People often ask why I love Mexico. The answer is a simple one.
Mexico took me by surprise. A delightful surprise. Originally wanting to move to Valencia, Spain, my plan was to move from Antigua Guatemala, where I’d lived for two years, to Mexico where it was easier to become a resident (back then) and apply for Spanish visas.
Then I fell in love.
With the warmth of the people and the amazing variations in cultures; Mexican, Mayan and other indigenous groups. I fell in love with the art, the textiles and fabrics, as well as the incredibly talented artisans bringing it all to life with amazingly vibrant color. Yes, the colors, most of all, the quintessentially joyful Mexican colors, are what I fell in love with. And let’s not forget the food.
The amazing food, made fresh daily like a gift, made my tastebuds dance. I mean if you’ve never had a tlacoyo stuffed with beans and topped with perfectly sautéed huitlacoche drizzled with cream then I’d love to be there when you do. My taste buds rejoiced and I’ve never had a more perfect breakfast. No wonder it’s been a favorite since pre-Hispanic times. Like your Grandmother’s recipes, which always seem to taste amazing, these traditional recipes have been handed down for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, and you just don’t mess with perfection.
All of these things blew me away and that’s why I decided to stay another year, then another. Now, it’s been seven and delightful surprises still pop up all the time. Just today, I was delighted at the optometrist.
My glasses needed repair, which will take two weeks. Without them, I am lost but was delighted that a pair of readers in my prescription was only twenty-five pesos.
To clarify, I live on Cozumel, an island in the Riviera Maya region of the Mexican Caribbean, so repairs take longer because my glasses have to be sent to the mainland. While that’s less than ideal, I was delighted that replacements in my prescription were available so cheaply that I picked up two pairs just in case I misplaced one.
That’s the thing about Mexico. Even if you are inconvenienced, there is always a quick (and normally cheap) fix to get you through. Yes, even though there has been a lot of discussion lately about the cost of living increase, it is still a lot cheaper than in the US.
As Mexico Correspondent for International Living, I travel regularly. Every time I go to the US to speak at conferences or attend boot camps, I am always taken aback by the difference in the price of things. Out of curiosity, I asked my friend in the US, who recently bought a pair of cheap reading glasses from the pharmacy, how much they were. She replied, “Oh nothing, they were ten or fifteen dollars.”
Even at that ‘cheap’ price they are still ten times more expensive in the US. My cheap is a different cheap. My prescription twenty-five peso reading glasses (US $1.50) compared to fifteen dollars, I know which cheap I’d prefer for the same glasses.
So, when I hear people complaining about inflation, I’m still thankful that I live in Mexico because today’s little excursion to the optometrist would have been ten times more expensive if I didn’t live here.
Plus, the warmth of the Mexican people is evident in every daily interaction. Like a local, I caught the combi — a collectivo which is a local van transport — to the optometrist. As soon as the door slid open there were smiling faces and as I sat was met with a chorus of buenos diás. Now when was the last time you got on a bus and everyone smiled and said good morning?
The same thing happened when I entered the optometrist’s shop. All the staff wore big smiles, and another chorus of buenos diás met my ears. Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s how I like to start my day — with smiling faces and people warmly saying good morning.
This is why I stay. This is why I love it here. It hasn’t changed in seven years, though prices have gone up. More foreigners arrive each year after realizing how relaxing and wonderful it is, but the local people never change.
There is a genuineness here and all through Mexico. Last month, I went on a work trip to San Miguel de Allende. From passing people in the street to the cleaner sweeping the steps of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel early one morning to the driver who I called every time I needed a ride. Every single one of them was lovely, warm, full of smiles, and most importantly, were angels when listening to my bad Spanish.
As you can see, I was only supposed to stay a year but even now seven years I fall a little more in love each day with no plans of leaving just yet. Spain can wait. Or perhaps become an extended vacation at some point because Mexico has embraced my heart and soul.
Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.
Bravo, very nice piece, thank you, thank you. Some of the very same sentiments I have as well on year six.
Yay! We should start a happy expats club who love their lives in Mexico. Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to leave a comment, it’s appreciated. Cheers, Bel.
EXACTLY! Cheers from Acapulco (3 years), after San Agustinillo, Oaxaca (2 years), Tepoztlan (Morelos), and Playa del Carmen-Puerto Aventuras (3 years)…….
How wonderful! Thanks for sharing that and I love that you’ve lived so many places and really embraced Mexico. Cheers, Bel.
same for me….was to be in mexico for one year thenoff to ecuador. Nahhh…7 years now. mi
paiz nuevo
Ha ha ha I know the feeling well. Thanks for commenting and sharing with us, you’re a kindred spirit. Cheers, Bel.
Visited Puerto Vallarta because my sister-in-law had a teaching job here. Twenty years later I still call this place my winter home.
I love that Ken! I’m so happy you love Mexico as much as I do and keep coming back year after year. It’s wonderful and thanks for taking a moment to comment, it’s appreciated. Cheers, Bel.
How do you see where you are in Mx as compared with Antigua, Guatemala?
It’s completely different. I’m in the Caribbean whereas in Antigua I was in the mountains so it’s a completely different life. I still love Antigua and it’s a gorgeous Spanish Colonial town very similar to San Miguel de Allende.
I stayed in Antigua in 2001 for a week and then back to El Salvador for a month. I loved Antigua a very beautiful place.
16 years for me, agree with all of it, Viva Mexico
That’s wonderful Geoffrey, thanks for sharing with us. Cheers, Bel.
Yes, you are so right! Even on my first visit, I realized that there was nothing quite like it that I had come across in my life so far. I felt I just had to return to learn and discover more. And that first of all I had to learn the language well to understand the people better. Few Mexicans spoke English twenty years ago.
So I returned to live there for a few years, but over ten years later I was still around and loving Mexico and its genuine people more than ever. At this point, I was as at the age where I needed to live closer to family and more security in general. But I’ll never forget my happy, wonderful life in Quintana Roo and Yucatan. I even experienced and survived the infamous Wilma, the most powerful hurracan of the century. I hope to visit la Ciudad, Mexico City, before my days are ended to explore the arts and once again enjoy the sound and the taste, and the unforgettable spirit of the one and only Mexico. In my heart forevermore…
What a beautiful history you have with Mexico and I can definitely see why it’s forever in your hearth. Thanks so much for sharing that with us!
Are there Hurricanes during the Hurricane season. Never been to Cozumel. Been to Cancún, my wife andvI went there for a vacation a few years back.
Hi Dale, living in the Mexican Caribbean you do run the risks of hurricanes but we haven’t had one in the last few years. It’s a part of life and even a few years ago when we got a few hurricanes there wasn’t any major losses so we’re lucky.
While I love living in Mexico, having begun my journeys in 1965 and living 6 + months each year in Ajijic (I am also a resident of the USA and Ecuador), there are stark contrasts. Mexico is a tale of two cities-the best of times and the worst of times. If you live in San Miguel, Oaxaca, Cancun, PV, etc, you live like a prince especially if you have access to US Dollars, but, in general, do not see and feel the oppressiveness of the incredible mafia murders or extreme poverty. Part of your princely life is because there are s o many people making minimum wages who make a middle class retirement so comfortable in some of the nicest places in MX. Yes, I agree with most of what the author wrote-MX has wonderful places, foods, colors, beers, architecture, and friendly kind people.
I share your sentiments, Bel. I live in CDMX and came for a year in 2001, as an expat for the first two years before going solo. Although I have not left consulting, I’m also the founder of an all natural dog food company in Mexico (www.luckydog.com.mx). Although a startup can been an challenging, especially in a foreign country, I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (we just entered Petco in February). Anyway, I’m still loving Mexico, am now a citizen, and plan to stay long term. Thanks for sharing your stories, and I look forward to reading and passing on more. Cynthia
Thank you for sharing your story with us Cynthia, I’m so happy you love Mexican as well. Cheers, Bel.
Loved your story. I have been here now for 9 years. I came on a tailgate assignment for a European company, moving from the US. I was recently divorced, met my current wife on an ecological excursion walking from Coatepec to Xico 8 years ago and we now live happily ever after on the beach in Boca del Río.
What I also really appreciate in Mexico, besides all the things you mentioned, is the rich culture. Spectacular history, beautiful musea, music as an integral part of every day life. The colors, the food. I had the privilege of living and working in 9 countries across 3 continents (yes, you guessed it right: energy business). Spanish is my sixth language. I lived in beautiful countries before, but I am just glad I saved the best for last.
Hi Thomas, it’s. nice to e-meet you and yes, I love the culture too. I’m very lucky to have a wonderful mix of cultures here on Cozumel with a heavy Mayan influence which I find fascinating. I love your story and thanks for sharing it with us! Cheers, Bel.
Hello Bel.
Bravo bravo Bel on this piece you wrote, I could not agree more, I’ll join the expats club indeed if you’re forming one, you know for me the food in Mexico never gets old, so much variety of rich which seems like pure un-modified foods here, the taste it so rich and pure here, back in the 80’s I was there in Acapulco for a few years, I moved to Canada for 40 plus years and in 2019 I purchased a condo near Akumal on the ocean and across the street from the PGA Maya Riviera Golf Course, I am a certified golf teacher in Canada and USA and I love Mexico golf, food, culture, and yes the colors, indeed I love Mexico for so many reasons, I do have my citizenship and Mexican passport now also my INE card, I will indeed be living in Mexico to the end. Thanks Bel for that article bravo. Cornelio Klassen
Hi Neil,
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I love your story and we’re neighbours! Thanks for leaving a comment, it’s appreciated. Cheers, Bel.