♻️ Where to stay in Mérida

Intentional eating in Mérida

🥦 Grocery shopping

Mérida has plenty of fabulous markets to choose from. Some have existed to serve local people for decades, and others have developed as the foreign community has grown over recent years.

🛍 Meracado Lucas de Galvez

^{Open every day 7 am – 9.30 pm}

This is the city’s main market and it’s a delight to explore, lose yourself, and pick up the ingredients you need while you’re in town.

Downstairs, in the main market area you’ll find both stalls selling local produce and small restaurants selling local foods such as tamales, tacos, tortas and ceviche. Upstairs, in the new ‘touristy’ area of the market you’ll find slightly a more spacious foodcourt area where you can also get a meal.

My preference is for the downstairs stands because I love the vibe and the hustle around me as I sit and eat.

Note: often plates are covered in plastic bags in places like this (and many taco stands) so that they don’t have to wash plates after every customer. This might be a good water saving device but it’s not so good for a world that’s already drowning in plastic. If you can, take your own plate with you but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t wind up being used when staff are super busy.  

🛍 Other local markets

Many of the other plazas in Mérida also have their own markets – Santa Ana, Santiago, San Sebastian are the three that visitors are most likely to visit, although the barrio of Chuburná also has a good market that’s worth visiting.

You’ll see local street vendors selling fruit & veg on the plazas, to cars at traffic lights – if you need/want what they’re selling, ask how much it is and buy it. As you walk through the streets you may see women and children selling prepared snacks – again, if you feel like it, support them and buy their products. 

🌽 Slow Food Markets

^{Saturday 9 am – 1 pm}

The Slow Food Market is part of an international organisation promoting good, clean and fair food for all. In Mérida there are two Slow Food Markets. 

The original is on C 33d by Colon & Reforma. The other is in the Parque Pista Roja by Gran Plaza mall in the north of Mérida.

At both of these markets you’ll find a mix of foreigners and locals selling their wares including organic vegetables, sustainable meat and a surprising variety of healthy and homemade products.

Cero Basura Yucatán used to have a market here too but I guess they’ve stopped operating.

🥑 Mercado Orgánico de la Alemán

A lesser known small, but growing market is the Mercado Orgánico de la Alemán in Colonia Alemán held every Sunday where you will find locally grown organic vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat, artisanal bread, and health foods. 

🍅 Natural Thangs Farmers Market

If you are spending some time at the beach, you might want to check out the Natural Thangs Farmers Market which is held on Mondays and Thursdays from October to May in Chelem.

Supermarkets

We all need to go to supermarkets sometimes even when we’re on vacation. Please remember to take your own reusable bags & veg/fruit string bags.  

Restaurants and cafés

If you plan to eat out, Mérida has no shortage of  healthy restaurants, including good vegan and vegetarian options. Mérida is a city where you can go full on trendy-cool-Tulum-hipster vibe, or you can search out true Yucatán flavors and traditions.

MexicoCassie’s highly recommended intentional restaurants in Mérida

🌽 Pancho Maiz – in my opinion this is the one of the best restaurants in Mérida. Everything here is perfection and the staff are really friendly and helpful. This restaurant arose from a desire to preserve the heirloom corn of Yucatán Peninsula. They  prioritise the preservation of polycultures and avoid monocultures, promoting sustainable and responsible agriculture in everything they do.

🍳 Cassandra – a gorgeous cafe in Parque Aleman. Not only is the food excellent and extremely good value but this is also an openly queer-welcoming space. Intentional, sustainable vacationing is about more than not using plastic.

🌮 Manik Bal –  Manik Bal has been at the heart of Mérida’s food scene for many years and although it’s become very popular in recent years thanks to being featured on tv, it remains, in my opinion, true to its core and to its values. The food here is truly excellent.

🥛 La Kombuchería – Kuka Y Naranjo’s small kitchen serves up delicious vegan, local meals.

🌶 Crush Restaurant – serving a choice of vegan versions of local meals & vegan fast food, Crush is a winner partly for its super central location on Santa Lucía.

🐟 Micaela Mar y Leña – if you want to check out the gastronomic corridor in Merida, this is the best option. This restaurant won the 2024 Mérida Seal: Sustainable Gastronomic Space. They partner with Pide tu huacal, a CSA program connecting diners to local farmers, ensuring fresh, seasonal produce while supporting sustainable agriculture. They also work with Herencia Verde, a local organic producer.

📚 El Apapacho – this is another great restaurant choice, prioritising locally sourced and organic ingredients. They compost, use recycled packaging, and support local schools and artists. The restaurant also houses a feminist bookstore and library and showcases locally made, sustainable products in their shop.

🍔 Flamante Burgers – if you’re craving a burger, Flamante Burgers is a favourite. Their meat and veggie burgers are delicious, and they serve hand-cut fries (both traditional and sweet potato) as well as a great selection of salads. All their packaging is sustainable, so you can indulge guilt-free.

🌮  Cuna – a gorgeous restaurant in the beautiful Las Brisas hotel mentioned above. Everything here is sourced locally, ensuring fresh, seasonal, and freezer-free meals. They even have a water menu featuring regional Mexican waters. It’s trendy, yes, but it is also doing sustainability right. As of early 2025 this restaurant is closed, I assume due to the recent swap in ownership of the hotel. Watch out for news of it re-opening.

🍦 Dulcería & Sorbetería Colón – Mérida’s original ice creams remain a wonderful way to beat the heat – enjoy a fabulous ice cream in a glass bowl (don’t get take away as then it goes right into nasty polystyrene unless you take your own container).

→ Read the MexicoCassie guide to ice creams in Mérida for more information

⭐️ Street food is popular and inexpensive in Merida but can be bit of a mixed bag in terms of sustainability. On one hand, you are supporting local enterprise with a lower carbon footprint than most restaurants, but on the other, the waste can be shocking. Pre-cut fruit, for example, is a refreshing snack but often comes in plastic cups. I try to bring my own container to avoid single-use plastics.

Exploring Mérida

How can you best explore Mérida?

🚐 The bus system in Mérida has improved greatly in the last few years with the arrival of the Va Y Ven system. These buses link almost everywhere in the city and as long as you have bought your swipe card (from Oxxo, Willy’s, SuperAki and other places) you’re good to go – that’s right, it’s a cash free system. You can download the app to get bus routes.

On foot – always my personal preference even when it’s hot hot hot. Do it as the locals do, stay home during the heat of the day, walk in the shade, eat ice cream, wear light clothes. 

👣 Walking tours – There are free daily walking tours offered via the local government & GuruWalk also offers free walking tours in Mérida

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to getting around Mérida

Ethical souvenirs and shopping in Mérida

In recent years the souvenir shopping scene in Mérida has changed. No longer will you only find small shops selling traditional local souvenirs and t-shirts, you’ll also be treated to bigger stores more suited to Tulum or Playa del Carmen. You can find every type of ‘Mexican souvenir’ – whether you want an expensive traditional Oaxacan decorated skull, an ashtray, or a tshirt with a pair of boobs on it, you’ll find it.

Personally, I’m not a super fan of this level of souvenir homogenisation. I want to take home pieces that represent the local Mayan communities, and know that my purchases have a positive impact on the communities that made them.

 

​Mercado Lucas de Galvez

The first floor, by the food court is a new artisanal market area. To me it appears to be for local designers hoping to sell upmarket, trendy pieces at high prices to foreign visitors. It’s truly a beautiful space and the pieces are undeniably gorgeous.

⭐️ However, I personally prefer shopping in the actual market or just outside it where you’ll find plenty of local vendors selling some lovely things that make great keepsakes or presents.

🛍 Souvenir shops to visit

Cielo Hamacas – this is my favourite hammock shop. They’re not as cheap as they used to be but they do promise to pay their artisan experts a fair price. Each hammock is labelled with the name of the person who made it.

Colectivo Muul Meyaj – items sold here are bought directly from communities, who receive fair prices for their work. Nothing here is made overseas.

Casa Bonita offers 100% Yucatecan designs, clothing, jewellry, and sustainable products like shampoo bars and refillable shampoos.

Miel Nativa Kaban – this is a wonderful place dedicated to honey and the protection of bees. You can pick up gorgeous products or book a multi-sensory honey tasting tour with them. You’ll learn about Mexico’s native stingless bees and their historical connection to the local community.

Mareba – for traditional Yucatecan shopping bags (sabucans), visit Mareba. I’ve had my bag from here for years.

Tags Alpagatas – If you love slow fashion, you’ll love Tags and their beautiful, locally made espadrilles. I’ve personally been shopping here since 2016. All the shoes are handmade by local Mayan families and the goal of the store is to support social projects that work with people who are systematically disadvantaged.

Galeia Alfaro Antigüedades – this is a fascinating little store that for me is a perfect place to pick up cool gifts and souvenirs while supporting local artists.

Centro Cultural Punto Mid – a delightful community centre and book store (cafebreria) selling local products, fascinating books you won’t find elsewhere & drinks / snacks and more.

If you want a traditional Jipi hat, head to Becal, the small town half way between Mérida & Campeche to see how they’re made and buy direct from the owners.

Exploring outside of Mérida

Most people don’t come to Mérida to just see Mérida. I’m guessing you plan to see the ruins, a cenote or two, maybe kayak in the mangrove forests or explore small villages? All are possible, of course. 

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to taking day trips from Mérida

Visiting archaeological sites

As visitors to the region, we’re privileged to be able to visit these incredible places. We have to be careful to keep our environmental impact as low as possible – which shouldn’t be too hard, right? Don’t drop litter, don’t be one of those awful people who think the rules aren’t for them and climb up Kukulkan in Chichén Itzá. 

I’d also add, be polite to the local vendors you’ll find a the biggest sites – you might not want to buy from them but they’re just trying to make a living. I’ve always had really lovely conversations with the vendors I’ve met in all the big name sites. 

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to visiting the ruins in Yucatán

Visiting cenotes

Again, we’re extremely lucky to get to swim in these gorgeous places that are not only an escape from the intense Yucatán heat but are very much sacred spaces in Mayan culture.

Follow the rules, don’t wear sun tan lotion in them, shower before you swim, never drop litter in the water and don’t touch what you’re asked not to touch. 

→ MexicoCassie guide to cenotes to visit from Mérida

→ Cenotes to visit with kids / nervous swimmers

→ What to take with you when visiting a cenote

Haciendas 

There are dozens of haciendas you can visit for a day or for a few nights, these are 2 I recommend.

Hacienda Yunku

Hacienda Yunku is no longer the wild and untamed place it used to be but it’s still a rustic delight. Its menu focuses on traditional foods, and there’s a small cenote on site you can enjoy as well as its lovely gardens and pool.

→ Book a pasadia or even opt to stay a night or two here

Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

This is a great option because here you can enjoy guided tours of their organic gardens and honey production from Melipona bees. It’s the only working hacienda left in Yucatán and the reason I include it is because its tour does not hold back – the horrendous hacienda history is explained in detail, examining the Mexican plantations and how the much of Maya population was forced into slavery.

The restaurant provides simple, traditional meals made with ingredients from their gardens and farm. The hotel here is not cheap but it is an absolute delight of a place to spend a night or two away from the city.

→ Check it out, & even stay a night or two

Getting into nature

The beaches are right there, so deliciously close to Mérida and it’s always a pleasure to spend time relaxing on the beautiful white sand and in the Gulf of Mexico’s stunning emerald sea.

→ Read the MexicoCassie guide to exploring the beaches of Yucatán

Mangroves

For a coastal escape, visit Sayachaltun, a natural reserve between Progreso and Telchac. Managed by local former fisher families, they offer eco-friendly tours through the mangroves and flats. Afterward, enjoy sustainably caught local fish at their thatched restaurant.

→ Check out Sayachaltun

Botanical Garden

In Mérida city, explore the Jardín Botánico Regional Roger Orellana, home to over 700 species of indigenous plants, including a dedicated collection of medicinal plants.

Guided tours are available Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a recommended donation of 25 pesos.

→ Check it out (CICY – Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán)

Bees

There are numerous places you can learn about the incredible local melipona bee. Melipona bees are native, stingless and extremely precious to local culture.

In Mérida, Miel Nativa Kaban offers a melipona learning session (book in their store)

In Valladolid there is Xkopek Parque Apícola where you can learn about the bees, stay in their gorgeous cabañas and make the most of the pool there too.

→ Book a stay here

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