For about $18/US you can take a first class direct express bus ride from the Cancun bus station to Merida complete with movies in English and a complitmentary beverage. ADO was the busline. There are lesser levels, plus non-direct buses ranging in prices as low as $9. There are various levels of buses leaving almost every 30 minutes that pass through or end in Merida. You can figure that all out at the bus station with a little concentration. At 10AM on a Friday we were off to Merida, arriving 3 hours later after two movies and a comfortable air-conditioned chance to talk with my Mom.

Once off the bus we grabbed a $4.00 taxi ride to our hotel, Casa Del Balam. We chose it because it sits in the heart of the historic center, it was recommended by a friend, it had a bathtub, and it had an off season special that included breakfast and dinner. Although that did not prove to be a big plus foodwise, but it was easy and added more time for sightseeing.

Casa Del Balam provided, clean, safe, and gracious service. The bathrooms were recently renovated the bell man was proud to point out. We unpacked, I took a bath, and after our hotel dinner we walked out to see what experience awaited us in the early evening. We came across the cultural center and for about $3.00/US we were treated to their symphony orchestra and it happened to be the evening they were debuting their newly acquired Steinway. The Governor gave a short speech and we were treated to a musical evening, and a great introduction to our weekend. We went to sleep humming and happy. The cultural center is 2 blocks awy from the hotel on the same street.

The next morning and afternoon we explored the historic center with the oldest Cathederal in Mexico, the as beautiful Church De Jesus, and we took the double decker architectural bus tour that really is worth it. You get some history about why Merida exists, and you see some beautiful buildings. We returned later afternoon in need of a siesta, I took another bath,and we rested and dined in our hotel.

We cold have easily stayed in but Saturday night in Merida is not to be missed. A short taxi ride, or a nice walk to the park where after 8PM the “Noche Mexicana” begins. A mix of profesisonal and amateur singers, dancers, and musical groups perform until well after midnight. Light shopping, and food avaialble, but the draw is the show. A smaple of music from all over Mexico, you never know until you get there who is performing. We had a great evening under the stars and stayed until the last string was plucked around 1AM before walking back to the hotel.

Sunday morning my Mom experienced Mass in the Cathederal, and after swimming in the hotel courtyard pool we had a late breakfast, and headed out to another park where the Sunday market was in full swing. The street was blocked off and professional dancers treated us to an afternoon production of dances from the region of Vera Cruz. We shopped, and lunched, and enjoyed the dancing, a fabulous way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Clothes, artwork, and the long tradition of the center square Sunday market make this a special way to spend a day. There was music to 9PM, but we had been on a marathon and after a long afternoon we were happy to return to our quiet oasis and dinner in the hotel. I took a bath.

The next morning we arranged return tickets to Cancun through the front desk. This is where we learned there are direct buses and not direct buses. The return trip was on a bus a bit less in “newness” than our other bus, and this one went through Vallodolid adding about 45 minutes to the entire trip. However, unlike the autopista route which is sceneryless, the extended version takes a few side roads and you see some little pueblitoes as well as a quick pass through Vallodolid, so early Monday afternoon we returned to Cancun. An excellent short trip, I would do it again and really not change too much. There are other architectural things to see in Merida as well as a few museums I would add to future trips.

Would definately take the bus again, and would stay at the same hotel. Why change what works?

• Whale Shark Experience
• City of Valladolid and the ruins of Ek Balam
• Merida with my Mom