2. Admire Monumento a la Patria

At the end of the famous Paseo de Montejo lies the iconic Monumento a la Patria, one of my favourite things to see in Mérida.

Sculpted and managed by Colombian artist Rómulo Rozo, it took roughly 12 years to complete the construction of the ornate Monumento a la Patria.

A short walk around the impressive monument reveals more than 300 hand-carved figures that tell the rich history of Mexico, from as early as the creation of Tenochtitlán, to the midst of the 20th century.

Along the way, you’ll notice several Maya figures, including a chac-mool, a sacred Ceiba tree (Mayan Tree of Life), a couple of jaguars, and even the city shield of Mérida.

If you’re keen to learn about the intriguing Maya history, make sure to drop by. Trust me, Monumento a la Patria is one hundred per cent worthy of your time!

On top of that, it makes the most impressive backdrop for your next Instagram post.

4. Sample Merida’s best gelato at Pola Gelato Shop

Set in the colourful streets of Mérida’s Santa Lucia neighbourhood is POLA Gelato Shop, a must-visit for anyone looking to taste the most exceptional flavours of ice cream.

If like me, you avoid consuming dairy, you’re most likely familiar with the struggle to find good vegan ice cream during your travels. Fortunately, POLA Gelato solves this problem, they’re basically wizards when it comes to their craft.

As a result, you’ll have a great variety of inventive flavours to choose from. Think Sour Orange with Cherries, Cinnamon with Caramelized Pineapple, Blue Cheese with Apple Compote, and my favourite: Chili Chocolate.

On top of that, they serve a selection of classic flavours, including Vanilla, Lime, and Chocolate.

But what I liked most, and why I came back (twice), was the way Pola combines classics elements with local flavours that characterize Mérida.

Make sure you stop by, trying these distinctive flavours is easily one of the best things to do in Mérida.

6. Visit the impressive ruins of Uxmal

Where most travellers head only to Chichén Itzá (yes, it is exceptional), I was, quite frankly, more hyped to head for the incredibly ornate ruins of Uxmal.

Situated at only a stone’s throw away from Mérida, and encircled by lush jungle lies Uxmal, an ancient Mayan city that is easily one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Yucatán.

Upon arrival, you’ll notice that the spacious complex is made up of a bundle of exhilarating structures, all expressing the cities former historical opulence

These structures are of incredible grandeur; the Pyramid of the Magician, Governor’s Palace, and the Great Pyramid, should surely not be missed during a visit to Uxmal.

The real draw though, is a unique possibility to ascend to the summit of the Great Pyramid. Here you’ll have the most impressive panoramic views over the entire city and surrounding jungle.

For these exact reasons, I advise anyone who is visiting Mérida to embark on an adventurous day trip, exploring the ruins of Uxmal.

8. Celebrate Hanal Pixán – Dia de los Muertos

Despite that it is inevitable, death is a topic that most people seldom talk about.

Not in Mexico though. On the contrary, they embrace and celebrate it.

Every year from October 31 to November 2, Dia de Los Muertos occurs, a traditional Mexican holiday, where family and loved ones gather to remember those who are no longer among them.

All of this is based on Mexican culture, where death is seen as a natural sequence in the cycle of life. For that reason, Mexican people choose to celebrate, accept and support the spiritual journey of deceased relatives, instead of lingering in grief and sadness.

I can only say that I deeply admire this philosophy, as it fully resonates with my personal spiritual beliefs.

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss during Hanal Pixán (Mayan name for Dia de Los Muertos), it will surely be Paseo de Animas, a mesmerizing parade where hundreds of people take part in, all with gorgeous sugar skulls painted on their faces.

Unfortunately, I was informed of the incorrect timetables, resulting in missing the entire parade. Make sure you don’t let this happen to you.

9. Grab a morning coffee at Manifesto Mérida

Run by two warm-hearted people from Calabria, Italy, Manifesto brews the most delicious coffee, by merging exquisite Italian Barista techniques along with top-notch Mexican beans.

As soon as you set foot in Manifesto you’ll feel there is a somewhat hipster-ish, yet extremely relaxing vibe going on – making sure you feel welcome every time of the day.

The trendy café features attractive contemporary design; an elevated ceiling, rustic wooden details, and an ornate pattern of tiles, while still showcasing its former colonial charm.

All this makes Manifesto not only an outstanding café to treat yourself on a coffee and smashed avocado on toast, but also to grab your laptop and get some digital work done.

One afternoon, while enjoying a delicious latte with almond milk, I dotted out my adventures to the ruins of Uxmal (read my detailed guide here!). With fast free WIFI, this was a welcome find before I resumed exploring Mérida.

11. Witness Pok ta Pok, an ancient Mayan ball game

Every Friday night, the avenue in front of Catedral de Mérida is brimming with locals and travellers, all wanting to receive a glimpse of Pok Ta Pok, an exciting ancient Mayan ball game.

First played roughly thousands of years ago by ancestral Mayan citizens, Pok Ta Pok was part of an intriguing, sacred ritual, pitting good against evil.

Two teams, each of four male players, are faced against each other, aiming to manoeuvre a five-pound ball through a stone hoop, using only their hip or thigh.

Legend has it, that the winners were sacrificed to gratify the gods – which was then seen as a great honour to Mayan people.

At present, the game is still played with a great amount of pride (luckily, without the sacrifices), as it is of great importance to the people of Yucatán and their captivating culture.

Attending this unique ball game is in my opinion, one of the best things to do in Mérida.