Merida, Ever the Capital of Culture

When vacationing in Merida, the state capital of Yucatan, not only can you have a truly restful stay, but also enjoy an extensive variety of cultural activities available just steps from your hotel. Apart from visiting the museums of this beautiful colonial city and admiring the impressive archeological sites located nearby, you can visit the city's theaters, attend one of the many festivals or simply go to see an art film in the specialist movie theaters. There is always something interesting and rewarding to do in Merida, something that can broaden your cultural horizons, improve your general knowledge and enrich your intelligence and consciousness through the arts.

The museums in Merida exhibit both the history of the city and the works of art created here by the local artists. Most museums are centrally located in downtown Merida, including the Popular Arts Museum, which has different exhibitions about the Mayan civilization and displays incredible handicrafts sourced from all over the state of Yucatan. The museum also has a convenient shop with an independent access, where you can purchase many interesting gifts and souvenirs.

Another great place to visit is the City Museum, which has a good selection of pieces from Pre-Columbian, Colonial, Independence, and Revolution times, as well as from the years when the Henequen Haciendas were in their prime. Next to the Cathedral is the Ateneo de Yucatan Contemporary Art Museum, better known as its Spanish acronym, MACAY. It has permanent exhibitions of local handicrafts, Mexican silver, embroidered traditional clothes, and of course contemporary art from Mexico and abroad. Also in Merida's historic center you can visit the Museum of the Yucatecan Song, where you can learn about the evolution of the typical regional music. There are guided tours available in these last two museums.

The Olimpo Cultural Center, situated in the very heart of downtown Merida, offers an array of activities throughout the week, including theatrical productions, expositions, and art films. The center even features a fascinating planetarium.

If scenic arts, dance and singing are what you prefer, then the city's theaters are going to play an important role in your Merida vacation. Luckily, there are plenty of performances in Merida year round. The most outstanding is the Peon Contreras Theater, a magnificent French Neoclassical building that has become a cultural symbol in Yucatan. Situated in the historic center, it features two art galleries and is the official site of the Yucatan Symphonic Orchestra.

Also standing out is the Merida Theater, a recently remodeled facility that houses the Manuel Barbachano National Film Archives, which continuously screens art films and is the venue for the Yucatan Mexican Short Film Festival. Another theater of note in the area is the Daniel Ayala Theater, founded in the 17th century.

Those who prefer large events and outdoor performances will love Merida's numerous art and cultural festivals. The City Festival takes place yearly during January, commemorating the foundation of Merida on January 6, 1542. The program includes all the arts and involves the entire city, with more than a thousand artists from every discipline displaying their work. During the fest, most events are completely free and open to the public so that everyone can partake and enjoy this incredible spectacle.

The Autumn Cultural Festival is celebrated annually between October and November. This fest offers several parallel events every day, featuring renowned local, regional and international artists. Concerts, presentations, serenades, plays, dance, film screenings, ballet, classical music, visual arts, traditional local music, conferences, contests, events for children, book presentations and many other events are carried out throughout the city and in other municipalities of the state. Throughout October, Merida and the entire Yucatan brims with cultural activities, delighting locals and visitors alike.

Two of the most popular fests in town include the avant-garde International Contemporary Dance Festival and the Oc'Ohtic Mexican and International Contemporary Dance Festival, the latter normally held in the first weeks of December. Other great festivals include the May Music Festival, which brings together performers of every genre, from rock to gospel and even Gregorian chant, as well as the Wilberto Canton International Theater Festival, held during June and the International Choir Festival, in November. There is even an annual Birding Festival held in November for enthusiasts of bird watching.

Whatever month you decide to visit Merida in, you will be able to enjoy a culture-filled vacation, as a result of the deep-rooted local traditions and the colonial heritage. You'll discover a city where culture and the arts are both fundamental parts of the people's everyday lives, a city always brimming with cultural and artistic events for your enrichment and recreation. Merida is, and will always be, ever the capital of culture.