Amy40

I am thinking we will get a room in Merida and a rental car, driving out and back to ruins, Progresso, etc. Or should we plan to stay "out there" for anight or two and then come back to Merida?

I know Dolores Alba has parking. Any other good hotels with manageable parking? Budget is $100/night +/-.

Thanks!

blondlady

We started a day trip first to Progresso stopping along the way for smaller ruins and a cenote, then backtracked to Uxmal. We spent the night just outside of the ruins. Saw Uxmal ruins the next morning then went back to Merida. We stayed at the Hotel Caribe, which was very comfortable but that was 10 years ago. Then you can take another day trip to Chichen Itza. There was some festivities with a parade in Merida, it was really a very pleasant place to stay.

mrfreeze

From Merida, Progresso is only 45min driving, but it is turning into a tourist trap. If you really want to see some nice areas of the gulf coast, the small towns of Telchac Puerto, or Santa Clara, about 2 hrs from Merida are great, no crowds unless is a holiday, great for a lunch of fried fish, or shrimp cocktail.
As far as the ruins, you can book a trip, including entry, guide and lunch easily, and let them do the driving. Driving in the city can be scary, once out of the city, it's not bad.
I have stayed at the Del Gobernador in town, and also the Gran Hotel which is right next to the Caribe. ,both are nice, Gran and Caribe are on a main plaza, close to everything, just dont get a room by the street, traffic noise is horrendous.

I am going to Merida in 2 weeks, My wife is from there andwe stay at her house in the subburbs. We get there about two times a year, if you have any other questions, I will be glad to try and answer them for you.

Bill

Amy40

Blondlady, we will likely go to those ruins on the road to Progresso, too. Figuring on spending one night out at Uxmal since our in-town hotel does not have room for us on the last night.

Bill, thank you so much. I have booked a room at Hotel Medio Mundo. Reviews are great and they have parking for a reasonable charge. I appreciate the tips on less touristy places to go on the coast. That is much more to our liking.

I have checked prices for tours to the ruins, but we are three people. By the time you pay for one trip, the rental car is almost half covered. We are not too afraid to drive in town but will be cautious on your advice.

The two big questions I have for you... What will be going on at Christmas? I am hoping that the Sunday Market will be open on Christmas Eve. Any special events for the holidays?

And...where should we eat? I am interested in "the best" Yucatecan or other regional Mexican according to local people. Also would like to eat Lebanese food once or twice...probably will be more familiar for my daughter than authentic Yucatecan. Any fantastic hole-in-the-walls overlooked by tourists?

TrvlMaven

Spending the night at Uxmal is great--you can see the light show at night, then you are on-site to hike the ruins first thing in the morning--back to Merida by afternoon. We stayed at Mison--just far enough from Uxmal that you had a great view of the pyramids from the balcony of your room. Very nice hotel--we got a B&B rate. Do stop in Progresso--but have lunch in Telchac Puerto--at the resto next to the pangas--don't know the name--but it's the only one on the beach, big red awning. We were the only NorteAmericanos there--fabulous grilled fish.
In Merida--we stayed at Casa Esperanza--and parked on the street (which was fine).

mrfreeze

Amy,
I looked up the direction of your hotel, it is close to the town, plaza.

As far as local cooking, there is a good restaurant called Cafe LA Habana, very close to you , is on calle 59, at the corner of I belive 64, also ponchos is a popular place on calle 59 between 60and 62, a bit more americanized though, and El Tucho very close to you gives a good variety of samples when you buy drinks, music can be noisy though.

If you would like some real authentic local food, the town of Kanasin, about a 15 min drive from centro, I belive saturday or sunday the locals all sell their cooking at the central market, the tamales and panuchos are excellent there,just take the normal precautions when eating in Mexico, (Granted for me personaly, my wife does the best yucataken cooking).

We spent Christmas 05 there, normally things close a bit early that day in centro, and is dead on the 25th, Im not sure if Merida en Domingo will be as big as normal on the 24th ( I have not been there on the 24th on a sunday), as a lot of the locals like to go to mass, and be with family on the 24th although the town square should be decorated nicely with a lot of christmas music, It also could be very crouded as the locals also are doing there last minute shopping.

One warning, in the central market, beware of pick pockets.

Bill

Amy40

Thank you Bill and Trvlmaven! I am copying everything into my notes. I have ordered a map so I will find Kanasin. That is exactly the kind of scene we enjoy. If Christmas Eve is a bit quiet, we can spend half the day in a hammock! I plan to visit Uxmal on Christmas Day. Did the same at Teotihuacan many years ago. A great day to go. Looking forward to experiencing everyone's suggestions. Thanks again!