Last updated August 30, 2025
Looking for a quiet alternative to mega-resorts for your next Yucatán holiday? Escape the crowds and discover seven soul-enriching things to do in Merida, Mexico—Yucatán’s captivating capital, where ancient Maya mysticism meets modern wellness. This increasingly popular destination offers history and culture enthusiasts a peek into the mystical Maya civilization and its sacred sites.
Unlike the bustling resort towns along the coast, this colonial gem offers a chance to dive deep into authentic Mexican culture while connecting with transformative traditions that have thrived for centuries.
Here, sacred cenotes serve as natural spas, local healers guide sound ceremonies with ancestral instruments, and family-run cooperatives share time-honored crafts and agricultural practices.
Whether you’re seeking spiritual renewal through cacao ceremonies, physical rejuvenation in luxury spas, or cultural immersion through traditional weaving workshops, Merida provides a meaningful alternative to typical vacation experiences—one that nurtures both body and soul while supporting local communities.
And with wellness-focused stays ranging from jungle retreats to luxury haciendas, you’ll find the perfect place to rest and recharge after your adventures.
Seven Things to Do in and Around Merida
Ready to connect with yourself and the world around you? Then, here are seven things to do in Merida to capture its essence.
1. Relax in a sacred cenote
Yucatan is known for its intricate network of cenotes––natural sinkholes lodged within striking limestone caves––which Mayans believed were a portal to the underworld. Take a dip in their cool water as you marvel at the dramatic stalagmites and stalactites adorning their walls.
Some of the most beautiful include Dzitnup, Ik Kil, Xcanche, Suytun and Yokdzonot, the latter managed by a local women’s collective that offers food services and exhilarating activities like ziplining and rappelling.
2. Spend a day in Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Hop on a boat tour of the world-famous pink lagoon to discover how it got its bright color. Take an exfoliating “Mayan mud bath” with mineral-rich sand and immerse yourself in the meandering mangrove system while on the lookout for gorgeous flamingos.
3. Sense the soothing benefits of sound healing
Centers such as the one hosted by Sonidos del Origen provide stimulating sound healing sessions, as well as workshops for those eager to learn how to harness the meditative nature of ancestral instruments.
Some facilitators will even incorporate sound healing into cacao ceremonies––rituals that foster creativity, introspection, spiritual connection and unity with others––inspired by ancient Mayan practices.
4. Explore nature and culture with locals
Take a cornfield tour at the Unajil Ek Balam co-op to witness traditional agricultural practices, see how palapas are built at Pujulá Aldea Maya Viva, explore the magical world of beekeeping in Sinanché and head to San Agustín to find out how Mayan women weave hammocks and sew colorful hipiles.
5. Let go of stress with revitalizing spa treatments
If you’d rather spoil yourself more conventionally, Merida has plenty of luxury spas with modern equipment and facilities. Local favorites include Boho Spa and MAO SPA, both centrally located. Browse through an endless selection of massages, facials and rejuvenating treatments.
6. Join yoga and fitness classes
Stop by Karunesh, Onfalia, ÚMINA or Sadhak Yoga for invigorating classes with a holistic approach. For more active workouts, renowned Plates and indoor cycling studios can be found scattered throughout the city.
7. Indulge in authentic foods
The city’s downtown area is teeming with exquisite dining options. Farm-to-table restaurants such as Anima and Tulia, fine dining venues like Ariadna and Emplumado, and rustic eateries like El Apapacho all come together to enrich the outstanding culinary scene. Make sure you also try Yucatan’s distinctive cuisine at MUGY or Hacienda Teya.
Where to stay in Merida and its surroundings
While accommodations in the area cater to all types of travelers, from high-end hotel chains to unconventional jungle cabins, wellness-focused stays are where Merida really shines. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorites.
1. Chablé Yucatán
Tucked away in the lush Mayan jungle less than 30 miles south of Merida, this elegant refuge with luminous minimalist villas makes for the perfect nature retreat. Chablé features innovative spa practices coupled with herbal medicine. Their extensive menu includes hydrotherapy programs, lymphatic drainage, Mayan herbal compress massages, exfoliating sessions and a wide array of facials, including the popular bio-energy lift facial.
Their award-winning restaurants use locally-sourced ingredients grown in the resort’s ka’anche (traditional Mayan garden). Additionally, the resort hosts cultural activities including Melipona beekeeping tours, cacao and corn processing workshops, cooking classes, tequila and Mexican spirit tastings, and temazcal ceremonies.
2. Hacienda Xcanatún, Angsana Heritage Collection
Can you picture sleeping in a historic 18th-century hacienda with modern-day amenities? Conveniently situated right on the outskirts of the city, Hacienda Xcanatún offers a respite from its hustle and bustle. This majestic building was recently refurbished and turned into a stylish urban oasis.
Known for its exclusive Angsana touch, a blend of Mexican and Asian wellness practices, their renowned spa invites you to unwind after a day of sightseeing with a variety of massages and facials. Join a cooking class and let their chefs take you on a fascinating journey from simple Sikil Pak to iconic Cochinita Pibil.
3. The Diplomat Boutique Hotel
When seeking a central location with easy access to dining, entertainment and nightlife, consider a stay at this sophisticated boutique hotel in the colonial Santiago neighborhood.
Be greeted upon arrival with regional snacks and cocktails infused with local spices. Then hit the road and visit Santiago Market for a taste of typical street food. Don’t miss out on the chance to try some panuchos paired with horchata or agua de chaya.
Just a stone’s throw from Merida’s main square, Plaza Grande, The Diplomat lets you stroll along cobblestone streets while shopping for souvenirs or art pieces at local galleries.
4. Destino Mío Mayan Jungle Retreat
For off-grid adventurers, the drive to Destino Mío––one hour south of Merida––is a no-brainer. This sustainable complex celebrates nature’s splendor is, as its name suggests, a destination of its own.
Book either spacious suites or a glamping cabin in nature. Cool off at the three private cenotes and uncover their underground mystery with scuba diving lessons.
Utópika Oasis Holístico delights with its open-air layout, temazcal, and organic garden. The showstopper is the Destino Mío Massage, which uses Swedish techniques and incorporates Mayan clay and herbs. Complement your treatment with a sound healing session in a cenote, a family-blessing ritual, a cacao ceremony, a Prehispanic oracle reading and a medicinal plant workshop.
5. Shambalanté
Another captivating jungle getaway, Shambalanté summons you to channel nature’s healing power through spiritual journeys. While you can book a room for personal reflection amid whimsical scenery, the best way to benefit is by joining their retreats.
They host yoga, meditation and detox programs plus certification courses throughout the year, led by globally renowned instructors. Retreats may include temazcal sessions, massages, special rituals, bonfires, cenote visits and biking tours.
About the author: Regina Zumarraga is a travel content writer and editor with a strong interest in photography. A firm believer in community-based, ethical tourism, her writing is a love letter to her home state of Yucatan, Mexico. She’s passionate about exploring different cultures and relishes the freedom that comes with solo traveling. Her spare time is usually spent by the ocean, trying new food or plotting her next adventure.
Snapshot Summary
Things to do in Merida, Mexico, go beyond typical beach resorts, offering transformative wellness experiences in Yucatán’s cultural capital. Seven soul-nourishing activities await: sacred cenote swims, ancient sound healing ceremonies, pink lagoon tours, traditional Maya craft workshops, luxury spa treatments, holistic yoga classes and farm-to-table cuisine. Historic haciendas and jungle retreats provide authentic accommodations for this mystical wellness destination.
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