All about Dulceria y Sorbeteria Colon in Mérida, Mexico

Dulceria y Sorbeteria Colon ("El Colon" is the nearest location from Casa Loltún on Paseo de Montejo) is a family business with a very long tradition. The ice cream parlor was founded in 1907 and today it is a real institution in Mérida.

In addition to homemade sorbets (made with only natural ingredients) and a selection of pastries (like cookies or meringue), you can also get champolas, a type of very sweet milkshake. The origin of champolas is in the Caribbean, they consist of a sorbet and milk.

The sorbet in the bowl is served the shape of an inverted cone. It is best to use your spoon to scoop the ice cream from the rim of the cup in a circle. And especially when it's really hot, it's racing against the ice melt.

Occasionally a tourist bus stops in front of the ice cream parlor, then several employees with large tablets of ice cream rush to the bus and the tourists slurp it while still on the bus. Opposite, on the other side of Paseo de Montejo, you will find the popular Márago Coffee.

Selection of sorbets

The selection of sorbets is not very large, there are about 10 flavors. Some sorbets made with fruits from Yucatán, such as mango, anona, guanábana, guaya, mamey, pitahaya or maracuya. Sometimes you also get typical Mexican flavors like tamarind or elote.

But also more classic varieties like strawberry, pineapple, banana, orange, lemon, coconut or chocolate. By the way, you shouldn't be surprised if you don't see any ice cream, this is kept in the back rooms.

Illustrious guests

Also due to its long history, El Colon has had some very notable visitors: Illustrious guests in the history of the sorbeteria were, besides some former presidents of México, for example Queen Sofia of Spain, Jackie Kennedy or Charles Lindbergh. Of course, the Colon has also been awarded the Travellers' Choice by TripAdvisor.

Various options

There are five locations in Mérida (some are simply called El Colon): In the city center in the prime locations of Paseo de Montejo (No. 474A) and Plaza Grande (Calle 61, No. 500 x Calle 62).

North-west of the city center at Plaza Dorada (Calle 50, No. 143 x Calle 15 and 19 Col. Pensiones) and two locations in the north of Mérida: Gran Plaza Mérida (Calle 50 Diagonal 460 Fracc. Gonzalo Guerrero) and Francisco de Montejo (Calle 51, No. 329 x Calle 24 Col. Xcumpich).