BEST CITY IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA: CAMPECHE, MERIDA OR VALLADOLID.
On our recent visit to the Yucatan Peninsula, we wanted to combine our visits to the beach towns with some city breaks. We decided to visit Campeche, Valladolid and Merida in a quest to find a bit of authentic Mexican culture and to discover which is the best city in the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you don’t have time to visit all three during your trip, you might be wondering which is the best city for you to explore: Campeche, Valladolid or Merida?
Here’s our guide to the three cities of the Yucatan Peninsula, where to go and which one may be best for your trip.
Tell me about the three cities
Firstly, let’s introduce the three contenders for the best city in the Yucatan Peninsula. Here’s a brief overview of Campeche, Valladolid and Merida.
Campeche
Campeche, a state situated on the Western Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico, boasts a vibrant and rich heritage. Its capital city, also named Campeche, is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site status, featuring impeccably preserved colonial architecture and fortifications.
Furthermore, Campeche is a treasure trove of Mayan history, housing numerous impressive archaeological sites, such as Calakmul, one of the most expansive ancient Maya cities. To give you an idea of size, the population of Campeche city is approximately 300,000.
You can find our detailed guide to the best things to do in Campeche here. Or continue to read below.
Merida
Mérida, the vibrant capital and largest city of the Yucatán state in Mexico, is a treasure trove of colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage. Its downtown area is a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, exuding a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The city takes great pride in being the cultural and commercial heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, cherishing strong connections to its Mayan roots.
It’s impossible but be captivated by the tantalizing flavors of Yucatecan cuisine, featuring mouthwatering dishes like cochinita pibil and panuchos when visiting Merida. The perfect city for foodies. Beyond the city limits, the region’s numerous cenotes beckon with unique opportunities for swimming and exciting exploration. With a population of approximately 1,000,000 people, Mérida is a bustling metropolis ripe for discovery and adventure.
You can find our detailed guide to the best things to do in Merida here. Or continue to read below.
Valladolid
Valladolid, in the state of Yucatán, Mexico, between Mérida and Cancún, boasts charming colonial architecture and a relaxed ambiance, drawing in travellers eager to explore the Yucatán Peninsula. The city’s proximity to numerous cenotes and Mayan archaeological sites, including the esteemed Chichén Itzá, a New Seven Wonder of the World, adds to its allure. With a population of around 300,000, Valladolid is a charming and laid back city to visit.
You can find our detailed guide to the best things to do in Valladolid here. Or continue reading below for a comparison of Valladolid with the other two cities.
Campeche, Valladolid or Merida: Best for foodies
Food glorious food. For us, sampling local food is absolutely one of the highlights of any overseas adventure. We were particularly excited to explore the Yucatan Peninsular because we had expected the food to be so good – and it did not disappoint. Everywhere we went it was fantastic, even in Cancun we discovered an amazing food tour.
Campeche: Campeche is an absolute delight for food lovers! Despite its small size, the city offers a wide variety of culinary experiences at its many restaurants. Seafood and fish enthusiasts can indulge in a leisurely lunch by the ocean, while carnivores can savor a steak and a glass of red wine on Calle 59. Additionally, the indoor market boasts over 25 local food stalls serving up delectable tacos, tortas, and empanadas.
Merida: Merida, a sprawling metropolis, is undoubtedly the top destination in the Yucatan Peninsula for food enthusiasts. For an authentic culinary experience, venture into the chaotic and vibrant indoor market with its seemingly endless array of stalls offering an assortment of local delicacies. Throughout the city, outdoor stalls are also abundant, providing even more options. Moreover, food lovers will revel in the multitude of upscale restaurants offering tantalizing tasting menus. Although Mexico does not yet have any Michelin stars, we believe that once they do, Merida’s restaurants will be among the first to be recognized.
Valladolid: Comparatively, Valladolid boasts a handful of exceptional restaurants as well as an indoor market. While exploring the city, we thoroughly enjoyed visiting the various cantina bars. However, apart from a couple of restaurants, we did not find the food scene to be particularly thrilling.
VERDICT: MERIDA
Campeche, Valladolid or Merida Best for culture
Campeche: Campeche is a hidden gem that most tourists miss. It has a historic center that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is full of colorful buildings, churches, plazas and a couple of small museums. You can walk around the walls that protected the city from pirates, and watch a light show at night that tells the history of Campeche.
Merida: Merida is the biggest and most modern city in the Yucatan. It is also the cultural and economic center of the region, and a good base to explore other attractions nearby. Merida has a lot of white limestone buildings, but also a lot of colorful streets, markets and parks. You can enjoy the nightlife on the Paseo de Montejo, the main avenue, or the culture on the Plaza Grande, the main square. You can also visit the Museum of Mayan Culture, which is one of the best in the country.
Valladolid: Valladolid is the most charming and romantic of the three cities. It has a relaxed and friendly vibe that makes you feel at home. Valladolid has cobblestone streets, colonial houses, lush gardens and cozy cafes. It is also a great place for nature lovers, as it has many cenotes around it, which are natural pools of clear water that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
VERDICT: MERIDA
Campeche, Vallalodid or Merida: Best shopping
Valladolid: When we visited Valladolid, the streets were bustling with excitement, filled with people preparing for the festive Christmas season. The mix of boutique souvenir stores and local clothing shops provided a vibrant shopping experience, and we couldn’t help but join in the fun of selecting unique outfits for the celebrations. The boutique stores, in particular, offered a relaxed and stylish shopping atmosphere, making our visit all the more enjoyable.
Merida: As the largest city of the three, Merida welcomed us with a wide array of shops catering to all our needs and whims. The bustling municipal market offered an abundance of food and practical items, ensuring we found everything we required. In the heart of the city, we discovered excellent clothing stores that proved irresistible. Exploring the districts of Santa Lucia and Santiago, we stumbled upon charming boutique stores that added a touch of magic to our shopping experience.
Campeche: Although Campeche has fewer shops compared to the other cities, we were enchanted by the variety of gift stores. The area around the Cathedral boasted wonderful stores offering delightful souvenirs such as beautifully crafted soaps and jewelry, all at reasonable prices. Needless to say, we couldn’t resist the temptation to indulge in these treasures.
VERDICT: MERIDA
Campeche, Valladolid or Merida: Best day trips
Campeche: Day trips from Campeche promise an abundance of historical wonders and natural beauty waiting to be explored. Immerse yourself in the captivating Mayan site of Edzna and the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, where diverse ecosystems and fascinating wildlife await your discovery.
Merida: Let Merida be your gateway to an unforgettable adventure in the Yucatán Peninsula. Embark on a journey to the ancient city of Uxmal, the enchanting cenotes of Cuzamá, and the really fun coastal town of Progreso. You can also take a tour to Celestun nature reserve to see flamingos.
Valladolid: Prepare for an enchanting exploration as you uncover the treasures of Valladolid. Delve into the history of Chichén Itzá, marvel at the ancient ruins of Ek Balam, and be captivated by the natural beauty of the enchanting cenotes of Homún. You can also take tours to combine visits to the main sites in one day – find out more here.
VERDICT: VALLADOLID
Campeche, Vallalodid or Merida: Best accommodation
Accommodation options in Merida, Campeche, and Valladolid are remarkably alike. Whether you’re seeking budget, mid-range, or luxury lodging, all three cities have you covered. Among the three, Valladolid stands out as the priciest destination for accommodation, while Campeche offers the most affordable options. Being the largest city, Merida boasts a wider array of choices, including some truly exceptional boutique hotels. Each of these cities presents vibrant, boutique lodging set within historic colonial buildings and hacienda-style architecture.
You can find our more about where to stay in Valladolid, Merida and Campeche in our individual guides to each city.
VERDICT: CAMPECHE
Campeche, Vallalodid or Merida: Best nightlife
It’s totally possible to have a blast on a night out in all three of these cities on the Yucatan Peninsula. We sure did! Unlike places like Tulum and Cancun, the bars and nightlife in all three cities feel genuine, local, and way less focused on tourists.
Merida: Merida has breweries, tequila bars, cantinas, and plenty of places to salsa to live music – perfect for night owls looking to go out late and stay out until the early hours.
Campeche: Campeche has a different vibe – the pedestrian streets give off a European feel, with people sipping wine and beer in lively cafe-style settings until late. You’ll also catch some awesome street performers providing the live tunes.
Valladolid: Valladolid is probably the most laid-back when it comes to nightlife – a few cool bars and a couple of cantinas, some of which stay open late. But hey, anywhere there’s a margarita, there’s bound to be some fun.
VERDICT: MERIDA (Emma) and CAMPECHE (John). We were divided on this!
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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