Mexico

Culture

Mexican society is a product of its indigenous and Spanish heritage, where tradition and family are important features of life. Despite being a secular state, Mexico is a predominantly Catholic nation that upholds conservative values. It is also a class-conscious society, with quite strong social divisions based on one’s wealth and social status, and this largely dictates how people communicate and interact with each other.

Language

Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Although it’s the same language in terms of the structure and syntax as that spoken in Spain, the pronunciation is often quite different, and it may take time for those familiar with Spanish to adjust to how Mexicans speak. English is widely spoken and understood in the main cities and tourist areas.

Eating

An interesting blend of indigenous and Spanish influences, Mexican food is famous the world over. Local cuisine consists of colorful and spicy dishes that include a generous use of tomatoes, beans, chili, peppers and cheese. Corn is a staple of Mexican dishes and is used to make tortillas, a thin, round pancake-type flat bread, that is filled with meat and other ingredients to become tacos, enchiladas or quesadillas.[5]

Guacamole, made from avocados, and salsa, which consists of chopped up tomatoes, onion and cilantro (coriander), are favorite side dishes, while rice is also a regular feature on Mexican tables. Mexican street food offers a great opportunity to sample the local cuisine, with vendors a common site on Mexican sidewalks.[6]

[5] https:/www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mexico.html

[6] https:/www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-food.html

Drinking

Drinking is an important element of the Mexican social scene. The country is famous for its tequila, which is made from the agave cactus that grows widely across the country. While worldwide, tequila is typically downed in one go, Mexicans take a more leisurely approach to drinking the liquor, with a traditional cantaritos (clay) pot filled with a powerful cocktail of tequila, ice, soda and fruit juice, a popular way of enjoying it.[7]

Margarita cocktails, also made from tequila and fruit juice, are especially refreshing on a hot summer’s day. Horchata is another common local drink. It’s made from rice and cinnamon, and sometimes vanilla.[8] Beer is widely consumed, with the local Corona and Tecate brands being the most popular, but craft beer is also growing in popularity.

[7] https:/theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/how-to-drink-tequila-like-a-mexican/

[8] https:/www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-culture.html

Holidays

A number of public holidays in Mexico[9] coincide with important dates on the Christian calendar, while others commemorate important people and events in Mexico’s history. Celebrations in Mexico are traditionally called fiestas and consist of colorful parades and pageants.

New Year’s Day – 1 January

Constitution Day – 6 February

Benito Juarez Birthday – Third Monday in March

Maundy Thursday – March/April

Good Friday – March/April

Labor Day – 1 May

Independence Day – 16 September

Revolution Day – Third Monday in November

Day of the Virgin Guadalupe – 12 December

Christmas Day – 25 December

[9] https:/www.timeanddate.com/holidays/mexico/

Communications

Mexico has an established telecommunications sector and keeping in touch will be easy, although connectivity may be limited in more rural areas.

Telephone

Telmex has the monopoly on the telecoms industry in Mexico, but the market is becoming more diverse with Movistar and AT&T providing the biggest competition. Expats will have the option of various prepaid and contract deals.[10]

[10] https:/www.budde.com.au/Research/Mexico-Telecoms-Infrastructure-Operators-Regulations-Statistics-and-Analyses

Internet

The country has a competitive internet market with a wide range of providers and packages to choose from. The main service providers include Axtel Extremo, Iusacell Enlace and Telmex.

Postal Services

Correos de Mexico is the national postal service in Mexico. Although it can be slow, services are generally efficient. There are also a number of private courier services to choose from for priority post.

Employment

The job market

Over the years, Mexican industry has been integrated into the economies of the US and Canada, and has become a common branch location for large international companies. With cheaper manufacturing and labor costs, many large US companies have moved their operations to Mexico, and this has created opportunities for expat professionals.

The manufacturing and IT sectors are popular with expats, as are tourism and hospitality, while many other foreigners move to Mexico to teach English.

Income tax

Income tax in Mexico is determined on a progressive scale that is dependent on one’s income. Tax rates range from 1.92 to 35% for tax residents and 15 to 30% for non-residents.[11]

A person is considered a tax resident in Mexico if they have their home in Mexico and the center of their vital interests lie in Mexico, i.e. more than 50% of their income is derived in Mexico within a calendar year and Mexico is the primary place of their professional activities.[12]

Taxes in Mexico, especially for retired expats and home owners, can be complicated and expats are advised to hire the services of a professional tax consultant to assist in this regard.

[11] https:/internationalliving.com/countries/mexico/taxes/

[12] https:/taxsummaries.pwc.com/ID/Mexico-Individual-Residence

Retirement

Thanks to a warm climate, relaxed lifestyle and affordable cost of living, Mexico is a very popular destination for international retirees, especially those from the USA and UK. Popular towns include Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende. Expats wishing to retire in Mexico will need a permanent residence visa as there’s no visa specifically related to retirement.

Business etiquette

Business in Mexico is largely built around personal relationships, and networking is central to doing successful business. Management structures in Mexico are hierarchical, and can be somewhat patriarchal. While business etiquette is formal, it still involves a sense of genuine warmth and friendliness between individuals.

Although many businesspeople can speak English, especially in the larger, multinational cities, business is largely conducted in Spanish and expats wanting to fully integrate into the business environment should learn to speak Spanish.

Communication in Mexico tends to be more indirect and it’s rare to hear a firm “no” to a request, with a more diplomatic approach being the norm when it comes to business meetings and decisions. Displays of emotion are also common, and may take time for expats to get used to if accustomed to a more reserved business environment.

As is the Latin tradition, business attire is smart and formal, with an emphasis on style. Men wear ties and dark colors, while women also dress smartly and stylishly. Business greetings usually involve a handshake with a slight bow. It’s important to use someone's title when greeting them, as this is a sign of status and is highly valued.[13]

[13] http://www.expatarrivals.com/mexico/doing-business-in-mexico

Transport

Getting around

Mexico’s public transport system is extensive and efficient, making getting around the country easy and affordable. However, a good knowledge of Spanish may be needed to navigate the system.

Driving in Mexico can be a daunting experience and if living in a major city, it may be possible to get by without a car. It’s best to stick to toll roads if one is unfamiliar with Mexican streets and unable to speak Spanish. It’s a good idea to keep pesos in the vehicle, which are the only currency accepted at tolls. Police checkpoints are also common in Mexico and these should be approached with caution; drivers should always carry their driver’s license and proof of insurance with them.

An extensive bus network traverses the country, while each city has local bus services, including microbuses that operate along set routes.  Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara also all have metro systems, which are the best way for expats to get around these cities. 

Owing to the country’s large size, air travel is often the best means of travel between major centers. There are a number of domestic airlines offering reasonable rates.[14]

[14] https:/www.expatarrivals.com/americas/mexico/transport-and-driving-mexico

Finance

Currency

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN), referred to simply as the peso, which is divided into 100 centavos.

Money is available in the following denominations:

• Notes: MXN 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000
• Coins: MXN 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos

Banking

If you have legal residency in Mexico, either as a temporary or permanent resident, it’s easy to open a bank account. You will have to visit the bank in person. Bring your temporary or permanent residency card, as well as your passport. You’ll also need a utility bill or rental agreement to serve as your proof of address.

The last step in opening your account is to make the opening deposit. Rest assured that you can safely deposit more than the minimum. Your funds are insured by the “Instituto para la Protección al Ahorro Bancario,” or Bank Savings Protection Institute.

Even without a Mexican bank account, you should be able to access your home country’s account via ATMs across the country. Yet keep in mind that ATMs may limit withdrawals. [15]

[15] https:/www.expatarrivals.com/americas/mexico/banking-money-and-taxes-mexico

Cost of Living

The average income in Mexico is lower than in other parts of North America or in Europe. If you have money coming in from foreign sources, such as a pension or work as a digital nomad, you should find life in Mexico to be very affordable.

Public transportation is a common expense: a one-way ride will cost around $0.50. Mexican electricity rates are calculated on a minimum use threshold, with rates rising if you go above this threshold. This means that if you’re the type of person to turn up the air conditioning, you might end up paying a lot for this privilege. Because tap water usually isn’t drinkable in Mexico, you’ll need to purchase bottled water.

Rent is the biggest expense for most people in Mexico. Though costs will vary by location, rent for a one-bedroom apartment will generally be between $400 and $800 monthly. Locations like Mexico City or Puerto Vallarta are more expensive. Overall, a couple can live comfortably in Mexico on $30,000 a year.[16]

[16] https://www.internationalcitizens.com/moving-abroad/to/mexico/