The 3 best areas to live in Mérida

Living in Mérida means choosing one of the cities with the best quality of life in Mexico. Its mix of comforts, safety, history and tropical climate is a big part of the appeal — and what has made this a powerful magnet for Mexicans and foreigners alike. But what are the 3 best areas to live in Mérida, and what does rent cost?

Centro: Paseo de Montejo, Santa Lucía, Santiago and Santa Ana

A good place to live, if you’re thinking of moving to Mérida, Yucatán, is the city centre. The best spots are those closest to the Plaza Grande or Calle 60, such as Santa Lucía, Santiago and Santa Ana.

Santa Lucía. The neighbourhood closest to the Plaza Grande. Small in itself, it holds the church of the same name, a little park and dozens of shops and restaurants to explore.

Santiago. One of the oldest neighbourhoods to live in Mérida, west and north of the Plaza Grande. It holds the ruins of the Santiago church, founded in 1637, and a park that hosts pop-up markets and the best music in the city.

Santa Ana. Besides the church and its popular park, it is a thriving art district with several galleries and museums. There are also hotels, a few restaurants, the old Archaeological Museum and a handful of mansions built during the henequen boom.

Another area to move to in Mérida is the Paseo de Montejo, known for its history and beautiful architecture.

Rental costs in Mérida are much lower than in other Mexican states. You can find houses and apartments to rent from 7,000 pesos and up.

Campestre, Colonia México and Miguel Alemán

These neighbourhoods are just north of the centre, about 10 minutes by car. All three are affordable and have shops and restaurants.

Their advantage, besides being away from the tourist areas, is that they sit between the centre and the north — the newest, most modern part to live in Mérida — and are also close to the beach. Here you can rent older houses with a pool and garden at an affordable price.

Rental costs in these neighbourhoods run between 4,000 and 15,000 pesos.

The north: the new best area to live in Mérida?

The north of the city stands out for its exclusivity. You’ll find top-tier restaurants, and it is just 20 minutes from both the beach and the centre. This area is home to the private neighbourhood La Ceiba and the Yucatán Country Club, whose course was designed by the famous Jack Nicklaus. Rental costs in some of these developments can start at 15,000 pesos.

In recent years, apartment towers have begun to dominate the north of the city, giving residents incredible views of the peninsula and becoming a great option for moving to Mérida, Yucatán.

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