THE 10 BEST CITIES TO LIVE IN MEXICO AND THE WORST PLACES

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Of most of the countries I have visited, there is always a site that stands out for its natural and cultural attributes. But Mexico has so many options to live, invest or simply go on vacation that it is difficult to choose just one place.

Here is a summary of the ten best cities in Mexico to live and enjoy its beaches and culture, as well as the worst places to visit.

On the east coast

1. Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum)

There are so many options to live near the sea, that you just have to decide how much you want to spend or the lifestyle you would like to lead.

The Riviera Maya is the portion of the Caribbean coast on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, 125 miles long.

Read our definitive guide on the Mayan Riviera: Everything you need to know

Cancun

Without a doubt, one of the most important tourist cities in Mexico.

This town was nothing more than a small fishing village and seven hundred thousand inhabitants, until in 1974 it began to be exploited as a tourist city.

It was so successful that its development spread southward to what is now Playa del Carmen, becoming a great tourist mecca.

Read our guide on the TOP 12 best beaches in Cancun that you have to know

Carmen beach

Only 57 km from Cancun, it is the most chic place in the entire region. It is quite an expensive city to live in, but even so it is a place that you cannot miss. It is, par excellence, the one chosen by Europeans and North Americans to spend their holidays.

Near the main square of the town, is the famous 5th Avenue, which runs parallel to the coast and where you can find the best restaurants and exclusive shops, almost as attractive as its beautiful beaches.

Tulum

Until a few years ago, Tulum was a town of small houses and a few cabins. Today it is a growing tourist city and an attractive investment opportunity.

The Riviera Maya has warm waters and virgin beaches; with the Great Mayan Reef, nothing less than the largest coral reef in the Atlantic Ocean and a great option for lovers of diving and snorkeling world.

In addition to its impressive natural attractions, here you can find the best preserved Mayan archaeological sites in all of Mexico.

If you are a golf lover, you can also enjoy some world-class courses.

West Coast

2. Puerto Peñasco

This is the most convenient resort, if you are in the United States, as it is only an hour from the border.

Also known as Rocky Point, it is the place of choice (for almost a hundred years) for weekend getaways for those living in the western United States and Canada.

North Americans, owners of summer homes in Puerto Peñasco, can cross the border and go directly to their homes near the sea without even stopping to search their cars. The beaches are second to none.

With its warm and calm waters throughout the year, this city offers a wide variety of accommodation of all prices, in addition to the low costs to acquire a property, if you are interested in investing there.

You can find two-bedroom condos from $ 109,000, perfect for a vacation home or weekend getaway.

3. Mazatlan

Mazatlán has about 20 miles of beaches and maritime museums. In the last ten years its historic center has been renovated. It is typical Spanish colonial America, with many first-class restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and beachfront promenades.

4. Puerto Vallarta

Tourist center par excellence since 1960, it is a temple of colonial history of several centuries. The attraction of Puerto Vallarta is in its beaches interspersed with each other, which gives each area a unique character.

It is a paradise of lush green slopes, very well used by the hundreds of houses anchored in them with unique views towards the ocean.

Read our guide on the TOP 12 best All Inclusive hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Cities

If you prefer the bustle of big cities or the atmosphere and climate of the colonial heart of Mexico, you should know:

5. Mexico City

You will love this city: its contrast between the sand and its cosmopolitan side, the crowded markets like La Merced and the tree-lined streets of Condesa and Roma.

Here you can enjoy the typical fried quesadillas, in places like Coyoacán and good taste in Polanco. You can go shopping in a bazaar for cheap finds and get on the subway for only 5 pesos.

Mexico City has an ideal climate. It is 2,250 meters above sea level and while spring is quite warm with temperatures reaching 26 ° C, winter is very mild with daytime temperatures of up to 18 ° C.

The rainy season runs from June to September, but it's still quite hot during the day.

6. Merida

If you are interested in moving to Mexico and you find yourself undecided or do not know exactly where to settle, Mérida (Yucatán) is the city that offers the best quality of life, health, education, security and culture.

The southern region of Mexico has historically been the most peaceful and Yucatán has the lowest crime rate in the country (2.8 per 100,000 inhabitants).

Beach and City

Merida is the perfect combination of the excitement of the city and the relaxed atmosphere of the beach. It has colorful colonial buildings and ramshackle canteens. hipster.

It is only a half hour drive from the beach and the cost of living there is incredibly low. The city has a lot of cheap street food, but it also has a Costco and a Walmart.

It has a large airport very close and is a few hours from Cancun. It's surrounded by Mayan history, hidden cenotes, and cultures you've probably never heard of. In addition, the food of Yucatán is one of the best in the country.

If what you are looking for is a place that is warm all year round (summer is very warm), with the excellent amenities of the city - but without the claustrophobia of a big city - and you also want to be close to the beach, you really don't there is nothing better than Merida.

7. Oaxaca

Oaxaca City simply has it all: craft beer bars, rooftop restaurants, great food, tons of culture, beautiful parks, and it's easy to get in and out of it.

There is a large bus terminal and the airport is only a few miles from the center. The city is low, there are no skyscrapers or large buildings, which makes it very pleasant.

The weather is excellent. It is hot and dry for half the year, and hot and humid for the other half. The people are friendly and there are many markets where you can buy cheap food, as well as a large organic market with vegetarian options.

It has a very good atmosphere, it has small fairly safe neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city center.

But this beautiful city is not a good option, if you want to enjoy weekends or quick getaways to the beach, since it is quite far from the coast; If you still want to enjoy the sun, sand and ocean, you will have to travel by plane.

8. San Miguel de Allende

It is a colonial city located in the state of Guanajuato, remarkably beautiful, sociable and full of foreigners.

It is an ancient city, with a large pink cathedral, brightly colored buildings, and a truly amazing community of artists.

Many Canadians and Americans retire to this part of Mexico, because the cost of living there is low and the climate is ideal: not too hot, not too cold.

It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and has one of the best botanical gardens in the country.

There are great food places, great craft beer bars, fancy restaurants, amazing bakeries, and lots of shops.

It has a magnificent historical center of a very good standard, which is ideal for walking and enjoying.

Owner of a pace of life much slower than any of the large cities in the country, it has been classified as a retirement city for people over sixty years of age.

But if you are an artist, a writer or a lover of the arts, this is a beautiful option to live no matter how old you are.

9. Poplars

It is a small city of less than 25 thousand inhabitants and in a state of restoration and preservation of its historic center.

Of the many Latin American cities that call themselves bohemian cities, Alamos is the true bohemian city, full of writers, artists, musicians and poets.

It is the perfect alternative to all the other small cities in Mexico.

10. San Luis Potosí

San Luis Potosí is pure adventure and nature. If you like waterfalls, hiking, lush forests and the rafting, you should visit San Luis Potosí and consider it among the options for your next new home.

The city is small, but it has everything you need: from events throughout the year, such as craft beer festivals or jazz, to an annual state fair.

However, the main attraction to living in San Luis Potosí is its natural beauty. The city is less than three hours from the beautiful region of Huasteca that will leave you speechless.

Here you can see huge waterfalls, go hiking, rafting, kayak or bathe in its crystal clear lakes.

This is one of the most chosen places by foreigners to live in Mexico.

The worst places to live in Mexico

While it's tempting to just move to a new place without doing a lot of research, if you have kids, are retiring, or are spending your savings to make this change, do your research first.

Visit a few different cities and towns in Mexico before making a final decision. Find out about rental prices, visit supermarkets and compare the variety they offer; that is, try to imagine what it will be like to live there.

Mexico is not for everyone

If you only come because it is cheap and warm, there are many other facets of this paradise, in relation to beaches and culture that you should know.

According to a statistical study carried out in 2018, the worst cities to live in Mexico are:

Chilpancingo, Guerrero
City of Carmen, Campeche
Acapulco Guerrero
Ecatepec de Morelos, state of Mexico

These cities are the least advised to live due to their high rates of crime and violence, low quality of life, lack of security, health, housing, education and transportation; in addition to the high levels of pollution and low or no economic and cultural development. (Source: Mexico Peace Index Study - Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)).

With all these options, what do you think would be your ideal place to live in Mexico? Tell us more in the comments section and share this article on your social networks.