Tourist Information: 800-44-MEXICO
Location: Mérida, the capital state of the Yucatán, is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, about 30 kilometers from the western coast and 75 miles/120 kilometers northwest of Chichén Itzá.
It is known as the heart of the Mundo Maya, or Mayan World.
Topography: Mostly flat with some rolling hills in the southern tier.
Currency: The peso is the official currency, but U.S. dollars and travelers' checks are also common. Money can be exchanged at the airport,hotel desks or banks, but don't exchange more than you need because it's expensive to convert pesos back to dollars. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Language: The official language is Spanish, however, most people also speak English. Mayan is still spoken in some areas.
Climate: Tropical. The average temperature hovers in the mid-80s. The rainy season is from June to September.
Area Code: From the U.S., you must dial 011 (the international code) then 52 (the country code), plus 99 (the area code) and then the six digit local number.
Documents: Visitors must have a valid passport or a certified birth-certificate copy and a photo ID. Upon entering the country, you are issued a tourist card, which must be returned to immigration when you depart.
Electricity: Outlets are 120 volts/60 cycles, the same as in the United States.
Accommodations: Most of the major hotel chains are represented in Mérida, including Best Western (800-780-7234), Holiday Inn (800-331-3831) and Hyatt (800-228-9000). But there are also some nice places in the center of Mérida like Hotel Colonial (011-52-99-23-64-44) and Casa del Balam (011-52-99-22-88-44).
Restaurants: Yes, Burger King is in Mérida, and so are several other fast-food chains. That said, try some of the following: Café La Habana (28-65-02 or 28-06-08) in Mérida is a fairly new restaurant located at Calle 59 and 62. The décor is early Havana (with air conditioning), and you can get good Cuban cigars. Great for breakfast,lunch or dinner, and it is slowly becoming the place for business meetings in the Centro. The coffee is roasted and ground on the premises.
For traditional food, the place is Los Almendros (23-81-35) at 50 and 55/57. They've been at it for 36 years; if you want to dine Yucatecano, this is it.
CaféPeon Contreras offers entertainment in the evenings and provides an air-conditioned spot to watch the town walk past. Located directly across from the music hall. Plaza Serenata, Calle 59, located across from the government offices. A great place for the most romantic evening.Get a balcony booth for two and watch Mérida walk below.
Pelicanos Restaurant & Bar (011-993-5-07-98) in Progresso (Calle 19-44/20 Avenidea Malecon) is right across the street from the waterfront. This grass-thatch roofed, open-air eatery offers good seafood done Yucatecano-style. Great cerviche appetizer. Try the Dragon Verde Salsa Picante Muy Salsa sauce. It'll kill you.
Taxes and Tipping: Service personnel should be tipped according to the level of service provided. In restaurants 15 percent is standard. Hotel housekeepers should get at least one dollar a day during your stay. Gas station attendants are also sometimes tipped, usually about one peso.
Ground Transportation: Getting around Mérida is easy: There are plenty of cabs, and they do have published rates. Rental cars are available at the airport, and you'll need one to explore the surrounding ruins. Major companies including Avis (800-331-1084) and Hertz (800-654-3030) are represented here.
Airlines: Several major carriers offer Mérida itineraries including American Airlines(800-433-7300), Continental (800-525-0280), Delta (800-221-1212) and United (800-241-6522). AeroMexico(800-237-6639) and Mexicana (800-800-531-7921) offer direct flights from Miami. Sample round-trip airfares at press time: Atlanta -- $US320; Baltimore -- $US563; Chicago -- US$412; Dallas -- US$409; Denver -- US$480; London -- US$810; Los Angeles -- US$398; Miami -- US$262; Montreal -- US$396; New York -- US$423; Paris -- US$572; San Francisco -- US$435; Seattle -- US$850; Toronto -- US$361. Air fares courtesy of New World Travel. For travel arrangements, call 800-308-SURF.
Posted online 10/01/99.
