Writing Workshop, Merida, Mexico, June 6, 2015

Expresso de Arte & Casa Maryposa - Two new cafés

I was out on errands and found two new cafes. I was delighted.

I did not have the opportunity to try the menu at Expresso de Arte on Calle at 62 #445 x 53 y 51 in Centro but the decor was lovely.

The cafe is large and the menu includes Fetuccine Alfredo, Pannis y Ensaladas, smoothies, frappes and more. The café is open Lunes a Sábado 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Then, as I returned home, I saw a new cafe, Casa Maryposa, had opened near me. I decided to take a peek. The decor was heavenly with a butterfly theme. Lots of places to sit and a jardin in the back.

I wasn't hungry but decided to have a beverage. The menu ran from nachos to Fajitas, and had a wide selection of beverages and desserts. I got a chocolate frappe. Nothing cools you off like an ice cold frappe.

The owners were pleased to talk about their café because they had only been open about a week. They use fresh ingredients in their menu items.

The owners were kind enough to give me a sampling of their desserts.

Oh yum, I could not remember the last time I had such delicious desserts. The cookies are fantastic. The Banana Bread is great and the Spice Cake, moan!, it's really good.

Casa Maryposa is so close to my apartment, I can roll out of bed and have Banana Bread or Cookies, or Spice Cake!!!!

Casa Mayrposa
Calle 62 #360 x 41 y 43
Colonia Centro
Martes - Jueves 11:30 - 7:30
Viernes - Sábado 11:30 - 6:00

Facebook page to launch soon. "Casa Maryposa"

Punto Café - Just Opened September 29, 2014

Businesses come and go in Merida. As the economy improves, more businesses are opening.

Recently, on a Monday, enroute to a new physical therapy clinic, I stopped by the Punto Café near the clinic to get breakfast and a cup of coffee.

I was greeted by Beatrice, who offered me some sandwich samples. I choose an egg and tomato sandwich and Americano coffee with milk.

I always try to use my Spanish. As I struggled to make my sentences, Beatrice asked if I spoke Italian. Nope. Beatrice and her co-owner Luca were Italians. They had lived in Merida for several years.

Just as I was finishing my sandwich, Luca offered me a piece of apple pie. He said it was because today was the first day their café opened and I was their first customer.

I was surprised. “The first!” Rarely, do I get to be first at anything. So, this was exciting.

The café is long but large and colorfully decorated. I took some pictures of Beatrice and Luca, the apple pie, and more. It was an enjoyable breakfast.

You can find the Punto Café at:

Calle 59A x Calle 84A just off Avenue Itzáes (Centenario Park is nearby)

Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Hours: 9am – 4pm, M-F

999-923-3942

 

Punto Café’s menu offers sandwiches, pizza, pasta, lasagna, various salads, coffee and refrescos.

Ongoing Rundown of Cafes in Mérida, México

I am a cafe person. So, I am always thrilled to find a new cafe. While I have updated this list with new cafes, I have not visited them all.

Look for updates, since things change frequently

Updated: 10/26/2018

Cafe Chokoh
Calle 39 x 64 y 62A, Centro
Open: L-V 8:30-4;00
Good sandwiches, coffee, frappes, and more.
See post on Cafe Chokoh for more information

El Apapacho Cafe
Calle 62 x 41 y 43
Open: Miercoles -Domingo 11:00 - 11:30
Lots of vegetarian choices.
See blog post for more information.
Update: Need to check their hours, they have changed.

Espresso de Arte
Calle 62 #445 53 y 51
Colonia Centro
Open: Lunes a Sábado 10:0 am - 10:00pm

El Origen Cafe
Calle 62A #472 x 39 y 37
Reforma, Centro
Open: Lunes a Viernes de 12pm a 3pm
offers servicio a domicilio
999-287-4228
What is great about this cafe is the vegetarian influence on the menu choices. The chef uses light seasonings.  The main dish is served with rice, salad & soup.
Update: El Origen Cafe closed their Avenue Reforma location.

OMG! Cafe
Av Colon #505 x 8 y 9
Garcia Gineres
Not sure of hours, they close mid-day and open again for a few evening hours.
I came for the scones! Great pastries and coffee.
Internet available

El Gran Cafe
Calle 47 y Paseo de Montejo
They have cut back on the hours they are open.
Internet available.

DI.LAN
Call47 #513 x56 y54
This is a new location (10/18)

Cafeteria Pop or Cafe Pop
Calle 57 #501 62 y 60
Open: 8:00am to 11:00pm
Listed in Lonely Planet.
A fixture in downtown historic centro.
Typical cafe menu.
Nice refugee after a busy day.

Starbucks
On Paseo de Montejo, on the left as you head up Paseo towards the Monument
Calle 56 A, Numero 465 x 33 A y 35
Friendly staff, can always met other expats or tourists.
Internet available but flaky.

Vendito Azul
Calle 62 x 49 y 51
Wed–Sat 1pm to 10

Bistro Cultural
Calle 66 x 43
Centro
M–S, 9–4:30
Chef prepares a daily dish.
Always something going on there.
Love the omelets.
Internet available.
Update: Bistro Cultural has expanded, now it has an outdoor garden area and a food market across the street, see Post on Bistro Cultural for more information.

Pistache (formerly La Boheme)
Paseo de Montejo x Calle 39, Centro
open daily from 7:30am until 11pm
Quiches, french pastries and breads
Internet available.
One of my favorite stops.
It gets really busy on Sunday mornings due to Merida's Biciruta event.
I call this the "Unofficial Cat Cafe" because the owner has adopted a cat and she had kittens, so there's usually a cat about. They are not socialized.

Cafe Creme
Calle 41 x 60
M-F 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 9-1
I like scrambled eggs, so I am always grateful when a cafe lets me order scrambled eggs, an item not on the menu.
Great coffee, great service.
Internet available.
Update: They have wine on the menu.

a Musa now Cafe Sukra
Avenue Paseo de Montejo #496 x 45 y 43
Centro
Update: This cafe has closed but another one has opened in the same location. Similar menu.

Cafe Chocolate now Alma Calma
Calle 60 x 49, Centro
Internet available.
Update: new tenant
 
Jardin de Santa Ana
Calle 47 x 60
indoor and outdoor seating
Not sure of hours, they seem to vary.
Internet available.
Update: Closed. Now a Cantina

Casa Maryposa
Calle 62 x 41 y 43 #360
Colonia Centro
Martes - Jueves 11:30am - 7:30pm
Viernes - Sabado 11:30am - 6:00pm
From Nachos to Fajitas, $50 - $75 with a wide selection of hot & cold drinks and desserts.
Try the cookies!
Internet available.
Update: Closed

Jaquar Cafe
Calle 60 x 45 y 47
Cafes, sandwiches, frappes, and my favorite, Soda Italiana, mineral water flavored with syrup. This café continues to improve. internet available. For the moment, my favorite is the Chai Tea Frappe!!! So good on a hot day.
Update: Closed.

Bengala Cafe de Barrio

C47 x58 y60

Santa Ana

Centro

Tlahuasco Cafeteria

C62 #429b

Centro

Benegala Kaffeehaus

C60 x 55 y 53

Centro

Cafe Punta del Cielo

C63 x 60 y62

Plaza Grande

Centro

Cafe Montejo

Calle 59 x 72 y 74

Centro

Cafe Organico

Calle 53 #502-D x 60 y 62

Centro

A Taza de Frida

Calle 54 #373-a cera Clinica de Las Americas

Centro

Since I began this list 2 years ago, some cafes have opened, some have closed, some have changed owners, some have changed hours, that is how it is here in Mérida.

A Frugal Friend Finds Curbside "Treasures"

Just another day in Mexico.

During a lunch walk with my friend, she spied an abandoned laundry basket on the sidewalk and near it was a bag of trash. Sticking out of the bag was a wooden rack. She grabbed this, too.

Back home the wooden rack, after being sanded and finished, would serve as a towel rack in the bathroom.

A new laundry basket could cost around 70 pesos; a wooden rack about 40 pesos.

Amy Dacyczyn advises checking curbside "trash" for useable items. In the Tightwad Gazette, she gives some great examples of treasures she and others have found. While I have never had any luck finding useable items in curbside "trash", my brother has found many items including a gas grill which just needed a few minor repairs.

It pays to keep your eyes peeled and to look in unlikely places for "treasure."

On My Way to the Lavenderia (Laundry Service)

As I was hauling my laundry to the Lavenderia, I passed by a "garage" sale.

In Mexico, you learn to take advantage of sales on the spot.

In amongst the various items was a lovely clean, plush, pink bath mat for 15 pesos (~1.50U.S.).  Value between 40 to 100pesos.

40+ Small Ways to Save Money in Mexico

While I enjoy being a tightwad, it also carries with it an ethical responsibility.

 

As Amy Dacyczyn notes:

“It is wrong to save money at the expense of others.”

--p228 The Complete Tightwad Gazette.

 

Here is my list of small ways to save money in Mexico:

1. Save receipts, create a price book (include housewares, clothing, groceries, services, & other items).
2. Develop menus and staples list, stock up on basics.
3. Scout various markets for price comparisons.
4. Buy vegetables and fruit on sale or in season, cut up and freeze.
5. Look for holiday items on sale after the holidays for future use.
6. Check grocery receipts for mispriced items.
7. Use crock pot, freeze portions for other meals.
8. Drink water instead of soda.
9. Make juice spritzers with club soda and juice or dilute juices with water.
   
10. Refill water bottles for personal use.
11. Use drink concentrates and powdered drink mixes.
    
12. Reuse tea bags and coffee grounds.
    
13. Wash and reuse baggies safely.
14. Dilute dishwashing soap, shampoo, and hand soap.
15. Use homemade skin products as a DIY facial: olive oil mask, grape juice astringent, milk as a rinse.
16. Compare health providers, expertise, reputation and costs.
17. Buy used clothes, household items from flea markets and “garage” sales.
18. Repair clothes and other items.
19. Wear old shoes around the house, save better shoes for dress-up.
20. Develop a basic mix and match wardrobe, foundation black pants or light brown skirt.
    
21. Use plastic grocery and laundry bags for trash bags.
22. Use cloth napkins.
23. Wear solar watch.
24. Recycle envelopes and copy paper.
25. Take public transit.
26. Use fans versus A/C.
27. Unplug microwave when not in use.
28. Turn off lights and fans when leaving the house.
29. Walk and/or do yoga and exercises in home.
30. Read free or low-cost ebooks from Smashwords, Amazon, Project Gutenberg and more.
31. Use OpenCulure.org for viewing classic English movies for free.
32. Attend various free cultural events.
33. Use Skype and Magic Jack for international calls.
34. Research travel and large purchases, then wait at least 24 hours before purchase.
35. Pay off credit cards, use credit cards for purchases if concerned about a dispute, pay credit card in full.
36. Compare ATM fees, use the lowest.
37. Reduce number of ATM withdrawals per month.
38. Put regular weekly or monthly savings amount, and spare change into savings account.
39. Research CD interest rates, store money in long-term CDs.
40. Barter.
41. Reduce, reuse, recycle, regift, rethink, and re-enjoy.
42. Best of all, be creative and keep your eyes open for savings opportunities.

A List of Some Frugal Shopping Tactics in Mexico

I found Amy Dacyczyn's book, The Tightwad Gazette, in the late 1990s. She revolutionized my life for which I will be forever grateful.

Once I got the book, I tried to be a good tightwad.

In the states, I bought used clothes, used books and other items. I used her grocery price book idea and stocked up on staples like tuna, toilet paper, noodles, etc. and when items were on sale or marked down.

I had a route of a Asian grocery store for eggs and vegetables. A dollar store for some basics and a grocery store that had lower prices and good sales. Plus, I went to a discount bakery outlet once a week for baked goods.

One time, I found mayo on a special sale rack and took two. When I got to the counter, they rang up the retail price. I pointed this out and had to show the customer service representative the sale rack. I got them at the sale price. It pays to look for the same item in a store in different locations.

My goal was to make meals for under $1. I achieved that goal and much more.

Among other tactics, I saved refund checks, salary raises and more, I managed to save enough money to survive several financial crises. But, with the U.S. economy in the toilet, the loss of employment in 2011, and lack of affordable health care insurance, my only solution to survive was to sell my home and move to Mexico.

In Mexico, trying to be a tightwad has been harder, so far I use the following tactics:

• use public transit;
• for some prescriptions, I try generics;
• buy bulk groceries;
• compare price options like toilet paper - I choose the one with the most sheets. I avoid double sheets, colored or scented varieties;
• look for sales;
• look for banks with lowest ATM charges; and
• follow exchange rate, use ATM or credit card when peso value is high.

While there are no used clothing stores like Goodwill here, there are weekly flea markets in various locations. Some are too far, some I can get to by bus. At the markets, you can get a variety of items from kitchen items to clothes. I found one lovely black and white, long, lacey, dress vest which I wear over a black dress or black pants for $70MX ($7US). I get a lot of compliments when I wear it.

Also, you can find "garage" sales at private homes. One great find was titanium frames for prescription glasses for $20MX ($2US). In 2013, I got new progressive lenses for $900.00MX ($90US) and used my yard sale frames.

There are tiendas (mom and pop convenience stores) on almost every block, where sometimes you can get a better price on some items.

There are food vendors in the open markets and those that set up stands along the streets at busy locations or who ride bike-driven carts selling pastries, fruit and more. The food vendors are the best bet for lower prices. But, there is one caution, sometimes "tourists" or Expats will get charged "foreigner" prices which are higher.

You can find several WalMart stores and Mexican food store chains. I go to Chedraui for bulk shopping. I am not always getting the best price but often there are items on sale that I can use. For me, saving time and cab money, is a savings.

I am working on a price book, so I can do better price comparisons.

Many Expats buy homes here as a way to save money on housing. I rent a 1-bedroom apartment.

To buy a house here, means paying a lawyer and a realty agent, it also means paying for renovations because many homes that are affordable are also fixer-uppers. So, in the end you can spend anywhere from $40,000US to $100,000US.

I don't have that much money to invest in a home. Plus, you have to add in the utility costs like electric, cable, water, trash and pool cleaning services. Many also hire housekeepers and gardeners. Plus, from my observations, Mexican homes, which are made from Yucatan cement, need frequent maintenance.

I pay $3100.00MX ($250-300US) plus electric which runs about $150.00MX every other month ($15.00US) for a one-bedroom apartment which suits my needs. The expenses vary based on the exchange rate.

I continue to calculate future expenses to try and determine other means of reducing my expenses.

Clothing
When I first came in 2011, I investigated various clothing and grocery outlets trying to get a handle on prices. For clothing, most shops seemed to sell pants, skirts, tops, and dresses for anywhere from $100mx to $400+mx which is about $10US to $40US.

I found a shop that sold pants and tops for about $3.00US each, so I bought several pants and tops to mix and match and I have been wearing these clothes for over two years. While I do not have much variety in my "look", I have saved a lot of money on clothes.

Also, in this tropical climate, I, now, wear flip flops. After a search, I found a store that sold flip flops for about $2US, whereas in other shops they sold for $3-6+US. I have several pairs of flip flops in a variety of colors. I walk a lot and these flip flops are sturdy and hard to wear out.