Reader Peter asked for a post about what it costs me to live on Isla. I’ve been posting about prices, but here’s my attempt to aggregate them. I’m including currency conversions as of today.
Rent: 5,500 pesos per month (450CAD/390USD) for a two bedroom furnished apartment with laundry and internet (negotiated rent; going price is higher and electricity is separate if the AC is used)
Propane: 400 pesos (33CAD/29USD) still waiting on this order and no idea how much propane that is or how long it will last me
Pangas: 16 pesos (1.31CAD/1.15) round trip to Maz on the village panga at the resident rate
Beer: 8 pesos (0.66CAD/0.57USD) for 210mL bottles of Pacifico at the supermarket, or 25 pesos plus a 5 peso tip for full size bottle at a bar on Isla and 20 + 5 pesos at a bar in Maz (2.50CAD/2.15USD or 2.05CAD/1.79USD)
Groceries are a bit tougher since there are no prices posted at the mercado here. As I’ve posted before, I’ve come out of the little store here after spending around 100 pesos and come out with rice, canned refried beans, pasta (enough for three meals), cheese, yoghurt, fruits and veggies, lunch meat, and more. So food prices are low, especially for dairy, which is a luxury item for me back home. Here are a few specific prices:
Cheese: about 20 pesos (1.64CAD/1.44) for 200 g
Yogurt: about 20 pesos (1.64CAD/1.44) for 450 g
Avocados: 20 pesos (1.64CAD/1.44) for 3
Corn tortillas: 5 pesos (0.41CAD/0.36USD) for about 20
Onions: 6 pesos (0.49CAD/0.43USD) for 2 (medium)
Bananas: 10 pesos (0.82CAD/0.72USD) for 5
Potatoes: 14 pesos (1.15CAD/1.00USD) for 4 (medium)
Lentils: 9 pesos (0.74CAD/0.65USD for a small bag (I’ll likely get 10 to 15 meals out of that bag!)
Water: 10 pesos (0.82CAD/0.72USD) for 5 gallons delivered to my door
Roasted chicken with rice from a street vendor: 100 pesos (8.20CAD/7.18USD for a whole one (at least four meals)
Ice cream from a street vendor or shop: 20 pesos (1.64CAD/1.44) for a small scoop in a cup.
Restaurant meals at the gringo places on the beach or in Maz are definitely pricier, around 150 pesos with the tip (12.30CAD/10.77USD), which sounds cheap until you look at the cost of groceries!
I’m amazed by how far money is going here. My first time shopping at the supermarket, I loaded up on groceries and added a broom and flip flops and still came out of there at around 200 pesos (16.40CAD/14.36USD)!
Sounds like a winner with those prices. Nice to know it can be done inexpensively. Wonder what it would be for a gringo turista, rather than a temporary resident. Thanks for the report.
I’ve been hearing whispers from the RV park people, many of whom really don’t seem to live as Mexicans do, that groceries are quite expensive, but I have no idea what they are buying, likely specific brands from back home or maybe junk or prepared foods. It’ll be interesting to see what a shop at a proper city grocery store ends up costing.
I was living more like a turista in San Carlos and I found prices expensive — almost 40-60CAD a night for a hotel (I’ve paid less for better accommodation in the US) and meals at restaurants were averaging 15CAD, with prices in line to what you find at the restaurants on the beach here. I’m starting to eat more from the stands and that is crazy cheap. I’m going to get braver as the winter progresses and will likely find a 15CAD meal absolutely outrageous by the time I head home!
Thank you Rae for compiling this list. I can see that
Iife in Mexico can be quite inexpensive. Shelagh and I would cook most of our own meals. With a meal out maybe twice a week. Have fun, looking forward to seeing you reconnect with Colin and Contessa.
Peter, I think that if you’re not too set in your ways as to brands and particular foods as well as willing to let go of ‘U.S. standards’ for accommodation, it can be possible to stay here very comfortably for under 1,000USD/month, with rent being the biggest chunk of the budget.
I know folks who are paying over 1,000USD for their place, but I’m not sure what they’re getting for that price other than it being a large (possibly two-bedroom) suite in an apartment. My place might have a few oddities that you wouldn’t north of the border, but it is very clean and has all the conveniences. Last time I paid 450CAD for rent, it was the late ’90s and I had a tiny, poorly insulated, and very ugly studio suite in Ottawa. 🙂