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Looking for the best things to do in Merida with kids? From interactive museums and splash parks to discovering cenotes and ruins, this is my guide to Merida!
We were walking past Parque de la Madre when we saw a sign for “2 for 1 mezcalitas”. The sun was shining, we had two sleeping kids, so we jumped at the chance for a bit of us time. We sat outside Mansión Mérida Hotel and sipped our cocktails just watching the world go by. You could hear the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages as they ran down the street, kids were playing in the park, and a guitarist was on the corner playing. It was glorious, and such a beautiful snapshot of the city. Merida is one of those places that doing nothing is doing something.
Mérida is often referred to as the cultural capital of the Yucatán, and it’s easy to see why. The city is full of history, from its grand plazas to its pastel-coloured mansions lining the streets. At the heart of it all is Plaza Grande, a lively square where locals gather in the evenings to chat and soak up the atmosphere.
Despite it being a big city of 920,000, it is surprisingly easy to navigate with everything centred around a few blocks. We walked everywhere – it’s a good way of getting your steps in for the day!
It’s also great for kids too, with plenty to keep them occupied. We stayed in Merida for 4 days and managed to explore all the city had to offer, as well as a couple of day trips to see the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal and swim in the magical cenotes (more on that later!)
One of the things about Mérida is it’s hot. It’s put-yourself-in-an-oven-and-turn-the-heat-up-to-200-degrees hot. It was up to 36 when we were there, and that was during one of the cooler times of the year. I’d recommend exploring early in the day and then retreating somewhere with air con or a pool in the afternoon. Then you can come out again in the evening. If you can get a hotel or apartment with a pool, then I would definitely recommend that.
If you’re planning on visiting this Mexican gem, here are all the best things to do in Merida with kids. I really hope this article helps you plan your trip here.
Contents:
Splash around in the fountains at Gran Parque la Plancha
I’ll start off with that I think is the best kids activity in Merida – a playground. This isn’t just any playground though. This is one of the best playgrounds you’ll ever go to. Located in Gran Parque la Plancha, there’s a giant playground in the sand that is brilliant for ages 2 to 12. It has everything – climbing frames, cargo netting, slides, swings – the whole shebang.
If you can drag your kids away from the playground, then next to is it Fuente Interactiva La Plancha. This is a really fun splash park with fountains all in sync to music. Our son had a blast running through the jets and getting absolutely soaked (I may have got soaked too!). The splash park is particular good on a hot day. It’s a great place to meet like-minded parents too or try your Spanish with the locals. This one is definitely kid approved.
Walk around Grande Plaza
Plaza Grande really is the beating heart of Mérida, and we found ourselves coming back here again and again during our stay. Being right in the middle of the city, it’s impossible not passing this place multiple times a day. There’s always something going on, whether it’s street performers, market stalls, live music, or just families sitting in the shade escaping the heat.
Our little one loved the giant Mérida letters and the famous sillas confidentes (those quirky white two-person chairs you see all over Yucatán). It’s one of those places where the kids can have a little wander, grab an ice cream, and just people-watch. We came here in the early evening most days and loved soaking up the local atmosphere.
See Catedral de San Ildefonso
Towering over Plaza Grande, the Catedral de San Ildefonso is impossible to miss. Even if your kids aren’t usually into churches, this one is worth popping into for a quick look simply because of how huge it feels inside. The cool air was a welcome relief after being out in the midday sun, and our son loved looking up at the enormous ceilings and echoing stone walls.
You don’t need to spend long here. We just quickly popped in for 5 minutes when there was a service going on, but it’s a cool stop in Merida. There used to be a modern art gallery by the side of this cathedral, but unfortunately it’s not long there now (despite what other guides say).
Visit Museo Casa Montejo
I would say this is more for the older kids as Museo Casa Montejo can be a little heavy on the history, but it’s definitely another place worth visiting. Museo Casa Montejo is the oldest building in Merida dating back to 1549 and shows what the city would’ve been like.
The building itself is stunning from the outside, with one of the most intricate façades in the city, but stepping inside gives you a real sense of what old Mérida life might have looked like. We wandered through the grand rooms imagining who might have lived there hundreds of years ago. It’s not massive, so if your kids don’t enjoy it, you can always bail. Tickets are free too which is a bonus.
Visit Museo de la Luz
This museum is less cultural and more fun. Basically, it’s the type of museum that your kids will actually enjoy. If you’re looking at beating the heat, then I’d really recommend visiting Museo de la Luz. This museum is all about science, light, colour and interactive displays, so it’s brilliant for kids who like pressing buttons and seeing how things work.
Our son was fascinated by the hands-on exhibits and loved moving between the different rooms trying out all the experiments. It felt educational without ever being boring, which is pretty much the dream when travelling as a family. If you need somewhere with air con, lots of stimulation, and something a little different from the usual churches and plazas, this is perfect.
Marvel at the Palacio de la Música
When we first walked past the Palacio de la Música, we knew it was a museum we had to explore. The outside looks like a giant sheet of music which is pretty cool. Even if you’re not a huge music fan, the museum is really interactive and celebrates the history of Mexican music in such a fun way. There are listening stations, instruments, and loads of colourful displays, so it feels much more engaging than a traditional museum.
The kids loved the sounds and buttons, while we really enjoyed learning more about the cultural side of Mexico beyond the beaches and ruins. It’s also wonderfully cool inside, which made it a very welcome midday stop. For families, it’s a really easy museum win because there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Eat at the Museum of Yucateca Gastronomy
Just around the corner from Plaza Grande is the Museum of Yucateca Gastronomy. This is one of the top-rated restaurants in the city and the food is delicious on every level. It’s a really cool insight into the food of the Yucatán, which is very different to other parts of Mexico.
We had the Yucatan speciality plate, which was made up of punachos and salbutes (two dishes you’ll find all over Merida). We also had the Valladolid sausage which was incredible. It was probably one of the best things we ate when travelling around the Yucatan!
Enjoy some quiet time in the evening
One of my favourite things about Mérida with kids was how magical the evenings felt. Once the fierce daytime heat finally faded, the whole city seemed to come alive. There was a little church and square just around the corner from where we stayed, so most evenings we would wander over there and soak up the vibe of the city. The usually involved getting a paleta (ice lolly), sitting on a bench and watching the kiddo run around.
There’s often music in the squares, families out chatting, and food stalls selling marquesitas, which became a bit of an evening treat for us all. It felt so relaxed and safe, and honestly some of our best memories came from doing very little at all.
Discover the cenotes at Santa Barbara
Another way to beat the heat is to escape it entirely by heading to the cenotes around Homún. This was one of our favourite days of the whole trip. There are loads of cenotes in this area which is an hour’s drive away, and they’re all slightly different. Some are open like natural swimming pools, while others are cave-like with stalactites hanging from the ceiling. You can see why the Maya people revered cenotes – it really is like stepping into another world.
We visited Cenote Santa Barbara. This place is like a cenote theme park with four different cenotes to swim in, a splash park for the kids and a very good restaurant too. After doing A LOT of research we wanted a place that was safe for swimming and that would entertain our son for hours. We actually stayed about 4 hours in the end, so this was such a fantastic day out. I really can’t recommend this place enough, it is perfect for the whole family.
Explore the pyramids of Uxmal
Another amazing day trip from Mérida is heading out to Uxmal, one of the most impressive Mayan archaeological sites in the region. About an hour’s drive from the city, this place feels a lot quieter and less touristy than Chichén Itzá, which makes exploring it with kids so much easier.
The standout structure here is the Pyramid of the Magician, a towering and slightly mysterious pyramid with rounded edges that looks unlike anything else in Mexico. We spent a good couple of hours wandering around the ruins, climbing up viewpoints, and trying to imagine what life was like here over 1,000 years ago. There’s very little shade though, so go early in the morning, take plenty of water, and don’t forget hats and sunscreen. You can thank me for that advice later!
If you’re visiting Uxmal, you can check out my complete guide to these ruins HERE.
Where to stay in Merida
One of the things I think we do really well is find the best accommodation for families. We only ever recommend places that we’ve stayed. Well, in Merida we found a bit of a gem – Casa Michela512.
This is a two-bed apartment – both with en-suite bathrooms – and it had everything we needed. The kitchen / dining room area was open plan, and it backed onto a little patio which had a pool. Trust me, having a pool when it was 36 degrees outside was needed. Most afternoons we would retreat here and laze by the pool for a few hours. This spot is also very close to town too so you can walk into things as and when needed.
Overall, Mérida was one of our favourite stops of the whole Yucatán trip. It’s bigger, busier and definitely hotter than some of the coastal towns, but that’s all part of its charm. From splashing around in the fountains at La Plancha to wandering through ancient ruins at Uxmal, there’s such a brilliant mix of culture, adventure and family-friendly fun here.
If you’re travelling around the Yucatan, then make sure you check out my comprehensive 3 week itinerary. This guide is packed full of all the best things to see and do in the Yucatan. It’s perfect for families too!
