20 Things Tourists And Expats Should Do Before Going To Mérida Mexico

Are you wondering what things tourists and expats should do before going to Merida Mexico? If so, then keep reading this to discover what you must know before traveling!

No one like surprises and much less while on vacation. Should it be any different when moving to another country that you have never lived in? When me and my wife started traveling to Merida Mexico we discovered little things here and there that helped us to better prepare for our move after the pandemic.

Over time, we decided to put together a lists of some important that will bought tourists and expats have a smooth transition to Mexico.

Important Things That Tourists And Expats Should Do Before Moving To Mérida Mexico:

1. Research the visa and residency requirements for your country of citizenship.
2. Understand the cost of living in Mérida, including housing, groceries, transportation, and healthcare. [Don’t try to convert things in your head as you may be wrong. Conversion rates go up & down everyday. Use an app like XE conversion app to get an accurate costs of MXN pesos vs USD, Euros, etc. It will also allow you to send and receive money in different currencies.]
3. Learn about the local healthcare system and consider obtaining health insurance that covers medical expenses in Mexico. The great thing about living in Mexico is that just about every pharmacy has a doctor/physician available for consultations. They can perform exams, blood work, prescriptions and more. 
4. Familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods in Mérida to find the best fit for your lifestyle and preferences. You will see that there are tons of fun things to do in Merida for adults and kids. 
5. Explore employment opportunities or research the process for starting a business if you plan to work in Mérida. 
6. Brush up on your Spanish language skills, as it will greatly enhance your experience living in Mérida. Although you will lots of people speaking in English or popular American music playing, it’s still good to learn Spanish. Once you will leave the Centro area of Mérida, it’s not likely that you will find many who speak English. 
7. Set up a Mexican bank account and understand the local banking system.
8. We recommend also that you have an extra debit/credit handy in the event you lose or misplace your bank card. Believe me, it happens and you don’t want to be stuck without access to your money. Some American banks will ship new debit cards to Mexico, however it’s to send to a shipping company like FedEx or Estafeta. They have several locations in the city for pickup. If your current financial institution prefers that your bank card be sent to a physical address, then you MUST make sure that you include the by streets per the grid. For example, Calle 69 X 64 y 66 #1234, Merida, Mexico, Yucatan, zip code. This will ensure that you receive the package.
9. Investigate transportation options, including public transit, driving, and cycling, to determine the best way to get around the city.
10. Connect with other expats living in Mérida through online forums or social media groups to gain insights and advice. [Facebook]
11. Prepare for the climate in Mérida, which is tropical and can be hot and humid, especially during the summer months. We highly recommend that you get a place that has clima (air condition). If it fits into your budget, get a place that has a pool as you will be happy to have one to cool off during the day.  
12. Arrange for the transfer of important documents such as medical records, financial statements, and identification. In many you can simply print these items out BEFORE moving to Merida. Something that is very common here in Mexico is that doctors may ask you to send medical records using WhatsApp. It wasn’t something that we accustomed to doing in the USA, but WhatsApp is used to send financial and medical info quite often here. Simple check with your provider.  
13. Research education options if you have children, including international schools and local educational institutions. 
14. Understand the cultural norms and customs in Mérida to ensure a smooth transition and respectful interactions with locals.
15. Consider the implications of taxation on personal income, both in Mexico and your home country, and seek advice from a US expat tax professional if necessary. You can check out this info about how dual citizenship works.  
16. Make arrangements for housing, whether renting or purchasing, well in advance of your moving to Mérida Mexico. We found this very helpful and it saved us a lot of stress and frustration. If you have friends in Mérida, then perhaps they can make some great recommendations of suitable living for you and your family. We initiated rented an AirBNB for 1 entire month and used that time to search for apartments and housing. Perhaps this will work for you to help you settle in. 
17. Investigate leisure and recreational activities available in Mérida to ensure a fulfilling lifestyle outside of work or daily routines.
18. Plan for any pets you may have, including vaccinations, transportation, and finding pet-friendly accommodations.
19. Obtain necessary vaccinations and medications for health risks specific to Mérida and Mexico in general.
20. Familiarize yourself with the local cuisine and dining etiquette with Mérida restaurants to fully appreciate the culinary offerings in the city.
21. Prepare emotionally for the move by connecting with friends and family, and seeking support if needed to navigate the challenges of relocating to a new country. Video calls and mini vacations back home definitely help to ease the nostalgia and home sickness. These are some small things that we did to help us feel more comfortable being so far away from family and not being to visit them with just a hop and a skip.

Conclusion

Of course nobody likes the idea of moving from house to house. This is because it involves a lot of physical and mental work. The same is true for moving to Mérida, Mexico. When moving to another country, there a lot of things that ideally you would like to have in place before arriving. All of this no doubt requires planning and research. Thankfully have done some research & not it’s time to implement.

Although there are many things that tourists and expats should know before going to Merida, Mexico, these are a short few that come to mind. Me and wife came to Mexico before the pandemic twice and then used the pandemic to fully plan out our move to Mexico which we able to execute. I recommend that you do something similar that way you can reach your goal of transitioning to Mexico.

Are there other tips, suggestions or things for tourists and expats should do before going to Mérida not mentioned here? If so, please share your thoughts below with our readers!