GROUP SCOUTING TRIPS
Thinking about Mérida? Scout with us
Created by Expatsi*, this small-group scouting trip is hosted by Amy and Angel — experience neighborhoods, real estate, local professionals, and the real rhythm of life here before you commit to the move.
*Expatsi is a relocation company that helps Americans move overseas, co-founded by Jen Barnett. Expatsi Go (also referred to as expatsiGo) is their interactive web platform and app that gamifies the international move by breaking the relocation process into manageable steps and roadmaps.
WHAT YOU WALK AWAY WITH
We are honored to partner with Expatsi on this important journey to show you our beautiful city and how to thrive here. Life in Mérida™ is the first and original scouting and research tour company in Mérida.
NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILIARITY
Centro vs. The North vs Suburbs vs Beaches
REAL ESTATE KNOWLEDGE
Renting requirements, buying with a Fideicomiso
MEET LOCAL RESIDENTS
Ask other residents about their life & journey
PROFESSIONAL INTRODUCTIONS
Insurance, medical, legal, immigration, & more
INSURANCE SPECIFICS
Public vs. private, how to navigate the system
MOVING LOGISTICS
What to do, when to do it, how to do it
THE ITINERARY
Presentations, Introductions, & 3 Scouting Days
ARRIVAL
From airport transfers to hotel check-in to what to expect. We’ll help you with all the details to make sure you get settled in.
DAY ONE — AM
Meet a variety of professionals including real estate, immigration, insurance, healthcare, and more.
DAY ONE — PM
Join us for a fun evening meeting locals. We’ll introduce you to people who have gone through the process and live here.
DAY TWO
We’ll tour the Mérida English Library, historic centro neighborhoods, hidden gem markets, and discuss cost of living.
DAY THREE
We’ll go by Slow Foods Market on our way to The North and suburbs to see different types of housing and lifestyle options.
DAY FOUR
A variety of charming beaches include Telchac Puerto, Progreso, and Chelem. We’ll have time on the Malecon for shopping.
DAY FIVE
Cooking classes, archaeological sites, cultural activities, museums or rest and relaxation. We can help you with activities.
DAY SIX
Gather up your goodies, thoughts, notes, and hopefully we will see you again. Hasta Pronto or Hasta Luego! Safe travels.
OPTIONAL
Book additional days before or after tour dates. If you need help with an itinerary, we can curate one for an additional cost.
WHAT’S INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED / BONUSES
Preparation
INCLUDED
· Welcome questionnaire
· WhatsApp group
· Orientation Zoom
· Daily transport during tour hours
· Lunch on day 1
· Welcome reception
· Lifetime access to online portal
NOT INCLUDED
· Airport transfers
· Transportation outside tour hours
· Tips for bus driver
· Optional activities
· Meals (except day 1)
BONUSES
· Nightly free cultural events
· Access to expert guides
· Professional appointments
· Gastronomic destination restaurants
· Meet other like-minded guests
· Gift bag with artisanal products
· Local magazines for more info
BONUSES
Take home our complete library
Every guest receives over 200 pages of curated Mérida resources — yours to keep.
· Mérida Visitor’s Guide (52 pp)
· Mérida Driving Guide (16 pp)
· Top 10 Research Trip Tips (14 pp)
· The Mérida Real Estate Guide (49 pp)
· Learn About Mérida Guide (39 pp)
· Mérida Packing List (5 pp)
· Mérida Neighborhoods (50 pp)
VALUABLE FEEDBACK
What our guests have said
“Amy and Angel are excellent at what they do. Their knowledge is tremendous, their connectedness to the groups needs is outstanding and they are warm and fun people. Truly, I can’t say enough good things about them and the experience overall. So thorough, patient, kind, accommodating!”
Scouting Trip Guest
November 2025
Amy and Angel are the full package! Genuine, warm, uber-knowledgeable, open, insightful, empathetic, and oh so connected to everything Mérida! They know the places, people, ins-and-outs of many consideration sets for would-be transplants. So much valuable, timely, current information is made available, from the day you sign up for a scouting trip, and onward. This is THE way to explore your options in a jam-packed few days.”
Scouting Trip Guest
November 2025
“I came on my own and not having traveled much recently made me fearful. Amy and Angel kept us so informed, made themselves available which put me at ease so much!
Now that I want to pursue this dream, I feel blessed to have this network of people that I genuinely like spending time with!! It’s inspiring!”
Scouting Trip Guest
November 2025
“Using Notion (online information platform) as our reference point pre-, post-, and during the trip is a great repository for the information that kept growing for us to reference. The best part was helping me understand everything that I will need while I live abroad and knowing that I could have a dedicated person help me.”
Scouting Trip Guest
November 2025
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Frequently asked questions
While a litte bit of working knowledge is helpful, you absolutely do NOT need speak Spanish. We are here to help you navigate not just the language differences but also the cultural differences. We’ll also teach you some key phrases to get started feeling like a local 😉
While you do have some arrival options, we ALWAYS suggest flying in to Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport. Located inside the city limits of Mérida, it’s only a 20 minute drive to Centro. Yes, it is more expensive but avoiding all the traffic, transfers, and other aggravating details is worth the extra money.
We would LOVE for you to extend your trip. We can assist with accommodations, itineraries, and any other travel plans or things you want to do, see, and accomplish. Just let us know as far in advance as possible.
Our scouting trips are intended to give you the insider’s view of what life is like. This is part of the preliminary research you may want to do to see if Mérida is a fit for you. Visiting for a short amount of time may lead to another longer, more involved stay. You may want one-on-one assistance on a return trip and we can help with that too. No matter how far out your timeline is, it’s always a good time to visit.
We have a variety of hotels we work with located within walking distance to restaurants, cafes, shopping, and more. All of them have pools for your convenience.
Review the details on Expatsi to see current refund and cancellation policy:
Cancellation Policy
50% of your trip purchase price is refundable if you cancel at least 30 days before the start of the trip. We do not offer any refunds within 30 days of your trip.
PRICING + NEXT TRIP
November 5 - 11, 2026
For more information about Scouting Mérida with Expatsi, Amy Jones, and Angel Rodriguez, visit the ExpatsiGo site: