Merida is full of places to eat. The town center and surrounding streets have foods ranging form very traditional Mexican food to seafood and more.

There is no shortage of things to do in Merida at night. It seems the residents never sleep—but in a good—non-obnoxious way. There is music, dance and food and plays, movies etc going on most of the year. The surrounding steets will also lead to great bars, dives and even peoples backyards for a fun chat (if you speak spanish) or just to watch the tube.

Merida means music. Not really, but it should. It seems everyone plays the guitar and sings. There is music on just about every street at night around the center of the old town. If it's not live it's blaring through the radio and loud speakers.

http://www.hotelestrinidad.com/

Best place in town. Affordable, pool, fans, continental breakfast—very authentic, colonial experience. 3 blocks from main town square.

In Tulum your best bet is Papaya Playa Hotel.

Town center and surrounding hoods and barrios.

Between Merida and Tulum the yucatan is full of authentic MAyan and Mexican culture. Food, clothing styles, celebrations, art and crafts all speak of a day long ago. Bring a Garcia novel to really suck you in to the spanish/mexican experience. I suggest Love in the time of the Colera and Hundred Years of Solitude.

Merida offers a good walk. You can see most of the city in 3 days of walking around. Nov-Dec is a good time to go. But anytime is really good.

The City Hall art exhibit—great paintings showing the struggle of the Mayan People under Spanish rule.

The Market and business district is great too. Lots of good finds and just a great cultural experience seeing the locals bustle about with sacks of goods.

Surrounding streets to the town center are a great diversion from the otherwise charming views.

Everywhere.

Taxi, bus if you are going to major locations and sites out side the city, bike, foot, and horse buggy for those who wanna get romantic about it.

Tall curbs, lots of cars and hot sun. Watch your wallet, but not with a paranoid eye. Lock your room, drink water that is bottled water when you can.

Gracias—Thanks
Perdon—excuse me
Porfavor-please
Ola-Yo!
Buenos Dias-Good Day
Buenos Tardes-good afternoon
Buenos Notches-Good Night
La Cuenta Porfavor—check Please
Cuanto Costa—how much?
Denero—money
Banco—bank
Marketa-Market
Basic Numbers in spanish.
Vamanos—lets go

I got by on these mostly—you can benefit form more. You pic up alot and the highway/street signs end up making sense and you pick up on a word or two as you go.

Bring sunscreen, towels, shorts and shorts, t-shirts and flashlights. Passports are now needed! Bring drivers license, credit cards, a body wallet, sunglasses, a few duffle bags for bringing back stuff and a digital camera. Books, maps of the area you are visiting in english and water bottle. Not in this order, but also bring some slightly warm article of clothings, slippers, hiking shoes and comfortable walking shoes, and a light rain cover. Be ready to stand in lines.

Many people travel to Mexico. Immigration check points: Always have your immigration, travel documents handy. Rent a car ahead of time and MAKE SURE it will be available. Thrifty, Dollar and National are decent rentals. A lot of flights are routed through Colorodo or Georgia. Call airports for delays and cancellations esspecially around high-traffic, tourist seasons.