Visiting the white city is one of the best decisions you can make because you will revel in the warmth of the locals, witness the endless joy, and taste the best Yucatecan cuisine. In addition, its scenery will leave you awestruck, and you will have the most relaxed trip. Merida is one of the states with more colour, smell and culture of the entire peninsula and is a destination not to be missed.

If you are thinking about touring Merida from head to toe, we tell you a little bit about the tours and guided visits for you to enjoy an unforgettable trip.

What to see in Merida?

• Gastronomic tour: If you are an ardent lover of food, and passionate about tasting the flavours and traditional dishes of each place you visit, Mérida is the place for you. This is a great place for you to savour typical food, for instance, you can take food tours lasting 2 to 3 hours, where the guides will take you to markets or small places downtown to eat a juicy grill or the exquisite gorditas, as well as the famous salbutes and tamales.

If you are looking for something more interactive, you will also find options to cook traditional Yucatecan dishes at the locals' homes. Some will also give you an elaborate account of its origins, history of the state and the town (Tekit) where you can still feel the Mayan influence.

• Tour of legends in the centre of Mérida: Discover the nocturnal mystery of the white city through a guided and dramatized tour. On this tour, you will learn about the history and special events while walking through its most important streets and buildings. If you want to take these tours, we suggest you reserve your place in advance since they are only available on Friday and Saturday nights. Be prepared to listen to interesting and fun stories and let yourself be surprised!

• Guided tours to the Mayan villages: If you have had enough of the city, take a trip to the most beautiful villages of Merida, for example, Izamal, located only 70 kilometres away. The 'City of the 3 cultures' has a lot to offer you and with the support of a guide, you will get to know the pre-Hispanic history and observe its constructions with pure colonial influence. You will also find a special stop in Kimbilá, where you can buy an original guayabera, as the factory is located there. For longer trips, you can also take tours from Merida to visit Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Kabah, some of the most popular archaeological ruins in southern Mexico.

• Meridian Paradise Tours: Take a trip to the most extravagant and beautiful natural areas of not only Merida, but of all of Yucatan, and by this, we mean Celestun. Save one day of your holiday to visit this paradisiacal place adorned by the elegant pink plumage of the flamingos. For this tour, we suggest you do it in the afternoon to combine it with a beautiful sunset over the Caribbean. Continuing with the natural tours, we recommend you to take one that includes guided visits to the Mayan cenotes. You will not be able to leave without swimming in their purifying waters and getting to know a little more about the underbelly of this ancient culture.

Make the most of your trip to Yucatan by touring Merida through each one of its sectors, starting by tasting the flavours of the peninsula and ending with a good swim in the heavenly waters of its different cenotes. Don't forget to check before choosing a tour that includes transportation from your hotel and, in some cases, meals and equipment included.

Don't forget to make the mandatory visit to its churches and walk along the Paseo Montejo, as well as visiting the handicraft shops to take back a nice souvenir for all your family and friends. Merida is worth a visit in all its forms!