What's the cost to rent an apartment in Yucatan: Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Merida, etc?

If you’re renting from a local Mexican, in a middle or middle-upper class neighborhood in the Yucatan Peninsula, you can expect to pay anything from 2,000 (US $125) to 5,000 pesos (US $312) a month to rent an apartment. This would be about right in any of the 3 states – Campeche, the city of Merida, or in the Caribbean in Playa Del Carmen.
 
It bothers me to see a gringo rent a house for US $1,500 when the neighbor next door will rent it for US $500. I’ve also...

If you’re renting from a local Mexican, in a middle or middle-upper class neighborhood in the Yucatan Peninsula, you can expect to pay anything from 2,000 (US $125) to 5,000 pesos (US $312) a month to rent an apartment. This would be about right in any of the 3 states – Campeche, the city of Merida, or in the Caribbean in Playa Del Carmen.
 
It bothers me to see a gringo rent a house for US $1,500 when the neighbor next door will rent it for US $500. I’ve also seen a gringo rent an apartment for $500 and turn around and rent it to a friend or put it on Air B & B and charge $1,500 for it and pocket the difference. This is pretty prevalent in any tourist destination in Mexico where you’re going to have a gringo renting; it’s a very common occurrence that gringos do. You don’t see it that much with Mexicans. Sometimes they do it but you get a more honest and fairer deal when dealing directly with a Mexican; even if they see if you’re a gringo.
 
I’ll give you an example from where I live in Merida. Two to three bedroom homes rent for a range of 1,500 pesos (US $93.75) to 5,000 (US $312.5). A single floor, 2-bedroom unit could be 1,500 pesos (US $93.75) to 2,000 pesos (US $125). That’s for my area, which is a little middle-upper class. Then again, if you go to Playa Del Carmen, which is on the Caribbean, if you rent from a Mexican where the Mexicans live and not where the tourists live, you can have find a 2 or 3-bedroom home for 5,000 pesos (US $312.5), sometimes furnished. These are single-family residences. Apartments can run the same depending on their location. Sometimes the privilege of renting an apartment is sometimes maybe better access to some public transportation or some amenities like a pool or some other things I can think of as the only plus. But if it’s an apartment, you’re usually going to find it furnished.  They usually include all utilities except electricity.

 

(Caribbean condos in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, pictured.)

Well described by Alfonso. I keep and apartment in Merida  in a middle class area with air conditioning, wifi, cable tv, etc. I pay 3,900 pesos a month (currently about US $210) but do pay for electricity. You can go to an area like Santiago here, which many call "Gringo Gulch", and easily pay 3 times that. That is assuming you want to be surrounded by expats, which I don't. I feel the feel of Mexico. But all I need is readily available, including a small "mom and...

Well described by Alfonso. I keep and apartment in Merida  in a middle class area with air conditioning, wifi, cable tv, etc. I pay 3,900 pesos a month (currently about US $210) but do pay for electricity. You can go to an area like Santiago here, which many call "Gringo Gulch", and easily pay 3 times that. That is assuming you want to be surrounded by expats, which I don't. I feel the feel of Mexico. But all I need is readily available, including a small "mom and pop" grocery on the corner (she has an amazing variety).

 

I should add that the apartment I rent in Merida for 3900 pesos per month is nicely furnished. Includes full size fridge and stove with oven. In a middle class neighborhood and not a gringo area like Santiago.

 

I have rented a number of apartments in various parts of Mexico and never had need for a  realtor.  I find them by looking around or from several good websites. My favorite is Locanto, which will show you a wide selection most anywhere in Mexico. Craiglist is of little use since few Mexicans use it.

 

(Logo for Locanto, Mexico, pictured.)

I should add that the apartment I rent in Merida for 3900 pesos per month is nicely furnished. Includes full size fridge and stove with oven. In a middle class neighborhood and not a gringo area like Santiago.

 

I should add that the apartment I rent in Merida for 3900 pesos per month is nicely furnished. Includes full size fridge and stove with oven. In a middle class neighborhood and not a gringo area like Santiago.