Mexico is a perennial favorite retirement destination among Americans and Canadians because of its proximity, affordable cost of living, favorable weather, established expat communities, quality health care, easy residency processes, and rich culture, lifestyle, and culinary scene, to name a few reasons.

Where are the best places in Mexico to retire? I’ve narrowed down my favorite options to Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, and Oaxaca.

Mazatlán

Where Is Mazatlán?

Mazatlán is a coastal city on the Pacific side of Mexico with a population of almost 500,000 people. Mazatlán City is in the state of Sinaloa, which is about 200 miles south of the U.S. border and 1,000 miles northwest of Mexico City. Mazatlán is part of the Mexican Riviera, with stunning beaches, booming tourism, and rich cultural heritage.

How Do You Get To Mazatlán?

Mazatlán is easy to access from the rest of North America, with plenty of direct flights from several cities in the United States and Canada. You don’t even need to get on a plane to get to Mazatlán; you can just drive across the border.

What Is There To Do And See In Mazatlán?

Mazatlán is warm year-round, and you can enjoy not only beaches but also islands, hiking in nearby mountains, and visiting nature reserves to discover the area’s wildlife.

This city boasts a large historic center, which is a neighborhood of colorful Spanish-colonial architecture that contains restored buildings, lively plazas, and cobblestone streets.

This city is perfect for great dining and drink options, live music, outdoor cafés, theaters, art galleries, shops, and more. It also has plenty of traditional events and festivals, such as the carnival every February, which is full of parades, live music, and costumes.

The Golden Zone is where the city’s nightlife is most vibrant. This is where you go for a fun night of bars, nightclubs, live music, and dancing.

Who Would Enjoy A Retirement In Mazatlán?

Mazatlán is one of my favorite Mexican cities for retirement because it offers upscale coastal living at a price that can’t be beat.

People in this city are friendly, and it has a thriving expat community that is welcoming and supportive, so newcomers can feel at home quickly.

Anyone who’s looking for an easy transition to life abroad, enjoys beachside living at a fraction of the cost of that back home, and is excited about being near a waterfront Spanish-colonial historic center full of entertainment and dining options will enjoy Mazatlán.

Puerto Vallarta

Where Is Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta is a city in the state of Jalisco on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It’s situated on Banderas Bay, one of the largest natural bays in the world.

This city is about 300 miles northwest of Guadalajara and 600 miles west of Mexico City. This popular resort city has a population of about 230,000.

How Do You Get To Puerto Vallarta?

You can find plenty of direct flights from the United States and Canada. They tend to be more frequent from November to April, when tourists are looking to escape the cold areas and head to the beach resorts. Off-season flights are still available but less frequent. This is a well-connected resort destination, so it’s not a difficult place to travel to.

What Is There To Do And See In Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta is known as a beach resort city, and it has several stunning beaches that are great for swimming, snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, and sunbathing.

The city has a long oceanfront promenade where you can stroll along the bay, with views of the ocean on one side and plenty of shops, restaurants, clubs, and bars on the other. You’ll often see street performers, artists, sculptures, and monuments on the boardwalk.

Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town is another highlight of the city. This area is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, cafés, markets, and buildings with colorful architecture. You can also enjoy art galleries, boutique shopping, and a varied gastronomic scene.

This city boasts a botanical park, a marine park, a marina, plenty of outdoor adventure activities like ziplining, hiking, ATV tours, and fishing, and a vibrant nightlife.

Who Would Enjoy A Retirement In Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta has something for everyone, from tranquil beaches to fast-paced outdoor adventures. It’s bordered to the east by the Sierra Madre Mountains, so everywhere you look, you’ll get stunning landscape views.

Puerto Vallarta is full of rich culture and incredible food. It offers wellness centers, a sizeable expat community, welcoming locals, and plenty of English speakers. Those who dream of living by the sea in a charming destination with a vibrant lifestyle will enjoy Puerto Vallarta.

Oaxaca

Where Is Oaxaca?

Oaxaca is located in the state of the same name in southern Mexico. It’s bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south. This city is about 300 miles southeast of Mexico City and 150 miles from the Pacific coast. Oaxaca has about 250,000 people.

How Do You Get To Oaxaca?

Oaxaca is not as well-connected to the rest of North America as other Mexican destinations, although it has an international airport. You can find direct flights here from Los Angeles, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Availability varies depending on the season and airlines.

Direct flights from Canada are more limited, but you can find seasonal direct flights from Toronto and Vancouver.

What Is There To Do And See In Oaxaca?

As it’s surrounded by mountains, Oaxaca provides great hiking opportunities. Close by is the striking petrified waterfall Hierve el Agua. This is a massive waterfall made of two rock shelves that stand almost 300 feet above the ground.

You can also drive to the coast for a weekend trip to the areas of Puerto Escondido or Huatulco. The drive across the mountain roads can be nerve-wracking, but you can also hop on a quick flight.

If you like sports, you can enjoy a game of soccer from the city’s football club in the city’s 15,000-person capacity stadium.

Oaxaca also boasts a historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a fantastic place to spend a weekend, strolling through its main square and visiting cathedrals, churches, and museums.

You can also visit the ancient ruins at Monte Albán. This is a former archaeological site built by the Zapotecs in 500 BC, making it one of Mesoamerica’s earliest cities.

Oaxaca is famous for its cuisine, and you can enjoy it in the markets and varied restaurants. Don’t miss the mole, tlayudas, and mezcal.

Who Would Enjoy A Retirement In Oaxaca?

Those who are looking to retire in a less tourist-heavy city and a more authentically Mexican area will enjoy Oaxaca. However, it does have a sizable expat community with plenty of events, so it’s easy to meet people.

Oaxaca stands out for its charming colonial architecture and vibrant culture. Those who wish to be surrounded by mountains or close by to ancient ruins and waterfalls are in for a treat.

Even though Oaxaca is a proper city, it has a small-town feel. It’s easy to get around on foot but still has all the conveniences of a big city without its annoyances.

If culture is what you’re looking for, it has more to offer than Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta. It’s famous for its historic landmarks, indigenous culture, and for being a hub for local art and handicrafts.

How Is Access To Healthcare In These Destinations?

Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, and Oaxaca all have a mix of public and private medical facilities, including hospitals for insured and uninsured patients.

Affordable healthcare is one of the main reasons expats choose Mexico as their new home base. It has high-quality medical services available, especially in bigger cities and tourist destinations.

In Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, you can get private health care that’s comparable to the standard in the United States at a fraction of the cost. Many doctors are fluent in English and are trained abroad.

An additional benefit of relocating to Mexico is that, because it’s so close, you could maintain Medicare in the States and return home to receive care when needed.

What Do You Need To Retire In Mexico?

Most retirees seeking residency in Mexico opt to apply for a temporary resident visa, which allows you to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days per year. That said, you can also opt to apply for a permanent residency visa from the outset, bypassing temporary residency status although.

To apply for either of these visas, you’ll need to meet the monthly or yearly financial requirements. The amounts vary based on the region and current rules, which tend to change. You must check with your local Mexican consulate to verify the specific amount you’ll need for your area of choice.

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