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
The monthly Newsletter and 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 January
Insights and tips for better living & lifestyle in Mexico
New Year celebrations wrap-up the holiday season
The festive period known as Guadalupe-Reyes, that began on December 12th, draws to a close early in the New Year. January 6th, Dia de Los Reyes Magos —Kings’ Day, or Epiphany— marks the close of the festivities, on an evening traditionally accompanied by family, delicious Rosca de Reyes, and a mug of hot chocolate. If your slice of rosca reveals a plastic doll, traditionally you host a party and serve tamales on February 2nd, Día de las Candelaria.
Qualifying for residency in 2026
In July 2025 new visa guidelines directed Mexican consulates to adopt UMA as part of their residency qualification criteria. Mexican consulates abroad publish their revised criteria in January. We are keeping our guide to financial qualification regularly updated as new information becomes available. If you don’t qualify for residency under economic solvency rules, other routes might be open to you.
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.
Learn or improve your Spanish in 2026
When you’re living in Mexico, or if you plan to make Mexico a part of your lifestyle plans in the future, consider learning or improving your Spanish language skills. Our PinPoint Spanish series offers insights into the nuances and uses of Spanish in Mexico and our Spanish language associates offer convenient online lessons customized to your language-learning goals.
Dry season, winter temperatures
As the New Year unfolds, the dry season will make itself increasingly apparent—and we have tips for living well in the absence of rain. Winter months in Mexico offer generally agreeable climates but cold fronts can bring snaps of cooler or chilled weather especially to the highlands. Learn about places that can get cold in Mexico during the fall & winter.
Mexican cellphones and CURP
On December 8, 2025, the Mexican government announced that new rules are coming into effect from January 2026 requiring every Mexican cellphone number (contract and pre-pay) to be associated with a CURP. This mandate requires everyone using a Mexican cell phone number not currently associated to a CURP to visit a customer service center and present a valid ID and a valid CURP to prevent the number from becoming suspended. The deadline for doing this has been slated as June 30, 2026, but pertinent details remain scant. We will publish a full article when more information becomes available.
New enforcement related to foreign-plated vehicles
In late 2025 drivers in Baja began reporting on Social Media posts that officers at vehicle checkpoints on the Baja peninsula had been giving warnings to —and in some cases seized vehicles from— people driving foreign-plated cars and who hold Permanent Residency status in Mexico. See this article for context and information.
Peak viewing season for the Monarch Butterflies
The Monarch Butterflies returned during November to overwinter in the Oyamel fir tree forests situated in the mountains west of Mexico City. If you’ve been intending to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon (or return to see it again!) our travel associate can help you plan your visit. Mid-January to late February is peak viewing season as the butterflies are most active during this time.
Year-change updates
In December and January each year we review articles and guides containing time-sensitive data including minimum salary, inflation, the Mexican peso, UMAs, the cost of living, and residency qualification criteria. Updates are made on a continual basis as official data/briefings become available. Our extensive guides to living and lifestyle in Mexico are continuously updated throughout the year.
Daylight hours
The Winter Solstice passed on December 21st, and daylight is now beginning to lengthen across the northern hemisphere, including in Mexico. As we often remark on these pages, Mexico provides year-round long daylight hours and the quality of the light here is extraordinary. Also, don’t miss the spectacular hues which are often on display during sunrise and sunset in the dry season.
Retiring to Mexico in 2026
Mexico has a lot to offer people relocating here and it’s especially attractive to retirees. Our guide to the key benefits Mexico offers retirees shares detailed information and local knowledge to help you evaluate your choices.
Making informed choices
If you’re thinking about relocating to Mexico in 2026 but have questions about how suitable Mexico may be for you, your partner/family, places to live, and key things to consider, a Mexico Lifestyle Consultant offers a structured conversation to help you define your intentions, set a clear direction, and help you to begin making informed choices.
Learn about Property and Real Estate in Mexico
Our extensive and continually updated guide to real estate in Mexico provides insights for buyers, owners, sellers, and renters.
How to put your Mexican house up for sale
Tips for choosing a home insurance policy. Get an instant quote online.
Learn about working with realty agents and find an agent to work with.
Consider having your property transaction independently examined.
Discover other professional service providers.
Winter holiday road trips in Mexico
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 quote and arrange coverage online.
Health insurance options when you’re in Mexico
Readers often ask us about what options exist to get health coverage while they’re in Mexico. The options vary depending on the time you intend to spend in Mexico, your preferences regarding coverage levels, and your available budget. Our article about health and medical coverages in Mexico describes the choices available and the box below summarizes key points.
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.
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.
Winter Leisure Tours in Mexico
Peak viewing season — The Monarch Butterflies returned during November to overwinter in the Oyamel fir tree forests situated in the mountains west of Mexico City. If you’ve been intending to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon (or return to see it again!) our travel associate can help you plan your visit. Mid-January to late February is peak viewing season as the butterflies are most active during this time.
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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Our free newsletter about Mexico brings you a monthly round-up of recently published stories and opportunities, as well as gems from our archives.
