We have been thinking of a trip to Merida this winter. Last year we went to Morelia and Patzquaro and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We loved the colonial style and history of these places and friendlyness of the people. I can't seem to find out too much on the web about the quality of the beaches at Progreso. Thanks to anyone who responds.<BR>Jim

I stayed several days in Merida. Beautiful part of the Andes. The village is nice and tours may be arranged. We hiked in the Andes and did the cable car. Took private tour to La Culata, Tabay, El Tisure, and Lake Mucubaji with a wonderful guide. Stayed at Hotel Belensate which was okay, but very remote--too far away from the village. Safe and very friendly people.

I am hoping you mean Merida in Mexico.<BR>Very nice colonial city - worth a trip.<BR>Progresso not very impressive in my opinion. Some wonderful Mayan ruins near Merida (Uxmal,Dzbilchaltun and a bit further away Chichen Itza)

We went to Merida last winter - and weren't impressed. It was windy and too cool to sit on the beach, or even at the pool at the Reef Club near Merida. Apparently, the area has a reputation for lots of wind. Also, there were problems with the water - the resort next to ours was the one that was suddenly closed when the tour operator pulled out, three or four years ago, because everyone got very sick. The tour operator was seriously thinking of pulling out of our place, too, we heard. The ruins at Uxmal were great, but the "son et lumiere" show was a rip-off- just a bunch of floodlights. Think you could do much better on the Mayan Riviera, on the Caribbean side of the Yucatan, and visit the ruins from there. Progressoo is mainly a long-stay destination for Canadians, and not well developed - I don't recommend it.

Merida Mexico....nice colonial city...be sure to visit the museums first so you know alittle history...we took day trips to uxmal (ruins),celestun( great boat tour of mangrove swamp and flamingo sanctuuary)and Izamal ( this is a 1xw trip only and well worth it if you like local color...train trip to a very small village, welcome band, horse and buggy ride to the ruins, a lovely lunch with entertainment etc etc . We did have lunch in Progresso on the beach...but I would say that is not a destination...unch and a quick wlk on the beach pretty much sums it up!!!

Interesting - I visited Merida a couple of years ago, and next week am headed off to Morelia and Patzcuaro! Merida was worthwhile for a few days, and the ruins int he area are great. In addition to the places mentioned above, there are also the ruins on the "Puuc route" near Uxmal, that are not large, but are interesting. Merida is a much larger city than many of the colonial cities in central Mexico (e.g. Oaxaca, Gunanjuato, San Miguel) and therefore has less of an overall feel of being a colonial city - less "of a piece". The main sights of the city are pretty much within walking distance of one another.