Mérida

The capital of Yucatán state, Mérida was founded in 1542 on the site of the Maya city of T'hó, using its stones to build the colonial cathedral and government buildings. The Paseo de Montejo, a tree-lined boulevard modeled after Parisian grands boulevards and lined with early 20th-century mansions built on henequen wealth, is the city's architectural centerpiece. The city maintains strong Maya cultural traditions, and the surrounding Yucatán countryside is accessible for day trips to cenotes and archaeological sites.