Merida Cantina Crawl: 5 Cantinas with 5 Drinks and Botana Tasting

Taste Mérida's cantina culture on a 5-stop small-group crawl with skip-the-line entry, 5 drinks, and expert local guidance.

Getting started

Meet your expert local food and drink guide at the designated meeting point in Mérida for your English-guided or Spanish-guided tour, depending on the option you selected. After a brief introduction to the evening's plan, you will set off on foot toward the first of five cantinas. Your small-group of up to 10 guests keeps movement between venues easy and unhurried.

What to expect

Mérida cantinas

Across the night, you will visit 5 cantinas in Mérida, including 4 traditional spots and 1 modern venue that shows how the scene is evolving today.

Features

• At each stop, you skip the line at the cantina entrance, so there is no waiting at the door and you can head straight to your table or the bar area. Your guide coordinates access so the group moves smoothly between all five venues.
• Across the crawl you receive 5 drinks, choosing from options such as beer, mezcal, tequila, or cocktails, including Mérida's emblematic cocktail. Your guide helps you pair each pour with the atmosphere and style of the cantina you are in.
• A local botana tasting is included, with a weekly menu that highlights Valladolid longaniza and Yucatecan classics. One of the food pairings features poc chuc tacos, where citrus and Mayan cooking techniques meet the city's signature drink.
• Throughout the evening, your food and drink expert host, available in English or Spanish as per the option selected, explains Mérida's cantina traditions and how each of the 4 traditional cantinas differs from the modern one.
• Genuine interactions with cantina staff and regulars are a core part of the experience, as your guide bridges conversations and helps you understand local customs around ordering, tipping, and enjoying botanas.
• Live music often forms the backdrop in at least one of the venues, giving you time to cool off with micheladas while the rhythm of the night unfolds around your small-group of maximum 10 guests.