Essentials
- City
- Taxco de Alarcón, Guerrero, Mexico
- Population
- Approximately 105,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps on fiber (Telmex/Izzi); 4G/LTE is stable in the town center
- Currency & Banking
- Mexican Peso (MXN). 1 USD ≈ 17.00 MXN. Most ATMs are near Zócalo (BBVA, Banorte)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Purified 20L 'garrafones' cost approx. 45 MXN
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage in mountains) or AT&T; $200 MXN for 3GB/30 days
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut/Wise widely used; BBVA and Santander are best for foreign card withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels and colonial Airbnbs; prices range from $600 to $1,500 USD per month
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial. Hotels and upscale restaurants accept cards, but markets and 'combi' buses are cash only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local guesthouses like Posada de los Castillo
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Mi Casita ($15 - $25 USD/night) located near the Silver Market
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico (near Santa Prisca Church) for proximity to landmarks
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Guadalupe or Ojeda neighborhoods for better views and quieter residential settings
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Community Hub Taxco (Pop-up style/shared spaces in Hotel Agua Escondida) - Approx. $250 MXN/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Rosa Mexicano or Del Angel Inn (excellent Wi-Fi and power outlets overlooking the plaza)
- Networking Events
- Taxco Silver Fair (Feria de la Plata) networking mixers in late November
- Social Events for Expats
- Small expat groups meet at 'La Terraza' for Friday sunsets
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Didi. Use local white Taxis (standard 40-60 MXN within town)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not recommended due to steep cobblestone hills and narrow alleys
- Best Beach Nearby
- Acapulco (approx. 3.5 hours south via Highway 95D)
- Top Regional Airline
- Aeromar or Volaris flying into Cuernavaca or Mexico City
- Top International Airline
- Aeromexico, Delta, United via Mexico City (AICM)
- Highway Access
- Highway 95D (Autopista del Sol) connects to Mexico City and Acapulco
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Estrella de Oro Bus Terminal (Avenida de los Plateros)
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; 'Combis' (VW vans) cost 8-10 MXN per ride payable in cash
- Regional Travel
- Estrella Blanca or Costa Line buses to Cuernavaca (1.5 hrs, $140 MXN)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital General Adolfo Prieto (Public) or Clínica de Especialidades Taxco (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Hotel Monte Taxco Wellness Center offering mountain-view yoga sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gym Tasko (Plateros 120); Monthly membership approx. $450 MXN
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería El Sol (near center) - $15 MXN per kilo for wash/dry/fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats (limited); local WhatsApp-based delivery services are more common
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mole Rosa de Taxco (Pink Mole made with pine nuts and rose petals)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Punto 925 (Vegetarian-friendly international menu on the terrace)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Nieve de Garrafa (Hand-churned ice cream) stalls in Zócalo - Try the lime flavor
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central (Central Market) for fresh local produce and silver
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com.mx and Mercado Libre (deliveries to local DHL points)
- Grocery Delivery
- Bodega Aurrera online delivery or local 'mandaditos' (errand runners)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Plazuela de San Juan - lively bars like Bar Berta (famed for the 'Berta' cocktail)
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Taxco (Craft beer selections available at Pozolería Tia Calla)
- Wine Bars
- La Ingrata (Upscale bar with a selection of Mexican wines from Parras)
- Street Food Stalls
- Tacos El Chule (Evening tacos near Santa Prisca) - Tacos from $15 MXN
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Dolce Vita (Italian/Pizza) - Approx. $300 MXN per person
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Santa Prisca de Taxco (Churrigueresque masterpiece pink stone church)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Viceregal (Casa Humboldt); Admission approx. $50 MXN
- Historical Sites
- Casa Borda and the Pre-Hispanic Mine (located under Hotel Misión)
- Religious Sites
- Ex-Convento de San Bernardino de Sena
- Annual Events
- Semana Santa (Holy Week) - Famous for dramatic processions and 'encruzados'
- Cultural Districts
- Barrio de Guadalupe (Arts and crafts workshops)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Juan Ruiz de Alarcón
- Local Markets
- Tianguis Sabatino de Plata (Saturday Silver Market) along Av. de los Plateros
- Music Scene
- Estudiantinas (roving musical groups) performing in the alleys on weekends
- Street Art
- Callejón de la Muerte mural and decorative tiles in historic alleys
- Cooking Classes
- Cocina de Taxco (Private classes in colonial homes upon request)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria de Arte de la Ciudad inside Casa Borda
- Historic Buildings
- Casa de las Lágrimas (Casa Figueroa)
- Local Heritage
- Silver craftsmanship heritage; Taxco is the 'Silver Capital of the World'
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Pozas Azules de Atzala (Turquoise natural pools) - 45 mins away via combi
- National Parks Nearby
- Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park (One of the largest cave systems in the world)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Hiking path to 'El Cristo Panorámico' viewpoint
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Teleférico de Taxco (Cable car) to Hotel Monte Taxco for aerial city views
- Birdwatching Locations
- San Juan Tenería forest trails nearby
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping grounds near the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa area
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Estafeta and DHL (located on Avenida de los Plateros)
- Tech Repair Services
- Sistemas de Taxco (Computer and mobile repairs near San Juan)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Youth centers near the local sports unidad (Unidad Deportiva Taxco)
- Language Classes
- UNAM Taxco (CEPE) offers high-quality Spanish immersion courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public Library inside Casa Borda (quiet historical setting)
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Taxco (Ex-Convento)
- Gaming Lounges
- Local 'Cibers' in the town center provide gaming PC rentals
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None in Taxco; nearest major casinos are in Cuernavaca
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $22,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $880,000 MXN / $52k USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $16,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $640,000 MXN / $38k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $20,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $1,200,000 MXN / $70k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $14,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $840,000 MXN / $49k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $18,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,440,000 MXN / $85k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $12,500 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,000,000 MXN / $59k USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard Mexican Federal Rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for individuals (residents/non-residents)
- Tax System
- Residency-based; Residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% for individuals
- VAT
- 16% Standard Rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Mexico has specific REFIPRE rules for low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Predial (Annual); typically very low in Guerrero state, calculated on cadastral value
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Acquisition Tax) ranges from 2% to 5% depending on local municipality
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- RESICO (Simplified Trust Regime) offers 1% - 2.5% income tax for qualifying remote workers