What to Know About Mérida, Mexico in 2025 – Culture, Safety & Growth

What to Know About Mérida

Mérida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán and the largest city in southeastern Mexico, with a population of approximately 1.2 million (2024).

Founded in 1542, Mérida is considered the oldest continuously inhabited European city in the Americas. Mérida’s urban landscape is divided into a historic center and a modern northern zone.

The city was built atop the Maya city of T’ho and served as a cultural center of the Maya civilization. Today, Mérida’s heritage reflects a blend of indigenous Maya traditions and Spanish colonial influence, visible in language, architecture, and festivals.

In 2024, Mérida received over 3 million tourists, marking a record year. Visitors are drawn to its colonial mansions, churches, art scene, open-air markets, local cuisine, cultural events, and music traditions such as Yucatecan Trova.

The Catedral de Mérida is the oldest cathedral on the American mainland, located on the south side of Plaza Grande. Built between 1562 and 1598 using stones from Mayan temples, it combines Renaissance and Moorish architectural elements.

The colonial downtown is among the largest in Latin America, comparable in scale to those of Mexico City and Havana, with numerous preserved buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Paseo de Montejo in Mérida is the main historic boulevard of the city, modeled after Paris’ Champs-Élysées. It runs for about 3 miles through central Mérida and features 19th-century mansions, museums, and landmarks such as the Monumento a la Patria.

The nickname “La Ciudad Blanca” (The White City) refers to the widespread use of white limestone in historical construction. Despite the name, the city is known for its vibrant architecture and colorful facades in districts like Santiago, Santa Ana, and Itzimná.

Mérida is also a base for regional tourism. Popular day trips include archaeological sites like Uxmal and Dzibilchaltún, underground cenotes, historic haciendas, and Gulf Coast beaches such as Progreso, all located within 40 to 90 minutes by car.

More curated travel recommendations can be found under “The Best Places in Mérida” on trusted local guides and tourism platforms.

Best Time to Visit Mérida, Mexico

The best time to visit Mérida is in the six cooler months from late October to March. There are more crowds and higher prices, but you’ll have the best weather, little rain and swimming is possible. Or visit Mérida for festivals like Mérida Fest, Easter or Christmas.

The Climate in Mérida

Mérida, Mexico has a tropical climate with average yearly temperatures around 79°F (26°C). The hottest months are April and May, reaching up to 84°F (29°C), while January is the coolest at 74°F (23°C).

The rainy season runs from late May to mid-October, with frequent but brief afternoon showers. Hurricane season extends into November, though Mérida’s inland location reduces direct storm impact.

Water temperatures range from 74°F (23°C) in winter to 83°F (28°C) in late summer, allowing year-round swimming. Winds are strongest from February to May, ideal for water sports.

Monthly temperature:

Rainfall probability:

One of the Best Cities in the World

Mérida is the only city in the world to have twice been selected as the "American Capital of Culture" (in 2000 and in 2017). In 2021, Mérida was voted 3rd on the list of the best small cities in the world by the readers of CEOWorld Magazine.

The International Citizens Group (located in the US) declares Mérida in 2022 as Second Best Place to Live in Mexico for Expats and Digital Nomads (behind Mexico City).

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The mayor travel magazine "Travel and Leisure" (based in New York City, 4.8 million readers) named Mérida in 2022 "12th Best City in the World".

Mérida beats out competition like Rome in Italy. In 2023, Mérida was ranked 16th in the 25 Favorite Cities in the World. "Mérida is an undiscovered gem in Mexico", one T+L reader said.

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Lonely Planet is the world's largest publisher of independent travel guides (they printed over 150 million books). Every year a Top 10 list of the best countries, regions and cities is published. In 2022, Mérida is ranked 8th in Lonely Planet's "Top 10 City Destinations".

Condé Nast Traveler named Mérida "4th Best City in the World" in the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards for the Best Big Cities (behind Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo). The Readers' Choice Awards are the most important awards in the travel industry.

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In 2022, Mérida was named the city with the highest quality of life in Mexico in the United Nations Habitat's City Prosperity Index.

Forbes magazine has rated Mérida for at least three times as one of the three best cities in Mexico to live and invest, and published an article with 10 Reasons To Visit Mérida.

2nd Safest City in the Americas

One of the big plus points of Mérida is its comparatively high security. In fact, Mérida is considered one of the safest cities. In 2015, Mérida was certified as "International Safe Community" by the Swedish Karolinska Institute for its high level of public safety.

An article in CEOWorld Magazine in 2019 came out declaring Mérida the "Safest City in Mexico", the second safest city in all of the Americas (bested only by Quebec City in Canada) and lists Mérida 21st in "The World's Safest Cities Ranking".

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The well-known Financial Times stated Mérida "Safest City in Mexico" and wrote an interesting article in 2022 about the rapid development of the city. Also a similiar article in Forbes news magazine considered Mérida as safe as Europe.

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Plenty of digital nomads and retirees have fallen in love with Mérida too – there's a big, friendly community here that makes it easy to feel at home.

What to Know About Yucatán

The Yucatán Peninsula is a landmass in southeastern North America that separates the Gulf of Mexico to the north from the Caribbean Sea to the south. It covers parts of three countries: Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

In Mexico, the peninsula includes the states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo. The southern portion of the peninsula extends into northern Guatemala and much of Belize. The region is predominantly flat, with a few hills concentrated in the south.

Yucatán’s climate is tropical, with high temperatures and humidity throughout most of the year. The landscape is largely composed of limestone plains, which contribute to the formation of cenotes – natural sinkholes that serve as key freshwater sources.

There are 35 World Heritage Sites in Mexico (placing the country 7th in the world), 5 of which are located on the Yucatan Peninsula. These are

• Chichén Itzá (1988)

• Sian Ka'an (1987)

• Uxmal (1996)

• Campeche (1999)

• Calakmul (2014)

The award Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns) has been granted by the Secretariat of Tourism in Mexico since 2001 for unique folklore, a rich history or stunning natural beauty.

On the Yucatán Peninsula, there are 14 Pueblo Mágicos (as of 2024):

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• Quintana Roo: Bacalar, Isla Mujeres, Tulum and Cozumel

• Yucatán: Izamal,Maní,Sisal,Valladolid,Espita,Motul & Tekax

• Campeche: Isla Aguada, Palizada and Candelaria

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Yucatán offers ancient Maya ruins, azure Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico waters, tropical rainforests and jungles, an estimated 10,000 cenotes (water-filled sinkholes), old colonial cities and is the home of the ancient Maya people.

The cultural and recreational activities are plentiful. Yucatán is also well known thanks to it's tourism mega-destinations like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Mérida, Chichén Itzá or Tulum.

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The Yucatan Peninsula is considered very safe. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the state of Yucatán on the Yucatan Peninsula has the highest peace index in México.

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The Tren Maya

The Tren Maya is a 1,554 km rail network connecting key cities and regions across southeastern Mexico. The project spans five states – Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo – and includes 34 stations.

Passenger service began in stages between December 2023 and December 2024. Major segments now link cities such as Mérida, Cancún, Palenque, and Chetumal, improving access to archaeological sites, nature reserves, and regional airports.

Over 700,000 passengers used the Tren Maya in its first year. Freight services and additional lines, including a connection to the port of Progreso, are currently under development.

What to Know About Mexico

Mexico is the 13th-largest country in the world by land area and has a population of approximately 130 million. The capital, Mexico City, is home to nearly 22 million residents in its metropolitan area, ranking as the fifth-largest urban agglomeration globally.

Mexico was named “Destination of the Year” by Travel + Leisure in 2022, highlighting its appeal through natural landscapes, cultural richness, and year-round sunshine.

The country recorded over 51 million international visitors in 2019, ranking third globally by total arrivals before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mexico is renowned for its archaeological heritage, including pre-Columbian sites, ancient pyramids, cenotes, and UNESCO World Heritage monuments.

Key cultural symbols include Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), mariachi music, and the global influence of Mexican cuisine, officially recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

With more than 40 UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves, Mexico ranks among the countries with the most protected natural areas worldwide. Several of these reserves are located on the Yucatán Peninsula, including Ría Lagartos and Calakmul.

Mexico continues to be a leading destination for cultural, ecological, and historical tourism, combining Indigenous legacies with Spanish colonial influences.

Its infrastructure supports both domestic and international travel, with major airports and highway networks across the country.