Things To Do
in Uman
Umán is a small, historically rich town in the state of Yucatán, located a short drive south of Mérida and surrounded by farmland, haciendas and cenotes. Its colonial center features a picturesque main plaza and a handsome church that anchor weekly markets and local festivals. The town serves as a quieter base for exploring northern Yucatán’s cenotes, haciendas and Maya-influenced cuisine and crafts.
Visitors find a friendly, low-key atmosphere with easy access to Mérida’s services and regional attractions.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your day with a delightful breakfast at a local café, savoring traditional Mexican dishes such as chilaquiles and fresh fruit. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Uman, admiring the colonial architecture and colorful facades of the buildings. Stop by the main square to soak in the vibrant atmosphere and people-watch as locals go about their daily routines.
Visit the beautiful Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís, a stunning church that showcases intricate details and historical significance. After touring the church, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant where you can taste authentic Yucatecan cuisine, like cochinita pibil or panuchos. Spend the afternoon exploring local artisan shops, where you can find handmade crafts and souvenirs to take home.
As the sun sets, head to a cozy restaurant with outdoor seating to enjoy dinner under the stars. Choose from a variety of local dishes and pair your meal with a refreshing margarita or local beer. Wrap up the evening by taking a stroll back to the main square, where you can catch live music or dance performances that often occur in the evenings.
Start your day early with a hearty breakfast to fuel up for an exciting adventure to the nearby cenotes. After breakfast, hop in a taxi or rent a car and make your way to Cenote Ik Kil, known for its stunning beauty and crystal-clear waters. Spend the morning swimming and exploring the natural wonder, surrounded by lush vegetation and impressive rock formations.
After a refreshing swim, enjoy lunch at the cenote's restaurant, which offers delicious local dishes while overlooking the cenote. Once you've recharged, head to a nearby cenote, such as Cenote X'Batun, for more swimming and relaxation in a tranquil setting. Capture the breathtaking scenery as you explore the unique geological formations and natural beauty.
Return to Uman in the early evening and take some time to freshen up at your accommodation. Enjoy dinner at a local eatery, where you can try some regional specialties or fusion cuisine. Conclude your day with a leisurely walk through the town, soaking in the nighttime ambiance and perhaps stopping for a sweet treat at a local dessert shop.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍽️Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $5-10 |
| ☕Coffee at a café | $1.50-3 |
| 🛎️Budget hotel per night | $25-50 |
| 🚕Local taxi short ride | $2-6 |
| ⛽Bottle of water / street snack | $0.50-2 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Close to Mérida with easy access to city services and attractions
- Authentic local atmosphere, markets and Yucatecan cuisine
- Good base for visiting cenotes and haciendas in northern Yucatán
- Generally safe and welcoming community
- Limited nightlife and tourist infrastructure compared with Mérida
- Heat and humidity can be intense in the wet season
- Fewer specialized dietary or niche services in town — more options in Mérida
- "Hola, ¿cómo está?" - Hello, how are you?
- "¿Cuánto cuesta?" - How much does it cost?
- "¿Dónde está el baño?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "Gracias / Muchas gracias" - Thank you / Thank you very much
- "Una cerveza, por favor" - A beer, please
- "Disculpe / Perdón" - Excuse me / Sorry
- "¿Me puede ayudar?" - Can you help me?
Places to Visit in Uman
Visit one of these nice places.
Photograph colonial architecture, colorful façades, the central church and daily life around the plaza — best light at golden hour.
Restored henequen haciendas offer dramatic architecture, stonework and gardens; they’re great for wide-angle and detail shots.
Cenotes provide crystal-clear water, stalactites and verdant surroundings for striking underwater and surface photography; early morning reduces crowds and ripples.
Colorful fruit displays, tortilla makers and food stalls produce vibrant candid shots — ask before photographing people.
Fields, grazing livestock and low, wide skies around Umán portray the agricultural setting of the region, especially attractive at sunrise or sunset.
Food in Uman
Uman Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Slow-roasted, achiote-marinated pork traditionally cooked in banana leaves; find it at local fondas, markets and many restaurants in Umán and nearby Mérida.
Must-Try!
Fried or toasted tortillas topped with refried beans, shredded turkey or chicken, pickled onions and avocado; popular as street food and in markets.
Grilled citrus-marinated pork served with pickled onions and black beans; a lighter Yucatecan favorite available at local eateries.
A tangy chicken and lime soup with tortilla strips — refreshing and aromatic, often on menus at neighborhood restaurants.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Local market with fresh produce, tortillas made to order and stalls selling antojitos; ideal for sampling panuchos, salbutes and freshly pressed juices.
A short drive from Umán, this large market offers a huge range of Yucatecan specialties, spices and street food stalls — great for tasting regional variety.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Greet people with a friendly 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas tardes' and use please ('por favor') and thank you ('gracias'); politeness and warmth are appreciated.
Be respectful at churches, festivals and family events — dress modestly for religious sites and ask permission before photographing people, especially during ceremonies.
Spanish is the everyday language; many locals speak basic Spanish only. Learning a few Spanish phrases helps. There are also Maya-speaking communities nearby — show respect for indigenous culture and ask before photographing rituals or family groups.
Safety
Tipping in Uman
Ensure a smooth experience
In restaurants, tipping 10–15% is standard if service charge isn’t included; for small eateries and street food tipping isn’t expected but appreciated (round up). Tip taxi drivers by rounding fare, and leave small change for hotel porters and housekeeping.
Mexican pesos are the primary currency. Credit and debit cards are accepted in Mérida and many larger businesses, but small shops, fondas and markets are often cash-only — carry pesos for small purchases. ATMs are available in town and Mérida; notify your bank before travel to avoid card blocks.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
May through October brings high temperatures, humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms; heat peaks in late spring/early summer. Stay hydrated, schedule outdoor activities early or late in the day, and expect occasional travel delays from storms.
June to November can include tropical storms or hurricanes; monitor forecasts, keep travel insurance updated and be prepared for road or service disruptions during severe weather.
November through April is drier, with pleasantly warm days and cooler nights (especially December–February). This is the most popular time to visit for comfortable sightseeing and festivals.
March–April are warm and generally dry, with fewer storms than summer; pollen and dust can increase, and temperatures start to climb toward summer.
Uman at Night
Hiking in Uman
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A protected area with easy trails, cenotes, and hacienda ruins offering relaxed walks among native flora and wildlife; ideal for birdwatching and low-impact hiking.
While not mountainous, the Puuc region offers archaeological sites with short trails and interpretive paths around ruins like Uxmal, where you can walk among ancient structures and rolling low hills.
Many cenote sites have short nature trails through low jungle and scrubland that are suitable for casual hiking, photography and wildlife spotting.
Airports
How to reach Uman by plane.
The closest major airport, about 20–35 minutes from Umán by car; offers domestic flights across Mexico and some international routes. Taxis, shuttles and rental cars connect the airport with Umán and Mérida.
A larger international hub about 3.5–4 hours away by road; useful if combining a Yucatán trip with the Riviera Maya or international flights not available to Mérida. Consider a domestic connection or bus if arriving here.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority population is mestizo with strong Mexican cultural traditions and Spanish as the dominant language.
The region has a significant Maya cultural and linguistic presence; some residents speak Yucatec Maya, especially in rural areas and nearby villages.
Umán is home to families, local artisans and agricultural workers linked to nearby farmland and haciendas.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport in the region — informal matches and youth leagues are common and local clubs are enthusiastically supported.
Baseball has a strong following in Yucatán, with regional teams and local amateur leagues drawing interest, particularly during the season.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Uman.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Traditional Yucatecan cuisine is meat-forward, but markets and some fondas offer vegetable-based dishes, soups and tortillas; ask for frijoles, salads, huevos and queso. Mérida has more vegetarian/vegan restaurants if you need variety.
Vegan options are limited in small-town Umán but possible at markets (fruit, beans, corn tortillas); for a reliable selection, go to Mérida where dedicated vegan eateries exist.
Corn tortillas and many antojitos are naturally gluten-free, but watch out for cross-contamination and flour-based items; communicate your needs clearly (’sin gluten’).
Carry translation cards for serious allergies and always mention them when ordering; small kitchens may have limited language ability but are usually accommodating if told in Spanish.