The Lost Sounds of Mesoamerica: What Archaeology Can Tell UsAt theme parks, public plazas and restaurants, people are presented with what performers argue is ancient Mesoamerican music, but is this really the case? The answer: it’s complicated.
Does Mesoamerican really exist? The answer: it’s complicated.
FEATURED
The Lost Sounds of Mesoamerica: What Archaeology Can Tell UsAt theme parks, public plazas and restaurants, people are presented with what performers argue is ancient Mesoamerican music, but is this really the case? The answer: it’s complicated.
Does Mesoamerican really exist? The answer: it’s complicated.
The Colorful Drought-Resistant Flowers of the Yucatán Peninsula
Some species of flowers in Yucatán don’t just survive during heat and drought, but thrive.
Why Older Malls Thrive in Mérida While Newer Ones Struggle
While shopping malls in the United States and Europe face declining foot traffic and store closures, Mexico continues to see a wave of new…
Could This Be A New Dawn for the Tren Maya?
From the very beginning, the Mayan Train was ambitious. Perhaps too ambitious, in fact. The $30 billion rail project—more than three times over…
Lifestyle
Bicycling Through Valladolid: A Pedal-Power Guide to Yucatán’s ‘Second City’
There’s no better way to understand Valladolid than from the saddle of a bicycle. The…
World Cup 2026 Security Measures to Affect Cancún Summer Travel
No matches will be played in Cancún during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That distinction…
Mérida’s Electric Ie-Tram Finally Heads to the Airport
Travelers arriving at Mérida’s international airport are about to have a new way to get…
Why Mérida Keeps Landing on ‘House Hunters International’
In 15-plus years, the show has returned to the city more than a dozen times,…
Local TV: Why Mérida Was So Very, Very Late to the Party
Local television arrived late to Yucatán. Very late. On January 31, 1963, when XHY-TV Canal 3 flickered to life in Mérida. The station—now known as SIPSE Televisión—became the first broadcaster in the entire Yucatán Peninsula and southeastern Mexico. Even if…
HISTORY
Culture
Mexico’s Top Arts Medal Goes to Sculptor Gerda Gruber
A sculptor who left Vienna half a century ago and eventually found her artistic home…
Chicharra Festival Celebrates 8 Years in Colorful Xcalachén
There is a neighborhood in the south of Mérida where the smell of fried pork…
Conchas: A Guide to Mexico’s Best-Selling Pan Dulce
Conchas (Spanish for “shell”) is a traditional Mexican sweet bread known for its round shape…
Made in Yucatán: 100+ Years of Hot Sauce, Beer, Cookies and More
Yucatán has produced several well-known brands with long histories, many of which have been continuously…
Itzamkanac, the Great Capital of the Chontal Maya
Itzamkanac, also known as El Tigre, was once the great capital of the Maya Acalán-Tixchel region. Today, four of Itzamkanac’s main plazas have been restored and are open to the public, but are seldom visited by tourists. The history of…
Archaeology
Archaeology
The Sacred Mountain: A Conceptual Victim of its Own Success?
Before angry emails flood in, let’s clarify. The sacred mountain interpretation isn’t wrong; it’s overly…
Nojpetén, Tayasal, and the Fall of the Last Great Maya City
Nojpetén holds a special place in Mesoamerican history as one of the last Maya polities…
Nuevo León’s First Pre-Hispanic Museum is Great News, But Far From Perfect
The Museo de los Antiguos Mexicanos, which opened in San Pedro Garza García, on the…
Of Serpents and Deities: The Many Meanings of Snakes in Mesoamerica
In the religious and cosmological systems of ancient Mesoamerica, the serpent was a central and…
Spiders and Howlers: Yucatán’s Charming Species of New World Monkeys
Other than human beings, Yucatán is home to two species of primates, these being howler and spider monkeys.
Nature
The Colorful Drought-Resistant Flowers of the Yucatán Peninsula
Some species of flowers in Yucatán don’t just survive during heat and drought, but thrive.
Spiders and Howlers: Yucatán’s Charming Species of New World Monkeys
Other than human beings, Yucatán is home to two species of primates, these being howler…
What Are Gatitos and Why Are They Falling From the Sacred Ceiba Tree?
When the pods of the great ceiba tree split open each spring on the Yucatán…
Ocelots Are the New Invasive Species in Cozumel
Ocelots are experiencing population declines throughout much of their natural range, which stretches from Texas…
Floridian Robert Kimsey couldn’t stay away from Mérida for long
Editor’s note: Robert Kimsey was in his late 80s when we interviewed him for Issue 6 in 2022. After learning that he recently passed away, we searched our archive for the article so we could post it today. The story…
People
Mérida Painter and Writer Enrique Trava Díaz Dies at 69
Enrique de Jesús Trava Díaz, a painter and writer known for his contributions to the…
Joanna’s 50-Year Journey of Love and Life in Yucatán
Fifty years ago, what began as a work assignment became a life-defining decision. In January…
Christian Rasmussen: A Visual Explorer’s Legacy in the Yucatán
Christian Rasmussen has spent over five decades blending a sharp artistic vision with careful anthropological…
Joann Andrews, Environmental Pioneer in Yucatán, Dies at 96
Joann Andrews, founder of Pronatura Península de Yucatán and a leading force in conservation across…
Casa Serena: An Architect’s Personal Vision On the Market at Cabo Norte
A contemporary residence represents something rare in luxury real estate: a home designed by an architect for himself.
REAL ESTATE
Colonial Palace: Mérida home for sale turns heads up, down and around
A highlight of the most recent Mérida Showcase of Homes was this stunning Colonial Palace on…
A Mérida Couple Finds Peace in a Weekend Quinta
Photographs by Richard Leo Johnson Around the corner is an early 20th-century movie theater refashioned…
Five Lots Join Together for One Giant Slice of Paradise
Escape to your private paradise with this breathtaking beach compound nestled along 40 meters of…
Is This the Most Luxurious Mansion in Mérida?
A French-style mansion reminiscent of Versailles is on the market in Mérida for just over…
Acapulco chairs, a Timeless Mexican Design Icon
During the 1950s, the first Silla Acapulco saw the light of day in the city of the same name. There are many theories about their precise origin, but one thing is certain. A timeless Mexican design icon, the Acapulco Chair,…
LODGING
The Magic Formula That Made Grupo Habita Mexico’s Top Hotelier of 2026
Mexico City-based Grupo Habita, which recently unveiled its long-awaited Hotel Sevilla property in Mérida, is…
Luxury & Elegance at the Best 5-Star Hotels in Mérida
Whether you prefer colonial mansions or something altogether newer and more modern, the best 5-star…
Enjoy Authentic Old Mexico @ These Historic Luxury Hotels in Mérida
Travelers are turning to accommodations that offer authentic Ycatan experiences. Find out more with these…
Decu Downtown Mérida — Luxury with Local Flare
Located in Mérida’s historic downtown, Decu Downtown is a unique hotel that seamlessly combines luxury…