Merida Transportation
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Merida Transportation
General InformationTelephone Code: 999
Time: Central Standard Time or Central Daylight Time (UTC)
City Website: Mérida.gob.mx
Altitude: 10 m (33 ft)
Population: (2005) 734,153. 12th most populous Mexican city
Sister City: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Economy: Tourism, agriculture, fishing, commerce, construction, and assembly plants, with exports including honey, sisal rope, petroleum products, hammocks, fine jewelry, boats, handcrafts and clothing.
When to Go
Climate: Hot and humid with a rainy season from June through October. May is the hottest month. Average temperature: January: Low: 17 Celsius/64 Fahrenheit; High: 28 Celsius/84 Fahrenheit. July: Low 22 Celsius/73 Fahrenheit. High: 33 Celsius/93 Fahrenheit.
Holidays
January 6: Mérida's birthday
November 1 and 2: Hanal Pixan, Mayan Day of the Dead
Carnival: January or February
Yucatán Bird Festival: Fall months. www.Yucatánbirds.org.mx
Los Gremios: In September and October the statue of Christ of the Blisters is carried daily from the cathedral and through the streets.
Getting to and away
By Airplane: Manuel Crescencio Rejón Mérida International Airport (MID), which is served by Aeromexico, American Airlines, Aviacsa, Click, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Martinair Holland, Northwest/KLM, and United Airlines. +52 (999) 946-1530.
By Car:
North: Federal Highway 261 between Mérida and Progreso (33 km/22 miles, one half hour)
South: Federal Highway 180 between Mérida and Campeche (185 km/115 miles, 2 hours), leading to Tabasco, Veracruz, Puebla and Mexico City
East: Federal Highway 180 between Mérida, Chichén Itzá (130 km/80 miles, 2 hours) Valladolid (180 km/110 miles, 2 1/2 hours) and Cancún (340 km/210 miles, 4 hours). The Mérida-Cancún toll road (cuota) is a faster but more expensive option than the two-lane highway that snakes through picturesque villages. Toll road Prices: Mérida-Chichén Itzá: MX$71/US$7. Mérida-Valladolid: MX$124/US$12. Mérida-Cancún: MX$338/US$34
Southwest: Mundo Maya Highway between Mérida, Teabo, Peto, Yucatán; Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and Chetumal, Quintana Roo (370 km/230 miles, 6 hours) Northwest: Federal Highway 176 between Mérida and Tizimín (185 km/112 miles, 2 1/2 hours)
By Bus: The most convenient source of information about all 1st class and some 2nd class buses is www.ticketbus.com.mx. Tickets can be purchased online by credit card. Credit cards can also be used at Mérida's first class CAME station, but not at the TAME or other 2nd class stations. Buses from a variety of lines depart from and arrive at multiple stations so be sure you know which one you need.
First Class CAME Station Address: Calle 70 No. 555, between Calles 69 and 71, Col. Centro Tel: +52 (999) 924-8391 Toll-free (within Mexico): 01 (800) 702-8000 Web: www.ado.com.mx Bus Lines: ADO, GL, UNO (+52 (999) 928-6230)
Destinations:
Yucatán: Valladolid, Chichén Itzá (6:30 and 9:15 am, 12:40 pm; about 2 hours, MX$100/US$10)
Quintana Roo: Tulum, Chetumal, Cancún (many, 2:00 am to 12:00 midnight, about 4 hours, MX$268-364/US$27-36); Playa del Carmen (many, 2:00 am to 12:00 midnight, about 5 hours, MX$300-430/US$30-43)
Campeche: Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche (many, 1:35 am to 12:00 midnight, about 2 hours, MX$144-170/US$14-17)
Tabasco: Villahermosa (many, 12:10 am to 10:25 pm, about 8 hours, MX$446-684/US$45-68)
Chiapas: San Cristobal, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Palenque (8:30 am, 7:15, 10:00 and 11:50pm, 7-9 hours, MX$382/US$38)
National: Puebla, Veracruz, Mexico City (10:01 am, 2:00, 5:30, 7:16 and 9:15 pm, about 20 hours, MX$1,128-1,338/US$113-134)
Second Class TAME Station: Address: Calle 69 No. 554, between Calles 68 and 70, Col. Centro Tel: +52 (999) 920-4444, 924-8391 Lines: Ruta Puuc bus - Autotransporte del Sur (ATS): daily round trip service to Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, and Uxmal. MX$141/US$14. Departs: 8:00am. Returns: 4:30pm ADO: Tel: +52 (999) 928-6230. Cancún, Valladolid, Chichén Itzá, Playa del Carmen, Cobá and Tulum. Web: www.ado.com.mx Lineas Unidas del Sur: Tel: +52 (999) 924-7865. Destinations: Maní, Oxkutzcab (about every hour, 2 hours, MX$40/US$4) Autobuses de Occidente Tel: +52 (999) 928-6230. Destinations: Tizimín, Celestún, Izamal (MX$20/US$2) Autobuses del Noreste: Tel: +52 (999) 924-6355. Destinations: Rio Lagartos, San Felipe
Economic Class: Address: Calle 69 No. 544, between Calles 68 and 70. Tel: +52 (999) 923-2287 Destinations: Ticúl, Uxmal, Umán, Escárcega and other destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Progreso and Dzibilchaltun: Autotransportes Mérida-Progreso, Address: Calle 62 No. 524, between Calles 65 and 67, Colonia Centro Tel: +52 (999) 928-3965 Email: autoprogro@hotmail.com Web: www.autoprogreso.com Destinations: Progreso, Dzibilchaltun ruins Departures: about every half hour. Monday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. Friday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 10:30 pm Price: RT, MX$22/US$2.20. One-way, MX$13/US$1.30 Additional Information: also offers guided tours of regional sites
Hotel Fiesta Americana (Plaza Bonita) Station Address: Calle 60 at Avenida Colón, Paseo de Montejo (Hotel Zone) Tel: +52 (999) 920-5523 Web: www.ado.com.mx Lines: Super Expresso, ADO-GL, Uno. Destinations: nonstop service to Cancún and Playa del Carmen
Getting around
Local transportation
Walking: Even numbered streets run north/south and odd numbered streets run east/west. Free walking tour of Main Square: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am. About 1 hour, 45 minutes. Meet at Palacio Municipal. Tel: +52 (999) 942-0000, ext. 80119. Includes City Hall, Main Square, Montejo's House, Peninsular Athenaeum/MACAY, Government Palace, Saint Ildephonse Cathedral, Revolution Passage, City Museum
Bicycle: Bici-Ruta, streets closed on Sundays from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm between La Hermita de Santa Isabel to the Monument of the Flag on Paseo de Montejo, including Calle 60 in the Historic Center. Rent bikes at the Palacio Municipal for MX$10/US$1 per hour.
Buses: MX$6/US$.60 per trip. Cash only. Major hubs are at the corner of Calles 59 and 58, also at Parque San Juan. Signs with the route's destinations are displayed in the front window. Four bus companies: Unión de Camioneros de Yucatán (UCY), Alianza de Camioneros de Yucatán (ACY), Rápidos de Mérida, and Minis 2000. City Bus Tour: Two-hour guided tour in Spanish and English. Departs corner of Calles 55 and 60. Price: MX$750/US$7.50. Departs 10:00 am and 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00 pm.
Taxis: Taximetro: Tel: +52 (999) 982-7575. Taximetro vehicles use meters. Others do not, so negotiate the price before entering the taxi. White taxis at stands cost a little more than the various colored ones driving around. Taxi from airport: MX$155/US$15 to Historic Center. Exit terminal and walk left to the taxi stand. Pay at the window and get a receipt. The driver comes and gets you and takes you to the taxi. 15 minutes to Historic Center. MX$200/US$20 or more to more distant locations. Taxis within Historic Center: MX$40/US$4 flat rate.
Car and Driver Hire: Driver Roberto Lara: cell, +52 (999) 960-1746. Local and daylong trips to regional sights.
Shared vans: Colectivos, or combis, are mini-vans that travel a particular route, transporting passengers for a few pesos. The final destination should be on a sign in the front window, or wave one down and ask where it's headed. Major hubs are at the corner of Calles 59 and 58, also at Parque San Juan.
Car rental: Many agencies at the airport and in the Hotel Zone: Payless, Europcar, National, Alamo, Executive. Mexico Rent a Car: Calle 62 #483-A between Calles 57 and 59. Tel: +52 (999) 927-4916, Email: mexicorentacar@hotmail.com. Web: http://www.mexicocar.net
Carriage: The horse-drawn carriages called calesas offer rides through the Historic Center and Paseo de Montejo. About MX$250/US$25 for one hour. Negotiate the price before climbing in. Parking: Street parking is limited in the Historic Center. Public paid lots are located off Calle 58 between Calles 53 and 55, and Calle 62 between Calles 59 and 61.
Safety Mérida's Historic Center and Paseo de Montejo are very safe neighborhoods to walk in. Violence against visitors is uncommon. Watch your wallet when visiting public markets and on local buses – there are pickpockets.
Tourist Police: +52 (999) 942-0060 or 930-3200, Ext. 40062. Look for their white and blue uniforms.
Police: +52 (999) 942-0060
Fire Department: +52 (999) 924-9242
Red Cross: +52 (999) 924-9813. Toll free number from Telcel mobile phones: 114
Green Angels (Road Service): +52 (999) 983-1184
Services
The best English language source of up-to-date local information is the magazine Yucatán Today, available at most hotels, travel agencies and tourism offices. Or, peruse their extremely helpful website at Yucatántoday.com.
The Yucatán state and the City of Mérida governments maintain conveniently located tourism offices in the Historic Center. Free maps and brochures are available, along with information about attractions outside the city. The staff is eager to share its knowledge. All speak some English and a few can converse in other languages as well. Tourist information kiosks are maintained in other locations throughout the city, including Paseo de Montejo, Convention Center, City Museum and Peón Contreras Theater.
Tourism Offices
State Tourism Office: Palacio del Gobierno Hours: Daily, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Address: First Floor, Corner of Calles 60 and 61. Historic Center Tel: (999) 930-3101, ext. 10001 Fax: (999) 930-3760, ext. 22042 Email: informacionalturista@Yucatán.gob.mx Website: www.Yucatán.travel
City Tourism Office: Palacio Municipal Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Sunday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Address: Calle 62 between Calles 61 and 63 Historic Center Tel: +52 (999) 928-1966 Fax: Email: turismo@Mérida.gob.mx
Other City Tourism kiosks located at:
Paseo de Montejo: Hours: Daily, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Address: Paseo de Montejo at Calle 33-A, Justo Sierra traffic circle
City Museum: Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Closed on Mondays. Address: Calle 56 529-A, between Calles 65 and 65-A. On Eulogio Rosado Park, Historic Center.
Jose Peon Contreras Theater: Hours: Daily, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Address: Calle 60 at Calle 57. Tel: +52 (999) 924-9290. Email: informacionalturista@Yucatán.gob.mx
21st Century Convention Center: Address: Calle 60 Norte No. 299-E, Col. Revolucion. Tel: +52 (999) 942-1953. Email: convenciones@mayaYucatán.com.mx
Money
Banks: Many branches and ATMs. Banamex and Santander at corner of Calles 58 and 59, Historic Center. Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Some branches open Saturdays.
Money Exchange: Centro Cambiario del Sureste Address: Calle 59 No. 509 Apt. 1, between Calles 60 and 62, Historic Center. Tel: +52 (999) 923-5046. Hours: Daily, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Travelers' checks: accepted at some hotels, restaurants and shops, or cashed at banks and money exchanges with proper identification.
Communications
Post Office: Calle 53, between Calles52 and 54. Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Phone: Caseta Larga Distancia, across bus station at the corner of Calles 69 and 70. Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Local, national and international calls. In the Main Square and on many street corners there are telephones that accept either coins or phone cards, which can be purchased at OXXO and other convenience stores.
Internet: Cibercafe Santa Lucia, Calle 62 No. 467, at the corner of Calle 55
Laundry
Lavanderia Industrial (Aquaclean). Calle 59 #527, between Calles 62 and 64. Tel: +52 (999) 928-8866. Laundry and dry cleaning
Lavanderia La Fe, Calle 64, between Calles 55 and 57. Same day service
Medical
Hospitals: Centro Médico de las Américas: Tel: +52 (999) 927-3199. Calle 54 No. 365, between Ave. Pérez Ponte and Calle 33A. Website: Centromedicodelasamericas.com.mx Clínica de Mérida: Tel: +52 (999) 920 0411, Av. Itzáes No. 242, Col. García Ginerés
Doctors: Dr. Pablo Ribas Wedge: +52 044 (999) 172-4772. Makes house calls. Dr. Fortuny: +52 (999) 923-2509. Calle 55 between Calles 60 and 62. Hours: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. No appointment needed.
Pharmacies: Yza Farmacia: Calle 63 between Calles 64 and 66. Tel: +52 (999) 926-6666. Open 24 hours. Delivery service
Dentists: Dr. Javier Cámara Patrón: +52 (999) 925-3399, Calle 17 #170 between Calles 8 and 10. Email: drjaviercamara@hotmail.com. Website: Yucatán-dentist.com. Dr. Jesus Sanchez Ruz: Calle 53 between Calles 64 and 66. Tel: +52 (999) 924-9895
Consulates
Belgium, Belize, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United States
United States of America consulate
Address: Calle 60 No. 338-K, Colonia Alcalá Martín Tel: From US: +52 (999) 942-5700 From within Mexico: (01)(999) 942-5700 From Mérida: 942-5700 Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 4:30. Visa appointments, Monday to Wednesday, 7:30 to 11:00 am Phone: +52 01 (900) 849-3737 Fax: from US: +52 (999) 942-5759. From within Mexico: (01) (999) 942-5759 Email: Méridacons@state.gov Web: http://Mérida.usconsulate.gov/
Belize consulate
Address Calle 53 No. 498 A between 56 and 58 Centro Phone: +52 (999) 928-6152. USA: +52 (999) 942-5700. Fax: +52 (999) 928-3962 Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Email: dutton@sureste.com Web: http://www.embassyofbelize.org/
Mexican Immigration: Avenida Colon at Calle 8, Col. Garcia Gineres, +52 (999) 925-4553. Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Gas Station: Pemex stations located throughout the city, including in the Historic Center at Calle 59, No. 519, between Calles 60 and 62
Luggage Storage: On side of TAME bus station facing CAME on Calle 70, between Calles 69 and 71. Hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Pay by the hour: MX$5/US$0.50 to MX$12/US$1.20, depending on size of luggage.
[ source data from Travelmath and DistanceCalc ]
