People move to Mérida for different reasons — a lifestyle shift, an investment opportunity, a slower pace of life — and yet the feeling is often the same. It just fits. But somewhere between inspiration and decision, things become more tangible. Details matter. Questions surface. And what once felt effortless begins to require structure. That’s…
Over the past few years, Yucatán has gained global attention as a place not just to visit, but to live. Stories of colonial charm, cultural richness, warm weather, and a safe environment draw people here from across Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Europe. But while headlines capture curiosity, the everyday realities of relocating and…
Mérida added a new mixed-use development to its rapidly expanding north side Thursday with the official inauguration of Distrito Arte Mérida’s Business Center. The complex will eventually combine corporate offices, retail spaces, green areas and residential towers. Gianni Rosa, general director of the López-Rosa Group, described the opening as “a big step and the culmination…
The best way to experience it is to have your driver let you off at the gate. Like so many homes in Mérida, all you see is a wall of weather-patinated stone. But step over the threshold, and Hacienda Subin presents itself as designed—low-slung and wide, filling your peripheral vision as you approach. Before I…
A residence built by Reyes Ríos + Larraín Arquitectos is turning heads for its reimagining of Yucatán’s architectural heritage through a contemporary lens.
Every January, Mérida fills with fresh arrivals—people beginning new chapters, seeking warmth in both climate and community, and hoping to find a place that feels like home. After years of guiding newcomers, I’ve noticed that the new year brings a certain courage: people are finally ready to make the move they’ve been dreaming about. But…
A contemporary residence represents something rare in luxury real estate: a home designed by an architect for himself.
Mérida’s booming real estate market needs to break free from its northern focus, according to a key industry official calling for more balanced development across the Yucatecan capital. “We have to stop looking only at the north … although the south has less infrastructure, and this could be one of the reasons why people are…
Born in Vietnam and raised in California, Danh Nguyen studied graphic design at the San Francisco College of the Arts before pursuing a Master’s in Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After several years of balancing his teaching position at UC Davis with his architectural practice, Danh decided to step away from…
A significant residential development project is under consideration for the small municipality of Tepakán, Yucatan, according to state authorities. The company plans to create 389 housing lots covering 124,828.58 square meters and two commercial lots totaling 1,800 square meters. The entire development would spread across approximately 23.39 hectares—a space roughly 2.3 times larger than Mérida’s…
Previously, we asked people for some expert Airbnb advice. The question was about income-property essentials to include in a rental home. Now, we’re learning what not to offer in a short-term Airbnb. Here’s what they have removed and why: What would you add? Which piece of advice do you disagree with? Let us know at…
A highlight of the most recent Mérida Showcase of Homes was this stunning Colonial Palace on Calle 66 in the Santa Ana neighborhood. Now this soaring, luxurious masterpiece is on the market, turning home buyers’ heads right, left, up and down. Look down to see the dramatic reflecting pool that lines the mansion’s center hall. That’s…
Photographs by Richard Leo Johnson Around the corner is an early 20th-century movie theater refashioned into someone’s home. Over the back wall is a new home with sleek, white modern walls and endless gardens under development. Down the street are a famous photographer and a longtime local real estate agent who grew up in London,…
Escape to your private paradise with this breathtaking beach compound nestled along 40 meters of pristine coastline between the well-known Telchac Puerto and the peaceful fishing village of San Crisanto. Embrace the essence of luxury living amidst lush tropical surroundings, where every day feels like a getaway. You will immerse yourself in the tranquility of…
A French-style mansion reminiscent of Versailles is on the market in Mérida for just over 50 million pesos — or around US$3 million.
I’ve learned a lot about living in Yucatán’s coastal communities thanks to the annual Progreso Home Tours. Living in the Centro, I had a narrow idea about living in a beach town. But most people aren’t living their daily lives in beachfront houses, with all the pros and cons that come with it. Homes in…
Pasta tile floors, practical in a hot and humid climate like Yucatán’s, started emulating decorative rugs and carpets here in the 1890s. These mosaic tiles are often brightly colored with flamboyant floral or geometric patterns that, for generations, were commonly favored in traditional Yucatecan homes. After falling out of favor as cheaper ceramic tiles arrived,…
Get out your comfortable shoes and prepare to be invited into six luxurious private homes in Centro. Fundación BAI’s annual Showcase of Homes has returned for a 13th time, and six amazing private properties are on the self-guided tour. The event briefly lifts the veil on a range of private properties. But we can’t tell…
This Chuburná beach home is a testament to the power of collaboration, a love for artistry, and coastal living
An iconic Chinese-themed house in Col. México is on the market. Its real estate listing offers a glimpse of what’s inside the flamboyant green pagoda-themed property. And anyone who’s ever driven by the house must have been curious about what’s inside. The huge six-bedroom property on Calle 19 and Avenida Libano belonged to Miriam Echeverría…
The easy bargains are gone. For US property hunters, the dollar weakened while the Mexican currency became the “super peso.” Plus, demand is up for Mérida properties that 10 or 15 years ago might have been had for a song. So property hunters who lack deep pockets need to find a strategy. Some pro tips: …
Chukum is an ancient stucco technique that fits in with modern design trends while highlighting nature and simplicity. The material comes from chukum trees, which are native to the Yucatán Peninsula. They are characterized by a thorny bark that is resin-rich in tannins, giving it a reddish hue similar to wine. More recently, synthetic chukum…
Jorge Alberto Mijangos Loeza of Constructora Mijangos spots trends as well as red flags.
Around the time Newell Turner parted ways with a prominent New York City magazine publisher, he started working on a hefty book that would come to chronicle Mexico’s lush aesthetic legacy. Mexican: A Journey Through Design — all 4.28 pounds of it — was finally released in May 2023. Despite its size, Mexican isn’t overwhelming,…
That’s all for now
That’s all for now