Your short guide to expat boaters in Mexico

While there is much to read about expats who live in Mexico, it’s far less common to stumble upon an article that talks about the country’s expat subcultures. One subculture, in particular, is rarely discussed, as Mexico News Daily recently brought to light, and that is expat boaters in Mexico. As the name suggests, life in Mexico for these expats is centered around their boats. This Pacific Prime Latin America article explores the expat “boat people” in Mexico for those who are curious.

The lowdown on Mexico’s expat boaters

It’s easy to see why boaters are attracted to the country’s coastlines. After all, most of these boat folk come from either the US or Canada. They may spend some or all of their time on Mexico’s waters and follow the same tax and immigration procedures as those who live on land. One thing that stands out with the expat boaters that are drawn to Mexico is their diversity. They can be twenty-something on their first tiny vessel or a wealthy retiree who practically lives in a mansion that floats.

Where is expat boating culture in Mexico the strongest?

Regardless of what type of boat they have, the majority of boaters tend to gravitate towards the same areas of Mexico. Some of the best areas for boating in Mexico, especially if you’re after expat boating culture, are on the northwest coast. This region stretches from Puerto Vallarta in a northward direction and includes Baja. It’s especially popular because of its close proximity to the US and Canada’s west coasts.

What’s more, it also features stunning land and seascapes. This includes the Gulf of California (or the Sea of Cortez), which was famously coined “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau. Diving and snorkeling sites are accessible by boat, boasting impressive rock formations, shipwrecks, and marine life. Here you can see everything from whale sharks and sea lions to oceanic giant mantas and whales.

Popular marinas in Mexico

If being part of Mexico’s boating community sounds exciting, the marinas you should know about include:

Ensenada, Baja California
Los Cabos and La Paz, Baja California Sur
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Mazatlán, Sinaloa

More facilities are starting to pop up in the upper Gulf area as well. Sailing and yacht clubs where you’ll find logistical support and like-minded individuals are generally in the northwest region. The Acapulco Yacht Club and Club Cruceros in La Paz are particularly noteworthy. It’s important to exercise caution if you’re checking out an organization that uses the word “club,” as this is often a guise for boat rental operations.

Boaters are also drawn to the southern Pacific coast, with facilities in:

Acapulco
Barra de Navidad, Jalisco
Huatulco, Oaxaca
Manzanillo, Colima
Puerto Chiapas, Tapachula
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Guerrero

More often than not, the aforementioned locations are mere side trips for boaters who spend most of their time in the north. Likewise, some boaters stop in one or more of these spots as they make their way down further south. Mexico’s east coast, on the other hand, is off the radar for recreational boaters as it has very few marinas.

What draws expat boaters to certain areas over others?

Most US and Canadian East Coast boaters are drawn to places like the Florida Keys, the Chesapeake Bay, and of course, the beautiful Caribbean islands. Mexican boat culture for expats centers around weather and seasons. Hurricane season takes place from June to November on both of the country’s coasts.

Consequently, boaters who choose to stay on their boats during this time have to stay in or close to large protected marinas. Similarly, they can stick close to natural areas that provide storm protection, known as “hurricane holes”. Boats on open water must keep a watchful eye on weather reports, particularly if they’re on the smaller side.

The best time for boating in Mexico

Once hurricane season passes, boaters are left to enjoy storm-free conditions for the remaining half of the year. Boaters make the most of what the area has to offer during this time, be it relaxing cruises along the coast or parking their boat and exploring inland attractions such as the:

Monarch butterfly sanctuaries
Copper Canyon
Chiapas coffee plantations

February and March

Boating season in Mexico reaches its peak in February and March. Most boaters stay in a place they want to call home for a while and where weather conditions are ideal for regattas and other organized events. Some of the largest boating events in February include the Sailfest in Zihuatanejo and the San Diego Yacht Club’s Puerto Vallarta Race (which starts in Ensenada).

In March, the Banderas Bay and MEXORC regattas are worth checking out in Puerto Vallarta. Both events attract participants and spectators by the thousands and frequently raise money for charities in Mexico.

October and November

Many expat boaters start their boating season in the months of October and November. During this time, rally vessels or flotillas journey together from the coast of California towards the south of Baja and beyond. Traveling in groups adds to the fun and tends to make it easier as well since there aren’t many places to rest between Ensenada and Los Cabos. The Cruise Underway to Baja Rally (CUBAR) and Baja Ha-Ha are two annual rallies worth noting, traveling from San Diego to La Paz and San Diego to Cabos San Lucas, respectively.

The future of Mexican boat culture for expats

Recreational boating along Mexico’s coasts has been popular for quite some time but draws more people in every year. The Association of Mexican Marinas is largely to thank for the influx as they lobbied the local government to make it easier for foreign boaters. There were many rules in the past that made it difficult for expat boaters, including extensive procedures to enter and leave Mexico’s waters, as well as dock in ports.

Get in touch with Pacific Prime Latin America

If the idea of becoming one of Mexico’s expat boat people sounds enticing, this might be your calling. Just make sure that you have the right health insurance plan to cover you when you’re in the area. Without comprehensive health insurance, you could face exorbitant hospital fees and have to pay for them out of pocket – no matter where you are in the world.

But with insurance jargon and so many options on the market, many expats struggle when it comes to choosing their own health insurance plan. That’s why it helps to work with a reputable insurance broker like Pacific Prime Latin America.

As a leading insurance broker with over two decades of industry experience, we know how to find the best expat health insurance in Mexico, family health insurance in Mexico, or any type of insurance plan in Mexico or whenever you may need it.

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime Latin America

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

Your short guide to expat boaters in Mexico

The lowdown on Mexico’s expat boaters