In the words of Mayor Renán Barrera, “Mérida, the safest city in Mexico, has a citizen agenda that is an example to follow in matters of security and public order, thanks in large part to the work of our police corporations. If something distinguishes Mérida in terms of security, it is precisely the prevention actions of the municipal police corporation, as well as the high-quality human capital that integrates it, which forms the first link to build safe cities.” From Hurricanes to Mosquitoes, Safety Tips for Mérida Mexico is one of the most important articles to bookmark for your visit to Mérida!
Mérida is:
Mérida is Mexico’s safest city and the safest city in Latin America.
Possibly, one of the primary reasons Merida is so safe is due to a large amount of police scattered throughout the city.
The city of Mérida police force is strategically placed all over the city to support, guide, and mostly keep things under control. Extra police officers are added to the Centro (City Center) patrol beat to watch over tourists namely around banks, ATMs, restaurants, and transportation hubs to prepare for high-season which is October through March.
Because Mérida is not on a beach, many people come for the tranquility, arts, culture, food, and history.
There are times when we may not feel as safe as we can. This is normal when traveling or living in a foreign country. At times, our “gut instinct” will warn us about potential situations that may not be in our best interest.
You can take safety precautions that may help you feel better, especially if you are alone and/or a woman.
Safety is the number one priority of any ride platform you take such as Uber.
As soon as I get in the car, I always check to ensure that the windows are not locked as well.
There are safety features for those who feel uncomfortable getting in a car with a stranger.
REMEMBER . . .
If, at any time, you feel unsafe – tell them the following, “Disculpe, por favor ……terminado.” and get out of the car.
I have only had one bad experience where the very young driver was texting during the ride and acting slightly erratic. I was very close to my house so I stayed in the car.
Once I arrived, I immediately reported him to Uber (you have to use the app) as recommended by safety tips for Mérida Mexico. A representative called within an hour to get the issue resolved and refunded my money for that ride.
Just like anything else you purchase outside of your home country, be cautious and careful. Buying medicine in Mexico can be extremely beneficial such as:
Thousands upon thousands of people cross the border annually to purchase medications at lower costs. As you might expect, easy access to medications leads to self-diagnosis, prescribing, and, at times, unpredictable results. While pharmaceuticals can be a huge bargain, ensure you know what you are getting.
While the FDA oversees the U.S. drug industry, prescription drugs in Mexico are not as heavily regulated. Buyers should be cautious and ask questions before purchasing.
Image Credit: Rafael Heredia-Abuxapqui of Bessanova Producciones and Bessanova Aerial Eye.
Driving in another country can be particularly daunting and you’ll find driving in Mérida will be quite different than driving in other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you’ve ever driven in other parts of Mexico, you’ll know driving in the Yucatan is a luxury with well-maintained highways. Not surprisingly, smaller streets can have their share of potholes. While larger potholes seem to appear after periods of harsh rainy storms, they eventually get filled.
You’ve heard this advice a million times –
Go slow, watch the streets, and look out for the numerous vehicles and pedestrians. You’ll also want to pay careful attention to cars stopping in front of you to allow their passengers to get out of the car. Uber drivers are notorious for stopping quickly on both the left and the right-hand sides of the street.
Most importantly, ensure you arrive into the city limits of Mérida at least one hour before dark. Driving in Mérida can be quite tricky as the streets are difficult to navigate. Many streets are one way and not visibly marked. In addition to this, street parking can be a challenge as it is very limited. Therefore, you may consider renting a house with off-street parking to alleviate any parking issues.
Observe how the locals drive and fall into their examples. You’ll eventually find your way that is a combination of locals, expats, and foreigners.
While there are some parking lots and garages around town, typically found in grocery stores or malls, parking can be a challenge. Street parking is to be used with caution. Dents and dings are common. As well as the person that pulls up so close behind you that you can’t get out of your parking place.
I would say the majority of Mexicans do not speed. Any kind of traffic offense leads to dealing with the police, it’s better not to do it. Drivers go along with the flow of traffic. So if the speed limit says 40 and the flow of traffic is at 50, then maintain a speed that feels safe and legal for you.
While driving in Mérida, you’ll find a system of one-way streets that grid the city. You’ll know the directions by one of these things:
From a rope across the road to dots on the road to larger humps and massive bumps, all these are used to reduce your speed.
While the culture of Mexico is a slower pace, this does not apply when driving. If you are going slow, stay in the right lane, or get ready to go with the flow of traffic. On highways, only pass on the left such as the left-hand lane. On smaller roads, like the one you’ll take for a day trip, maintain your speed legally. If another car comes up behind you, pull carefully to the shoulder, and allow them to pass.
Unfortunately, the police are not well respected in Mexico. For this reason, it is an absolute necessity to be overly respectful. If you do get pulled over for any reason, normally the first thing you will hear is about “el respeto” or respect. This is another one of the most important safety tips for Mérida Mexico.
There are 2 very important reasons to purchase insurance on your rental car:
No, the rule for turning right is indicated by the sign marked “Continua”. This means you can turn right with caution as oncoming traffic has the right of way.
Yes, there are cross-walks for pedestrians so be sure you know what these look like. Knowing when you need to pause for people crossing the street is important. However, pedestrians do not have the right of way. It is up to the pedestrian to watch out, pause, or stop to defer to the oncoming traffic.
You’ll find a plethora of vehicles on the road. Not surprisingly, the largest vehicle will rule the road. Yes, trucks are large but buses are bigger and more intimidating.
Mexico has some perfectly fine traffic laws, but they tend to be viewed as suggestions more than rules, or perhaps many drivers are just oblivious – it’s hard to know which.
Do not move your car and wait until the police arrive to answer any questions. In the event someone is hurt, you may be detained until the person at fault is determined. Sometimes the police will impound your vehicle, it will depend on the circumstances.
Learning to navigate the narrow streets, watching out for smaller vehicles including motorcycles and bicycles during the day will help you at night.
You’re finally driving in Mérida and so proud of yourself. But wait, the two-way street you were on turned into a one-way street without any warning. If people are waving at you, they are trying to tell you that you are going the wrong way.
Remember, gas stations have attendants that will direct you into the proper lane to have your gas tank filled.
On the grid of Mérida, even-numbered streets run north-south while odd-numbered streets run east-west. Most of these streets are one way. An important factor to note is that numbering begins anew in each colonia or neighborhood of the city.
Narrow, neighborhood streets typically don’t have any type of lane indicators. On some, you may find faded yellow crosswalk lines with a white line indicating where you should stop at a red light. Don’t take for granted that you’ll see visible lines on larger streets either.
Yes, there are rules. However, I’ve yet to determine the hard and fast rules for actually using the lanes, which ones to use if you need to go all the way around or if you are making just a quick right turn.
Motorcycles of all sizes including scooters zip in and out of traffic at lighting speed. Use special caution when driving because these smaller methods of transportation can creep up on you in a hurry.
If you break down, there is a free service called Green Angels. Think about the Mexican equivalent to Triple-A. This helpful bilingual crew patrols federal highways and toll roads throughout Mexico to help stranded motorists.
If your vehicle breaks down, pull over to the side of the road. Lift the hood to signal them. Call the phone number: 01-800-987-8224. If you have an emergency, you can also dial 078. Although this service is free, be sure to tip your helpful crew.
For the most part, mosquito bites in Mexico are just plain annoying. While the risk of contracting a disease is low, it is still something to be aware of. When a mosquito bites, they mix the blood of the host with the saliva in their mouth which can carry diseases. But you should still be aware of the diseases you can contract when bitten by a mosquito.
Mosquito-borne diseases include:
While the chance of contracting Malaria from mosquitoes in Mexico is very low, the U.S. Center for Disease Control advises pregnant women and their partners to take special precautions due to the risk of Zika Virus. Also watch out for Dengue Fever, especially in the jungle and mangrove areas.
What’s more . . .
I have a few friends that have contracted Dengue Fever and reported that it feels like the flu, except worse. Fortunately, they have all recovered and are well.
If you think you have been bitten by a mosquito and present any of these symptoms, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.
Mérida offers world-class medical services because of its superior infrastructure of facilities and professionals. Hospitals and clinics in Mérida provide a range of specialties comparable to Europe and North America. Doctors, consultants, highly-trained staff, surgery facilities, recovery rooms, clinical analysis laboratories, and additional dedicated treatment facilities are generally quite affordable compared to many other countries.
If you need to go to the hospital, keep these tips in mind:
The worst thing that can happen is to need a hospital or clinic and
not be able to find one due to being in a panic or an emergency situation.
You’ll also find private hospitals in Mérida, Mexico like StarMedica and Clinica Mérida will accept anyone who can pay. Don’t take it for granted that your medical insurance will also cover emergencies or procedures while you are out of the country. You may also want to explore travel insurance as well.
If you do end up needing emergency services, don’t panic. More than likely the prices are also probably less than what you would pay out of pocket for the same services back home. Unlike in the USA, you do not necessarily have to go to a hospital for surgery. At the current time in Mérida, you’ll find close to twenty different clinics that also provide surgical and recovery services.
The most frequently asked question when you are getting ready to travel to Mexico is, “Is the water safe?” I can say that I have NEVER been sick from the food or water in Mexico. Maybe it’s because I’ve learned a few tips and tricks over the years which I will share with you here.
To be completely safe, only drink the water if it is bottled water.
I think we could all agree that it’s a possibility that Americans don’t have enough germs in their system. In the US, there is a larger use of antibacterial products and ultimately, we need to have some good bacteria to fight the bad bacteria. When we travel, regardless of the location, we are subjected to germs and foreign germs.
Most locals don’t drink water. Actually, they don’t drink a lot of water, period. When in Rome, or in this case when in Mexico, do as the locals do and don’t drink the tap water.
To stay as healthy as possible, consider the following recommendations:
Due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Mérida experiences hurricanes about every 15 years. The last two hurricanes were Wilma in October of 2005 and Isidore in 2002. Therefore when hurricanes happen in the Yucatan Peninsula, it is possible for them to hit Merida as well. The last two hurricanes to hit the state capital were Isidore in 2002 and Wilma in 2005.
Right on time, heavy rainfall starts the last week of May and continues into the first part of June. This is also the hottest and most humid time of year as well. Mérida experiences tropical storms as well as hurricanes. It’s important to know when is hurricane season in Mérida Mexico?
Hurricane season is June through November.
While the actual season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, hurricanes do happen outside of this time frame. The National Hurricane Center has the ability to both predict and track these massive storm systems. On average, these storm systems occur 12 times annually in the Atlantic basin.
Once you experience your first tropical storm, you will have a better idea of what else you might need to help you stay safe and comfortable.
When you are looking at visiting Mérida and trying to decide where to stay, utilize Google Maps or Google Earth to check out your surroundings. You can virtually see the area to become familiar with it. If you feel uncomfortable, find another location, and do the same. Pay attention to the date on the images for safety tips for Mérida Mexico. Some may be older however you will still be able to get a feel for the area.
Remember, like any city of a million people, petty crime and property theft do happen. However, in Mérida violent crime is rare. Most crimes that occur here are crimes of opportunity – not preplanned.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times and if you need more information, find more resources here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifeinmerida
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