Yucatan trip to Merida

Welcome to our third blog on our trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, we hope you enjoy it. This phase sees us travelling from Las Colorades to Progreso and then onto Merida City. We are certainly driving up the milage with having done over 17k’s since we got the car.

Our first impressions of the Yucatan Peninsula was the great infrastructure (roads) and that it is cattle country. We even thought it would be a great place to set up a camper van business for the huge number of German tourists that we have met.

One of our first encounters was a guy who operates a small café in the side of the road – to say that he is passionate about coffee would be a huge understatement. He has developed his special blend – a mix of Oaxacan and Chapais coffee beans – certainly one of our best coffees for ages!

Progreso is on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and is about 30 minutes drive from Merida. We stayed at an amazing Air BnB with its own pool and great rooms. Initially we were somewhat underwhelmed by Progreson until we went out in the evening and discovered this amazing boardwalk that was full of life and great stalls. We think this is where the folks from Merida go to be close to the sea. We also visited the local market at Progreso – heaps of seafood and just had to get this one of a lucky cat!!!

Next day we were off to Merida – we both had high expectations for Merida and believe it or not, Merida exceeded our expectations! It felt like a really easy and comfortable city to live in – other than the heat that almost killed Alfonso – the heat also affected these guys as well!

Merida is the state capital and was known as the white city because people would wear white clothing and most walls used to be whitewashed. It has a huge historical centre – third in size after Mexico City and Havana (Cuba). Again we had a great Air BnB with its own pool and within walking distance to the central square (Zocalo).

We also had the chance to try a number of the local Yucatan regional foods – one restaurant that we went to, La Chaya Maya, had a taster of local dishes – all great.

Merida has a number of Haciendas surrounding it, and you can visit them for a small fee. We visited Yacoxpoil , which initially grew corn and raised beef before changing to Henequen – a plant similar to the Agave where tequila is made from, although in this case it was grown to make ropes. We also went to an estate that told the story of chocolate as well as having a mini zoo with jaguars, monkeys and crocs.

We also had the opportunity to go for a swim in a Cenote (underground waterway) in the town of Mucuyche– amazing experience with lots of small fish to join you.

Overall, Yucatan has surprised with how different it is from the rest of Mexico and it has been a great surprise.