In the heart of Mérida, one of Mexico’s most enchanting towns, stands Casa Lecanda—a century-old residence turned boutique hotel that feels like stepping into another time. White archways frame quiet courtyards, a tropical garden softens every corner, and the air itself seems to invite you to pause. Though I’m not saying my vows here, Casa Lecanda has become an integral part of my wedding journey, a sanctuary I return to again and again as I prepare for the celebration of a lifetime.
A Town That Teaches You to Slow Down
Whenever friends ask what to do in Mérida, my answer is simple: buy a book and relax. This isn’t a city that demands constant sightseeing. Instead, it whispers for you to slow down, to appreciate the details of restored homes, colorful streets, and the irresistible blend of culture and romance that lingers in the air.
Casa Lecanda embodies that spirit. With just seven guest rooms, each featuring custom-made furniture, original clay tile floors, and massive wooden doors and windows, the hotel feels both intimate and timeless. Its hammocks invite you to steal an afternoon nap, its poolside chairs beg for long conversations over fresh lemonade, and its interiors—elegant yet authentic—remind you of the beauty found in simplicity.
Light, Fragrance, and Memory
One of the things that struck me most about Casa Lecanda is its use of light. Pale walls and airy spaces amplify the natural glow that streams through the property, giving the entire house a sense of openness and romance. And then there’s the fragrance—a detail that stays with you long after you’ve left.
The Yucatán is home to Coqui Coqui Perfumeria, whose scents have become deeply personal to me and my fiancé. A bath beneath the jungle’s night sky, stars overhead, a glass of wine in hand, and their tobacco bath oil filling the air—it’s a memory etched in my heart forever. That fragrance is now tied to us, and he wears the cologne daily, a reminder of nights spent laughing with no distractions, no obligations—just love.
At Casa Lecanda, you’re welcomed by the hotel’s own signature notes, citrusy and fresh from their Flor de Naranjo. Paired with a cool washcloth, a smile from the staff, and the simple gesture of being greeted by name, it’s hospitality in its truest, most personal form.
Mérida, a City Made for Love
Mérida isn’t for everyone, and that’s part of its charm. Some find it too quiet or too small; others, like my mother, fall under its spell so deeply they wish their visits would never end. It’s not a place for grand tourist attractions—it’s a city of subtleties. A walk through its historic streets, the brush of bougainvillea on stone walls, a cathedral that has watched over centuries of change. If you crave spontaneity, history, and romance woven into daily life, then Mérida might just steal your heart.
When I first met KT Merry—renowned wedding photographer and, as fate would have it, my future wedding photographer—I told her of my secret dream to marry here. “Miami is home,” I confessed, “but Mérida is magic.” She didn’t hesitate. “Yes,” she said. Months later, after Pedro proposed, I knew without a doubt that Mérida would be where we’d celebrate our love.
Sharing the City
In October, I returned to Mérida with KT to capture our engagement photos. The itinerary was filled with favorite haunts and hidden gems: the ethereal Coqui Coqui boutique hotel (with just two rooms), the grand 16th-century cathedral, La Fundación de Artistas, and the sprawling Mérida Mansion. We even visited our wedding venue—a semi-restored hacienda from the 1700s, alive with history and the joyful chaos of its owners and their many rescued dogs.
Travel, of course, came with its share of hiccups. We got lost, we laughed, and we shared late-night cocktails that stretched into early mornings. But that’s what makes a place unforgettable: the blend of beauty and imperfection, adventure and ease.
Mérida also introduced us to new ways of living. KT and her husband are vegan, so we sought out plant-based restaurants together. Those meals became little revelations, and since then, Pedro and I have embraced a plant-based lifestyle ourselves—another gift this city has given us.
The Spell of Casa Lecanda
Each time I return to Casa Lecanda, I fall a little more in love—not just with the property, but with what it represents. It’s more than a hotel; it’s a microcosm of Mérida itself: thoughtful, refined, and quietly magical. It has become the backdrop for my own love story, a place where memories are made, where life slows down enough to notice the details that matter most.
Mérida may not be for everyone, but for me, it is a city that holds dreams, romance, and new beginnings. With its old-world charm, unexpected luxuries, and the intimate embrace of places like Casa Lecanda, it’s impossible not to fall under its spell.
And for us, the story here is only just beginning.