• no sirve, from the verb servir, literally means “it doesn’t serve,” or properly translated “it’s no use,” and;
• no funciona, that means it’s not functioning, or is out of order.

Often in Mexico people will say —or scrawl on a piece of card— no sirve, when they probably ought to say or write no funciona—for example when a soft-drinks machine is taking money but not dropping the cans into the hatch, or a ticket-dispensing machine says it gives change but doesn’t, or an ATM asks you to try again later.

But when it comes down to it, if it’s out of order then it’s no use—at least for the purpose at hand.

No funciona is also the same as no sirve if what doesn’t work is the proposed solution to a problem, because if it doesn’t work now, it won’t ever.

So, with some possible exceptions, no funciona and no sirve are more or less interchangeable, and the difference is either academic, or depends on how you want to look at it.

Mexicans aren’t particularly fussy about such grammatical minutiae, and
generally don’t waste time on it, unless there’s a practical reason for bothering, like the legislator who vehemently denied being asleep during the debates. I was not asleep —dormido— but sleeping —durmiendo— the offended representative clarified.

In addition to the notarization, official documents that are not originally presented in Spanish (e.g. those issued by Spain) must also be accompanied by a copy of the document(s) officially translated into Spanish.

Documents that most commonly need to be translated into Spanish include birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates; academic and professional diplomas; and certificates of company incorporation.

Only certified translations into Spanish are accepted

Translation of official documents into Spanish (and their accompanying notarization/apostille certificates) must be undertaken by an authorized translator in Mexico certified by the Mexican judiciary to translate official documents.

Certified translators use a special stamp that is applied to translated documents, and their name/details are checked against a central register when the documents are filed.

How to get your documents translated into Spanish

Our associate can help and will be pleased to assist when you need to get your official documentation translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

They are certified to translate documents from English to Spanish, and German to Spanish.

Simple and streamlined process

Our associate offers a streamlined process to create a certified translation of  document(s) for you:

• The original documents as well as their notarized/apostilled certificates (where relevant) will need to be officially translated into Spanish.
• Our associate will ask you to send them a digital copy of the original document(s) you want to get translated.
• They will undertake the translation work using the digital images.
• Then they’ll print-out the translation on physical paper for you, and stamp/sign the papers using their certified credentials.
• These certified papers will be shipped to an address you specify—or you can arrange pick-up.

Document delivery options

When the translation is completed, it will be printed, certified, and shipped—or you can arrange pick-up.  These are the delivery options:

• Our associate will arrange for the the physical documents to be sent to you by courier, at your expense. (Courier fees vary by destination and our associate will advise you about these.); or
• You can arrange for a courier of your choice to pick them up; or
• You may pick them up yourself (or arrange Uber or Didi to fetch them) from the associate’s offices in Mexico City or Cuernavaca.

Typical delivery time scales

The table below describes the typical time scales required for translation work.

1 Page = 200 words.
Time scales exclude shipping/courier times.
If you have many documents to translate, our associate will quote an estimated time scale.

Fees for Certified Translations (2026)

Fees are based on a page count, and one page is = 200 words, minimum fee is 1 page.
Part-pages are rounded up to the nearest half-page, e.g., 1.2 pages=1.5, 1.6 pages=2.
Fees exclude shipping/courier costs to send you the certified translation copies.

Urgent translations: If your need is genuinely urgent, the associate can prioritize your translation for a 50% increase to the fees quoted above, and subject to the associate’s availability.

Make a service request

Complete the request form below and our associate will contact you directly to organize a certified translation of your documents into Spanish.

What happens next?

• After you complete the form, our certified translation associate will contact you to discuss your requirements, quote you for the work, and arrange payment for the translation.
• When you’ve paid, they’ll begin the translation procedure and send you the physical documents wherever you are based in Mexico (or abroad).
• Mexperience will send you an email to confirm these details.

As you make plans for your road trip in Mexico, this article provides you with a checklist of insights, local knowledge and practical tips to help you properly plan and enjoy your journey across Mexico.

Insights about driving in Mexico

Our guides to Driving in Mexico and Auto Insurance for your journeys provide you with a raft of local knowledge and tips to help you get acquainted with the driving scene here including driving techniques, toll roads, breakdowns, military checkpoints, as well as dealing with accidents and insurance claims.

Bringing your car to Mexico

You need to organize some paperwork when you plan to drive your US or Canadian-plated car to Mexico:

• How to bring a foreign-plated car to Mexico
• Acquiring a Temporary Import Permit for your foreign-plated car

Auto insurance for your road trip in Mexico

Your US or Canadian auto insurance policy won’t cover you for third party liability in Mexico.  You need to purchase a special policy to ensure your journey is properly covered and that you, your car and belongings are protected in case of an accident or other mishap:

• Learn about auto insurance for road trips across Mexico
• Get an online quote for Mexico auto insurance with MexPro

Helpful articles

For additional insights about driving in Mexico, connect to these additional articles and resources here in Mexperience

• Guide to Mexican Street Speak
• Military checkpoints in Mexico
• Dealing with car accidents in Mexico
• Toll road or freeway?

Language opens your access to the culture

Language is a primary instrument that gives you access to a foreign culture, and being able to converse in Spanish —even at a basic conversational level— will make every experience you encounter in Mexico richer, and more meaningful to you.

Spanish is an important language that is widely spoken around the the world, and Mexican Spanish is polite, clear, and easy to understand.  The speed at which the language is spoken in Mexico is not as accelerated as it is Spain and some South American countries, and the pronunciation is softer, which makes the language easier to ‘pick-up’ and easier for beginners to learn.

PinPoint Spanish series shares valuable insights

PinPoint Spanish is an extensive series of articles which help you to study Mexican Spanish language usage and additionally, provide context and nuance of the language as it’s contemporarily spoken and applied in everyday situations across Mexico.

The series is an ideal study resource for beginners who want to get a wider perspective of the language beyond the basic mechanics and grammar, while intermediate and advanced students of the language will particularly enjoy the insights the articles share about the subtle nuances and everyday practical uses of Mexican Spanish.

Spanish language resources on Mexperience

Mexperience offers you knowledge and connections to help you learn and improve your Spanish language capabilities:

• Enjoy dozens of language insight articles through our PinPoint Spanish series
• Connect to our Learning Spanish section for more advice
• Find online Spanish courses to help you develop your conversation skills
• Discover language schools in Mexico where you can participate in a class in-person, or online

Auto insurance coverage valid in Mexico

Some auto insurance policies might contain wording that leads you to believe that you are covered in Mexico, but this out-of-country cover, if any is included, is limited to damage to your own vehicle and certain things you may be carrying inside your car.

The most important aspect of an auto insurance policy when you’re driving in Mexico is third-party liability, because claims for damages by third parties can be substantial.

Third party liability abroad needs a special policy

By law, US and Canadian insurers can’t provide third party liability and this coverage must be underwritten by a Mexican insurance company and be specially formed to be legally valid under Mexican law.

Third party liability covers any losses your actions might cause to others. These most commonly include (but are not limited to):

• damage to another person’s vehicle, or their property;
• injuries to another person in an accident; and
• damage to public property (e.g. road structures).

How much liability insurance is needed in Mexico?

While no one expects to be involved in an accident —and far less a serious one— when arranging coverage, it’s worth considering the worst-case scenario: that you accidentally cause serious injury or death of another person as a result of a vehicle accident.

Here in Mexico you can be made financially responsible to the other party (or their kin) if you unintentionally cause the death of another motorist, and reputable insurance brokers suggest that you have no less than US$300,000 in liability insurance and they will usually recommend US$500,000.

Get a policy covers more than just accidents

There are other factors besides financial liability to consider when you are arranging your auto insurance when you drive in Mexico.  The three most important aspects to consider when choosing a policy are:

Legal representation

If you’re involved in a serious road accident in Mexico, it’s common for those involved to be detained until the situation is assessed, fault is determined, and financial responsibility is assigned.

Due to this process, the legal representation which better policies offer will provide you with:

• local assistance to help you deal with the complex paperwork and procedures (in Spanish, and liaise with you in English);
• a fund to post a bail-bond and get you released as soon as practicable; and
• a legal team to negotiate on your behalf if fault and responsibility is assigned to you.

Medical coverage

If you or any of your vehicle’s occupants are injured in an accident, medical payments might or might not be covered. Medical coverage on auto policies vary and you’ll need to compare the choices to ensure you have an adequate amount of coverage, per person and in total.

Assistance for accidents and vehicle breakdowns

When an accident happens, what really matters is the practical support provided by an insurance policy.

If your vehicle breaks-down, or in the event of a minor accident which leaves your car damaged but readily repairable, a roadside travel assistance plan offered by the insurer can be an enormous benefit to you.

Roadside assistance can be purchased as part of an auto insurance policy and offers very practical help in what can be stressful and confusing circumstances.

• In the event of a breakdown or minor accident which leaves you stuck, help with things like gas delivery, a flat tire, a locksmith, or a tow truck to a nearby garage for essential repairs can be a phone call away.
• In the event of an accident, assistance can provide practical support and liaison with key personnel to help you recover more quickly and get back on your road trip as soon as practicable.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Detailed guides and helpful connections that enable you to plan and realize your relocation to Mexico

Mexperience provides in-depth insights and local knowledge with extensive articles, guides, and cross-references and connections to help you discover more of Mexico, consider your lifestyle options, define your intentions, make a plan, and help you to avoid making material mistakes with your Mexico lifestyle plans.

Our guides are written by people who know Mexico intimately, are continually revised and updated—and are free to access.

Mexperience helps you through every step of the journey

Our detailed guides and insights offer you complete information throughout every step of your journey:

• Discovering the benefits and opportunities Mexico offers to live and work or retire.
• Detailed insights that help you to consider whether Mexico is right for you and your partner—and family if relevant.
• When you’ve determined that Mexico is right for you, we offer lots of practical advice to help you plan your lifestyle in Mexico.
• Mexperience also helps you to plan your move, settle-in to Mexico, cultivate your social and community networks and helps you learn how adapt to the country and its culture.
• When you’re settled here, our up to date articles and monthly newsletter help you to cultivate a fruitful home life in Mexico.
• Our homestead articles offer practical advice to help you manage your home in Mexico and its dwelling spaces.
• Our insights and local knowledge also help if you’re living in Mexico now but want to revisit your intentions and need guidance to help you settle, adapt, and reform your plans.

Take the next step: start here

Mexperience offers extensive insights, local knowledge, and connections to help you plan and realize a relocation to Mexico, whether you’re single, a couple, or a family.

Begin your journey

Our Mexico Living & Lifestyles guide connects you to in-depth articles and information about living in Mexico. It’s continually updated, helping you to make considered choices and useful connections.

Help with lifestyle planning

Our regularly-updated section about Lifestyle Planning in Mexico shares insights to help you make informed decisions about your lifestyle choices in Mexico.

Calculate your living costs

Our detailed guide to the cost of living in Mexico helps you calculate a personalized budget based on your life stage and lifestyle choices.

Consider places to live in Mexico

We publish guides to help you consider places to live in Mexico, whether you come to live, work or retire.

Obtain your Mexico residency permit

Our detailed guide to applying for residency in Mexico shows you every step needed to qualify and apply for legal residency in Mexico

Real estate and property rental in Mexico

We publish a detailed guide to real estate in Mexico that shares practical insights when you’re buying, owning, renting, and selling property here.  We recommend you rent a house first before you buy, unless you’re familiar with the area you’re moving to.

Learn how to keep in touch when you’re in Mexico

Our comprehensive guides describe how you can keep in touch when you’re in Mexico.  Our local insights include learning about Mexico cell phone plans, how to dial phones, connecting to internet services including satellite services, and also learn about post and couriers… and the cost of utilities and communications.

Cultivate your home life

When you’ve made the move and you’re living here, our regularly updated articles about cultivating a fruitful home life in Mexico will give you insights, inspiration, and ideas to make the most of your everyday lifestyle.

Manage your money & finances in Mexico

We publish detailed, updated, information about managing your finances in Mexico, including bank accounts, money exchange, and money transfers.

Homestead care and management

Whether you’re renting a home or have purchased a property here, our regularly updated guides help you manage your home and dwelling spaces in Mexico, with tips and local knowledge to keep them well maintained and secure for you and your family.

Learning and improving your Spanish

We encourage you to learn Spanish to help you make the most of your experiences in Mexico.  We connect you to language courses, and our in-depth PinPoint Spanish series helps you to learn about the nuances of language usage in Mexico.

Driving, road trips and running a car in Mexico

Our guides and articles about driving and taking road trips in Mexico help you to prepare your longer road trips as well as dealing with everyday driving matters.

Free Monthly Mexico Newsletter

Sign-up to our free monthly newsletter about Mexico that is filled with inspiration, meaningful knowledge, helpful connections, and tips for better living, lifestyle, and leisure in Mexico.

Discover even more of Mexico

Our Discover Mexico section provides a constantly updated stream of articles and guides that share knowledge and keep you updated about opportunities in Mexico.

Requesting appointments for residency at Mexican consulates

The ways in which Mexican consulates schedule appointments for residency application interviews varies by location, and lead times for appointments also varies.

For full details: see our related article about making residency applications at a Mexican consulate and learn more about how appointments are made, typical leads times, and the interview process.

Requesting appointments at Mexico’s immigration offices

Most immigration offices in Mexico use an online appointment system to book-in applicants; for example, to exchange a residency visa sticker for a residency card, or to renew an existing residency card, or some other residency-related matter, e.g. filing change notifications.

For full details: see our related article about online appointments at Mexico’s immigration offices and learn about the online appointment system, the types of procedures that can be booked online, typical lead times, and the booking process.

Self-service or Assistance for appointments

The online appointment-booking systems can be accessed directly by applicants and you can go through the entire booking process yourself.

If you would like assistance with your residency application, visa exchange or other residency-related procedure, our associates offer assistance services and all of their service options include assistance with appointment-making at Mexican consulates and/or Mexico immigration offices—as appropriate for your situation.

Learn more about Mexico visas and immigration

Mexperience publishes extensive information about visas, immigration and residency in Mexico, including:

• The residency application appointment at Mexican consulates
• Making appointments at Mexico’s immigration offices
• Read a detailed summary of the application process for a Mexico residency permit.
• Our latest articles about visas and immigration keep you apprised of current situations including financial criteria for residency, fees, and managing your residency.

Where neither of these are available or reliable, or if you’re seeking a backup service to complement your landline or cellular-internet service, you can opt for high-speed internet via satellite.

What is internet via satellite

Internet access via satellite works in the same way as internet provided via a landline or a cellphone tower; the difference is that the signal is passed using a special satellite antenna instead of cables or cell towers.

The companies that offer internet satellite services provide a ‘kit’ that is straightforward to install and includes a special router that connects to the satellite antenna.  The router provides WiFi in your home and delivers high-speed internet access in the same way as other services.

Internet via satellite can also be used when you are moving about, for example, in your Recreational Vehicle (RV), as well as on boats—although the monthly fees are higher if you use it this way.

Satellite services typically charge higher fees than landline and cell-based internet services, and the speed and reliability might fluctuate—particularly during difficult weather conditions.

Who is satellite internet suited to?

Satellite internet access is ideal when you live ‘off the telephone grid’, and/or in an area where cellphone coverage is poor. Satellite internet may also be used as a ‘backup’ in case other internet services fail, so it’s helpful in situations where it’s essential that you remain online.

Mexico’s topography inland is mountainous and rugged in places. If you choose to live in a rural or semi-rural area of Mexico, telephone lines might not be readily available (or speeds offered might be slow), and cell phone coverage might be patchy.  In these situations, a satellite antenna can deliver very high-speed internet —and all related services, like phone calls and video conferencing— to your home in Mexico.

If you live on boat in Mexico, or you have a RV, satellite internet can also provide you with a high-speed internet solution.

Cost-benefit of satellite service vs other options

Internet via satellite is the most expensive internet access service, but prices for hardware and subscriptions have been falling significantly in recent times, making the initial set-up costs less expensive, and monthly plan fees more affordable.

If a landline is available in your area, this will provide the most reliable high-speed internet at the lowest monthly cost, usually with a low or no setup fee, offering the highest speeds with no limits on data transfer.

If landlines are not available where your home is situated (or the lines offered can only deliver slow internet speeds) but there is good cell phone coverage, you might opt for home WiFi service delivered by cell phone companies. The monthly fees for this service are about the same as a landline package, but speeds and data transfer allowances are limited.  Also note that the service might be unavailable even in areas with a good cellphone signal—you need to check with the service provider to ask about current coverage areas.

If your home is not well served by a landline or the cell phone coverage is poor/unavailable, you can opt for a satellite internet service. You will need to spend some money buying the special hardware, and monthly fees are typically higher than what you will pay for landline internet or or internet at home using cellphone coverage.

If you want a backup to your landline and/or cellular service, satellite based internet can provide an extra layer of support.  This can be helpful if, for example, if you work from home or in other situations where having reliable internet access is essential to the use case.

How can I get satellite internet service in Mexico

There are three companies in Mexico offering internet services via satellite. You can learn more about the services and compare package prices on their respective websites:

Learn more about staying in touch when you’re in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles, guides, and local knowledge to help you stay in touch while you are visiting or living in Mexico:

• Latest articles about internet and WiFi services in Mexico
• Wireless Home Internet Services in Mexico
• Mexican cell phone calling plans for North America
• Guide to communications in Mexico

However, Mexico is big, and as we described in our article about this being a land of three lands, different regions and varying topography create distinct climate zones—including those that can get quite cold during the fall and winter months.

How elevation influences local climates

Regions in Mexico that experience cool or cold climates, especially between the late fall and through the winter months, are those situated in the northern desert regions, as well as the areas across the country that are inland and situated at higher elevation.

Many of Mexico’s popular and picturesque inland towns and cities are situated at elevations over 4,000 feet above sea level, and more commonly are situated between 5,000 and 7,000 feet above sea level.

This elevated topography keeps air temperatures considerably cooler and less humid throughout the year even on latitudes where temperatures are very hot at lower levels, and along the coast.

During the spring and summer months, the elevation keeps the climate in these places feeling temperate, with warm days (sometimes hot in the late spring) and comfortably cool after sundown and overnight.

When the season turns from summer to fall, and then to winter, mountainous places at elevation can become quite cool, and some even quite cold after the sun sets.

In the Mexico’s northern desert regions, overnight temperatures can freeze and some areas like the Copper Canyon can also experience snow.

Temperate daytimes become cool or cold after sundown

One of the climatic features of colder months in Mexico’s highlands is that daylight temperatures tend rise steadily throughout the morning to become temperate and comfortable by the afternoon.

Seasonal cold fronts from the north can cause temperatures to plunge for a few days, and prevent daytime temperatures from reaching their typical highs, and this is especially noticeable in mountain enclaves at higher elevations.  Cold fronts tend to last only a few days at most, and then pass.

When the sun begins to set, temperatures begin to drop noticeably and you might have to trade daytime shorts for long pants and a pullover during the evenings.

Temperatures drop at sundown and then continue to fall steadily throughout the evening and overnight.  That chill will linger on to sunrise and through the early hours, making mornings feel crisp, or sharp.

Some days, it might take until late morning or early afternoon before daytime temperatures rise sufficiently to dispel the chill, especially if a cold front arrives, and/or if the day is heavily overcast.

Regions in Mexico affected by cool or colder weather

Areas in Mexico that are commonly affected by cooler or cold weather during the autumn and winter months include:

• Northern areas: the northern desert regions, including Monterrey and elevated areas on the Baja California peninsula; and
• Central highlands: the elevated mountainous regions that form the country’s central highlands: from Zacatecas, southward through Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Mexico City, and northern areas of Morelos; and
• Western highlands: the western inland elevated areas including the State of Mexico (especially around Toluca), the city of Guadalajara and Lake Chapala, and the highland forested lakeside areas in the state of Michoacán, including Morelia & Pátzcuaro; and
• Eastern highlands: the eastern elevated areas including Tlaxcala, Puebla, and inland areas of Veracruz (Orizaba, that also includes Mexico’s highest mountain); and
• Southern highlands: further south, inland areas of Oaxaca, and the elevated regions of Chiapas, especially in and around San Cristóbal de las Casas, can get quite cool in the winter.

Low-lying and coastal areas

Lower-lying areas (below ~2000 feet elevation) including the coastal plains and coasts situated at latitudes around or below the Tropic of Cancer tend to remain pleasantly warm during the autumn and winter (absent a cold front) which is why they’re so popular with ‘snowbirds’—part time residents who overwinter in Mexico.

Lower-lying areas situated at latitudes above the Tropic of Cancer can feel cooler or cold sometimes, especially if a cold front arrives.

Discover Mexico’s weather and climates

Mexperience helps you to discover Mexico’s diverse topography and climate as you make your lifestyle and leisure plans:

• Learn about how Mexico is a land of three lands
• Keeping your Mexican home warm in the cool & cold months
• Discover Mexico’s climate through the seasons
• The rain season begins in May/June and yields to the dry season in October/November
• Check individual location guides here on Mexperience for climate by location.
• You can get full details about the weather by region and season on our guide to climate in Mexico.
• Browse the latest articles about climate and weather in Mexico

Factors that influence commitment levels

As we describe in our continually updated guides about living and retirement in Mexico, how much time you spend living in Mexico, and how much commitment you make to cultivating a lifestyle here will depend on many things and is ultimately a personal choice that you will probably have determined when you were defining your intentions and identifying the key factors and other matters that will influence your choices about moving to Mexico.

As noted in our guides referenced above, the key factors that influence these choices include:

• social and family ties you have in your home country;
• the attachment (or otherwise) you feel to your home country;
• the physical distance between Mexico and your home country;
• your financial resources and personal energy levels required to move twice a year; and
• your offspring’s perceptions if you have children.

These factors are addressed in detail in our guide to living and retirement in Mexico, and although they are not the only influencers, they are the principal ones which most foreign residents face as they make their choices regarding a move.

Practical matters to consider as you prepare to return to Mexico

If you are one of many foreign residents that shuttles between your home country and Mexico each year —or if you intend to do this as part of your planned lifestyle— there are several practical matters to consider as you prepare for your re-arrival to Mexico.

Your visitor or residency permit

If you use a visitor permit to reside in Mexico part-time, note that border officials appear to no longer be giving 180 days stay by default.  They can still give 180 days maximum (by law) but in many cases people are begin given fewer days—sometimes as few as 10.

If you reside in Mexico even for a few months a year, we recommend you consider applying for a residency permit that will make your border crossing smoother and prevent you from having to leave the country if your visitor permit is not issued for the length of time you intend to overwinter in Mexico.

Renewing your temporary residency

If you hold temporary residency in Mexico and you intend to keep your residency status in Mexico, you will need to renew it before its expiry date.  Residency card renewals must be done in person, in Mexico—they cannot be filed by proxy.

Your arrival in Mexico is an ideal moment to check the expiry date on your residency card(s) and file your renewal (or exchange to permanent residency) as appropriate.  If you need assistance with your renewal process or exchange to permanent, our associate can help.

Vehicles you might bring

If you intend to drive your US or Canadian plated vehicle to Mexico, consider whether you will need a Temporary Import Permit (TIP), and whether you need a TIP or not, you’ll need to purchase a vehicle insurance policy that covers your vehicle while its in Mexico.  Read our guides to driving and road trips in Mexico for insight and advice about driving here.

House and home

If you own a home in Mexico, you’ll need to talk to your local contact or agent about ‘reopening’ the property for your return if it has been left vacant in your absence.

As we remark in our guides to home maintenance and security, it’s not advisable to leave your property unattended for months.  If it has been rented out, you’ll need to liaise with your agent or the tenants to organize the checkout and hand-back, review of the property’s condition, and return of the deposit, etc.

If you rent a home while you’re in Mexico, you’ll need to liaise with the owner or the owner’s agent you are dealing with about arrangements for you to take possession of the property during the lease period.  And it’s also important to know who is renting your home while you’re away.

Health matters

If you plan to be in Mexico for a defined period up to 90-days then a short-term trip protection insurance could work well for your stay.

If your stay in Mexico will be for longer than 90 days and less than 180 days, then an extended stay emergency and medical expense coverage will help to mitigate the cost of unexpected medical emergencies, and also includes medical evacuation to your home country in severe circumstances.

Language skills

Being able to speak at least some Spanish will materially improve your lifestyle experiences while you’re in Mexico, even if you’re only living here part of the year.  There are sensible reasons for investing time and effort to learn (or improve) your Spanish, and there are courses online and in classrooms that can help you to do this.

Travel and leisure opportunities

Part-time residents in Mexico may opt to take advantage of their presence in Mexico and consider some travel and leisure opportunities that are close-by.  You can browse custom leisure tours offered by travel experts that know Mexico intimately here on Mexperience.

Miscellaneous practicalities

The guide to living and retirement sets out the plethora of practical matters and details which need to be considered as you move from one place to another. Many of these matters are relevant whether you move to Mexico full-time or part-time—the principal difference is that if you are living here only part time, you’ll effectively be managing lifestyles in at least two different locations simultaneously.

Practical matters as you prepare to leave Mexico

If you intend to leave Mexico for a defined period each year and return months later (or next season/year), the key matters for you to consider prior to your planned departure date from Mexico will likely include:

• ensuring your Mexico visitor permit has not expired if you don’t have a residency card (you’ll need to pay a fine when you leave, if you overstay your visitor permit date);
• if you have a residency permit, you need to ‘check out’ at the airport or other port of exit when you leave Mexico;
• if you own a house here, ensuring that your Mexican home is properly cared for in your absence, or if you plan to rent it out, ensure that you know who’s renting your home;
• if you drove a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico outside of one of the defined Free Zones (and thus have a Temporary Import Permit—TIP), make sure you stop at the Banjercito border offices and cancel your TIP.
• if your insurance policies are not annual, be mindful of the policy expiry dates and create a reminder for yourself to restart them for your next return to Mexico.

Resources for Living & Lifestyle in Mexico

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.  Our resources include:

• Detailed guides to living and retirement in Mexico that are continually updated
• Insightful articles about living and lifestyle in Mexico
• If you’re planning your initial relocation to Mexico, browse article on our Lifestyle Planning section
• Our Mexico Home Life section contains a wealth of local knowledge to help you settle-in and make the most of your lifestyle in Mexico.
• Our section about Home Stewardship is packed with practical advice for managing your home and dwelling spaces in Mexico.
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

Prices may be agreed in US dollars, but official amounts are documented in Mexican pesos

In many towns and cities across Mexico, house prices are quoted in Mexican pesos when they are offered to the market for sale. However, in a few places —and most notably in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic/Chapala, and Cancun/Riviera Maya— home prices can often be seen quoted in US dollars.

Even though the sales transaction may be marketed (and agreed between the parties) in US dollars —or some other foreign currency— the amount to pay to close the transaction will be documented in Mexican pesos and the title deed will express that amount at the exchange rate prevalent on the date of the closing.

When you sell the property, any capital gains are calculated only in Mexican pesos and therefore shifts in the exchange rate can influence your tax liability as expressed in a foreign currency.

The ‘exchange rate effect’ when you sell

The best way to understand the ‘exchange rate effect’ is through an example.

Suppose you agreed to purchase a home in Mexico for a peso-equivalent value of US$500,000 dollars years ago, when there were $10 pesos to the dollar:

• your title deed shows a sale value of $5 million pesos;
• if you agree to sell the home today for the same US$500,000 dollars (with around 20 Mexican pesos to the US dollar), the peso value sales equivalent is close to $10 million—creating an effective $5 million pesos ‘capital gain’ on the property;
• so in this situation, even though you have realized zero gain in US dollar terms, you have realized a capital gain in Mexican peso terms, and you’re liable to pay capital gains tax on that peso gain when you sell.

If your home’s market value has doubled over that same time period, and you agree to sell for one million dollars:

• your sale price would be calculated and documented at about $20 million pesos creating a capital gain of around $15 million pesos ($20m less $5m pesos);
• in this situation, your gain in US dollar terms is US$500,000 (10 million pesos, at $20 pesos to US$1); however,
• your capital gain is calculated in pesos, on around $15 million pesos—equivalent to ~US$750,000 dollars;
• which means your capital gain is calculated on a sum that’s about 50% higher than your capital gain in US dollar terms.

Worthwhile tax allowances are available for residents

If you’re resident in Mexico and have a tax ID (RFC), you may be able to avail yourself of some worthwhile tax exemptions and deductions that may reduce or eliminate any capital gain tax liabilities, but you cannot avoid the effect of the ‘capital gain’ expressed in pesos brought about through the exchange rate effect when the sales value was based in US dollars.

Keep this in mind when you are ready to sell if you purchased a home in Mexico negotiated using a US dollar value, because your tax liabilities are always calculated on the amounts documented on the title deeds in Mexican pesos, not any foreign currency equivalent.

Learn more about property in Mexico

We publish comprehensive, free and regularly-updated guides about property and real estate in Mexico:

• View the latest articles about real estate in Mexico
• Comprehensive free and regularly-updated guide to buying and selling real estate and renting property in Mexico
• Free guide to finding and working with a realty agent in Mexico

Get your property transaction independently examined

An independent examination of your sales contract and transactional procedures provides cross-checks as you navigate your way through a property purchase or sale in Mexico.

Linda Neil and her team at The Settlement Company® are experienced real estate professionals who can:

• Explain the procedures, legal matters, and tax rules to you in detail, independently of parties who have a vested interest in the transaction.
• Examine the details of your property purchase/sale contract to ensure that it does not contain clauses that may cause adverse effects and/or create undue risks.
• Ensure that the fees you are being asked to pay for professional services are reasonable, and that the tax calculations are aligned with current tax rules.
• Offer you a direct line for independent verification of matters which arise that you are unsure about as you make your way through the property transaction.
• Act as liaison between you, your real estate agent (if you are using one) and other professionals—for example, the Notary Public or local attorney situated in the State where the transaction is taking place.

Benefits of hiring an independent professional

Personalized service: This independent consulting service is formed around your individual needs. Furthermore, you can order practical support through the procedures to ensure professionalism and integrity in your transaction.

Overcome language issues: Property purchase/sale contracts are often written in Spanish and the seller’s deed is written in Spanish—by law. The legal terminology and clauses can be obscure or confusing. This service will help you to understand what you are committing to within the context of the sales/purchase contract. Linda and her team will explain what you are committing to in terms of Mexican law.

Oversee your investment: Hiring an independent assessor can protect your investment through an examination of the proposed transaction. This can help to ensure that agreements are realistic and are able to be fulfilled, legally.

Avoid pitfalls and hidden costs.  The costs of dealing with improper procedures or adverse contract terms after a property deal is closed can be substantial. An independent review and examination of your property deal prior to signing or payments being made can help you avoid to the costs and inconvenience of dealing with problems afterwards.

How the support service works

Linda and her team at The Settlement Company® provide an initial consultation, and can offer you a package of support services as you make your way through a property transaction in Mexico.  These services include:

• An initial consultation to talk about your situation and the proposed transaction.
• A review and examination of your sale/purchase contract and the Seller’s deed.
• Explain what you are committing to contractually, with highlights of any clauses that may be unusual or risky, as well as remarks about matters which you might want to consider renegotiating before you sign.
• An independent assessment of the professional fees, transaction fees, and property taxes you should be paying—whether you are the buyer or the seller.
• Advice and information about what structures need to be in place to ensure the property closes efficiently for tax purposes: when you are buying, ensuring that the contract and title are properly documented; when you are selling, how to claim current tax allowances on capital gains.

Service Fee: For the initial consultation and review with a written report, the fee is US$560.

The fee includes the support service as described above and will also include an estimate to supervise the entire transaction including Foreign Relations permits, appraisals, escrow fees, bank trustee fees, (if applicable) no liens and property tax certificates and full registration in the state where the property is registered—which are optional additional services you can purchase if you want or need these.  Fees are billed directly by The Settlement Company® who accept payments in the US, or in Mexico.