COMPLETE GUIDE TO LIFE IN MEXICO ON THE CHEAP

When I travel to Mexico, I generally want to remain there for the entire tourist visa. I am all about saving as much money as possible for an extended vacation. I don’t stay in fancy hotels or all-inclusive resorts. These things are a waste of money and could mean the difference between a two-week stay and six months. Never have I understood the point of a short stay. At the very least, getting a feel for a place takes one month. I prefer living in Mexico over Canada, but that’s just me. Some people have a hard time understanding my complete hatred for the cold. I wouldn’t say I like winter, and I care very little about Christmas besides getting to see family. Sports in the cold don’t appeal to me whatsoever. I am more or less a bear, currently hibernating. I still choose to live in Canada off and on for some reason. Oh yes, that’s why I’m not independently rich yet. So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of finding the best deals while living your best Mexican life.

FUCK ALL-INCLUSIVE

All-inclusive resorts are a colossal waste of money and are not worth it. Not to mention, the food is rarely good compared to local restaurants. The food is usually a buffet-style setup for the most part. The taste and authenticness of the food dramatically decrease when made on a large scale. The biggest downfall of staying at an all-inclusive resort is missing out on a city’s real guts. So, one of the best ways to save money is to skip the all-inclusive route. Not only will you save money, but ultimately, you will have a way better trip. Food is dirt cheap in Mexico, and beer is more affordable than water. Resorts offer rooms without the all-inclusive option, but I find many resorts to be far away from everything else in many cases. I can not stress enough that resort food has nothing on local restaurants and street food. Having the choice to eat wherever you want or stay in and cook is the best. Street food is one of my favourite things about Mexico; it is something you want to take advantage of. If you love eating good food, you’ll have to trust me on this. Many people believe staying outside a resort is dangerous, but this is not true. I have stayed at a resort only a few times and lived in Mexico for over four years. I haven’t been in any bad situations because of my choice to seek accommodation outside a resort. Generally, people are decent and aren’t looking to cause problems. Most Mexicans I’ve come across are very helpful and kind. If you plan a few-week stay, opting for a vacation rental or an Air BnB is best. Let me break it down for you like this. Say you and your wife or husband want to go on a ten-day trip to Mexico, and you’re bringing your kid. For the three of you to stay in an all-inclusive resort, your cost will be roughly $800 a night. This can range in price depending on location and if you have separate accommodations from your child. A super slick eight-bedroom mansion with a pool, jacuzzi, and two-and-a-half baths will run you around $400 daily. I am leaving you with around 400 dollars daily for food and drink. If you prefer to go out for only some meals, you could even hire a personal chef to cook for you. You could eat steak and lobster every night, and the whole family could be black-out drunk 99 percent of the time, and you would still have a hard time spending this much money every day. My idea of a vacation is not waking up early to get a spot at the pool or sharing my space with hundreds of other people on vacation. No matter how glamorous it is, it’s just a hotel room, and you will have to mingle with all the other yahoos on vacation. Paying less for private accommodation seems like a no-brainer. If you still want to experience all-inclusive, most resorts offer day passes at a fraction of the price.

I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE

If you plan to buy a bike in Mexico, purchase a lock at home and bring it. Taking Uber or taxis all the time can get expensive. The best part about having a bike is you no longer have to walk. Maybe you love walking; that’s what gets your mojo going. I had never heard of a song called I Want to Walk but each to their own. I may be biased because I consider biking the best way to get around. If it’s too late and you have already arrived in Mexico, consider looking at “Mercado Libre.” Otherwise, if you find one, a decent U-lock will likely cost you a pretty penny. An efficient way to find deals in Mexico is through Facebook marketplace. Whether you want a new bike or a house to rent long-term, Marketplace is the best place to find a bargain on anything you want, but remember to search in Spanish. Many small towns allow the use of golf carts as vehicles. This is another viable option, as well as scooters, motorcycles and quads. The nice thing about Mexico is that there is much more freedom with fewer laws and restrictions. I have bought vehicles before in Mexico. Your licence is valid, but be prepared for a great deal of bullshit switching the ownership to your name and getting new plates. It took me three days to get everything in order, accompanied by many trips to government facilities. If you are considering importing your vehicle, I want you to know that this is not easy. Cars must be at most ten years old, and doing this correctly is a massive ordeal. Be prepared for tons of paperwork and a whole lot of headaches. People have done it, and it is possible, but dealing with any official business is the worst in my experience.

TIME-SHARES

Alright, whether you are aware or not, some people are actually allowed to give tourists free “gifts” to attend timeshare purposals. If you are not strapped for time, try this out. You can get paid to participate in these meetings or barter and get free adventures for your time. Some people opt for both. Here is the catch: You are committing to giving away two to three hours of your time. Once you go to the resort, they try to sell you on the timeshares. You will usually get a complimentary meal and a tour of the property. The salesman or woman will go through all the benefits of owning a timeshare. Don’t be fooled, though. You are in no way the owner of this property. You are merely paying in advance for a vacation during an allotted time every year. Some people are content with “owning” timeshares, and they love it. They enjoy going to the same resorts year in and year out simultaneously. You are saving some money if you follow the program, but for the most part, you are better off buying property. Anyway, if you are okay with spending a few hours listening to a sales pitch to get free stuff, this might be precisely the time waster you are looking for. You can usually find these opportunities where the guys’ selling activities are. Please tell them you are interested in attending a timeshare presentation and which activities you are interested in doing. It’s as simple as that.

A PLACE WE BOTH COULD LIVE

I can assure you that no deals on housing will be found if you type in English on your Google browser. A new world will open if you type “casa en renta” into the Facebook marketplace. This is the very best way to search for places via the Internet. I have found all the places I’ve lived either through this method or walking the streets looking for “Renta” signs. If you want to use the second method, you will need a decent understanding of Spanish to find a place this way. Many people speak very little English when you stray away from the centre. If your Spanish could use some work, it may be a good idea to go shopping for new accommodations with a native speaker. All the cheapest places will come unfurnished, but if you are lucky, there are reasonably priced places with a bed and or minimal furniture. Acquiring a place with a refrigerator is a good idea, as Beds are easier to find. Generally, the more cost-efficient houses will be inland and come completely unfurnished. Be sure to ask around to find out which neighbourhoods are best to avoid. If you only plan to stay a few weeks or even a month, Air BnB is an excellent resource for finding affordable vacation rentals. A private room in a decent area of town can run you as little as twenty dollars a day. Compared to Canada or the States, this app is still quite useful as the price range has remained well under that of a hotel.