Moving to Tepoztlán Errors
Moving to Tepoztlán can open up an exciting lifestyle change. But it requires proper planning. For example, I made three vacation visits before deciding to move here. Please do not rent or buy property sight unseen or without ever having been in Mexico. If you do, you are asking for trouble. If you follow the guidelines in this article, you will avoid costly and time-consuming errors.
I first visited to attend a campout conference run by a local intentional community in Tepoztlán in 1996. While working at a folk festival in the US, I met a man who lived part-time in the US and part-time in the Mexican community. He invited me to the conference, and I took him up on his offer. In addition, I visited that community two times before deciding to move here.
Is Tepoztlán Your Place?
Many folks have visited beaches, enjoyed the colonial cities, and love the vibrancy of Mexico City. But there are many considerations before choosing where you will live. Cities differ widely in climate, culture, and infrastructure. Colonial cities offer a charm that wears off: difficult sidewalks, traffic, noise, and may have unexpected cold weather. Beach towns have excessive humidity, mosquitoes, limited healthcare, higher grocery costs, and fewer flights.
Here is a checklist of some of the key questions to ask before choosing a city:
◦ ◦ Cost of rentals and utilities
◦ ◦ Proximity to hospitals and specialists
◦ ◦ Need for a car; walkability
◦ ◦ Year-round climate
◦ ◦ Internet reliability for remote work
◦ ◦ Access to groceries, medications, services
◦ ◦ Expat/social community
I explained why I chose Tepoztlán, and you can see the pros and cons here. For each of the above items in the list you can find information on other blogs. Go here for recent blogs and a list of blog categories. And scroll through the archive for relevant titles. If you still need help in deciding whether Tepoztlán might be for you, schedule a phone consultation here and rely on our combined fifty years of experience as expats.
Visit First Before Renting or Buying
Wherever you decide to relocate, by all means visit first. For obvious reasons, do not rent or buy a place sight unseen. And I'd advise renting for at least a year before buying.
Here are some reasons why to visit first: Photos don't show: barking dogs, construction noise, poor water pressure, mold, humidity, or a weak internet. I recommendation booking short-term rentals (Airbnb, Booking.com) for the first weeks and to explore neighborhoods, visiting at different times of day and night. If you are exploring Tepoztlán, we can help you arrange a personal guided tour, and possibly with booking.
Before committing to a long-term rental, ask for:
◦ ◦ Video walkthrough
◦ ◦ Internet speed test
◦ ◦ Full inventory list
◦ ◦ Exact location/cross streets
◦ ◦ Lease and deposit terms
◦ ◦ Utility clarification
If you are renting a furnished place, you should be aware of:
• • appliances
• • cleaning supplies
Note: "Furnished" in Mexico may only mean bed, couch, table, and the very basics. This may NOT include: cookware, towels, sheets, lamps, good mattress, desk. Don't bring linens from home before knowing Mexican bed sizes— they differ (individual, matrimonial, queen, king)
Always ask for a detailed inventory of what's included
Check these "invisible" basics before choosing a home:
A beautiful home can still be uncomfortable to live in. Here is a checklist of things to verify in person:
◦ ◦ Water pressure and hot water consistency
◦ ◦ Internet speed and backup options
◦ ◦ Cell signal inside the home
◦ ◦ Noise (dogs, roosters, traffic, bars, churches, construction, schools)
◦ ◦ Mold or humidity
◦ ◦ Natural light and airflow
◦ ◦ Mosquitoes
◦ ◦ Parking, stairs (mobility concerns)
◦ ◦ Trash pickup
◦ ◦ Water storage (tinaco/cistern)
◦ ◦ Gas setup (tank vs. stationary)
◦ ◦ Electricity costs with A/C
◦ ◦ Flooding during rainy season
• • Note: Tap water is not safe to drink in Mexico — budget for bottled water or a verified filtration system
Don't Buy Real Estate Too Soon
I heard of a German elderly couple who made a down payment on a property in Tepoztlán to later learn that ten others had done the same and that the property was not properly deeded. A friend of mine bought a small cabin in another village a few hours away, and after ten years lost it because an original owner had a higher-ranking deed.
You can avoid becoming one of the horror stories by first very carefully studying the very complex tiered land ownership systems in Mexico. Having wonderful visits here, or even renting first is not a reason to buy property. While renting, do your research.
Here are some considerations to understand before buying:
◦ ◦ Neighborhood, noise, water access, construction quality
◦ ◦ Title, HOA rules, closing costs
◦ ◦ Fideicomiso requirements (for foreigners buying near coast/border)
◦ ◦ Notario's role — always choose your own, not the seller's
◦ ◦ Resale potential and inheritance planning
Warning: Depleting assets to buy a home can jeopardize your residency application if financial statements no longer meet requirements.
The Residency Process is Complex
Don't wait too long to apply. Financial thresholds rise almost every year. Apply while still employed or while you qualify.
• • People wrongly assume the process is the same for everyone
• • Requirements vary by consulate (financial statements: 6 vs. 12 months; income types accepted; self-employment issues)
• • Document requirements: apostilled documents, original birth/marriage certificates, official translations
• • Canje process can take up to 20 business days; you may not be able to leave Mexico while it's pending
• • Mexico is cracking down on "perpetual tourists" — shorter stays being issued
Don't misread expiration dates (Mexico uses DD/MM/YYYY format).
Avoid oversharing at consulate appointments — answer only what's asked; avoid volunteering plans to quit your job or negative comments about your home country.
Facebook groups and other social platforms are rife with confident but incorrect advice. Bad advice can: cost money, delay residency, create legal problems, lead to hiring the wrong people. Use groups for casual tips (restaurants, neighborhoods); use qualified professionals for serious decisions.
I've lived in Tepoztlán since 2003, and at that time was able to find ways to renew a visitor permit every six months. That was then. I remember getting a bank account. It took me three hours and I needed a local resident to vouch for me. I got the account to go for the FM2, a one-year residency available at that time. A Mexico City lawyer suggested that since I lacked the proper income or savings for this that I could make a series of proper deposits. I'd draw the deposit out every month and then redeposit it. That did not work properly. I made an error somewhere in the process. I even wound up in an immigration prison for one night on a trip home from the beach. During covid, the federal government offered what was called "regularization," where one could obtain a temporary residency in Mexico City without the need to show income. I went for it and now have my permanent card.
When you have your residency card, be sure to enter the Mexican airport coming in from a foreign country by entering the proper line. For example, if you go through the kiosk that tourists use, you will lose your card and need to do the whole process over.
Banking and Cash Access
• • Mexico is more cash-based than many expect
• • Cards work in some restaurants and larger sores, but cash is needed for: rent deposits, taxis, tips, markets, repairs, housekeepers, bottled water, emergencies
• • Practical tips:
◦ ◦ Have at least 2 debit cards from different banks
◦ ◦ Have 1–2 credit cards
◦ ◦ Keep some emergency cash
◦ ◦ ATM limit is $7,000 MNX, learn foreign transaction fees, and bank security rules. There are three banks, each with ATM, plus one stand-alone in Centro. The latter has the lowest fees, but beware of the last screen that asks you to accept their terms. If you deny, it will be a cheaper fee.
◦ ◦ Alert your home bank before traveling
◦ ◦ Don't wait until the last minute — especially before holidays
There are online systems that are cheap and very fast to obtain larger sums from your account in the US, like xoom.com and others.
Before I migrated, in 2003, I got a friend to let me use his address to be my official US one. I check it daily to see if I got anything of importance using an email service. My bank account is in the US. It is a federal credit union where my Social Security checks are deposited. I draw pesos on this from a Tepoztlán ATM.
Time and Communications Differ Here
I've covered how the Mexican and Tepoztlán cultures differ from the US in many of my articles. Here is a significant one.
Mexican pace and systems are different — not inferior, just different. "Ahorita" doesn't always mean right now; government offices close for holidays; banks get crowded before long weekends
• • What to do:
◦ ◦ Learn major Mexican holidays.
◦ ◦ Plan banking, immigration paperwork, prescriptions, appointments well in advance.
◦ ◦ Bureaucracy often requires: official translations, apostilles, multiple visits, patience.
• • • • Learning Spanish helps significantly — both for daily life and paperwork.
Courtesy and patience go much further than frustration or impatience. People really appreciate it when you stumble over your attempts to communicate in Spanish. They like to see you at least trying to assimilate.
Healthcare Variations
Healthcare quality varies greatly by city/region. Tepoztlán has a balance of alternative and mainstream facilities and practioners. The nearest hospitals and ERs are in Cuernavaca, a half-hour drive.
Few specialists are available in Tepoztlán, but there are a number of English-speaking doctors and dentists. Lab work and some imaging are done locally. There is an ambulance service, but it is not the best. I'd advise a taxi instead. Medication is available locally in many generic and non-generic pharmacies, as well as very inexpensive consultations. There are several homeopathic doctors and pharmacies. Tepoztlán can work well for healthy retirees but some chronic conditions require more careful planning.
Medications
Some medications aren't available in Mexico, or have different names/dosages. And for some, you may find them in Cuernavaca or Mexico City if they are not in Tepoztlán.
• • Steps to take before moving:
◦ ◦ Bring a transition supply.
◦ ◦ Know the generic name and dosage of every medication.
◦ ◦ Visit a Mexican pharmacy (e.g., Farmacias Guadalajara) to ask about equivalents.
◦ ◦ Consult a local doctor before making any changes.
• • This is especially critical for: heart, blood pressure, diabetes, mental health, thyroid, and for pain management.
Preparing for Emergencies (Legal/Medical/Estate)
Planning ahead isn't pessimistic — it's responsible.
• • Questions to address before they become urgent:
◦ ◦ Do you have a Mexican will?
◦ ◦ Who can access your bank account in an emergency?
◦ ◦ Who can make decisions if you're incapacitated?
◦ ◦ Who will care for your pets?
◦ ◦ Who can contact family back home?
◦ ◦ What are your wishes for burial/cremation?
There is a monthly group meeting in Tepoztlán called "Departure Lounge," which is slowly creating a manual on how to deal with all of the above in Tepoztlán. There is a lot more to it than I thought! I have a notarized document for advanced care if I am in a hospital. It includes three health advocates.
Some years ago I met a local mural artist, Judy Wray, who originally came from New York City. You can see my interview of her if you scroll to the bottom of this blog. She has an apartment in the back of a compound of a family of Tepoztlán locals. She introduced me to them, and I love the matriarch of the family. She is very witty. Noticing a lot of empty rooms, and that some gringos have stayed there short-term, I asked her if she would take me in if I were incapacited and needing help. She said "yes." This is my type of insurance for old age.
Build a Trusted Local Team
You need to know who to call before problems arise. Here are recommended contacts to identify early:
◦ ◦ Immigration facilitator
◦ ◦ Real estate agent
◦ ◦ Doctor and dentist
◦ ◦ Insurance agent
◦ ◦ Attorney and Notario
◦ ◦ Accountant
◦ ◦ Mover and handyman
◦ ◦ Driver and veterinarian
◦ ◦ Relocation tour guide: You can depend on us to provide you with signature and exclusive concierge services. We can make suggestions and/or show you around. The two of us expats have a combined fifty years living in Tepoztlán and can provide you with our embodied experiences that you cannot get from the Internet or elsewhere. We are here for you for a coffee meetup and as far as a long-term contract while you settle in. Here is our site, and you can contact us here.
I hope that this article might inspire some of you to consider moving to Tepoztlán, and for those who are relocating, to more carefully do your research to avoid problems and have an easier entry. Note that the smoothest moves belong to people who prepare, and ask smart questions, hire the right professionals, and visit before committing. Mexico has its own systems, culture, and pace — respecting that makes the experience much better.
• • Key mindset: Mexico is not the U.S. or Canada with better weather.
NOTE:
The inspiration for writing this piece, and a lot of its information came from Mariana Lange who heads up Mexico Relocation Guide and wrote about this topic here.
