About William Lawson

As William Lawson, I have been writing about Merida now for nearly 10 years!

A Canadian “ex-pat” who has lived in the Yucatan for over 20 years now and, in spite of all the criticism, actually thinks it is a fine place to live. There are plenty of good, well-intentioned people many of whom have become friends; the food is fantastic; there are a lot less rules and regulations in comparison to the rest of North America; and the history is – to me – fascinating. My better half says I am more Yucatecan now than even she is, and she was born here.

Writing about Merida, first, there was the NotTheNews paper version, written and then photocopied and handed out to understanding friends who appreciated my sense of humour and enjoyed the sometimes scathing reports of life in Merida, from a neurotic foreigners point of view.

Then it went online, at the website known as Geocities. Remember that one?

After that it was on to blogging and now there is this; a pseudo website in the shape of a WordPress blog disguised as a website.

The Casual Restaurant Critic, who had his own little thing going on with a blog, is now incorporated into this new online venture to bring things together in a hopefully cohesive fashion. Lawson’s Personal Driving Service, yet another offshoot of all things Lawson and Yucatan, will be on a separate WordPress website soon.

Hopefully you will find all this both entertaining and enlightening as well as a little easier to read and navigate.

Enjoy!

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129 thoughts on “About William Lawson”

  1. do you have to speak spanish to live there and can a person get along without the second language till he or she gets into classes.

  2. Hi Bill! It certainly helps to speak Spanish! You can get along; many people speak some English, especially the younger folks. I would recommend getting some Spanish under your belt before you come down though!

  3. i lived in chapala and ajijic for a year, and everyone spoke english, but it was starting to get a little dangerous there, i had a young boy break my side window in my car and i talked to his mother, his uncles showed up with guns, the police just told me to forget it and get in my car and me and the police left. they told me to watch out for them, they were not nice people and after a few times of them following me around i packed and came home to denver. i know most mexicans are not this way, i just had a bad run of luck with this family. i am still interested in moving back down there, but just not to that area. i’ve been trying for weeks to find a good website to find out about the yucatan area, but there is not a lot of them that are anygood. thank you for your quick responce to my email. i look forward to reading more of your articals and if you can think of any websites that might help me it would be great.

  4. Hi Bill!

    My husband and I moved here from Victoria, BC, about 8 years ago. I speak Spanish because I spent my teen years in Guadalajara but he spoke not much at all. He took Spanish lessons and is now quite fluent. Of course this did not happen overnight and also it was easier for him having me to do most of the communication at the beginning. I was sorry to hear about your bad experience there with the break-in, and of course there is crime everywhere as you know. And Mexico is Mexico. BUT…we do feel safer here than what I hear about Guadalajara and Chapala/Ajijic.

    Websites: I am the editor of yucatantoday.com which is full of useful info about visiting and living here. I am of course biased but it is excellent! 🙂 Other sites to help you are yucatanliving.com and yucatanexpatriateservices.com and yolisto.com

    Best wishes,
    Juanita

  5. Hi Bill, I also recommend Yucatan Living website for lots of useful information about living in the Yucatan. I have lived in Yucatan for many years and it’s a great place to live.

  6. Bill

    Are you still doing driving and tours for turistas? Six of us are renting a house in Uaymitun from March 26 for 2 weeks. We are ambivalent about renting a car for part of our stay but do want to visit cenotes and Mayan ruins in the area. One of our party speaks fluent Spanish – native New Mexican. Wondering about how we get from Merida (where we all are staying overnight on March 25) to the house with groceries — potentially — from the Merida markets.

    thanks for any guidance

  7. Annette – I believe, after several emails back and forth, that we have convinced those in your party who were reluctant to rent a car for your visit to the Yucatan. I wish you a happy holiday and hope you leave the area with many happy memories!

  8. we’re visiting Merida until Sunday. Do you have info about escorted day tours?
    There are 3 or possibly 4 of us.
    Thanks

  10. Hi Bill

    Saw your information and suggestions on Tripadvisor and decided to seek you out. On one post it was suggested to use you as a car service from Cancun to Merida. We are no strangers to Merida. My inlaws are building a home in Mococha and are originally from Merida. I hate to have them drive to Cancun to get us but would like a more private way to get home from the airport than the bus.

    Getting to the point….are you still available for these services and what do they cost?

    Thank you for your time and I truly appreciate you taking the time to highlight all the wonderful things about the Yucatan. There are some misconceptions regarding Mexico and its a shame some miss out on such a great place.

    Thanks Again! Nicole

  12. Hi there! My husband and I are visiting Merida oct 29- nov 6. We are interested in a day trip to Progresso and visiting some cenotes on the way. We are seriously considering a move to Merida and look forward to learning more about the area! Please let us know if you will be available!
    Thank you,
    Victoria Starr

  14. Hi William,

    My wife and I are visiting Merida (from Vancouver B.C.) and plan to travel to Puerto Morelos on December 1, 2011 for a 12 day stay. Do you provide one-way transportation service to Puerto Morelos and what would the cost be? We are trying to determine what makes more sense, whether we should get a service such as yours to take us irectly to Puerto Morelos or rent a car and pay the drop-off charge (probably to Cancun) , then find our way to Puerto Morelos).

    Regards,
    Allen

  16. Hello, I’m new to your blog. I especially like that your Live Feed locator says that I’m logging on from Noman’s Land in Massachusetts! Well…. close, but no cigar. I really live on Martha’s Vineyard Island (when I’m not on Isla Mujeres). Noman’s Land is an unpopulated island off our south coast which was formerly used as an arial bombing range – they’re still removing unexploded ordinance there.

  17. Welcome to my blog Island Nana! Sounds like an explosive kind of place, this Noman’s Land, what with all the fonts dumped there over the years! 😉 Welcome!

  20. Hi Bill, we used your services last year when we visited Progreso. Your driver picked us up at the airport from Houston and then delivered us back to the airport a month later. We really liked him. This year another couple is coming with us, and we wondered if you have a van that could pick the 4 us up with our luggage and deliver us to Progreso again. We arrive around 10 pm Feb. 1 and leave around 9 am on Feb. 28.

    Thanks for info. If you don’t have a van, do you have two cars that can be sent?

    Thanks, pam hopper

  21. Hi Mr Lawson we have a group of 9 (6 over 40, 2-over 18,& a 13 year old boy)that will be stopping in Progreso on 1-18-12 and would like to see the Uxmal ruins but i do not like to book with the cruise ship and spend half my time in line and on a bus. what should we do ? thanks for your time !! copperhead:

  22. Love your blog and stuff. Muchas gracias por compartir su vida e ideas! Been to Ycatan many times, love the food and am trying to master it however finding recipes is difficult. You got any obscure ones you would like to share for a man who loves to cook and try new foods. Last sucess was Xni Pec, the fiery pico or sauce….I grow hot chiles every year… very tasty! The sopa de lima was a success too. Anyway, keep posting, you have a devoted audience.

  24. Hi Bill,

    Hi,

    My wife and I and a friend (3 in total) are looking for a private day tour on Sat. 3/17. We will be staying in central Merida, and we are thinking of going to Uxmal and Kabah, and, without trying to do too much in one day, possibly other stops on the Puuc Route and/or Loltun Caves.

    Can your let me know about availability, pricing, and what we should be able to visit without rushing in one day?

    Thanks
    Bruce

    P.S. Enjoyed viewing your website, and your comments on TripAdvisor.

  26. I am flying into the airport in youicatan on Wednesday. I am needing a car service to take me from the airport to the carnival cruise port to meet up with my wife and kids. I had to stay behind for my mothers funeral and I am trying to meet up with them. You were recommended to my. Please email me of you can help or if you know someone safe and reliable I can contact.

    Thanks.
    Bruce

  27. Hi Bill,

    love your site!
    I am actually off to try one of the restaurants you recommended.
    The rest of the time, I am writing a book about Mérida and I would like to interview you.
    You’ve got my email address: could you write me there, and I’ll write back and explain the project.
    Hoping to hear from you soon,

    Eve

  28. Hi William,

    I am a recent permanent arrival in Merida. I would like to find out about a “neighborhoods” tour to help me narrow the possibilities for a house rental. When I say neighborhoods- I am not specifying Centro. Can I book something for a couple of hours?

    Thanks so much.

    Annette

  30. Hi William,

    I am a producer on the HGTV show “House Hunters International” and came across your blog in my search for expats to appear on our show. I’d love to tell you all about it. If you are interested, please email me and I will be happy to fill you in.

    Thanks so much!

  31. Hello William,

    Me, my husband and 4 additional friends are coming Monday September 3, 2012. We are interested in using your services to take us to the Cenotes if possible. Please contact me with information. We will be coming from a Carnival Cruise

  34. William,

    I am working with Ralf to book a tour in Progreso under the WilliamLawson name. Just want to make sure he is affiliated with you .

    Thanks!

  36. Hi William,

    I saw that you were highly recommended on trip advisor so thought I would drop you some questions that you can hopefully help with!

    My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Mexico staying around Playacar area and we would really like to visit Uxmal. I realise its too far for a day trip but we would be happy to spend a night in Merida. Is this possible do you think and what would be the best way of doing this? We don’t have a huge budget as we also want to visit some of the more easily accessible ruins from PDC but your help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance,

    Leigh-Anne

  37. hello,
    not sure what services you may provide, but my husband and I will be arriving in Cancun October 30 and wish to get to Merida. While in Merida, would like to take a trips to Uxmal and Celestun. We will then need to get from Merida to Playa del Carmen. May rent a car, but looking into other options. Please advise, thanks so mch.

  39. Hi Bill- Will be down your way mid next month, spending 4 days in Merida to see Maya sites. Am interested in seeing what types of tours you offer. Thank you

  41. May 1st 2013 to May 11th traveling to Playa then Chitz Nitza tour on to Merida and then return for a couple days in tulum. Could you tell us what days would be best to see the singing, festivties etc in Merida. Thought about Celestun tour perhaps Sotutade Peon tour. Any other recommendations.

  43. Hi Bill,

    My fiance and I will be in Merida for our honeymoon in March next year and we are needing transport from Merida to Chichen Itza then Chichen Itza to Playa Del Carmen. Is this something you could provide for us?
    Saw people had mentioned you on Trip Advisor and thought I would see if you could do this for us too!

    Thanks Bill!
    Gemma

  45. Hi Bill,
    We will be in Chichen Itza for one night, November 27. We would like to hire a private guide for the four of us. Can you recommend someone?
    Thanks,
    Eva

  47. We will be in Progreso on January 30 from 7:30 4:00 on Carnival Triumph (4 people). Probably have to be back on ship by 2:45 or so. Have read great reviews about your driving service. Would like to visit Hacienda Yoxcopoil, tour/lunch in Mayan home, shopping Bodega and Mercado in Progreso and cenote if possible. Please let me know your thoughts and prices. Thank you!

  49. My husband and I are arriving in merida tomorrow around noon and leaving on thursday morning to playa del Carmen, visiting chi chen itza on the way. Due to some frustrations we’ve been having on our trip (we’ve been in mexico since october 26), we don’t feel like booking any more tours with tour companies, there’s been a lot of time beeing wasted.
    So, I know it’s short notice, but are you available for the next few days, or could you recommend another guide? We want to visit uxmal, cenotes and other archeological sites or interesting places you might suggest.
    Thank you!
    Paula

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