Merida is growing. People are coming from the interior of Mexico, large companies are turning it into the site of millions of dollars in investment and tourism is on the rise, but… what is the reason? What has made the Yucatan capital such an attractive option for people and companies?
Today we reveal five reasons that have catapulted the popularity of the capital of this constantly growing city.
In the southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is in a strategic position that crowns it as one of the most important cities in the area. The Yucatan capital is a couple of hours from Campeche and Cancun, and forty minutes from Progreso, one of the most important deep-sea ports in the country. This represents an advantage for businesses looking to market elsewhere or people who wish to travel for a weekend holiday to enjoy a variety of activities.
Similarly, the city has one of the most important airports for international and national connections. The International Airport of the City of Merida has trips to important cities abroad, such as Miami and Huston, as well as direct trips to Mexico City and Guadalajara, among others.
Its privileged location and the quality of its transportation routes have placed Merida as a vital site for commerce and passenger transportation, as well as a city of easy access in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Merida stands out nationally for its high safety standards, being recognized on multiple occasions by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) as one of the safest cities in Mexico.
Closely related, the index of perception of insecurity by the inhabitants of Merida is 30.2%, compared to a national average of 73.9%. This figure places Merida in second place in the national ranking, only behind San Pedro Garza Garcia in Nuevo Leon (18.9%).
If we want to glimpse Merida’s position at a global level, we must mention that it has been named the second safest city in the Americas and the 21st of 334 worldwide, according to CEOWORLD magazine.
The level of security in Merida, well known both nationally and internationally, has led to the migration of families and young people to Merida, which has increased the demand in the city’s real estate market.
Chichen Itzá, maravilla del mundo, en Yucatán (Imagen tomada de: https://www.excursionesrivieramaya.es/chichen-itza-maravilla-del-mundo-moderno/)
The history of the city of Merida goes back more than 450 years, this has generated a space where the Mayan heritage, elements of the Spanish colony and the Mexican modernity coexist; reasons that attract thousands of foreigners and Mexicans every year, who, together with the locals, have the opportunity to enjoy all the cultural activities that the Yucatan capital offers.
Once in Merida, it is possible to go to the most important cities of the archaeological tourism of the Mayan culture: Chichen Itza and Uxmal, or to Izamal, city recognized as a Magic Town.
But what can you find in the city? Besides the festivals, Merida has frequent, if not daily, activities in the field of art and culture: the Great Museum of the Mayan World, the Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatan (Canton Palace), multiple art galleries and cultural centers, such as El Olimpo where there are always screenings, concerts or plays.
In addition, Merida celebrates popular Yucatan festivities throughout the year, including the Hanal Pixan (Yucatan’s Day of the Dead) and the long-awaited dish of that tradition: the Pib.
INEGI said that only in the first quarter of 2019, Yucatan was placed in the third state with higher economic growth nationally, with 3.1%. And this is not new, between 2014 and 2017, the economy has grown at an average rate greater than 3.5%. In this way, Yucatan is positioned as one of the states of Mexico with higher economic growth.
The trends indicate that economic growth will continue to increase, especially with large investments in industrial and commercial matters, as well as the development of increasingly capable and competitive services.
This economic growth is the result of a development plan that contemplates a planned and orderly growth, especially with the real estate boom that is taking place in Merida. Having a development plan that is being fulfilled provides added value to the area, representing a security for investment.
In addition, the Secretariat of Economic Development has promoted incentives and attention to investors with intentions to carry out projects.
Together, economic policies and economic investment promote the creation of new jobs which, in turn, have been relevant factors for the increase in migration to the Yucatan capital and the purchasing power of the locals.
It is a reality that more and more people are coming to Merida because of the promise of a higher quality of life than that found in their hometowns. It is worth noting that the high quality of life in Merida has been recognized by the United Nations (UN), which awarded Merida the recognition of “Best City to Live in Mexico” based on its quality of life, over 304 cities evaluated.
Merida has the ideal characteristics for a quiet life, that is, an optimal offer in terms of health, public and private education, as well as enjoying a traditional, cultural and, above all, peaceful environment; characteristics that placed it in the first place of the Quality of Life Index, according to the Gabinete de Comunicación Estratégica de México.
Because of all the characteristics we share with you, and much more, Merida is like no other city in Mexico. It merges innovation and modernity with historical elements belonging to the colony and its Mayan roots. Likewise, you can breathe in a space far from the stress and pollution known from the metropolises.