The best example of this is candy and inspect site snacks. US supermarkets have an incredible variety when it comes to munchies. Some of my favorite American snacks just aren’t imported to Mexico. Some are difficult to find. Sometimes they’re just too expensive. This Reddit thread lists some American treats that aren’t available in Mexico.

Foods are also made to cater to Mexican tastes. I am not at all a picky eater, but it is nice to have some comfort food once in a while. Some common foods just taste a bit off to me. For example, Mexican pastries aren’t as sweet as the American version. The silver lining to this point is that I have discovered a few new snacks that aren’t available back home in the US.

Some Items are More Expensive in Mexico

Living expenses like food, rent, and activities are lower in Mexico. Pretty much everything else costs more. Probably due to high import taxes.

A few examples include electronics, vehicles, appliances, luxury items, and furniture. Phones, TVs, laptops, cars, refrigerators, stoves, couches, etc. are all significantly more expensive in Mexico than they are in the US. On average, I estimate that these items cost 20-30% more. Some luxury or novelty items might cost 4-5X more in Mexico.

If something expensive like your phone or laptop dies, you may save money by flying to the US to buy a replacement. While living in Tijuana, I would buy pretty much everything except for food on the US side.

If you plan to drive while living in Mexico, your best bet is to buy a vehicle in the US then drive it to Mexico with a Temporary Importation Permit (TIP). Unfortunately, this document only allows you to bring your vehicle to Mexico for 180 days. After that, you’ll have to remove the vehicle from the country then apply for another permit.

When I went shopping in Walmart in Mexico for the first time, I was shocked by how expensive everything was. I wanted to buy new bedsheets. The US Wale set for about $10 cheaper.

Food Hygiene Standards are Lower in Mexico

In Mexico, you have to pay attention to the cleanliness and hygiene practices of the places you get your food and drinks. To reduce the risk of getting sick, you should:

• Not eat foods that have been sitting out in the open- The food was probably not kept at the proper temperature. This allows for potentially dangerous bacteria to grow and multiply. Flies and other insects also have access to the food if it’s sitting out. These can make you sick.
• Avoid eating unwashed fruits and veggies- E. coli is a risk if foods haven’t been properly cleaned.
• Make sure that foods are hot and thoroughly cooked- Undercooked foods can carry bacteria that cause food poisoning and other diseases.

I have gotten food poisoning of varying severity a few times while living in Mexico. Luckily, if you do get severe food poisoning and need antibiotics, it is easy and cheap to visit a clinic.

In most of Mexico, the tap water isn’t safe to drink straight from the tap. Most of the time, the water is treated by the municipal water facility and is safe to drink after that treatment. The problem is that the water passes through old pipes that inate the water with heavy metals and bacteria. You never really know unless you have the water tested.

To be safe, you’ll want to either buy bottled drinking water or have jugs of water delivered to your home. This is a hassle and also an added expense. I have drunk tap water on a few occasions and haven’t gotten sick. It’s better to err on the side of caution and just drink purified or bottled water in Mexico.