Food:

The food of Yucatan and Merida has been influenced by its early association with economic trading partners from the Middle East and the Caribbean. Local specialties such as "tacos el pastor" are cooked on a vertical spit, virtually identical to that used in the Middle East in preparing "shwarma". These are delicious. Many of the local dishes include meats in the "pulled" or shredded fashion common in the Caribbean and of course the Habañero or Scotch Bonnet pepper is shared with its Caribbean neighbors.

Local foods are distinctly Yucatecan and they are prepared with very little hot/picante flavourings. Traditionally 15 to 20 sauces were served, on the side, ranging from very cool (onion and tomato) to screaming hot (pure Habañero ). Today it is common that maybe 3 or 4 dishes of salsa are served -cool, medium green, medium red and one hot (picante) sauce. Each is quite distinctive in its initial taste, its feel on your tongue and then the after flavour that remains in the mouth. Lovely!

The staple foods of the Yucatan are rice, beans and tortillas (a very thin corn meal pancake used instead of bread). Chicken, fish, eggs and turkey are the principal choices for animal protein. Local beef is available as is pork which is sweet and succulent compared to North American. Local cheeses such as Manchego are receiving well-earned international acclaim.

There are a large variety of supermarkets from which to choose, plus other small neighborhood stores, called "tiendas". Most everything you buy in North America is available in Mexico, perhaps not in the same varieties and just labeled a little differently, and of course in Spanish.

Water:

Tap water is treated (chlorinated) city water (agua potable) and is perfectly safe to drink. In Ka'an also has purified water (inverse osmosis method) available for drinking. Mexico is very like Europe with its water customs. Bottled purified water (agua purificada) is consumed by the experienced traveler and is served by all the restaurants.

Water in the rural areas used to be a problem for visitors. The Mexican government has assisted most of the towns, small and large, to install chlorinating systems which makes the water safe to drink. You can ask the waiter if the water is "potable" or better still just order "agua purificada". It is priced very reasonably.