Merida is the capital city of the state of Yucatan. The Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo founded the city in 1542.
The night we arrived this carnaval was in the street between us and the hotel. Fortunately, cerveza could be had and we could sit on our maletas until the parade was over.
Lots of free music and dancing with locals sporting traditional Mayan attire. And the Mayan comida was fabuluso. Cochinita pibil-shreaded pork with Mayan spice "achiote" combined with naranja agria. Or try Tacos de dogfish with chiles & epazote or the pan de cazon or the sopa de lima.
This was headquarters for the expedition: Hotel Casa Lucia in historic downtown Merida.
Steve at la Puerta del Mar (sea gate). Campeche (city to the south of Merida) was founded around the 3rd century, the principal town of the Mayan district of Ah Kin Pech. 
Because of tension between England, France & Holland with Spain & Portugal, Campeche was forced to fortify with walls and forts between 1685-1704.
Also looted by pirates (such as the famous Dutch pirate Pegleg and others: 1597-1685), the city has fortress buluarts as well as this fort located to the south, Fort San Miguel.
Downtown historic Campeche, the Catedral of the Campeche.
Hotel Casa del Mar overlooking the Golfo de Mexico.
View from balcony of Hotel Casa del Mar. The malecon runs for miles along the Gulf in front of the ancient city. This is really the Gulf of Mexico, pero el agua no es muy hondo and therefore no hay olas grandes.
This is the bus station in Campeche. The trip between Merida and Campeche takes about 2.5 hours. You want to be careful to get on the correct bus. The chicken buses board to the izquierda and it's nicer if you're on an ejecutivo. Katherine asked me, "Dad, what travel agency did you guys use to do this?" Well, this is called traveling by the seat of your pants and you can spot the "seasoned" travelers by the achiote stains on their's. 
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