Into Mexico We Go

💭 I have to head back to Denver soon for a family visit, and I’m definitely excited to see everyone. But I have to admit, I’m also a little sad to leave Mexico. Somewhere along the way, this stopped feeling like a place I moved to and simply became home. I’ve built a life here, I have my routines, my favorite places, and I genuinely enjoy living here. It’s a strange feeling to be excited to go back and visit, while already knowing I’ll be excited to come home to Mexico too. — Adam, in Mexico City 🇲🇽

Prodecon, the federal agency that defends taxpayers and operates separately from the SAT, is offering a free “Diagnóstico Fiscal” for individuals.

It applies to anyone registered with the SAT as an individual, including foreign residents with an RFC.

A specialized advisor confirms that the data on your Constancia de Situación Fiscal is current, flags any pending tax obligations, and answers your questions. Catching problems early matters because late tax payments now carry surcharges of 2.07% per month, up from 1.47% in 2025.

The program runs October through December 2026, so request it before the tax year closes on December 31.

Read more at El Economista

Region: Oaxaca / Durango / Guerrero / Zacatecas · Category: Drink / Regional · Price: $3-8 USD per copa

Distilled agave spirit made across several Mexican states, though Oaxaca is the most famous producer. Unlike tequila (which can only use blue agave), mezcal can be made from dozens of agave varieties, each producing a distinct flavor. Traditionally drunk neat in a small clay cup called a copita, with orange slices and sal de gusano (worm salt). Sipping it slowly is the point.

What's in it: Roasted agave hearts (pinas), water, wild yeast fermentation. No additives in artisanal mezcal. Served with orange slices and sal de gusano (agave worm salt, chile, and salt).

The mental model most Americans and Canadians bring to Mexico is the one they built at home: renting is throwing money away, buying is building equity, and the sooner you buy the better. That model does not transfer cleanly.

Most expats who arrive thinking they will buy within the first year end up renting for two or three. Not because they cannot afford to buy. Because they are not ready to buy, and they do not always know that until they have been in Mexico long enough to understand what ready actually means.

Buying property in Mexico as a foreigner is entirely legal but it involves layers that do not exist at home. Property within 50 kilometers of a coast or 100 kilometers of a border requires a fideicomiso — a bank trust structure that holds the title on your behalf and costs roughly $500 to $1,000 per year in bank fees. For inland property you can own directly, but the title search, notario process, and due diligence still require professionals you trust and time you need.

Beyond the legal complexity, buying requires knowing your city well enough to know which neighborhoods are appreciating, which streets are noisy, which buildings are well-managed, and which sellers are reliable. That knowledge takes time to build.

The practical answer for most people: rent for at least one full year, ideally two. Use that time to understand your city, your neighborhood, and your needs. Then buy from a position of knowledge rather than enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm is cheap. Due diligence takes time.

⭐ This week I'm recommending Traveling Mailbox — the virtual mailbox service I use personally to manage all my US mail from Mexico. You get a real US street address, they scan everything and you view it online from anywhere in the world. No more missing important IRS notices or bank statements. Essential for anyone serious about making the move.

The surprise is not the price. It is the speed gap. Mexico’s typical home download is about one third of the US median, and a 400 Mbps plan rarely delivers 400 to your laptop over WiFi. Before you sign a lease, ask which providers actually reach that building. Coverage changes street by street, even inside big cities. Promo prices often rise after 6 to 12 months, and Izzi raised every plan 30 pesos in March. Telmex has no lock-in contract and no data cap, which makes it the safe first pick for most new arrivals.

Based on today's exchange rate of 18.14 pesos per dollar — Oct 9, 2026. As the peso/dollar rate fluctuates, your real USD cost will vary.

Avg rent (1BR furnished): $500-$750 USD/mo
Cost of living: Low-Mid
Expat friendliness: Moderate — growing
Expat community: Growing, primarily American
Internet reliability: Good in centro & Zona Dorado (30-60 Mbps)
Geography / vibe: Pacific Coast
Pueblo Mágico: No

A large Pacific port city with a beautifully restored historic centro, good beaches, and an emerging expat community. More affordable than Puerto Vallarta with a similar Pacific coast lifestyle. The malecon (seafront boardwalk) is one of the longest in Mexico. Strong food scene, good infrastructure, and easy flights to the US.

→ Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende rank among the world’s best small cities, earning international recognition for their culture, architecture, and appeal to travelers. (Mexico Daily Post)

→ Profeco warns Vallarta property buyers to review real estate contracts carefully and watch for clauses that may violate Mexico’s consumer protection rules. (Vallarta Daily)

→ Mexico City could recognize silence as a legal right under a proposal that would also increase penalties for excessive noise. (Infobae México)

→ Mexico is reviewing all 177 Pueblos Mágicos ahead of a November evaluation of the tourism program and participating destinations. (Vallarta Daily)

→ The Mexico-U.S. border is emerging as an AI data-center hub as companies look to the region for new digital infrastructure investment. (Vanguardia)

→ Telefónica’s sale has been approved as it exits Mexico, raising questions about what the change will mean for existing Movistar customers. (SinEmbargo)

→ AI is helping detect breast cancer earlier in Mexico by supporting screening and diagnosis efforts aimed at identifying the disease sooner. (Al Jazeera)

→ Mexico plans to curb violent social media content with proposed legislation announced after a deadly school attack. (Reuters)

📅 October 12 — Día de la Nación Pluricultural, Nationwide
Mexico officially marks October 12 as Día de la Nación Pluricultural, recognizing the country’s Indigenous, Afro-Mexican, and cultural diversity. It replaced the older official framing of the date as Día de la Raza.

📅 October 12 — Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan, Guadalajara
One of Mexico’s largest religious pilgrimages brings millions of devotees on a 9-km procession from Guadalajara Cathedral to the Basilica of Zapopan, with major road closures expected.

📅 October 16 — Morelia International Film Festival Begins
Mexico’s leading film festival opens in Morelia and runs through October 25, featuring Mexican and Latin American cinema.

📅 Through October 17 — Festival Internacional Cervantino, Guanajuato
The festival continues with France as guest of honor, plus free parades, outdoor screenings, and performances in public plazas.

📅 October 17 — Monumental Alebrijes Parade, Mexico City
The 18th Monumental Alebrijes Parade takes place Saturday, October 17, traveling from the Zócalo to Paseo de la Reforma. The colorful giant sculptures are part of Mexico City’s Día de Muertos season.

See the full post + comments:
👉 IMWG Facebook Group post

Disclaimer - Some links above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and services I personally use or have vetted for expats in Mexico.