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Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities - Fair Value of Money Market Funds, Short and Long-Term Investments Classified as Available for Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
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Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | $ 346,676,060 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost |  | $ 75,317,926 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 25,588 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax |  | 66,434 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (603,095)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax | [1] | (29,808)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 346,098,553 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities |  | 75,354,552 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities |
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 50,539,657 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 19,720,190 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 1,871 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 2,627 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (42,499)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1] | (4,060)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 50,499,029 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 19,718,757 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Time Deposits [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 90,413,617 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 9,912,171 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 1,045 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 3,887 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (80,180)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember | [1] |  |
Estimated Fair Value | 90,334,482 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 9,916,058 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Long-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 205,722,786 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 45,685,565 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 22,672 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 59,920 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (480,416)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (25,748)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 205,265,042 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 45,719,737 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Money Market Funds [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 37,530,995 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 19,631,550 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 1,871 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 2,619 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (37,680)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1] | (4,060)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 37,495,186 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 19,630,109 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 13,008,662 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 88,640 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains |  |  | 8 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (4,819)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1] |  |
Estimated Fair Value | 13,003,843 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 88,648 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Time Deposits [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 81,885,144 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 4,393,594 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 375 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 2,271 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (74,788)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember | [1] |  |
Estimated Fair Value | 81,810,731 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 4,395,865 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Long-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 157,205,298 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 20,804,125 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 22,227 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 59,437 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (394,965)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (19,522)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 156,832,560 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 20,844,040 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] | Time Deposits [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 4,725,763 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 5,518,577 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains |  |  | 1,616 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (4,323)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember | [1] |  |
Estimated Fair Value | 4,721,440 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |  | 5,520,193 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember |
Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] | Long-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 44,510,898 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 24,881,440 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 445 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 483 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (82,853)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (6,226)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | $ 44,428,490 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | $ 24,875,697 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
[1] | Unrealized losses from securities are primarily attributable to market price movements. Management does not believe any remaining unrealized losses represent other-than-temporary impairments based on the evaluation of available evidence including the credit rating of the investments, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

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- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
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- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
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