Introduction 

We choose Merida as the last place of our first trip and we also took the plane back. I think it was a very good choice. The place was very nice and cosy, especially during weekends, and also the airport is very easy to reach, so no need to take an expensive taxi to get there like in Cancun.  

During the week, traffic is very heavy and polluting, but during the weekend the center is made traffic free, and everybody is walking and cycling in his best clothes.  

There are excellent fruit stalls, and you can buy a hammock there. 

Getting to Merida 

There's an excellent website with info on busschedules and prices at ADO's website, but there are also other companies available. ADO however is an excellent one. 

Hotel 

We stayed at the Dolores Alba. They charge 230 Pesos for a double with bathroom and fan nowadays (8/98). The hotel is spacious and has a swimming pool, though it's a bit out of the center.  

For other choices, have a look at the Rough guides selection. 

Restaurants 

Have a look at the Rough guides selection. 

What to do ?

Merida 

It's nice to shop around in Merida, you can buy hammocks and nice souvenirs.   The main square is quite nice, especially on Sundays. 

Chichen Itza 

There are direct buses from Playa Del Carmen, Cancun (40 Pesos) and Merida. The bus from Merida takes 3 hours (25 Pesos 8/98).  

There are hotels in Piste, but if you can afford the 230 Pesos, you could stay at the Dolores Alba from the same owner as in Merida. It's not as nice as the one in Merida, but they also have a swimming pool and a hammock in the garden. The owner will bring you to the ruins for free with his van, or else you can walk to the side entrance of the ruins. 

I advise spending the night, since you'll be able to avoid the crowds (which start flocking in at 10 am), and you can also see the light show at night which is very nice. 

Entrance is 51 Pesos, it opens at 8 am. The site is of course fantastic. You can see everything in 1 day. 

Uxmal 

 Uxmal is also worth a visit. You can either do this in a tourist bus which is quite expensive, but the also visit 2 other smaller ruins nearby. Otherwise you can go there with public transport if you leave early enough.  

The site is also very nice and can be compared with Chichen Itza.  

Go to Palenque