Is Merida Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Merida is the capital of the Yucatán state in Mexico, and as such, serves as an important city of the country.

When it comes to its luxury, Merida is full of extremes: you’ll find premium hotels, resorts, and restaurants, yet downtown you’ll find stores and restaurants that suit every budget.

It’s a relatively peaceful city, more or less unscathed by the drug war.

This is possibly the case because of the rumors that the city is a safe zone for the families of the victims of drug cartels, a neutral spot of sorts.

The city also has a rich history with a very charming colonial center and wonderful well-preserved architecture.

Warnings & Dangers in Merida

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Merida is a very safe city: in fact, many say that it's the safest city in Mexico. Just in case, you should apply all possible precaution measures, to minimize the chances of anything going wrong.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Even though public transport is an issue in Mexico, in general, Merida doesn't seem to have that problem. Still, be very careful as this is one of the primary places where pickpockets operate.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a somewhat common issue in Merida, especially in public and crowded places like bus and train stations and airports. Keep your belongings by your side at all times and try to leave all your valuables in a security deposit box of your hotel.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Merida isn't prone to suffer from natural disasters like many other cities in Mexico. The biggest risk for tourists lurks at the beaches of the Pacific Ocean as there have been reports of swimmers drowning.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Muggings and kidnappings are not typical for this area since this is a very peaceful city when it comes to violent crimes. Still, avoid poorly lit and abandoned areas.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There haven't been any terrorist attacks in Merida's recent history, but they shouldn't be ruled out. Remain vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

You should be very vigilant, decline all drinks sent by strangers, double-check all information and negotiate everything in advance. Be wary of people trying to distract you as it may be a scheme to try and steal from you.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Many women have traveled safely to Merida, without having any problems, and it's the norm here. Still, avoid parts of cities that are filled with bars and clubs, and visiting them alone, since there is a higher chance of running into intoxicated people.

So... How Safe Is Merida Really?

In general Merida is a safe city, however, certain places are a little bit dangerous.

But this happens in every city in the world.

Many say that Merida is one of the safest cities in the continent, so there are no seriously bad neighborhoods.

Having said all this, you may want to be careful in the south side of the city since there have been rumors about violent gangs living in small private housing areas.

Other than that rumor I have never seen even a fight in the city.

It doesn’t have bad neighborhoods: instead, some of the neighborhoods are inhabited by a more affluent society while others by the working class.

Just don’t get too relaxed – petty crime still exists there; don’t leave cameras, computers, bags, etc. sitting around.

Keep an eye on your things.

While safe and charming, it is the real world, too.

And while the city is safe as can be, tourists are still advised to stay in populated areas, avoid poor neighborhoods, and if they do visit them, not to go out at night.

And though they aren’t too common, you might encounter some beggars.

They are usually not a threat but avoid being surrounded by them because they might try to steal something.

How Does Merida Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Legally entering Merida (and Mexico, in general) is fairly easy: all nationals receive a traveler's permit upon entering Mexico, and it costs 15 USD, while there are still some countries do need to acquire a visa. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Mexican embassy for further details.

Currency

The Mexican peso is the official currency in Merida. ATMs are widespread throughout the country, and while credit cards are accepted in most top-end hotels, restaurants and stores, Mexico is considered largely a cash economy.

Weather

Merida has a tropical climate and is hot, pretty much, year-round, with moderate to high humidity. The average annual high temperature is 33 °C, and the winters are warm, muggy, and mostly clear.

Airports

Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport, formerly referred to as Mérida-Rejón Airport, is an international airport located in the city of Mérida. It is located on the southern edge of the city.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Merida, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Merida Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Mexico - Safety by City