France and Merida: a long time relationship

You can walk down Paseo de Montejo in downtown Merida and see the French influence in the architecture: the ornate wrought-iron banisters and window protectors, the beautiful molding on the old mansions, the structure and dignity of the mansions themselves. There are echoes of Parisian taste and design everywhere. As it turns out when Merida was one of, if not the wealthiest city in the world at the turn of the 20^th century, many of Merida’s wealthy citizens used their newly found wealth to travel to, learn from and import art, architecture and other amenities from France.

But this was not the first time France and Mexico came into contact. If you study history, you know that the relationships between nations are often defined by the wars fought between them. In the case of France and Mexico, there were two major wars fought between these countries, in large part based on economics, rather than on moral, religious, or other deeply divisive grounds.

By the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, there were more millionaires in Merida than in any city in the world because of the production of henequen, the raw resource for sisal rope for the shipping industry. This led to wealthy Merida natives sending their children to private schools in Paris and then combining shopping with picking up the children at the end of the school year. Ships would travel to Europe with henequen and rope, and return with French art, artifacts, furniture, and fashions. By this time, the cultural exchange between the two nations was deep and secure.

One of the most iconic amenities in Merida, the Paseo de Montejo, owes its existence and beauty to the French influence in Merida. During the time that the French were beginning to exert their influence on Mexico, the Champs-Elysees was just coming into its own, with new plantings of trees and new importance given to the avenue in Paris. Shortly thereafter, the people of Merida began to take notice and realize that they had all of the right parts and pieces to create their own version of this now world-famous avenue. Today, we are able to enjoy the style and grace of an avenue in Merida that could only have its origins in Paris.

For two centuries, France and Yucatan have both had the good sense to take good care of their relationship. The basis for it began as economic, but cultural ties, especially on the part of France, helped to cement the relationship. Over the past two decades, Yucatan has developed a stronger outreach program than ever before. The next time you see a huge celebration of the French Revolution in July in Merida, and wonder where all those French people came from, know that they have lived here for generations and will continue to do so.

Make Merida your next adventure and come see the French influences that have made this city so historic and beautiful. Stay at one of the best bed and breakfasts in the city, one that is nestled inside an old historic building, and experience the vibe of this city for yourself.  Visit Vida Magica and enjoy Merida!

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How to spend a long weekend in Merida

Few places on the Yucatan Peninsula are more worthy of a long weekend than Merida, the region’s largest city and capital of Yucatan State. Also known as the White City, Merida is an expat favorite slowly finding fame with visitors from outside the region and for good reason. Low prices, fantastic cuisine, and year-round hot and humid weather make Merida the ideal weekend escape.

Here’s how to get the most out of Merida even with just 72 hours to visit.

Day One

After arriving at Merida’s international airport take a taxi straight to downtown. While there are a bunch of boutique accommodation options in the historic center, nothing is better than staying at a bed and breakfast like Vida Magica.

After a long day of travel, start by getting your bearings in Merida. Start at Plaza Grande, which is flanked by some of the best colonial buildings in Merida. It is the ideal place to get a feel for the laidback city and mingle with locals and visitors alike. Take a long lunch at a nearby eatery (there are tons of great ones) then walk off your lunch by heading a few blocks northeast until you hit Calle 47 where it joins Paseo de Montejo, the most famous boulevard in Merida. Round out day one in Merida with dinner and a nightcap at a rooftop bar.

Day Two

Enjoy breakfast at your bed and breakfast before leaving the city for a convenient day trip on day two. Merida is surrounded by archaeological ruins, colonial towns, and cenotes galore, so you can tailor your day tow to your personal tastes. Given that you are short on time, it’s worth skipping famous Chichen Itza with its tons of tourists and visit instead the ancient Maya city of Uxmal. Not only is it closer to Merida, Uxmal has a pyramid to rival Chichen Itza as well as the benefit of being much, much quieter.

Return to Plaza Grande in the evening. Not only is the atmosphere totally different from the daytime, you may be lucky enough to catch a quick game of Pok Ta Pok. Also known as the Mayan ballgame, this game sees two teams face off to score the most points by thwacking a rubber ball through a hoop, like an ancient version of soccer meets basketball. Afterward have another great dinner at any one of the fantastic eateries in town.

Day Three

If you travel over a weekend and day three is a Sunday, it is the perfect day to get a feel for Merida’s famously laidback way of life, browse for crafts, and visit some of the city’s coolest coffee shops. Make your way to Plaza Grande where there is a vast Sunday handicraft market. Work up an appetite as you stroll around and then head to the main Merida marketplace. Here there are vendors selling everything from seafood to tacos, stuffed chilies and quesadillas.

After lunch, pick up some ice cream and check out the crafts at Casa de las Artesanias, a store that has a little bit of everything. On your way back to your bed and breakfast, stop at the Iglesia de Santiago, a striking colonial church and the site of Merida’s first mass. Then head out for a final Yucatecan feast before calling it a night.

Visit Merida today and stay at the best bed and breakfast in town. Vida Magica has it all!

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Have fun in the sun, the Merida way

Since the Spanish conquest, Merida has been the cultural capital of the entire Yucatan Peninsula. A delightful blend of provincial and cosmopolitan, it is a town steeped in colonial history. It’s a great place to explore, with narrow streets, broad central plazas and the region’s best museums. It’s also a perfect place from which to kick off your adventure into the rest of the Yucatan state. It has excellent cuisine and accommodations, thriving markets, and events happening just about every night.

Long popular with European travelers looking to go beyond Quintana Roo’s resort towns, Merida is a tourist town, but a tourist town too big to feel like a tourist trap. And as the capital of the Yucatan state, Merida is also the cultural crossroads of the region.

Art, culture and history

With its colonial past, Merida boasts rich culture, history, art and traditions. Enjoying the city to the fullest means getting to discover and fall for them all. Walk through the city’s downtown buildings, an attraction in their own right. Painted in bright shades of pink, blue, red, yellow, and purple, they leave you transported back to the city’s colorful colonial times with a simple stroll.

Walk around some more and you will see various attractions, from the lavish pink building on Main Square, to the Cathedral, to government buildings to an abundance of parks. The Museum of Modern Art, located next door to the Cathedral, is set around a lush courtyard and regularly shows exhibitions by Yucatan artists who promote local traditions and the beauty of their region. Small galleries can also be found around Santa Ana square, which show more upbeat and contemporary art.

Last but not least, visiting the nearby Maya ruins is a must while you are here. Less known than their bigger counterparts Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Dzibilchaltun are a must see. Less crowded than Chichen Itza, Uxmal is situated in the jungle but close enough to be able to make the trip in a day.

Sweet and savory

The regional gastronomy is such that you won’t believe you only knew about tacos, fajitas and burritos. Every dish you eat in Yucatan uses local products that won’t be found in other Mexican states. Be prepared to try escabeche, relleno negro/blanco, queso relleno and poc chuuc as they represent the best of what you can eat here.

Do as the locals do

If you are looking to visit like the locals live, head out after sunset when the night air is cool and gives a respite from the relentless heat of the day. Night and day markets, and a nightly music and dancing by Santa Lucia or Santa Ana squares are where the fun begins. There are also traditional costumes and dances on Main Square every Monday night.

Browse Paseo Montejo, a tree-lined street offering some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Locals love going there on Saturday nights to sit on the benches, listen to music, eat a marquesita, and walk from one bar to another, taking it easy. Going out at night is a regular activity for both locals and foreigners and the vibe is very carefree.

Come visit Merida and stay in the best bed and breakfast right in the heart of downtown: Vida Magica. It will only enhance your stay!

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Getting around Merida: Tips & Tricks

Take a dream vacation and come to Merida! While you are here, stay at Vida Magica, one of the best bed and breakfasts in the area! Merida is a great city with lots to do and is one of the safest places in all of Mexico. Getting lost here is so much fun and you are going to want to come back time and time again and do it all over again!

Even though Merida is quite safe, it isn’t to say you don’t need to be careful. You need to know your surroundings no matter where you go. And getting around in Merida is no exception. You want to make sure you know the best transportation, know your surroundings and be careful.

If you are hiring a car, use an international rental company and don’t skimp on the insurance. Avoid any surprises and make sure you are fully protected for all circumstances. If you are driving, avoid using isolated roads and stick to toll roads.

Make sure that you DO NOT drink and drive. Drunk driving is a serious offense in Mexico and you will end up in jail. The national legal limit is a blood alcohol level of 0.08%. However, some states have lower blood alcohol limits.

Pickpockets are popular in cities and towns all around the world so tourist spots in the Yucatan peninsula are no exception, unfortunately. Dress down when you are traveling and avoid wearing expensive jewelry and watches. You want to try to blend in and avoid the attention of pickpockets. Limit the amount of cash you carry and keep a closet eye on your bags and luggage.

Take care when walking in areas close to hotels and after dark. Be as vigilant as you would in your own country and stick with a friend. It’s relatively common sense and it is easy to avoid any mishaps if you just pay attention. Danger lurks everywhere, even in the safest of cities.

The people of the Yucatan are extremely friendly, helpful and community-minded people. They don’t want trouble and they don’t want you to find any, or create any. During your travels, you will visit many of the main tourist sites of the Yucatan peninsula. Dress casually and leave the expensive jewelry at home. The people in Merida and surrounding areas are welcoming with a friendly and helpful manner about them.

Merida is a great city and there is so much magic to be found here. The locals want you to have fun and experience everything you can. At Vida Magica, we also want you to have fun and experience everything as well. Staying with us will make your vacation so much more relaxing and fun. When you stay at a local bed and breakfast, you are experiencing the charm of residential living and you don’t have to worry about rules and restrictions that big hotels have in place. We just want you to sit back, relax and enjoy yourself.

For the best vacation experience in Merida, stay at a bed and breakfast. Stay at Vida Magica!

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Why you should visit Merida right now

The colonial town of Merida is a far cry from the tourist-raged beaches of Cancun. There are no midday body shots, reveling spring breakers, or sprawling mega-resorts here. Merida has a spirit all its own. For one, it’s the cultural heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, built over 500 years ago on top of a thriving Mayan civilization called Tho. It has been home to barons, the French upper crust, and Mayans struggling to find their way following the arrival of the Europeans.

Now, Merida is one of the safest cities in Mexico and was even voted the Cultural Capital of the Americas, thanks to its diverse art, architecture, and food. Sure, it’s four hours west of the powdery beaches in Cancun, but it’s worth a spot on your Mexico bucket list.

While it does have a thriving expat community, Merida is still off the radar for many tourists visiting the Yucatan. Maybe it’s the distance from the Cancun airport or the fact that it’s a city, not a land of resorts. Either way, you will feel like you are in another place and time while strolling the streets which feature colorful buildings, sprawling squares, and Spanish-style churches. Merida feels more like authentic Mexico.

Merida is home to a variety of museums that focus on everything from art to ancient artifacts to architecture. If you love history, check out the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, which is full of artifacts from ancient Mayan culture and even a fragment of the meteorite believed to have caused the great dinosaur extinction.

Martha Stewart once toured and ate in Merida, which gives you an idea of the quality of cuisine. You can nosh on deluxe tacos, sample traditional Yucatanean food or browse through the market where you can pick through brightly colored fruits and veggies. There is also no shortage of fun bars to visit in Merida. Whatever mood you are in, you will find a spot to enjoy the nightlife in Merida alongside locals.

The ruins of Uxmal, about an hour south of Merida, are an incredible sight to see. Take your time walking around to admire the Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor’s Palace, and the Nunnery Quadrangle. It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayans. Just rent a car for the day and go!

Merida isn’t pushed right up next to the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, but it’s only a short ride to the nearest beach at the Gulf of Mexico. Progreso is a laid-back beachside town, where you can set up a chair and read for the afternoon. A little farther south is the beachside community of Celestun, where you’ll spot bright pink flamingos.

After a great day of the beach or sightseeing, you want a cozy place to rest your head. Try staying a little boutique hotel or better yet, a beautiful bed and breakfast. Bed and breakfasts in Merida are a lovely way to experience all that this city has to offer. You will enjoy fine amenities as well as having all the comforts of home. One lovely bed and breakfast in the heart of downtown Merida is Vida Magica and its owners are ready to welcome you with open arms.

Visit Merida, a hidden gem within the Yucatan Peninsula.

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Safety travel tips for Mexico and beyond

We recently wrote an article explaining the safety as well as the dangers of visiting Mexico. Just like anywhere else in the world, you are never completely free of violence and crime. You can walk out of your own front door and experience it. But, while you are traveling there are things you can do to limit your chances of becoming a victim of any crime.

Travel with someone

Whenever possible, make sure that you travel with someone. Research your destination thoroughly and inform trusted contacts of your travel itinerary. Use common sense and avoid being in areas where there are few other people in the vicinity.

Use public transportation

The Yucatan peninsula has a superb bus network across the state. You can choose to travel first-class using ADO buses or second class on Mayab and Oriente buses. You can also share a ride using “colectivos” which are mini-vans that don’t leave until they are full of passengers. It is important to be alert when using public transportation.

Limit money and valuables

If possible, use the safe in your room to store valuables and cash that is not required that day. Keep larger bills separate to smaller amounts of cash. Always keep your credit cards in sight when making a purchase to avoid card cloning and other scams. Be discreet when handling your money.

Make copies of important documents

Be prepared. If you do fall victim to a crime, especially theft, it is important to be able to prove your identity. Prior to traveling, email yourself a copy of your passport, driver’s license, and any other important documents.

Keep yourself updated on current events and happenings in Mexico

Know what’s going on in the country you are visiting. If it’s not Mexico, then whatever country you are going to. Everyone has their issues and being aware of them will help you to stay safe and alert. This could be anything such as a current political election or a very public event that is happening during the time you are visiting.

Enjoy yourself but be aware

You don’t want to spend your entire trip worrying about being the victim of crime but use common sense when it comes to basic things, just as you would do at home. Keep it in the back of your mind but have fun. Isn’t that why you are going on vacation in the first place?

If you are coming to the Yucatan peninsula, you must visit Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan, enjoy yourself! Meridians love tourists and not in an “I want to rip you off” kind of way. They are truly happy to have you!

While you are here, really experience the visit by renting a house or staying at a bed and breakfast such as Vida Magica. The hotels are great, but the houses are better!

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Celebrating the day of the dead in Merida

America has Halloween but Mexico has Day of the Dead. The biggest celebration in Mexico, the Day of the Dead, takes place from October 21 to November 2 this year. To experience this tradition in full volume, it’s best to visit Mexico. Merida, capital of the Yucatan state, is hailed not only as the “White City,” but also as the safest city in Mexico due to its low crime rates, and has its own unique take on this vibrant celebration.

What is the Day of the Dead all about?

It’s a family affair and is all about celebrating loved ones who no longer share this life with us. It is believed that during these couple of days, their souls can pass more easily between this world and the afterlife. To facilitate this, altars are set up. For the children (Dia de Los Innocentes) the first day and then the following day for adults. Altars are decorated with items such as orange marigold flowers, painted or sugar skulls, food, and crucifixes. The altar is then personalized with a picture of the deceased. These altars are most commonly created in the privacy of the family home, but can also be found in cemeteries, on the street, in restaurants, and also in your hotel foyer!

Public festivities in Merida start with a procession of locals carrying ceremonial offerings and makes its way to the General Cemetery, El Paseo de las Almas. People paint their faces and dress up as “Catrinas,” the satirical skeleton woman, lavishly dressed in aristocratic clothing. The following evening, a stage is set up in the main square in front of the cathedral, and a theatrical show keeps the crowds in both fits of laughter and in tears with a tragic comedy. Aside from this main performance, there are live bands and couples dancing in the street.

The Vaqueria Yucateca

This traditional dance performance takes place in the main square and is a mixture of old Mayan songs and Spanish folklore. During the week of celebrations, the dancers will also have their faces painted with skulls. Before the dancing can begin, a Shaman will bless the space with prayers and aromatic incense. Couples dressed in distinctive white ensembles appear through the smoke carrying candles.

Camino de Flores (flower walk)

This small but stunning garden can be found in the Parque de la Mejorada and showcases endemic plants beautifully styled by local artists. This exhibition really weaves life and death together with the glorious plants, full of life, arranged to depict symbols of death.

Mucbipollo Festival

This loud and busy event takes place around San Sebastian. The dish, Mucbipollo, is a type of tamale made from chicken and cornflour, buried under the ground and baked. It is only eaten during the Day of the Dead festival.

Around Merida

As the Day of the Dead celebrations takes place in the evening, daytimes are free to explore the surrounding areas, which include ancient Mayan ruins, cenotes, the National Park of Celestun and some great art galleries.

For a great place to stay while you are enjoying the Day of the Dead, or any other time of the year, stay at a bed and breakfast in the heart of Merida. Stay at Vida Magica.

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