News From Merida and the Yucatan

Summer 2008

The Rainy Season
Summer is the rainy season in the Yucatan, but not in the way you might think. Unless there is a hurricane coming (and one gets to Merida about every fourteen years, according to the locals...), most rains are short-lived.

The typical rain pattern is a build-up of clouds (and heat) in the early afternoon, with a relief-bringing rainstorm in the afternoon, often accompanied by thunder and lightning. In other words, a typical tropical afternoon rainstorm. These rains are not the kind that should keep you from doing anything, because they rarely last more than a half an hour. In fact, the weather just after an afternoon tropical storm is some of the most lovely weather on the planet!

Haute Cuisine Coming to Merida
The Working Gringos have recently heard from Roberto Solis, the owner and chef at Nectar, Merida's most haute cuisine restaurant.

Roberto was emailing from New York City, where he is spending a few months working (and learning) at Thomas Keller's restaurant Per Se. (For those of you who don't know who Thomas Keller is, he is the top rated chef in the United States and owns the most highly rated restaurant in the United States, the French Laundry, located in Yountville, CA).

This is an incredible opportunity for Roberto, and when he reopens Nectar in September, we predict this will translate into even more incredible dining experiences at Nectar here in Merida.

Spring in Merida
Summer Art Exhibits The galleries and museums of Merida have all opened new exhibits for the summer. At the MACAY, Merida's contemporary art museum located on the zocalo (the central square), there are exhibits from local Yucatecan artists and photographers.

There is also a sculpture exhibit from a Mexican native living in the United States and a photographic essay on the private and public life of the stars of the famous Mexican Lucha Libre.

Smaller galleries are also showing a wide range of artists, with an emphasis on local talent. The beautifully restored City Museum (worth seeing just for the building itself) has an upstairs art museum, with over 60 works by local artists. It also happens to be located at the entrance to the Luis Galvez Mercado, the city's central market with it's colorful vendors and stalls.

Real Estate in Yucatan
According to the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals, overall Yucatan Peninsula real estate sales are up 20% this year, but there is an interesting twist here that we didn't expect. Because of the falling value of the dollar, investment in the Yucatan Peninsula by Americans is down 15%. That drop is offset by the fact that 60% of all real estate sales on the Yucatan Peninsula (Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo) were made to Mexicans, who are beginning to realize what a great place this is to both visit and live.

MERIDA HOTELS

For current Merida hotel and resort information including rates, availability and secure on-line reservations please see: Merida Hotels and Resorts

  Transfer from Merida airport is not available.