Merida. Red Light District
I went to Merida in March and visited the Red Light District (street 58, between 71 and 73) couple of times. The girls hang out in front of the hotels.
First visit was on a Friday evening: there were about 8-10 girls, some of which were quite nice, but there were also some older fat ladies. The price for the younger nice girls was 300 pesos, while the older ones wanted 200 pesos.
Saturday morning around 5:00: There were two girls around 30-35, both wanted 200 pesos. I had one of them. She had a good attitude and it was a pleasant experience.
Saturday evening: at least 12-14 girls, most were average, some ugly, one or two nice girls. They wanted 200-300 pesos.
Room is 50-70 pesos. The rooms and sheets are not clean. The sheets are probably changed only 1-2 / week.
I felt very safe all the time, even during the night and early morning, because there was a constant police presence at both ends of the zone where the girls are. It seems to be tolerated and protected by the police.
The girls do not speak any English so you should know at least the numbers and some basic words in order to make it easier to negotiate.
Merida Update. News Report
[Long time reader, rare poster in the past, but will start posting now. I'm paranoid, OK? I have to live with it too. ]
Who says reporting is going downhill, this is an excellent report, note that "arrested" only means "charged with a misdemeanor"
[url]http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2013/01/43-prostitutes-arrested-in-merida-downtown-ssp-calls-for-help/[/url]
43 Prostitutes Arrested in Merida Downtown, SSP calls for help.
So far this year, the Municipal Police of Mérida (PMM) has arrested 43 sex workers. 93% are women between 20 and 43 years of age, and there have been no cases of child prostitution, reported the director of the PMM, Arturo Romero Escalante.
Romero Escalante pointed out that there are three points in downtown Merida where the sex workers offer their services, most of them are Yucatecans. In less than a month, the agents of the corporation have arrested 43 sex workers, of which 40 are women and 3 are men.
'The detainees are charged with a misdemeanor, as prostitution is not a felony. '
In Merida downtown, he continued, the main points of exhibitionism by sex workers are the intersection of 58th Street between 69 to 73, the terminal of the ADO buses and the neighborhood San Cristobal.
The police director also commented about the tourist prostitution in particular male sex workers, who target in specific the international visitors, and their main area of operation is the Plaza Grande.
The PMM permanently patrols the 58th Street between 71 and 73, due to the numerous complaints in this area from retailers, hoteliers and market tenants.
Before this growing problem, the PMM is planning by next November the implementation of the forum: 'Analysis of the Social Phenomenon of Sex Work in the City of Merida', which will have the participation of academics and researchers, entrepreneurs, representatives of NGOs, as well as officials from various branches of government, and even sex workers.
Some of the organizations that has shown interest to participate in this forum are the Human Rights Commission of the State (CODHEY) , National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) , the Psychological Services Unit, and Sexual Education for Personal Growth (UNASSE) , the Law School of the University Yucatan (UADY) , the Secretary of Public Security (SSP) , the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) , the Ministry of Health of Yucatáand (SSY) , and the Women Municipal Institute.
'It is the first time in at least 10 years that an event of this type will take place in Merida, an event that even sex workers will be included. ' Said the Romero Escalante.
Seeking advice: Any strip clubs in Merida?
I expect to be in Merida for business later this summer. I'm more comfortable with the strip club scene than with the street walker scene, especially in light of the report of police busts of the street walkers. Does Merida have any strip clubs, especially clubs of the caliber of Hong Kong or some of the other Tijuana clubs?