Safe. Affordable. Charming. Tropical.

Mérida, the tropical capital of the state of Yucatán, is a charming colonial city famous for its delicious food, world-class museums, free nightly cultural performances, and proximity to cenote swimming holes, UNESCO-rated Mayan ruins, and the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. The city was founded by Spanish conquistadors during the 1540s and built from the stones of the Mayan city that preceded it. Today, it boasts one of the largest historical centers in Latin America; its grand avenue was inspired by the boulevards of Paris and is lined with pastel colored mansions built during the henequen boom at the turn of the 20th century.

The Mérida program is one of the most affordable programs offered by the Texas State University Study Abroad Program!

Finally, you and your family will be glad to know that Mérida is one of the SAFEST cities in Mexico. It’s home to a U.S. consulate and a sophisticated hospital, and it’s just a quick, 2-hour flight from Houston. As of November 2019, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs rates Yucatán state (Mérida is the capital of Yucatán) at the same safety level as other common study abroad locations, such as England, France, and Italy.

To get a sense of what a beautiful and special place the Yucatán peninsula really is, please watch this video highlighting many of the places we will visit on our trip:

*Program pending approval and subject to change