Mérida, the capital of the Yucatan state, is consistently ranked not only as the safest city in Mexico but also as one of the safest cities in the entire Americas. Violent crime is virtually non-existent here, and it is entirely safe for tourists—including solo female travelers—to walk around the historic center both day and night. The local police force is highly effective and trustworthy. The primary risks for visitors to Mérida are environmental: the city experiences oppressive, extreme heat and high humidity for much of the year, which can easily lead to heatstroke or severe dehydration if you do not pace yourself and drink plenty of purified water.