THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIVING IN MÉRIDA 2012 : PLUS TONS OF INFORMATION ON VISITING THE MAYA OF THE YUCATAN, has been updated and expanded for 2012, and remains indispensable for anyone thinking of moving to or visiting Mérida, the marvelous capital city of Mexico"s Yucatán peninsula. The most comprehensive book ever compiled about Mérida, this well-organized guide will help answer most any question - from how to buy or rent a house to where you can find a good Italian restaurant. While helping the reader decide how best to go about making the move to the city rated by International Living Magazine as the best area to retire to in the whole of North America, this trove of information and advice will also assist the newly-relocated as well as those with established residence. Topics include information about Mérida"s neighborhoods; amenities (churches, schools, expat communities, helpful websites, etc.); Medical Tourism; a perfect week as a visitor; Spanish language classes; museums and galleries; making the move to Mérida; driving in Mexico; cost of living; hiring household help; banking; an assessment of the real estate market; architects and designers; furnishings; the local artistic community; social customs and holidays; finding a lawyer, hospital or doctor; insurance matters; gay and lesbian communities; taxes; voting; embassies and consulates; as well as consumer advice and warnings. With more than one million Americans and Canadians now living in Mexico, Mérida is the center of increasing attention. Often described as a "tropical paradise," a "colonial gem," and a "bastion of tranquility," Mérida is undoubtedly Mexico"s best kept secret. But is Mérida a match for you? Are you ready to become an expatriate? Are you prepared to be a "minority" - a native English‐speaker in a Spanish‐speaking country? Are you ready to make a second or retirement home in an exotic and exciting foreign city for that is a ninety-minute flight from the U.S.? Are you thinking about embarking on an adventure of a lifetime? This book will help answer these questions!