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 May
Insights and tips for better living & lifestyle in Mexico
May’s events calendar
Labor Day on May 1st is one of Mexico’s seven federally-mandated national holidays and this year it falls on a Friday, creating a de facto ‘long-weekend holiday’. Cinco de Mayo on the fifth is not a national holiday, but Mother’s Day on May 10th is an important cultural date and unofficial day-off for working mothers—this year it falls on a Sunday.
Unofficial rain
As we mentioned in last month’s newsletter, February and March had been wetter than usual this year, and the pattern extended into April. Typically the rainy season begins in May or June, although this year some early storms have been strong enough to qualify as rain-season storms, albeit interspersed with stretches of days very typical of the dry season. Foreign Native penned a comment about this year’s unofficial rain that, although is atypical, is welcome, nonetheless.
Residency card renewals & time scales
We’ve been receiving a lot of correspondence recently from people seeking to renew their Temporary Residency or apply for a change of status from Temporary to Permanent after four consecutive years who are a) leaving it to the last minute to file, and b) fully expecting to swan-in to the immigration office and swan-out the same day porting their new card(s).
Key reminders:
- Appointments need to be made at most immigration offices in Mexico and there is typically a 2-3 week lead time for appointment dates. Leaving it to the last minute makes it difficult or impossible to get an appointment before your card expires.
- You must file at the office where your existing card is registered, or you must file a change of address at a different office before you can file your renewal/change of status. Note also that some offices (not all) are now asking for proof of address.
- Processing time scales vary by office. Some offices may issue cards the same day as you file on some occasions, but typically based on our associates’ recent cases the current processing time for most applications is 5-10 business days. It can take 3-4 weeks in exceptional circumstances.
- Family Unit applications filed in Mexico are taking much longer —typically 2-3 months— as the immigration offices undertake detailed checks on applicants using this route for residency.
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.
Lifestyle insight: purpose & routine
When the excitement of moving to Mexico (or to a new location within Mexico) fades, focus inevitably turns to dealing with the everyday matters of life. It’s helpful to explore the importance of developing purpose and routines to create balance and meaning in your new location and lifestyle. This article about finding purpose and routines also highlights common risks and pitfalls which, left unattended, may undermine your original intentions. It’s an integral part our extensive and regularly-updated guide to Living & Lifestyles in Mexico.
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.
Can you afford to live or retire in Mexico?
Financial planning is a cornerstone of lifestyle planning, and one of the most frequently asked questions by people considering a move is: How much money will we need to live in Mexico? Like everywhere else, prices of all things in Mexico are rising. Considering your finances as an integral part of your lifestyle planning can help you to make informed and sustainable choices.
Travel prepared on your Mexico road trips
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.
Home Stewardship & Mexico Home Life
When you’re living in Mexico and dealing with everyday situations, our articles and guides on Home Stewardship help you manage your house, home, and dwelling spaces in Mexico; and its sister-section, Mexico Home Life, offers local knowledge, ideas, and inspiration to help you create and settle-in well to your home living spaces in Mexico.
Mexican cellphones registration: June 30 deadline
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. The deadline date is June 30, 2026. Telephone companies have been ordered to suspend all lines not registered on July 1.
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.
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.
Tequila’s cousins
Tequila, Mezcal, and Pulque are traditional Mexican drinks made using agave succulent plant varieties—but each beverage is distinct and offers different taste experiences.
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.
What’s driving property prices in Mexico
Property prices have been rising steadily in Mexico over the last decade—driven by a range of forces including foreign residents moving here and the emergence of residential mortgages offered by banks. Rents have also risen substantially in the last five years. Discover what propels Mexican house prices and rents and connect to resources that help you gauge property values across Mexico’s highly-localized realty markets.
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.
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.
Mexico in your inbox
Our free newsletter about Mexico brings you a monthly round-up of recently published stories and opportunities, as well as gems from our archives.
