Mérida at $276 RT

Spring break in Mexico doesn’t have to mean battling sunburned tourists for a patch of sand or dodging tequila-fueled dance-offs.

Beyond the all-inclusive mayhem, there’s a different kind of escape—one where the rhythm of life is set by the rustling palms and the calls of street vendors. 

From savoring the smoky depths of conchinita pibil to sharing the tales with artisans in sun-splashed plazas, each moment in Merida is an invitation to dive deep into the essence of Yucatecan culture. Mezcal isn't slammed here, it's sipped. 

My cats and I spent a lovely few months lazing under the palapas of Progreso, a beach town just 40-mins from Merida. Most days, the shoreline felt almost deserted, save for a few locals on their morning jog and the occasional fisherman untangling their nets. 

5pm on a Saturday in March and not a foam party in sight :-)