Expat News đ November 6th
Mexico ATM Bank Currency Conversion Fee Scam & Expats Coming Back To MĂ©xico In Droves
In this issue of Expat News by Expat Rebel, Mexico ATM Bank Currency Conversion Fee Scam & Expats Coming Back To MĂ©xico In Droves. đ° - Chris
Mexico ATM Bank Currency Conversion Fee Scam
On one of my trips into MĂ©rida for some shopping we went to the ATM to pull out some cash. Many places only take cash so we need some âwalking around moneyâ as my Grandfather would say. I wanted to highlight a new ATM question and what we have found to be true with our banks.
The cash conversion rate the ATM offers you is worse than what your bank automatically gives. Of course, double check by doing the same amount with and without the offered conversion rate.
Expats Coming Back To MĂ©xico In Droves
Iâve had to go into MĂ©rida, the nearby big city, a few times this last week to buy things for the renovation. And Iâve had a friend come visit from Playa del Carmen so weâve been having fun doing some big city shopping. Plus Iâve talked to my favorite driver Ismael, assistant Angel and Carolina.
Everyone is seeing a huge increase in Expats coming down for the winter. We call them snowbirds. The Canadians, American, Europeans that come to MĂ©xico for one to six months in the winter to get away from the snow and enjoy the beautiful weather here in most of MĂ©xico.
Restaurants are packed. We have to make reservations for our favorites places days in advance. Just three months ago the places were almost empty and had been that way for months.
Construction material prices are going up fast. Lots of construction and renovations are starting up. Itâs boom time here in YucatĂĄn MĂ©xico.
We delayed buying out utility aluminum doors two weeks and in that time the cost for them went up 31%. We should have paid for them before the big rush started.
Wearing a mask is still required in public but itâs not being enforced like it has been.
Quintana Roo is the Green Zone and YucatĂĄn is still Yellow even though the Federal government considers it Green but the YucatĂĄn Governor is delaying officially switching to Green. That will probably happen soon.
CancĂșn and its airport are now busier than before the pandemic
Mexico Beach Home Renovation Vlog
The finishing touches to our renovation are being put in place.
Utility Aluminum Doors Installed
More Sidewalks and Pool Deck Concrete Done
New episodes will be coming out before the next newsletter next week so be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel and click on the bell notification so you donât miss any episodes.
Mexico Fall Time Zone Changes in 2021
Tomorrow, some portions of Mexico will set their clocks back one hour (in line with the U.S.).
The Mexican states of Sonora and Quintana Roo will not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Expat News
Find out if you can board a flight to the United States - handle tool to help you figure out what you have to do to visit the US with all the different country rules regarding vaccines and tests. US Citizens donât require a vaccine to enter the US but need a test before getting on the plane.
CancĂșn tourists rush to shelter as armed gang storms beach at luxury hotel - more shootings in Quintana Roo. Cartel related. I still wouldnât visit until this territory war is settled down
Fake travel agency scams on the rise in MĂ©xico - With this rush back to traveling this was bound to happen, be aware. If you do goto Playa del Carmen check out my Guidebook recommendations. I trust Andy because Iâve used him for years, heâs a good guy.
Recent Videos
Recent Stories
Latina Culture History: Selena đ€Â - fun show
Mexican Moms Review đČđœÂ - a great way to learn about Mexican culture and have fun
Bad Expats đđŒ
Members Newsletter Updates
MĂ©rida & YucatĂĄn Beaches MĂ©xico Guidebook - Leave a comment if you want a resource or connection and Iâll add it.
Playa del Carmen Guidebook - updated from my last visit. Itâs very detailed and has many recommendations in it.
Ask Me Anything thread for members, ask me a question and Iâll answer right back.
Becoming An Expat Now - paid-member comment thread answering your questions
Renting Furnished Houses and Condos in Mexico - I have a big update to this coming out soon, basics are here now.
Hiring Taxi Drivers in México - my advice on getting a good (real) rate
Become a paid newsletter subscriber when you need advice and details about living in a foreign country including Mexico or you just want to support this newsletter and YouTube channel. Itâs just $5/mo and you cancel anytime.
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Learning Spanish
I highly recommend the Mexican Moms Review YouTube Channel as it teaches about Mexican culture but there is a lot of Spanish as well to learn from. I learn Spanish while learning about Rock nâ Roll in Latin America. Highly recommended show as well. It rocked. đ
If you want to learn Spanish and enjoy all of Latin America and Spain then start right now. Get our recommended Spanish Audio and PDF Class and get working on your Spanish, it takes time so why not start now.
Virtual Mailbox
The day after I decided to leave the US and see the world slowly I got a mail forwarding service, aka a Virtual Mailbox. I need a place that could receive my US mail and scan it so I could read it from anywhere in the world. Now nearly four and a half years later I just love how easy it makes my life.
I get an email when I get mail. I click on the link and read my mail. I save the PDF files for banking and tax stuff for my account in DropBox and then Iâm done.
My favorite Mail Forwarding Service
Watching TV via VPN in a foreign country
When you are physically outside the US or Canada (or your home country) Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming services have different catalogs depending on the country.
For instance, Frasier is one of my favorite shows, Iâve seen all the episodes three times, yes all 11 years three times. So Frasier is only available on Netflix US and not Netflix Mexico. So I have to use a VPN to look like Iâm in the US for me to watch the show on Netflix.
When I turn on my VPN and hit refresh I now get Netflix US and can watch that plus many other things.
Get our recommended VPN and watch what you want no matter where you are located.
My Business Courses
Iâm retired from clients and only involved in my company. So these courses are my advice on being an entrepreneur and business owner.
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P.S. Check out the extra subscriber options for people that want some help getting their questions answered about being an Expat or moving or visiting the Yucatan of Mexico.
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