Merida, Yucatan

Mérida has been nicknamed "The White City", though the exact origin of this moniker is not clear. Some explanations include the common color of its old buildings painted and decorated with "cal"  or the fact that the residents keep the city particularly clean. Mérida was named after the Spanish town of the same name, originally  Augusta Emerita. Mérida served as the American Capital of Culture.

Mérida and the state of Yucatán have traditionally been isolated from the rest of the country by geography, creating a unique culture.Yucatecan food is its own unique style and is very different from what most people consider "Mexican" food. It includes influences from the local Mayan culture.

Achiote is the most popular spice in the area because It is derived from the hard annatto seed found in the region. The whole seed is ground together with other spices , called recado rojo. The other ingredients in the paste include cinnamon, allspice berries, cloves, Mexican oregano, cumin seed, sea salt, mild black peppercorns, apple cider vinegar, and garlic.  

The Spanish spoken in the Yucatán is readily identifiable as different, even to non-native ears. It is heavily influenced by the Spanish accent and Yucatec Maya language, which is spoken by a third of the population of the State of Yucatán. The Mayan language is harshly melodic, filled with explosive consontants and "sh" sound.