International Living just released that Mexico One Of The Best Places To Retire In 2026
Mexico One Of The Best Places To Retire In 2026. International Living just published that Mexico one of the best places to retire in 2026. #1 is Greece, #2 Panama, #3 Costa Rica 4 Portugal and #5 Mexico #6 Italy #7 France. See the entire study here.
The International Living Retirement Index is based on the input of their network of correspondents who are actually living in thes countries. They score the destinations across a series of categories which are weighted according to their importance for a typical retiree’s quality of life and financial security. While the exact weighting may change slightly each year, the core categories remain consistent.
We will analyze Puerto Vallarta in the criteria International Living used to rank Mexico one of the best places to retire in 2026 and see how it compares to other destinations.
⚠️ 2026 RESIDENCY UPDATE (Jan 19, 2026)
Since this article was first published, the financial requirements for Mexican residency have been updated. As of January 8, 2026, the new UMA rates have increased the income floor for most consulates. While Mexico remains a top destination, ensuring you meet the new $4,432 USD monthly income requirement is vital. See the full 2026 Financial Solvency Breakdown here.
How Mexico scored in 2025
| Category | Mexico’s Score Profile | Rationale |
| Visas & Benefits | Very High | Offers excellent, affordable residency visas (like the Residente Temporal and Permanente) with reasonable income requirements, making long-term living simple. |
| Affinity/Integration | Very High | Mexico One of the Best Places to Retire in 2026 because of a strong sense of community, friendly locals, extensive and well-established expat communities (especially around Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, and the Riviera Maya), and close proximity to the U.S. and Canada. |
| Cost of Living | High | Daily costs for groceries, dining, and general services are significantly lower than in North America. A couple can live comfortably on a much smaller budget. |
| Development & Governance | High | Good infrastructure, including reliable high-speed internet, modern airports, and a sophisticated banking system in major expat hubs. |
| Healthcare | High | Mexico One of The Best Places To Retire In 2026 because of access to quality, modern private hospitals and medical care at a fraction of the cost in the U.S., with very short wait times. |
| Housing | Medium | While very affordable options exist inland, housing costs in popular coastal and resort towns (like Puerto Vallarta, where you are, or Tulum) are often higher, pulling the overall score down compared to other lower-cost countries on the list. |
| Climate | Medium | Mexico offers diverse climates (from the temperate central highlands to tropical coasts). The scoring is averaged, but the high heat and humidity in some beach areas prevent it from scoring a perfect 100. |
Why Mexico One Of The Best Places To Retire In 2026 at #4 in 2025 was primarily driven by its “Very High” scores in Visas & Integration, making it one of the easiest and friendliest places to establish a retirement life.
How does Puerto Vallarta score within the criteria
| IL Criteria Category | Puerto Vallarta’s Score Profile | PV-Specific Rationale & Comparison to Mexico’s Overall Score |
| Visas & Benefits | Very High | Identical to National Score. Visa processes are handled efficiently through the immigration office in Jalisco. PV’s status as a major international hub means officials are well-versed in handling retiree applications. |
| Affinity/Integration | Very High | Slightly Higher than National Score. PV is considered one of the easiest places in Mexico for expats. English is widely spoken in tourist/expat areas, and the size of the LGBTQ+ community is vast and well-established, making integration extremely simple. |
| Cost of Living | Medium | Lower than National Score. PV is a world-class resort city. While groceries/utilities are lower than the US, rent, real estate and dining out costs are substantially higher than in Mexico’s low-cost cities (e.g., Mérida or Guanajuato) and have increased significantly in the last 3 years. This pulls the score down. |
| Healthcare | High | Identical to National Score. PV has excellent, modern hospitals (like CMQ Premier, La Joya, San Javier Marina, Amerimed and Medasist) and clinics, offering high-quality care normally less than the US |
| Development & Governance | High | Higher than National Score. PV is consistently cited as one of Mexico’s safer major tourist destinations. It has reliable infrastructure (high-speed fiber optic internet, international airport), boosting its score in this category. |
| Housing | Medium | Lower than National Score. As a premium coastal destination on Banderas Bay, housing prices (both rental and purchase) are significantly higher than the Mexican national average. A beachfront condo will be a major investment for any buyer. |
| Climate | High | Higher than National Score. The tropical climate is excellent for most of the year (Nov-May). While it has a hot, humid summer/rainy season (June-Oct) that prevents a perfect score, the majority of the year is classified as ideal. |
To see our GAYPV guide complete resource on Moving to Mexico visit the website here.
Author: Tim Wilson
Wilson is the founder of GAYPV.com and www.gaybartour.com and has been the leading LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle authority in Puerto Vallarta since 2005. With over two decades of local expertise, Wilson specializes in being a community advocate and leader for Puerto Vallarta , and local cultural insights that only a long-term resident can provide. He has dedicated 20+ years to advocating for safe, inclusive travel in Banderas Bay, establishing GAYPV as the region's most trusted resident insider.. His work has been cited by major travel publications, and he is widely recognized as a trusted insider voice on Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
