Six Months in Mexico Expenses

[n8kraft]

I wanted to share our expenses from 6 months in Mexico to give others an idea of what they might spend. This post is mainly a paraphrase of our post on Aboard Astraea Cruising Expenses.

Over the course of 6 months, from November 19 to May 9 our cost to cruise was $11,974.30. How much anyone else wants to spend is up to their tastes. We spent most of our time anchored out except when we had visitors Aboard Astraea. When that happened we pulled into a marina to make it easier for them.

Our bank does online graphs that show how we spent our money. Here are the big expenses.

$4250 in atm withdrawals. We used cash to pay for almost everything.
$2700 for "Entertainment" That includes $100 on kindle books, $662 for Marinas and $1200 for boat maintenance stuff, $700 for dry boat storage
$230 for insurance
$1000 for general stuff from WalMart (includes some groceries)
$1020 on fuel for main engine diesel and dinghy outboards
$850 for bus and plane tickets home after the season for 3 people
$390 on the credit card for groceries. We used lots of cash for groceries each month. We estimate about $400 cash for groceries
$330 for electronics
$325 for cellphone service in the USA and text messaging on our DeLorme InReach satellite messenger ($50/month). We paid about $30 cash each month for cell phone data
$189 for online services
$175 for our car back home
$145 for restaurants in the USA and at resorts in Mexico. We paid lots in cash to eat out. Most dinners out were about $15 US. We kept it cheap by eating at taco shops
$125 for clothes
$75 for taxes

We could have paid less in Mexico by staying up in the sea of cortez and not eating out as much but it was a great first six months and we're looking forward to going back in October!

Anyone else spend more or less

[donradcliffe]

Thanks for sharing that. While you have a child on board, the $2k/month would also be typical for just a couple.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Great Post and info to help dispel the myth that you have to be wealthy to Cruise Mexico. Enjoy the Adventure!

[n8kraft]

Hey Rich! Thanks for the kudos. Love the rock solid Technautics fridge and freezer system we have installed on our boat.

[garrobito]

Thanks for fresh information! We're going down Mex soon...

[newhaul]

Thanks for the post of your expenses

[colemj]

Originally Posted by n8kraft

$2700 for "Entertainment" That includes ... $1200 for boat maintenance stuff

Man, you have a MUCH different definition of "entertainment" than I do.

Mark

[colemj]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Great Post and info to help dispel the myth that you have to be wealthy to Cruise Mexico.

Care to share your taco expense line item?

Mark

[newhaul]

About $500 a month on entertainment just one question what was your " entertainment"? Heck I do a whole month for everything on just a bit over your monthly entertainment bill.

[Celestialsailor]

Hi Nate. Met you guys the year before you took off in Chula (Hallberg Rassy 35 (Joli`Elle) ). Glad to see you made it out. Joli`Elle is up in the sea, while I finish shaking the money tree in Ca. till the end of the year. Hope to see you soon.
By myself onboard, I spent $1000@month with waaaaay toooo much time at the marina in La Paz while doing a little dental work. On the hook for 95% of the time from here on in. Should be able to boil it done to $600@month with no major break downs. I'm considering a new main for the pond crossing in 2017. Say goodbye to 3 grand.

[n8kraft]

Thanks for remembering us from Chula Wade on Joli Elle!

Entertainment: Staying a marina is definitely an entertainment expense, so easy to come and go. Actually that's just how it got lopped together with our online expense tracking and i didn't want to manually change all the expense categories.

Street tacos in Mexico: Most of our eating out was done in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Natalie, Sully and I could eat our fill of tacos and each have a soda/beer for 150 pesos, about $10 USD.

The exchange rate for Mexico has increased to almost 17 pesos to the USD so it's time to go cruising NOW! Your dollar goes farther than last year for local stuff in Mexico.

[Paul L]

What insurance are you including in the $230? Mexican liability, boat, health?

[northoceanbeach]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Great Post and info to help dispel the myth that you have to be wealthy to Cruise Mexico. Enjoy the Adventure!

There is that myth? I thought Mexico was known for being a cheap destination?

[n8kraft]

Originally Posted by Paul L

What insurance are you including in the $230? Mexican liability, boat, health?

That was only our liability insurance from Rowcliffe insurance. We only carry liability, not hull coverage.

[n8kraft]

Originally Posted by colemj

Care to share your taco expense line item?

Mark

Mark, lots of the taco shop expenses came out of our cash withdrawals.