Plaza Grande
Plaza Grande
4.5
About
Also known as Plaza de Armas, this city square contains some of the most historically significant and aesthetically pleasing buildings in Merida.
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4.5
1,544 reviews
Excellent
856
Very good
542
Average
119
Poor
19
Terrible
8
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,450 contributions
Jan 2021
Plaza Grande is the main square in central Merida. It's similar to many such squares throughout Mexico - rectangular in shape with many tourist attractions and important edifices around it. It's best to arrive at dusk when locals come out after the heat and the square gets lively.
The central part occupies a park with greenery and many benches around - pay attention to double rounded ones for lovers, Merida is famous for.
On 4 sides of the plaza are 4 Merida's biggest attractions - the imposing Cathedral, Casa Montejo (the oldest house, now a museum), red facade City Hall and the green Governor's palace.
The central part occupies a park with greenery and many benches around - pay attention to double rounded ones for lovers, Merida is famous for.
On 4 sides of the plaza are 4 Merida's biggest attractions - the imposing Cathedral, Casa Montejo (the oldest house, now a museum), red facade City Hall and the green Governor's palace.
Written 1 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
24traveler24
Canada80 contributions
Feb 2020
Out of all the plazas with parks and cathedrals on them that we have visited throughout Latin America and Europe, this is by far our favorite one. It is not too big and not too small. It is wonderfully landscaped with enough trees to provide for lots of greenery and shade. The plaza is kept fairly clean. There are nice views of the different historic buildings all around. There are often events of some kind, especially on Fridays and Sundays, as well as the odd street performer. On Sundays, the plaza is also full of vendors selling cultural artifacts and food stalls and tents and is very lively from the morning to the night. There is always something to see and experience the lively and beautiful city of Merida. It is great to stroll around the plaza or just sit and relax and take it all in.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJ Hill
Saipan, Mariana Islands184 contributions
Jan 2020
We read plenty of reviews of the Central Plaza and it lived up to all of them. Regardless of the time of day or night, there seems to always be something going on here. On one evening, the street between the Plaza and the Tourism Office building was closed, a stage was set at the south end and seating was set north of there. A free concert was being performed. We enjoyed our time here.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worldwide Traveller
London, UK151 contributions
Dec 2020
A visit to any Mexican city or town would not be complete without spending some time in their Zocalo or main square.
Zocalo was the way the conquistadores referred to the main square where you can still find a building dedicated to religion ( the cathedral), the legislative power (the Palacio del Gobernador) and the military (Casa Montejo).
The Palacio is currently closed for visits due to covid yet once it reopens you should not miss the murals and paintings that tell the history of the proud Yucatan (we've had the opportunity to enjoy on a previous visit). As for the Casa Montejo do take some time to enjoy the details on the facade, it must be noted that this is not a museum but simply a few rooms with well-kept furniture from the previous centuries.
To us, the most delightful activity in the Zocalo is having the opportunity to interact with locals, buy some treats by street vendors and even enjoy local music while keeping connected thanks to the complimentary wifi available.
Enjoy the Zocalo and just don't be shy about the language barrier, there's none if you really wish to make new friends while in Merida.
Zocalo was the way the conquistadores referred to the main square where you can still find a building dedicated to religion ( the cathedral), the legislative power (the Palacio del Gobernador) and the military (Casa Montejo).
The Palacio is currently closed for visits due to covid yet once it reopens you should not miss the murals and paintings that tell the history of the proud Yucatan (we've had the opportunity to enjoy on a previous visit). As for the Casa Montejo do take some time to enjoy the details on the facade, it must be noted that this is not a museum but simply a few rooms with well-kept furniture from the previous centuries.
To us, the most delightful activity in the Zocalo is having the opportunity to interact with locals, buy some treats by street vendors and even enjoy local music while keeping connected thanks to the complimentary wifi available.
Enjoy the Zocalo and just don't be shy about the language barrier, there's none if you really wish to make new friends while in Merida.
Written 20 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James P
Los Angeles, CA204 contributions
Feb 2020
In Merida's typical hot weather, it is relaxing to get a shoe shine and watch the crowds. You will have people try to sell you handicrafts, but that could be fun, too. On Sundays, the entire plaza is full of food and drink stalls and vendors of artesanias.
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zolike78
New Westminster, Canada313 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We were lucky to be there on a Sunday when the whole plaza transforms into a fest, food everywhere, and a show for the locals. Free wifi as a bonus. Any tourist in merida will go there multiple times. Restaurants, ice-cream, crafts, the basilica, casa Montejo, governor place, all in the same square
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali921
Edinburgh, UK1,508 contributions
Jan 2020
Like all other towns, the main town plaza is always buzzing with life. Lots of people all day long. Sit and people watch. It's also where you catch the city tour bus and walking tours. Every single tourist will visit this plaza several times a day !
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
Waihi Beach, New Zealand480 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
This has got to be one of the nicest Mexican cities we've visited. The central plaza, with the cathedral and other municipal building, just breathes 500y of history.
But wait, there's more. The Mayan Museum takes you back thousands of years!
And the modern shopping malls are just amazing. Love this place
But wait, there's more. The Mayan Museum takes you back thousands of years!
And the modern shopping malls are just amazing. Love this place
Written 22 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RGH
Los Angeles, CA187 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Typical zocalo, cathedral in one side, government buildings around. Many vendors in park, Merida letters for photo opp. Cultural events thru week, folk dancing, projections on cathedral, etc. Great place to hang out and people watch.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob C
San Jose, CA2,111 contributions
Sept 2020
This is a usually crowded and lively plaza but as my last visit here was during the ongoing covid pandemic there were several noticeable differences. The park in the plaza is totally roped off and inaccessible, the museums around it and the cathedral basilica were closed, and the usual Sunday marked was called off. Hopefully, things will return to normal soon when this is a nice, busy, and bustling plaza, for now, it is not the same.
Written 25 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Question, what are some recommendations getting from the Merida airport to your hotel?
Written 1 May 2016
As you walk out the front door of the airport there is a line of Taxis to the left. Right by the first taxi in line will be a small building with a window where you will rent the taxi. You just tell them where you are going and you pay at the window, not the taxi driver.
Written 2 May 2016
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