Business
- VAT
- 16% (Standard rate nationwide)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'REFIPRE' rules apply to low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Predial (Annual, relatively low, approx. 0.1% to 0.3% of assessed value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Acquisition tax), usually 2% to 4% depending on municipality
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax break, but use of foreign income involves nuances in tax treaties
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $45,000 MXN per m² (Example: 40 m² = $1,800,000 MXN / ~$105k USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $32,000 MXN per m² (Example: 40 m² = $1,280,000 MXN / ~$75k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $42,000 MXN per m² (Example: 60 m² = $2,520,000 MXN / ~$147k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $30,000 MXN per m² (Example: 60 m² = $1,800,000 MXN / ~$105k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $38,000 MXN per m² (Example: 80 m² = $3,040,000 MXN / ~$178k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $28,000 MXN per m² (Example: 80 m² = $2,240,000 MXN / ~$130k USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard Federal ISR)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for individuals (residents)
- Tax System
- Resident-based taxation on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
Essentials
- Accommodation
- Mix of colonial houses in Centro, modern lofts in Juriquilla, and gated communities (Fraccionamientos)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in boutiques and restaurants; cash needed for 'mercados' and street food
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Casai, and local Facebook groups ('Rentas Querétaro')
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Blue Bicycle (Centro) starting at $20 USD/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico (UNESCO site) near Plaza de Armas
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Álamos (upscale/central), Juriquilla (modern/safe), or Colonia Carretas
- City
- Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
- Population
- Approximately 1,050,000 (Metropolitan: 1.6 million)
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber widely available (Totalplay, Izzi); average speeds 100-200 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 17.10 MXN, 1 EUR ≈ 18.50 MXN (March 2026 rates)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water or 'garrafones' (20L jugs)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage), AT&T Mexico, or Bait (eSIM available)
- Banking for Expats
- BBVA Mexico, Santander, and Banorte; digital banks like Nu Mexico and Revolut are popular
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Nevermind (Calle de la Amargura 5) - Day pass $250 MXN (~$15 USD)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cao Cao Café (Calle 5 de Mayo) or Moser Café-Kultur (Ave. Industrialización)
- Networking Events
- Querétaro Digital Nomads Meetup and 'Startup Querétaro' monthly mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- Querétaro Expats Facebook Group and InterNations Querétaro Chapter
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (widely available) and Didi
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Qrobici (Public bike sharing system) - Annual pass $365 MXN
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ixtapa Zihuatanejo (9-hour drive) or flight to Puerto Vallarta
- Top Regional Airline
- Volaris and VivaAerobus (Fly from QRO airport)
- Top International Airline
- United (to Houston), American (to Dallas), Delta (to Atlanta)
- Highway Access
- Highway 57 (NAFTA highway) connecting Mexico City to the US border
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Autobuses de Querétaro (TAQ) - Major bus hub
- Public Transport Passes
- Qrobús smart card (mandatory for city buses, $11 MXN per trip)
- Regional Travel
- Luxury buses (ETN, Primera Plus) to San Miguel de Allende (1 hour) or Mexico City (3 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Star Médica or Hospital Tec 100 (Centro Sur)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- O2 Yoga (Juriquilla) or Yoga Espacio (Centro Histórico)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Sports World (Antea Shopping Mall) or Smart Fit (Multiple locations, $500 MXN/mo)
- Laundry Services
- Tintorería Max or local 'Lavanderías' like Lavandería El Acueducto
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi and UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Enchiladas Queretanas (chili-dipped tortillas with potatoes and carrots)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Veggie Happy (Centro) or La Muy Muy (Vegan Tacos)
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Mariposa (famous for fruit preserves and 'mantecado' ice cream)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado de la Cruz (Fresh produce and cheap eats)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com.mx and Mercado Libre (Fast delivery)
- Grocery Delivery
- Walmart Pass or Cornershop (by Uber)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Andador 5 de Mayo (Centro) or Cantina Selva Taurina
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Hércules (Old textile mill converted to brewery/garden)
- Wine Bars
- La Vid (Centro) - Focus on local Querétaro (Bernal) region wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Gorditas del Portal (near Plaza de Armas)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Il Duomo (Italian) or Sato (Japanese/Sushi in Juriquilla)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Los Arcos (18th-century stone aqueduct with 74 arches)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Arte de Querétaro (MAQRO) in a stunning baroque cloister
- Historical Sites
- Teatro de la República (Place where the Mexican Constitution was signed)
- Religious Sites
- Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo (Baroque masterpiece)
- Annual Events
- Hay Festival Querétaro (Literature/Arts) in September
- Cultural Districts
- Centro Histórico and the Hércules neighborhood
- Theater Venues
- Cineteca Rosalío Solano or Jajajá Teatro
- Local Markets
- Mercado Escobedo (Traditional wares and food)
- Music Scene
- Funk (Live music club) or outdoor concerts at Plaza de Armas
- Street Art
- Murales in Barrio de Santiago and underpasses on Blvd. Bernardo Quintana
- Cooking Classes
- El Arte de la Cocina Mexicana (Traditional techniques)
- Art Galleries
- Galería Libertad (right on the main square)
- Historic Buildings
- Casa de la Corregidora (Government Palace)
- Local Heritage
- The legend of the 'Maximilian’s execution' at Cerro de las Campanas
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Peña de Bernal (world's 3rd largest monolith) - 1 hour away
- National Parks Nearby
- El Cimatario National Park (Hiking and volcanic views)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Blvd. Bernardo Quintana dedicated bike paths or Juriquilla lake loops
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de los Arcos (Sunset view of the aqueduct)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Presa de Santa Catarina (Northern outskirts)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping areas in Sierra Gorda (3 hours away) like Pinal de Amoles
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Estafeta, DHL Express, and FedEx
- Tech Repair Services
- Fix It (Antea Mall) for phones/laptops
- Table Tennis Spots
- Cervecería Hércules (game area)
- Language Classes
- Olé Language School or UNAM Campus Juriquilla courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Central de Querétaro (Calle Constituyentes)
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Manuel Gómez Morín
- Gaming Lounges
- Arena The Place to Play (Antea Mall)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Caliente (Boulevard Bernardo Quintana)