Dating back to 1553, the famous Mayan pyramids of Chichén Itzá are located just 75 miles from Mérida. The name Chichén Itzá comes from the Mayan language: Chi means mouth, Chen means well, and Itzá is the tribe that inhabited this area.
The site is divided into three areas. The northern group of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group is from the early period. The southern group is known as "Old Chichén." All three can be visited in a day. You can also enjoy the wonderful light and sound show presented in the evening.
It is the "Place where there are glyphs on the stones," a large Mayan city that is only 15 km from Mérida. Here you will find the Museum of the Mayan People, one of the best in Yucatán.
The Yucatán Peninsula is full of lakes, rivers, cenotes, and underground caves. The caves were sacred places for the Mayans and are quite impressive. When visiting them, it is important to always go with a guide, as some are complex and long.
An interesting and varied overview of Maya civilization awaits just 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Mérida. It is known as the (mountainous) Puuc Route. This includes the sites of Uxmal, Kabbah, Sayil, X-Lapac, Labná, and the Lol-Tun caves. In each of these locations, Mayan pyramids have been rescued, although other structures still prevail covered by the jungle and other weeds, just as they were found by the first explorers and archaeologists.
It means "The three times erected" in the Mayan language, and although the reason is a mystery, its beauty is not. As a "World Cultural Heritage" (UNESCO), it is one of the most restored and well-maintained Mayan ruins and is truly magnificent. Its architecture, one of the most majestic in Yucatán, is characterized by having low, horizontal palaces placed around courtyards, richly decorated with very detailed sculptures.
Located halfway between Mérida and Cancún, Valladolid is a small and picturesque town/city with exceptional colonial flavor. Here, you will see that most people still wear typical Yucatán clothing, something that is not seen as much in Mérida and almost never in Cancún. The pastel-colored colonial buildings add a special touch. In the main square, on one side, you will see a row of Mayan women selling their cross-stitch and frayed threadwork on dresses, blouses, Barbie dresses, scarves, and "fustanes" or "half fondos". Here with these ladies is a good place to buy the "little gifts" you need. Crafts from the Park and Ek Balam are places where you will find unique crafts at good prices. In the middle of the square, there is a fountain with the statue of a mestiza, which is a good place to take some photos.
It is a place where many events have occurred in history. The Caste War began here in 1849. There are seven neighborhoods, each with its church, which must be visited. The most impressive is the Convent of San Bernandino in the Sisal neighborhood.
There are two very important and impressive cenotes: Zací, which is a few blocks from the square, and Dzitnup, 4 kilometers from the town, where swimming is a must. Visit the Museum of San Roque, on the same street as the Cathedral, and the Government Palace, with its huge murals of Mexican history.
About us
The Hotel Nacional Mérida is strategically located in the heart of the Historic Center of the beautiful colonial city of Mérida, known as “the white city”, surrounded by the main tourist sites, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, theaters, old churches, government institutions and shops. In this environment stands the Hotel Nacional Mérida, which for many years has been home to national and foreign tourists who visit the city for pleasure or business, attracted by the variety of attractions of the city, the comfort of the hotel, the quality of its services and the friendly and cordial treatment of its staff, which has made the hotel one of the best of its kind in the city.