The Calle 60 Stroll

Strolling, meandering, shopping and people-watching are all components of the Calle 60 stroll. This is a very busy colonial street that is one of the must-sees in downtown Merida. Start at the Plaza Grande (the center of town) and walk north, toward Calle 59. On this first block there are many shops with handcrafts, a very nice bookstore, a famous café, a small theatre, and the gracious Hidalgo Park with its many outdoor restaurants. Stop and have a coffee, a beer, a soda or something to eat while you absorb the daily hustle and bustle or write a few postcards.

On the next block is the beautiful Church of the Third Order, with its incredible chandeliers and frescoes. If you are lucky enough to pass by when the doors are open, don't pass up the chance to step inside and see one of the most beautiful church interiors in all of Mexico. The Motherhood Park (Parque de la Maternidad) is located next door, followed by the José Peón Contreras Opera House. The park is home to a nightly contingent of street vendors, most of them selling handmade goods from the Yucatan and the nearby state of Chiapas. Across the street is the main building of the University of Yucatan, which hosts student performances of folkloric ballet every Friday night for just a few pesos per person.

Above: Passing by the Governor's Palace on Calle 60 in Merida.

Next you will find the Merida Mision and and Casa del Balam hotels - stop inside for a look at their gardens and architecture. More shops follow, as well as a string of bars and nightclubs you may want to revisit after dusk. On the following block is Santa Lucia Park, where there is a free Yucatecan serenade every Thursday night at 9 p.m. Across the street is the small but charming Santa Lucia Church.

As you continue your stroll, you will pass Café Kibok, a chic lounge with fabulous food and live music. This cozy spot is perfect for enjoying dinner on the balcony ith friends or relaxing on the patio sofa with a glass of wine and a good book. Just a few doors down is the Trinidad Hotel and Art Gallery, a wonderful labyrinth of photography, paintings, collages and sculpture where you can wait out the occasional afternoon shower.

Turning onto Calle 47 you will find Santa Ana Park, church and market. There are several antique and art galleries and a silver shop surrounding the plaza, in addition to a string of handicraft shops. The market is open every morning with fresh fruits and vegetables for sale by local farmers, and features an all-day, outdoor food court that serves everything from tamales to hamburgers to Yucatecan cuisine. If you still have energy, you can walk over to Paseo Montejo, which starts just one block away to the east.

Paseo Montejo, considered to be Merida's "Champ Elysees," is an elegant, tree-lined boulevard with more stores and gorgeous colonial buildings. Right here at the start of this magnificent avenue, every Saturday night there is a small street fair with live music and booths selling handicrafts and food.

Continuing north on Paseo Montejo, this already picturesque stroll is made even more enjoyable with public art. The Merida Museum of Modern Art has sponsored "Project: Art in the Streets," a collection of sculptures by artists from various parts of Mexico, Great Britain, Germany and Yugoslavia, which decorate both sides of the street for several blocks. After the famous "twin houses" on the first block, you will find the Museum of History and Anthropology - an excellent place to visit before or after hiking the Mayan ruins. Businesses, homes and lavish hotels continue on past a handful of small statues commemorating regional heroes before arriving at the very impressive, Monument to the Flag.

You can also take in these sights starting on Paseo Montejo and heading south toward the Plaza. If the journey wears you down, take a horse-drawn carriage or calesa back to your hotel. Happy trails.

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Recommended reading
 Museums
 Art Galleries
 Anthropological Museum
Sidewalk Sculpture Exhibit

Visit our maps
 Map of Merida Historical Downtown
 Map of Merida Downtown
 Map of Merida City
 Map of Yucatan Peninsula