Museums

A visit to Merida should start in the main square known as the Zocalo in Mexico and as the Gran Plaza by locals.  Start at the Museo Casa Montejo the home of the conquistador which has become a small decorative art museum with an interesting gallery and gift shop. The galleries at the Olimpo  and the contemporary art museum MACAY are also on the square. The Palacio del Gobierno has murals that depict the history of the Yucatan by Fernando Castro Pacheco and great views of the park and calle 61 to the Arco del Dragones.

Within a few blocks to the east of the zocalo you´ll find the museum of the history of Merida, Museo de la Cuidad , one of my favorites.  It is houses in the old Federal Post office building and right across from the main market of the city. Mercado Lucas de Galvez is a living museum.  On the plaza Mejorada  you´ll find the Museo del Arte Popular, the crafts museum.

Going north from the zocalo you´ll find the old Opera house Peon Contreras where the Symphony gives concerts and there is a small public gallery with interesting exhibits. Continuing up to Paseo Montejo you´ll find the must visit Palacio Canton which houses the anthropology museum and also on the paseo is the Quinta Molina one of the few intact mansions left that you can visit…or rent for an event.  Further up the Prolongation de Montejo you can visit the new Gran Museo del Mundo Maya if you are on your way to lunch at Hacienda Xcanatun or the very charming museum at the ruins of Dzibulchultun.

Here is the link to my old blog about Museums and another list of more museums .