I loved how Merida felt very calm and safe compared to other parts of Mexico (I came over from the west). Its streets were much quieter, and there was a nice colonial charm which made it one of my favourite Mexican cities. I also used it as a base for visiting Chichen Itza, but in hindsight, it’s easier to go there from Valladolid or Cancun instead.
Every corner of this vibrant town is bursting with life… but each with its own undeniable allure. From the historic Mayan Ruins to the endless ocean along the along Gulf Coast – this little town caters to all.
Deciding where to stay in Merida can be a daunting task if you’ve never set foot in the town before. But don’t you worry, I’ve got you covered! I’ve explored every nook of the place and I am here to bring you the BEST places to stay and some fun things to do in Merida.
Whether you want to explore the historical centre or relax in a more low-key area, this guide will give you all the answers you need on where to base yourself in this fun city.
So, without further ado, let’s get into the good stuff.
Photo: @audyscala
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Merida Neighbourhood Guide: The Best Areas to Stay
Zocalo
Zocalo, which means “town square” in Spanish, is the heart of Merida. This neighborhood is perfect for first-time visitors because it’s centrally located and has some of the most beautiful architecture in the city.
Santa Ana
Traveling on a budget in Mexico has recently become a little more difficult with the popularity of the country as a tourist destination, but Merida is still under the radar and a great place to visit on the cheap.
Santiago
Santiago is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Merida. The buildings are absolutely stunning with a mix of colonial and neoclassical architecture. You can see the influence of the Mayans and Spanish in this neighborhood more than any other.
Merida’s Three Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in
Merida has some solid options to stay in. I recommend three spots here, which we covered briefly above. But I’m gonna dive into them a little deeper here so you know exactly which spots are right for you!
1. Zócalo – Where to Stay During Your First Time
Zócalo, which means “town square” in Spanish, is the heart of Merida. This is where I stayed, and it was super convenient being centrally-located, with some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. Everywhere you look is like an endorphin hit for the eyes. You’ll find stunning colonial buildings, colourful facades, and charming plazas just waiting to be explored.
It’s also where you will spend the majority of your time sightseeing and hanging out, so it just makes sense to stay here. You’ll never run out of things to do, and you won’t have to worry about getting around, as everything is walkable. It’s one of the coolest places to stay in Mexico for sure!
- Best For: Being close to the main spots.
- The Vibe: Pretty chilled as far as central areas go.
- Proximity to Airport: It’s a 25-minute drive away, or 40-50 minutes by public transport.
- Transport Level: Walkable, but Uber is affordable and the easiest way to get around.
- Budget: Very affordable with hostels starting from $9, even in the city centre, Mexico is cheap!
- Crowds: Not too bad overall, but busier than other parts of the city.
Top Things to Do in Zócalo
- Learn about the history of the Mayans at the Maya Museum
- Walk around the famous Plaza Grande
- Take a food tour of the city
- Visit the stunning San Ildefonso Cathedral
- Join a walking tour at Santa Lucia Park
- Cool off in one of the epic cenotes surrounding Merida, like Cascabel.
Best Hotel in Zócalo: Kuka y Naranjo
Kuka y Naranjo is a beautiful Mexican-style boutique hotel located just steps away from Zócalo. It has a gorgeous outdoor pool and garden to escape the Mexican sun. The spacious rooms are decorated with traditional Mexican textiles and artwork, giving you an authentic experience during your stay.
It’s a bit pricy for solo travellers, but if you bring a group here, this is an absolute bargain! I absolutely loved it, and came here during my second and third trips to the city. Let’s just say, I know where I’ll settle during my 4th trip!
Best Hostel in Zócalo: Hostal La Ermita
This is a great budget option in the Zócalo neighbourhood. You can snag a single bed for less than $14 a night, and the location is perfect for visiting popular museums.
The only thing to keep in mind is that in the summer, rooms without A/C can get pretty hot. Luckily, the hostel has a garden terrace with hammocks and a large pool where you can chill out and cool off.
Best Airbnb in Zócalo: Majikal Casa Shiva
This casa is the perfect stay in Zócalo for couples. For solo travellers it’s a little on the pricy side. The cosy studio apartment is in a renovated rock home just minutes from Zócalo and other popular attractions. The garden feels like your own little jungle with a secret plunge pool and plenty of places for you to drink your morning cafecito (Mexican coffee).
2. Santa Ana – Best Place to Stay on a Budget
Travelling on a budget in Mexico has recently become a little more difficult with the popularity of the country as a tourist destination, but Merida is still under the radar and a great place to visit on the cheap. Santa Ana neighbourhood is my top choice for budget travellers, as it offers a mix of culture, history, and affordability.
Located north of Zócalo, I’d say Santa Ana is the cool kid on the block, with hip cafes, trendy street art, and a young vibe. It’s also a great place to stay if you want easy access to both the historic city centre and more modern areas of Merida.
- Best For: Backpackers looking to save a bit of cash.
- The Vibe: Relaxed with a decent mix of cafes, art galleries, good restaurants, and more.
- Proximity to Airport: It will take you 40 minutes by the R907 tram, or 20 driving.
- Transport Level: Walking and Uber are your best bets here. Buses are cheap, but can take a while to come.
- Budget: Very cheap. There are several market stalls offering budget-friendly food.
- Crowds: Moderate to quiet.
Top Things to Do in Santa Ana
- Go for a tour around the Dzibilchaltun Archeological Site
- Learn about the conquistadors at the Casa Montejo museum
- Take a day trip to Progresso to enjoy the beach
- Try cochinita pibil at Mercado Santa Ana
- Go salsa dancing on Saturday nights at Santiago Park
- Check out the architecture of the big yellow Santa Ana Church
Best Hotel in Santa Ana: Hotel Santa Maria
Hotel Santa Maria is everything you can imagine out of a Mexican Hacienda. With gorgeous arches and bright orange walls, this boutique hotel is the perfect blend of traditional and modern. The garden just screams tropical paradise, with the greenery and large pool. Just a 10-minute walk from the cathedral, it’s the perfect location to explore the city.
And as broke backpackers, we look for one thing above all others (well, kinda, it’s gotta be a respectable place still). Budget! For two people sharing, this is an absolute bargain. If you’re on your own, it may stretch the purse strings a little, but we aren’t talking Switzerland prices here.
Best Hostel in Santa Ana: Che Nomadas
Che Nomadas is a chain hostel that is set up for backpackers. They have parties, karaoke nights, beer pong and more. And this is super cheap too! The downside is that you have to tolerate a 14-person room. There are smaller rooms, but they cost marginally more.
One of my favourite things here was the curtains on the beds. They gave me privacy which was welcome in a place where there’s a bit of a social vibe, becoming more rowdy on the weekends when the parties get a little more wild.
Best Homestay in Santa Ana: Hotel Santa Ana
The homey vibes of Hotel Santa Ana are the perfect stay for budget travellers. Locally run, you’ll immediately feel taken care of upon arrival. With clean and comfortable rooms, a homemade breakfast, a refreshing outdoor pool, and a tranquil courtyard to relax in, you seriously can’t ask for more from a hostel in Merida.
3. Santiago – Best Neighbourhood for Families
Santiago is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Merida. The buildings are absolutely stunning with a mix of colonial and neoclassical architecture. You can see the influence of the Mayans and Spanish in this neighbourhood more than any other.
Its perfect central location makes it walkable for the entire family. There are plenty of parks and plazas for the kids to play in, and you’ll be close to all the main attractions. But where Santiago really puts on a show is its local food scene. My goodness, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in all of Merida right here. Nom!
- Best For: Families and anyone looking for a quieter location.
- The Vibe: It feels more traditional here, I didn’t see so many tourists.
- Proximity to Airport: Around 45-55 minutes by tram, or half that with Uber.
- Transport Level: As with the rest of Merida, walking is easy, but Uber is what you should use at night.
- Budget: It’s pretty affordable here, there isn’t much difference compared to Santa Ana.
- Crowds: Pretty tame overall, with tourists generally hanging around nearer the Zocalo.
Photo: @sebagvivas
Top Things to Do in Santiago
- Check out the historic mansions on Paseo de Montejo
- Take a day trip to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza
- Learn about local history at the Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia and take a sightseeing bus tour
- Go for a bike ride on Sundays when Paseo de Montejo and Calle 60 are closed to traffic. (It’s called Biciruta)
- Discover the history of chocolate at Choco-Story
- Spend an afternoon hanging out in Parque de Santiago
Best Boutique Hotel in Santiago: Viva Merida Hotel Boutique
The interior of this boutique hotel is unreal. With huge arches that give off a little bit of Aladdin vibes, you’ll feel like royalty just walking around in the lobby. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated with Mexican touches. Enjoy breakfast on the sun terrace, and cool off in the pool on those hot Merida days.
We’re giving you a slightly different option here, as this one’s a little more expensive. But there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while!
Best Hostel in Santiago: Boutique Casa Garza
The Boutique Casa Garza is one of the most beautiful hostels you’ll find. It’s a classic hacienda turned hostel, offering the best of both worlds. The rooms are bright and airy, with high ceilings and traditional Mexican touches. The best part is the garden area, with hammocks, a pool, and fairy lights along the walkways. It feels like magic here.
The private rooms are expensive, but the dorms are dirt cheap, just how we like them!
Best Airbnb in Santiago: Traveling House
This two-bedroom Airbnb might be my favorite stay in Santiago. The owners have truly created a beautiful and unique space, blending traditional Mexican elements with nature. The kitchen has ample space to cook your own meals.
The outdoor space is lush with a private pool and seating area, perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening. Digital nomads in Mexico, rejoice! With good Wi-Fi and a half-decent table to perch up at – this is a brilliant spot to stay. It takes up to 4 guests, so it’s expensive for solo travellers, not too bad for couples, and an absolute bargain for groups of four!
FAQs About Where to Stay in Merida
Here are a few of the most common questions I get about staying in Merida.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Merida
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Merida. It’s not as action-packed as cities to the east, but accidents can still happen.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Which Part of Merida Should You Stay in?
Still unsure where to base yourself? Zocalo is best if you want to be at the heart of the action, Santa Ana for cheaper stays, and Santiago for a more authentic “non-touristy” experience.
I’d say Merida is pretty cheap overall, so Santa Ana’s money-saving angle should only be top priority if you’re the brokest of broke backpackers out there.
Kuka y Naranjo in Zócalo is my ultimate recommendation. Right in the centre of everything, it is reasonably priced and has both a/c and a pool. Trust me, you’ll be in good hands here!
Wherever you end up, I hope you enjoy Merida as much as I did. It’s a special place.
- Check out our ultimate guide to backpacking around Mexico.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in Merida.
- Or… maybe you want to check out some Airbnbs in Mexico instead.
- Save yourself hassle and money and get an international sim card for Mexico.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
- Next up you’re gonna need to know all the best places to visit in Mexico to plan your trip.
