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The 15 Best Day Trips from Merida Mexico in the Yucatan

This travel guide about Best Merida Day Trips was originally written in March 2016 and is continually updated, most recently in August 2018, following our latest visit to the Yucatan.

One of Merida’s greatest attributes is its centralized location in the Yucatan, which is why we list “getting out” as #1 in our Top Things To Do in Merida Travel Guide. There are so many awesome day trips from Merida to tour the entire Yucatan region! You’ll discover an abundance of some of the Yucatan’s best beaches, Mayan ruins, cities, cenotes, and other attractions all scattered within close proximity to Merida.

All of these day trips from Merida listed here are within a two-hour drive from Merida. There are enough worthwhile Merida day trips to fill an entire one or two-week Yucatan itinerary. Yet even with a few days basing yourself in Merida, you’ll be able to pack in many of these excursions, as you explore the many awesome adventures throughout the Yucatan!

But it hasn’t always been easy to figure out where everything is located, how to get there, how much it all costs and what is actually worthwhile to visit. That’s why we decided to painstaking assemble this detailed travel guide of what we’ve found to be the best day trips from Merida. We hope that our effort of putting together this info-packed guide will help other Yucatan travelers to plan out their adventures and thoroughly enjoy the best of what the Yucatan has to offer!

In each of the following Merida day trips, we provide suggestions for Merida tours and DIY directions. The Merida tour recommendations should prove helpful for those looking for convenience. Meanwhile, independent travelers and those traveling through the Yucatan on a budget will likely appreciate the detailed do-it-yourself directions. We show how to get to each of these locations on your own from Merida, using public transport or rental car. Having your own wheels is essential for a few of these Yucatan day trips from Merida. While other sites can be easily traveled to by public transportation or a Merida day tour.

A day tour from Merida can be a seamless, and often still a very affordable way to visit other attractions. For each Merida day trip recommendation, we compare what we’ve found to be the best tours at the best prices. Sit back and leave all of the logistics to the Merida tour agency while you get scooped up directly from your hotel and have a guide to fill you with local knowledge along the way.

But however you arrive to these intriguing destinations throughout the Yucatan, we do hope the following suggestions for Merida day trips are helpful to your travel planning!

Table of Contents
  • Top 5 Best Mayan Ruins Near Merida
    • Chichen Itza | Uxmal | Mayapan | Ruta Puuc | Dzibilchaltun
  • Best Beaches Near Merida
    • Progreso | Celestun | Others
  • Caves & Cenotes for Yucatan Adventure
    • Cuzama Cenotes | Other Cenotes | Calcehtok | Loltun | Tzabnah
  • Interesting Cities & Towns to Visit
    • Campeche | Izamal | Valladolid | Acanceh
  • Best Haciendas & Cultural Attractions
    • Choco-Story | Yaxcopoil | Ochil | Sotuta de Peon

And here’s a handy map to refer back to. (If you’re doing some travel planning, you may want to bookmark this page.) If you get lost in this big info-laden post, simply scroll back up to the top here and use this map or the table of contents to help find your way.


Best Mayan Ruins Near Merida

There are numerous Mayan ruin sites all throughout the Yucatan peninsula. The recommendations below are what we firmly suggest as the best Mayan ruins near Merida. It includes a mix of the most popular Mayan ruins, in addition to a few lesser visited ruin sites near Merida that you can find off the beaten path.

1) See the Famous Chichen Itza Ruins Without the Crowds


Chichen Itza is the most famous Mayan ruins near Merida. Come and gawk at the enormous Castillo (Kuklakan) temple. Chichen Itza boasts several accolades such as being the largest Mayan archaeological site in the Yucatan, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

But with all of these superlatives, Chichen Itza has become the most popular Mayan ruin site in the region. It attracts quite the crowds and vendors. Don’t let this deter you from a visit though. Simply plan to arrive early, right when Chichen Itza opens, or even a bit before. There are no crowds at Chichen Itza in the early morning hours. Most of those annoying hawkers haven’t even arrived yet.

Chichen Itza opens at 8:00 am and can be virtually empty until 9:00 or 10:00. Crowds really begin to arrive around 11:00. Noon-3:00 is always the busiest time to visit Chichen Itza.

Yet it’s easy to be among the first few people into these impressive Mayan ruins near Merida. We find that getting an early start truly makes Chichen Itza such a more pleasurable experience. No crowds, no pesky vendors, and it’s without that harsh midday Yucatan heat. The tourist hoards get bused in daily from the Cancun resorts and the Cozumel cruise port, which is a few hours away to the east. They’ll start arriving in large numbers just before midday, so it’s easy to get from Merida to Chichen Itza before the hundreds of tour buses arrive from the Riviera Maya.

If you have your own means of transportation, we would suggest planning to arrive around 7:45. Or take the Chichen Itza Early Tour from Merida, which will at least get you there by 10:00 am and still before those Cancun buses.

Chichen Itza Info

Chichen Itza Entrance Fee: $242 pesos for adults. (Note: there are two separate mandatory tickets $70 + $142 = $242 pesos)
Chichen Itza Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Toilets: Yes
Food: Snack vendors and decent Oxtun restaurant onsite.
Pack: Sunscreen, umbrella, bug spray, water, camera, hat, sneakers, cash, and pack patience if you arrive in the afternoon.

Directions: How To Get from Merida to Chichen Itza:

While you can get from Merida to Chichen Itza using the following four ways, we recommend to either rent a car or take a Chichen Itza day tour from Merida.

Self-drive from Merida to Chichen Itza: It is an easy and direct route from Merida to Chichen Itza using the very nice highway 180D, which has hefty tolls of $95 pesos, each way. The drive takes about 1½ hours if things go smoothly, but you may want to budget for two hours, pending traffic departing Merida. Parking fees at Chichen Itza are an additional $30 pesos. Exact driving directions: here on GoogleMaps.

Taxi from Merida to Chichen Itza: Try to negotiate a $1,000 pesos round-trip fare for a taxi from Merida to Chichen Itza that includes a few hours waiting time at the ruins. Expect to cover tolls ($180 pesos) and parking fee ($30 pesos) in addition to the taxi fare. Once you factor in admission ($242-pesos) and lunch, you can expect the total cost to well exceed US$100 for a couple, even if a good taxi fare is negotiated. We believe a tour or rental car is a better option.

Bus from Merida to Chichen Itza: Buses from Merida to Chichen Itza depart from both the CAME and Noreste terminals for the approximately 2-hour ride. Second-class buses start around $70 pesos each way, while the ADO  bus from Merida to Chichen Itza is $150 each way. There are typically 3-4 ADO buses that depart Merida in the morning hours. (Check ado.com.mx for an up-to-date timetable.) The problem with the ADO bus is that there is only one return bus from Chichen Itza to Merida each day, which is not until 5:30 pm in the afternoon, leaving you at the sweltering ruins for a long time.
We instead recommend considering the Your Way Shuttle Bus to Chichen Itza (check here for schedule and availability). It’s a great deal since it’s only a few dollars more than the ADO bus, but this shuttle bus further includes an access pass to the adjacent Mayaland Resort and pool! There’s a private entrance between the resort and the ruins, so it’s easy to use that pool to cool off before returning to Merida. Book on Expedia.

Chichen Itza Day Tours from Merida: Chichen Itza day trips from Merida can present good value, given the convenience and all that is included in the price. For example, the Chichen Itza Early Tour from Merida includes hotel pick-up, a full lunch, resort access at the ruins, and a professional guided tour of Chichen Itza. The 8:00 am pick-up helps to ensure you get to Chichen Itza before the influx of Cancun tour groups arrive.

These full tours from Merida can be a good option for a day trip to Chichen Itza, not only for the convenience but because you’ll also get an informative guide who will explain the many details about this impressive ancient site. Yet it’s all the extras that really add value, as some day trips even detour to nearby cenotes before returning Merida. All tours mentioned here include access to Mayaland Resort, in which you can use their private entrance to Chichen Itza and free use of their pool. Pack a bathing suit!

See the table below to compare these popular tours from Merida to Chichen Itza. Be sure to click thru the links to confirm up-to-date info, availability, latest reviews, and pricing (sometimes they run deals, in which pricing is actually less than indicated in this table.)

TourYour WayDay TripEarly Tour
Depart8:00am9:00am8:00am
Length8 hrs8 hrs9 hrs
Guide
Lunch
Ruin admission
Mayaland Resort access
Cenote visitNoCenote IkkilXcajum (80p xtra)
Cost$32 USD$85 USD$88 USD
Book on:ExpediaGetYourGuideViator

2) Explore the Uxmal Ruins from Merida

Uxmal is arguably the best Mayan ruins near Merida to visit. The Mayan ruins of Uxmal are the other major Mayan ruin site within easy reach of Merida. It’s our favorite Mayan ruins near Merida to roam around and we highly recommend. Go to Uxmal to learn all about the importance of Rain God Chaac to the Mayan inhabitants who once thrived here centuries ago.

This ancient Mayan site, built between 700-1,000 AD, was a massive city of 25,000 people living here in the dry jungle of the Yucatan. Today the well-preserved ruins give a glimpse deep into Mayan history, allowing visitors to immerse themselves throughout the intricate complex that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Unlike at Chichen Itza, you can actually climb atop and even inside many of the ruins at Uxmal. This makes for a fun experience and some incredible views! Gaze down and imagine what this impressive site must have been like when the Mayans ruled the land.

The Uxmal ruins are much less trafficked than Chichen Itza, yet are still moderately popular in the afternoons. Arriving early is a good idea to beat any crowds, but it’s really not as big of a concern compared to Chichen Itza. Mornings are still a good bet more so to beat the heat. In the video below, you can get an idea of the (lack of) crowds, during our last visit to the ruins in June 2018, around the late morning (10:00-Noon).

Uxmal Info
Uxmal Entrance Fee: $304 pesos for adults. (Note: there are two separate mandatory tickets $70 + $234 = $304 pesos)
Tour Guides (Optional): $800-pesos for English, Italian, German, French, or Dutch
Uxmal Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Toilets: Yes
Food: Onsite snack bar and nearby restaurants at hotels.
 Pack: Sunscreen, umbrella, bug spray, water (lots!), hat, camera, sneakers, and cash.

Nearby: While in the area, consider combining a trip to Uxmal with a visit to the nearby Kabah ruins and the excellent Choco-Story Museum. (Info on those sites follow in this guide.)

Directions: from Merida to Uxmal:

Uxmal is an easy day trip from Merida. To get from Merida to Uxmal, driving, buses, and day tours to Uxmal are all great and viable options to consider.

Drive from Merida to Uxmal: It’s a straight shot on good roadways that should take slightly more than an hour to reach Uxmal. Consider driving through the town of Muna, not around it using the bypass. Muna has mirador (viewpoint) and it’s worth stopping there for both the views and to take a look at Pedro’s artwork. Parking at Uxmal is $30-pesos. Exact driving directions are here on Google Maps.

Merida to Uxmal Bus: Buses depart from Merida’s Terminal de Segunda Clase (TAME) bus station for the ~1.5-hour journey. The fare is $65 pesos each way. The timetable at time of writing shows departures from Merida to Uxmal at 6:00, 9:00, 10:40, 12:00, 14:35, 17:00, and 18.05. There are five return buses from Uxmal to Merida that depart roughly every 2-3 hours. You can plan your departure time for approximately a two-hour visit to Uxmal.

Day Tours from Merida to Uxmal:

Day tours to Uxmal can be a very convenient option, including hotel pick-ups, lunch, resort access to cool off in their pools, and to get all the knowledge that a guide can fill you in about the fascinating site. The tours can also be a good bet adding in stops to nearby Kabah and/or the Choc-Story museum. Below is a comparison chart of some of the most popular Uxmal tours from Merida. Be sure to click through the links to confirm up-to-date details, see the latest reviews, and verify pricing (which may be even less than indicated, as there are occasionally deals.)

TourOn Your OwnUxmal, Kabah, & ChocoUxmal & Kabah
Depart8am9am9am
Length10 hours9 hours8 hours
Guided
Lunch
Uxmal admission$304-pesos extra
Resort w/ pool access Lodge at Uxmal Hacienda Uxmal
Choco-Story MuseumYes +$70-pesosIncludedNo
Cost$32 USD$76 USD$87 USD
Book on:ViatorGetYourGuideViator

3) Appreciate Having the Under-Rated Mayapan Ruins All to Yourself

About 25 miles outside of Merida are the majestic Mayapan ruins. These impressive Mayapan ruins are what we vouch are the most under-appreciated Mayan ruins near Merida. The site is not as large nor as popular as Uxmal or Chichen Itza. But that’s all part of Mayapan’s appeal. You will likely be able to enjoy the beauty of these Mayan ruins all to yourself. Take in the tranquility. Be sure to climb all the way to the top of Temple of Kukulcan and get some postcard-worthy photos.

At a mere $40-peso entrance fee, a visit to these ruins is of incredible value. And after frenzied experiences at other popular ruin sites, you’ll be treated to a quiet and serene experience at Mayapan. For all of these reasons, we put the Mayapan ruins firmly amidst the best day trips from Merida. And it’s among the closest Mayan ruins sites near Merida too!

Mayapan Ruins Info

Mayapan Entrance Fee: $40 pesos
Chichen Itza Hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Toilets: Yes
Food: Nothing onsite and not much around. If you have a car, consider lunch at El Príncipe Tutul Xiu in Mani, a 35-drive to the south.
Pack: Sunscreen, umbrella, bug spray, water, camera, hat, sneakers, cash, snack

Directions: from Merida to Mayapan Ruins:

It can be a little tricky to take the bus from Merida to the Mayapan ruins, but it’s doable. Mayapan is better approached by rental car or day tour.

Self-drive from Merida to Mayapan Ruins: Taking state road 184 south will enable you to reach Mayapan in under an hour. You’ll see clearly marked signs for Mayapan, just a bit past the town of Telchaquillo. Consider stopping at the town of Acanceh, which is on the way. (There’s more about Acanceh later in this blog post.) Exact driving directions to Mayapan ruins are: here on Google Maps.

Bus from Merida to Mayapan Ruins: Use the Noreste bus terminal, located here at Calle 67 and Calle 50. Buy a ticket on the Telchaquillo bus, which will get you close to the Mayapan ruins. Be sure not to confuse the ruins of Mayapán with the village of Mayapán, which is a completely different place that shares the same name. Say “ruinas de Mayapán” or “zona archeologica de Mayapán.” The bus cost is $25 pesos each-way and departures and returns run about every hour. As this is a 2nd class bus, it makes many stops and will take about 1.5 hours to get to the Mayapan ruins.

Day Tour from Merida to Mayapan Ruins: Although we think a visit to Mayapan is very worthwhile, it is not a common or popular day tour from Merida, so you may have trouble finding an operator who offers it. This new (2018) Mayapan tour on Viator is an affordable option that also includes a visit to the Mayan town of Acanceh and a nearby cenote.

Or there’s also now this Hidden Treasures Tour that includes a visit to Mayapan, yet further includes lunch, a visit to the most notable convent in the area, and even a tour of the Loltun cave system for a full-on day of exploration!

4) Cruise Over the Hills of the Ruta Puuc

The Ruta Puuc is a great driving route for anyone wanting to explore some of the lesser visited Mayan ruins near Merida. Coast across the hilly and forested terrain and you’ll pass by three separate Mayan ruin sites. This includes Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna.

Each site has its own unique features and feel. Labna has its impressive and elaborate arch that is not to be missed. The Xlapak palace may be smaller than neighboring sites but has a wild feel to the unrestored mounds that remain. Meanwhile, Sayil sports a rugged atmosphere with an impressive palace and other structures.

Each of the three Mayan ruin complexes has short trails connecting different ruins to one another. While nearby Uxmal and Kabah are largely exposed to the sun, the jungle canopy of trees throughout the Ruta Puuc offers a welcomed reprieve and truly provides a sense of exploration. It’s that sense of discovery of these more wild ruins and the lack of anyone else here, that makes the Ruta Puuc such a worthwhile day trip from Merida to embark on.

If visiting these three Mayan ruin sites along the Ruta Puuc from east to west, you’ll then reach the Mayan ruins of Kabah. This site is bigger and grander than the previous three and it’s logical to also include a stop at Kabah while touring the Ruta Puuc. Some consider Kabah as a part of the Ruta Puuc too. It’s here at Kabah that you’ll find the former administrative structure of Codz Poop and the hundreds of detailed Chaac masks that still adorn the building today.

For more about this awesome route that connects multiple Mayan sites, then be sure to reach our full post:

  • How To Visit Ruta Puuc: Yucatan’s Road Trip Across the Mayan World
Ruta Puuc Info
Ruta Puuc Entrance Fee: The Ruta Puuc itself is free to access and drive on, but the sites have the following admission fees:
  • Sayil Entrance Fee: $55 pesos
  • Xlapak Entrance Fee: Free
  • Labna Entrance Fee: $55 pesos
  • Kabah Entrance Fee: $55 pesos

Ruta Puuc Hours: 8 am – 5 pm for all four sites. The Ruta Puuc road remains open 24 hours.
Toilets: Yes
Food: Nothing along the Ruta Puuc route or ruin sites. We suggest lunch at the Pickled Onion in Santa Elena.
 Pack: Sunscreen, umbrella, bug spray, water, camera, hat, sneakers, cash, snacks

Nearby: It’s worthwhile to consider further extending your Ruta Puuc road trip to culminate at Uxmal.

Directions: From Merida to the Ruta Puuc:

We believe that the Ruta Puuc is best experienced by car. Yet there are some limited bus and day tour options from Merida for those who may be uncomfortable driving the Ruta Puuc.

Drive from Merida to the Ruta Puuc: We suggest beginning on the east side, starting with Labna, which should take 1½-2 hours. From Merida to Ruta Puuc, take 184 towards Oxkutzcab. From there, it’s another 15-minute drive up 31 to the Ruta Puuc turnoff, which is clearly signposted. Continue on the Ruta Puuc to Labna, Xlapak, then, Sayil. Consider further continuing to Kabah and Uxmal to pack in a very full day of Mayan ruins from Merida. Exact directions from Merida to the recommended east turn-off for Ruta Puuc is here on Google Maps.

Ruta Puuc Bus from Merida: Oriente Bus operates on Sundays only, departing at 8:00 am and stops at all three sites on the Ruta Puuc for 30-minutes each. The bus continues onto Kabah (40-minute stop) and Uxmal (2-hour stop). The price is $280 pesos per person, plus all admission fees at your own expense (+$469 pesos for all 5 sites). This totals $749 pesos + lunch expense for the Sunday outing. This Ruta Puuc bus returns to Merida around 5:00 pm. The bus departs from the Terminal de Segunda Clase (TAME station) on calle 69 between 68 and 70.

Ruta Puuc Adventure Tour from Merida: There is a more formal small group tour to the Ruta Puuc and Loltun Caves that runs every day of the week and includes transportation and guide to the three Ruta Puuc sites plus the Loltun Caves for $55 USD. This makes for a nice full day of adventure from Merida.

5) Visit the Closest Mayan Ruins Near Merida: Dzibilchaltun Ruins

The Dzibilchaltun Ruins may not be as large as Chichen Itza, as impressive as Uxmal, as intimate as Mayapan, or as much of an adventure as the Ruta Puuc drive. But the Dzibilchaltun ruins are the closest Mayan ruins to Merida, includes an artifact-filled museum and an even onsite exposed cenote that you can swim in. Another appeal of Dzibilchaltun is that you are permitted to climb up some of the temples here. So while it may not hold quite the esteem as some of the aforementioned Mayan ruins sites, Dzibilchaltun still makes for a very worthwhile half-day trip from Merida.

We recommend Dzibilchaltun for convenience, given it’s close proximity to Merida. Dzibilchaltun is so close to Merida, that on a clear day, you can even see the skyline of Merida off in the distance!

And if you happen to be in the Yucatan during an equinox (around March 21 or September 22), it is highly advisable to visit the Dzibilchaltun Ruins at sunrise to witness the Templo de las Siete Munecas light up, making the doors of the temple glow since they are perfectly aligned with the sun.

While most of the other Mayan ruin sites in this guide are full-day excursions, Dzibilchaltun can be easily visited from Merida in a half day. If going to Dzibilchaltun on a hot day (which is just about every day), be sure to bring your bathing suit to take a swim in the refreshing waters of Cenote Xlakah.

Dzibilchaltun Ruins Info
Dzibilchaltun Entrance Fee: $152 pesos, for combined entrance to ruins + cenote, also includes the museum.
Dzibilchaltun Hours: 8 am – 5 pm, but cenote closes at 3:30 pm. Museum closed on Mondays.
Toilets: Yes
Food: Drinks and snack bar onsite near the entrance.
 Pack: Bathing suit, biodegradable sunscreen, umbrella, natural bug spray, water, camera, hat, sneakers, cash

Directions: to Dzibilchaltun Ruins from Merida:

Being the closest ruins near Merida, Dzibilchaltun makes an easy day trip from Merida that can be reached using any of the following options. Tip on best time to go to Dzibilchaltun: To have a more tranquil experience, avoid busier weekends and avoid days that cruises are in port at Progreso (check Progreso cruise schedule here).

Driving from Merida to Dzibilchaltun: Depending on traffic, you can reach Dzibilchaltun from Merida in less than a half hour, although planning for 30-45 minutes may be more realistic. It’s $20 pesos for parking at Dzibilchaltun. The site is well signed and exact directions from Merida centro are here on Google Maps.

Colectivos from Merida to Dzibilchaltun: Colectivos are frequent and depart from Parque San Juan. Check on Calle 69a and 67a, between Calle 62 and 64. Cost is $11 pesos for the 30-minute trip and you’ll get dropped off about 1 km from the ruin site. Then walk (or take a mototaxi) the remaining way to the ruins.

Uber/Taxis from Merida to Dzibilchaltun: An Uber estimate to Dzibilchaltun is about $200 pesos, each way, although you may have to negotiate with your Uber driver to wait there for the return trip since it is a bit far of a pick-up spot. Taxis have been known to do to do the round-trip from Merida to Dzibilchaltun for $250-$300 pesos including an hour or so of waiting time at Dzibilchaltun.

Merida to Dzibilchaltun – By Bike: This cycling trip to Dzibilchaltun is an awesome way to get to the ruins for those who are active!

Tour to Dzibilchaltun: Given how close Dzibilchaltun is to Merida, a tour isn’t really necessary since it can be easily reached by public transportation or taxi at a reasonable cost. But this tour combines Dzibilchaltun & Progreso Beach to make a full day trip for those who may prefer a tour from Merida. (More about Progreso beach below.)

Other Mayan Ruins Near Merida, Mexico

The Mayan ruin sites listed above are what we recommend as the 5 best ruin sites from Merida to visit. But know that there are even more ruins near Merida and throughout the Yucatan. If you want to continue exploring the ancient Mayan world, you can consider visiting Xcambo and Oxkintok. These lesser visited ruin sites are best approached from Merida by car.

Oxkintok Ruins

The ruins of Oxkintok are said to be among the oldest in the area. There’s a well-preserved pyramid that you may be able to climb and even go inside. Located in the hills of the thick jungle, when driving to Oxkintok, be careful of the growth on the skinny road that will easily scratch your car. Oxkintok is very close to the Calcehtok Caves, 45-minutes west of Uxmal, and about an hour or so drive directly from Merida to Oxkintok. Open 8:00-5:00, entrance fee: $55 pesos, located here.

Xcambo Ruins

The Mayan complex of Xcambo is an interesting detour to make if driving along the coast near Telchac Puerto. It’s certainly worthy of dropping in for an hour if already in the area, but this smaller ruin site of Xcambo may not justify a day trip from Merida onto itself. Xcambo is said to be a former fish curing and salt-producing center, which makes sense given its location near the coast. Xcambo is another ruin site that allows you to climb up the structures and you’ll likely be the only visitors. Open 8:00-4:30, entrance fee: $70 pesos, located here, about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Merida.

Best Beaches Near Merida, Mexico

The beaches near Merida may not have quite the large expanse of white sands as in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. But the beaches near Merida are very nice beaches nonetheless. Even better, you’ll be able to enjoy a much more local beach experience near Merida, rather than tourist crowds or spring breakers often found at the sprawling resorts on the other side of the peninsula.

The beaches near Merida also tend not to be bombarded by the influx of Sargasso seaweed that often affects the Caribbean beaches. An added appeal of the beaches near Merida is that you’ll pay a fraction of the cost at restaurants and hotels on these Gulf Coast beaches, compared to the Yucatan peninsula’s eastern shores.

A day at the beach makes for an easy and excellent trip day from Merida. So which beach near Merida to go to?

6) Relax on the Beaches of Progreso, Mexico

A short 27 miles from Merida, is the tranquil beach town of Progreso. This makes Progesso the closest beach near Merida. You can easily reach Progreso beach from Merida Centro in less than an hour!

For those looking for a relaxing day trip from Merida, a day at Progreso beach is a perfect idea. Go here to escape the city heat and to have some fun in the sun. In Progreso, you can take a dip in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters while marveling at the longest pier in the world.

Take a stroll down Progreso’s mile-long malecon lining the shorefront to work up an appetite. When it’s time for lunch, find one of the many seaside restaurants to devour some fresh local seafood. Or pull up a plastic chair at one of the abundant palapa restaurants on the beach to kick back a few cervezas while you bury your toes in the sand. This is what Progreso beach is all about.

So where to grab some seafood and a beer while chilling out on Progreso beach? There are endless opportunities. We can personally recommend Sol y Mar for their delicious ceviche and they’ve been known to run a ceviche promotion that includes a pitcher of beer. Also, the Eladio’s location right on the beach is excellent. The beers at Eladios are slightly overpriced but they more than make up for it with the extremely generous platefuls of bontanas (Mexican tapas) that are delivered to your table complimentary. Expat favorite, Milk Bar, is always fun to pop into whether for a shake or a beer.



This post first appeared on Roaming Around The World - Travel Blog With Tales, please read the originial post: here

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The 15 Best Day Trips from Merida Mexico in the Yucatan

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