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Leaving and Entering Mexico as a Resident (Important Information)
When you’re living in Mexico as a temporary or permanent resident (or expat), you need to be careful when entering or leaving the country so as not to lose your legal residency status. In this guide, I tell you what you need to do to make sure the Mexican immigration officers don’t view you as a tourist to Mexico when you’re not. Being a temporary or permanent resident When you’re a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico, it means that you’ve gone through the legal immigration process and received a visa that allows you to stay for more than the maximum of 180 days you’d get as a tourist. You…
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How to Print Your CURP in Mexico (Step-by-Step Guide for Expats and Residents)
If you’re living in Mexico as a temporary or permanent resident, you need to present a current printout of your CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) for certain administrative tasks. If you’re dealing with government offices, applying for an RFC (Mexican tax number), or enrolling in public healthcare, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked for a printed CURP that’s no older than three months. Luckily, printing your CURP is a fast and simple process—as long as you know where to go and what to watch for. In this short step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through it with some extra tips. What is the CURP? CURP is short for…
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How to Confidently Order Food in a Mexican Restaurant (Cheat Sheet with 60+ Phrases)
If you’re traveling to Mexico, you surely want to enjoy the delicious Mexican food. However, dining out can be intimidating if you don’t know Spanish. Knowing a bit of the local language goes a long way, especially outside the main tourist areas. With some Spanish phrases, you can communicate your needs, and locals tend to be more open when you try to speak their language. Before you head to a restaurant in Mexico the next time, download my cheat sheet to learn the basic vocabulary and local customs. ¡A comer! (Let’s eat!) Phrases for Confidently Ordering Food in a Mexican Restaurant Here’s a breakdown of useful phrases and customs, organized…
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How to Easily Pay Your Vehicle Tax in Puebla, Mexico (2025)
If you’ve registered your car in the state of Puebla, Mexico, you need to pay your annual vehicle tax. Luckily, it’s a pretty simple process you can handle online, and there are several payment options. After living in Puebla for over 3 years, I’ll walk you through the process so you know how to do it yourself easily. Let’s get started! Who has to pay vehicle taxes? Anyone with a vehicle registered in Puebla, Mexico. As of 2025, electric and hybrid vehicles are exempt from the tax. How much is the vehicle tax in Puebla? The current cost for the derecho de control vehicular (vehicle control rights) is 670 MXN…
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25 Colloquial Mexican Spanish Phrases That Make Speaking to Locals More Fun!
Mexico is a country with a rich culture, delicious food, and also unique expressions. If you’re planning a trip to Mexico or just want to understand Mexican Spanish better, learning some common phrases can help you sound more natural and connect with locals. And understand when you’re being insulted (strong words marked with **). Here’s a list of 25 colloquial Mexican Spanish phrases, their meanings, and examples of how to use them in everyday conversations. List of Colloquial Mexican Spanish Phrases The following list is by no means extensive, but it teaches you the phrases that you’re most likely to come across when being in Mexico. You might hear them…
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4 Fun Ways to Learn Mexican Spanish: My Experience with UNAM, Pimsleur, Lingopie & FluentU
Learning Mexican Spanish is a good idea when you’re going to Mexico and you don’t want to rely on your English language skills only. I’ve already covered the most basic phrases in my Basic Mexican Spanish Language Guide, which should help you get along when you’re on vacation. But what if you want to take a step further and have real conversations with locals? Or maybe you’re even considering moving to Mexico? Then, grinding through vocabulary lists alone won’t get you there. Let me give you some tips on how best to go about learning Mexican Spanish with the programs I used myself. Programs to Learn Mexican Spanish There are…