All about Parque de San Juan in Mérida, Mexico (2025 Guide)

Cities often have a complicated relationship with pigeons – mostly because of the mess they leave behind. And honestly, when I think of that park, the first thing that comes to mind is the sheer number of pigeons hanging around when I was there last time.

Parque de San Juan is one of the slightly larger parks located downtown in the San Juan neighborhood, about three blocks south of Plaza Grande. As is common in Mérida, the park offers plenty of benches and large, shady trees.

The park’s centerpiece is the “Fuente de la Negrita,” a fountain imported from Paris in the early 1900s. In 1910, a statue of Benito Juárez – Mexico’s president from 1858 to 1872 – was also added.

The park itself provides a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the charm of Mérida’s colonial heritage.

The layout mirrors the traditional design typical of many Mexican town squares, with shaded seating, lush greenery, and an open central area often bustling with local activity.

Street Food Around San Juan Park

Surrounding San Juan Park are historic buildings and several small eateries.

You'll usually also find the typical small food stalls offering hamburgers, hot dogs, or chicharrón entero. In Mérida, crispy pork belly, known locally as "chicharrón entero," is a popular snack found at street stands throughout the city.

Playgrounds at San Juan Park

On the side of the park facing Calle 69A, there are two fenced playgrounds with slides, swings, small seesaws, and climbing structures, although they're intended mostly for younger children.

The History of the Park

Parque de San Juan developed around the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, a church built upon the remains of a 17th-century chapel.

While the exact date of the park’s establishment isn't clearly documented, it likely emerged as a public space in the late 18th or early 19th century.

Where is the Market?

Interestingly, unlike most neighborhoods in Mérida, the San Juan neighborhood doesn't have its own dedicated market.

However, the area is conveniently located just a few blocks from Mérida’s main market, Mercado Lucas de Gálvez, and the adjacent Mercado de San Benito.

Due to the size and central location of these two prominent markets, the addition of another market in the San Juan area was probably unnecessary at the time.

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista

The true highlight, of course, is the church. The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, or San Juan Bautista Church, stands in the Parque de San Juan and features a beautifully ornate Baroque facade.

Built between 1769 and 1770 on the site of a 17th-century chapel, this historic church reflects traditional Mexican architecture while lending its name to the surrounding park.

Arco de San Juan

On the southern side of the park stands the "Arco de San Juan," a brick arch that historically marked the boundary between the "white" city and the indigenous quarter.

Due to colonization, Mérida adopted many features characteristic of Spanish cities, including such symbolic structures.

This arch is one of three colonial gateways defining the historical limits of old Mérida, originally dating from the late 17th century. Among these, the San Juan arch is the most significant.

It was reconstructed in 1790 during the administration of Lucas de Gálvez y Montes de Oca, as noted on the plaque, which reads:

A small sculpture of Saint Juan stands in a niche at the center of the arch. Today, this famous arch - together with the colorful house facades - has become a popular photo spot. It is also the best-preserved (or restored) historical arch in the city.

Image Source (park): ©Sharon Hahn Darlin, flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link

Image Source (arch): ©Sharon Hahn Darlin, flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link

Image Source (church): ©jesus cruz martinez, wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

The picture was modified (image improvements, size)