Cash Is Still King
One of the biggest adjustments for me was going back to using cash. Mexico still relies on it much more than I expected. It's changing, and contactless payments are accepted in more places than ever, but plenty of businesses, even in tourist areas like Zona Romántica, are still cash only. During the past year, I've used more cash than I had in the previous 15 years combined. I was the guy who never carried cash. Now, stopping by the ATM has simply become part of my weekly routine.
The interesting part isn't really about cash. It's about understanding what you actually need once you live here. Before moving, I assumed opening a Mexican bank account would be one of the first things I'd do. As it turned out, I was missing one document and couldn't open the account. At first I was frustrated. Then I realized... I didn't actually need one. We pay with cash when needed, use our credit cards whenever possible, and transfer our rent to our landlord through Wise. A year later, we still haven't opened a Mexican bank account, and we've never felt limited because of it.
One last piece of advice: learn where the locals shop. The price difference between tourist focused businesses and places where locals buy their groceries, medications, and household items can be surprisingly large. Get to know your neighbors, not because you want something from them, but because building local connections is one of the best parts of living here. Along the way, ask for recommendations. You'll discover better grocery stores, neighborhood pharmacies, local markets, and probably save money too. We even found that Mercado Libre often has better prices than Amazon.
