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My Sabor de Yucatán Passport Tour: 10 Stops, Countless Flavors, and a Whole Lot of Mezcal
What’s good, Mexit Planners? Mérida just wrapped up its very first Sabor de Yucatán food festival, and let me tell you—it was a full-on feast for the senses. I spent over four hours tasting my way through 10 different restaurants , mostly along the buzzing Gastronomic District on Calle 47 , and ending near the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo Montejo. From smoky tacos to raw octopus (yes, really), I sampled a little bit of everything—guided by the official festival passport ,
C. Monte Raynor
Feb 284 min read


Catching the IE-TRAM at Sunrise: A Ride Through Modern Mérida
What’s good, Mexit Planners? It’s 5:20 a.m. on a Friday and I’m out here in Mérida , chasing sunrise and something I’ve been waiting on for months—the North Route of the IE-TRAM . If you’ve been following the transportation upgrades in Yucatán, then you know this line is a big deal. This new route runs from Parque La Plancha , right through Prolongación Paseo de Montejo , and all the way up to the Periférico —Mérida’s ring road. Think of it like Mérida’s version of a subway.
C. Monte Raynor
Feb 214 min read


Coffee, Cold Brews & Surprises: My Café Crawl Through Centro Mérida
Hey Mexit Planners, If you know anything about me, you know I love coffee. So when a new book landed on my doorstep (about—you guessed it—coffee), I figured it was the perfect excuse to head into Centro Mérida and explore a few coffee shops I hadn't visited in a while… and a couple that were totally new to me. This wasn’t just a café hop—it turned into a full-on Centro adventure with buses, bookstores, burgers, and unexpected art galleries. Let’s dive in. 🚎 Getting There: V
C. Monte Raynor
Feb 144 min read
Surviving Power Outages in Mexico: A Remote Worker’s Guide
If you're new to Mexico and working remotely, here's one thing you're going to learn fast: The power grid isn't always your friend. Here in Mérida, where I live, it's not unusual to lose electricity once a week, sometimes for just a few minutes, other times for a few days. And with the city growing faster than its power infrastructure, this reality isn’t going away anytime soon. Now, if you're just watching Netflix, that might be a minor inconvenience. But if you’re in the mi
C. Monte Raynor
Feb 125 min read


Gallerón: A Hidden Coffee Gem in the Heart of Santiago, Mérida
What’s good, Mexit Planners? If you’re the type who loves discovering tucked-away local spots that feel like a secret—you’re going to want to add Gallerón to your list. This place isn’t just another café. It’s an old-school colonial home turned coffee speakeasy , right in the heart of Colonia Santiago , one of Centro Mérida’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods. The only clue that something special is waiting inside? A simple sign that reads: “Knock the door.” That alone
C. Monte Raynor
Feb 72 min read


A Morning Walk Through Montecristo: One of Mérida’s Most Elegant Neighborhoods
What’s good, Mexit Planners? This morning, I laced up my sneakers, grabbed the mosquito repellent (because these rainy season mosquitoes are not playing), and headed out for a walk through Montecristo —one of Mérida’s most beautiful and well-established neighborhoods. Now, this wasn’t just any walk. I covered a lot of ground—starting in Emiliano Zapata Norte , passing through parts of Colonia México , Montecristo , and even touching Montebello and Monterreal . But the heart
C. Monte Raynor
Jan 304 min read


Exploring Compestre: A Walk Through One of Mérida’s Most Desirable Neighborhoods
Exploring the Hidden Gem of Mérida: Colonia Campestre Come take a stroll with me this morning as we explore the charming and history-rich neighborhood of Colonia Campestre —one of Mérida’s hidden gems and definitely a top contender if you’re looking for a quiet, central, and well-connected place to live. We’re starting this walk at Walmart Express , right off Prolongación Paseo de Montejo , just as you head into the northern part of the city. From here, we’ll walk a few side
C. Monte Raynor
Jan 234 min read


A Morning Walk Through Itzimná: History, Hidden Gems & Heavenly Coffee
What’s good, Mexit Planners? This morning, we’re taking a walk through one of Mérida’s most overlooked treasures— Colonia Itzimná . If you're just starting your home search or dreaming about your next neighborhood, this one should definitely be on your list. We’re starting at the iconic Gran Chapur department store , a local version of Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s here in the Yucatán. And yes—fun fact—it also has some of the best fried chicken in the city . You can even order it
C. Monte Raynor
Jan 163 min read


A Morning Walk Through My "New" Old Neighborhood in Mérida
Hey, Mexit Planners! Come take a walk with me. This morning I’m taking you through my new neighborhood… which just so happens to be my old neighborhood, too. Let me explain. We recently moved, but not far. We’re still in the same general area here in Mérida, just a little closer to the city center. That small shift changed up my morning 5K walk, so I’ve been exploring new routes to keep my distance up—and along the way, I’ve stumbled across a few gems I wanted to share with
C. Monte Raynor
Jan 84 min read


How to Thrive During Mega Blackouts in Mexico
The Outage Begins It was about 2:00 PM. We hopped in the car and headed for TGI Friday’s. Immediately, something felt off. Traffic lights? Dead. Cars? Weaving through intersections. The usual Friday school rush? Nonexistent—turns out it was a teacher work day. We got to Friday’s, and the staff just shrugged: “Sorry, no power, no food.” Okay, pivot. Texas Roadhouse at Galerías Mall. Same story—dark, shut down. That’s when it clicked: this wasn’t just a local hiccup. This was
C. Monte Raynor
Oct 2, 20253 min read


Mastering Power Outages in Mexico: A Guide for Remote Workers
The power grid isn't always your friend. Here in Mérida, where I live, it's not unusual to lose electricity once a week. Sometimes it's...
C. Monte Raynor
Sep 18, 20255 min read


Do You Really Need a VPN Abroad in 2025? (Short Answer: Yup.)
What’s good, MexitPlanners? Thinking about moving to Mexico or traveling abroad? Maybe working remote or just trying to stream your...
C. Monte Raynor
May 29, 20254 min read


The Maya Train Journey: Triumphs, Challenges, and What’s Next?
As we step into 2025, the Maya Train continues to evolve as a vital part of Mexico’s transportation network. Covering a 1,544-kilometer...
C. Monte Raynor
Mar 23, 20252 min read


Riding the Maya Train: My Honest Review After a Year of Travel
After a year of exploring the Maya Train routes, I’m sharing my honest review to help fellow travelers make the most of their journey....
C. Monte Raynor
Mar 22, 20251 min read


Maya Train, One Year Later: Has It Lived Up to the Hype?
Almost 2 years ago, the Maya Train was launched with promises of revolutionizing travel across Mexico. I had the privilege of taking the...
C. Monte Raynor
Mar 21, 20251 min read


Key Skills Employers Look for in Remote Employees
The remote work world has opened doors to new opportunities and ways of working. But succeeding in a remote role isn’t just about logging...
C. Monte Raynor
Jan 26, 20253 min read


Building a Resume for Remote Work Success
Remote work has become more than just a buzzword—it’s a lifestyle and a career path that offers freedom and flexibility. But with this...
C. Monte Raynor
Jan 25, 20252 min read


How to Land Your First Remote Job
Getting your first remote job can lead to a completely different way of living and working, whether your goals are to work from home, spend
C. Monte Raynor
Jan 24, 20253 min read


Best Dedicated IP VPN: Why You Should Consider NordVPN
Introduction If you’ve ever run into endless captchas, struggled with restricted websites, or had your streaming interrupted, you’re not alone. These annoyances are common with shared VPN IPs, where you’re one of many users on the same address. But what if you had your own private IP? A dedicated IP VPN can provide just that, giving you a unique, stable IP address reserved only for you, which reduces captchas, makes streaming easier, and lets you access more content seamlessl
C. Monte Raynor
Nov 1, 20245 min read


VPN Case Study: What I Learned from Fixing a Poorly Set Up Personal VPN
In the world of cybersecurity, a properly configured VPN is crucial for safeguarding your online privacy.
C. Monte Raynor
Sep 12, 20243 min read
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