Summary
By our fourth day in Merida, Mexico, we felt we’d seen most of the major sights (especially on this day and this day for the cenotes and Mayan ruins just outside of Merida), but one place we hadn’t covered yet was Paseo de Montejo, renowned for its grand homes and palaces.
While some of these magnificent palaces have been repurposed for private use or offices, several are open to visitors.
As this was our primary plan for the day, breakfast at our hotel – Casa Olivia, was a long and leisurely affair.
We remained at the breakfast table for three hours, only breaking to grab more tea in the dining area. It was delightful.
Tempted to relax by the pool, I insisted we visit Paseo de Montejo first before taking it easy for the rest of the day.
Upon reaching Paseo de Montejo, one of the first sights we encountered was a stand selling fresh, ice-cold coconuts, marking a refreshing start to our visit before heading over to Monumento a La Patria.
Monumento a La Patria serves as a tribute to Mexican history and acts as an iconic starting point along the street.
After visiting the monument, we headed down Passeio de Montejo towards Quinta Montes Molina, a museum and former stately home.
While open for proper visits, we opted to save our time for Montejo 495, located further down the street.
Montejo 495 is notably stunning, both inside and out. When we arrived, we were informed of a wait for the next English tour, which was about an hour long.
However, after speaking with locals, we learned that a thorough visit doesn’t necessarily require the entire hour.
We decided against the tour after discovering that the upstairs was under renovation, which meant we wouldn’t have a complete experience.
From there, we ventured over to Parroquia Santa Ana, located just a few doors down.
The entrance was beautifully decorated with flowers for a wedding, making it visually stunning. However, since it was quite crowded, we chose to admire it from outside.
Returning to Casa Olivia, we indulged in some Mexican wine and well-deserved breaks by the pool before heading to Merida Cathedral for the ancient Mayan Ball Game every Saturday at 8pm.
The Mayan ball game, which includes live music, adds a fascinating depth to local culture and is free to watch. Arriving before 7:30pm ensures a great view, although we arrived around 8:05pm and still had an excellent perspective.
The game can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the players.
The match concluded about 45 minutes after starting, perfectly aligning with our dinner reservation at Teya Santa Lucía for 9pm.
While the restaurant was pleasant, it paled in comparison to other dining experiences we had enjoyed in Merida.
Post-dinner, we stumbled upon Dzalbay Cantina, previously closed during our day visits. This time, it was open, boasting an inviting bar atmosphere and presumably offering food along with live music.
We enjoyed the vibrant bar scene, sampling more tequilas and mezcals, immersing ourselves in local flavors.
As our adventure in Merida concluded, we expressed gratitude for the experiences and began preparing for our departure the following day, after another delightful breakfast at Casa Olivia.
Merida has truly been one of the highlights of our journey in Mexico, and we highly recommend visiting this captivating city when you get the chance.
