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Food and Water
Transportation and How to get around Merida and Yucatan
Clothing and Weather
Activities
Medical and Dental
Food
and Water:
Q:
Is the water in Merida safe to drink?
A: The water from our taps is treated city water ( agua
potable) and is perfectly safe to drink. It is chlorinated and
we also supply purified water for drinking. It makes better coffee
or tea than the chlorinated variety. Mexico is very like Europe
where "tap water" is never served. Bottled water (agua
purificada) is consumed by the experienced traveler and is served
by all the restaurants.
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Q:
How about water outside Merida and the big
cities?
A: This used to be a problem many years ago but the Mexican
government has assisted most of the towns, large and small, to
install chlorinating systems (agua potable) that is very safe
to drink. You can ask if the water is "potable" or better
still just order "agua purificada".
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Q:
Is the food very different?
A: Most of the time the "Mexican" food we see
up north is "Tex-Mex" which is more representative of
the northern Mexican states where food is served quite hot (spicy
hot is "picante" and hot to the touch is "caliente").
Mexican cuisine is only now being considered by restauranteurs
and chefs as haute cuisine and ranked among the top individual
cuisine's of the world. The local Yucatecan food reflects the
regional history: Middle-eastern and Caribbean styles and of course
the available local produce. The food is exquisite and is prepared
very naturally without any picante spices or chilies. The "heat"
is served in the form of salsas which you add to your dinner.
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Q:
Are the available basic foods very different?
A: The staple foods are very similar to that which we use
at home. Where we may emphasize bread, potatoes, pasta and rice
their basics are rice, beans and tortillas ( a very thin corn
meal pancake that they use instead of bread). Chicken, fish, eggs
and definitely turkey are the principal choices for protein. Fruit
is abundant as are vegetables but some may be viewed as exotic:
try them as they are all succulent and tasty.
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Q:
Where do you shop for groceries and other
needs?
A: There is a large variety of supermarkets from which
to choose, plus other small stores or tiendas as they are called.
Most everything you buy in North America is available in Mexico,
just labeled a little differently and of course in Spanish.
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Q: Are
there any foods we should be concerned about?
A: No! But the preparation of fruit and vegetables is different.
All fruit and vegetables that will not be cooked or peeled should
be given a 10 minute soaking in a product call Microdyn, an anti-bacterial
disinfectant. This product is available at every supermarket,
small tienda (corner store) and pharmacies and is very inexpensive,
only 2 or 3 drops in a quart (liter) of water.
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Q: Is
the Food safe to eat?
A: Restaurants are under strict supervision for preparation
and cleanliness. Sidewalk vendors are generally okay but as in
North America those stands which do not have a large turnover
might be suspect. Where the turnover is good (particularly during
fiestas or other celebrations) try some of the local foods.
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Transportation
and how to get around Merida and Yucatan
Q: Where
is Merida in relation to the rest of Mexico?
A: It is located in the Yucatan Peninsula which is on the
east side of Mexico at the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico.
Merida is 20 miles south of the Gulf of Mexico and about 180 miles
(200 kms) west of Cancun. Merida is the capital city of Yucatan.
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Q: How
do you get to Merida?
A: The city of Merida has an international airport. It
is located in the south end of the city. The distance in travel
time from the airport to In Ka'an is approximately 30 minutes.
We can arrange airport pick-up and delivery, as well as orientation
and help throughout your stay, hopefully to make this a pleasant
and memorable experience for everyone. (There are other means
of reaching Merida and are explained in the "Transportation
and Travel" section.)
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Q: Are
car rentals available in Merida?
A: All major car rental agencies have locations in Merida
as well as several smaller, local independents.
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Q:
How do you get around without a car?
A: There is good public transportation with local buses
and "collectivos" which are VW mini-vans. These buses
and collectivos have routes all around the city and the surrounding
area. Visits to ruins and other cities are serviced either by
tour operators or by frequent and efficient inter-city bus service.
Taxis, at economical rates, and private pre-arrangements for limos,
vans or other services can be made.
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Clothing
and Weather
Q:
What type of clothing is appropriate for the winter time in Merida?
A: Sometimes, you will find the mornings a little damp
and cool and for this reason you may want to have a jacket or
a sweater first thing in the morning until the sun is up. Dress
in the Yucatan is casual. Wash and wear cotton shirts, shorts
and t-shirts are good daytime wear. If you run short of warm weather
clothing, it is readily available in the local shops. Wear some
long pants and sweaters as the evenings can, at times, be surprisingly
cool. Bring sandals and comfortable walking shoes. Two locations
of convenient laundry facilities are on In Ka'an property
.
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Q:
Is the weather unbearable in the summertime?
A: The daytime temperatures are generally quite comfortable
all year round. The winter is dry and the summer has the "rainy
season". Evenings in the winter are very comfortable with
the odd period in January where the low may hit 55F (12C) for
a few days. The summer evening temperatures are usually around
72F (22C) but for a period of a few days, mostly in July the low
may be about 77F (26C). The rainy season in the tropics is generally
sunshine in the morning, clouding up around noon, rain around
3 o' clock and clear by 5 o ' clock. There are, of course, rainy
days like everywhere else.
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Activities
Q:
What is there to do besides visiting the Archeological sites?
A: Merida has a full agenda of evening entertainment that
are free or for a small donation. Every evening there is a different
program with everything from poetry readings and songs to local
ethnic representative dances featuring local musical instruments.
Sunday is a highlight with "Merida en Domingo" (Merida
on Sunday) when downtown streets are closed to traffic. They are
filled with street vendors of all kinds, with music, dancing and
entertainment in the main square (zocalo) along with all the young
parents showing off their offspring and enjoying the different
types of "fast food" that is available.
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Q: What
about tours and sight seeing?
A: Merida's numerous travel agents give you access to all
the archeological tours and visits to other small towns offering
good reasons to visit them. Click on the side bar to the left
for Tourist Activities and Holidays and Celebrations. You will
have a full basket of opportunities from which to choose.
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Q: Is
there golfing or tennis?
A: There is a golf course at Le Ceiba, a small gated community
about 10 kms (6 miles ) north of the city towards Dzibichaltun
and Progreso. Tennis courts are available there as well as several
locations in Merida.
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Medical
and Dental
Q:
What are the medical facilities like?
A: There are many doctors and specialists in Merida where
you will also find excellent facilities. There are several teaching
hospitals and Merida is the place where many Mexicans come for
cardiac care. Most of the specialists and many of the doctors
have received medical training in Canada, United States and Europe.
Many doctors speak English very well.
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Q:
How do I fill my drug prescriptions?
A: Most drugs issued in North America are available in
Mexico. It would be advisable to speak to your doctor or pharmacist
to determine alternative medication you may need. Prescriptions
or drug requirements can be filled without a doctor's prescription
excepting tranquillizers and mood altering drugs.
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Q:
How about Dental problems?
A: There are a number of dentists who have received their
training in Canada or the USA and therefore speak good English.
Getting your teeth fixed here is very easy on the pocketbook.
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Q:
Is it true that Merida is known for its plastic surgeons?
A: Yes, and again we understand the costs are low and that traffic
here for this reason is increasing.
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