First of all, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, and keep warm!
Earlier this month, Mexican Low-Cost Carrier Viva Aerobus (airline code VB) added two new nonstop destinations from Mérida, the capital of Yucatán state, and the largest city in the Yucatán peninsula. (link in Spanish)
Mérida, located in one of the hotter parts in the country, is a relaxed city that doubles as an epicenter of regional Yucatecan cuisine. Take a stroll along Paseo de Montejo to check out mansions built out of fortunes made by henequén growers, an agave fiber used in the textile, construction, and transportation industries. Or, stop by ki’Xocolatl to compare a glass of pre-Hispanic hot chocolate with a more contemporary version.
For a day trip, or on the way to Cancún, a couple of hours east of Mérida lies Valladolid, a small city close to Chichen Itza, and one known for cenotes, or natural sinkholes made out of limestone, considered to be gateways to the Mayan underworld:
Once you’re satisfied with your visit to Mérida, besides the typical routes to Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Oaxaca, you might want to fly with Viva Aerobus to these two destinations.
León
Guanajuato city and San Miguel de Allende might be the most popular tourist draws in Guanajuato state, but you may want to give León a chance, too.
León isn’t a well-known tourist spot outside of Mexico, but it has a number of well-preserved cathedrals, a plethora of shoe and boot stores, and a nice tree-lined street called Calzada de los Héroes.
Viva Aerobus only started this route on 22 December — yep, three days ago — and for now, it’s operated twice weekly.
The flight schedule is as follows:
- León BJX– Mérida MID VB9191 08:20 – 10:35 Thursday
- BJX – MID VB9195 16:20 – 18:35 Sunday
- MID – BJX VB9192 11:20 – 13:40 Thursday
- MID – BJX VB9194 13:20 – 15:40 Sunday
Querétaro
Viva Aerobus began the nonstop Mérida Querétaro route on 19 December, with twice weekly flights.
Querétaro is a low-key city with a number of beautiful centuries-old convents and municipal buildings, as well as an aqueduct from the early 1700s. Also, even though San Miguel de Allende is in neighboring Guanajuato state, it’s also quite accessible from Querétaro, as is Bernal, a regional wine center.
And a bonus for airport collectors; Querétaro is one of those rare ones with scheduled passenger flights whose airport code starts with a Q (QRO).
Flight schedule:
- Querétaro QRO – Mérida MID VB9295 16:10 – 18:15 Monday and Friday
- MID – QRO VB9264 13:20 – 15:30 Monday and Friday
With annual tourism traffic increasing to and within Mexico, what’s next for Viva Aerobus and the Yucatán?
Planning to visit Mérida, Querétaro, and/or León?
Viva Aerobus is a HORRIBLE airline. It’s literally the Spirit Airlines of Mexico. Flights are always late or cancelled. Totally undependable. I’d totally avoid them and go with Volaris.
Thanks for your comment!
What makes you dislike Viva Aerobus besides the late/cancelled flights? Is it because they weigh passengers’ bags before lining up to board?
I’ve had some issues with flights to/fro Mexico City, but those have been with {insert airline name here}. Cancelled flights though, never. Still, that’s where credit card protections come in handy.
We have booked a week in Mérida mid February. Do you have favorite places to eat and visit locally? We don’t plan to use the air bus this time.
Hi Laura, thanks for your comment!
Although my recommendations are always subjective, I was quite fond of these places:
– La Chaya Maya (regional Yucatecan cuisine. It’s certainly a popular spot for tourists, but I still enjoyed everything there, particularly the sopa de lima, agua de chaya, and a pumpkin seed salsa called sikil p’ak)
– Ki’Xocolatl (a small Mexican chocolate chain; the location on Parque Santa Lucia has a couple of tables, too)
– SALÓN GALLOS (I suppose you could call it a fusion of Mexican and Lebanese dishes, but that’s a stretch. I quite liked just about everything there, but it is LOUD)
– El Negrito Gil (for tacos and tortas of cochinita pibil, pork stewed in sour orange juice and served with habanero and red onion relish)
– La Pigua (seafood; the coconut shrimp was a delight)
For points of interest, look into visiting some haciendas, either by renting a car or by getting a driver. Some of the haciendas have been converted into boutique inns with restaurants. Day trips could also be done to the quiet seaside city of Campeche, or Valladolid/Chichen Itza.