Mérida Local Attractions:

Plaza Principal From the Main Plaza (also called Plaza Principal) you can see The Cathedral, on the east side of the Plaza, Palacio Municipal which is Merida's town hall built in 1735, Casa de Montejo, former home of the conquerer of Yucatan and Palacio de Gobierno. Horse and buggy rides can be picked up from the Plaza which will take you sightseeing or back to your hotel.

Casa Montejo
Casa Montejo is an excellent sample of Spanish Colonial architecture. Construction on this grandees home of the founding fathers of Merida started in 1549.

Cathedral
This magnificent cathedral is known for the murals depicting the meeting between Montejo and the Mayan King Tutl Xiu. Construction of this cathedral began in 1561.

Palacio de Gobierno
The Governor's Palace houses 27 wall size murals illustrating the somewhat violent bloody history of the Yucatan. The artist spent his entire life working on these paintings.

La Ermita de Santa Isabela
A quiet relaxing place with beautiful gardens and statues. It is located just outside of the city wall.

Paseo de Montejo Boulevard
Historical boulevard fashioned after those found in Paris, France. Stately homes, shops and quaint restaurants. The Merida WalMart is located at the north end of the boulevard, which is quite surprising.

Regional Anthropology Museum
Home to many original stone carvings from nearby Mayan sights. This museum also contains rare objects made of brass and copper [who says the Mayans did not use metal].

Museum of Modern Art of Yucatán (MACAY) Ateneo Peninsular Located next to the Cathedral, the MACAY has various rooms for temporary exhibitions of the work of national and foreign artists as well as permanent exhibits of Yucatecan artists such as Gabriel Ramirez, Fernando Castro Pacheco and Fernando Garcia Ponce.

Street 60 xs 61, Center. Tels. 928 32 58 / 928 32 36 Opened of Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs

Museum of the Music of Yucatán: "Trova", the music of Yucatan, is considered the cultural heritage of the people of Yucatan, to the degree that a museum was established in its honor. Here the visitor will find oil portraits and bronze sculptures of the most important representatives of this musical genre: Ricardo Palmerin, Guty Cardenas, Cirilo Baqueiro Preve "Chancil", Ermilo Padron Lopez, Juan Acereto, Armando Manzanero and Pastor Cervera; as well as original music sheets and songbooks.

The museum is located near the Park of Mejorada; and is the site of weekly concerts.

Street 57 xs 48 and 50, Improved Opened of Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:00 hrs.

Mérida Olimpo Cultural Center:

 The Mérida Olimpo Cultural Center was inaugurated in January of 1999 as part of the celebration marking the 470th anniversary of the founding of Mérida. Located next to the City Hall on the Main Square, its façade provides a contrast with the colonial architectonic style of the neighboring buildings. The Olimpo includes four galleries, video room, auditorium, and virtual library built around a large circular courtyard; and hosts numerous cultural activities representing all artistic genres. In the Olimpo the visitor can feel the cultural heartbeat of Mérida

The University of Yucatan offers folkloric regional dancing on Friday nights at calle 60 by 57.

Sunday is the day of the outdoor handicraft market and food festival in Merida. Happening at Main Plaza, Hidalgo Park and Santa Lucia Park from 9-9 and Casa de las Artesanias from 9-1:30.

Thursday the Santa Lucia Park hosts the Yucatan Serenade, an open air concert featuring Yucatan dress, dance, music and folklore starting at 9:00. Santa Lucia Park is located at calle 60 and 57.