Mexico « LeopardFish

International Schools in Mexico

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Leopardfish – Country Guide

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The information on this page has been gathered by the Leopardfish team. However staff, websites and contract benefits change regularly. If you discover one of these changes please let us know by emailing us at admin@leopardfish.

* Leopardfish takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this data, All data is provided in good faith.

Lifestyle

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s annual Better Life Index, the quality of life in Mexico is languishing on numerous levels including environmental quality, subjective well-being, health status and social connections. Still, Mexico has much to offer the visiting expatriate: the cosmopolitan metropolis of Mexico City, the stunning coastlines along the Gulf of Mexico and the North Pacific Ocean, exotic jungles, mountain ranges, barren deserts and ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins. Whether you’re an urbanite, an outdoorsy nature lover or a beach-loving sun worshiper, Mexico has something for you. Still, the expat must consider the level of safety in Mexico. According to Xpatulator.com’ July 2016 report, there are ongoing challenges with opportunistic theft, violence and kidnapping. Of course, Mexico is a rich country and the risk varies from region to region, from city to city and from urban in rural. Also, if a western expat is English speaking only, he or she may have difficulty from time to navigating, retail shopping, doing personal business and dealing with the government. Much of the country, particularly outside of Mexico City and more tourist, speaks only Spanish. Internationals are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the Spanish language.

Satisfying sites on lifestyle in Mexico

oecd-mexico expatarrivals-mexico xpatulator-mexico mexperience gringos expatwoman-mexico

expatfocus-mexico easyexpat-mexico-city numbeo-mexico numbeo-mexico-city

Cost of Living

Residing in Mexico should be good on an expat’s budget. Of course, the country is large and diverse and expenses vary from region to region, from city to city and from urban to town. Still, according to Xpatulator.com’s July 2016 report, the cost of living in Mexico is generally lower than the international average. This becomes apparent when one purchases any number of goods and services. Healthcare, transport, Internet rates, groceries, alcohol and restaurant meals tend to be less expensive while furniture, appliances and clothing tend to be more pricey. On the other hand, household accommodations are quite reasonable. Indeed, assuming the western expatriate teacher is able to negotiation a fair remuneration from his or her international school employer, he or she should be able to live comfortably in Mexico and save a little money too.

Satisfying sites on cost of living in Mexico

expatarrivals-mexico xpatulator-mexico xpatulator numbeo-mexico numbeo-mexico-city

Climate

Mexico is situated in Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the United States. The climate of Mexico varies according to altitude. From desert-like regions on the northwest part of the country, the low-lying coastal areas are typically tropical, hot and humid. The weather in Mexico City, which is sited at an altitude of 2,300 metres above sea level, is far more moderate. Mexico City has pleasant summers and mild winters, with an annual average temperature of 18 degrees celsius. Also, northern Mexico gets very hot during the summer with sudden violent storms in the afternoon, with heavy rain and hail, also an isolated tornado can occur with these storm. Seasonal variations in temperature are small, but May is the warmest month of the year, and January the coldest, when night frosts are possible. Mexico City has a high average annual monthly rainfall, most falling in summer, the wettest month being July, and the driest month February. ). During hurricane season, hurricanes are common in the coastal cities especially those near the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Visa Restrictions

Visas

If you’re visiting Mexico as a tourist you don’t need a visa, but you do need a tourist card, which you can get on arrival by completing an immigration form available at border crossings or on-board flights to Mexico. Immigration officials at the port of entry may ask to see proof of your departure plans from Mexico before allowing you entry to the country, although this isn’t a formal entry requirement.

If you’re crossing the border into Mexico from the US, there won’t be an immigration officer at the port of entry, but you’ll need to identify the nearest immigration office and clear your immigration status before you continue your journey into Mexico. The immigration office can usually be found close to the border area, and customs officials at the border should be able to tell you where to find it. If you fail to clear immigration at this point, it is often more complicated to do so once you have left the border area.

You need a tourist card to leave the country. If you lose your tourist card you can get it replaced at the immigration office at any international airport in Mexico. The cost of a replacement is $295 Mexican Pesos, which is payable at a bank.

There have been reports of bogus immigration officers operating within international airports. You should always refuse offers of help and head directly to the immigration office.

Tourists are not allowed to undertake voluntary (including human rights) work, or activity, or any form of paid employment. If you wish to carry out this type of work you must get the correct visa from the Mexican Embassy before you travel.

You may need a visa to undertake certain adventure or eco-tourism activities like caving, potholing or entomology, especially if they involve any scientific or technological research. The Mexican authorities may define scientific or technological research activities far more broadly than other countries. If you’re in any doubt, check with the Mexican Embassy in London well in advance of your visit and ask for written confirmation if necessary.

It is no longer possible to switch immigration status in-country. You can’t enter Mexico on a tourist visa and then change it for a work visa. You must apply at the Mexican Consulate of your normal place of residence in plenty of time before you are due to travel.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Mexico.

Safety and Security

The political and security status of countries around the world are constantly changing, to keep up with the current situation in any country please monitor the relevant Government websites and international news. The links below also provide useful indicators for prospective travelers:

The UK Foreign Office US State Department BBC World News Al Jazeera