Living & Lifestyle
August 28, 2022

Mexico Newsletter —
September 2022

This month: Independence celebrations; Autumn unfolds; Home ownership across generations; Appointments at consulates, Road trip checklist, and more...

by Matthew Harrup
Mexico Letter Box

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

Changing seasons, autumn festivities

September is a pivotal month in Mexico, as the high summer days wane, the rain season reaches its peak, and the country marks its independence day with parties and fireworks.

The autumn equinox this month heralds the seasonal turning point as the halcyon days of summer yield to fall’s cooler climates, and a return to school and other activities.

Bakeries and supermarkets across Mexico started selling Pan de Muerto from around mid-August, months before the Day of the Dead festivities unfold. In these times of de-seasonalized shopping, Halloween costumes will appear on shops’ shelves in September, and Santa Claus dolls will be on sale during October.

Mexico’s part-time ‘snowbird’ residents, who tend to leave Mexico in the early spring each year, will be packing away the summer accessories and finalizing their plans for a return in October or November—more or less in synch with the migration of the Monarch Butterflies.

By late September, the air temperatures begin to drop noticeably and at higher elevations, you’ll sense subtle changes in the morning and evening air as nectar and citrus summer fragrances transform into mellow autumnal scents—sometimes tinged with the sweet smell of wood smoke drifting on the breeze from fireplaces fueled by birch, olive, cedar, or mesquite.  The change of season is often marked by mystical wind storms and if you’re visiting or living in the mountain highlands, you’ll be reaching for a pullover or fleece to dress against the air chill during the early mornings, and after sunset.

Home ownership across changing generations

Aging provincial homes in Mexico are charming, and offer dilemmas, opportunities, challenges —and lessons— for present and future owners. They also stand as a reminder that properties, in kind with their owners, pass through cycles and that the habits and spoils of one generation are not promised to another.

More dates for the Lake Chapala discovery program

If you’ve been considering a move to the Lake Chapala region in Mexico, the Focus on Mexico team have announced additional dates for the 6-day “life at Lakeside” program that enables you to discover local lifestyle opportunities there and determine if the Lake Chapala area is right for your lifestyle intentions.  The programs are running in November 2022, and February of 2023.

Walking tour of Mexico City

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’ve added small-group walking tours of Mexico City in association with David Lida, author and long-term resident of Mexico City, who offers custom walking tours that will help you to discover and experience the capital’s vibrant energy.

You can browse all the custom tours we offer in association with travel specialists who know Mexico intimately.

Preparing for your Mexico road trips this fall

The fall season is accompanied by a significant increase in vehicles crossing the border from the US into Mexico, as travelers take leisure journeys to escape the cooling temperatures in the north, and part-time residents return to Mexico to overwinter here.

Mexperience offers updates and links to resources that will help you to plan and enjoy your road trips across Mexico.  We recommend you get your Mexico auto insurance online before you travel using our partners, MexPro.

Get the insurance coverage you need to drive with peace of mind in Mexico

Your US or Canadian auto insurance policy will not cover you for third party liability when you’re driving in Mexico.  Mexperience is pleased to refer our readers to MexPro auto insurance, which offers comprehensive coverages valid in Mexico using English-language policies backed by a fully-licensed US insurance broker.  Get a quote online.

Appointments for residency-related procedures

We have been receiving a lot of email recently about the availability and lead times for appointments at Mexican consulates and immigration offices in Mexico. Some consulates are experiencing a very high demand for residency application appointments presently so we recommend you plan in advance, or be prepared to exercise patience while waiting for your interview appointment.

Mexican consulate appointments: The procedures for booking appointments at Mexican consulates abroad varies by location: some consulates use an online booking system, others require an email to be sent, and others have walk-in dates.  Our associate can assist you with appointment scheduling in accordance with the policy and process in place at the consulate you apply at.

Immigration offices in Mexico: The electronic booking system for appointments at immigration offices in Mexico is currently offline and applicants need to attend the office in person to ask for an appointment date, or a service token.

Some reminders about visas and residency

Here are some reminders of key matters in relation to visas and residency:

Immigration Assistance

When you need assistance with your residency permit application or renewals, regularization procedures, expired permits, or troubleshooting, consider using our Mexico Immigration Assistance Service.  If you already have your visa and need help exchanging that for a card in Mexico, we offer a visa-to-card exchange assistance option in partnership with our associates.

Comprehensive knowledge for Mexico lifestyles

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:

Coverages that protect your Mexican home

Protecting your most valuable physical asset against unforeseen events is an essential consideration as you formulate your Mexico lifestyle budget—and yet a surprising number of foreign residents overlook home insurance coverage. Here are some helpful resources, and a connection to our insurance partner MexPro who offer a range of helpful coverages for your Mexican home.

Covering medical expenses in Mexico

US residents often ask if Medicare is available in Mexico (it isn’t); but there are alternative healthcare plans available that include private insurance, Mexico’s IMSS insurance, and medical evacuation.

Mexico lifestyle notebook – September 2022

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

Month of flags and parties: Independence Day in Mexico is celebrated on September 16th to mark events that led to the creation of the Mexican Republic as is the most widely celebrated of Mexico’s political holidays.  Learn more about mes de la patria in Mexico on our section about independence day.

Freelancing workstyles: Working independently in Mexico offers opportunities, and presents certain challenges to those seeking to move here and set-up a freelance workstyle abroad—and considering how Mexico might fit with this intention.

A key that opens many doors: Being able to converse and interact in Spanish will transform your lifestyle experiences in Mexico. Browse and discover Spanish language courses—you can learn from the convenience and comfort of your home, or attend a class in Mexico.  Our PinPoint Spanish articles share insights into language usage in Mexico.

Avocado and mamey among other flavors: Mexican ice cream and popsicle choices are varied, flavorsome, and widely available from local stores, fancy-brand parlors, and street vendors.

Recognizing what’s most important: Going back to a simple life isn’t a step backwards. Some people living in Mexico come to simplify their life situations, and are experiencing the attractions and benefits a simpler lifestyle can provide. Find  inspiration and guides to help you plan and cultivate a simpler lifestyle in Mexico.

Twenty-six busy weekends: Workers’ wages are paid every fifteen days in Mexico, and pay days are known as Quincenas which make for busy weekends, especially in the capital.

Priced in dollars, taxed in pesos: A hidden cost of selling your Mexican home might lay in the ‘exchange rate effect’ —that can influence the real taxable value of your home in foreign currency terms— although worthwhile tax allowances are available to residents.

Matthew Harrup is founder and editor of Mexperience.

Sign-up to this newsletter and keep updated

If you’re not already subscribed to our Mexico Newsletter, sign-up now: it’s free and you’ll get an email each month with the latest round-up of news and opportunities.

Discovering more of Mexico

Mexperience offers extensive resources to help you discover, plan and realize your lifestyle and leisure experiences in Mexico.

Immigration and residency

Our extensive collection of articles and our free eBook, updated annually, help you to learn about what you need to acquire and maintain your legal residency in Mexico.

Immigration Assistance

When you need assistance with your residency permit application or renewals, regularization procedures, expired permits, or troubleshooting, consider using our Mexico Immigration Assistance Service.

Lifestyle planning

Our Mexico Lifestyle Planning section offers local knowledge, insights, inspiration, and ideas to help you consider choices and make your Mexico lifestyle plans.

Mexico home life

When you’ve made the move to Mexico, our Mexico Home Life section shares local knowledge, ideas, and inspiration to help you discover opportunities and settle-in well to your home and living spaces in Mexico.

Driving and road trips

Driving your own vehicle across Mexico’s extensive and well-developed road network provides an ideal way for you to explore these diverse lands and become acquainted with the local topography, the regions, the culture, and the local people in ways that no other means of transport can match.

Insurance coverages

A range of Mexico-related insurance services exist that can mitigate the effect and expense of unforeseen events and mishaps when you’re here.

Property and dwelling spaces

Our extensive articles and free eBooks share local insights and advice to help you find, settle-in and manage your home and dwelling spaces in Mexico.

Your leisure time

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

Mexico-US land border

Entering Mexico: Mexico does not require visitors to show proof of vaccination to enter the country.  Tourist permits (FMMs) and temporary import permits for vehicles (TIPs) are being issued as normal.

Entering the US from Mexico: The land border restrictions imposed by the US on visitors by land from Mexico, introduced in March 2020 due to Covid-19 have been lifted, but only for visitors who can show an approved vaccination certificate. US Citizens and US legal residents do not need to show this certificate. This article describes the reopening of the Mexico-US land border.

Spanish language study

Learning or improving your Spanish will enhance your experiences in Mexico, if you’re visiting, and especially if you’re living here.

Mexico Assistance Services

Connect to helpful Mexico Assistance Services that enable you to realize your Mexico plans.

IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE

  • When you need help applying for residency, or help renewing your existing residency permit (or working through a ‘regularization’ procedure after a mishap), consider using our Mexico Immigration Assistance Service, that offers detailed consultancy, personalized advice, and practical help through the process.

INSURANCE COVERAGES

REAL ESTATE ASSISTANCE

LANGUAGE STUDY

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

LIFESTYLE ASSISTANCE

LEISURE ASSISTANCE

MEXICO EBOOKS LIBRARY

  • Our Mexico eBooks Library offers you a collection of carefully composed eBooks with helpful insights and local knowledge about Mexico—all titles are offered as free downloads.