Hoteliers, restaurateurs and merchants on the surroundings of the Santa Lucía Square agree that in the last three years the old suburb has undergone a true transformation and has been revitalized and reinvented. Its restaurant scene has become one of the most important tourist points of Mérida’s Historic Center, generating jobs, and income.
People say that much of its success has to do with the rescue of the spaces that were previously abandoned, to give place to gastronomic establishments and food & drink businesses, which added to the cultural and musical events offered by the City Council make it a favorite corner for locals and tourists alike.
During a tour of the Santa Lucia plaza, tourists and locals can be seen co-existing in this gorgeous place.
Sillas Confidentes Santa Lucía Mérida, Yucatan (SIPSE)
On Thursday nights, Santa Lucía becomes a space for romance, listening to trios playing Yucatecan trovas, and on Sundays, the plaza turns into a dance floor. Mostly elderly people, showing their best dancing steps and outfits.
The place looks more alive, the spaces between the arches, which were once abandoned, now house elegant restaurants and bars.
Alfonso Madrid, captain at La Recova Santa Lucia, stated that Mérida’s Historical Center has been booming for the last 4 years, and now people decide to come specifically to this plaza, and the place is alive again.
This restaurant, as well as the others in Santa Lucía, have helped significantly to increase tourism and the City Council has also helped with the maintenance of green areas, lighting, security and cultural events, Alfonso Madrid said.
Parque de Santa Lucia (Photo: TripAdvisor)
Lucía Martín Osorio, employee of a travel agency next to the park, assured that Santa Lucia has become more lively. She recalled that not too long ago, there were only a few cultural events organized by the Municipality, but now the plaza has become in one of the most trendy parks.”
Now, there’s music, a lot of tourists, a wide range of food, etc. Santa Lucia is the starting point for city tours (TYT recomends La “Guagua”).
“Santa Lucia represents a lot of history, customs and roots of Yucatan,” said José Cuevas Pérez, captain at La Chaya Maya. Now people have several options in Santa Lucia, different types of restaurants to choose from”, he added.
Ismael Canché Pech, receptionist of the Hotel Santa Lucia, said that the number of cultural events during the week, along with the restaurants, have given the area a totally new image.
Local residents and business employees remember that the plaza used to be totally abandoned just a few years ago.
“Santa Lucia is one of the most important landmarks in Mérida these days” concluded La Chaya Maya captian José Cuevas Pérez.
Source: yucatan.com.mx
