Located off the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is the largest and capital city of the Mexican state, Yucatan. Every visit to the city of Merida should include a tour of the zocalo, or town center. The town center in Merida is the largest in the world. The square is surrounded by the Municipal Palace, House of the Montejo and Contemporary Art Museum, plus dozens of other buildings, all which are styled in ancient grand colonial architecture. The Cathedral in Merida on the Plaza Mayor is the oldest in the Americas. Shopping in Merida is intended to rival any French boutique or experience, and the Paseo de Montejo was built to be the most beautiful Mexican version of the Champs Elysees.
The local cuisine of Merida includes the popular pollo pibil, a chicken breast mixed with bitter orange, epazote and spices, and wrapped and roasted in banana leaves. Two spices that originate from Merida are achiote, the area's most popular spice made from annatto seed, and hot sauce made from chiles grown in the area. The Chile Xcatik, Chile Habenero and Chile Seco de Yucatan all make spicy ingredients that visitors can purchase in local markets. Egg tacos cooked with pumpkin seed and tomato salsa is another local favourite.
Chichen Itza is listed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, and is located in Merida. This is a must see for any tourist in Merida—no matter what. Now that the site is protected, visitors are not allowed to climb on the pyramids, but as such an important world treasure Chichen Itza should be on every adventurer's list.
The local population speak in a mix of the indigenous Yucatec Maya language and Spanish. About a third of all the people, mostly in rural villages, speak the Maya dialect exclusively. Any visitor who has the opportunity to meet someone who could teach them a few lessons in their native language would get a reward that no one could buy at the local market.
