travel and stay in Merida yucatan
Top reasons why Merida Mexico is safe for travelers
Merida was declared the safest city in the whole of Mexico and the second safest city on the American Continent. Forbes magazine says it’s as safe as Europe.
These are the top reasons why Merida is safe for travelers.
Mexico does have a bit of a bad reputation due to drug-related crimes and violence; however, these incidents typically occur in the north, particularly along the U.S. border. Unfortunately, due to the sensationalized media stories of violence in Mexico, the Country has a bad reputation. However, in general, Mexico is safer than popular cities in the U.S., including Atlanta, Washington DC, Baltimore, St Louis, New Orleans, Buffalo, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Chicago, and Miami.
Like in almost any Country, petty crime and pickpocketing can be an issue, so it’s best to stay vigilant of your belongings. Exercise caution and common sense:
- Don’t drive alone at night.
- Don’t flash large amounts of cash.
- Don’t wear flashy jewelry or watches.
Merida itself is considered the safest city in the whole of Mexico. In 2019, an article in CEOWorld Magazine declared Merida the safest city in Mexico and the second safest city on the American Continent. A similar article in Forbes magazine says it’s as safe as Europe.
Merida has also received other accolades from CEOWorld Magazine. In 2021, readers named it the #3 best small city globally (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, was #1). Similarly, Conde Nast Traveller magazine readers called Merida the #3 best city in the world in 2020!
Is Merida Safe for Travelers?
Given the mainstream media’s coverage of Mexico, movies, and shows about Mexico, travelers might think Mexico is a very dangerous country. But, as in most places around the world, there are safe, less safe, and unsafe places.
One of the best articles on this subject comes from Forbes. In it, Carlos Barron, a 25-year FBI veteran, offers a sound perspective about overall Mexico travel safety:
“Millions of Americans go to Mexico on vacation every year, so if we play the numbers game, the number of incidents is very small… When I’m asked if Mexico is a safe place to go travel on vacation, my response is yes.” —Carlos Barron (Source Forbes)
Of course, bad things occur in Merida and Mexico; however, they rarely involve tourists. In Mexico, most violence is related to cartels, which don’t have much presence in Merida, Yucatan, or most tourist cities.
Is Merida Safe at Night?
Merida isn’t really any less safe at night than during the day. Remember that alcohol consumption (and overconsumption) makes all situations and places less safe. If you’re going out late at night, don’t overconsume alcohol and stick to safe neighborhoods.
It’s always a good idea to Uber home instead of walking.
Are taxis in Merida safe?
Yes, taxis in Merida are safe. You can hail one right on the street. However, as with taxis in many places, they tend to price gouge tourists, so they use Uber instead.
Is Merida Mexico Safe for Solo Travel?
It surely is. As such, the same travel safety precautions you’d take anywhere else will suffice to keep you safe in Merida. These include listening to your intuition and avoiding the less-safe parts of town.
Is Mexico safe to travel for families?
It surely is. For families, Mexico has destinations ranging from perfect honeymoon locations to ideal family vacation trips. They are just as safe and enjoyable for families as solo travelers, if not more.
Is it Safe to Drive in Yucatan and Merida?
As there are many things to do and places to see, renting a car is a good and safe option. For more information check our article about renting a car.
Is it Safe to Drink the Water in Merida?
No, tap water in Mexico is unsafe to drink for anyone. To make Mexico water safe to drink, you’d have to boil it or use a Water-To-Go Filtration Bottle. You can also buy and drink bottled water, which is readily available.
The reason tap water is “safer” in some places versus others comes down to one thing “filtration.” Like in the U.S., tap water in Mexico has tiny microscopic organisms. These are often different microorganisms than those you are used to in the U.S or your home country. Your body can tolerate the ones it’s used to, but unfamiliar ones can lead to sickness. Similarly, someone traveling to the U.S. will most likely get sick from drinking tap water for the same reason.
Interesting fact: Locals and visitors alike named the Traveler’s Diarrhea the Moctezuma’s Revenge. Even though this can happen to any traveler in any country, your personal microbiome (natural gut bacteria) isn’t able to handle whatever it is in the food and water in the Country you have traveled to. In India, this is called Delhi Belly.
Final thought, about 30 million visitors come to Mexico each year, and only a tiny percentage of people get sick from the water. So don’t let the dramatized media ruin your travel plans.
Is it Safe to eat salad in Mexico?
A widespread myth circulating the internet is that you must avoid salads and fresh fruits in Mexico, as veggies and fruits are washed in tap water. But, as tap water isn’t safe, locals don’t wash produce in it, which would get them sick. So don’t be afraid of eating produce; the fruit in Mexico is simply delicious.
Is Ice in Mexico Safe?
Another similar myth circulating is that you should avoid ice in Mexico. This is false. Ice is not produced with tap water.
Final Tips
- Keep some cash in your pocket so you don’t have to pull your whole wallet out every time you make a purchase.
- Never keep your phone in your back pocket, as this is the most accessible place to steal it from. Though uncommon in Merida, this type of theft occurs everywhere in the world.
- Never leave valuables unattended! Take your purse, book bag, and belongings into the bathroom rather than asking a cafe neighbor to watch them.
- Sunscreen and a sun hat are your friends and stay hydrated.
- Leave valuables and your passport in the safe at your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb/VRBO/Home Rental.
- Brush up on your Spanish! A little Spanish goes a long way in Merida, especially if you’re venturing out of town.
- Get travel insurance! If there’s one certainty about travel, it’s that something will not go according to plan. Read our article about travel insurance.