The so-called “White City”, was the center of Maya culture long before the conquistadors arrived. After that, it remained as the economic engine of the peninsula for centuries. The always folkloric ambience and the nice and outgoing inhabitants make Merida one of the favorites, most charming and easy-going cities of all Mexico. Besides, its reputation as the safest location of the country is well-earned, and at night it is common to see the streets crowded with people strolling after dinner when the temperatures are cooler.

Merida has hotels of every price range and excellent choices of restaurants that offer delicious local specialties of Yucatecan food, very different from what people usually know as Mexican food—such as poc-chuc –a kind of Mayan style pork barbecue—or cochinita pibil –pork marinated with sour orange and spice sauce. A perfect base for the numerous trips around the region, Merida is provided with a good airport that offers a wide choice of international flights. All this, added to its impressive convention center make of Merida one of the most desirable host cities for WILD 9.