Is Merida, Mexico Safe to Visit? Yes! Here’s Why.

Last updated on June 26, 2025

If you’re wondering “Is Merida, Mexico safe to visit?” this article will put you at ease and show you why Merida is one of the safest cities in Mexico and North America.

One of the most common questions about traveling to Merida is, “Is Merida, Mexico safe”? It’s a valid question, considering many parts of Mexico are labeled level-four, reconsider travel by the US Government. However, Merida, Mexico is not a city where you need to be concerned about safety.

Merida is widely revered for being one of the safest cities in Mexico thanks to its comprehensive safety measures. It welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists annually to enjoy its historic center, taste delicious Yucatecan food, and learn about its beautiful culture.

We’ve visited Merida three times now, loving the city more with each visit. We want as many people as possible to discover the magic of Merida, too. However, we know some people need proof of its safety, so this article will share some reasons and statistics to ease your concerns about the question, “Is Merida, Mexico safe to visit”.

General safety in Mexico

While we know not everyone will agree, we believe Mexico is a safe country to visit. We traveled to 26 of the 32 Mexican states in an RV over a year and a half. In total, we drove over 40,000 miles across Mexico to major cities like Mexico City, to pueblo magicos, rural destinations, and the countless highways and roads in between.

We never had an unsafe experience in Mexico aside from general road safety and a few unfortunate run-ins with corrupt police. The people we met across Mexico were overwhelmingly kind, open, and interested in us being there.

They helped us countless times when we were lost, were patient when our Spanish was subpar and we were struggling to communicate and always recommended restaurants and unique places to visit. The Mexican people are very proud of their country (for good reason) and the majority, just want you to enjoy your visit there.

➡ Read Next: The 15 Safest Places in Mexico to Visit ⬅

We realize just because we didn’t experience anything dangerous doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen. Cartel crime is real and affects tens of thousands of Mexicans each year. However, generally speaking, cartel activity does not impact tourists in major tourist cities like Merida, Cancun, Cabo, or Puerto Vallarta.

Whenever we’re traveling in Mexico we stay up to date on crime activity in real-time making informed decisions about where and where not to travel from this news. Being knowledgeable about potential safety threats and knowing what areas to visit and avoid is something every traveler should do no matter where they are visiting.

Stats About Merida’s Safety

Merida is the Capital of the Yucatan, a notoriously safe state. Its neighbor, Campeche, is another state revered for its safety. According to the U.S. State Department, which issues travel advisories for US travelers, the Yucatan and Campeche states are labeled as “Normal Precautions for Travel“.

By comparison, the U.S. State Department has the U.K., Spain, and France labeled as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution”. Yet, these countries receive millions of visitors annually and are widely considered safe places to visit.

Data from Numbeo looked at the number of crime-related incidents per 1,000 residents and compared 424 cities across the globe to determine its “safety index”. It analyzed data for serious crimes including rape, murder, gun violence, racial attacks, and domestic violence along with more petty crimes like theft, and car robberies.

1 is the lowest safety index rating a city could receive indicating the area is dangerous. 100 is the highest rating, indicating it’s a safe area to visit. Merida, Mexico received a rating of 75.4 out of 100. It was the second safest city in all of North America, behind Quebec City.

Toronto, Canada by comparison, received a 56.6 rating. Major tourist cities in the United States like New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, and Chicago, all received a safety index rating of 50 or below.

Why is Merida the Safest City in Mexico?

Merida’s title of being one of the safest cities in Mexico and North America is thanks to its precautionary and policing measures. According to an article published in Bloomberg, Merida’s security budget has increased by 60% since 2018.

When you’re walking around the Centro, you’ll see loads of police officers on horses, in small electric cars, and on foot. These police officers are a part of the Policia Touristica and are there to ensure safety in the most prominent tourist areas.

Outside of the city center, you’ll still see a lot of police activity from city and state police. Road blockades are common for routine DUI checks (we passed through one on our trip in 2021), speed traps, and other general policing.

We found the police officers in Merida to be less corrupt thanks to the higher wages, more than double compared to other areas in Mexico. However, corruption in the policing system is still widespread. It’s also worth noting, that many Mexicans aren’t convinced more police make it safer. Although, there’s no debate by locals over Merida’s general safety.

Tips for Staying Safe in Merida

Staying safe in Merida, Mexico isn’t hard. Be aware of your surroundings (like normal) and enjoy the city. Even though petty crimes aren’t a big issue in Merida (you’re much more likely to get pickpocketed or straight robbed in popular places in Europe like Paris, Madrid, or Barcelona), it’s good practice to keep your belongings close to you as you’re exploring.

When visiting Mexican cities with higher crime rates, you should avoid having expensive filming and camera equipment on you or other “flashy items” like big jewelry or Rolex watches. However, in Merida, this is not a notable concern.

🩻 Should you get travel insurance for traveling to Merida, Mexico?
Yes! We always have travel health insurance when we go abroad. Healthcare is extremely affordable in Mexico, we visited the doctors multiple times and each trip was $100 or less. However, if something serious happens it’s great to have a more thorough plan to cover expenses. Plus, SafetyWing‘s travel insurance also covers trip interruption, theft, and other issues that can arise when traveling to Mexico.

🏨 Where to find the best accommodations in Merida, Mexico?
Hotels are a great option in big cities and small towns. You can also opt for a short-term vacation rental like on Airbnb. We always look for accommodations in Mexico on Booking.com which often has the best deals for both accommodation styles in Mexico.

💸 Getting cash out in Merida, Mexico
Convert your money to Mexican pesos before arriving. Your local bank normally does this for free with a better exchange rate compared to the airport or other services in Mexico. If you need more pesos, you can withdraw them at an ATM with a debit card. I use a Revolut card like a debit card which has no ATM or bank fees when traveling abroad.

🗣️ Do you need to know Spanish to travel to Merida, Mexico?
Yes and no. Many servers and tour guides will speak English, but knowing some basics will go a long way. Knowing Spanish also makes for a more enjoyable experience. If you want to practice some Spanish before you go here is a detailed guide with our favorite language learning resources.

✈️ How can I find cheap flights to Mexico?
I love to use Google Flights to compare the best time to travel. However, Skyscanner is another great tool to find cheap flight deals and get alerted when deals come up from your local airport.

🚗 Best way to find rental cars in Mexico?
We use DiscoverCars to search for car rentals when traveling. You can book a car with DiscoverCars from Cancun or Merida airport and then drive to Campeche City. Just be wary of car rental scams and always look at online reviews before booking!

🪇 How do I find fun activities and cultural tours in Campeche, Mexico?
We use GetYourGuide or Viator to book our tours in Mexico when possible. Viator has more tours than GetYourGuide in Mexico, but we always check both. Many tour companies aren’t on these platforms, so you may book with a local company directly (over the phone or in the office, it’s rarely done over the computer).

FAQ about Merida, Mexico’s Safety

Merida takes its title of being Mexico’s safest city seriously. Understandably so. It eases travelers’ concerns and helps bring millions of dollars to the state annually from tourism. It’s also made it a haven for expats from across the globe along with many of the wealthiest Mexican families.

Hopefully, this post has put some of your concerns at ease and helps you plan your vacation to Merida with peace of mind. If you need help planning your trip make sure to check out these blog posts:

• The Perfect 2 Days in Merida, Mexico (Itinerary with Map) – Make the most of your short time in the city with this step-by-step itinerary!
• 17 Best Restaurants in Merida You Can’t Miss – See the best places to eat in Merida for breakfast, lunch, dinner (and botanas).
• 18 Essential Merida, Mexico Things To Do – A complete roundup of the top 18 things to do in Merida (in the city).
• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Merida, Mexico – This complete travel guide to visiting Merida, Mexico will help you prepare and pack for your trip.
• 11 Amazing Merida Day Trips You Don’t Want To Miss – Here’s a round-up of the 11 coolest day trips you can take from Merida.
• 17 Delicious Yucatan Dishes to Try on Your Next Trip – Make the most of your time in the Yucatan trying these delicious and authentic Yucatan dishes.