Mexico Restricted Zone Checker: Do You Need a Fideicomiso?
Enter how far the property is from the coast and the nearest border, or look up a popular town below.
Popular towns
| Town | State | Restricted zone | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancún | Quintana Roo | Yes | On the Caribbean coast (0 km) |
| Playa del Carmen | Quintana Roo | Yes | Coastal (0 km) |
| Tulum | Quintana Roo | Yes | Coastal (0-5 km) |
| Puerto Vallarta | Jalisco | Yes | Coastal (Bahía de Banderas) |
| Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas / San José del Cabo) | Baja California Sur | Yes | Coastal; entire Baja peninsula is within 50 km of a coast |
| La Paz | Baja California Sur | Yes | Coastal |
| Mazatlán | Sinaloa | Yes | Coastal |
| Ensenada | Baja California | Yes | Coastal and ~100 km from US border |
| Rosarito | Baja California | Yes | Coastal and ~20 km from US border |
| Progreso | Yucatán | Yes | Coastal |
| Mérida (city centre) | Yucatán | Probably yes (check) | Centre ~35 km south of the Gulf coast at Progreso, inside the 50 km strip; southern edges of the municipality may fall outside |
| San Miguel de Allende | Guanajuato | No | Central highlands, hundreds of km from coasts and borders |
| Guadalajara | Jalisco | No | Inland, roughly 200 km from the Pacific |
| Ajijic / Lake Chapala | Jalisco | No | Inland; lake shores are not 'playas' of the sea for this rule |
| Mexico City | CDMX | No | Inland, >200 km from either coast |
| Oaxaca city | Oaxaca | No | Inland valley, well over 100 km from the Pacific |
| Querétaro | Querétaro | No | Central highlands |
| Puebla | Puebla | No | Central highlands, ~200 km from the Gulf |
Distances are our estimates from maps, not an official Foreign Ministry list. Borderline properties are decided on their exact location.
Buying? Add up taxes and trust fees with the property closing cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the restricted zone in Mexico?
The strip of land within 100 km of Mexico's borders and 50 km of its coasts, set by article 27 of the Constitution. Foreigners cannot own homes there directly.
Can foreigners buy property in the restricted zone?
Yes, through a bank trust (fideicomiso): the bank holds title and you have full use of the property, can sell it, rent it out and pass it on. The trust needs a Foreign Ministry permit (MXN 21,650 in 2026) and annual bank fees.
Is Mérida in the restricted zone?
Sources disagree. The city centre is about 35 km from the coast at Progreso, which would put it inside the 50 km strip, but some local agents say it is outside. Ask the notary to confirm the distance for the exact property.
Do I need a trust outside the restricted zone?
No. Outside the zone foreigners can hold title in their own name, after signing an agreement with the Foreign Ministry (the "Calvo clause") that the notary handles.
Sources
- SRE DGAJ - Permiso fideicomiso zona restringida (official)
- TandaCasa - Buying property in Mérida 2026 (independent guide)
- Inmobilia - Buying an apartment in Mérida as a foreigner (independent guide)
- SRE DGAJ - Costos y tiempos (2026, Anexo 19 RMF 2026) (official)
Rules last checked: Fri, 16 October 2026. Rules change; if something looks out of date, trust the official source (INM, the SAT or your Mexican consulate) over this page.