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WHAT ABOUT CRIME…… IS MERIDA SAFE?
Violent crimes in Mexico are very rare and Merida and the Yucatan are
considered by most people to be one of the safest places on earth
to live. In Merida, you can walk down any street in Centro day or
night without worrying about purse snatching or muggings.
WHY? First there is a different philosophy of law and order. The Mexican
approach is based on the Napoleonic Code rather than English Common
Law. Therefore, instead of being innocent until proven guilty, a
person must prove their innocence or take the penalty. Thus, people
in Mexico tend to be more careful and concerned in their dealings
with others and in their behavior.
A second factor (especially in the Yucatan) is that it is primarily
a family and community oriented society and there is very little
juvenile crime and delinquency. For example: on weekends, instead
of the youth driving around, drinking and looking for trouble; they
go to many of Merida´s town squares with their parents and
family. In Merida, you can see teenagers escorting their Grandparents
and even dancing with them in the Zocolo.
In addition, neighbors (both Mexican and foreigner) watch
out for each other and keep an eye on each other´s property while
they are away from home.
CAN I EAT THE FOOD WITHOUT GETTING SICK?
In Merida, you can find a wide variety of restaurants from fast food
to five star. Merida also has a huge number of street vendors…all
of which are safe. I have been in Merida for over two years and have
never once been sick. However, I would personally recommend drinking
bottled water.
Merida has a large variety of grocery stores and many local market
places with tremendous selections of fresh fruits, vegetables and
produce that truly make shopping a pleasant experience. The Mexican
climate provides year round growing so that berries, melons, mangos,
pineapples, avocados, bananas, lettuce, squash, etc. are picked for
the market when fresh and are delicious.
WHAT ABOUT PETS AND VETS?
Dogs and cats with a veterinarian´s certificate indicating updated
immunizations can be brought into Mexico without any quarantine. The
vets in Merida are all well trained, inexpensive and even make house
calls at no added cost. Those of us at Mayan Living have a combined
total of seven cats and four dogs and we all like our vets and would
be more than happy to give you their phone numbers. My vet also has
a service that will pick up my dog, bath her, clip her and return her
safely home for $12 US.
WHAT ABOUT AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE?
If you bring your car from the States or Canada (using your tourist
visa or your FM3), you must have insurance. We have one car we brought
from the States and one we purchased in Mexico. Insurance for our
vehicle from the States costs about $200 a year for full coverage
and has to be purchased from the States. The insurance on the Mexican
car was purchased in Merida and is slightly higher. We would be more
than happy to recommend both agencies.
WHY IS MERIDA CALLED THE WHITE CITY?
There are probably three reasons why it is called the White City: (1)
the inhabitants generally wear white guayaberas, huipilles and Panama
hats, (2) there is a white lime mixture that is used to spread on
most of the roof tops to make them watertight and (3) the cleanliness
of the city. The streets, plazas and parks are generally cleaned
every day.
CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MERIDA?
Merida, the colonial capital of the Yucatan was founded by Francisco
de Montejo (a Spaniard) in 1542. When the Spanish arrived, they conquered
the Mayan city of T´ho or Ichcansiho, tore down the pyramids
and used the huge stones to build the foundation for the Cathedral
of San Idelfonso. The Spaniards enslaved the Indians and built grand
houses, offices and cathedrals. Merida became the capital, trade
center and seat of civil and religious authority of the Peninsula.
The Indians finally rebelled in the 1840´s ( the Caste War).
WHAT IS MERIDA LIKE TODAY?
Merida today has about 950,000 residents and is a very cosmopolitan
city with Mayan and Spanish descendants and is an extremely cultural
city with many museums, libraries, theaters, numerous universities,
etc. The economy that was once based on the henequen industry is
now based on tourism, agriculture and fishing plus Merida´s
export business is increasing every day. Some of the items exported
are honey, sisal rope, petroleum products, hammocks, fine jewelry,
concentrated orange juice, fish etc.
Residents call Merida "the Paris of the West" because of
it´s tree lined boulevards, colonial mansions and estates of
the henequen barons of the 1800¨s. There are many things to see
in and around Merida. It is an easy drive from Merida to beaches, Mayan
ruins, haciendas, etc. One of the nicest things about Merida is its
people. The Yucatecan people are hospitable, honest, easygoing, hard
working and make wonderful neighbors.
DOES MERIDA HAVE GOOD MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACILITIES?
YES! Merida has numerous hospitals that are staffed by well trained
physicians, most of whom were trained in the United States. The hospitals
in Merida are considered among the best in Mexico. Wonderful, inexpensive
dental work is also available in Merida. Many Americans and Canadians
have been taking advantage of this for years. Also within the past
five years, a growing number of Americans and Canadians have been
coming to Merida for plastic surgery. We would be more than happy
to refer you to competent doctors, dentists and plastic surgeons
in Merida.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?
Tipping varies from place to place and depending on what the services
is, the following is a general rule to follow:
- restaurants…15%
- hotel and guest house help…. at least 10 pesos ($1 US) per
day
- strolling musicians…. 40 to 50 pesos
- parking attendants….. 5 to 6 pesos
- bag boys and girls at the grocery store…. 5 to 6 pesos
- gas station attendants….. 5 to 6 pesos….YES, gas stations
are still full service in Merida
- Extra tips for exceptional service are always welcomed and appreciated
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