expats in mexico – Page 2 – Villa La Estancia Real Estate

Tipping in Mexico

In Mexico, it is customary to tip, but if you don’t leave a tip you don’t have to worry, because you won’t get any slack, though you might feel a little miserly, especially when you take into consideration that wages in Mexico are pretty low. You must remember that most Mexicans working in the service industry don’t receive a great salary and they do indeed rely on tips that they get. Read on to find out more about tipping in Mexico.

Show your appreciation by tipping in Mexico

When you are in Mexico you can tip with dollar bills or pesos. Avoid leaving dollar coins as the person will not be able to exchange them for pesos or spend them. Tipping in pesos is easier and more practical for the service provider, but he or she will be perfectly happy to receive dollar bills. When you are deciding how to tip, you should base your tip around the service that you have received. In tourist areas in Mexico tipping is around 15% but can be anywhere between 10% and 20% depending on the service.

Restaurants

In Mexico, when dining at any of the restaurants should leave a tip from 10% to 20% of the total bill. If you are with a large group, sometimes the tip is automatically added to the bill, so be sure to check.

Hotels

If the bellhop takes you to your room and helps you with your luggage, then you should tip the bellhop 2-3 dollars or 20-50 pesos. You should also tip the housekeeping staff 2-3 dollars or 20-50 pesos depending on the type of hotel and the service that you have received. It is advisable to tip your housekeeper each day and not on the last day because the housekeeper could change and they will be encouraged by your tip to offer a good service while you are there.

Tipping for Tours

If you go on a tour and you are really impressed with the tour guide, then you should tip the guide 10%-20%. If you have went on a group tour, then the tour guide leader should be tipped between 3 to 5 dollars, while a private tour guide should be tipped at least ten dollars. The bus driver that takes you around on a tour should be tipped two dollars each day. In Mexico, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers unless the taxi drivers has helped you with your bags, then you might consider giving the taxi driver ten pesos for each bag they assist you with.

Grocery Packers

Usually teenagers and seniors bag your groceries at the stores in Mexico and you can tip them one or two pesos for each grocery bag that they have bagged for you. The grocery packers don’t earn a wage and the only pay they receive comes from the tips you give them.

Gas Stations

All of the gas stations in Mexico are full service gas stations. You should always tip the gas station attendant at least 5-10 pesos; and if they check your oil, check your tires, and clean your windshield, then you should tip them more.

Please note that this article is for guidance only and you should feel free to tip as little or as much as you feel appropriate (or indeed leave no tip at all!)

by VLEAdminRE, April 14, 2018

Destinations, FAQ, Real Estate

Tips for a Successful New Life in Mexico

So – you’re moving to Mexico! Congratulations! This is a radical change to your way of life, and we know that it is going to be a little daunting for you at first. This is why we’ve compiled our top hints and tips for succeeding in your new life in Mexico.

Here are our top tips for a successful new life in Mexico

Learn Spanish

Most people in the big cities and tourist hotspots of Mexico speak very good English, and so learning Spanish is not a necessity but there is no doubt in our minds that learning Spanish will help you have a successful new life in Mexico. There are plenty of classes that you can attend if you want to get a basic understanding of the language; when you use it to get to know your neighbors better you’ll find that your grasp of the language increases rapidly.

Be flexible

Flexibility is without a doubt one of the most valuable attributes you can have when you’re making such big changes to your life; a good, solid plan will make the changes easier to deal with, but you should always leave room in your plan for change! Remember that a plan is always a work in progress, and so changing it is never a failure. Be ready and willing to adapt to your situation and you will go far in your new home.

One day, task and goal at a time

It can take a long time to get used to the ways of a new country, and so you should remember to be patient and keep your mind open for a successful new life in Mexico; don’t compare your new home to your old one as this is a sure road to frustration and disappointment. You will also find that a soft approach will get you much further as a foreigner with the locals than if you get frustrated and irate.

Invest in networking

Take the time to network when you arrive; making friends and acquaintances in your new home is key to success. Meet the neighbors, join a gym, say hello to your work mates. You could even join a few of the Facebook groups set up purely for expats in the area. This will help you to establish a friend base and settle into your new home and new life in Mexico.

Savings

It pays to have some money squirrelled to the side to tide you over if you have to make last minute visits back home or need to attend to an emergency when you make a new life in Mexico. Also, you will probably spend more on socialization when you first arrive as you try to get yourself settled, and there’s always the chance you may need repairs to your car or certain aspects of your home; it can take a few tries to get a mechanic, plumber, or electrician you trust. You may not need this cushion, but it will certainly help to know that you have a safety net if you should need it. This peace of mind is truly priceless.

So – have you moved to Mexico recently? Do you have any tips for people looking to make this move? What would your advice be? Let us know in the comments section below!

Recommended articles:

Booming Real Estate Market in Puerto Vallarta for 2018

Riviera Nayarit Real Estate For Weekend Getaways

by VLEAdminRE, January 2, 2018

Destinations, FAQ, Real Estate, Residences

Medical Evacuation Insurance for Expats

If you are planning a trip to Mexico, then you may have considered purchasing travel insurance; but what if you are planning to stay for longer periods each year, let’s say for the whole winter? Or perhaps you are thinking of purchasing a second home in Mexico? What options do you have for health insurance? Medical evacuation insurance might be all that you need?

Health insurance for expats in Mexico

Firstly, it is not uncommon for some health insurance policies in the USA and Canada to cover expats while they are out of the country and staying for longer periods of time in Mexico. It is certainly worth checking with your insurance provider to see if you are covered. Likewise, you may think that you will not be in Mexico long enough periods of time each year to warrant taking out addition Mexican health insurance and may opt to take the risk of not being covered and paying for medical care if needed (which is much more affordable in Mexico than back home). However, if you are planning to make Mexico your main home, it is highly recommended that you take out private Mexican health insurance.

What is the difference between health insurance and medical evacuation insurance?

Health insurance is the level of medical cover you have to protect you in the event of illness or accident according to the terms and conditions of your policy. Health insurance will cover the cost of treatment and surgeries etc. Medical evacuation insurance is a policy that makes sure that you are able to get back home while you are abroad to receive treatment (so long as you have health cover back home, that is). Often, your standard health insurance will not cover the expensive cost of repatriation in the event of a severe illness or accident and commercial airlines will not permit you on flights if you are in a critical condition.

What is the point of medical evacuation insurance for expats?

Medical evacuation insurance is highly recommended for anyone who:

a) does not have any form of medical insurance cover in Mexico but has a full policy back home.
b) is covered in Mexico for treatment by their home health insurance policy but is not fully covered for repatriation in the case of serious illness of accidents.
c) has basic Mexican health insurance that only covers emergencies and you need to cover the cost of getting you back home to receive the medical assistance.
d) has Mexican health insurance but need to see a specialist in your home country.

What about travel insurance for expats?

If your trip to Mexico is going to be for a short time, then travel insurance may be all you need. However, remember that most travel insurance policies are valid for a limited time such as 60 to 90 days. Travel insurance coverage can also vary drastically, and many of the travel insurance policies that come with medical repatriation come with strings attached which limit the coverage of repatriation, forcing you to receive treatment in Mexico.

Those with Mexican private healthcare coverage

Individuals that plan on staying in Mexico for a longer time may opt for private healthcare insurance or IMSS which will cover your healthcare while you are in Mexico, but anytime that you become critically sick or injured, then the expats medical evacuation insurance will definitely come in handy because once you are cleared to return to your home country the expats medical evacuation insurance will assist you. You will be able to be with your family to provide you support, see your local doctors and hospital. You should remember that the regular healthcare insurance policies that only provide medical treatment will not pay for any flights for you to return home.

Medical evacuation insurance benefits for expats

Medical evacuation insurance for expats is very beneficial in the event of drastic circumstances. Anyone who has had to pay for medical repatriation out of their own pocket will know that these costs are extremely high and can leave you bankrupt. If you need medical repatriation, then you should know that no commercial airline companies will fly you back home if you happen to be in critical condition medically. Medical repatriation will not only supply you with a direct flight to your home country, but it will also provide you with a team of trained medical professionals and medical transport experts that will coordinate between the hospitals, doctors, airports, and all government agencies. They will also provide your family with all the information needed during the evacuation process too.

The cost of expats medical evacuation insurance are not expensive and if you consider the support network along with the professional medical teams that you will be provided with, it is a great value, especially during a medical emergency that may affect you or your family member.

Reference: https://www.mexperience.com/how-will-your-medical-plans-cover-you-in-mexico/

by VLEAdminRE, December 8, 2017