Our family returned to Mérida for a second visit with our four kids, including our 1-year-old baby girl. This time, we were eager to experience more of the culture. Along the way, we discovered fun Merida, Mexico kids activities and learned some helpful tips for exploring with kids.
In spring 2024, I chose to give birth to our baby girl in a Mérida hospital. You can find all the details about my experience having a baby abroad here!
Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán, is a vibrant city filled with history, culture, and family-friendly adventures. During our 30-day stay, we settled into a flexible rhythm that worked well for our crew of four kids. We reserved mornings for homeschooling and afternoons for exploring. We quickly realized in Mérida we could explore ancient ruins and enjoy modern activities, often in the same day. Here are the highlights of our best family activities near Merida we’ve experienced.
Merida, Mexico Kid-Friendly Destinations
For families traveling with kids, Merida, MX has so much to offer. We visited ancient Mayan ruins and refreshing cenotes on some days, and shopping malls, a trampoline park, and the local zoo on others. We discovered this city blends old and new in unique ways, keeping both parents and kids engaged. If you’re looking for cultural experiences and outdoor fun, Mérida is full of kid-friendly destinations worth exploring.
Downtown Mérida & the Governor’s Palace
Walking through Plaza Grande in downtown Mérida felt like stepping into history. The nearby Governor’s Palace is free to enter and full of colorful murals that depict moments from the Yucatán’s past. The wide plaza and nearby market booths were interesting to explore while we admired the colonial architecture. Street vendors offered fresh fruit, churros, and tacos, making it easy to grab a snack as we explored.
Chichén Itzá Maya Ruins
One of our main homeschool outings included a visit to Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We really enjoyed our day exploring this Mayan ruin. The massive pyramid, El Castillo, is amazing to see in person. Additionally, the grounds are full of fascinating ruins that offer tangible glimpses into history. We even learned about Pok-Ta-Pok, a Mesoamerican ballgame once played by the Maya. The game was often held in stone ball courts, and players used their hips, elbows, and knees to keep a heavy rubber ball in motion. More than just a sport, it carried ceremonial significance and was an important part of Mayan culture. Finally, we peered into the cenote on the grounds that was also used for ceremonial and sacrificial purposes. Though it was hot and crowded, our visit to Chichén Itzá helped us create unforgettable memories with our kids.
Family Travel Tips at Chichén Itzá
Tickets: We purchased our Chichén Itzá tickets at the gate. On our way, we were approached by many individuals selling entrance tickets or tour packages. Generally, we only buy our admission tickets from a location’s official ticket office, which we’ve found to be most reliable.
Travel Gear: Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, supportive shoes, and water are all very necessary travel essentials to bring. The weather is often HOT at Chichén Itzá, and the direct sun is blinding. Chichén Itzá has very little shade.
Dzibilchaltún Maya Ruins
Closer to Mérida, Dzibilchaltún is another incredible Mayan site. Compared to Chichén Itzá, the site feels much more relaxed. On the day we visited, we hardly saw anyone else, and our kids climbed freely over the ruins. Wide grassy fields surround the stone structures, inviting families to spread out a picnic and spend a few unhurried hours exploring. We even saw some ancient Maya engravings on the stone walls!
Family Travel Tips at Dzibilchaltún
Tickets: These Maya ruins are not crowded, so you can easily get your tickets at the gate.
Travel Gear: Good walking shoes, water, and snacks are helpful to bring to Dzibilchaltún. This destination feels very relaxed, so you can easily have a picnic and hang out for a few hours. Nearby trees offer plenty of shade as you walk through the ruins.
Parque Animaya Zoo
Next on our list of kid-friendly activities in Merida, Parque Animaya is a zoo and wildlife park with a unique layout. Instead of cages, many of the animals roam in larger enclosures that you can see from a safari-style bus or lookout towers. Our kids especially enjoyed spotting tapirs, crocodiles, and zebras up close. The park also has playgrounds and picnic areas, which make visiting a relaxing and affordable family experience.
Tickets: At Parque Animaya, you can easily purchase tickets at the gate.
Travel Gear: Wear good walking shoes. Bring money for drinks or snacks at the food pavilion.
City 32 Workspace & Food Court
For lunch outings, City 32 quickly became one of our favorite hangouts. It’s an upscale food court with many choices. We enjoyed Mexican street tacos, sopa de lima soup, gourmet coffee drinks, freshly baked pastries, and handcrafted treats. The atmosphere feels modern and inviting, with plenty of cozy corners. Andy appreciated the co-working spaces, and I loved the family-friendly spaces to relax. City 32 is a great place for digital nomads to get some work done while kids enjoy an easy meal.
Shopping Malls in Mérida
Mérida has many shopping malls that are destinations in themselves. The Harbor mall, Plaza Altabrisa, La Isla mall, Gran Plaza, and The Gallerias all offer a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Many of the malls offer a variety of kid-friendly attractions, such as an arcade, bowling alley, ice skating rink, and trampoline park. We found that malls in Mexico often feel like community hubs where families gather.
The Harbor Mérida – This modern shopping center is a convenient destination for a family-friendly outing. Our favorite stores include Miniso and Sephora. This mall also has a cinema and Starbucks.
Plaza Altabrisa is one of our favorite malls in Merida. With plenty of stores offering clothing, accessories, shoes, and beauty products, we found something for everyone. Altabrisa also has many restaurants, a bowling alley, an arcade, GoKartMania, a cinema, and Starbucks.
La Isla Mérida also has a wide range of stores and attractions, including US brands like American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Carters, Guess, H&M, and lululemon. We quickly discovered new favorite accessory stores such as Mumso and Todomoda. La Isla also has many restaurants such as Chili’s and a delicious Brazilian steakhouse, an arcade, cinema, and Starbucks.
More Merida Mexico Kids Activities
Xtreme Jumping Trampoline Park
Some days, our kids just needed to burn off energy, and Xtreme Jumping inside the Gran Plaza mall was perfect for that. With huge trampoline zones, foam pits, and climbing walls, our kids could bounce, flip, and climb to get some exercise. Additionally, visiting the trampoline park was a great way to add pure kid fun to our cultural experience in Merida.
GoKartMania Indoor Race Track
Similarly, our kids loved racing around the track at GoKartMania in Plaza Altabrisa. Kids, teenagers, and adults can all enjoy this indoor go-kart track. Our kids eagerly chose their helmets, and the staff quickly matched them with go-karts perfectly sized for each age. Although this activity was a little pricey, costing around $100 for our family, GoKartMania was the perfect place to enjoy a unique Merida, Mexico kids activity.
La Chime Drink Shop
For a fun local treat, we stopped at La Chime, a drink shop with creative, colorful beverages. From fruity boba drinks to creamy smoothies, every cup was Instagram worthy. Our kids especially loved trying the drinks with oversized gummy characters and bright toppings. A stop by La Chime is a sweet way to cool off after exploring.
Progreso Beach
Just a short drive from Mérida, Progreso Beach gave us an easy escape to the ocean. The sand is soft, the water is warm, and local sellers offer everything from drinks to snacks and beach toys. Our kids loved splashing in the gentle waves and building sandcastles while we enjoyed a laid-back afternoon with ocean breezes.
Cenotes Limestone Swimming Holes
Most memorably, we visited several limestone cenotes near Mérida. Cenotes are natural limestone sinkholes filled with clear, cool water, and they’re everywhere around Mérida. We visited Cenote Suhem in Pixyá, a smaller and less crowded spot that felt almost magical. The turquoise water was perfect for swimming, and our older kids loved jumping in from the rocks. It was a refreshing way to cool off and such a unique experience that we’ll never forget.
Overall, Mérida is an incredible place to explore as a family. During our 30-day visit, we never ran out of inspiring things to do. We learned some history at the Mayan ruins and enjoyed the Yucatan’s natural beauty at the beach and cenotes. We also splurged a little on fun kids activities. In our experience, Mérida is a very welcoming place to visit with kids. Our family certainly made unforgettable memories.
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Hi, I’m Katie! I’m a homeschool mom who’s traveling the world with my husband and 4 kids. We raised our family in North Idaho and currently live in Mérida, Mexico. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I hope you enjoy our creative ideas and family adventures!
