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SCOUTING TRIPS WITH EXPATSI

Step into Mérida to discover warm colonial streets and people, cultural events, affordable healthcare, and something-for-everyone charm—with guided experience through historic neighborhoods, local markets buzzing with color, and real estate information to help you see where you might build your next chapter.

Pricing:  $1,999 Single / $2,999 Couple

NEXT DATES:  November 5-11, 2026

BOOK THIS TRIP

Included

  • Welcome Email with Questionnaire 
  • Communication via WhatsApp Group
  • Orientation Consultation via Zoom 
  • Daily Transportation for Tour Days (during tour hours only)
  • Lunch on Day #1 – Professionals Day
  • Reception on Day #1 – Meet Locals
  • LIMITED TO 12 GUESTS

Not Included

  • Accommodations: we’ll share our top recommendations for different budgets
  • Airport Transfers: we’ll share our trusted airport pickup service
  • Transportation:  outside of tour hours (Uber is readily available & affordable)
  • Tips: for service providers (daily transportation driver, hotel staff, etc.)
  • Optional:  Activities, Excursions, Personal Services

Other

  • Book Shoulder Days (before OR after):  for additional services (first come, first served / based on availability / extra cost)
  • FREE:  Nightly Cultural Events
  • Recommendations:  Cooking Classes, Market Tours, Archaeological Sites, Magic Towns, & More

Educational Guides

  • Mérida Visitor’s Guide – 56 pages of important resources and helpful phone numbers
  • Top 10 Tips for Research Trip – helpful to stay focused and on task
  • Learn About Mérida Guide – 98 pages to start the process of becoming more familiar with the culture, the city, and pertinent details
  • Neighborhoods: Centro & North Guide – 49 pages highlighting popular neighborhoods of Centro, the modern North, and areas to avoid
  • Moving: Timeline & Logistics Guide – 44 page plan to assist with preparation and planning

Real Estate Insider Knowledge 

  • Tip Sheet for Renters – deposits, deposit returns, expectations, and pitfalls to avoid
  • Tip Sheet for Buyers – fideicomiso process, home inspections, negotiation, and moving money for your purchase
  • Real Estate Guide – 47 pages to educate and inform as well as shed light on how to avoid problems when renting and/or buying
  • Home Maintenance Guide – due to the tropical climate, home maintenance is constant and with this guide, you’ll know what to do, when to do it, and who to call for services

Professional Resources including: 

  • residency
  • insurance
  • construction / general contractor
  • home maintenance
  • landscape design
  • banking
  • medical
  • legal services
  • handymen
  • pool and home maintenance
  • interior/exterior design
  • and many more

ARRIVAL

  • We recommend flying into Mérida (vs. Cancun)
  • Airport Transfers
  • Hotel Check-In
  • Prepare for an Educational Experience! 

DAY ONE – PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

A dedicated presentation day featuring local professionals is an invaluable cornerstone of your scouting trip, offering direct access to specialized, timely, and region-specific expertise.

Hearing directly from experts in areas like real estate, immigration law, insurance, and property maintenance allows you to gather vetted, accurate information that is essential for making informed decisions and avoiding costly logistical mistakes.

This concentrated session cuts through internet speculation and provides a crucial foundation for planning your actual move and securing your future in Mérida.

DAY ONE – RECEPTION WITH LOCAL EXPATS

Meet some of our friends who started out just like you! Get to know people who have been exactly where you are and learn what worked and didn’t work for them. Everyone has a unique situation and needs. Having like-minded individuals helps make the transition real. 

If you’re wondering how you will meet others, this is your opportunity to be part of a group to find your community!

DAY TWO – FOCUS ON CENTRO

The charm of Mérida begins with enchanting neighborhoods, especially in Centro. You’ll find a little bit of history and activities in each one. One thing to keep in mind, there are no lines of demarcation between the neighborhoods. This area is much larger than people think.

We’ll explore the most popular neighborhoods in Centro, walk through hidden-gem markets, and stop for photo ops along the route. The highlight of the day will be lunch in a delicious local restaurant. We will discuss real estate information, statistics, rental rates, and average sales prices in different neighborhoods. We’ll visit 1-2 homes to demonstate the differences between real estate in the U.S./Canada and here. 

DAY THREE – FOCUS ON NORTH & SUBURBS

North Mérida is a vibrant and dynamic area of the city, with many distinct neighborhoods that offer an array of lifestyle options for those who choose to make it their home.  The suburbs provide a quieter, more affordable lifestyle. Ideal for families, many homes have larger yards and more square footage.

As we scout each area, we’ll provide real estate information, statistics, rental rates, and average sales prices in different neighborhoods. You’ll have links to see insides of homes and get a feel for the areas.

DAY FOUR – FOCUS ON BEACHES

There are quite a few beaches close to Mérida; each with their own unique aesthetic and personality. Some are more popular with foreigners and visitors while others are quieter, local spots.

The most popular beach destination is Progreso. The Malecon is home to dozens of touristic shops, great restaurants, and hotels. Receiving cruises from around the world, the Progreso Pier is the longest in the world, stretching approximately 4 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.

We’ll explore beaches from Telchac Puerto to Progreso to Chuburna, stopping for lunch on the Malecon (boardwalk) in Progreso. You’ll have links to see insides of homes and get a feel for the areas.

DAY FIVE – FREE DAY

We can help with:

  • Cooking Classes / Market Tours
  • Day Trips / Excursions
  • Shopping
  • Archaeological Sites
  • Museums / Cultural Activities
  • Rest & Relaxation
  • Hospital Faro Tour
  • Booking Private Driver for more city exploration
Amy & Angel set the bar for scouting trips. Their pre-trip materials/resources were so helpful and when I prepared to join another Expatsi trip, I felt a little lost without the information on hotel recommendations and airport/hotel transfer info. The day-long Professional Seminar was VERY helpful (compared to 15-20 minute presentations). The fact that A&A have English speaking professionals is HUGE.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
Providing water and snacks during the neighborhood visits was greatly appreciated (thank you also for the goodie bags). 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. Very nicely done!
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
I really appreciated Amy's very serious explanation/expectation that we honor the culture we're visiting. Her guidance how to greet people, pass locals on a sidewalk or in a store, and to avoid comparisons helped us be good ambassadors for our countries. Which is so very important.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
What a dynamic, interesting, interested, engaged, thoughtful, fun, tireless, caring couple. So well suited to their surrounds, their vocation, and genuine people people, with empathy and a deep understanding of what motivators play into the many decisions facing would-be transplants to Merida.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
Amy and Angel were well-organized, friendly and helpful from start to finish. I felt very supported every step of the way.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
Your abundance of knowledge, assistance and energy was incredibly helpful! The video meetings were reassuring. And I loved the laughter in the van.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
Amy & 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 GuestNov 6-10, 2025
I enjoyed the Mayan pride. The friendliness of the people. And the diversity. Lots of resources to support new expats. Merida is our first choice, should we need to live outside the USA for awhile. Making a change is possible, the importance of cultural knowledge/reverence, and the network of professionals is essential (such as valuable part of the trip).
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
This trip was chock-full of great information. The pleasure of Amy and Angel's company and their extensive knowledge of all aspects of daily life. They were quick to offer answers, resources and valuable advice for every question or situation.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
If you're considering moving to Mérida (or any place that Expatsi offers tours), don't hesitate to book a trip! It's a great crash course to jump start your research. It significantly informs important aspects of making the daunting decision to expat feel actually attainable.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
This trip was everything I could have possibly needed to better educate myself about the city and the culture. I highly recommend this exact trip for anyone who is even remotely thinking about moving to Merida.
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
Amy and Angel are the full package! Genuine, warm, uber-knowledgeable, open, insightful, empathetic, and oh so connected to everything Merida! 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. Take it from a world traveler, you simply can't go wrong with Amy and Angel!
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 2025
Amy and Angel thoughtfully planned every detail to ensure that we were informed and prepared for all aspects of daily living (good, bad, & ugly included). And it's a wonderful feeling to have contacts for vetted, trustworthy professionals BEFORE moving to a brand new place. Even though I'm still deciding where to move, I feel so much more educated and empowered to make the right decision for me. Thanks Expatsi!!
Scouting Trip GuestNov 6-10, 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 GuestNov 6-10, 2025
Amy and Angel are wonderful, kind, very informative people and I really enjoyed spending time with them!!! Amy and Angel were fantastic hosts.
Scouting Trip GuestFeb 26-March 2, 2025
Mérida is a magical town, & I want to look at a couple of other places as well. I got a good feel for the processes and how it would be to live in Merida (and/or to spend any significant amount of time there).
Scouting Trip GuestFeb 26-March 2, 2025
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 GuestFeb 26-March 2, 2025
All the speakers did a GREAT job in presenting their topic(s) within the time they had. And there was a really good variety of speakers.
Scouting Trip GuestFeb 26-March 2, 2025
Expressing deep gratitude AND admiration for the work you put into a seamless experience. Your tireless efforts and genuinely warm hospitality radiated throughout my journey with the group. Great vibe among us all, IMHO primarily fueled by your positivity, warmth, and sincere love for your home, life, family, and work. I depart today with a fresh view of the people, culture, and yes the challenges facing Yucataneans and transplants.
Scouting Trip GuestFeb 26-March 2, 2025
Thank you, Amy! Both you and Angel did an amazing job familiarizing us with the communities and way of life here. It's definitely an eye opener and helps me understand what our journey would look like to move here. I still feel like I have a million questions, but I think that just interprets to a million things I need to do to get here. We shall see what the future holds. Hasta luego!
Scouting Trip GuestFeb 26-March 2, 2025
I've thought so much about Merida since I left. You all showed me an incredible amount in such a short time! I told Brett from Expatis that after such an exceptional scouting experience with you and Angel, that no one could ever compare to you!
Scouting Trip GuestFeb 26-March 2, 2025

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