AboutEllen Fields Expertise I can answer questions about Merida and the state of Yucatan regarding travel and moving there to live, as well as real estate practices and conventions, computer and internet availability and communications to the US from the Yucatan.
Experience My husband and I have lived in the Yucatan for over five years. We publish the www.yucatanliving.com website.
Question hi ellen,
thank you for the timely reply. i will look into the suggested web sites.
my particular problem however seems to be that i cannot decide definitively where would be the brest spot for me. i enjoy alli read about merida except for tow things. everything i read says its very hot and muggy, and its windy all the time, which would cause the water calrity to suffer. i then read about an area on the costa maya called laguna bacalar and it sounds great except it doesn't seem to have the lively arts and festival scene that merida has. what's a fella to do? any suggestions? would playa del carmen be a compromise ? i know this is not your decision to make but i would appreciate some insight. i am going to merida in oct. for 7 or 8 days so that mey help. thanks again
lloyd -------------------------
Followup To
Question -
hi ellen,
i am planning a trip to merida/progresso in oct. i am told there is ferry service avail. from fla or tex. is this accurate?
i am going to look at potential real estate. have read articles in int'l living about vacant haciendas and am wondering if there is any availability?
considering real estate purchase to live 4-6 mo. per year. have read about the area and it seems to fit my needs. i enjoy fishing ( salt and freshwater) diving and golf. do you think this might be a fit?
Answer -
Hola, Lloyd...
It sounds like you are a good candidate for living in the Yucatan Peninsula...but you probably need to do a little more research. I suggest spending some time at these websites: http://www.yucatantoday.com and http://www.yucatanliving.com. Both of these are filled with information about the area. The first one is geared to tourists, the second to someone living or thinking of living here.
There is still no ferry service as of yet, though lots of promises. There is a page on the Yucatan Today website under Transportation that addresses the issue and has links to the company planning to start a service. You might also find more up-to-date info on the ferry service on www.meridainsider.com.
Last but not least, real estate. There are many good real estate websites now, which will show you the range of properties for sale here, including haciendas. I suggest www.tierrayucatan.com, www.realestateyucatan.com, www.mexintl.com, www.haciendamexico.com, www.meridahomes.com and www.casayucatanrealestate.com. For starters! There are more... just search on "merida real estate".
I hope that helps!! Feel free to ask more questions.
Buena suerte!
Answer Hi Lloyd,
As you said,this is not a decision I can make for you. It *is* hot and muggy in Merida about four or five months of the year. During the winter months, Merida is quite pleasant. It's a lot like Florida, actually.
It's not windy all the time. There is often a breeze at the coast, and it does affect the water clarity. I was at the coast this weekend. One day when there was no air, the water was perfectly clear and beautiful. The next day, there was a nice breeze and the water was cloudy. Still felt good though!
Playa del Carmen is a great place to visit. You might also consider Puerto Morelos, Akumal or Majahual along the Mayan Riviera. That whole area is growing leaps and bounds.
There are a MILLION places to choose from in Mexico. Come visit and see if you like it... you'll probably make a decision when you're here.
