfast that is included and can accommodate vegans and vegetarians.

Is Mérida, Mexico vegan friendly?

Yes, Mérida is very vegan-friendly. with a growing number of dedicated vegan and vegetarian restaurants, many eateries offering vegan options, and traditional Mexican dishes that are often easily made vegan.

Best vegan & vegan friendly restaurants in Mérida, Mexico

El Apapacho: A cozy and eclectic spot in the city center. They serve authentic, home-style Mexican cuisine, including Yucatecan and Oaxacan specialties, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer great vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options as well.

JAJAJANA: A cafe in the Barrio de Santiago neighborhood that has Mexican and international dishes that are all vegan. Here you’ll find great coffee and desserts as well.

Muchas Vidas: Located in the historic center of Mérida, it is all vegan and has great breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes such as chilaquiles, quesadillas, sandwiches and more!

Orgánico Bar de Café & Cocina: A cozy cafe that has a charming garden patio. The menu has focuses on using organic ingredients and has international dishes with vegetarian and vegan options. Here you can also organic coffees from various regions of Mexico and there’s even live music.

La Kombuchería: Connected to Kuka & Naranjo hotel, the restaurant is vegetarian and vegan and has Mexican and international dishes. It emphasizes on fresh, locally- sourced ingredients and fermented products. It’s signature drink is their homemade kombucha and is must! Be sure to order their coconut ceviche too.

Best Things To Do In Mérida

Plaza Grande: Visit the main square, which is surrounded by key buildings like the Mérida Cathedral and the Palacio de Gobierno.

Mayan World Museum of Merida: Visiting this museum for its architecture alone is a must! The striking, award-winning building is designed to resemble the sacred ceiba tree (ya'axché) of Maya cosmology, which is believed to connect the heavens, earth, and underworld. The museum houses a permanent collection of over 1,160 artifacts and the The permanent exhibition is divided into four main sections:

The Mayab Nature and Culture: Explores the relationship of the Maya with their natural habitat and the development of agriculture.
Ancestral Maya: Provides a chronological overview of the ancient Maya civilization, its advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and architecture, and artifacts from cities like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and Ek' Balam.
Mayas of Yesterday: Focuses on the cultural transformations following the Spanish conquest and the resilience of the Maya people.
Mayas of Today: Celebrates the enduring legacy and vibrant contemporary culture of the millions of Maya descendants living in the region today, highlighting modern art, textiles, and traditions.

Palacio de Gobierno: Also known as the House of Montejo or Palace of the Governors, is a late 19th-century building located in the Plaza Grande. Admission is free for visitors, who can enjoy murals and paintings about the region's history.

Go on a walking tour: I love going on a walking tour in the cities I visit as it’s a great way to learn about the history and maybe even see something you might’ve missed. With the city having a rich amount of history

Best Day Trips From Mérida, Mexico

Explore the archaeological site of Uxmal! A UNESCO World Heritage site that once flourished between 700 and 1000 AD. It is a major ancient Mayan city renowned for its Late Classic Puuc-style architecture and decorative art. It is 80 kilometers (50 miles) outside of Merida, which will take 1 to 1.5 hours driving. Expect to spend 2-4 hours exploring the archeaoligical site.

Swim in a cenote! Cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. These reserves are important geohydrological and are cultural sites.

Do you need a guide to swim in a cenote?

That depends. If you’re going to swim in any underground or cave cenotes, these often require a guided tour for safety reasons, especially for swimming and snorkeling, as they have strict safety guidelines for exploring enclosed spaces. Also, a guide is necessary if you want to go to more remote cenotes. Though many cenotes are open to the public and can be explored without a guide.

Are cenotes free?

Almost all cenotes are privately owned and have an entrance fee, which can range from approximately $7.70 to $18 USD per person.

One of the closest cenotes to Merida is Xlacah Cenote. About a half hour drive outside of the city.

You can also go to Cuzamá, about an hour from Mérida where you’ll find the Cuzamá cenotes. Which are a cluster of three cenotes you can swim in.

Go to Río Lagartos! The name translates to "Alligator River" or "Crocodile River". It is an ecotourism destination located on the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, primarily known for being part of the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. This protected natural area is famous for its rich biodiversity, landscapes of mangroves and salt marshes, and especially for the sighting of the American pink flamingo!

See Rio Lagartos tours and excursions.

Is Mérida Considered Safe for solo travel? Especially as a woman

Mérida cited as one of the safest cities in Mexico and even North America. While petty crime is possible, it is pretty rare. I felt very safe here walking in the city throughout the day. If you are new to traveling solo, this would be a great first location to travel to!

Best eSIM when traveling to Merida - Holafly

Known as the best rated eSIM for Mexico City. You get 4G/5G of unlimited data!

Why I love Holafly:

You get unlimited data as well as fast and reliable internet. As a creator and as someone who constantly is on their phone, what I also love is the fact that you:

Get clear video calls with no delays.
Are able to share content with ease
Create video content and get super fast uploading.
Use maps easily so you can get to your destination without the hassle

Holafly is super easy to setup!

Just choose the number of days you need an eSIM and the country you’re traveling to and pay a flat rate for each day. You can turn in via their app or via their QR code that is sent to your email. You can turn on your eSIM once you’ve arrived in Mexico City! Just make sure that your mobile device is compatible before setting it up.

Try Holafly!

Mérida, Mexico Vegan Ventures Group Tour

In partnership with Finisterra Travel

Want to explore Mérida, Mexico with other like-minded vegan foodie travelers? Come join us on an upcoming Vegan Ventures group tour to Mérida, located in the state of Yucatan!

Learn more!

We’re also traveling to Mexico City! Join our upcoming Vegan Ventures group tour and let us guide you through this city while we go on an incredible culinary and cultural journey!