The Original
MEL House & Garden Tour
The city of Mérida has the third largest collection of colonial homes in Latin America, surpassed only by the historic centers of Havana and Mexico City. These centuries-old residential treasures are being rescued from ruin as Mérida’s Centro enjoys a renaissance.
Satisfy your curiosity! The Mérida English Library tour is a walking tour, showcasing a wide variety of homes and gardens in Mérida’s Centro Histórico. The House & Garden Tour is a “must do” for visitors and residents alike! It’s informative and fun! The weekly cost is MX$400 for MEL members and MX$500 for non-members.
MEL members who plan to tour over several weeks can purchase an six-session partial-season pass for MX$2,000. Some important notes:
These six-session passes can be purchased by MEL MEMBERS ONLY.
The passes are transferable to other MEL members but NOT REFUNDABLE and they expire at the end of the current season.
The passes may be used by no more than TWO MEL MEMBERS PER WEEK.
The Tours take place Wednesdays beginning November 6 and continuing through the end of March. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE TOURS ON DECEMBER 25, 2024 OR JANUARY 1, 2025.
We usually gather at the library, but on some tours we meet in a neighborhood park. Otherwise, our normal schedule is:
9:00 AM - The library's doors open and registration begins
9:30 AM - Our volunteers present an informative orientation to give you a unique perspective about the region and its character
10:00 AM - The walking tour departs from the library
The tour ends around noon
NEW THIS SEASON - SPECIAL EVENING TOURS!
We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new addition to our House & Garden Tours—The Evening Tour! This special tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Mérida’s homes from a completely different perspective.
As night falls, the magic begins. With thoughtfully placed lighting, these homes take on a whole new glow, and their charm is transformed. From the soft illumination of antique furniture restored to the way light enhances vibrant colors and intricate designs, you'll see these spaces in a way that’s simply marvelous.
PLEASE!! FOR THESE TOURS OF PRIVATE HOMES
NO PETS OR ANIMALS • NO SMOKING
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Each week we plan to visit three homes from a variety of eras, including many from the Colonial and Art Deco periods. From modest to the mansion, colonial ruins to modern masterpieces, under construction and fully renovated, we’ll show you the ongoing revitalization of Mérida’s historic downtown. Come prepared with curiosity, enthusiasm, and sensible shoes for Centro's uneven sidewalks!
We encourage you to return for more than one tour! We make a concerted effort to rotate properties so that you won’t see the same house twice in the same month.
Preregistration and prepayment are not required but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED especially in January & February. Space is limited, so we advise you reserve your spot during these busiest months. Registrations can be cancelled and refunded until 24 hours before the tour; after that they are NONREFUNDABLE.
Send us an email for more information.