Mexico has become a point of destination for many travelers across the globe. According to the World Tourism Organization, almost 24 million people have visited Mexico in 2013. With such demand, many people have questions about visiting this beautiful country, come there for medical services or even permanently move there. Sure, there are many problems that exist in Mexico (like anywhere), but if safety is your main concern please take another look at it. Research the specific area where you will be traveling or moving to Mexico. There are many amazing places.
This page will be updated with new information in a timely manner, so you can bookmark it and find your answers here.
Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?
It all depends what country you are a citizen of. You can see the list of visa-free countries here.
How long can I stay in Mexico on a tourist visa?
Generally speaking, if you are a citizen of countries that do not require a visa, you can stay in Mexico for 180 days on your FMM card. Everything depends on the officer on your point of entry, sometimes they give less than 180 days. Here is a guide of how to cross the San Diego, USA - Tijuana, Mexico border.
How to travel Mexico by bus?
I personally recommend using an aggregator like Reservamos.mx to see the schedule of buses and/or purchase tickets there. You can also read more about using buses in Mexico here. Buses are a very comfortable and popular form of transportation in Mexico.
Do I need a resident visa to stay in Mexico?
It all depends on your goals. If you are planning to live in Mexico for a short period of time to see for yourself how you like it, then you don't really need a resident visa. Staying on your FMM will be sufficient in this case. It all depends on your goals. If you are planning to live in Mexico for a short period of time (180 days or less) to see for yourself how you like it, then you don't really need a resident visa. Staying on your FMM will be sufficient. Otherwise, if you plan to stay in Mexico long-term obtaining a resident visa would make your life easier. Opening bank accounts, renting apartments, asking for legal advise, obtaining a work permit - all those things will be possible when you have a Mexico resident status.
How do I rent apartments in Mexico on a tourist visa?
- Renting through Airbnb. I recommend picking up this option because it takes off all paperwork and has all utilities included. You can also rent the whole apartment. It might be a bit more expensive than finding local deals, but very frequently you can talk to a host and ask for a discount. For tips on how to negotiate you Airbnb apartment rent please read a guide here.
- Finding roomates or apartments through local Facebook groups or by asking other people. That way usually allows saving a little bit more than Airbnb or other services, but usually, there is less responsibility in case something goes wrong (problems with a host, problems with the apartment, robbery, etc.)
Is it safe in Mexico?
This is a topic that frequently is getting asked all the time by many people. The cause of this discussion usually news. The short answer to the question would be: It all depends on where are you going, what are you doing and only sometimes - your luck. For a full article regarding this matter please go here.
I'm planning to move. Is Mexico really affordable and that cheap?
It's a very complex question that doesn't have a "one size fits all" answer.
Everything depends on a number of factors:
- Are you planning to work in Mexico or you have a remote business?
- What country are you moving from? Is living cost comparable to one in Mexico?
- What city are you considering to live in Mexico?
I have an approximate cost estimate for Mexico city, but everything depends on your specific location in Mexico, it varies quite a bit even within the country.
Do I need to know Spanish to live comfortably in Mexico?
Yes. Not many people in Mexico know English, especially outside of tourist areas. Living in Mexico without speaking Spanish is a very limited experience. Not being able to talk to locals, always limiting yourself to English-speaking locations are not the best practices. To avoid that, know at least a few main phrases in the beginning and start from there. That would help you a lot do daily activities.