How to Meet People and Make Friends When Moving to Mexico as a Foreigner

Moving to Mexico is exciting, but after the first few months of living in a new country, you might start feeling a little isolated. This comes as a surprise to many foreigners (expats) that move to Mexico. Why is it harder in Mexico to make friends? How is it possible to meet new friends and grow your social circle in Mexico? A new language, unfamiliar social cues, and leaving behind an established network often make foreigners wonder how long it will take to feel at home. The good news is that Mexico is one of the most socially welcoming countries in the world. Making friends is very possible—it just happens a little differently than many people expect.

One of the reasons people find it hard to meet people is because many of the foreigners that move to Mexico move to popular tourist destinations. This means that there is a very transient population of people coming for a week, a few months, or half the year. This makes meeting and establishing friendships harder. This is something that many people don’t think about before making the move. 

Most people move to Mexico as a couple, but there are also families and single people that move to Mexico as well. Regardless of your situation, we will address different ways you can meet both foreigners and Mexicans to make you new home comfortable and the life a little better in Mexico. This guide is general information for moving to Mexico. If you are looking to move to Playa Del Carmen area, we have a specific guide to how and where to meet new people. 

What It’s Really Like to Meet People in Mexico 

I have found that Mexicans are generally warm, friendly, and open to conversations with foreigners. I know Thailand is the land of smiles, but Mexico really is one of the most inviting countries I have encountered. Smiles come easily and most people feel very comfortable starting a conversation with someone they don’t know. However, friendliness should not be confused with instant friendship. Relationships here tend to grow gradually, built on repeated interaction and trust rather than quick emotional closeness.

Community plays a central role in social life. Family, childhood friends, and long‑standing relationships are deeply valued, so it may take time before you feel fully integrated into someone’s inner circle. Once that connection forms, though, friendships are often loyal and long‑lasting. Even a basic effort to speak Spanish goes a long way. You don’t need to be fluent, showing that you’re trying is usually met with patience and appreciation.

It’s also important to understand that social schedules are flexible. Plans may change, invitations may be casual, and timing can feel unpredictable. Adapting to this rhythm and not taking changes personally makes social life much smoother. This is where understanding cultural differences is very important. 

Where to Meet People and Make Friends (Mexicans)

How do you meet Mexicans and create friendships? Well, you are probably starting with limited Spanish, so let’s start there. Wherever you find yourself living in Mexico, you have corner stores and little local eateries. Practice daily saying hi and different greetings, little by little you can ask questions and get to know people better. Knowing a little more about someone and having a friendly face look at you will make it easier to try to converse in Spanish. Mexican really will work with you to understand you and bear with your limited Spanish. 

Some of the other ways to meet Mexicans and develop friendships will depend on if you have kids, are still working in some form, or you are retired. Some of the same ways to meet new people are the same as mentioned below for meeting other foreigners. But you should note that many of the places’ foreigners move to in Mexico are often transient places. People come and go, some stay for a week, others a few months. It can be harder to meet new friends in places like these. You might need to spend more time in local places and out of the tourist areas. 

Single and making friends in Mexico

If you are single and moving to Mexico, this does open up some opportunities to get to know Mexico better. Here are some situations where you have an advantage:

• Dating. If you are single and looking to mingle, most of the dating options are going to be Mexicans. Dating someone local allows you to see a different side of Mexico and get to know it on a level that might not be experiences by a non-single foreigners. We have a very deep dive article looking at dating in Mexico and all the things you will need to consider. 
• Having roommates. For many foreigners over 25 the idea might seem odd. Having roommates in Mexico is a common thing all the way to your 30’s. Cutting costs by sharing a place is one of the ways that locals can get a head a bit. Like dating a Mexican, living with a local is a good way to learn more about the culture and opens you to meeting more people in different social circles. Even if you don’t need to cut costs that much, sharing a place can be a culturally immersive experience. 
• Doing things like going to the gym or taking a class, and being there by yourself, opens you up to chance meetings and getting to know new people. So, embrace being single and take advantage of your situation to create a new social circle. 

How couples can make meet friends

For couples moving to Mexico, it is easier to have someone with you on the journey, but this can slow down your assimilation the culture and getting to know new friends. Couples can use their powers for good though. Couples often meet other couples and before you know it, you have a social circle that you can seek out those that you connect with the best. Just keep in mind that when you go out, try not to be so closed off you only converse with each other. 

Couples can always motivate their partner to learn Spanish or get out and be social. Having that person with you as you go out to new places can be comforting, and that can be a great way to start meeting new friends. 

Where to Meet People and Make Friends (Other Foreigners)

Often people moving to Mexico will start with the expat circles. Since you share a common language and have similar experience of moving to another country, this is and easy conversation starter. Below are ideas how to meet mainly other foreigners in Mexico. 

Tip: By doing things you enjoy and participate in, you will meet other people with the same interest. This can make becoming friends easier. 

Language Classes 

One of the easiest ways to meet people is through language exchanges. These events naturally encourage conversation and attract both locals and foreigners who are open to meeting new people. They tend to be relaxed, welcoming environments where mistakes are expected and effort is appreciated. If you decided to take some Spanish classes, you will have access to conversational groups and mixers where you have a chance to work on your Spanish and get to know new people. 

Gyms and Fitness

Fitness‑related spaces are another strong entry point into social life. Gyms, CrossFit, boxing, yoga studios, dance classes, and recreational sports teams often function as social hubs. Simply showing up consistently is usually enough to start conversations and build familiarity, even if you’re not particularly outgoing. This is not just for the young er expats. No matter where you end up in Mexico, there are tennis clubs, outdoor fitness meetups and walking groups for all ages. 

I have found gyms a great way to meet people. Often the people working out are business owners and people that have strong outgoing work ethics. You can meet a wide range of people in the gym, and it often helps to business connections also.  It usually does not happen overnight, but gradually you start seeing the same people at the gym and saying hi. Then one day you expand the conversation, and you get to get to know more about the person. 

Cafes and Neighborhood Spots

Cafés and neighborhood spots also play an important role. Becoming a regular at a local café, bakery, or small restaurant allows relationships to develop organically over time. Greeting staff, learning names, and engaging in brief conversations can slowly lead to connections with other regulars and locals in the area. This is a way to meet people but you many find it the hardest because often people are off in their own world or give off a vibe that they don’t want to chat. 

Facebook Groups

Expat and foreigner groups can be especially helpful during your first months in Mexico. These communities provide social support, practical advice, and a sense of familiarity while you adjust. While they’re valuable, it’s best to avoid relying on them exclusively. Balancing expat connections with local friendships creates a richer experience. Especially if you are trying to learn Spanish, limiting your time in groups speaking English and hanging out with other expats will slow down your progress. 

Note: Being online exposes you to strong comments and personal attacks. People can be more rude or more direct online sometimes. Some people even get reputations of rude commentor or just commenting more attacks than helpful advice. Being online means you need to have a little barrier, so you don’t take things personally and just use the group for your benefit. 

Also be sure to create friendships online but also offline as well. Having person to person contact will create more meaningful friendships. 

Volunteering

Volunteering and taking classes are excellent ways to meet people through shared interests rather than forced conversation. Activities such as animal rescue work, environmental projects, cooking classes, art workshops, or Spanish schools naturally bring people together and make it easier to form genuine connections.

Animal rescue causes are very popular with expats. Animals in Mexico are either treated very well or poorly. All across Mexico there are stray animals and a need to control the populations of pets. If your passion is animals, you will often have options to volunteer. 

Bars and Going Out

Socializing at bars and cultural events is also common, though it’s not all about nightlife. Trivia nights, live music, open mics, tastings, and community events often attract people who are open to conversation. Going early and engaging casually—especially when alone—often leads to spontaneous interactions.

Some restaurant/bars do cookouts of BBQ parties. These can be good events where the music is not too loud, and it is not too late in the day. Look for bars and businesses where expats tend to hangout. Some bars will be mostly tourists, and you can end up meeting a lot of people in transit, which is not idea for making local friends and acquaintances. 

Caution About Meeting New Friends in Mexico

It is important for us to mention four main points about meeting people in your new home. There are some cautionary things you should be aware of. Below are four areas where you might want to take some precautions. 

Expats might not be what you expect

When I was new to living in Mexico, I still imagined that everyone was going to be well traveled and very international feeling. The reality was very different. I often wondered how some of the foreigners figured out how to get out of their trailer parks and survive in another country. There is a big range of expats living in Mexico. Foreigners moving to Mexico have a wide range of interest and personalities. Just like at home, you are not friends with everyone living in the same area as you. Don’t expect to make a connection with all of the expats just because you have one big thing in common. 

Where you decide to live will expose you toward different types of expats. For example, foreigners in San Miguel de Allende tend to be older, wealthier and better traveled. Foreigners in Oaxaca tend to be more artsy and cultural. Expats in the Playa Del Carmen tend to be younger, beach lovers, and either middle class or upper class. 

Moving does not change who you are

One very important lesson to learn is people don’t change who they are by moving to a new location. Some people decide to move to a new place in order to reinvent themselves or escape something. It might be an addiction problem, string of bad relationships or other personal problems. Often though, the same problems appear in the new country. Meaning that people will display the same personality and keep many of the same habits which results in the same life as back home.  

The lessons are: if you think that moving to a new location will change you, it won’t. If you are timid and have problems meeting friends, it is not going to magically change. Also, some people you meet are still struggling with depression, addictions or other personal problems. Not all people you meet are going to make the best new friends list.

Not everyone is a good person

There is an assumption that foreigners moving to Mexico all go through the vetting process of immigration and will be good residents. You might think there will be a comradery between people from the same country as you. We have seen some horrible foreigners living in Mexico. There have been Canadians busted for being part of the drug trade, Americans who are big scammers and often target foreigners moving to Mexico and other foreigners who just behave badly in Mexico.

You should have some caution when meeting new people, even if they seem super friendly. Use your intuition and caution when meeting people. Especially if you are new and announce you are looking to buy property, rent an apartment, or looking for some services. Scammers often target newcomers to Mexico. 

Don’t get stuck with English speaking friends only

Many of the places that foreigners move to in Mexico have large groups of English speakers.  It is natural to gravitate towards people that speak the same language as you. It is however very easy to get “stuck” shall we say speaking English all the time. It is always going to be easier and faster to message or communicate with other English speakers over people that have limited English or speak Spanish.  However, you will need to progress over time on learning Spanish. In every location in Mexico where foreigners move to, there are always a few examples of expats that, after years in the country, still only converse with other English speakers and fumble their way through speaking Spanish. 

I have personally found that you learn enough Spanish to survive and the rest you have to push yourself to learn. Opening yourself up to meeting new people and conversing in another language will help you advance in your learning process. It will also add to your quality of life knowing more Spanish. 

Turning Meetings into Real Friendships

Meeting people in Mexico is relatively easy; turning those encounters into friendships requires intention. Consistency matters more than first impressions. Showing up to the same places, accepting invitations even when they seem informal, and following up with people builds familiarity and trust.

Curiosity is key. Asking questions and listening is an important skill to those just moving to Mexico.  Mexicans especially love to share their culture with those that show interest. Avoiding constant comparisons to your home country, doing so can seem like you are bragging about where you come from or complaining about the local culture. Cultural awareness also makes a difference—greetings are important, personal relationships are often prioritized over efficiency, and small gestures like remembering names or birthdays are deeply appreciated. See our article about cultural differences in Mexico for more details. 

Giving before expecting anything in return is another important element. Offering help, sharing information, or inviting someone for coffee creates reciprocity without pressure.

Final Thoughts

Making friends in Mexico isn’t about forcing connections or reinventing yourself. It’s about participation, presence, and patience. When you show up consistently, respect the culture, and remain open, friendships tend to form naturally. No matter where you go in the world, people are people. There are the jolly women cooking in the corner restaurant, the young person with dreams, or the couple that just had their first kid .Even though people move from all parts of the world to Mexico, and you will be encountering a new culture, there are always a lot of similarities to be celebrated and differences to be explored and understood. 

For many foreigners, what begins as a move to a new country eventually turns into something deeper: a genuine sense of belonging. Mexico doesn’t just offer opportunities to meet people; it offers the chance to build real community. And it can feel like home after a while. Mexico is often described as paradise, and in fact there are many beautiful parts of Mexico. But real paradise is when you get to know locals and make new friends. 

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Mr.Yucatan

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