Your monthly Mexico newsletter is filled with inspiration, meaningful knowledge, helpful connections, and tips for better living, lifestyle, and leisure in Mexico.
Mexperience is continually updated, and free to access
Mexperience’s monthly Newsletter and our detailed articles and guides about living, lifestyle and leisure in Mexico are written by people who know Mexico intimately; they’re continually revised and updated—and are all free to access.
Living & Lifestyle insights for April
Insights and tips for better living & lifestyle in Mexico
Easter Holidays — Easter, in Mexico termed as Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is one of Mexico’s ‘big three’ holidays, alongside Christmas and Día de los Muertos. We have tips for traveling during this busy holiday period, and learn why it’s a good time to visit the capital. Read our articles and guides about Easter in Mexico.
Easter Holy Week Dates in Mexico for 2026
Easter Sunday is observed on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon—that is the first Sunday following the Full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox in March.
Maundy (Holy) Thursday and Easter Friday fall on April 2nd & 3rd this year.
Easter Sunday is observed on April 5th this year.
Easter Week holidays in Mexico traditionally begin the week before Good Friday and extend to the end of the weekend after Easter Sunday.
Easter road trips in Mexico
Major roads and highways get busy across Mexico during the Easter holiday period, especially major trunk routes connecting the USA with Mexico, and all roads connecting Mexico City to key regions in the provinces, particularly roads leading out from the capital:
- north to Querétaro/Guanajuato;
- west to Morelia and Guadalajara;
- south to Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán, and Acapulco; and
- east/southeast to Veracruz, Puebla, and the Yucatán peninsula.
When the Easter holiday draws to a close roads into Mexico City on these same routes become severely congested.
Mexperience publishes extensive guides and articles to help you plan and prepare for your road trips in Mexico.
- Our articles and insights about driving in Mexico share key things you need to know before you hit the road
- Our guide to auto insurance will help you to get the coverage you need for peace of mind when you’re driving, that can include coverage for vehicle breakdown assistance.
- When you’re driving your foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico, make you’re adequately insured for the trip.
- Get an instant insurance quote and arrange coverage online.
Springtime Spanish lessons online
If you plan to live in Mexico —or are living here already— we recommend you make time to learn or improve your Spanish language skills. Being able to converse with others in Spanish will enhance every encounter and enrich your experience of being here. Reasons for learning Spanish are numerous; our PinPoint Spanish series helps you delve into the nuances of Mexican Spanish, and our language learning associates offer customized Spanish lessons online.
Dealing with the Dry Season
March was characteristically windy and also surprisingly wet across some parts of the mainland this year. With spring now taking hold, the inevitable ‘long dry’ spell will unfold during April and May: months that tend to become hot, dusty, and brittle before the rains return to refresh and replenish the landscape in late spring. Water use at home ought to be conserved. We have tips for living well through the dry season in Mexico.
Don’t miss the Dry Season’s sunsets!
Sunsets in Mexico are spectacular this time of year, as the dry landscapes lend their dust to rise high into the atmosphere and blend with setting sun rays beaming across clear skies to create compositions of extraordinary late evening light.
Residency update: Time scales
In recent years, Mexico’s immigration offices have become very efficient at processing residency applications. Some offices process filings the same day on some occasions, and this has created an expectation that residency procedures here are akin to a drive-thru service—especially by people who only fly-in to process their visa exchange and renewals and then leave Mexico. We publish a guide to typical timescales and keep this updated, based on our associates’ recent cases.
Residency update: Tighter criteria at some offices
Related to time scales, our associates are reporting that in addition to longer wait times for some procedures, some immigration offices are beginning to tighten up their criteria, for example in Oaxaca applicants are being asked to re-prove their income in addition showing proof of address. These stricter criteria are not universally applied at all offices, but be aware that the office you file at reserves the right to ask for additional information and documentation (that typically is not sought) when you file any residency application, exchange, renewal, or change of residency status request.
Applying for residency and managing your residency status
The financial criteria to qualify for residency in Mexico this year have remained broadly unchanged from 2025 levels. When you intend to apply for the first time (or re-apply), our guide to applying for residency in Mexico gives a detailed summary of the process. If you already have a residency card, learn about the renewal rules and process for existing residency card holders. If your residency card has expired, read this. If your card is lost or damaged, read this.
When you need assistance and practical support with a first-time Mexico residency application, an existing residency renewal, visa or card exchanges, and managing your existing residency status—our immigration associates can help.
Learn more about how their services save you time and help to avoid common mistakes made by applicants.
The Copper Canyon through the seasons
Seasonally, May and June tend to be the driest months in the canyons. July to November are months when the rains are most abundant and the canyons’ flora show-off their deepest greens. Between December and May, the flora’s colors are in transition between the wet and dry seasons. Read our detailed guide about Mexico’s Copper Canyon. Enjoy the dramatic landscapes and breath-taking natural scenery on a custom tours fully organized by our travel associate, so that you can spend your time absorbing the experience.
Minding your manners
Learning about and respecting local customs and social practices is an integral part of assimilating a new lifestyle in a country that is foreign to your home culture. Our guide to social etiquette in Mexico helps you to navigate Mexico’s contemporary social etiquette and get acquainted with the social graces practiced here. It can also help to prevent you from making embarrassing or unnecessary faux pas.
Reminder about official documents
When you’re filing official documents in Mexico that were originally issued outside of Mexico —for example, Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates— you will need to get these Apostilled and Translated into Spanish by an authorized translator.
Mexican cellphones registration
On December 8, 2025, the Mexican government announced that new rules require every Mexican cellphone number (contract and pre-pay) to be associated with verified and registered user.
This article shares details about the registration rules and process, and we are keeping it regularly updated as new information becomes available. The deadline date is June 30, 2026. Telephone companies have been ordered to suspend all lines not registered on July 1.
Imported goods and foodie treats
Mexico’s cuisine is varied, colorful, and bursting with flavor, although when living abroad most people at least occasionally enjoy a ‘taste of home.’ When you’re looking for imported food items, you’ll usually have to attend one of the specialist retail supermarkets that stock fancy goods, where you’ll find a wide assortment of popular US, European, and Asian foods and ingredients. Imported foods (and wine, whether imported or Mexican) are well-known to trade at a premium in Mexico so it’s best not to cavil about the prices.
Health & Medical Insurance Options — Summary
Long-term residents in Mexico may arrange a local private health insurance plan, known in Spanish as seguro de gastos medicos mayores, or might choose to enroll in Mexico’s healthcare system, IMSS. Some long-term residents with health plans in the US choose instead to buy medical evacuation insurance.
People on (frequent) short-stay visits to Mexico can arrange for medical expenses to be covered during their stays with insurance coverages for short-term trips not lasting more than 90 days.
For extended stays in Mexico up to six months, our article about coverages for extended stays in Mexico provides guidance about getting coverage for emergency medical expenses.
Discovering place to live, work or retire in Mexico
The town, city or village you choose to live in is a personal, subjective, and important decision point when you’re planning to relocate to Mexico. Mexperience guides help you to discover places that may be right for your lifestyle—whether you’re moving to Mexico from abroad, or already here and considering alternative places to move to in-country. Our extensive guides to living places in Mexico help you to discover locations by type and describe essential matters related to living and working, or retirement here.
Buying property “Off Plan” in Mexico
Buying a property “off-plan” is the investment in real estate which has not yet been built, or is partially built and under construction. Our guide describes the “off-plan” property market in Mexico and some key considerations potential buyers ought to keep in mind before agreeing to buy a home in this way.
Your comprehensive guide to real estate and property in Mexico
Our guides to real estate in Mexico are extensive and share essential information about property in Mexico whether you are:
- Renting property in Mexico;
- Buying a home in Mexico;
- An owner who needs to insure and maintain the property;
- An owner who plans to rent their property in Mexico;
- Selling your home in Mexico; and
- Working with Real Estate Agents in Mexico.
Our guide to Mexico real estate is continually updated to provide meaningful insights for buyers, owners, sellers, and renters.
No car, no car problems
Some foreign residents living in Mexico discover that it’s possible to live well here without being dependent on car ownership. Whether you can live in Mexico without owning a car depends on your lifestyle, your location, and your priorities. Our guide to learning to live well without owning a car in Mexico shares insights for you to consider.
Comprehensive guide to living & lifestyles
Our extensive guide to living & lifestyles offers valuable insights when you’re exploring prospects for living, working, retirement and cultivating your lifestyle in Mexico. Get practical advice, incisive local knowledge, and meaningful guidance that helps you to discover opportunities, consider your choices, make informed decisions, and connect to helpful resources. Our guide to living & lifestyles in Mexico is continually updated and, like all guides and articles on Mexperience, it’s completely free to access.
Leisure Tours in Mexico
Walking Tours: It’s the perfect time of year to take a walking tour. Our associates in Mexico City and Ajijic/Chapala offer tours to help you discover these places on foot.
Other tours: Our associates can also help with custom tours to experience Mexico’s Copper Canyon on what is one of the world’s most extraordinary train journeys, and a personally crafted tour of Mexico’s Yucatán region.
If you’re planning ahead for the fall season, consider visiting one of the natural sanctuaries in the oyamel fir tree forests west of Mexico City to experience the phenomenal Monarch Butterflies.
Benefits of a Custom Made Leisure Tour
Whether you’re visiting Mexico for a short vacation or living here and seeking to discover more of the the country you’ve adopted as your home, a custom tour enables you to make the most of your leisure time and absorb the experience of the activity instead of grappling with the details and logistics.
We work with travel partners who know Mexico intimately and craft custom tours that offer a distinctive alternative to the banalities of mass tourism. Our section about Custom Tours of Mexico helps you to discover choices and connect with travel specialists who can help you to craft your customized trip.
Mexico Living Essentials
Guides and updates for everyday living & lifestyle in Mexico.
Roadcraft — Browse our extensive insights about driving & road trips in Mexico. Learn about being properly insured for the journey.
Insights and advice for safe and enjoyable road trips across Mexico
Learn about being properly insured when you drive in Mexico to cover liabilities, breakdowns, and medical incidents while you’re on the road. Get a quote now and arrange coverage online.
Immigration & Residency — Mexperience publishes detailed and regularly updated information about residency in Mexico. Learn about how to apply, and how to manage your residency card and status. Obtain tele-assistance or accompanied assistance to help with the procedures and filing.
House & Home — Our guide to Mexico real estate is the most comprehensive you’ll find. When you buy or rent a home here, learn about how to keep it well cared for with our articles about Home Stewardship. Also learn how to keep your dwelling spaces adequately secured and properly insured.
Home insurance can mitigate the costs of loss and damage
A good home insurance policy can mitigate the costs of storm damage to your own property in Mexico, and also cover you for third party damages—if a tree or wall falls into your neighbor’s house or onto the street, for example.
Learn more about choosing a policy for your needs, and get an instant quote online.
Health & Wellbeing — Read tips & insights for health and wellness in Mexico. Learn about health insurance options. Get a quote for private health insurance.
Money & Banking — Our complete and regularly updated guide to money and banking in Mexico helps you to learn about Mexico’s peso, open and manage a local bank account, make money transfers, use bank cards, and deal with everyday financial matters in Mexico.
Insurance coverages for your lifestyle in Mexico
Connect to our insurance associates and get quotes online for essential insurance services that can mitigate the economic effects of unforeseen events and provide practical support through what are often difficult situations.
What to look for in an auto insurance policy for Mexico
Discover More of Mexico
Mexperience accompanies you throughout your journey.
When you’re looking for a new lifestyle in Mexico, Mexperience is with you at every step—from those first key decisions about moving, to settling-in and cultivating a fruitful lifestyle everyday. And when you need time away for leisure and recreation, we help you to discover & arrange meaningful leisure experiences.
| Topic | Mexperience Sections |
| Mexico Lifestyles | Living & Lifestyles Guide | Lifestyle Planning
Living in Mexico | Retirement in Mexico |
| Residency | Routes to Residency | How to Apply |
| House & Home | Mexico Real Estate Guide—Buying, Renting, Owning, Selling |
| Transport & Communications | Driving | Auto Insurance
Flying | Buses | Taxis | Getting Around |
| Leisure & Recreation | Travel Inspiration | Travel Destinations |
| Learning Spanish | Why Spanish? | Spanish in Mexico |
| Assistance | Connect to Helpful Assistance Services |
| Lexica | Explore Mexico A-to-Z |
Drive properly insured in Mexico
Learn about being properly insured when you drive in Mexico to cover liabilities, breakdowns, and medical incidents while you’re on the road.
Home and property insurance
Whether you own or rent a house in Mexico, a home insurance policy can provide essential support in the event of troublesome circumstances including structural damage, floods, burglary, and events that affect third parties. Learn about insurance policies to protect your home in Mexico.
Home insurance: Get an online quote and arrange instant coverage.
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