If you’re on the fence, let me go ahead and say it: Yes, Mérida is very much worth your time — and a great way to dodge tourist traps as travel to Mexico ... Valladolid is Merida’s smaller ...

On the following days during my 10-day stint in the city, I visit Celestún biosphere reserve on the western coast of Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula to take a boat trip to see the flamingos ...