Sustainable Living in Merida, Mexico: How to be Eco-friendly in Merida

In this article I cover everything you need to know for sustainable living in Merida- from where to shop, where to eat, and how to live.

Merida, the Yucatan’s biggest city, has something for everybody. This includes those trying to live a green lifestyle. Sustainable living in Merida isn’t hard–at all. It’s amazing how many eco-friendly and sustainable options are in Merida. The only barrier you face is sustainable transportation. Merida is very spread out, which makes it difficult to navigate the city.

Merida is located just an hour from the coast. It’s on the way to many different towns and villages throughout the peninsula. As such, Merida attracts local artisans and farmers from throughout the Yucatan to sell their goods. Thanks to this melting pot of cultures and communities, sustainable living in Merida is pretty easy. You can support local farmers and businesses without much effort.

In this article, I include the best small businesses to support that make sustainable living in Merida simple. I will cover what local stores and boutiques to support for fair trade, artisan goods, and where to find zero-waste or natural beauty products. Most importantly, I include the best places to go for sustainable grocery shopping, and my favorite sustainable restaurants. Whether its organic, vegan, veggie or locally grown items that you seek- you can find it all below. Hopefully these spots will make sustainable living in Merida a no-brainer.

Sustainable Shopping in Merida:

In this section, you’ll find the best places to shop locally and sustainably. These small businesses offer fair-trade, fair-wage and locally made goodies.

Colectivo Muul Meyaj:

This lovely little collective right off of Paseo Montejo features wonderful artisan goods. Everything they sell is made by artisans from the Yucatan, many of which are women. Everything is fair trade, and sold at a very reasonable price. This makes Muul Meyaj one of the best options to find local goods, crafts and gifts. You can find great home goods, and accessories here.

Casa de las Artesanias del Estado de Yucatan:

The Yucatan House of Crafts is one of the best places to do some souvenir shopping and find traditional Mayan crafts. They sell the work of local artisans from throughout the Yucatan from various different backgrounds and communities. Their goal is to support and preserve Mayan culture.

Mercado San Benito:

At the heart of the centro, you’ll find both Mercado San Benito and Mercado Lucas De Galvez. These bustling traditional markets are where you’ll see all the locals shopping. You can also find some of the best goodies here. From clothes, to accessories, to crafts to produce- San Benito has it all.

Just don’t forget to bring some cash with you! Most traditional markets don’t take card, and even if they do, people appreciate cash so much more.

Casa ‘Tho:

Unlike the previous options, Casa ‘Tho is definitely on the higher end side of things. In this gorgeous concept house and former hacienda, you can find some of the most unique, beautiful and luxury local goods. From gorgeous and unique sustainable clothing options, to handcrafted candles and shoes, to accessories that double as art pieces, Casa ‘Tho is worth a visit.

After you admire the goodies, you can sit in the enclosed courtyard and enjoy some tapas and wine- pretty much the only thing I could afford here.

Pau Roman:

My favorite sustainable swimwear company to date, Pau Roman is a true gem. Women-led and Merida based, this little boutique creates Yucatan inspired, chic, and sustainable collections. Their designs include sustainable lounge wear, lingerie and swimwear. Everything is a very fair price, and you will want to buy everything.

To learn more about them, check out my interview with the lovely founder here.

Eco-Friendly Beauty Products and Supplies:

In this section, I cover my favorite places to find natural beauty products and goods. Here you’ll find everything from toiletries, to cleaning supplies, to menstrual products. In addition, most of these spots also sell great sustainable, local, and vegetarian grocery items.

Estacion Nativa:

Tucked away in Colonia Mexico is Merida’s best zero waste shop. Run by a local woman, Estacion Nativa pretty much has everything you could need. They make sustainable living in Merida so simple. From beauty supplies, to menstrual cups, to cleaning and laundry supplies, to everything you need to eat, drink and cook- they have it all.

Don’t forget to bring your own containers. However, if you do forget, she does sell glass bottles and plastic free bags.

Ya’axtal:

If you’re American and looking for all your favorite organic and sustainable brands from back home, look no further. Ya’axtal has it all, and they even do local delivery or pick up. Their ecommerce store makes it easy to shop without ever venturing to their physical storefront. You can find snacks, pantry staples, vitamins and a lot of natural beauty products like shampoo, soap, makeup, toothpaste and brushes.

Fair warning- because they have everything you could want when it comes to for foreign products, they also charge a pretty penny for them. I personally enjoyed the local Yucatan goods they have as well as things I struggled to find elsewhere like coconut yogurt, quality vitamins and essential oils.

Solara Vegana:

Located at the end of Garcia Gineres, just a stones throw out of the prime parts of town, is Solara Vegana. This little locally run store offers a great selection of Mexican made natural beauty products. I was able to find some great, high quality serums, lotions, shampoo and conditioner bars.

They are also very popular for the best selection of vegan meats in Merida. It is difficult to even find tofu in Merida, let alone anything else. This makes Solara Vegana a great find. They make so many different vegan meats from beans, peas, veggies, seitan, tempeh or tofu.

Puras Cosas Buenas:

Another great spot in Colonia Mexico, Puras Cosas Buenas also sells some of their goods at the Saturday Slow Food Market. You can find a great selection of holistic and natural beauty products here, as well as make-up. They only sell Mexican made products, just like the stores I mention above. You can also find a great selection of healthy snacks and treats.

Sustainable Grocery Shopping in Merida:

While Walmart and Chedraui offer a decent selection of natural goods, these giant, chain stores aren’t sustainable. Finding local goods, organic produce, and vegetarian groceries is easier than you think. You just might have to try out a few different spots. These are my favorite grocery stores that making sustainable living in Merida a treat.

Slow Food Farmers Market:

Slow Food Market is one of my favorites spots that makes sustainable living in Merida a breeze. Every Saturday, from 9-2 pm, Slow Food Farmer’s Market takes over the Garcia Gineres neighborhood. Here you can find so many local farmers from the Yucatan. They sell everything from ethically raised meat, to organic produce, to fresh juice and homemade nut butters, to delicious bakery goods.

If that wasn’t good enough, they also allow you to place an order for pick up or delivery. You just have to whatsapp them your order by Wednesday. They have the entire catalogue easily available on their Facebook page. Just don’t forget your cash! The Slow Food Market only takes cash.

Solara Vegana:

See above description in “Eco-friendly Beauty products and Supplies.”

Semilla Justa:

This wonderful little spot offers a subscription produce box delivery service. All of their produce is organic, and local. They offer various different boxes to suit your produce needs. Furthermore, you can also simply shop at their store front. Here you’ll find artisan oils, nut butters, coffee, tortillas, grains and of course, produce.

El Arbol Eco-Organico Natural:

El Arbol is so much more than a health food store. Not only do they sell organ, artisan goods, but they also offer local cooking classes and workshops. Here you’ll find everything you need to stock your pantry, as well as your toiletries. I love that almost everything is local or Mexican made. This makes heading up North to visit the store worthwhile.

Super Naturista:

Super Naturista is a relatively large grocery store that has all the natural goodies you could need. A staple for anyone trying out sustainable living in Merida, Super Naturista even has two locations. Here you can find a large selection of quality vitamins and home goods, as well as healthy snacks, sustainable pantry staples and treats. Super Naturista also sells both locally made and imported products.

Mercado Lucas De Galvez

Right next to San Benito, you can find the largest market in Merida. The market fills an entire city block and you can visit any day of the week. Here you’ll find tons of produce, meat and food stalls. It’s a great place to visit to try traditional Yucatecan food and goods.

Sustainable Restaurants to Support:

Last but not least, I include my favorite vegetarian restaurants. In the Yucatan, being vegetarian, especially vegan, can be difficult. Thanks to these restaurants, it doesn’t have to be.

El Apapacho:

El Apapacho is one my favorite restaurants in Merida. Here, they serve vegan, vegetarian and omivore options of every dish. El Apapacho only serves organic, locally grown food. Even the meat they serve is ethical. You can find gluten free goodies, herbal elixirs, and organic coffee. Not to mention, it’s an incredibly cute and peaceful space to hang out in.

El Arbol:

El Arbol is a small, family run vegan restaurant. Traditional Yucatecan food is incredibly meat heavy, which makes it difficult to try for vegetarians and vegans. However, El Arbol provides a great solution. This quaint, lovely little cafe offers home-cooked traditional meals. Everything they serve is vegan, and they offer a delicious set lunch menu.

Talula Bar Natural:

Finally, we have Talula Bar Natural. Talula is a sleek cafe that offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten free goodies. It’s one of the few places you can find veggie salads and bowls, not to mention great smoothies. I definitely recommend checking it out for lunch after shopping at some of the above spots in Colonia Mexico.