Mérida
We started our honeymoon by taking the ADO bus from Cancun to Mérida (GL class – comfy, clean, air-conditioned, and around 4 hours). It dropped us off at the ADO Centro station, and from there we Ubered to our stay: Casa Hannah, a peaceful Airbnb tucked in the heart of the city. Perfect for a couple looking to slow down.
Right after settling in, we wandered into Cantina Leoncitos, a tiny neighborhood bar where they serve only drinks—but keep your table full with endless snacks and live mariachi. It was one of those unexpectedly fun moments we’ll always remember. (Bring cash!)
Dinner that night was at El Apapacho—cozy, colorful, and full of local art. Later, we caved and ordered late-night snacks via Rappi, which felt exactly right.
The next morning, we had breakfast at Cafetería Impala, sitting outside and soaking in the slow pace of Mérida mornings.
Places we didn’t get to (but still on our list)
- Cocina Yucateca Contemporánea (for a Yucatán-style lunch)
- Montejo 495 Casa Museo
- Centro Cultural Fernando Castro Pacheco
We took time to freshen up at Hovel Barber in Paseo 60 (because even honeymooners want to look sharp). Then we walked over to Plaza Grande for that classic photo with the Mérida sign—touristy, sure, but kind of a must.
Airbnb Experiences
- Day 1: A local food tour through Mercado Lucas de Gálvez. We shared tacos, tortas, aguas frescas, tropical fruit, and some incredible homemade ice cream.
- Day 2: A photo walk with Fernando, a talented photographer and passionate local. He offered history along the way, and we loved hearing about the stories behind the architecture.
- Day 3: Casa Savia, where we learned to distill our own essential oil—a slow, calming activity that felt really grounding.
We circled back to Parque de Santa Lucía, known for its famous lovers’ chairs (sillas tú y yo). It was the perfect place to just sit, talk, and reflect. If you’re in Mérida on a Thursday, don’t miss the Yucatán Serenade—a free folkloric show full of dance, traditional music, and culture. We felt like we were part of something old and beautiful.
Bonus: Museo Fernando García Ponce-Macay and Mérida’s City Museum are both free and worth exploring.
Playa del Carmen
From Mérida Centro, we took another ADO bus to Playa del Carmen. The beach energy hit instantly. We grabbed lunch at Los Aguachiles, where a local rapper gave a surprise performance. The vibe was fun, raw, and real.
We stayed at The Oceana Residences—comfortable and close to everything. We stocked up on essentials (and not-so-essentials) at Chedraui, which has everything from fresh juices to hot meals.
Dinner was at Gourmet Park, an open-air food court with an open mic. We tried [insert vendor] and listened to some surprisingly good performances under the stars.
The next day, we took a day trip to Cozumel—rode Ultramar First Class and did a private buggy tour with a local guide. We even got a private tequila tasting at Sabores Cozumel, followed by lunch at The Money Bar Beach Club—simple, stunning, and right on the water.
On the way back, we stumbled across a local night market. One of those spontaneous honeymoon moments that felt like magic.
Other highlights
- Breakfast at Choux Choux Café — cute, French-style, and perfect for couples
- Corazondemar.pdc, a tiny artisan shop we found nearby
- Couples massages at Magic Hands on 5th Avenue (great street deals!)
- Airbnb Experience – Day 4: A Temazcal ceremony—sweaty, spiritual, and unforgettable
- Dinner at Mamba Jerk Chicken — clubby vibes with hookah and great flavor
- Plaza 28 de Julio markets and nightly marquesita stands (get the Nutella and banana combo!)
- Mercado Playa del Carmen “de la Diez” for tacos and hidden gems
Tulum
We Ubered to the Tren Maya station and boarded the brand-new train to Tulum—super scenic and smooth. From the Tulum stop, a local bus got us into town quickly.
Our Airbnb, Highline, was sleek and stylish—a perfect spot to wind down the honeymoon.
We had dinner at Spider Sushi that night—those oysters were the standout.
The next morning started with breakfast at Malena, followed by a private couples massage in our Airbnb. After that, we rented a UTV to explore, but bikes and scooters are also an easy option.
Tulum’s Beach Road was a highlight—brunch at Potheads, followed by a walk to a public beach access. We took our time just soaking up the sun and each other.
We stopped by Za Market, and later wandered the local markets around Parque Dos Aguas for souvenirs and snacks.
Dinner at Nikkori Sushi, then back to our place to chill.
The next day, we spent time at the Tulum Ruins inside Tulum National Park. Important to note:
- No drones
- No plastic bottles
- No speakers
- Only stainless-steel water bottles allowed
We closed out Tulum with a visit to Cenote Yax-Muul—it has three cenotes and on-site guides. After the swim, we had a casual local lunch at Del Mar—the perfect ending to our final full day.
Final Thoughts
This honeymoon gave us everything we wanted—time to slow down, experience culture, try new things, and enjoy each other in the middle of it all. Mexico truly delivered.
Here’s to many more adventures, but this one will always be special. ❤️