Mérida is a bustling yet peaceful city and capital of the Yucatán peninsula. It boasts dynamic architecture, delicious cuisine, and attracts many travelers with it’s reputation as one of the safest cities in Mexico. While Mérida itself offers plenty to enjoy, one can also explore the exciting historic sites and charming smaller cities nearby. I found one such perfect day trip from Mérida encapsulating both intriguing history and sun-soaked relaxation. Less than an hour drive from the city center, you can find both the fantastic ruins of Dzibilchaltún and the nearby lovely beach town of Progreso.
Dzibilchaltún
Dzibilchaltún (which, to the best of my memory, is pronounced: t’see-beel-chal-toon) is an archaeological site of the remnants of an ancient Mayan city. Through my research, I found some conflicting dates of origin but it is safely over 1000 years old. While there are many Mayan ruins to visit in the Yucatán peninsula, Dzibilchaltún’s close proximity to Mérida makes it especially convenient for a day trip (as well as being cheaper to visit than some of the other sites).
Dzibilchaltún is just about a 30 minute drive north of Mérida’s city center. I found Uber to be a cheap and efficient way to reach the ruins. Uber in general, is a great and affordable way to get around this region. At the time of my visit in 2022, admission was around 230 pesos or just under $12USD. This was apparently a sharp increase from just a year before so this price is surely subject to change!
The entrance to the main site has a small museum where you can learn more about its fascinating history and see many artifacts. The old stone steps, walls, and pyramids are beautifully preserved. Most are free for visitors to walk along and get some great views of the surrounding area and forest. Unfortunately, one area of Dzibilchaltún was closed during my particular visit: the cenotes. A cenote is a naturally occurring sinkhole which the Mayans used as their main supplies of fresh water. Today, these natural pools of crystal clear water attract visitors just seeking a cool dip.
Among the interesting fixtures to explore on the site is an open air chapel that denotes the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. By far, the most famous structure at Dzibilchaltún is the beautiful Temple of the Seven Dolls. It earns its name from the seven small figurines found at the site at the time of excavation.
It was easy to spend at least a couple of hours exploring and enjoying this site. To end the day, it was easy to call another Uber to continue further north (just another 15 miles or so), to another delightful spot.
Progreso
Progreso is a beautiful beach town sitting right on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a bright, welcoming little city with plenty of shops, restaurants, and street art to enjoy.
With it’s seaside location, many of the eateries naturally offer a plethora of seafood. I particularly enjoyed the varieties of whole fried fish. Wash that down with a piña colada for your perfect tropical meal.
You can enjoy walking along the long stretch of beach made quite beautiful in the glittering setting sun. From the street food stands, you can try some classic Mexican snacks like elotes : ears of corn smeared in rich sauce and cheese, and marquesitas : thin crepes dipped in chocolate, occasionally other sweet toppings and sometimes sprinkled with cheese.
Mexico is a delicious balance of excitement and tranquility. I certainly found that spirit in Progreso with the sound of gentle waves crashing on the shore mixed with the festive music from clubs and restaurants. At the end of a long, lovely day, it was simple enough to catch a final Uber all the way back to Mérida. A straight shot along the highway, it was just under a 40 minute ride.
An adventure to Dzibilchaltún and Progreso made for the perfect day trip from Mérida. The Yucatán peninsula is great for first time visitors to Mexico where you can enjoy all the color and excitement of the city, enriching historical sites, as well as the charm of a slower pace of life. I hope many travelers and locals alike will continue to enjoy the unique flavor of this wonderful place. If you plan on traveling to Mexico, I hope you will check out my Mexico packing list for everything you should bring!
