YUCATAN, MEXICO
Mérida is the capital of the Yucatán Peninsula, widely regarded as the heart of Maya Indigenous culture.
Here. you will walk the (currently being repaved) colonial city, with its colorful buildings and sidewalk eateries, and fall in love with a simpler way of life, lulled by the congenial culture and the people.
Here are some great local restaurants, some fancy, some best-kept secrets, where you can sample local Yucatan and Oaxacan dishes.
Breakfast:
Socco
Perfect spot to carb load on traditional items such as the Chilaquiles and Torta Ahogada. Try the choco-chai or the cold brew horchata to drink.
PAN Elena Vales
Breakfast on the go—grab some pastries here. Calle 64 número 466 por 55 y 53
Lunch:
Taquería De La Unión
Small but lively taqueria is conveniently located near the city centre. Try the cochinita pibil, campechano, c(a mix of meats), and longaniza (similar to chorizo). @taqueriadelaunion
Taqueria Los Chupas
So good you wont believe the prices! Plus, daily specials. Try the Costra de Pastor Negro and Costra de Chupas Calle. 64 431, Parque Santa Lucia
Wayn’es
Must try the Castakan (pork belly and pork skin), Poc chuc and Chilibul tacos. 412, Calle. 59 408, Facebook.com/Wayanemid/
Panco Maiz
Small family restaurant using local ingredients - quintessential Yucatecan soul food.. Try the Huevos Rancheros and smothered hotcakes. Calle 59 437a, Parque de la Mejorada, @panchomaiz
Ice Cream:
Palo Gelato Shop
Has regionally and seasonally inspired flavors like strawberry with x’catik (a local chile) and banana with hibiscus. So good! polagelato.com
Dinner:
Holoch
Name means corn husks (check out the chandeliers). A Gorgeous dining room and outdoor space. Must-tries: shrimp ceviche and soupa de lima! Calle 60 No.415-B entre Calle 45 y Calle 47, holoch.mx
Sanduga
Located on Restaurant Row. this Oaxacan treasure serves a mean mole sauce. Sit int eh courtyard and watch them make your tortillas. Calle 47 453 A-por 50 y 52, Centro, Facebook.com/sandungarestaurante
Apoala
Soak in Santa Lucia Park with an outside table at this gem. Try the roast suckling pig or the octopus. apoala.mx
CENOTES
Over 66 million years ago, an asteroid crashed into Earth, more specifically a place now called Chicxulub on the Yucatan Peninsula, located in the Gulf of Mexico. The energy released from the impact led to a chain of catastrophic events that led to the extinction of three-quarters of animal and plant species on the planet.
It also created thousands of cenotes dotted all over the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. There is an actual cenote ring on the edge of the impact crater which was caused by the asteroid that has been linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
A Cenote refers to an underground chamber or cave which contains permanent water. In other words, it is a natural sinkhole where the ceiling of the cave has collapsed. They come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. The most common types of cenotes are Cave, Semi-Open and Open Cenotes.
Here’s a short list of cenotes to visit—some off the beaten path, all beautiful. Be prepared to rinse off at most of these before cooling off in the waters as this is a source of drinking water for the local communities.
Cenotes near Homun: Xoch, Santa Lucia. Hool Kosom Chulul
Santa Barbara Cenotes: Cascabel, Chacsikín, and Xooch’
Head to the Coast
The coastline of the Yucatan is quickly being developed but there are plenty of undiscovered spots where you can soak in the sun with the local community.
Along the way, stop at Izamal, the yellow city, and grab lunch at either:
La Casona de Izamal a big menu of Yucatán classics inside a home goods store where local artisans often craft while you eat.
Kinich- for tortillas for days!
Head to Telchac Puerto for shade and drinks at Playaviva Restaurant & Beach Club
In San Christano: Order the shrimp cocktail at La Palapa for lunch.
In Chabihau:
Eat breakfast at Rolando’s
Rent shade at Playa Tortuguita
Order the shrimp ceviche or the whole fish at Pescaderia Doña Chuty at YUC 27, 97426 Chabihau,
In Dzilam de Bravo:
Experience a boat tour to cenotes in the ocean and the jungle with Tico’s Tours