Mexico City or Merida?

[prinnycessa]

Posting here for traffic.

For those of you who have been to Mexico and have been to both Mexico City and Merida, which would you recommend?

DH and I are deciding between the two. We love history, culture, we are huge foodies and we don't like when places are too commercialised. Out of the two, which do you think would suit what we are looking for more?

Would also be great to hear of your personal experiences.

Thanks!

Sorry is this for holiday or to live?

@PeekabooAtTheZoo for holiday sorry!

For food, México City. There’s so much to do and see in Mexico City, you don’t actually need to leave it in order to fill your time there.

Merida is smaller and less diverse, but it is beautiful. It’s very easy to do day trips from there to beaches and Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza.

Sorry, haven't been to Mex City but did want to say I loved Merida - it is not commercialised and has a nice vibe. As PP said, easy to do day trips from here too. Not sure what time of year you will be there but they have a great Day of the Dead celebration there.

Thanks @whumpthereitis @mrsrobin - duly noted!

Merida is lovely. Definitely go to Chichen Itza, Xel-Ha and Xcaret from here.

Great, thank you ☺️

I lived in Merida for a year in my twenties and loved it (was a while ago now though so I'd imagine the city is very different!) Things I also learnt in Merida - cockroaches can fly very fast and one can kill a scorpion with the yellow pages directory....

If you have enough time do both. Cheap, quick flights between them and they're both great in different ways. Have fun!

I love Merida. Sorry I can’t advise about Mexico City though.

One thing to consider - Merida is much hotter and stickier/tropical than Mexico City (Mexico city is much higher up so has pleasantly warm days, and can get quite cool at night). Depends on what you like.

If you don't like commercialised stuff you should avoid Xcaret - it is like an amusement park - where all the package holiday makers will be taken,. There are some beautiful little cenotes to explore in the Yucatan. Chichen Itza is interesting but the most touristed. Again, there are many other ruins in the Yucatan which I think are a much better experience such as Uxmal. If you do go to Merida and are there on a Sunday, they close down a main city road and it is open for cycling - it's a really nice day with a lovely family atmosphere. I think they do this in other cities in Mexico so prob do it in Mex City.
As a PP has mentioned it is hot and sticky in Merida, we rented a room (were there for a while) in a small block which had a small swimming pool. I would recommend a pool as even though the beach isn't far, you will be able to fall in the pool when ever you like!

It really does depend on what vibe you’re after. Mexico City is a huge city, the biggest I. Latin America. It’s busy, vibrant, and active. Merida is a lot smaller, and it’s more laid back and touristy.

To draw a comparison, if you have a choice, would you go to London, or Saint Ives?

Thanks everyone, great tips!

@whumpthereitis it's difficult! I would go to both for different reasons! On holiday we tend to move around but because we're going to Tulum also we wanted to choose MC or Merida. Think we are leaning towards MC though as Tulum will be more of a chill vibe for that part of the holiday

IMO Tulum and Mexico City will give you the best of both worlds. Tulum is really relaxed, the beaches and lagoons are beautiful, and you can sightsee around Mayan ruins. Mexico City will change the pace, it’s an awesome, lively city and you won’t run out of things to do.

great choice of places.

Mexico City. You can visit the archaeological sites at Teuotihuacan, which are truly amazing; the Museum of Anthropology; the art gallery in Chapultepec; have a trip to Casa Azul in Coyoacan and see where Frida Kahlo lived and painted…it goes on and on.

We truly adored it.

Both are fab but very different and Tulum is not like either! Mexico City is great for food, sightseeing etc but it is massive compared to Merida. Merida is lovely and is a great base for day trips but then you could cover many of them from Tulum anyway.

Are you planning on renting a car? If so, I'd stay in the Yucatan and take lots of day trips from Merida and Tulum.

If you're going to Mexico City I'd do it first so you have the relaxing part after.

Merida is lovely. But Mexico city is amazing. It's a bit like comparing Guildford to Londo though. They're vastly different because of the difference in size. You're comparing a city with a small town.

Thanks everyone! Yes we're decided on MC and then Tulum. Going to get planning! Really looking forward to it now

Never been to Merida but have spent weeks in Mexico City, It is a fabulous place, loads to do. You can get out to Tulum and Teotihucan with ease
and of course you have the three cultures plaza and Tenochitlan in the city centre, If you are interested in these sites, the anthropology museum is a must. Easy also to visit Other smaller cities such as Cuernavaca, Guanajuato, Taxco, as well.

Try and go swimming in the cenote at Ik-Kil. It’s amazing.
Tasco is also great to visit and buy yourself some silver jewellery.
As for Xcaret and Xel-Ha being touristy; yes, that is true.
However, you’ll be able to watch a game of Mayan football which is just incredible and also see the dance of Los Viejitos (the little old men.) I’m pretty certain that it originated in Merida.
I’ve done a 3000 mile road trip through Mexico and been to most of the tourist places, as well as the lesser-known ones.
Stayed with Mexican families and barely anyone spoke English, so I had to get on with it 😂