Surprising and Gay-friendly Merida

Cancun might seem like the obvious pick for gay travelers to eastern Mexico, thanks to its flashy gay discos and hedonistic reputation. But 200 miles west in Merida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan, offers a welcome alternative for gay visitors who appreciate a serious dose of Mayan culture with their cocktails.

BY Advocate.com Editors

April 11 2008 12:00 AM ET

INFORMATION

STAY

Casa Santiago, Calle 63 No. 562, between 70 and
72, 314-266-0378 US or 52-999-928-9418, www.mexicanbedandbreakfast.com, from $59
Arcos, Calle 66 No. 448B, 52-999-928-0214, www.losarcosmerida.com, from $85
Hyatt Regency, Ave Colon, Esq Calle 60;
52-999-942-1234 Mexico; www.merida.regency.hyatt.com; from
$110

EAT

Villa Maria, Calle 59 No.553, 52-999-923-3357,
www.villamariamerida.com

Nectar, Ave 1 No. 412; 999-938-0858 Mexico
Trotter's, between Calle 60 and Prolongaci?n
Montejo, 52-999-927-2310
La Pigua, Calle 62 and Cupules, 52-999-
920-1126, www.lapiguamerida.com

PLAY Pride, 200 meters from the Uman
bridge, near the Merida airport; 52-999-947 9874
Mexico; www.pridedisco.com

AngeLuz, KM 7.5 on the Carretera between Merida
and Uman; 52-999-240-3931, www.angeluzclub.com

Scalibur, Calle 4B No. 39A, 52-999-108-2046

EXPLORE
Cathedral of San Ildefonso, intersection of
Calle 60 and Calle 61 Los Dos Cooking School,
Calle 68 No. 517, www.los-dos.com
Uxmal, two hours south of Merida, highway
261 Cenotes of Cuzama, 45 minutes southeast of
Merida Celestun, 90 minutes west of Merida,
highway 281

GETTING THERE
Merida has a small, but modern and
easy-to-get-around airport five miles outside the
city. Continental has frequent flights to Merida from Miami,
connecting through Houston. Aeromexico and Mexicana Airlines
offer connecting service from Miami via Mexico
City.