If you’re thinking of retiring to Mexico, healthcare is going to be on your mind – but the good news is that there are some positive options awaiting you.   more ...

If you don’t yet follow us on Facebook, go do it now. We’ll wait for you to get back. Go!

Done it? Good.

Not only will you now get notified of every informative-yet-witty article we publish, but you’ll also get to see the listings of all the sub-groups we run. These groups are the perfect place to research future moves, contact expats who are already overseas and ask all the questions you have. The members of these groups have probably already solved the problems bothering you and can help you navigate the strange maze of paperwork and bureaucracy.   more ...

Chuck, you're VP Business Development at Best Places in the World to Retire. Tell us a bit about your role - what does a day in your life look like?

Thanks, Scar, for the opportunity to be interviewed for Expat Focus. It’s an honor.

In broad terms, I’m responsible for bringing content to our site that is high quality and useful to people considering moving abroad, as well as managing our business relationships.   more ...

One of the largest and most diverse indigenous communities in Latin America exists in Mexico. The indigenous population in Mexico consists of 12.7 million people that make up 13 percent of the country’s population. There are 62 languages spoken by this population. Traditionally, the indigenous communities were defined using language-based criteria, which may have led to an underestimation of the indigenous population. This changed in the 2000 census when indigenous peoples’ organizations pressured the government to include a question based on self-identification. In this census it was found that only half of the population that identified themselves as indigenous spoke an indigenous language. 84 percent of those who spoke an indigenous language also spoke Spanish.   more ...

The benefit of enjoying high living standards at fairly low costs is undoubtedly one of the main reasons why many people are choosing to settle down in Mexico. This popular expat destination has a lot going for it, like its colorful history, rich culture, welcoming people, stable economy, tropical climate, and modern housing options. Its proximity to the United States and Canada is an additional benefit. The recent political debacle with its northern neighbor has weakened the local currency, the Peso, to a great extent; however, the drop has only made this country more attractive to foreigners, who now regard it as a place where their dollars can go further.   more ...

Lovely weather, friendly people, rich culture, scenic beauty, and modern infrastructure are just a few of the traits that make the vibrant country of Mexico a highly popular destination with expatriates from across Europe and North America. Many people move to this nation just to take advantage of its excellent healthcare services, which are easily available at affordable prices.   more ...

Many expats are increasingly considering Mexico as a destination, seeking a relaxed lifestyle in the sunshine. Some are seeking a break from modern life, looking for a sleepy village completely free of WiFi and hustle and bustle. Others are seeking to transplant their current lives into the Mexican landscape, living in an enclave of other expats and without learning a single word of Spanish.   more ...

Although people across the world tend to view mariachi music as definitive of Mexican folk music, the country has a much richer and wider range of traditional musical styles. Even mariachi itself has a much wider range than the popular characterization of it, which tends to be a simplification and stereotyping of modern mariachi, ignoring the style’s rich history and its modern variations. (Early mariachi bands used only violins, guitars, and harps, and did not wear the iconic charro suits we know today. The suits, the adoption of instruments such as trumpets and accordions, and the incorporation of European styles such as polkas and waltzes happened only later, and modern mariachi bands continue to experiment and stretch the boundaries of the style.)   more ...

Expats in Mexico are often worried about driving, as they have heard stories about drug cartels, crooked cops, and carjackings. While there is some basis for these stories, most of the information is greatly exaggerated. It is true that many of these problems exist, but most of it is concentrated on the back roads and not on the main highways. Driving in Mexico can be a great experience, so here are a few driving tips to help you get around.

The Green Angels

The Angeles Verdes or The Green Angels is a government-run organization of auto mechanics that provide free assistance in case of a breakdown or accident. The organization has an impressive 300 vehicles that patrol the Mexican highways on a daily basis.   more ...

Despite Mexico’s proximity to the United States, life in Mexico is worlds apart from its northern neighbor. Yes, Mexico is a great holiday getaway with its exotic cultures and fascinating historical sites, but living in Mexico is a different story. Mexico has a rich cultural history and this means that there are plenty of regional customs, traditions and practices that will appear alien to most expats.

We are all brought up to be a bit ethnocentric, so cultural practices that are extremely different often come as quite a shock and may at times even be looked upon with derision or as offensive. This holds true when moving to any new country which is why it’s always a good idea to delve into the cultural background of the place you’re moving to. It becomes a lot easier to adapt and adjust to the local culture when you already have some idea about the local practices.   more ...