The Yucatan peninsula is a great place to go if you’re looking to relocate to a safer environment that is slightly cheaper than your home country. While the Yucatan peninsula is surrounded by other Mexican states that are considered dangerous, it’s relatively safe. I’ve been living here for about two years and I feel safer here than where I lived in the United States.
There is an abundance of development going on in this region right now, and it’s growing like crazy. I lived in a developed metroplex for 20+ years, what I see happening now is the beginning of a growing metro area. Those who buy now will be very happy 5 to 10 years down the road.
There is an abundance of development going on in this region right now, and it’s growing like crazy. I lived in a developed metroplex for 20+ years, what I see happening now is the beginning of a growing metro area. Those who buy now will be very happy 5 to 10 years down the road.
Is It Safe To Move To The Yucatán Peninsula?
Yucatán is relatively safe, there are dangers out there and there are problem areas that you want to avoid but for the most part, it is relatively safe. Especially if you are a foreigner who does not speak the language. There are portions of the Yucatán peninsula that you may want to be slightly more cautious in for example, the state of Quintana Roo (this is where Cancun and Playa Del Carmen are located) You may at very least hear stories of violence in the news, and form locals.
These areas have been known for criminal activity. I Live near Merida and have met many individuals both expats and Mexican nations that have relocated from the state of Quintana Roo due to things they have witnessed. However there are still plenty of ex-pats that live there and have made that place their home. It's best to make your own judgment on what you consider safe.
These areas have been known for criminal activity. I Live near Merida and have met many individuals both expats and Mexican nations that have relocated from the state of Quintana Roo due to things they have witnessed. However there are still plenty of ex-pats that live there and have made that place their home. It's best to make your own judgment on what you consider safe.
Living in the Safety of the State of Yucatan
From my personal experience living in this region when it comes to safety, I have noticed that there is still organized crime operating in the Mexican State of Yucatan. However, it is not out in the open like you see in other portions of Mexico. The police presence in this area seems to be fairly strong.
I'm not going to sugarcoat safety in the Yucatan peninsula like most Expats and Mexican nationals do. There is danger; gangs are operating in the area. I've seen evidence of them. I've seen their graffiti, I know what it looks like. I was fortunate to have lived around this type of culture before moving to Mexico, so I can easily recognize organized crime while most people can't. I'm here to tell you that there are things that you need to be aware of. You should never let your guard down just because everyone's telling you “it's safe”.
I'm not going to sugarcoat safety in the Yucatan peninsula like most Expats and Mexican nationals do. There is danger; gangs are operating in the area. I've seen evidence of them. I've seen their graffiti, I know what it looks like. I was fortunate to have lived around this type of culture before moving to Mexico, so I can easily recognize organized crime while most people can't. I'm here to tell you that there are things that you need to be aware of. You should never let your guard down just because everyone's telling you “it's safe”.
What You Should Know As A Foreigner in the Yucatan
One thing you need to keep in mind if you have never traveled abroad and you're coming to Mexico is, that some people look at you like a walking ATM. Now it's not everyone and it's not something you should be paranoid about but it is something you should have in the back of your mind. You may get overcharged if you're not aware and if you don't speak the language.
Some people may try to intimidate you into giving money through violent action or their power and authority AKA The Police. You need to keep your eyes open you need to understand the language especially, if you're traveling with your family.
Some people may try to intimidate you into giving money through violent action or their power and authority AKA The Police. You need to keep your eyes open you need to understand the language especially, if you're traveling with your family.
Bad Neighborhoods Near Merida Yucatan
There are certain areas that I will point out here that I would be on a higher alert when you travel in and around Merida Yucatan. .Now, this is just from my own experience so there are probably more locations that could be mentioned in this article but for now I'm just going to go off of what I know and experience myself.
Marco Plaza
Now this is a place that's located just outside of Merida there is a Walmart nearby there is small little shopping mall it's in an industrial area just outside of a town called Chichi Suarez. Now for the most part this area is relatively safe. You typically don't see too many expats here.
When I go to Marco Plaza I always notice something going on. For example I have seen people doing shady stuff in the parking lot, I've had people sneaking around my car, and I've had people try to physically intimidate me here. You may not notice a lot of these things until somebody physically tries to intimidate you. I'm not saying don't go to this place but when you do keep your head on a swivel. I try to limit how often I go to Macro Plaza.
When I go to Marco Plaza I always notice something going on. For example I have seen people doing shady stuff in the parking lot, I've had people sneaking around my car, and I've had people try to physically intimidate me here. You may not notice a lot of these things until somebody physically tries to intimidate you. I'm not saying don't go to this place but when you do keep your head on a swivel. I try to limit how often I go to Macro Plaza.
Conkal
Conkal is located outside of Merida this town is relatively safe. There are plenty of expats who live here. It is a very cultural town and also a booming town. I come to this area a few times a month. I have noticed some hostility from drunk Mexican nationals towards expats.
Another thing that I have picked up here is graffiti from well-known organized gangs in the area. Now I'm not saying that you should be paranoid of this place. There are plenty of expats who live in Conkal that don't even speak Spanish and have never had any issues but, you do need to be aware that there are things going on in this town.
Another thing that I have picked up here is graffiti from well-known organized gangs in the area. Now I'm not saying that you should be paranoid of this place. There are plenty of expats who live in Conkal that don't even speak Spanish and have never had any issues but, you do need to be aware that there are things going on in this town.
Progresso
This area is relatively safe it's a great place. I lived there for some time. There are plenty of expats living in Progresso year-round. There is amazing food, the beaches are nice, and most of the people are friendly. However, there are some things you need to be aware of. In this town you will encounter people that are doing stuff they shouldn't be. Now again it's very subtle in this area besides the occasional drunk. I've rarely had a problem with anyone here. At night it's relatively safe to walk around depending on the area you're in. You shouldn't be wandering around the streets at night If dont know where you are going.
I do recommend keeping a close eye on your children especially in the Malecon area and on the beach where there is a lot of people moving around. Some bad individuals use crowded places to their advantage.
While there are things going on in Progresso, I would still say It's relatively safe. If you're with your family just keep your eyes open. The criminal activity that's going on here is not involving tourism for the most part, it's pretty subtle just remember, this town is located in a major port, so there are things that come in and out of this port that people don't want to be public about.
I do recommend keeping a close eye on your children especially in the Malecon area and on the beach where there is a lot of people moving around. Some bad individuals use crowded places to their advantage.
While there are things going on in Progresso, I would still say It's relatively safe. If you're with your family just keep your eyes open. The criminal activity that's going on here is not involving tourism for the most part, it's pretty subtle just remember, this town is located in a major port, so there are things that come in and out of this port that people don't want to be public about.
Business Opportunities In Merdia Yucatan
As I mentioned before there is development going on left and right outside of the city of Merida even within. It’s unfortunate to see a lot of the forest getting destroyed however, at this point, it is so far along in the construction that there is turning back.
That being said there are still plenty of opportunities out there to snag cheap land, commercial real estate, and residential real estate as well. There are plenty of foreign businesses that are doing very well here. In Merida there are multiple Dairy Queens, there’s a Home Depot there’s a Costco there’s multiple Walmarts. And many other American companies that we are familiar with. As well as some European and Asian businesses as well. So there is plenty of opportunity for anyone looking to come here, start a new life, and take advantage of the booming market here in Merida and the surrounding districts.
I personally cannot speak for Europe or Asia expats but I see now there is an influx of Americans coming here to escape the problems going on right now in the USA. It’s not just retired couples living off of their Social Security checks here in Mexico anymore. There are families with young children and younger entrepreneurs who are digital or digital nomads, There are people of all races coming here to settle down.
I find this pretty interesting since right now and the year of 2024 there is a massive migration of people moving north towards the United States and at the same time, there’s a massive migration of people moving away from the United States. Whether you like it or not it’s happening and it’s up to you how you want to position yourself for a great transfer of wealth that will be taking place and is currently happening right now.
If you are looking to position yourself in a place where you are going to be financially stable while living abroad, the Yucatán peninsula more specifically the state of Yucatán is a great place to start.
That being said there are still plenty of opportunities out there to snag cheap land, commercial real estate, and residential real estate as well. There are plenty of foreign businesses that are doing very well here. In Merida there are multiple Dairy Queens, there’s a Home Depot there’s a Costco there’s multiple Walmarts. And many other American companies that we are familiar with. As well as some European and Asian businesses as well. So there is plenty of opportunity for anyone looking to come here, start a new life, and take advantage of the booming market here in Merida and the surrounding districts.
I personally cannot speak for Europe or Asia expats but I see now there is an influx of Americans coming here to escape the problems going on right now in the USA. It’s not just retired couples living off of their Social Security checks here in Mexico anymore. There are families with young children and younger entrepreneurs who are digital or digital nomads, There are people of all races coming here to settle down.
I find this pretty interesting since right now and the year of 2024 there is a massive migration of people moving north towards the United States and at the same time, there’s a massive migration of people moving away from the United States. Whether you like it or not it’s happening and it’s up to you how you want to position yourself for a great transfer of wealth that will be taking place and is currently happening right now.
If you are looking to position yourself in a place where you are going to be financially stable while living abroad, the Yucatán peninsula more specifically the state of Yucatán is a great place to start.
How’s the weather here in the Yucatán Peninsula
From what I’ve seen for the most part it’s divided between hot dry drought and wet humid heat. If you live on the coast in the state of Yucatan the climate is relatively cooler however you do get less rain. The more Inland you are closer to Merida the hotter it gets also the more rainfall that you will receive. that's just a general rule of thumb.
Now the further east you get from Merida towards the Caribbean Ocean the more moisture that there is this is why Cancun is a lot greener and more tropical. If the heat is a problem for you I would suggest finding a place near the ocean. otherwise, you are going to bake.
Now the further east you get from Merida towards the Caribbean Ocean the more moisture that there is this is why Cancun is a lot greener and more tropical. If the heat is a problem for you I would suggest finding a place near the ocean. otherwise, you are going to bake.
Real Estate In The Yucatan Peninsula Near Merida
Now is definitely a good time to start looking at property in and around the Yucatan peninsula. Depending on what you want you can find something to meet your needs. Whether you like living inside of the city center, living a little bit further out in a suburb, or even if you want to live an hour away from a major town there is plenty of land out here with houses on it.
It's relatively easy to draw for water in this area so if you want to put it well it's not too much work it's not going to cost no more near as much as it does in the United States. Building codes are pretty relaxed here so you can customize your house relatively easy without all the extra hassle or permits. In addition to all this it's much cheaper to either buy something existing or build something new. There are many benefits here they come with drawbacks of course like the heat, the mosquitoes, and many other things that may be personal to you. But if you're serious about relocating to the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is a good place to start looking.
If you want to get connected with a local realtor or see a property for sale, fill out the form below schedule a viewing.
It's relatively easy to draw for water in this area so if you want to put it well it's not too much work it's not going to cost no more near as much as it does in the United States. Building codes are pretty relaxed here so you can customize your house relatively easy without all the extra hassle or permits. In addition to all this it's much cheaper to either buy something existing or build something new. There are many benefits here they come with drawbacks of course like the heat, the mosquitoes, and many other things that may be personal to you. But if you're serious about relocating to the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is a good place to start looking.
If you want to get connected with a local realtor or see a property for sale, fill out the form below schedule a viewing.