All about The Harbor Lifestyle Mall in Mérida, Mexico

The Harbor Lifestyle Mall in the north end of the city on the Periferico is the newest of the larger shopping malls in Mérida (the mall opened in 2019).

It is very modern and the exterior with lakes (therefore "The Harbor"), fountains and a lush vegetation is a beautiful place to stroll around. You are allowed to take pets into the mall. If you have a dog, you can take your friend for a walk in the spacious air-conditioned building.

Just a quick note: You'll also find a huge Petco here. In case you're not familiar, it's a specialty store for pet supplies. It offers items like pet food, toys, accessories, grooming products, and much more for dogs, cats, birds, fish, and other pets.

Similar to La Isla Mérida Malltertainment (perhaps it served as inspiration), there's also a zipline that offers a unique experience, taking you across the lake if you're feeling adventurous and not afraid of water.

Shopping

The Harbour offers beauty, fashion, accessories, technology and more. If you're in the mood for some funky new shoes, you might want to check out Steve Madden. It should sparkle? Then Swarovski might be worth a visit. Abikay also offers jewelry.

Beach House is a clothing and fashion accessories store for the beach. Camasha is a clothing store from Yukatika with contemporary and elegant designs. Nice handmade hats and accessories can be found at Epifania.

Charly is another Mexican company dedicated to shoes, clothing and sports accessories. The retail anchor is Gran Chapur, and the mall also features a Cinépolis cinema.

Events

The mall organizes many different events every month. I think this is done specifically to create positive marketing because, as mentioned, Maill is still struggling with this. It's best to check out the event calendar on the mall's website,

These include

• traditional music performances by the Mariachi Halcones,

• craft and crochet workshops,

• live music concerts,

• the "Xpression Talentshow",

• art exhibitions, and more.

If you have kids, there are fun options like the "Bely y Beto Show", die "Princess Show" and other activities designed just for them. There’s even a family costume contest, and whether it’s Halloween or Christmas, there are events to match every occasion.

On the third weekend of every month, the shopping center holds the X-hibit Bazaar, featuring local crafts and handmade products spread throughout the mall. It's an excellent opportunity to show your support for local businesses.

For foodies

The Harbor Lifestyle Mall houses Porfirio's, acording to TripAdvisor (and other) one of the best restaurants in Mérida (however, we haven't tried it ourselves yet). Additional upscale dining choices include Tatemar and Maya de Asia.

And a tip for sweet tooths: Besides Santa Helados, the ice cream at Amorino in the mall is among the best in Mérida. If you're into ice cream and at the mall, it's a must-visit spot.

For kids

If you have kids, The Harbor is definitely worth recommending. Apart from the delicious ice cream at Amorino, there are a couple of nice play areas and, among other things, a climbing wall. And, as mentioned, there are also events especially for children.

The Big 5

Most of Mérida’s largest malls are located in the northern and northeastern parts of the city, areas popular with expats and newer residential developments. While all are worth visiting, my personal favorite is La Isla.

Here’s a brief overview:

• Galerías Mérida: The city’s largest shopping mall.

• La Isla Malltertainment: Known for its vibrant outdoor area.

• Gran Plaza Mérida: The third-largest mall in Mérida.

• The Harbor Lifestyle Mall: The newest shopping mall, opened in 2019.

• Altabrisa Mérida: Located in the northeast and well-established.

My personal rating

The Harbor is still relatively new, and with the surrounding residential area still under development, the mall hasn’t fully established its character yet. It’s not the busiest mall, and its spacious architecture makes this particularly noticeable.

Apart from the construction aspect, the timing was also less than ideal as it opened shortly after La Isla, which quickly became one of, if not the most popular mall in the north of Mérida (as mentioned, it’s also my personal favorite).

The shopping center probably just needs a bit more time, but it’s already gaining more popularity, partly because the management is very active in promoting it. Construction continues unabated in the north of Mérida, the neighborhood is growing rapidly and the influx of new residents will bring new shoppers.