Eric Miller
Google
Beautiful park just blocks from centro. If you're staying on the north side, you can walk past this park every time you're heading to the city center. The park is shaded by beautiful trees, and has 4 restaurants with outdoor seating to relax in the shade.
Tucked in the corner is Ki'Xocolatl - authentic Yucatan chocolate that is a must visit, and the perfect place to get some gifts for friends and family when you get back home. Also Grab a few photos at the Sillas gigantes (giant kissing chairs) or wait to get those down in the centro by the Merida sign.
One of the favorite things we did was the free walking tour with Gabriel that starts here. This is a great way to see the highlights of the city, the history and a few of Gabriel's favorite places all in 2 hours. Please take my word for it - do this on your first day and you'll feel like you got the insider tour - https://www.freewalkingtourmerida.mx/.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, Yucatecan Serenade, an open-air dance with live music, has been held weekly on Thursday night at 9:00 pm since 1965 right here (now you know what the stadium bench seating is for). Please take my word for it... this is the place to be on Thursday. Locals and travelers alike attend this event and it is always amazing and it is always busy. Get there at 8:00 pm (or earlier) to get a seat at this free event, because it is the place to be! The regional music was played by a full band, and some of the songs were accompanied by traditional dancers.
You don't want to miss this on your visit!