



As the capital of Yucatan, Merida showcases stunning architecture and museums but also has fantastic beaches and is close to some of Mexico's most amazing ruins. This beautiful city seems to have the best of both worlds - it is near great beaches for you to lay out your towel and beautiful sites that will definitely keep your interested. Considering it lies on the same side as Cancun and Cozumel, Merida is quickly becoming a great destination for a Mexican holiday.
Merida is a city where you will see white limestone buildings, monuments and beautiful architecture. The many art galleries located here are wonderful. Enjoy a stroll down its main street, Paseo de Montejo. The north end of the city houses fantastic hotels, great dining establishments and places to shop. Its downtown also has a number of hotels and restaurants. The main plaza is a great location to enjoy an outdoor concert or stroll through the boutiques and do a little bit of shopping. The cathedral is close to here, as is the Palacio Municipal, the town hall. Both of these are worth seeing. If you would like to see a bit of Europe, make your way to Paseo de Montejo. This boulevard was made to look like the Champs Elysée.
The Regional Anthropology Museum houses many rare objects but if you would like to see this history on a grander scale, visit the nearby Chichen-Itza. Dating back 1500 years, these pyramids are known around the world. All three sections can be seen in one visit, although you may want to take your time to truly appreciate their beauty. Merida is also close to some of Mexico's finest beaches. A few worth mentioning include San Benito, San Miguel, Chelem, Progreso, Cocal Josefina and Yucalpeten.
One of the great reasons in visiting Merida is that it is considered to be one of the safest cities in the country. It is a wonderful choice if you want a Mexican holiday but need more than sand to keep you busy. This picturesque city has all the makings of a state capital, but continues to maintain its Mexican charm. It truly does provide you with the best of both worlds.