There’s no place like home and the Yucatan is home to more than 1,200,000 ex-pats

Whether you are moving in or on vacation, Merida is a great place best explored the way the locals live. Tourist attractions are great but Merida offers so much more than that. It is a charming small city that isn’t so small. You can come here and rent a house or stay at a local bed and breakfast, right in the heart of residential areas and truly live like a local. Sure, hotels are great, but if you truly want to explore this city, come and get cozy.

Here are a few key tips to get you started when planning your trip to Merida:

Flying here

You can catch a nonstop from Houston or Miami or connect in Mexico City. It is actually quite easy to get here and Merida has its own airport.

Getting around

Merida is huge, but you will likely spend your time in the Centro, or historic center. You can walk almost everywhere but in the heat, you may not want to. Rely on Uber, which is really cheap. For longer trips, you can rent a car at the airport.

The street-food situation

It is pretty much everywhere in Merida and generally safe to eat. Most food stalls operate in the same way: they make big batches of food, open early in the morning and serve until they sell out.

Where to stay

The easiest way to rent a home is through major sites like Airbnb or HomeAway, which let you pay by credit card. You can also find bed and breakfasts this way or through local real estate agencies that will often rent to vacationers.

What to bring home

You will see handicrafts for sale from street carts and roving vendors throughout the Centro. The prices are right but the quality isn’t always there. Hit neighborhood shops that are permanent fixtures and often authentic items from the area like linens, handbags, beach totes, and jewelry. There are boutiques that sell handmade perfume, suede luggage, and finely woven totes. There are many local artists who craft all of these things right in their shops.

The day trip worth taking

The Mayan ruins of Uxmal, about an hour’s drive from Merida, area as grand as Chichen Itza but not nearly as overrun by sunburned tourists. The dusty limestone Pyramid of the Magician is a must-see. The climb up the steep steps of the Templo Mayor will give you views over the jungle. You can hire an English-speaking guide on site but much of the charm is simply wandering through the complex of monumental Mayan buildings. There is little shade so go early to avoid the afternoon heat and pack a hat and extra sunscreen.

There is so much to see and do in Merida and there is also time to do much of nothing. Merida is, if anything, a relaxing town with good food, great entertainment and lots of time to sit still and enjoy some downtime.

If you are looking for a great place to stay while you are here, check out Vida Magica and live just like a local.

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Yucatan, Paradise of Tourism-Discover all the ways to explore the Yucatan

If you want to talk about the Yucatan you need to talk about its origin, the meaning of life and other important things. Recognize and feel the sacred legacy of the Mayan with their archeological sites, cenotes, and caves. Marvel at the colors that are painted between its jungle and beaches. Appreciate and imagine the majesty of its haciendas and colonial cities. It is the epicenter of artisan hands that preserve culture and celebrate life. It is to feel and remember the flavors of traditional and contemporary cuisine. It is an experience where past and present gather together. It is to discover the mysticism of its magical towns and feel the warmth and hospitality of its people.

Nature and adventure

Exuberant fauna and flora and natural showcases of great beauty are in the Yucatan. For those who like strong emotions and living with high adrenaline, there are activities that cannot be missed here. Visit grottos, immerse yourself in different kinds of cenotes, and sail along the Yucatan coast.

Business and meetings

The Yucatan has maintained a constant growth in business meetings tourism, reaching an excellent position as one of the favorite destinations of Mexico and a positive projection at a national and international level for being a safe destination with the adequate infrastructure for congresses and conventions.

Cuisine

Yucatan cuisine is an exquisite fusion of Mexican and European flavors, the result of different influences from around the world. The unrivaled combination of condiments and spices such as pumpkin seed, oregano, red onion, sweet chili, lime, achiote, habanero pepper, and cilantro gives Yucatan food that special flavor.

Luxury and wellness

Yucatan in itself can be classified as a wellness destination thanks to the secure environment that is perceived. But this well being takes another level when it is enjoyed in a boutique hotel, a bed and breakfast or a private hacienda in the middle of the jungle.

Culture and archaeology

Handicrafts, gastronomy, architecture, music, and folklore, framed in a rhythm of colors, flavors, sounds, and texture, are the irrefutable proof of a cultured land that lures and welcomes everyone with open arms. The archaeological heritage of the Yucatan is a very important cultural resource and is essential for the identification and cultural appreciation of the Yucatecans.

The Yucatan in all its glory is the best destination whether you are looking for a corporate retreat, family vacation and a one on one getaway. The people and the culture are like no other region that Mexico has to offer. If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. It’s right here waiting for you in the Yucatan.

Stay at one of the best bed and breakfasts in Merida, Vida Magica! You will experience Yucatan life like no other way.

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What to expect at a bed and breakfast

A bed and breakfast sounds pretty self-explanatory: a house or cottage that gives you a bed to sleep in and breakfast in the morning. But as many of us who have stayed in B&Bs, or owned them, we know that there is so much more to them. More private than a hotel and often with more amenities, a B&B is always catering to the specific wants and needs of each visitor.

If you are an avid hotel-goer and have never stayed at a bed and breakfast, this article is for you! There are a few differences if you stay in a B&B in North America versus Europe and other countries, but many are quite similar.

Here is a short list of what you can expect in most bed and breakfasts:

Breakfast

The most obvious amenity you can expect is breakfast. Most B&Bs have nice breakfasts that change from day to day. In some B&Bs, breakfast is served in one area where everyone eats together. In others, you can eat privately in your room, on a patio or balcony. Because B&Bs usually use fresh, local ingredients in their meals, it is much easier for them to cater to your dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to ask; this is one of the defining characteristics that separate a B&B from a hotel.

Wi-Fi and television

Like most hotels and resorts, B&Bs almost always have Wi-Fi and cable television. And most always, unlike hotels and resorts, there is no extra charge for this amenity.

Special amenities

Not as common in older B&Bs, but today’s newer establishments often have amenities like pools, hot tubs, patios, and balconies. Although hotels often have these amenities as well, at a B&B they are much more private because there are fewer rooms and therefore fewer guests.

Local attractions

B&Bs can be located in busy tourist areas or nestled in quieter small towns. Usually, in either setting, local attractions are often a walk away. Fine dining, city sites, museums, and other attractions are often close by. The owners of B&Bs often can tell you things off the beaten path that is a must-see. You won’t learn that info from a hotel concierge.

Affordability

Lastly, but possibly most importantly, rooms at B&Bs cost close to, or even less, than locals hotels. One might think that B&Bs would be more expensive, as the guest list is so small, but keep in mind that the costs of a B&B are much less than a hotel. Fewer guests, fewer employees, and smaller buildings all add to the affordability of staying at a B&B.

At Vida Magica in Merida, we believe that everyone should take the opportunity to stay at a bed and breakfast. We are certain you will appreciate the private ambiance, excellent breakfast, and pampering that comes with your stay. It is our hope that afterwards, you will enjoy your stay so much that you will seek out B&Bs for all of your future trips!

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The history of the bed and breakfast

The B&B arrangement is a very old one. The concept has existed in one form or another since the beginning of man. Monasteries served as B&Bs for travelers, and in some cases still do. Before the 20^th century, it was quite normal for country travelers to spend a night at a private house rather than an inn and this custom persists in many parts of the world. However, prior to the 19^th century, this was strictly an informal arrangement constrained by acquaintance and social rank; a doctor might stay with a doctor or pharmacist, while a nobleman would stay with the local gentry.

Bed and breakfasts have been very popular with the traveling public in Europe for years. The abbreviation of “B&B” on roadside signs first became popular in the British Isles, typically with detachable “Vacancy” signs swinging below. Tourists will see B&B signs in many windows there. The term “bed and breakfast” is not used in many other countries. Terms such as paradors, pensions, gasthaus, minskukus, shukukos, and pousados are used to describe what Americans and English-speaking Europeans think of as a bed and breakfast.

The United States also has a history of bed and breakfasts dating back to the time of early settlers. As the pioneers traveled the trails and roads across the country, they sought safe refuge in homes, inns, and taverns. In fact, some of those historic accommodations now serve as B&Bs.

During the Great Depression, many people opened their homes to travelers to bring in some additional money for the family. The term “boarding house” was used at this time. After the Depression, this type of lodging declined and many people had the idea they were just for low-income travelers or drifters. In the early fifties, the term “tourist home” was used. This too was essentially a form of bed and breakfast. Once motels were built on the new highways, they were soon forgotten.

In large part because of the number of Americans traveling to Europe in recent years and rediscovering B&Bs, there has been an exponential increase in interest in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Today, the B&B is not viewed as a low-cost lodging facility but as an attractive alternative to the typical standard chain hotel or motel room. Today, some bed and breakfasts offer amenities, not unlike those found at the most upscale hotels in the world.

In Merida, there is a wonderful B&B called Vida Magica. Vida Magica is owned by Americans who now call Mexico their homeland. They know the importance of a well-run bed and breakfast and they bring that knowledge to the people of Merida and to Vida Magica. If you are looking for an out-of-the-box experience on your next vacation, consider Merida and consider staying at a B&B like Vida Magica. You will not be disappointed.

Visit Vida Magica today and learn just how wonderful a bed and breakfast can be.

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