I've seen favorable and even glowing mentions about Merida, but am a bit unclear on what there is to do there. My wife and I plan to pass through February or March. But we're wondering how much time to spend there. It sounds like a friendly/fun/interesting town, we'd probably be satisfied just walking around it, checking out the architecture, shops, restaurants, etc. But still, if folks have any specific recommendations re things to see or do there, we'd welcome them.

By way of a bit more background, we're wondering whether we should spend extra time there when we fly in and out (on our way to Celestun and to a couple of the Starwood haciendas in Campeche and Yucatan) as part of our 16-day trip to Mexico. Or should we just overnight there on our way in and out?

And if we do spend time there, am I correct in assuming that the weekends, particularly Sundays, are best?

One specific thing I've noticed is Carnival, which the Yucatan Today site says is early March (though the schedule of events doesn't seem to be arranged or posted yet). Sounds like fun, but does it mean that the city becomes really crowded and that there are lots of obnoxious drunks about (friendly drunks I don't mind)?

Thanks for any info/advice.