Mérida Centro

Mérida

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

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

Fiesta Americana - Merida
Fiesta Americana - Merida
4 out of 5
Paseo Montejo No. 451, Esq. Av. Colon Col. Centro, Mérida, YUC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM571 per night from 27 May to 28 May
RM571
RM691 total
27 May - 28 May
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! (1,035 reviews)
"Convenient, clean, affordable. Every amenity we need in a hotel provided."

Reviewed on 16 May 2025

Fiesta Americana - Merida
Hotel El Español Paseo de Montejo
Hotel El Español Paseo de Montejo
3 out of 5
Paseo de Montejo #484, Esquina Calle 41, Mérida, YUC
The price is RM210 per night from 19 May to 20 May
RM210
RM254 total
19 May - 20 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,325 reviews)
"Great location!"

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2025

Hotel El Español Paseo de Montejo
Courtyard by Marriott Merida Downtown
Courtyard by Marriott Merida Downtown
4 out of 5
Av. Colon 504, Mérida, YUC
The price is RM447 per night from 22 May to 23 May
RM447
RM540 total
22 May - 23 May
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! (516 reviews)
"Limpio, tranquilo, la piscina tiene una vista hermosa para disfrutar de un bello atardecer."

Reviewed on 3 May 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Merida Downtown
Villa Mercedes Merida, Curio Collection by Hilton
Villa Mercedes Merida, Curio Collection by Hilton
4 out of 5
Av. Colon 500, Colonia Centro, Mérida, YUC
The price is RM388 per night from 25 May to 26 May
RM388
RM470 total
25 May - 26 May
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. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"This was out 3rd stay here and we always reslly enjoy it. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are clean, the food is great with lots of choice and the staff are alway reslly helpful and friendly"

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Villa Mercedes Merida, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hyatt Regency Merida Hotel
Hyatt Regency Merida Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida Colon Esquina Calle 60, Mérida, YUC
The price is RM373 per night from 7 Jun to 8 Jun
RM373
RM451 total
7 Jun - 8 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Mérida. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"This hotel is in an ideal lo ation, the staff is superb and I had a great stay in Merida. I will definitely return."

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

Hyatt Regency Merida Hotel
Gamma Mérida El Castellano
Gamma Mérida El Castellano
3.5 out of 5
Calle 57 NO. 513 62 x 64, Col. Centro, Mérida, YUC
The price is RM269 per night from 19 May to 20 May
RM269
RM326 total
19 May - 20 May
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! (1,013 reviews)
"I had a pleasant stay at the Gamma property in Mérida. The hotel is conveniently located, making it easy to get around the city. Everything was clean and well-maintained, and the staff was very friendly and helpful throughout my visit. The beds were a little on the softer side — a bit squishy for ..."

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2025

Gamma Mérida El Castellano
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
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La Ermita

Though La Ermita 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.

La Ermita
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

Mérida Centro