Best Place to Travel to Mexico in 2024!

A super underrated place to travel to in Mexico is this cute little town called Merida in the Yucatan region.

FLIGHTS

• Flights can range from 500-700$.

• There are direct flights only from Miami, FL or Dallas, TX. Everywhere else has a layover.

• Direct flights take less than 3 hours and flights with a layover may take at least 6 hours.

ACCOMMODATION

• This boutique hotel (Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel + SPA) is the perfect escape to Mexico.

• It has a beautiful pink structure, which is great to take beautiful photos but the best thing is how accommodating and friendly the staff is.

DAY 1: EXPLORING THE HISTORIC CENTER

• Morning: Start your day with breakfast at CasaTho or the bakery called Pan & Kof.fee for amazing pastries. CasaTho is a restaurant but also has beautiful trendy stores inside with high-end brands from Mexico.

• Mid-morning: Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque streets of the Historic Center, admiring the colonial architecture and vibrant atmosphere.

• Lunch: Enjoy authentic Yucatecan cuisine at one of the local eateries in the area, such as La Chaya Maya or El Trapiche. You can also check out their botanerias, which is a concept where you drink and they bring little bites for free. The one I tried and loved is called El Lucero.

• Afternoon: Visit the iconic Paseo de Montejo, lined with grand mansions and charming cafes. Don't miss the chance to take a photo with the famous Monumento a la Patria.

• Evening: Experience the cultural scene of Merida by attending a traditional dance performance at the Palacio de la Musica or catching a live music show at La Negrita Cantina.

DAY 2: MAYAN RUINS AND CENOTES

• Morning: Embark on a day trip to the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal, located an hour drive from Merida. Explore the impressive ruins, including the Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor's Palace.

• Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the ruins or dine at one of the nearby restaurants offering traditional Yucatecan dishes.

• Afternoon: Head back to Merida after lunch and stop at Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyche on your way back for a tour of this beautiful hacienda and a swim in the cenotes. You have to reserve your tour ahead of time and it's by time slot, so you can reserve an afternoon time slot if you're going on your way back. Another great option is to do a full-day tour to visit two cenotes in one day.

• Evening: Return to Merida and unwind with a delicious dinner at one of the city's many gastronomic hotspots. Consider trying some regional specialties like cochinita pibil or poc chuc.

DAY 3: CULTURAL IMMERSION

• Morning: Begin your day at the spa where you can get a body exfoliation with their homemade cacao mix. I promise you will not regret it.

• Mid-morning: You can explore Lucas de Galvez market, where you can browse stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Don't forget to sample some local snacks like panuchos or salbutes.

• Lunch: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the charming cafes or restaurants surrounding Plaza Grande, soaking up the vibrant ambiance of the historic center. I highly recommend eating at the Museum of Yucateca Gastronomy.

• Afternoon: Spend your afternoon with a private clay making class at a place called Clayworks. They make beautiful pots that you can take as a souvenir with you home. It takes a few days for the clay to dry out but they have a recommended shipping vendor that can ship it to you once you go back home.

• Evening: Wrap up your visit to Merida with dinner at a rooftop restaurant with good food and drinks. I recommend either Delina Golden Rooftop, which is a 5min walk from the Rosas & Xocolate hotel.