Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta

I have friends visiting regularly, as to be expected they are always full of questions. What will it really take to live here. After a week of fun and sun in Vallarta's warm embrace you start dreaming about doing the snow bird thing. To young to retire, but thinking about tomorrow, dreaming about warm whether and margaritas. Now who can blame them.

"China how much is beer, what about eggs, what about utilities, etc. When we buy that dream condo, how much will our monthly living really cost."

That will depend on each individuals live style, the following should give you some idea.

If you are snowbirding, that means 4 to 6 months, you will keep your medical coverage from home, if you are not, and you will be living here full time your coverage will between 500 - 2,700 a year depending on the type of coverage you want. Medical service is great here for the record, and dental service is a gift. Cleaning is approx 100 -150 pesos, that's 10 to 15 dollars for a cleaning, does it get better than that. A crown is approx 120 US. Why get dental work done anywhere else.

A local dinner show, and we have some great local talent is about 25 dollars, that includes a drink, dinner and a great show. A movie is about 4 dollars. A burger with fries is about 6, so you do the math, 2 burgers plus to movie tickets, when was the last time you took a friend to the movies for that kind of money. Just got to love it.

A liter of soda is 1.20, eggs 1.50, milk .90 chicken 6.00, a real nice steak 3.50 bag of rice 1.80, bag of beans 1.80 veggies, very cheep, sliced ham approx 2.00 for one pound. Cereal is about 3.50 or 35 pesos, butter real butter approx 3.50 Dog food for a really big bag is 20.00 but thats a really big bag. I have a street dog that adopted me, Diego eats like a horse so I get the big bags, less trips to the store.

Booze, I don't drink but I know Kahlua is 8.00 or 9.00 under 10, a brandy about 7.00 rum 8.00 most is in the 10 dollar range and wine is anywhere from 2.50 up. Beer a case of 24 is about 11.00 not to bad.

Going out for a bite, well that depends of where and what. Lunch in a nice Mexican Comida Corrida place is 5.50 and really good homemade lunches. Places like the Outback or Chilies expect to pay 15 per person and with drinks on top.

There are some really great Mexican Rest for dinner and you can expect to pay the same as the Outback.

A day on the beach, sitting under a palapa, having lunch and a few sodas, about 10.00 each for the entire day. It does not get any better than that. By the way its one of my favorite ways to spend the day. Diego (the dog) and I spend the whole day playing and eating under the palapa.

Utilities are also a gift. Water bills are so low about 5.00 a month, cable 25.00 pay early and its like 18.00, telephones are a problem so many people have cells phones, a land line is about 25.00 a month, and cells depend on you plan. Long distant plans on cells are also a gift. For 10.00 I can call the US and Canada for next to nothing and that will allow me to make about 7 - 8 calls 20 minutes each. Got to love it. Gas for the stove and hot water is about 10 per month, less in the summer, just a little more in the winter. Electric depends on where you live and how much you use, in the summer it can be quite high, I have seen crazy bills but those are people who are running the air 24/7 so that's one I can't help you with.

Your maid is wonderful, they take care of your home, but more important, they take care of you and yours. Truly a blessing. I have had my maid for years and love her to pieces. Depending on your needs, anywhere from 150 pesos for 3 hours, she will come in 1 or 2 days a week or for 4,000 peso thats 400 she will attend your home everyday. A live-in maid will be about 5 to 600 a month. They will wash floors, clean the stove and fridge, make beds, do the wash, and ironing, do the shopping, cook, pay bills, care for your children, and walk the dog. Take care of you when you are sick, run to the drug store and make you soup, just try taking my maid from me. The fight is on.

You will need documentation to live here 24/7, its called an FM-3 they cost about 180 dollars and not a problem to obtain.So I hope this answers some of your questions on the actual cost of living here, if you have questions just post it and I will make sure I get the answer to you. Until then have a great day, hope to see you under the palapa soon.