Merida

I wish I could say something bad about Merida but I can’t. Merida is an UNESCO town www.unesco.org on the Northwest part of the Yucatan with a large university and plenty of culture. As opposed to Cancun, it’s a town that’s easy to visit on a budget or absolute luxury.

Getting there and back is simple. You can fly into Merida or busses leave every hour from Cancun ($40/each way for first class). Spend the extra money for first class. Otherwise you will ride for eight hours on a bus, stopping in various towns, instead of the regular four-hour straight shot.

We stayed at a local hotel called Hotel Real Gran Yucatan (request to NOT stay on the traffic side). It’s mid-priced ($70-$150) and three blocks from the Gran Plaza. It had all the amenities including cocoa toiletries--you know I love my hotel sundries! It’s an open air hotel with a bar, pool, restaurant, courtyard, etc.www.granrealyucatan.com

Food = Life in Merida. Mayans love to eat. I’m a big fan of street food because it’s made in front of you, it’s usually damn good and in Merida, you can eat like a king for less than $10 anytime. Yet, caveat emptor with street food. Throughout my travels, I have gained some immunity to various parasites so my stomach tends to tolerate a lot of the germs which come with street food. It has been a long time since I’ve been sick in a foreign land, so I’m sure my days are numbered---right, Andrew Zimmern???? The best street food in Merida was at the Mercado Artisano, several blocks southwest of the Plaza. Every stand at their fish market served fresh Campechana and down the way, the Tacos al Pastor were inexplicably divine.

Ceviche was number one on my list in this town. We found a little place by the plaza on Calle 62 called Marlin Azul and we ate our weight in Ceviche and Filetes Yucateca (fish grilled with paprika, lime, cilantro, butter and tomato). Plus the staff was young, cool, friendly and knew all the “less touristy” bars to visit. Notice the photo of me chowing at the Marlin Azul and getting the info on where to find my next cocktail.

The night scene of Merida is hot! Most people eat around 8-10 pm and then full-speed bar hopping afterwards. A very unsuspecting yet favorite bar of ours was called Pancho’s. www.panchosmerida.com Not the most original name but they make the best Caiparinha in town. Although it looks like a typical bar on the outside, ask to sit in back because it’s a beautiful massive open-air bar surrounded by stone walls and lots of vegetation adorned with photos of Frida Kahlo. (Add a taco or photo of Frida Kahlo, then low and behold you can call it Mexican......)

Finally, a real treat about Merida is that they have a Fiesta del Domingo every Sunday. Streets around the Plaza shut down while food, clothing, and jewelry vendors come out in the midst of local dancing and music. Have a Marquesita and enjoy!