We love Merida Mexico, it’s a vibrant city, home to breathtaking views and alluring landscapes. From Mayan ruins and historic mansions to art galleries and nature reserves, the city has it all.
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly contributed to the growth of digital nomads all over the world. People are attracted to the digital nomad life now more than ever and Merida is undoubtedly a great place for your next stop.
If you are thinking about living and working in Merida as a digital nomad then this comprehensive digital nomad guide to Merida Mexico is sure to help you.
Where is Merida Mexico Located?
Located in the state of Yucatan peninsula, Merida is in the northwest corner. This city is directly south of New Orleans and about 35 km inland from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
Merida is also the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan and the latest city in southeastern Mexico.
Facts: both Spanish and Mayan are commonly spoken in Merida, Mexico. Maya is the language of the indigenous Mayan people.
Why choose Merida Mexico as a Digital Nomad? The Pros and Cons
Let’s weigh some pros and cons of Merida Mexico before we move on to talk about a digital nomad’s life there.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low cost of living | English is not spoken widely |
| Fast and stable internet connection | Weak freedom of speech |
| Democratic | Unsafe |
| Warm all year round | Too hot in summer |
| Spacious | Low quality of education |
Before you make your decision based on the above-listed pros and cons, some things should be mentioned specially. For instance, Merida may not be that safe overall but it is a safe place for women. It is also lgbtq+ friendly, making it a homely and welcoming place for a diverse range of people.
The education quality is family friendliness is mediocre. However, if you are a digital nomad living alone then the warm weather, good wifi, and affordable cost of living will be perfect for you.
How to Get to Merida Mexico?
From United States
The best way to get to Merida from the United States is via air travel. Cities like Miami and New York have airlines that offer direct flights to Merida International Airport. Once you land, you can get to the city center through various means of transportation.
If you want to explore other popular destinations in Mexico then you can always land in places like Cancun and drive to Merida from there. This might also save you some money because the tickets might be cheaper there.
From within Mexico
If you are already in a Mexican city such as San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, or Oaxaca city then you can get to Merida by below mentioned ways. It is suggested to consider distance and time before taking a pick.
Car drive
The smartest way would be to rent a car and drive it to Merida. The roads are safe and renting a car will give you some freedom as well. If you’re lucky, you won’t face any construction or traffic and get there in a decent amount of time.
Bus
While a car ride is as effective as it gets, taking a bus will be a lot cheaper. Buses run between 2 cities all over Mexico and you can seamlessly travel to Merida. If we take into account factors such as departures, peak hours, and road conditions, an average drive from Cancun to Merida can take 5-6 hours. Mexico is always working on infrastructure which often changes the travelling time.
Services such as the Ado bus are reliable options and you can check their route, ticket prices, and other details online.
Plane
Car and bus rides are adequate options when you are traveling to Mexico from a city such as Cancun and Tulum. However, the same can’t be said about Mexico City. Since it is far in distance, the smart choice would be to travel via plane. Air travel will take 2 hours while a car can take around 19 and a bus can take about 22 hours.
Air services such as AeroMexico and Volaris offer roundtrip tickets that cost about 100$ (93.46€).
Transportation and How to Get Around Merida
Once you have successfully arrived in Merida Mexico, here’s how you can travel around and explore the city.
Ubers and taxis
We highly recommend taking Uber and taxis rather than driving yourself around in the busy streets. Merida is a bustling city and main tourist spots such as Centro tend to be crowded. Parking can be difficult while Uber rides will be much more convenient.
An average Uber ride will cost 4-6$ if you are traveling within Merida and it is actually safer than exploring the foreign roads on your own.
Driving yourself
While the former option is suitable for tourists, it doesn’t apply to remote workers. If you are planning on living in Merida for a longer period of time, you’ll have to find a long-term solution.
Parking is relatively easier to find in the city. Public transportation such as trains, subways, or public buses are not popular in the city so your only options are Uber or personal vehicle.
Fact: you are recommended to avoid parking in front of the yellow curbs in order to avoid tickets!
Best Accommodation Options in Merida Mexico
If you are a digital nomad who has decided to stay in Merida Mexico, you must think concisely about your accommodation. We recommend booking a short stay at first and exploring different options until you find the one that suits you.
As a digital nomad, you must choose a neighbourhood that has a good internet connection, co-working spaces, and a digital nomad community perhaps.
Here are some of the best places for digital nomads:
- Centro Historico
- Area around Paseo de Montejo
- The Villa Merida Boutique Hotel
- El Aleman
- Santiago
- Zona Paseo de Montejo
There are a ton of hotels, Airbnb, local apartments, and hostels in Merida and you can find one that fits your budget. You can resort to Facebook groups and find the best options.
Internet Connectivity in Merida Mexico
One of the benefits of living in Merida Mexico as a digital nomad is the decent internet connection. While it is not great, the average internet speed stands at 35mbps. Small towns like Tulum are likely to have a better connection. Not only that but nomads have reported that they have never faced trouble with digital work and video chats.
The parks and most cafes offer free wifi but if you’re not satisfied with that, you can get a decent 10 GB mobile data for 7.80$ (7.29€) per month. The most commonly used sim card is Telcel and you can get it at local stores for 10$ (9.35€) maximum.
ESims
Another good way to go about this is investing in an ESim. You can avoid the difficulties that come with a physical sim card and choose your provider/data plan online. Holafly and Airalo offer some great plans. Take a look below to get an overview.
Holafly eSim Plans for Merida
| Data allowance | Validity | Price |
| Unlimited | 5 days | 20$ (19.00€) |
| Unlimited | 7 days | 34$ (27.00€) |
| Unlimited | 10 days | 42$ (34.00€) |
| Unlimited | 15 days | 59$ (47.00€) |
| Unlimited | 20 days | 71$ (57.00€) |
| Unlimited | 30 days | 86$ (69.00€) |
Airalo eSim Plans for Merida
| Data allowance | Validity | Price |
| 1 GB | 7 days | 6.50$ (6€) |
| 2 GB | 15 days | 12$ (11€) |
| 3 GB | 30 days | 17$ (16€) |
| 5GB | 30 days | 25.50$ (24€) |
| 10 GB | 30 days | 46$ (42€) |
Best Places to Work from in Merida Mexico
Merida Mexico is abundant in coworking spaces for digital nomads. There are a bunch of minimal coworking spaces in the north of the city while downtown is filled with trendy coffee shops.
Coworking Spaces
Conexion60
Conexion60 is a contemporary co-working space perfect for remote workers and digital nomads. This space is designed to be accommodating with great wifi, comfortable seating, and high-quality service. In addition, conexion60 is open 24/7 and it offers an office environment desired by most digital nomads. They also happen to serve delicious food and coffee.
Clustar
Clustar is one of the best coworking spaces in Merida with a high-speed internet connection and a comfortable environment. It offers you private offices and a variety of working space options.
Cafes
Manifesto
Manifesto is undoubtedly one of the most popular working spots for digital nomads. While it can get crowded in the evenings, it is the perfect workspace for early mornings. You can enjoy their delicious food and coffee while the cozy and creative architecture promotes productivity.
Estacion 72
Another good cafe for working is Estacion 72. With their splendid customer service, work-friendly ambiance, and amazing food, they have everything a digital nomad might need.
Cost of Living in Merida Mexico
Merida Mexico might not be ranked in the top 10 places for digital nomads but it is certainly an affordable and budget-friendly city. Here’s a rough breakdown of the cost of living.
| Nomad’s cost of living | $1786/month (€1661) |
| Cost of living for a family | $2294/month (€2135) |
| Hotel | $1114/month (€1036) |
| Studio in the city center (1br rent) | $358/month (€334) |
| Airbnb | $1354/month (€1260) |
| Dinner | $5.42 (€5.04) |
| Beer | $2.64 (€2.46) |
| Taxi | $4.46/trip (€4.15) |
| Coca-cola | $0.85 (€0.79) |
| Coffee | $3.52 (€3.28) |
| Coworking desk | $159/month (€148) |
The average cost of living for a digital nomad is $850 (794€) /per month in Merida Mexico. However, this may vary based on your accommodation and general lifestyle. You can get local rentals and co-living spaces for less than $500 (€467)/month while a luxurious hotel stay can cost $1000 (€934) per night so it really depends on your personal choices.
Culture, Nature, and Food in Merida Mexico
Merida, with its historic architecture, rich history, live performances, and museums, is nothing short of a masterpiece. From traditional to high cuisine, all sorts of food is found here depending on your preferences.
As for the culture, you can always learn more about it by simply engaging with the locals and exploring the city. It can also be enjoyed in the free events happening all year long.
The ancient ruins, Mayan culture, and historic buildings add to the intrigue of the city and they are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Best Time to Visit Merida Mexico
The best time to visit Merida in terms of weather is definitely during the high season. Since Merida is warm all year long, this is the only time when heat is bearable. This period comes between December and April when the weather is near perfect. With a dry and balmy atmosphere, you can engage in sightseeing and outdoor activities. Visiting in the winter holidays will also give you the opportunity to enjoy the carnival and easter.
In terms of affordability, the prices recede in the low season and the crowd decreases too. The best time occurs between May-June and September-November when weather conditions influence the tourists. The heat decreases the flow of tourists in the former period while the rainy season reduces the inflow of visitors in the latter. This is the best time to explore the city on a budget.
12 Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico
If nothing else, Merida is home to some of the most exhilarating sights. There is plenty to see and do in the city but here are the 12 best things to do.
1. Walking food tour
Merida is known for its delicious street food so naturally one of the best things to do is go on a walking food tour. While the city is home to several bustling cafes, the traditional recipes and rich taste can only be experienced by the street vendors.
2. Visit plaza grande
Your tour to Merida is incomplete without a visit to Plaza Grande. Since this city has a bunch of admirable historic buildings with remarkable architecture, be sure to see governor’s palace, Casa Montejo, Catedral San Ildefonso, Olimpo Cultural Center, and City Hall.
3. Chicken Itza
The ancient ruins in Merida along with colonial architecture are definite items on every tourist’s checklist. Be sure to visit Chicken Itza, a sight-worthy ancient Mayan ruin located only 1.5 hours away from the city.
4. Visit the cenotes
If you have had a long day and the sun hasn’t been friendly, you can always go to cenotes and cool off. The best part is that entrance fees tend to be really low and affordable.
5. Visit centro historico
Located downtown, this is one of the most vibrant and culturally rich spots. This historic center consists of vintage cantinas, beautiful homes, beautiful parks, picturesque streets, and colonial architecture. A day spent there will be a day well spent.
6. Visit Merida cathedral
Built in 1598, the Merida Cathedral is a real ancient beauty. Not only is it the biggest cathedral in Merida but also the oldest church in the entire continent. When in Merida, make sure to visit this piece of perfection and enjoy a dose of history.
7. People-watch
One of the best things to do in Merida is people-watching. The evenings are filled with bustling crowds and there is nothing better than walking in the Plaza Grande and people-watching along the way.
8. Visit the Mayan World Museum
The Mayan history is a huge part of Merida and the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya is the perfect place to experience it. Filled with Mayan art and artefacts, it is every history lover’s dream.
9. Visit Parque Santa Lucia
If you want to engage with the locals and enjoy a fun-filled night then be sure to pay a visit to Santa Lucia Park at night. With live music, dancing, and energetic ambience, the park truly comes alive.
10. Free walking tour
If you’re on a budget but want to make the best out of your visit then this is the best thing to do. Merida’s free walking tour allows you to explore the city’s beautiful sights, colonial architecture, and rich history for free. The local tour guide certainly makes it a lot more informative and fun.
11. Restaurant row
If you’re in Merida then you must visit the famous restaurant row at least once. Located at the southern end of Paseo Montejo, the row houses some of the best restaurants, cafes, and food corners.
12. Visit Mercado Lucas de Galves
To further immerse yourself in the culture, make sure to visit the Mercado Lucas de Galves market. This large and traditional marketplace lets you shop for fruits, spices, and memorable souvenirs.
Is Merida Mexico safe?
Merida, the capital of the Yucatan peninsula is not only considered the safest city in Mexico but the safest place in all of North America. Like any other place, it is not perfect but it is surely considered safe enough for women and children.
Visa requirements in Merida Mexico
If this city has captured your eye as a digital nomad and compelled you to pack your bags then you must learn some basics about visa requirements.
You can spend more than 180 days in Mexico by acquiring a Mexico digital nomad visa or temporary residence visa. Here’s what you will need for your application.
- Visa application form
- Valid passport
- Copy of the passport
- Colored passport photo
- Proof of income
- Proof of residence
Conclusion
I wish you a good luck on your journey. As discussed in detail above, Merida is a culturally rich, beautiful, and affordable place. Be sure to complete your research before you take further steps!
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.
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