Last fact-checked: 13 January 2019

Discover Mexico’s past while taking advantage of cost savings having your dental care in Merida. The city is famed for the beauty of its buildings where history merges with modernity.

Merida’s Centro Historico district is one of the largest in the Americas. Lined with colonial homes, it is currently enjoying a Renaissance as these much-loved old buildings are being lovingly restored to their former glory.

Founded in 1542, Merida was built on the site of the ancient Mayan city of T’ho, at the time the center of Mayan culture in the Yucatan region. After the arrival of the Spanish, the city’s ancient pyramids were destroyed, but the ruins were used in the construction of some of Merida’s important buildings, such as the Merida Cathedral. The Spanish built Merida as a walled city, and several of the old city gates remain standing to this day.

Merida is the capital of the Yucatan region, an important commercial center with a population of nearly one million, but also one of the key places to understand and experience the Mayan culture. It has a unique heritage, even compared to the rest of Mexico, with an identity of its own. Unique culture, traditions, cuisine and language are the result of its isolation from other parts of Mexico and a strong Spanish influence, giving Merida its unique characteristics and providing visitors with a treasure-trove of experiences.

Merida is modern and cosmopolitan. All 21st-century interests – boutiques, restaurants, museums, art galleries and shops are represented here; but so too are Merida’s traditions and culture. From watching the weekly Vaqueria performances in the Central Plaza, to exploring nearby Mayan ruins, the city is rich with things to see and do. Merida is also well-located to take in some of the other sights of the Yucatan Peninsula, including the holiday resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, or the ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza.

Patients choosing to have their dental treatment in Merida will not be disappointed by the quality of dental care here, nor by the facilities and amenities available to make your stay a memorable one.

Located on the northwest Yucatan Peninsula and capital city of the state of Yucatan, Merida is near to ancient Mayan ruins dotted along the peninsula, as well as the popular holiday resorts of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

(Image by Tomas Castelazo)

Merida is a safe city in one of the most fascinating areas in Mexico. For anyone interested in ancient culture, Merida is a must – and its sophisticated ambiance will particularly appeal to those looking for more than a beach holiday.

Merida is also fortunate to have some of the most up-to-date dental clinics in Mexico; patients looking for good quality care in pleasant surroundings will not be disappointed. Our best dentists have excellent facilities, embracing new technology, including CAD/CAM systems, digital x-rays and 3D scanning, which provide accurate diagnoses and treatments, as well as speedier turnaround times.

Traveling to Merida for your dental care does not mean a compromise on receiving high quality. Your care will be just as good as you would receive at home, but for a fraction of the cost:

• A single dental crown in the US costs $1,200; Prices at a dentist in Merida: $420
• A root canal, post and crown in the US costs $2,200; At a dentist in Merida: $559
• A dental implant and crown in the US costs $3,900; At a dentist in Merida: $1,760

Merida offers a wide array of comfortable places to stay, at reasonable prices. As you might expect, accommodations range from luxury five-star to budget hotels to apartment rentals and airbnb's. Look for promotions that can save you a considerable amount.

Yes, with few exceptions Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula are very safe, with travel warnings seldom issued by the US government for the state of Yucatan, or surrounding states, including Campeche and Quintana Roo. Just follow the common-sense rules of the travel road and you will enjoy a safe visit, along with some 400,000 leisure tourists from all over the world that Merida welcomed in 2017.

Provided you select the right dentist, the quality of care you receive in Merida will be every bit as good as the care you receive at home. Our commitment to ensuring our patients receive good quality starts with detailed background checks. We verify dentists' qualifications and experience and personally visit clinics to see for ourselves the techniques and standards they employ. Only when we are satisfied they will provide treatment of the same quality as at home will we include them on our website.

Some of our top  Merida dental clinics include:

• Whiteline Dental Clinic
• GIO Clinic

We know dental care is a worrying prospect for many, even more so if traveling abroad. It should give you comfort to know that all dentists listed on our site guarantee their work, not only for your procedure but for any materials produced in the lab (such as crowns or dentures),

While no provider is able to guarantee any medical or dental procedure 100%, in the rare event that you do experience a problem, Dental Departures will work with you to see that it is put right. We are committed to providing our patients with outstanding customer service–and will work with you and your dentist on your behalf.

For your complete peace of mind, if you are concerned about travel and other expenses should you need to return for follow-up care, we have joined with insurance providers around the globe to offer low-cost coverage should the need arise.

(Image by: Chivista)

No. Merida is a major tourist destination and English is spoken widely in most of our dental clinics, as well as restaurants and hotels that cater to international travelers.

You can check each clinic’s individual payment methods on our website. Generally, US cash is accepted everywhere. Most clinics also accept debit and credit cards, as well as personal and travelers' checks. Please note that credit care payments may be subject to a small processing fee (usually 3-4%).

While dentists in Mexico cannot file a claim on your insurance, if your provider allows for "out-of-network" care you may be eligible for reimbursement when you return home. Check with your insurance provider before you travel, and make sure you bring along the necessary forms and other documents, as your dentist will need to complete these.

Our dentists are open all year round, although at peak tourism times (January through March) you will want to book your accommodations and flights well in advance. The other downside to traveling at peak times is that you will be less likely to get the best airfares and hotel rates.

Merida’s weather is tropical with high temperatures in January to May (from 28-36°C; 82-97°F). The rainy season runs from June to October, likely to be short, sudden downpours rather than sustained rain for days on end. Tropical storms may also affect the area at this time of year. Many Merida dentists offer special discount pricing and promotions during the slow season. Our Customer Care Team will be happy to help you locate low-season bargains.

The sidewalks are rather narrow in parts of the city but otherwise, the area around Plaza Mayor (El Centro) is wheelchair friendly, as are the sidewalks on Paseo Montejo, where you will find European-styled boulevards with plenty of room.

(Image by Pedro Sanchez)

There are no particular dangers, annoyances or other problems to be aware of in Merida.

The only item that may be an issue for dental patients is that sedation dentistry is not standard in Mexico. Our dentists are happy to arrange full sedation with advance notice. Please note that the services of an anesthetist are required, with additional fees running $400-$600.

While there are plenty of museums, galleries, shops, restaurants and everything else you could possibly want in Merida, it is worthwhile to explore surrounding areas. The nearest beach is in the charming town of Progreso, a half hour drive away. The established and much busier resorts of Cancun, Playa del Carmen Tulum are also an option, three to four hours away by car.

Greater Merida is blessed with nearby ancient ruins, including the world-renowned Chichen Itza and Tulum. Smaller, lesser-known sites, such as Dzibilchaltun, are well worth a look.

For the more adventurous, Merida provides plenty of pursuits just outside of the city, including caves and cenotes (sinkholes) across the Yucatan peninsula. The Grutas de Calcehtok caves have a number of organized tours for different abilities. If you are a little claustrophobic, the open-air X'batun may be for you. A peaceful haven surrounded by rocks and plants, the crystal-clear, cooling waters are particularly inviting on a hot day.

The nearest airport is Merida's Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (IATA airport code: MID). Other area airports, such as Cancun, also serve Merida-bound travelers.

Distance from Merida to places of interest:

• Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport: 6 miles (10 km), 16 minutes
• Progreso: 23 miles (36 km), 37 minutes
• Chichen Itza: 75 miles (120 km), 1.5 hours
• Tulum: 164 miles (264 km), 3 hours
• Cancun: 191 miles (308 km), 3.25 hours

Book your appointment online any time of the day or night, or call us toll-free. You can get free quotes, view clinic photos, take virtual tours, read real patient reviews and find exclusive promotions on our website. Save a bunch and discover great-quality dental care in Merida with Dental Departures; there is no charge to you for our services.

(Image by: Joseph Barillari)

(Main Image by: Espara Palma)

Sources:

Merida Centro Historico. http://yucatantoday.com/centro-hist-rico-historic-center-m-rida/?lang=en. Yucatan Times. Website accessed 4 December 2018.

Merida. https://www.britannica.com/place/Merida-Mexico. Website accessed 4 December 2018.

Schulman, Bob. Merida, Mexico: The Crossroads of Maya History. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/merida-mexico-a-rich-maya_b_2360151. Huffington Post. 26 December 2012.

Fasbinder, Dennis J. 25 Years of Chairside CAD/CAM Dentistry. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)63733-8/abstract. Journal of the American Dental Association. 1 June 2010.