Merida wildlife advice please

I'm not sure the area around Merida has what you are looking for. The forest is very low and dry; you'll have to go further south and east to encounter what many would consider "jungle." That being said, the forest around here does have tremendous value but there are few areas for hiking. Most eco-tourism is centered around the mangrove forest along the coast. In a place like Celestun, you can take a boat tour or, even better, a kayak tour (via the Mangroves of Dzintun organization) of the mangroves. The focus is seeing flamingos and other birds. It is extremely improbable that you will see whales or dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. As mentioned, for the best wildlife opportunities, you will need to go south to, for example, Calakmul or, also, I can recommend the private reserve of Kaxil Kiuic. They have an office in Merida so perhaps you could inquire about a visit.

Another place worth visiting - well, I haven't been myself but I have heard from friends - would be the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, which is known for its relatively easy-to-see spider monkey population. It's a bit out of your way, being closer to Tulum and Coba.

The road from Cancun to Merida is very easy; one highway, straight, few exits. However, if you plan on exploring outside of Merida it would help to have a GPS, though, personally, I've never used one and I've only gotten lost, well, let's just say a few times.

To see turtles and dolphins you probably need to spend some time on the Caribbean side before or after heading to Merida. You can swim with turtles in the wild at Akumal, there are two dive shops who rent snorkel gear and no you do not need a guide, unless you want one. They are easy to spot.
To see dolphins in the wild, your best bet is a boat tour of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. There are several outfits based in or near Tulum who do these tours, one that I personally know of is called iTours Mexico, and have also heard good things about Pesca Maya. Please do not patronize the pitiful captive dolphin pens.
Highway 307 from Cancun to Tulum is wide, 4 lane, and very well signed. Not as familiar with the Merida area but #1 has very good info.

If you stop over at Valladolid and go to Ek Balam, the birding there is very good. Also, if you go south, to say Kohunlich ruins as soon as they open in the AM, you might see coatamundi or toucan (I did). Also: "Located in the heart of the Puuc, the private Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve and Millsaps College of the U.S. created Puuc Jaguar Conservation to ensure the jaguar´s survival." Near Merida - I don't know if they allow the public on the preserve or have trails, but might be interesting to check out. You'll see plenty of iguanas at Kabah!

You didn´t mention birds, but they´re the easiest kind of wildlife to see in Mexico. For them I suggest Celestun or perhaps Rio Lagartos. If it were me, I´d head to Sisal, closer to Merida, and do a self guided walk along the seaside and into the jungle if conditions permit (I´ve never been there). There are jaguars in northern Yucatan, but you won´t see them, however you might see some signs of them, pawprints, tree scratches, a skin in some farmer´s house! More likely these are found nearer Cancun in the Yum Balam area.

If it were me, I´d head to Sisal, closer to Merida, and do a self guided walk along the seaside and into the jungle if conditions permit (I´ve never been there).

FYI, the part of the beach just to the west of town, in what is supposed to be a state reserve, has recently been turned over to developers. They have started clearing the land to put in homes and condos. Further west, the land is more in tact but it is full of garbage. Also, there is no "jungle" around there, just coastal dune and mangroves. To access forest (low forest), you'll have to cross the Ría.

The ruin Xcambo east of Progreso is an old salt works, an easy day trip from Merida. I like Isla Arena for its remoteness, the road in is through scrub tanga forest and a long causeway through mangrove tidal flats. Again a day trip from Merida. The nearest jungle is south of Merida, east of Campeche at the ruin Edzna. Calakmul further east has real jungle and good amounts of wild animals but it is at least a six hour run from Merida. I like Xcambo, it has an old silted up dock with a freshwater spring at its end. One can imagine the great sea going canoes filling up with salt and stocking fresh water for the next leg of their trading voyage. The place is always full of birds, they like fresh water as much as we do. You can take the little road running by the ruin on south for a trip through the farm country, jog over to Izamal and then back to Merida in one day. The north coast road is a fine drive, on to Dzilam de Bravo and swing back to Merida through the farm country. Get a good map, the main roads are good, the back roads can be "interesting" but passable.

Ticul south of Merida is a pottery center, It is a couple hours from Merida, I stay there when I'm visiting the local Mayan ruins. Three weeks with your own car opens doors that most people can not open. Drive to Mama and go through the church, its door is a thing of beauty.
Have a nice trip. I like your "elder side of life" line , go for it.

Thanks so much for such an informed response. We can certainly include a trip to Tulum and Akumal. If we need to stay overnight we will. Or as suggested before or after we drive from Cancun. Birds are also on our toseelist!!

That's really helpful. Thanks so much

Make sure your place to stay has. Parking . Parking]is very difficult in Merida. Plus even when you secure a place that is safe for the rental car it may not be open at times you wish to come and go.