Mérida, city, capital of yucatán estado (state), southeastern mexico. It lies near the northwestern tip of the yucatán peninsula, about 20 miles (30 km) south of progreso, its port on the gulf of mexico. The yucatan capital has both colonial and mayan treasures to discover.

From mérida, it is easy to take day trips to a vast array of destinations: Archaeological sites, ecological parks, typical villages, caves, beaches, colonial missions and more. Merida is believed, by many historians, to be the oldest continually occupied city in the americas. It is a stunningly beautiful city, its rich history on display through its architecture and the strong indigenous …