Yucatan, Mexico is a wonderful place to visit for your family vacation, even when you decide to bring the four-legged family member along for the ride. As a pet-friendly state in Mexico, it offers a fantastic choice of pet-friendly accommodation that will suit every budget. In this article we’ll take a look at how to travel around Yucatán with your pet and then share our picks for the 10 best pet-friendly hotels in Yucatan state.

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Tldr/ best pet hotels in Yucatán

I get it. You’re busy, you just want to know which is the best hotel for you and your dog in Yucatán. If you don’t have time to read our excellent article right now, you can jump straight to the recommendations, or you can know that our absolute favourite hotel that allows dogs is:

Visiting Yucatán with your pet

Traveling through Mexico with your best friend is a great adventure but when your best friend is a dog, planning your trip carefully is important. Fortunately, Yucatan, and especially, its capital city Mérida has become more pet-friendly in recent years. You will find that there are top hotels that welcome pets and that the choice of excellent pet-friendly restaurants and cafes is plentiful. 
 
✈️ If you are flying from the United States or Canada, make sure you contact your airlines to determine what documentation is required to fly to Mexico with your pet. Keep in mind that although you do not require a health certificate to bring your dog into Mexico, your pet will be subject to a veterinary inspection at the airport. If you are visiting Yucatan from any other country, you will need to check the specific requirements for entry with your pet. 
 
🔆 There are embargos on flying pets in cargo at certain times of the year due to hot weather, so make sure to speak to the airlines to find the best time to fly with your pet if they are too large to travel in the cabin with you.

What to do with your pet in Yucatan

Beaches

Yucatan has great beaches, where you can walk your dog and share a spectacular sunrise.

While the beaches around Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Tulum, are better known, Yucatan’s coast is full of beautiful beaches that tend to be less crowded than those along the Caribbean Coast. The Yucatán coast is known as the Emerald Coast due to the stunning turquoise waters and is a popular destination for windsurfers and kite surfers.

Parks

Most parks are pet-friendly and welcome your dog if you leash them and pick up their poop. There are a few parks that have purpose-built dog play areas.

In Mérida, for example, you will find the huge new city center Parque La Plancha, which has enclosed dog exercise areas as well as walkways where you can stroll with your dog around the twenty hectares of well-planned recreational areas including lakes, outdoor fitness centers, and even an amphitheatre.

Streets and main squares

Exploring the cities and small towns of Yucatan by walking with your dog will delight and surprise you. You will find cafes and restaurants with patios around squares in the city center that will allow you to sit with your companion cooling off in the shade at your feet while you watch the world go by.

Note that strays and street dogs are common in Yucatan, so this is something you will need to be conscious of as you and your doggo explore together.

Experiences

➡️ One of the best ways to walk your dog away from towns and cities is on the Camino del Mayab, allowing you to enjoy the incredible jungle and village culture.

➡️ Take part in a pet-friendly eco tour at Sayachaltun nature reserve, where your dog is welcome to join you on a boat tour.

❌ The general policy is that archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza are not pet-friendly, although there are small sites in public parks such as Chen Ho in Mérida, which you can enjoy with your dog.

Tips for traveling with your pet to Yucatan

Getting around Yucatan

🚗 If you are driving around Yucatan, make sure that you have your dog safely secured in the car as local driving regulations prohibit dogs from sitting on the driver’s lap or becoming a distraction to the driver.

🚌 If you do not have your own transportation, unfortunately, one of the main ways Yucatan is lacking as a pet-friendly destination is public transportation. So, you will need to find a private driver or taxi willing to accept dogs. 

🚂 The new Tren Maya does not, as yet, have super clear rules on dog travel but at the moment seems to allow small service dogs only. Do not buy tickets without confirming your dog can travel.
 
🐾 The great news is that so much of the cities like Mérida are walkable, as a visitor with your dog. Consider also visiting Izamal and Valladolid.

How to find pet-friendly hotels in Yucatán

When you are booking your visit to Yucatan, you will want to find exactly the right place for you and your pet. Figuring out your accommodation will require a little bit of planning ahead because not all hotels are pet-friendly, even those that claim to be.

📌 Please be aware that even those hotels that are listed as pet-friendly may have policies that are not suitable for you and your furry friends. The best places will not only have incredibly good guest reviews, but they will also provide you with the information you need to make the perfect choice for you and your pet. 

Below you can see the criteria we used to help you determine which hotels would be best for you and your four-legged friend. We asked about:

Pet-friendly policies and pet amenities 

_{Photo of Marriot Downtown, Mérida}

We recommend contacting hotels in advance to get their policies in writing. This will ensure there are no misunderstandings or surprises when you check in at the front desk. Some hotels only welcome dogs, while others are more flexible about the type of furry companion sharing your room. There are even pet-friendly hotels that will supply your dog with their very own plush bed, and water bowl. 

Deposits or extra costs for pets

Ask in advance about deposits and whether they are refundable or not. You may find that the hotel has an extra rate per day or per stay in their pet-friendly rooms.

Size limits for dogs

Enquire about size limits for dogs. You will find that hotels often have a limit on the weight of dogs they allow, limiting them to under 10kgs.

Pet-friendly restaurants

You will discover that very few hotels have pet-friendly restaurants, but some may have pet-friendly spaces, such as a lounge area, or terrace where you can be served meals with your dog accompanying you. Room service may be another option that works for you if you are spending much of the day exploring with your dog as your companion. Ask about any pet-friendly restaurants that are within walking distance from the hotel.

Pet sitting services

As most hotels prohibit you from leaving your dog unattended in the room, you may want an occasional pet sitter if you are planning activities that do not include your dog. The best pet-friendly hotels will offer this service.

Veterinarian provision

It is always useful to know if there will be easy access to veterinary care for your pet in an emergency. In isolated locations in Yucatan, such as El Cuyo, the nearest veterinarian can be over an hour away by car to the nearest small town.

10 best pet-friendly hotels in Yucatán

This is our list of the 10 best pet-friendly hotels in Yucatan based on the criteria above. We hope you find something that works for you and your dog on the list.

Hacienda Sac Chich

Hacienda Sac Chich is a stunning property with four separate casas available to rent. Located in Acanceh, approximately 30 minutes from the historic city of Mérida, it has spacious grounds and an outdoor pool. They have no extra charges for dogs and no size limit. Just make sure to let them know who you’re bringing when you book.

⭐️ Hacienda Sac Chich is perfectly located for anyone wanting to explore the incredible archaeological sites of Yucatan and the awesome cenote circle of Homun.

🚗 Given the location, you’ll need your own transport if you’re staying here.

Cenote Secreto Maya

Cenote Secreto Maya is a small boutique hotel with its very own private cenote, there are only three cabanas available to rent on this unique property. Tucked away in a remote location outside the city of Valladolid, in the village of Yalcobá, you will be able to experience the local culture and even participate in traditional ceremonies. Best of all, you are allowed to bring your well-behaved dog along on the adventure.

⭐️ The cenotes around Valladolid and Chichén Itzá are stunning and it’s easy to visit ruins in both Yucatán (Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam) and Quintana Roo (Coba) from here.

Hotel Downtown Mérida

Hotel Downtown Mérida is wonderful small hotel in the Centro de Merida district of Mérida. It is well known as a great place for people travelling with their dogs. They have a cute café on site, which is also pet-friendly, and you can easily walk to the famous Paseo de Montejo Avenue, which is lined with wonderful pet-friendly restaurants. They are unique in that they welcome all kinds of pets. They do have a small daily fee of one hundred pesos per pet per day along with a one hundred peso pet deposit.

⭐️ Great for people who enjoy city exploration. From Mérida it’s possible to have fabulous day trips and also to take great road trips around the region.

Casa Mía

If you want to spend time on some of the most beautiful beaches in Yucatan, Casa Mía is a charming beach hotel in El Cuyo with a choice of very nice rooms. This hotel is a perfect getaway for you and your furry best friend. There is a 300 pesos charge at the front desk upon arrival. Casa El Mia prides itself on being a peaceful haven and requests that dogs are not left alone or allowed to bark.

⭐️ A sleepy fishing village, El Cuyo is a popular destination for kite surfers. The ever popular pink salt lakes of Las Coloradas are easily visited from El Cuyo, as is the similarly sleepy fishing village of San Felipe.

Hostal Zocalo

Hostal Zocalo is a popular option for those who want to spend time right in the centre of Mérida. Hostal Zocalo has a pet deposit of 100 pesos to be paid when checking in along with an additional daily pet fee of 100 pesos per day.

⭐️ Located opposite the Plaza Grande (the main square), you will be able to see the famous Merida Cathedral de San Ildefonso, from the hotel. This was actually the second cathedral built in all of the Americas. It was built upon the ancient Maya temple of T’ho after the Spanish conquistadors destroyed the city. It’s well worth watching the weekly free video mapping on the cathedral façade to learn more about this.

Courtyard by Marriot Downtown

Marriot Hotels is a company with an international pet-friendly policy. If you are looking for pet-friendly accommodation anywhere, the Marriot chain is always a good place to start. However, they do have a maximum pet weight of 20kgs and a non-refundable pet fee of 50 USD per stay. You are allowed to have up to two pets in your room.

⭐️ The location of the Marriot Courtyard is perfect if you’re going to enjoy strolling along the gorgeous Paseo de Montejo while in Mérida and finding all the pet friendly cafes. It’s also within walking distance of Mérida’s brand new La Plancha park where you and your dog can enjoy meeting other pet families.

Hotel Cigno Mérida

If you are looking for a more upscale, adults-only hotel experience, Hotel Cigno is located in a beautiful historic building, right in the center of Mérida. It has a highly-rated restaurant on site. Hotel Cigno welcomes small and medium-sized dogs and must be very responsibly cared for so as not to become a nuisance to other guests. This means the dog must always be on a leash on the property.

⭐️ We love kids but we also love adult-only hotels. Exploring central Mérida, with all the incredible free cultural activities on offer would be a pleasure from here. Many of these free activities are outdoor evening events.

NH Collection Mérida Paseo

Many of the NH Collection hotels are pet-friendly but each hotel has its own policies. In Mérida they allow larger dogs than some of the other hotel chains. While there is a charge of 500 pesos per stay, dogs up to 25kgs are welcome and guests can have up to two dogs in their room.

⭐️ One of the great things about NH Collection Mérida Paseo Hotel is that it is integrated with Paseo 60, which is a pet-friendly shopping and restaurant area. This means you can enjoy a variety of excellent restaurants in the company of your dog.

Decu Downtown, Mérida

Decu Downtown is a luxury hotel in a restored mansion in one of the most popular areas of Mérida Centro. With a pool, spa, and very well-appointed rooms, they welcome up to two small or medium-sized pets per room. Pets must always be leashed and there is a fee of 20 USD per pet per night.

⭐️ Decu Mérida’s location near Parque Santa Lucía makes it a great spot for people who enjoy an evening city stroll with their pup.

Hacienda Xcanatun

Right on the outskirts of Mérida, you will find the uniquely beautiful, modernized Hacienda Xcanatun with extensive grounds, a restaurant, spa, gym and even an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Best of all, they are dog-friendly. They have one of the most thorough pet-friendly policies of any of the hotels on this list and even provide pet-sitting services upon request. They have a size limit of 10 kgs but will consider larger dogs with special permission from the manager. They do require health certification for your dog, and there are restrictions on access to certain areas of the hotel property. There is a 100 USD per night charge per pet, per night of stay.

⭐️ There is really nothing like staying in a hacienda hotel when you’re in Yucatán. The elegant luxury will do wonders for your relaxation. From here you’re not far from Mérida or Progreso should you wish to explore.