Merida (Mexico) - The Delaplaine 2019 Long Weekend Guide

By Andrew Delaplaine

A complete guide for everything you need to experience a great Long Weekend in Mérida. Updated throughout the year, you'll save a lot of time using this concise guide.

“The history you learn about once you go into the interior is amazing. We took a tour recommended in this guide.” ---Carlos J., Durham, N.C.

“The Delaplaine guide books ‘cut to the chase.’ You get what you need and don’t get what you don’t.” –Wilma K., Seattle

=LODGINGS, from budget to deluxe

= RESTAURANTS, from the finest the area has to offer ranging down to the cheapest (with the highest quality). More than sufficient listings to make your Long Weekend memorable.

=PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS -- don't waste your precious time on the lesser ones. We've done all the work for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Delaplaine
• Release date: Feb 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463631096

Andrew Delaplaine

Delaplaine lives on South Beach, Miami’s Billion Dollar Sandbar. He writes in widely varied fields: screenplays, novels (adult and juvenile) and journalism. He also has a series of Long Weekend Guides covering some 50 cities around the world. Email: [e-mail] He writes several series: The “JACK HOUSTON ST. CLAIR” political thriller novels. “THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES IV,” a series of novels starring the great-great-grandson of the famous consulting detective. “THE ANNALS OF SANTOPIA” series, an epic that follows a Santa born in 1900 through to his death 82 years later. The AMOS FREEMAN police thrillers. Other novels: “The Trap Door” follows a boy who is taken back in time to 1594 and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. “The Meter Maid Murders,” a comic look at a detective trying to nab a serial killer on South Beach who only murders meter maids. Has written and directed three features (one doc, two narrative features), as well as several short films and won several awards for his film work. (See imdb.com for details).  His latest film, “Meeting Spencer,” starring Jeffrey Tambor, won the prestigious Milan International Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay.  DELAPLAINE’S “LONG WEEKEND” GUIDES These no-nonsense guides contain Delaplaine’s recommendations and advice for travelers visiting these places for 3 or 4 days. As "The Food Enthusiast," he writes a series of restaurants guides, updated annually. He has no hobbies.

Book preview

MÉRIDA

(Mexico)

The Delaplaine

2019 Long Weekend Guide

Andrew Delaplaine

NO BUSINESS HAS PAID A SINGLE PENNY OR GIVEN ANYTHING TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK.

A list of the author’s other travel guides, as well as his political thrillers and titles for children, can be found at the end of this book.

Senior Editors - Renee & Sophie Delaplaine

Senior Writer - James Cubby

Gramercy Park Press

Copyright © by Gramercy Park Press - All rights reserved.

Please submit corrections, additions or comments to [e-mail]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 – FIRST THINGS FIRST

WHY MÉRIDA?

––––––––

Chapter 2 – LODGING

Budget – Mid-Range - Luxury

––––––––

Chapter 3 – RESTAURANTS

Extravagant – Middle Ground – Budget

Chapter 4 – NIGHTLIFE

––––––––

Chapter 5 – ATTRACTIONS

––––––––

Chapter 6 – EXCURSIONS

––––––––

Chapter 7 –  SHOPPING & SERVICES

––––––––

OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

––––––––

merida-city-map

Chapter 1

FIRST THINGS FIRST

WHY MÉRIDA?

Tikal_mayan_ruins_2009

There are two main cities in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mérida and Cancún. Each has its own unique attraction.  Mérida is the old colonial capital of the region and by far the more interesting of the two cities, with its stunning architecture going back for generations. Promenading is a popular pastime here in Mérida. As you walk by the large houses with their pastel colors, passing horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping along the colorful streets, you’ll be transported back in time. These houses are benefitting from a current surge in restoration projects.

The people here are proud of their cultural history. They are proud of the way their ancestors resisted the Spanish conquerors. Many of the Mayan customs persist culturally here today. They still use many Mayan words mixed in with their Spanish. Much of the cuisine is informed by Mayan traditions. Because the Yucatan is cut off by geography from the rest of Mexico, people in Mérida have a unique local history and colorful past. They still celebrate a holiday called Hanal Pixas, which mixes Catholic and Mayan traditions in a Day of the Dead commemoration. You’ll see Christian images like crucifixes right next to skulls and various sacrificial food offerings to the gods. Somehow, these two religions have managed to commingle to create a hybrid that preserves many elements of the past. (Hanal Pixas is celebrated the first two days of November: one day is for adults and the other is for kids.)

I’ve always thought that the Yucatan really ought to be its own country. It’s so different from the rest of this sad, unruly, unlawful country.

In scary, dangerous Mexico, you’ll find Mérida one of the safest cities in the whole country (and a lot safer than Cancún, by the way, and much less expensive). The restaurant and nightlife scenes are vibrant and happening.

Before Mérida was Mérida it was T’ho, a thriving Mayan city.  In 1542 the Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco de Montejo, conquered the city and