The 15 Best Mérida Tours & Day Trips

1.Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 451 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $70Our pick

Spend about three hours walking from Plaza Grande through San Benito and Lucas de Galvez markets, sampling eight local foods and drinks. Guides such as Fernando, Marcos, Laura, and Annette explain Yucatecan cooking, Mayan traditions, and where to eat next. The group is capped at 10 and ends with a traditional popsicle.

“We had such a wonderful experience! Our guide, Laura, was absolutely incredible. Everywhere we went, she made us feel welcomed like locals, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Her pride in being from Mérida, her deep family roots, and her knowledge of the region’s dishes all came through with such contagious positive energy. It truly made the tour exceptional. I highly recommend this experience — and especially Laura!! Thank you, Laura! ♥”

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2.Merida Street Food Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $69

Start near Merida’s cathedral at 10:30 a.m. and walk with an English and Spanish speaking local guide through Lucas de Galvez Market. Taste seasonal fruit, cochinita pibil, panuchos, sweets, local drinks, ceviche, and artisanal gelato. Guides such as Gisell, Luz, Zulma, and Diego are frequently assigned, and the tour ends near Santa Lucia Park.

“Luz expertly guided us through the market, tasting many different Mérida specialties. The ceviche and gelato to finish the tour we're delicious! We even went back to Pola for more gelato on our own. Skip breakfast as you will be very full by the end of this tour.”

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3.Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $95

Meet your English-speaking guide in downtown Mérida for market tastings, ingredient shopping, and a short city ride to a local home. With guides such as Diego, Luz, Zulma, and Romina, you’ll prepare Yucatecan dishes with a host family, then return to Centro by Uber.

“A must do at Mérida. Me and my husband had a great time. It was very organize. Meet an amazing group of travelers .”

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4.3-Hour Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 287 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Meet your guide at Plaza Grande for three hours of eating and walking through central Mérida. You’ll try gorditas, poc chuc, salbutes, tamales, fruit, tacos al pastor, and carnitas, with guides such as Laura, Marco, Annette, and Manuel explaining the food, Maya traditions, and city life. Expect generous portions, busy markets, and a full stomach.

“Alex was an amazing guide. He walked us through the market and took us to great food stands. Going to the local markets was a truly rewarding experience. I would have been very overwhelmed trying to go by myself the first time so it was great having Alex show us around and give us tips for when we go back on our own. This tour was worth every penny. Thanks Alex!!”

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5.Panoramic Sightseeing Tour Bus Ticket with 2 Routes

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 246 reviews · from $8Best value

Ride Mérida’s red Turibus through its colonial center, traditional neighborhoods, Paseo Montejo, and key monuments. Your ticket covers the Norte and Barrios circuits for about 90 minutes each, with Spanish audio only. Sit upstairs for the best views, bring water and sun protection, and note that the Barrios route does not operate on Sundays.

“Was good to see the city with out walking in the hot sun.”

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6.Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Start at Casa Montejo at 9:00 a.m. and walk Mérida’s central sights with an English-speaking guide. You’ll see the cathedral, government murals, Hotel Mérida, the Palace of Music, theaters, UADY, and Santa Lucía Park. Guides such as Max, Luis, Gabriella, and Maria Fernanda have led this route, which suits first-time visitors who want a clear city introduction.

“Luis was so knowlegable and personable. A nice way to learn more about historic Merida. Defintely worthwhile!”

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7.Uxmal and amazing cenotes guided tour with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 175 reviews · 8 hours · from $93

Leave Mérida early with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide such as Jorge, Sergio, or Eric. Tour Uxmal with a certified site guide, eat a simple local lunch in Abalá, then swim in a cave cenote and an open cenote. Small groups, air-conditioned transport, and snorkel masks make this a practical, culture-focused day out.

“Our guide, Sergio, was amazing! We enjoyed chatting with him on the way to Uxmal about Mayan and Yucatán history, birds and wildlife, and local cuisine. He was super personable and made our tour so fun. We loved that they provided snorkeling masks for the cenotes and he took great photos of us. The cenotes were also not crazy busy like some of the more popular ones and felt like our own hidden gem. We loved our experience so much we decided to book another tour with them later in the week. Five stars well deserved!”

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8.Sergio’s 5 in 1 Tour, All Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $114

Travel from Progreso Pier with an English-speaking guide such as Jesus, Uva, or Uvaldo. Visit El Corchito’s freshwater springs, Xtampú’s salt flats, Xcambo’s Maya ruins, and Sergio’s Beach House for food, drinks, and beach time. Bottled water, entry fees, pickup, drop-off, and photos are included.

“Great time! Jesus is amazing, knowledgeable and fantastic! Each stop was great…last stop at the beach house with the food amazing and incredible. I highly recommend!!!!!!”

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9.Guided tour of Uxmal, Kabah and Cenote with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 156 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $94

Travel from Merida to Uxmal and Kabah with an English and Spanish-speaking guide, then cool off in Cenote Peba. Expect 9 to 10 hours, hotel pickup, lunch, walking, stairs, and extra entrance fees. Guides such as Francisco, David, Allan, and Erwin have been praised for clear, engaging commentary.

“There was a good variety of activities with excellent guides. The cenote was a wonderful way to cool off and relax after a day of exploring and learning.”

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10.Uxmal, Cenote and Kabah Archaeological Site Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 139 reviews · 7 hours · from $83

Leave Mérida from Paseo Montejo for a full day at Uxmal and Kabah, two major Maya sites with fewer crowds than Chichén Itzá. Guides such as Miguel, Glendi, and Hector bring the archaeology to life in English and Spanish. You’ll also swim in Cenote Sámbula and eat a regional lunch, but bring a snack and budget separately for entrance fees.

“A great trip with a great guide! The van was smooth and had AC, the sites were great and we could ask many questions with excellent answers. The entrance fees on top of the activity were a little pricey but overall a great experience.”

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11.Private Yucatecan Cooking Class in Merida at Sofia’s Home Kitchen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $109

Join Sofia in her Mérida home for a private, hands-on Yucatecan cooking class. Prepare dishes such as sikilpak, chile kut, sopa de lima, pollo pibil, and papaya dessert while learning family recipes, Mayan food traditions, and practical cooking tips. The class takes about four to five hours and can be adapted for vegetarians.

“Perfect experience for introducing visiting guest to authentic Mayan cuisine! Sofia is passionate about cooking, in general; and, regional food particular. We had a memorable class that lasted several hours and culmunated with a delightful multi-dish meal we participated in preparing. Anyone who enjoys cooking should not miss this experience when visiting Merida!”

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12.Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 103 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $105

Leave Mérida at 8:00 am for Celestún with a bilingual nature guide such as Mauricio, Juan, Raul, or Tony. Cruise by boat past flamingos, pelicans, herons, mangroves, and the sea-estuary meeting point, try a Mayan clay bath, then enjoy included lunch and beach time at La Ramada de la Tía Candi. Round-trip transport, binoculars, and a guide are included.

“Excellent guide and driver, both totally tuned in to participants needs. Boat journey was thrilling and new and very enjoyable. Lunch was good and convivial. Beach time was relaxing, just as it should be!”

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13.Tour to Uxmal Kabah and Chocolate Museum from Mérida

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $81

Travel from Mérida to Uxmal and Kabah with a bilingual guide such as Mauricio, Saúl, Pedro, or Michelle. You get guided visits to both Maya sites, a three-course lunch, round-trip transport, and Choco-Story’s cocoa exhibits, gardens, rescued animals, and Maya chocolate ceremony. Bring cash, water, snacks, a hat, and sturdy shoes.

“Great trip to the site. Long day but well worth it. Would certainly recommend it. Note that extra cost to enter.”

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14.4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $85

This 9-hour trip takes you from Mérida to four Homún cenotes: Pool Uinic, Yum Kimil, Santa Rosa, and San Antonio. Guides such as Jair, Mauricio, Michelle, Tony, and Jorge have led the route, with English support, snorkeling masks, life jackets, transport, and lunch included. Expect caves, open water, steep steps, and a busy but rewarding day.

“This cenotes tour was great and our guide, Jair Flores, was excellent. He gave us lots of wonderful information both in English and Spanish. Plus, he took the best photos and videos whenever we asked. He was patient, kind, and fun! My only suggestion is to get a seat in the front of the van because you can't see anything along the way from the seats in the back.”

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15.Mérida Cooking Class, taste of Yucatan

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 82 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Meet your bilingual guide at Hotel Caribe, walk through central Mérida, and explore Lucas de Gálvez Market with tastings and ingredient shopping. Then ride a local bus to a host family’s home, prepare a three-course Yucatecan meal, and eat with beer or traditional drinks. Vegetarian menus are available with advance notice.

“Diago was awesome and was fluent in English. He had a great relationship with the vendors at the market. The market was really interesting and it was great to taste so many fruits, dishes, vegetables & spices prior to cooking. The amount of prep we did for each dish was huge & the recipes were made from scratch. It was so informative. A cold beer was served at the perfect time and the desert was sublime. The day was full of social camaraderie, education & ended with a very satisfied full tummy. To top it off we were emailed a full detailed cookbook of everything we made + more. We…”

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