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Mexico’s incredible art, dynamic culture, and heavenly landscapes have been drawing people to its shores for centuries. In the last two decades, in particular, it seems that Mexico has shot up to number one on everyone’s “must-visit” list. Whether from across the border or across the world, it’s difficult to spend any time in this land of mestizaje without falling at least a little bit in love with the place.

But what if you decide you want to make the big leap and move to Mexico full-time? What are the things to know and missteps to avoid? How can you make the best effort to blend into your community and respect your new home? While you’ll never be fully prepared for the cultural shock of living in another country, there are some things that you should know and prepare for when moving to Mexico permanently.
Learn Basic Spanish
Learning Spanish might be the very reason you are moving to Mexico, but it’s good practice to at least gather a handful of basic phrases before you go.

• ¿Hablas inglés? (Do you speak English?)
• Perdón (Excuse me)
• Buenas Dias (Good Morning)
• Buenas Tardes (Good Afternoon)

Other simple expressions will make your integration smoother and show locals that you respect your new home enough to try and speak the local language. Learning a second language can take time, especially for older transplants, but it is necessary and so valuable for widening your world, interacting with neighbors, and getting basic things accomplished in Mexico.

Tipping for Services

Tipping is a way to show your appreciation and is, therefore, an important part of integrating into a new culture. In general, Mexicans tip much less than people from the United States and probably comparable amounts to people from Europe. Tipping between 10-15% is considered very normal here, and a 20% tip is reserved for service that goes far beyond the norm. Generally, people do not tip taxi drivers, but they do give a little tip (10-20pesos) to the grocery baggers at the supermarket and gas station attendants. Places you’d normally tip – salons, restaurants, and bars – you will also be expected to tip in Mexico.

Understand the Visa Requirements

There are different types of visas that foreigners can obtain for living and working in Mexico, so it’s a good idea to do some research to see what suits your situation best. Mexico’s foreign relations office and Visa Index can both be resources for this information, as well as talking to a local notario, a type of Mexican lawyer who can carry out a variety of official tasks, including helping folks with their immigration process. 

Different kinds of visas require different paperwork, proof of income, or proof of employment, and those laws shift with different federal administrations. If you don’t hire a professional, do your best to get as much advance information as possible about the process (see Mexican Bureaucracy below).

Every Day is a Good Day to Celebrate

Mexicans love holidays and parties, whether it’s Independence Day or a family birthday, any excuse is a good excuse to get together, eat good food, drink, and dance. During big celebrations and small ones, it’s common to hear fireworks, live bands, noisemakers, and lots of singing. (If you have an aversion to noise, this might not be the country for you.) Learn to take rowdy celebrations in stride, whether you’re in the room or listening from two houses down – better yet, join the party and embrace this incredible part of Mexican life.

Research Local Pricing

Gentrification is a hot-button issue right now around the world, and Mexico is no different, especially in major cities like Mexico City and Oaxaca City. As long as local administrations do not impose regulations on the real estate market, property owners will continue to raise prices to what they believe wealthy foreigners will pay. To do it right, do a deep dive before you move and see what the average local prices are for renting or buying property. If you can find a local real estate agent, talk to them about your concerns about overpaying and pricing out locals.

Transferring Money

For people starting a life in a new country, it’s essential to have international money transfer tools at hand. Reliable remittance services make it possible to receive funds quickly and securely, whether through direct deposits to a bank account, cash pickups at authorized locations, or deposits to mobile wallets. However, it’s always worth checking the information about transfer conditions and options to receive these funds in Mexico on the site of the provider.

While local ATMs offer another way to access money, they often come with service fees and may be unreliable in smaller towns, particularly during high-demand times like paydays or holidays. So, considering online services may save you money and time.

Local Customs Matter

It’s impossible to know everything there is to know about a place before you visit, but once you arrive, it’s important to pay attention to local customs and try to act in kind. The exchange of Good Morning, Good Afternoon, or Good Evening is an important social custom in Mexico, and a major complaint of Mexicans about outsiders. Also, saying permiso when you need to squeeze by someone and gracias when you leave a restaurant or shop. These are little things that you can do that will have big impacts on how people treat you.

Dive into the Local Food

One of Mexico’s greatest gems is its cuisine. There is no way to fully appreciate the food here unless you dive into local markets, restaurants, and street food stalls. There are things that make foreigners squeamish – cold, slippery pork skin (cueritos) or roasted crickets (chapulines) or slimy nopal cactus – but all these things can be delicious if properly prepared. Open your mind and your taste buds. If you are nervous to try things on your own, take a local food tour or cooking class. Understand that just like the country you came from, food is different region to region, and eating alongside others is another entrance into the local community.

Mexicans are Americans too

In fact, all Latin Americans are Americans, and many Latinos are insulted that people from the United States believe themselves to be the only Americans on the continent. Get used to saying Estadounidense (from the United States) if you are coming from the U.S. It will show you are culturally aware and engender you to your new neighbors.

Print Everything in Triplicate

Mexican bureaucracy is famous far and wide for being convoluted, complex, and tedious. The best way to approach official permits and tasks is to get as much anticipatory information as possible. Ask other people who have gone through the same process, look on the website of the government department you will have to deal with, and if you have the money, hire someone with experience to do it for you.

If you want to face Mexican bureaucracy head-on, expect long lines, confusing requirements, and many return trips to the same office with new documents. Always bring three copies of all your paperwork, and if you can, have a few dozen passport-size photos in your pocket; you’ll never know when you will be asked for them. It’s also a good idea to practice a lot of Zen meditation.

Mexican Time

I hate to admit that this stereotype is true, but conceptions of time in Mexico vary from those in other countries, especially the U.S. and Western Europe. For many Mexicans (and other Latinos as well), being 10 or 20 minutes late is not late. Plumbers, handymen, and other people you might hire to do work in your home are completely comfortable showing up late and not calling to let you know in advance. It’s considered almost insulting to show up on time to a party or a dinner. This is not the case with everyone in Mexico, but it happens often enough that you should expect it.

This more relaxed conception of time also has its bright side. People here are more at ease lingering over a meal, a drink, or a conversation. They take time to take time. If you meet your neighbors or friends in the street, you should expect a conversation, not just a hello, and no one would ever tell you they were in a rush and had no time to talk. There is a real beauty in this more relaxed time management and if you can embrace it during the times it’s frustrating I promise you will be a happier person at the end of the day.

Mexico is Many Countries

Don’t think that because you have been to Cancun or Tulum, that all of Mexico is 90 degrees year-round and priced in dollars. Mexico is full of big cities, small towns, progressive places, conservative places, tropical forests, and cool mountain terrain. Do some specific research on the place where you are going to live, its climate, its culture, and its history. The more you know, the better a resident you will be. In addition, it’s important to travel within the country, getting to know the various regional cuisines, dialects, and customs. This is not a monolithic place, and everywhere you go, you’ll discover something new.

Perceive the Silent No

In Mexican culture, a straightforward, direct no is uncommon. Politeness is valued above directness, and so few people will say no to your face when asked if they can do something, go somewhere, or help you. Learn to read between the lines. When someone avoids answering a question, they are likely saying no without saying it.

When someone says, “Yes, we’ll see” that’s likely a no, and if someone offers you an alternative, i.e. “I could come at this time” or “I could do X” that is also them saying no to your original request. It’s also helpful to read people’s body language and facial expressions. If they are saying maybe, but their smile looks fake and plastered on, it’s probably a no.

Have an Open Mind

Moving to Mexico means leaving your old ideas and social expectations behind. Things won’t be as they are at home. This is frustrating and confusing, but also wonderful and exciting. Be open to learning how politics, race, culture, and history are viewed through a local lens, creating possibilities for deeper understanding not only of the place you now live but the place you came from. Mental flexibility is the key to truly embracing your new home.