In Merida, culture and entertainment go hand in hand. Theaters, museums, cultural centers and cafes, where people gather to spend a good time listening to beautiful Latin-American folk music, are the most popular ways in which locals and visitors like to have fun. There are parks where artists display their most recent works and even parks like Santa Lucia, where every weekend musicians serenade the public with a variety of famous Yucatecan folk songs. This tradition started back in 1965 when some of the most famous folk musicians got together to share their best songs with the public. Nowadays those who never miss a "serenade" at Santa Lucia take their best regional outfit from the closet, put it on and go dancing to the rhythm of their favorite Yucatecan songs.
The Historic Center is a very interesting attraction, with its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, museums, restaurants and cafes with remarkable views of the Zocalo and the Cathedral. For visitors who want to spend a tranquil afternoon, relaxing and enjoying life with no worries on their mind then there is no better place than the Historic Center. A buggy ride or a tour around the city on the Turibus, are activities that also come highly recommended. Merida has so much to offer, come and have some fun!
The Cathedral
In the heart of Merida's historic center, in front of the Zocalo, there's a gorgeous Cathedral. This beautiful ancient building is the result of the blending of three different architectural styles. It has a Renaissance facade, a Baroque altarpiece and a Moresque interior and towers. Construction of Merida's Cathedral started in 1561 and finished in 1598. The machinery of the huge clock it has was built in London in 1731 and it worked until 1871, when it finally told the time for the last time.
Sunday in Merida
Early every Sunday morning, the main streets of downtown Merida are closed to cars and buses to make way for a festival of colors, smells and sounds that can only be experienced in "The White City". The streets fill with food, handcraft and clothing stands, from where natives of Yucatan sell their goods to the public and children are able to walk, run and play safely in the street. In some parks poets read exerts of their latest works, painters display their paintings and cartoonists draw humorous portraits. One can walk, rent a bike or take a buggy ride; whatever you decide to do a "Sunday in Merida" is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed!
The Zoo (The Centennial Park)
Taking the whole family to the zoo is one of the most popular things to do, with the people of Merida. At the zoo young and old can learn while having fun at the same time. Children can learn about the many species of animals, birds and insects; ride horses, skate on the rink or board a boat to paddle for a while on the artificial lake. However, a visit to the zoo is not complete unless the whole family takes a ride on the train. This is a train that tours around the park and offers a pretty exciting ride.
Las Americas Park
This park is made up of four sections. The first area has a large fountain with stone snakes representing Kukulcan. The second park has an amphitheater and esplanade where cultural events take place once in a while. The third is for children: there are tracks where they can skate or ride a bike.
And finally the fourth park has a representation of a typical Mayan house, inside which there's a permanent display of murals from all over the American Continent and portraits of men and women who were important in the history of these countries. Three of the parks have columns with names and symbols representing the countries of the Latin-American Continent, there are also benches where people sit to read under the shade of the huge threes. This is a place where time seems to stop and tranquility reigns.
Paseo de Montejo
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Built and named after the founder of Merida, Francisco de Montejo, this beautiful avenue and pedestrian walkway features the most impressive and elegant houses in the whole city. Paseo de Montejo was added to the rest of avenues and streets of Merida during the 19th century, a time when the Neoclassic architectural style was in vogue among many Mexican urban designers. These well preserved and luxurious buildings along Paseo de Montejo were once large manors and today are used as governmental or private offices, museums, sophisticated dance clubs, bars or restaurants. Whenever you visit Merida, you must take some time to see this peculiar avenue, the Mexican version of the Champs-Elysees in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Theaters
Merida's old theaters are beautiful architectural jewels that saw the birth and rise of the most famous actors and actresses of times gone by. The Peon Contreras Theater has a Neoclassic French style and was inaugurated in 1908. The Daniel Ayala Theater was built during the 17th Century and because it was the main theater of the city for many years, it was the venue where the best companies from Mexico and Cuba performed their plays. Another beautiful place to visit is the Merida Theater which was remodeled in 2000 and reopened after decades of being closed!
Museums
History is reconstructed piece by piece in some of the museums found in Merida. The Museo de Arte Popular (Popular Art Museum) has a permanent exhibition about the customs and art of the Mayan people. The Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) has pre-Hispanic, Colonial, Independence and Revolution pieces, as well as an exhibition about "The Rise of the Henequen Haciendas". The M.A.C.A.Y. Museum (Contemporary Art Museum) has the permanent shows of The History of Art and Mexican Silverware, as well as temporary exhibitions featuring sculptures and paintings. Cultural events are also held in this building.
Olimpo Cultural Center
Many interesting cultural events take place at the Olimpo Cultural Center, but for sure the main attraction is the Planetarium. The Planetarium was named after Dr. Arcadio Poveda who was in 1956 the first university educated Mexican astronomer. The Planetarium has a sophisticated light and sound system, providing the public with a fascinating virtual journey across the cosmos.