Mérida, Yucatán is the city with the most polarizing opinions we've seen. For many, it's their favorite place in the world. For others, you couldn't pay them to go back to Mérida.

Why are the opinions on Merida so polarizing? Coming from the people who love it, they often cite that it's the safest city in Mexico. They like that there are many museums and cultural events and we also frequently hear that healthcare is very high quality and quite affordable. Mérida is a big city with all of the conveniences that come with it. There's fast internet, the beaches of Progreso are only a half hour away, and there are other cool destinations within a reasonable driving distance. In addition to all of those things, there's a significant expat community which makes adjusting to a new lifestyle much easier.

Coming from the people who hate Merida, they say it's dirty, the bus pollution is horrible, and the weather is miserable for most of the year. They say "Sure, Progreso isn't too far away, but it's the worst beach I've ever been to." And although things are cheap compared to the US, the city is significantly more expensive than most cities in Mexico.