Luz del Yucatan, Merida

Located right in the heart of Merida’s St. Lucia Park, next to Santa Lucia Church, is Luz del Yucatan. It is a lovely boutique hotel housed in a colonial building.  It was built in and around what was once the Convent for the Church of Santa Lucia. It is rumored to have an underground passageway connected to the church.

One of the unique things about this property is that it has many options for accommodations, so you will find something to meet everyone’s needs.  We chose a simple, basic room. It had a lovely sitting area outside that over-looked the courtyard and pool. The room itself was a good size and had a large bathroom.  I might add, it had the BEST shower, plenty of hot water and great water pressure from its rain showerhead. Other options include bedrooms with seating areas inside, and even small apartments with private kitchens.  There is also a community kitchen available for guests to use, and they will soon be opening a small restaurant offering breakfast to guests. 

You enter through a beautiful old, wooden door, which is locked for your security - they give all guests a key.  Once you enter there is a lovely small lobby followed by a reception office off to the left.  The staff here is so warm and welcoming, you feel right at home the minute you step inside.  When you walk through the main hallway you can imagine it was once a convent. In the back is a courtyard with a nice pool and pool bar.  At check-in they give you a ticket for a free cocktail, we laughed as the ticket displays El Borracho (the drunk man) from the Loteria game. We thought that was a very cute touch and demonstrates their laid-back manner and sense of humor.  There is nothing stuffy about this place. 

The location is perfect. Walk out the main door, turn right, walk past Santa Lucia church, cross the street and you are in St. Lucia Park.  This small park comes alive in the evening, especially weekends, with music, dancing and folks selling wares.  On two sides of the park are several restaurants.  We tried both Apoala and Tratto and recommend them both. 

If you turn left at the corner, you are just a few blocks from the main square or zocolo, Plaza Grande. It is a lovely walk that takes you by some incredible old buildings.  On the weekends the street in this section is closed to vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists use the street as many of the restaurants set their tables out. You will find lots of artisans selling their work from St. Lucia all the way to Plaza Grande.

Merida is one of the safest cities in all of Mexico.  It’s history dates back to early Mayan times and during Colonial times it was a thriving, wealthy city.  If you would like to learn more about Merida’s history be sure to take one of the Free Walking Tours.  We recommend visiting during the cooler months when you can easily walk and visit the many shops, museums, churches and historic buildings.