Mexico Newsletter —
August 2023

Your monthly Mexico newsletter is filled with inspiration, meaningful knowledge, helpful connections, and tips for better living, lifestyle, and leisure in Mexico.

High summer season across Mexico

The month of August marks the peak of the summer season in Mexico.  Across the country’s mainland, late afternoon and overnight rain storms drench the landscapes causing the flora to burst out with color and fragrance, in contrast to the Baja California peninsula that remains mostly dry throughout the summer months.

Schools are taking their summer recess, and foreign residents living here with young families often spend this month traveling to see their relatives abroad, or receive family visits at their homes in Mexico.

Summer is an ideal time of year to discover the unique refreshment offered by authentic Mexican craft beers, and explore the varied and interesting range of flavors offered by purveyors of Mexican ice-cream.

We’re often asked about banking services in Mexico, and this month’s newsletter highlights a series of articles about opening and running a bank account.

If you’re planning a road trip in Mexico this month, our extensive information about driving here helps you to plan ahead and travel safely on Mexico’s roads.

In this month’s immigration update, we highlight the matter of residency cards for minor children.  Many people are unaware that special rules exist for minors under 18 years of age, and that parents of minors under the age of three years need to renew their children’s cards annually.

These late summer weeks tend to encourage us to slow down and relax, and can also be a time to reflect on the year unfolding and consider our plans for the months ahead. Next month’s newsletter will share insights about opportunities in Mexico as the season turns again and summer yields to fall.

In the meantime, we wish you and those close to you a pleasant and agreeable month of August, wherever your plans and activities may find you.

Matthew Harrup is founder and editor of Mexperience.

Mexico Lifestyle & Leisure Notebook – August 2023

Enjoy highlights of hand-picked articles that have been recently added or updated, and gems from our archives.

Residency cards for minors: Recent correspondence with some readers revealed that there is some confusion about the rules for residency cards for minors. The rules are described in detail in this article, although essentially:

• children under 3 years of age are given temporary or permanent residency cards for one year at a time, and these must be renewed in Mexico annually; and
• children between the ages of 3 and 17 years are issued with temporary or permanent residency cards for a maximum of 4 years at a time and must renew them in Mexico; and further note that
• children under 18 years of age holding permanent residency cards need to renew these as above. When they turn 18, their permanent residency will become indefinite and the card will no longer expire or need to be renewed.

Managing your residency card: Learn more about the differences between Temporary and Permanent residency, and learn about the renewal rules and process for temporary residency cards.  If your residency card has expired, read this. If your card is lost or damaged, read this.

The aromas of Mexico’s fine coffees: Mexico grows and produces remarkable fine coffees making it unnecessary to pay a premium for the popular imported brands. The country has four principal regions where fine coffees and grown.  Discover Mexico’s coffee-growing regions and read more about enjoying coffee in Mexico.

Banks and banking services: When you’re living in Mexico, holding a local bank account can help you to manage your day-to-day financial transactions.

• Our guide to opening and managing a Mexican bank account offers a primer; also learn about the main banking brands and the services they offer.
• From there you can connect to a series of related articles including using debit and credit cards, managing money transfers and using ATMs in Mexico.
• Our section about managing your money in Mexico offers further insights and practical advice.

Rainy season pleasures and challenges: August and September tend to bring the heaviest rains across Mexico’s mainland, and hurricanes can make landfall anytime until around late October.  Our guide about living well through Mexico’s rainy season offers practical advice for dealing with the rains, including how to deal effectively with mosquitoes that are prevalent this time of year.

Summer drinks: The next time you visit a local supermarket or restaurant, be on the lookout for authentic Mexican craft beers, which offer a genuine alternative to the mass-produced beer brands.  Tequila, mezcal and pulque continue to be popular spirit drinks enjoyed year-round in Mexico.

The Copper Canyon is bursting into life: Summer is peak season in the canyons, as the rains bring growth, color, fragrance, and vibrancy to this most remarkable natural landscape. Take an extraordinary train journey through Mexico’s Copper Canyon to experience dramatic landscapes and absorb breath-taking natural scenery.

Sensational summer road trips: Summer is one of the busiest times of year on Mexico’s roads and interstate highways, and Mexico’s vast and scenic landscapes provide exhilarating backdrops for you to enjoy exceptional road travel experiences.

• Our articles and insights about driving in Mexico share key things you need to know before you hit the road; and
• 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.

Wind storms and power cuts: The peak period of the rainy season can bring sudden wind storms which can appear from nowhere and they, coupled with torrential rainstorms, can cause local power cuts.  Our article about dealing with electrical power cuts in Mexico shares insights and practical advice.

Choosing a location for your lifestyle in Mexico: Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Summer storms and other events that can shake your home life: Home insurance isn’t usually on anyone’s mind as they take a summer break, but it’s worth considering coverages for your residential property in Mexico, especially when you’re away.  Flash summer storms can cause flooding; strong winds can cause trees to fall onto your neighbor’s property; if your home is near the coast, hurricane-force storms can cause major damage.  Earthquakes can happen anytime, and burglaries are a risk when there’s no one at home.  The expense and hassle of these and other risks can be mitigated with an adequate home insurance policy.

Thinking about a move to Mexico? Regardless of what stage you’re at in your thinking and planning about a move to Mexico, Mexperience helps you to make considered choices and informed decisions about moving here, settling-in, and cultivating a fruitful and wholesome lifestyle.  Start here, with an introduction to our relocation guides and discover our extensive articles that help you explore options and make considered choices.

Your House in Mexico: buy, build, or renovate? Most buyers opt for a prebuilt house in Mexico, but opportunities exist for building on land and renovating old properties. Mexico offers a wide range of options and choices when you want to establish a residential home here.

Getting well, staying well: Health care and medical insurance is one of the most common concerns people have when thinking about moving to Mexico.  There are choices for those seeking health and medical coverages for long term stays in Mexico, including a state-run program, private health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance.

Wafting scents of fresh bread and reflections on an era now passed: When you’re hungry, there’s nothing quite as enticing as the smell of fresh baked bread wafting out from the local panadería.  It’s not unusual in the evenings to see people hanging around inside the shop, tray and tongs in hand, waiting for the next batch of hot rolls —oval-shaped bolillos or flat teleras— to be wheeled out from the ovens.  Learn more about Mexico’s local bakeries.

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.

A, E, I O, You: One thing that makes Spanish conversation quite easy for the beginner is that there are basically only five vowel sounds.  This article is part of our PinPoint Spanish series that introduces you to Mexican Spanish and its nuances in very practical ways.

Discover and experience more of Mexico

Mexperience helps you discover Mexico and experience the wide range of opportunities available here for lifestyle and leisure.

Mexico Lifestyle

Whether you’re considering a move to Mexico, in the throes of moving here, and even if you’re already here and considering ways to reformulate your current situations, our Mexico lifestyle planning articles and eBooks provide invaluable help and local knowledge:

• Lifestyle Planning articles and updates
• Mexico Home Life updates—practical insights for daily living
• Discover places to live in Mexico
• Latest updates and real estate and property in Mexico
• Browse the latest updates about Spanish language study

Mexico Leisure

Whether you’re visiting Mexico or living here, there’s an abundance of travel and leisure options for you to explore and experience.

• Browse the latest Travel & Leisure updates
• Guides: Colonial Cities, Beaches, Pyramids, Big Cities, Nature
• Discover custom travel tours of Mexico

Mexico Essentials

Articles and insights about essential things you need to know as you make your Mexico lifestyle and leisure plans

• Latest Mexico Essentials insights
• Guides to transport and getting around in Mexico
• Insurance coverages for your Mexico lifestyle