Merida's Roots: Mayan Past

The Mayan past of this bustling city of over 700,000 inhabitants might not be immediately noticeable for the first time visitor, but after a short time in the city, you will come to see it. Merida is a city with deep roots and is considered by some archaeologists to be the longest continually inhabited city in the Americas.

Founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, the city of Merida rests on the bones of an ancient Mayan city called T'ho. This site was inhabited by the Maya and was one of the central hubs of that far flung, ancient empire. There are many ways that you can see the remains of ancient T'ho, but one of the most fascinating is simply to visit the downtown area. The old colonial buildings were fashioned of new stone as well as blocks from the Mayan ruins. You can see many of these stones, still decorated with amazing Mayan carvings making up the fantastic bulk of Merida's Cathedral.

The majority of the old buildings that the Conquistadors built were fashioned at least in part with stone pilfered from the Mayan buildings. A trip downtown will yield you much more than colorful local culture, you will get an amazing window into the past. Witnessing these beautiful buildings first hand is an amazing way to get your feet wet in the culture of the area.

There are countless monuments and other ruins scattered throughout Merida and the surrounding area. One of the most fun and interesting things to do in the area is to visit the many ruins that are scattered around the countryside. Whether you visit large sites like Chichen Itza and Uxmal or smaller sites that can be found without difficulty, you will find a wealth of exploration and excitement. With the help of the friendly guides and helpful tours that can be found in Merida and the surrounding area, you will have a trip that you will never forget.

Nine miles outside of Merida, you will find Dzibilchaltun. This ruined Mayan city offers you amazing exploration opportunities. The Museum of the Mayan People can be found in this city, offering one of the most comprehensive collections of Mayan relics and ancient treasures from the past. You can also explore the ruins of the ancient city, which is reached by walking up a winding path. Along this path, you will come to the Temple of the Seven Dolls, which is one of the most amazing examples of Mayan architecture to be seen today.

No matter what you would like to do, you will find it around the city of Merida and the surrounding countryside. You can find comprehensive tours of the ancient ruins in Chichen Itza, Izamal, Uxmal and many others. You can also make day trips from Merida to the beach to the north or east. If exploration is your thing, there are jungle treks that will take you through the jungle in search of unfound ancient ruins and even more excitement to be found.