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By William Burr

colonial-era charm + urban vibrancy

Here’s a refreshing thought in the midst of so much turmoil. The sleepy little town of Mérida, Mexico, has awakened and become the latest in the amazing Mexican series of places not to miss. Not long ago, a remote Yucatán town, it has grown and spread its wings into a desirable location for Northern ex-pats to consider, the new place to be. Nestled in the upper corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is now a teeming metropolis with every imaginable amenity required by a potential ex-pat. Only hours away by a modern highway from bustling Cancún and a mere fifteen minutes from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, Mérida deserves a close look for anyone considering living or investing in a rapidly developing part of the country that still retains the charm of old Mexico.

For those wishing to retire in the Yucatán region of Mexico, the capital city of Mérida offers colonial-era charm, urban vibrancy, and ease of access to the best the region has to offer, including art, cultural events, secluded beaches, nature reserves, and archaeological treasures. The region is well connected to other parts of the Yucatán, to Mexico City, and by air to the U.S.

As a colonial city, Mérida features broad central plazas and beautiful cathedrals. Its narrow streets are safe and squeaky clean with picturesque periwin- kle, sherbet pink, mint green, and vibrant peach facades. The main Zócalo is a spacious square trimmed with wellpreserved 16th-century mansions.

The primary market is a sprawling and delightfully chaotic place that’s packed with local life. Weaving through the hectic maze-like atmosphere filled with local goods, you will encounter an experience, unlike any shopping venture you may have had in the past.

Seventy-five miles east of Mérida lies Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico’s most impressive and visited Mayan ruins. An hour and fifteen minutes south of Mérida, Uxmal is another priceless UNESCO listed Mayan ruin. Not far from Mérida is Campeche, a stunning seaside city with colorful architecture and fascinating history. This historic city, another UNESCO heritage site, is only about a two-hour drive from Mérida.

Surrounded by a countless number of ancient Mayan ruins, blue water cenotes, charming haciendas, quiet strands of Gulf of Mexico beaches, and intriguing Mayan villages dotting the land, the area truly offers something for everyone.

Removed from the glitzy sunshine boulevards of Cancún, a three-hour drive away, Mérida offers residents a piece of authentic Mexico while providing affordability and modern amenities. Expatriates accustomed to comfortable living arrangements and the availability of modern services will find them plentiful in the city and surrounding countryside. In Mérida, prices in restaurants, tour excursions, and hotels cost a fraction of what can be found on the other side of the Yucatán peninsula.

Surrounded by a countless number of ancient Mayan ruins, blue water cenotes, charming haciendas, quiet strands of Gulf of Mexico beaches, and intriguing Mayan villages dotting the land, the area truly offers something for everyone. The 6,000 freshwater sinkholes and caves called cenotes are a must-visit. For centuries, the crystalclear groundwater pools were used as sacred wells by the Maya, where they performed offerings and spiritual rituals to communicate with the gods. Local shamans still perform these rituals today.

The Gulf of Mexico’s tropical beaches are less than a half-hour away, a long strip of sand stretching east and west. As a draw for ex-pats and Mexicans alike, it is growing rapidly as the place to invest. The area is well developed with a Costco, Walmart, and modern hospitals. An up-tothe-minute and luxurious shopping mall called The Harbor has restaurants, shops, movie theaters, and much more.

Montejo Plaza is one of the newest living investments, a condo community offering residents a private beach club, the only one in Mérida that has this amenity. The project will be move-in ready by summer 2021.

When asked why someone should consider living or investing there, Emilliano Banuet of the Montejo Plaza emphasized the prime location, the private beach club, the Peso exchange rate that is currently 30% cheaper, and its proximity to Mérida. In addition, he added that the Montejo Plaza Condo is within walking distance of the Harbor Shopping mall.

Banuet’s enthusiasm for the area is well expressed in the following comment. “The life that Mérida offers and the way you can stretch your retirement money in Mexico is impossible in the U.S. You can eat healthy fresh food, invest wisely, and live a life only the super-wealthy can afford in the States.”

It would appear that Mérida has such a wonderful combination of amenities that it is hard to resist.