7x Best Cafes In Merida For Digital Nomads [2024 Updated]
Discover the 7x cafes we think you’ll enjoy based on the taste, comfortability and wifi speeds to comfortable work. We got you!
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Ashley Metcalfe
June 19, 2024
Looking for the best cafes in Merida?
Well…look no further!
Matthew and I have made it our mission to visit the best cafes all over the world. We absolutely love coffee (some might even call Matt a coffee snob, but that’s beside the point).
We became Merida digital nomads for almost a month and tried a whole bunch of cafes.
The 7x Best Cafes In Merida You Need To Try
If you’re in a rush – here’s the quick answer for the 7x best cafes in Merida:
- Manifesto
- Latte Quattro Sette
- Voltacafe
- Bengala KaffeeHaus
- Estacion 72
- Marago Coffee
- Starbucks (Paseo de Montejo)
Keep reading if you have time – I’ve included a bonus cafe below 😉
Merida is a charming colonial city that welcomes tourists on vacation, digital nomads/remote workers and locals alike. Located on the Yucatan peninsula – you’ve got delicious food, cenotes to swim in and Mayan history to explore.
But sometimes you just need a break from touring the city or maybe…
You’re digital nomads living in Merida like we were who are looking for cafes you can work from. When the world is your office, cafes can easily become a second home to us. Especially when you just want a change in scenery and a good cup of coffee to wake you up.
Thankfully, there are so many popular cafes in Merida that you should try. This post isn’t just about any random cafes you can go to. Instead, we created this list so you know the best cafes in Merida and can continue exploring.
Here are a couple of things we looked for to find the best cafes in Merida:
- Delicious cup of coffee
- Comfortable chairs and tables
- Decent wifi speeds
- Great ambiance and atmosphere
- Friendly staff
All the cafes listed below have the 5 factors we’re looking for. So let’s get started already!
1. Manifesto Casa Tostadora Calabrese
Coffee lovers…get excited about this cafe! If there’s one thing you can be sure of it’s that Manifesto serves up a decent cup of coffee. They take their coffee seriously and you can taste it!
Located in an old colonial building on Calle 59, once you walk through the doors of Manifesto – you’ll quickly understand their branding and design. It’s minimal and rustic with pops of blue. I feel that’s how a lot of ‘serious’ cafes are decorated which is cool! The wooden chairs don’t make the most comfortable seats but it’s still great for a couple of hours.
You’ll need to get there early to snag a good seat – they do get full throughout the day. Besides their coffee, they also have a wide selection of food. You can order an avocado toast for lunch or simply have a pan de chocolate for a snack. If you also don’t drink coffee for whatever crazy reason (jk) – don’t fret! There’s a tea selection and you can also try their hot chocolate!
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 10pm; Sunday, 8am – 2pm
2. Latte Quattro Sette
Ahhh…the most aesthetically pleasing cafe in Merida is Latte Quattro Sette. This was one of the first cafes on my list to visit because it’s just so cute! Definitely an Instagram-worthy cafe (if that’s your thing).
From the moment you walk in the door, you’re met with beautiful marble tables and an all-white setting. The coffee is pretty strong but one thing I liked is that they served my go-to drink (Iced Vanilla Latte) which is pretty rare to find in Mexico. Matthew had a cappuccino which honestly wasn’t the best. It was a little too milky for his liking. But remember, Matthew’s a bit of a coffee snob ;).
If you love avocado toasts like us – Latte Quattro Sette serves a pretty good one! There is limited seating so I suggest arriving early if you want to work from Latte Quattro Sette. The wifi is pretty decent to get some work done. The only thing is the seating – it’s pretty small inside and it’s hard for us to hog a table for 3+ hours while it’s busy.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 3pm; Saturday, 8am – 1pm (Closed Sunday)
3. Voltacafe (Plaza Carmesi)
This cafe is known for good coffee and it’s a great place to work! It has quickly gained popularity and grown to 3 locations all across Merida. The best Voltacafe location is in Plaza Carmesi if you want to get some work done. Otherwise – any of the other locations will suit a coffee and a chat kind of thing!
Most tables to work from will be located in the courtyard of the cafe. As it is more of an outdoor setting, we always recommend arriving with a laptop that’s fully charged. The wifi is strong enough to reach every part of Voltacafe. Again – the only thing that might be annoying is the number of outlets available depending on where you sit.
Voltacafe has really stepped up their game as a cafe. They offer a bigger food selection now including things like burgers, salads and more. For drinks, they have started to serve cocktails and wine (hey, I won’t tell your boss if you have a sip ;).
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8am – 11pm
4. Bengala KaffeeHaus
If you are a coffee lover, make Bengala KaffeeHaus your next stop after Manifesto! They serve a mean cup of coffee and offer special brews.
This might not be the best cafe in Merida for work because the main seating is located in the courtyard. They are located right next to a hotel which means there’s a courtyard section you can sit in. Again – arrive fully charged so you don’t have to worry about outlets! The annoying part about sitting and working from the courtyard of Bengala KaffeeHaus is the number of mosquitoes that are ready to bite!
If you’re getting hungry – they also serve different kinds of paninis. And if you’re a lover of iced coffees like me, this is definitely the spot to try!
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 7am – 10pm
5. Estacion 72
If you want a wide drink selection – Estacion 72 is one of the best cafes in Merida. They have teas, Italian sodas, coffee, chai, and frappes. Estacion 72 even serves iced coconut coffee!
Looking to work from Estacion 72? It’s a good option! There are plenty of tables and chairs that you don’t have to rush to first thing in the morning. The service is friendly although it can get slow when there’s a big rush. Otherwise, a chill cafe to get some work done.
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 9pm; Sunday, 8am – 3pm
6. Marago Coffee
Marago Coffee is one of the best cafes in Merida. You’ve got great brunch food, Mexican food and surprisingly good coffee. Our close friend, Dom, who is Matt’s coffee snob buddy, even ordered a second coffee straight away. That’s saying a lot!
If you want to work from Marago – that might be a different story. We tried to work there one morning and of course, it was some sort of Public Holiday which meant it was really busy. We found a table but felt too bad to take up the space when we would only buy coffees. There are plugs and the wifi is great if you do find a good time to go.
Located on the beautiful street of Paseo de Montejo, Marago Coffee has great indoor and outdoor seating. We loved sitting outside because you get to look onto Paseo Montejo which is great for people watching too!
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8am – 10pm
7. Starbucks (Paseo de Montejo)
After we decided to leave Marago Coffee, we went to the next best cafe in Merida.
Now before your roll your eyes at this option – hear me out. It’s a one-of-a-kind Starbucks experience. The Starbucks is literally located in the most beautiful colonial building on Paseo de Montejo! They have kept most of its bones and it doesn’t feel like you’re in a Starbucks.
The best thing about working from this Starbucks? You know there are outlets everywhere and there’s good wifi every time. We worked from here in their meeting room (which we later realized you need to book in advance) and we were all very productive!
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 6.30am – 10.40pm
BONUS: Petit Delice
One of the best cafes in Merida is Petit Delice! It’s a French-inspired cafe that has honestly one of the best almond croissants we’ve tried! I also had their iced vanilla latte which was really really good for Mexico.
Petit Delice is located further out of the Centro Historico area. It’s closer to where we stayed in Merida near Benito Juarez Norte. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the city center but it’s easy enough to order an Uber because it’s worth the trip!
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 8am – 5pm (Closed Monday)
Cafes Not Your Thing? Try This Coworking Space Instead
I get it. You don’t want the hassle of fighting for a table at coffee shops every single day wondering –
“Am I going to get a seat/table today?”
“Will the servers try to kick me out?”
“How fast will the wifi be?”
Joining a coworking space gives you a dedicated space to focus and just get work done. You don’t have to worry about missing out on a desk or whether the wifi will work today. It just does – that’s what you’re paying for! You can also join the digital nomad community and make friends from there. One of the main reasons we usually join coworking spaces wherever we go.
The best coworking space in Merida is Conexion60. They provide digital nomads and remote workers with safe and comfortable working conditions. The air-conditioning keeps the temperature in the room controlled (especially great if you know what the heat is like in Merida). We worked from here and it was the fastest wifi we had during our whole time as Merida digital nomads.
Conclusion: You Can’t Go Wrong With These 7x Best Cafes In Merida
That’s it! Those are the 7 best cafes in Merida. We absolutely love cafe hopping, whether it’s cafes in San Cristobal de las Casas or cafes in Playa del Carmen. We’re always on the hunt for the next best cafe, especially in a country like Mexico!
Merida certainly didn’t disappoint in the cafe game and we’re sure you’ll enjoy any of the 7 cafes, whether it’s for working remotely or just for enjoying a cup of coffee. Did we miss any of your favorite cafes in Merida? Let us know below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I eat in Merida Mexico?
If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Merida, you’re in luck! Merida is known for it’s incredible food and there’s so many restaurants to try, you’ll never run out of places to eat. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Merida for cheap eats to high-end meals and everything in between!
How expensive is Merida Mexico?
Our cost of living in Merida as digital nomads was $2,500 USD (as a couple) for one month. We know, we know, it’s a lot!
BUT – we also know you can do it cheaper than we did. For one person we think the cheapest you could spend is $1,100 per month, which includes rent, groceries, dining out, activities and more.
What is the best month to visit Merida Mexico?
If you know us, you know we love traveling in the shoulder months, where the weather is warm but the crowds are smaller. So in our opinion, the best time to visit Merida is November, February and March.
Where is the best place to stay in Merida?
Here are the top 5 places to stay in Merida, depending on what you’re looking for:
1. Santa Ana (Best Overall Neighborhood In Merida)
2. Santiago (Best Place To Stay In Merida For Couples)
3. Paseo de Montejo (Best Area In Merida For A High-Quality Of Life)
4. Benito Juarez Norte (Best Place To Stay In Merida If You Have A Car)
5. Zocalo – Centro Area (Best Place To Stay In Merida City Center)