Casa Catherwood

Recurring Events

Monday

Hacienda Dance

Outdoor concert featuring traditional Yucatecan Hacienda dancing and dress. Free

Location: Municipal Hall, Main Square (Zócalo), 9 p.m.

Yoga in English

A 90-minute yoga class conducted by Claudia Guerrero, with English and Spanish instruction, $75 peso fee.

Location: Casa de Cultura Elena Poniatowska, Calle 68 #470-A, between 55 and 57 Streets, 8 a.m.

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Tuesday

Big Bands Dance

An evening of music and dance to the sounds of the Big Bands of the 1940s. Free

Location: Santiago Park, on Calle 72 between 57 and 59 Streets. 8:30 p.m.

Yoga in English

A 90-minute yoga class conducted by Claudia Guerrero, with English and Spanish instruction, $75 peso fee.

Location: Casa de Cultura Elena Poniatowska, Calle 68 #470-A, between 55 and 57 Streets, 8 a.m.

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Wednesday

City Center Show

An evening concert sponsored by the city. Free

Location: Olimpo Center, Main Square (Zócalo), next to the Municipal Hall, 9 p.m.

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Thursday

A Yucatecan Serenade

An evening of traditional Yucatecan song and dance, featuring the “Jarana” dance and Trova music, with young Maya ladies dressed in elaborate dresses. Free

Location: Santa Lucia Park, the corner of 60 and 55 Streets, 9 p.m.

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Friday

University Musical

An evening of music at the Universidad de Yucatán’s main campus. Free

Interior garden of the University’s building at the corner of 60 and 57 Street, 9 p.m.

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Saturday

“Mexican” Night

A concert of Mexican music, featuring mariachi sounds and ballads from Northern Mexico, reminiscent of American cowboy and Western music. Free

Location: Paseo de Montejo at 47 Street, 7 p.m.

Children’s Story Time

Each Saturday morning, October through April, a storyteller reads from an illustrated book to young children. Stories are built around a theme and are usually followed by an activity. Free

Location: Mérida English Language Library, Calle 53 #524 between 66 and 68 Streets, 10 a.m.

“Heart of Mérida” Concert

A pedestrian street fair, when 60^th Street is closed to traffic, restaurants and street vendors set up shop on the sidewalks, and a number of groups play various kinds of music. Free

Location: From the Main Plaza (Zócalo), along 60 Street to 53 Street, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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Sunday

“Mérida on Sunday”

A series of family-oriented events, including the “Bici-Ruta,” or “Bike Route,” which closes sections of 60 Street from the Main Plaza (Zócalo) to 47 Street, and then Paseo Montejo to the Monument to the Flag, for families to ride their bikes and pedestrians to stroll. Along Paseo de Montejo local artists participate in a sidewalk display of their work. At Parque de las Americas, Avenida Colón and 22, 20 and 18 Streets, a series of concerts, street vendors and children’s playground gather families under the shady trees and Maya-inspired Art Deco architecture. These events are great for people watching, and to enjoy the strong family values that define the people of the Yucatán. All events on Sunday are street fairs and are free.

Location: From the Main Plaza (Zócalo), along 60 Street to 47 Street, Paseo de Montejo and Park of the Americas.

Here are general Safety Tips:

#1 – Gas.

Mexico’s state-owned oil monopoly is Pemex, which operates or franchises all the gas stations throughout the country. The price of gas is set by the government, as such, there is no need to drive around looking for the cheapest gas: it is the same everywhere. But because gas stations are Pemex franchises, there are fewer than in the U.S. and Canada: Make sure you fill up before heading for a long trip! Also, Mexico’s gas stations are staffed with attendants who pump the gas, wipe your windshields (and check your oil upon request). These attendants should be tipped. The best way to handle yourself is to say, “$195 pesos, por favor,” while holding a $200 peso note in your hand.

#2 – Green Angels.

The Secretariat of Tourism (a federal agency) operates “Angeles Verdes,” or “Green Angels.” This is a public service that helps motorists who are distressed along the road. As you drive the highways, you will probably see them helping motorists. They are there to help you with flat tires, drivers who ran out of gas, motorists experiencing general car problems (overheated radiators, dead batteries), and they will even tow you to the nearest gas station or town. There is no charge for their help, but the young men and women who work for them won’t turn down a tip if offered ($20 or $30 pesos, depending on how much they helped). If you are in trouble, you can contact them by dialing 078 983-1184.

#3 – Toll Roads.

The toll road between Mérida and Cancún (Autopista de Cuota) is fast and safe, but not cheap. The toll between Mérida and Cancún is $319 pesos, one way. (The toll between Mérida to Chichén Itzá (Kantunil exit) is $67 pesos. The toll between Mérida to Valladolid (Kantunil exit) is $117 pesos). There is only one gas station and rest area, about halfway between Mérida and Cancun. Take a break, stretch your legs, go to the restroom, or buy a soda or water. If you are hesitant to pay the hefty toll, you may want to consider that the Toll Road avoids 43 towns and villages, so that’s a lot of school crossings and 146 speed bumps (“topes”) along the way. (Yes, we have counted them!) If you are making a roundtrip, you might want to consider using the Toll Road one way, and the take the secondary road (marked “Libre,” meaning “Free”), which will add about an hour to your travel time, but then again, it meanders through scenic Maya villages.

#4 – Military Checkpoints.

It is probably not news to you, but there’s a drug problem in the world out there, and it just so happens that, geographically, Mexico is in the middle of it. What you probably don’t know, however, is that the U.S. doesn’t control the export of firearms. As a result, as you drive around the peninsula, you may encounter military checkpoints. There is nothing to fear, and if they wave you to stop, simply comply. If you are traveling away from the U.S. (east or south) they are probably looking for firearms. If you are traveling towards the U.S. (west or north) they are probably looking for drugs. In either case, the young soldiers are polite and we know of no one who has found them to be anything other than respectful and courteous while doing their jobs. No matter what you have seen in Hollywood films, nothing untoward is going to happen, and they are there for your protection, since you are a guest in this country.

Going somewhere? We are a sparsely populated peninsula, with long stretches of road between towns. Before you head out, head to a gas station. Fill up the tank, have the attendant check the tires, the oil and clean your windshield. Make sure you have water, sunscreen and a hat. Taking a map is a good thing. Here are the distances: Distance from Mérida to:

Bus Service from Mérida. Once you are here, you’ll find that ADO operates convenient schedules and at good prices. Unless you are on a tight budget, or simply want to travel in a more adventurous way, go Primera Clase (First Class). There are fewer stops, the seats are more comfortable, and the service a bit more attentive. ADO is great if you want to travel to Campeche City, Palenque, Villahermosa, Chetumal, or even venture all the way to Mexico City. ADO also has Express buses to Cancún and Playa del Carmen. ADO operates from the main terminal station downtown, as well as from the Fiesta Americana Hotel (Calle 60 and Avenida Cupules). Please click on the image to the left to go to their website.

The Second Class Bus Terminal Station (Terminal de Autobuses de 2a. Clase) is located at Calle 50 #531 by 67 Street. If you are traveling to the smaller communities throughout the Yucatán, these are the buses that you might want to consider:

Lineas Unidas del Sur Bus Line.

Telephone number: (999) 924-7565

Service to: Kanasín, Tepich, Tecoh, Telchaquillo, Maní, Oxkutzcab, Sotuta, Cholul, Peto, Homún, Tekit and villages en route to these towns.

Autobuses de Oriente Bus Line.

Telephone number: (999) 928-6230

Service to: Cancún, Valladolid, Chichén Itzá, Playa del Carmen, Coba and Tulum.

Autobuses de Occidente Bus Line.

Telephone number: (999) 928-6230

Service to: Izamal, Tizimín, Celestún, Seye, Sotuta, Cenotillo, Dzitas, Cantemaya, Espita, Hunucmá and villages en route to these towns.

Autobuses del Noreste Bus Line.

Telephone number: (999) 924-6355

Service to: Tizimín, Ría Lagartos, San Felipe, Chicxulub Pueblo, Temax, Cancún, Valladolid, Cholul, Conkal, Motul, Baca, Dzemul, Telchac, San Cristiano, Chabihau and villages en route to these towns.