Is the Yucatan Peninsula a great place to live as a European woman?
- FancifulRoamer
- May 18, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 22
Should I live in the Yucatan Peninsula?
After a few vacations and cruises to Mexico, I had to ask myself the same question I ask in every country I visit- Should I live here?
I always love to learn about other cultures, and I have a special fascination for Mayan and Aztec history.
And seeing how I'm always chasing the sun and the warm weather, I had to find out if Mexico is a good fit. I had the opportunity to stay in Cancun for a month and a half, and I took it.
I stayed in affordable hotels in downtown Cancun. I thought it would be more safe, as I was by myself. The staff would know that I was supposed to be there, and there would be less of a chance of being attacked as I walked into the building. If someone were to follow me, entering the hotel would be a safe place, as opposed to an Airbnb without staff around. I also read about people dying in Airbnbs, for example from a lack of carbon monoxide detectors.
I picked a hotel with a restaurant and café, so in case of bad weather, I could stay put. It also had a very nice pool area, where I imagined myself spending my days writing.
It only took a few days to make me wish I had gone somewhere else. The hotel was renovating rooms, and between that and guests, it was noisy.
The internet in Mexico was very slow, the data as well as the wi-fi. The hotel was nice enough to offer a code for a better internet connection.
The hotel staff was not well-trained. I experienced much misogyny at a different 5* resort in the Cancun hotel zone. At this downtown one, I had to pay for food as I ordered it, it couldn't be put on the room. One day I ordered a soda at the pool bar and unfortunately paid in a large bill. The server left. I waited by the bar, so I wouldn't be forgotten. Another server told me to go to my seat, which I declined politely. Then he got more annoyed and yelled at me to go sit, and I would be brought my stuff. I was annoyed that I had to pay immediately, but the change could take 20 minutes. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy more days by the pool. The seemingly cool seating was wet and falling apart, which made my decision easier.
The weather
The east coast of Mexico has two weather settings- hot or rainy. I was there during the rainy season, which was a bit annoying. It was nice not to have a heat stroke, though.
It was like clockwork- rain in the morning and a big storm in the afternoon. I managed my schedule around the rain, as I didn't drive. I was within walking distance of a mall and a supermarket. I was in a touristy area, with so many restaurants nearby.
Walking through the streets, I noticed water damage to buildings. I considered that living in Mexico's very humid environment is not for me.
Transportation
The streets were pretty empty, and not many pedestrians, especially like me, in the middle of the day. I do enjoy walking and it's a good way to get the feel of a place. I didn't go out after sunset and I didn't party, so no opinions there.
I found it weird that there were no trash cans, but garbage lining the streets. Also, pedestrian crossings are not really marked. The sidewalk is painted red and you have to walk when there are no cars, they don't stop for you.
The shuttle transport will cut everyone off and pull over if you wave it down, though. I didn't use it, even though it's cheap. I'm not fluent in Spanish, I didn't know the route or the stops. They were usually packed like sardines, with no AC, but opened windows.
I had to sneak with Uber for a couple of trips. It was a long way and I preferred to have the itinerary details and have no price gouging. Taxi drivers in Cancun hate Uber drivers. They will follow them, harass the driver and the client, and even become violent. I sat in front and got in and out away from the taxi stands.
I had one taxi drive me to the airport, as Ubers are not allowed there. He insisted he was taking me to the correct terminal, not the one I had on my reservation. Obviously, he had a deal with the taxis there, as I was harassed until I got one. I was waiting for the terminal shuttle, and the attendants were insisting that it would take too long with the shuttle. The thought of missing my flight made me pay the same amount that I paid for the trip there, to just switch terminals.
I just wanted to get out of there at that point. When I arrived in the US and a terminal employee said 'Welcome!' and directed us, I almost cried at the display of kindness.
Food
I love tacos, guacamole, chicken tortilla soup, and quesadillas. I do hate cilantro, it ruins any dish and tastes like stinkbugs. I visited the restaurants close by and ate the local food. I did expect it to be cheap, but tacos with water and tip, it was at least 15 USD. It's not that much, but expectations are high after all the social media romanticizing. There were little food carts in places, but I did not partake.
For breakfast, I would go to the hotel cafe or get something from the supermarket. I was a bit surprised by the lack of ready-to-eat stuff in stores. With all the tourists and working people around, I thought there would be more ready-made salads and snacks.
The worst was all yogurt being sweet, even "natural" yogurt had sweetener. Apparently, locals really have a sweet tooth, Coke managed to have their sodas successfully marketed as a breakfast drink.
The mall was the best place, I would have lunch and grocery shop. The supermarket prices were ok for local things. But everything else was very pricy. The options were limited, too.
The fast food places were especially packed in the afternoon. The locals filled the lines every day. And I joined. I craved salty, hot, savory food. The price was also better than anything else in the area.
The restaurants I went to were hit or miss. Either the service was nice, the venue was busy, and the food was great. Or, the staff didn't speak English when I was brought the wrong thing. I've also been the victim of a "gringa" menu, where the first visit I received the Spanish menu and I managed to order in my broken Spanish. But the second time I was brought an English menu, with higher prices, and the bacon was extra. It was a damper on my thoughts of life in Mexico.
I avoided being outside in the evening, so for dinner I usually had a snack or I would order something.
Medical
Mexico is a popular destination for medical tourism. Americans and Canadians alike trek over the border to buy accessible medication and services.
There is a warning now about medication in Mexico not being properly regulated, or being tainted.
There are many stories in the media about the hospital experience in Cancun. Patients are made to pay large sums of money upfront. I'm sure the hospital is making sure they're not offering free services to foreigners. But foreigners are targeted by unjustifiably large bills.
I had to discover part of my auto-immune issues in Mexico. With the few brain cells I had left, I put together some information and got a B12 and Iron panel done.
I contacted a nearby lab and was told to walk in. With my Google Translate ready and the helpfulness of the staff, I got the blood drawn and the results the next day. It was affordable and fast.
Next, I found a doctor who spoke English and went in with my results and inherited issue. He was very nice, and I got my first shot at his office. The visit was pricy but on par with US prices. My symptoms had been getting worse each day, so being diagnosed was a huge relief.
My medication was about $30 USD in a pharmacy in a touristy area. I found one out of the way, where the price was a few times lower.
The rest of the shots I had done at a clinic close to the hotel. With my translator in hand, I spoke with the receptionist. The nurse got me in quickly and administered the shot. The pay for the nurse was 50 pesos, that's about $3 now, as this was some years ago.
Overall, my medical experience in Mexico was great. And it was nice that I got by with my limited Spanish.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone.
Entertainment
This was the best part about Mexico. I happily recommend visiting the beaches, Xcaret, and Mayan sites.
It's best to stay at a resort, and not go out on your own. And never get involved in shady stuff. It's not worth it for anything. Even fancy resorts are now the battleground for local power.
Xcaret Park is an amazing place. I would recommend spending 2 days there, it has a lot of ground to cover. Nature is intertwined with culture, there are many activities and experiences. Don't miss the show at the end of the day, it was spectacular.
I was lucky to see the Chichén Itzá ruins while there. It was a full-day trip from Cancun. We walked the grounds, took photos, and imagined how life was there. Not so great, I hear, with all the sacrifices they had to offer, and only the elite being allowed to drink cocoa.
Another wonder is the cenotes. These sunken lakes are taken over by vibrant nature and crystal-clear, cold water.
Another cool experience was a cooking lesson deep in the jungle, in a Mayan village. We did encounter a tarantula, which a brave Mayan lady fought off. It was a huge sign for me that I wouldn't make it in Mexico. Not that I would live in the jungle, but they do roam everywhere.
At the end of my trip, I was well ready to leave. I crossed the Yucatan Peninsula off my possible 'live in' list. I did visit Mexico again to see more archaeological sites. I know many love their move to this beautiful country, but it's not for me.
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