Founded in 1542, Mérida is an architectural and cultural gem, with colonial-era churches and buildings, several excellent museums, theaters and coffee houses, monuments here and there, and lovely tree-lined parks from which to take it all in. Every day of the week, the city hosts a free cultural event—folkloric dance, live music, spoken word performances, and city-wide festivals—which are well-attended by locals and travelers. For a rundown of Mérida's weekly offerings, pick up Yucatán Today, a free monthly magazine distributed at the tourist information office on the main plaza.

Inside Tip: If you only visit one museum, make it the Museo Regional de Antropología (Museum of Anthropology), which houses one of Mexico's finest collections of Maya artifacts (US$3, closed Monday).