Hi,<BR>Hoping for restaurant reccomendations, great shops and things not to miss.<BR>Thank you!<BR>

We were in Merida for a couple of days last November...I don't particularly remember the restaurants but for us what was most memorable and not to be missed was the street life. You've got to be there over the weekend. On Saturday night they have fabulous live bands on the street and people dancing till about 1am...wonderful!<BR>On Sunday there is a great fiesta in the center of town, bands and folkloric dancing, it's a big event for locals (paid for by the local council) not purely for tourists.<BR>Also don't miss out on the roving guitarists...trios who play traditional and romantic Yucatecan songs. You just apy for as many songs as you can afford and they serenade you!

We were also there on a Sunday and loved it. People watching, shopping and the music in the centre of town was fabulous. Merida is a beautiful city and I highly recommend that you spend at least 2-3 days there.

We spent 3 nights in Merida 2.5 years ago. Here were a couple of our 'things not to miss':<BR>1) Took a bus to Izamal 'the yellow town' very cute town.<BR>2) Took a tour to Uxmal. Uxmal is my favorite mayan ruin (I have been to Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum). The latticework and carvings were beautiful and it was so quiet compared to other sites closer to Cancun.<BR>3) We enjoyed visiting the central market - very energetic.<BR>4) Also, do not miss the excellent anthropology museum.

It was several years ago that we visited Merida, but I remember that my husband bought a really nice panama hat there.

And again the best cotton hammocks in Mexico.

Merida is truly a really interesting Colonial city with many historical houses and hotels. A really different experience from the U.S. atmosphere of the resorts such as Cancun!<BR>If possible, stay near the center within walking distance of the main zocalo (square). You will see many interesting restaurants to investigate! And do try not to miss a weekend in Merida--so much good food, entertainment and Mexican culture. Here, you will be with more locals than tourists!<BR>Enjoy!