where to stay

mérida is a vibrant spanish colonial city that serves as the capital of the state of yucatán. the city’s rich heritage is a product of the blending of mayan and spanish colonial cultures. mérida is often considered the safest city in méxico and boasts a “city of gastronomy” designation from UNESCO’s creative cities network.

jorge + aracely will be staying at hacienda xcanatun from friday, november 3rd until monday, november 6th. at that point, they will be checking in (with their immediate family members) to the wedding venue hacienda for the next 3 days. this will facilitate coordination for the series of wedding events. jorge + aracely will then be checking back into hacienda xcanatun from thursday, november 9th until sunday, november 12th.

we recommend that guests stay at hacienda xcanatun or in centro mérida in order to facilitate logistics and independent excursions for those that would like to explore the area in their free time. see our faq page for additional considerations you should take when deciding where to say.

like most spanish colonial cities, the focal point is the main square, plaza de la independencia. you can find all the typical anchors of a colonial spanish style zócalo including a fortress-like cathedral, architecturally significant government buildings and plenty of restuarants and shops.

also consider hotels on the paseo de montejo. for a brief period around the turn of the 20th century mérida was said to house more millionaires than any other city in the world. this is reflected in the many elaborate mansions found on paseo de montejo. if you choose to stay in centro mérida, you can expect to be within walking distance to all the best shops, restaurants and attractions. hacienda sac chich (the wedding venue) however, is located 45 minutes driving from centro mérida.

H O T E L S | centro

• decu | a luxe downtown eight-room boutique hotel. six minutes walking distance to mugy, the welcome dinner venue.

• kunuk | an eco-friendly focused thirteen-room colonial casa converted into a boutique hotel in el barrio de santiago.

• cigno | a restored historic nineteenth century residence with a french neoclassical facade in barrio de la ermita.

• casa lecanda | a small luxe adults-only boutique hotel within walking distance of paseo de montejo.

• rosas y xocolate | a seventeen-room celebration of love, life and the culture of mérida located on the historic paseo de montejo.

• wayam mundo imperial | a modern and eclectic fifty-two suite sustainable hotel located in the garcía ginéres neighborhood.

• casa lucia | conveniently situated across santa lucia park, this boutique hotel is perfect for travelers looking for a moderately priced hotel situated just foot steps from prime attractions.

mérida is also known for its many henequen plantation houses, many of which have been restored to their former glory and converted into boutique hotels. if you feel comfortable renting a car or using taxis as your primary mode of transportation, we recommend considering staying in an hacienda for a unique experience not commonly found. due to the nature of the various haciendas’ origins, they will almost assuredly be located in the outskirts of mérida and not within walking distance to any of the city’s tourist attractions.

H A C I E N D A S | surrounding area

• hacienda xcanatun | jorge + aracely’s top pick. a sprawling sophisticated resort where history and traditions are honored without sacrificing modern luxuries. located 25 minutes driving from centro and approximately 45 minutes to the wedding venue. see faq for additional details on why to stay at xcanatun.

• hacienda san josé | a historical plantation house situated in a romantic setting offering a world-class dining experience. located 55 minutes driving from centro and 58 minutes to the wedding venue.

• hacienda santa cruz | a spanish colonial architectural gem hidden in an exotic garden. it boasts national recognition for being a cultural heritage site of yucatán. located 22 minutes driving from centro and 48 minutes to the wedding venue.

for experienced travelers that would like to take advantage of their trip to mérida and visit nearby tourist attractions, see our recommendations page.