Emergencies in Mérida

Good to Know

• 911 is the single number to remember for any emergency in Mérida and works exactly as it does in the US/Canada — dial it for police, fire, or medical situations.
• Operators may only speak Spanish outside major tourist zones, so it helps to know a few key Spanish emergency phrases or have a translation app ready.
• The 078 Green Angels/Tourist Assistance line has English-speaking operators and can help with roadside issues, lost documents, or general safety guidance — useful as a secondary number if 911 is confusing.
• Yucatán state, including Mérida, is widely regarded as one of the safest regions in Mexico, but it's still smart to save local numbers directly in your phone since there isn't a dedicated Mérida emergency app to fall back on.
• Mexico does not use the US-style Trauma Level I/II/III system; instead, hospitals are classified by 'nivel' (first, second, or third level) based on complexity of services — third-level hospitals are the ones equipped for major trauma, ICU, and surgical emergencies.
• For real emergencies, IMSS/public hospitals like Hospital General O'Horán are legally required to stabilize any patient regardless of insurance status, but private hospitals (Star Médica, Clínica de Mérida, Faro del Mayab) offer shorter waits and English-speaking staff for those who can pay or have private insurance.
• Hospital General O'Horán relocated to a new hospital complex, with its emergency department resuming service there from late May 2026 — if directing an ambulance or driver there, confirm which building (old vs. new) is currently in use.
• US Medicare/Medicaid and most US private insurance are not accepted in Mexico, so nomads relying on a private hospital ER should expect to pay out of pocket or via international travel insurance.