Mérida, Yucatán, is a Destination for All Ages

Yucatán’s colonial city of Mérida is a good destination for families traveling with teens and tweens. The city’s colorful markets, tempting street foods and fascination of its Mayan past combine to make a memorable family vacation.

Begin in Plaza Mayor (aka Plaza Grande), the center of Mérida life and a good place to snap selfies with the backdrop of some of the city’s most photo-worthy colonial buildings. Shade trees, gardens and fountains make it a pleasant place to sit and enjoy local life, and open-air markets are common here, selling local crafts, foods and souvenirs.

The prominent pink building facing the plaza is the city hall, where free walking tours begin at 9:30 a.m., Monday–Saturday. A good way to get oriented, these also give some background to the city’s history and suggestions of places to visit (tours are free, but you’re expected to tip the guide).

For a view of the Mayan civilization past and present, visit the excellent Gran Museo del Mundo Maya – Museum of the Mayan World. Seeing evidence of the civilization the Mayans created before the Spanish conquered Mexico and learning how far back that civilization reached will give some background for seeing nearby Mayan sites on daytrips. A high-tech video show explores that long history and Mayan culture today.

Every Sunday, Plaza Mayor becomes a full-grown marketplace, filled with color, local crafts and food. You’ll find pottery, jewelry and colorful embroidered textiles with traditional Mayan designs; it’s a good place to shop for gifts to take home.

Teens may be shy about bargaining for lower prices (goods here are priced for tourists, so some bargaining is expected) but will soon catch onto the fun of it. Although most vendors speak English, it’s a good place for teens to practice their Spanish. Stay until evening, when music and dancing begin.

You’ll find more live music and dancing on Thursday evenings in nearby Parque Santa Lucía. “Serenata Yucateca” is free, and you can watch colorfully costumed dancers from park benches or from one of the outdoor restaurants surrounding the square.