A colonial city and capital of the state of Yucatán, Mérida has a lot to offer travelers who love culture, cities, history, and nature. It is an excellent base for visiting some of the peninsula’s prestigious archaeological sites including Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Ek Balam, and Dzibilchaltún. Aside from being a good base for excursions, Mérida offers countless cultural activities, many of which are free. On Saturday evenings and Sunday, the streets surrounding the main plaza are closed to traffic for music and cultural displays. There are theatrical and musical performances at Teatro Peón Contreras and do not miss the archaeological museum on Paseo de Montejo, a wide boulevard lined with mansions built during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. The main plaza is a beautiful place to relax or explore the contemporary art museum, cathedral, cultural center, and Casa de Montejo. Mérida offers a glimpse into both the peninsula’s Mayan past and its lively, friendly, and very Mexican present.