Share the article
Famous for its pristine coastline, warmer year-round weather, tropical nature and luxury resorts, Mexico is currently one of the most popular getaways for digital nomads, attracting millions of remote workers every year, especially from the US.
Surprisingly, the safest and cheapest destination in Mexico for digital nomads is not where the majority of them go, mainly because it is not on the coast, and most foreign visitors want one thing, and one thing only: to live it up on the overpriced Caribbean coast.
It may not be within walking distance of a pristine beach, but we’re not counting that beautiful Merida out as a nomad hub:
Merida is one of the safest cities in America
Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan – not to be confused with the wider peninsula of the same name that also includes the neighboring state of Quintana Roo – and is listed by the leading digital nomad platform Nomad list as the most affordable, safest ‘workplace’ south of the border.
You may wonder why that is, since the majority of Mexico’s larger cities, with more than a million inhabitants, have long-standing problems with tackling crime and delinquency. rising rates of violenceand some of them are even on the US list of no-go zones.
Merida is terribly But it is low risk and thanks to its inclusion in the Foreign Office’s Level 1 Travel Advisory report, the country can even be considered as safe as (largely) crime-free countries such as Iceland, Finland and Japan – that is Washington officials’ own classification, not ours.
Although crime do prevent, it is on a smaller scale than other Mexican states, and it’s no secret that the Yucatan has for years built a reputation as the safest region in all of Mexico, thanks to robust anti-crime regulations and increased police controls.
The city of Merida – and its state – take safety very seriouslyand the local police chief has always had a zero-tolerance policy toward criminals, making Merida one of the least dangerous cities not only in Mexico, but in all of North America.
Yes, that can be so some pickpocketing, but violent crime is extremely rare, and tourists – including nomads – are rarely affected.
It’s a lot cheaper than the Mexican Caribbean
Contrary to popular belief, the highly sought-after Mexican Caribbean – or more specifically, even the powerhouse trio Cancun-Playa Del Carmen-Tulum – not exactly great value for moneyand are not among the safest destinations in Mexico.
Don’t get us wrong, they are quite safe, with hundreds of thousands of nomads having settled there in recent years without major problems, but US authorities still consider the state of Quintana Roo, which includes these coastal areas, to be quite risky. and they are duration.
Like any vacation destination, Cancun caters almost exclusively to big spenders, and it can be tough to keep your costs under $2,587 if you live in the city; Playa is just as unaffordable, with its dollar prices and outrageous taxi fares driving up rental prices, and don’t get us started on gentrifying Tulum…
Why choose Merida as a digital nomad?
It doesn’t have a beach, but it is home to a high concentration of historic sites – it is, after all, one of Mexico’s oldest European-built cities – and its colorful colonial Old Town, littered with Baroque treasures and 16th-century monuments, is one of the most beautiful in the country.
The historic center of Merida has the distinction of being one of only two remaining cities in the Americas still (almost) completely surrounded by city walls as designed by Spanish colonists, the other being the French-built city of Quebec in Canada.
There’s never a shortage of beautiful places to visit in Merida, from Instagram-worthy cobbled streets lined with ornate building facades, to hidden patios, legendary signorial palaces and imposing churches. It even has its own European style fortified walls.
Although not on the coast, it is still a short drive from beautiful Gulf beaches – Puerto Progreso is just 39 minutes away – crystal clear cenotes nestled in dense jungles, and even Mayan ruins, such as the off-the-path fascinating Dzibilchaltún, a 19-minute drive from the center of Merida.
It’s also on the Mayan Railway Route, offering rail links to numerous other picturesque colonial towns, such as yellow-washed Izamal and laid-back Valladolid, the world-famous archaeological complex at Chichen Itza, and even as far as Tulum in the Mexican Caribbean.
Unlike other Mexican cities with a similar cultural offer, Merida is a lot cheaper to live in.
How much does it cost to live in Merida?
Based on Numbeo According to estimates, the monthly expenditure of a single person in Merida is approximately $779 without rent, with low prices observed for food, groceries and a majority of consumer prices. On average, restaurant prices are 11% lower than in Cancun.
Monthly rentals in Merida on Airbnb start from as cheap as $311 for a private room in a family home, while a fully furnished apartment in Centre with verified high-speed WiFi and a dedicated workspace will cost you $787.
Rent is also 6.9% lower than Cancun, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing an average of $690.98 per month, bringing the total cost to $1,469.
This estimate is from Nomad listwhich claims that nomads can live in Merida for between $1,069 and $1,851 per month.
Merida’s lower prices are attributed to its diverse economy – unlike Cancun, international tourism is not the sole driver of local employment, nor is it built exclusively to accommodate beachgoers – and competitive market.
It’s historical, completely safe and even cheaper to live in. It has recently risen in popularity among nomads.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
