Must Have Apps Living in Mexico

When you move to Mexico, you’ll be introduced to a new way of doing things. And with that territory even comes learning about new apps in Mexico that will make your life easier. Most of these apps operate on both iOS and Android, but I include the link to the app store to make things easier.

*This page is best experienced with your cell phone since it has links to the app itself.

Google Translate

Google translate has the greatest advantage in that not only does it help you translate actual live text from Spanish to English. Meaning you can hover the app over a label in Spanish and as long as the text is legible it will translate to English! It also works inside many apps, so you can translate inside of WhatsApp and Youtube. You can also type a phrase in English and the app will translate it into Spanish. Making it super convenient for you when you are starting to learn Spanish and need it right then and there! Available on iOS and Android.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the most common messaging app in Mexico. Most people tend to use WhatsApp because cell phone carriers typically didn’t include unlimited texting in Mexico. WhatsApp uses your data plan, so you will need to either get a SIM card to avoid data roaming charges or have a plan in Mexico that has unlimited data.

We recommend buying a SIM card when you arrive in Mexico as the most affordable way to have data. Unless you have unlimited data in Mexico.

WhatsApp is FREE to use and very easy to navigate. WhatsApp is available in both iOS and Android.

Learn How to Move to Mexico and Have a Better Life for Less! Check out our Complete Mexico Relocation Guide.

WAZE

Waze is one of the best apps in Mexico to get around or get directions to a place. I have used Google Maps and Waze, and various other map apps in Mexico to get around. I keep coming back to Waze because it tends to always be the most up-to-date app with the best routes and actual-time estimates are correct. Plus, it gives you great alternatives when roads are closed. Waze is available in both iOS and Android

Maps.me

You can travel the world with maps.me

If you don’t have the best cell coverage in Mexico and you want to have access to a map, maps.me lets you download most maps. It’s a great backup in case your GPS doesn’t pick up a cell signal.

available in both iOS and Android

ATM Fee Saver

ATM Fee Saver helps you do just what the name implies—save on ATM Fees when withdrawing cash from an ATM you don’t bank with. Mexico is still very much a cash society, and many people pay for things like rent or services with cash. Now, if you need to do that multiple times a month, your ATM fees can quickly add up.

For this reason, the creators of ATM Fee Saver created a handy app that gives you the ATM fees around you based on your geolocation. That way, you can choose the ATM with the lowest fees. And remember to ALWAYS decline the conversion whenever you withdraw cash from an ATM in Mexico.

You can find this app on iOS or Android.

XE.com

XE.com is a trusted site with the most up-to-date conversion rates. Another feature I really like about this company is that you can sign up to receive daily notifications for the exchange rate of your home currency to Mexican pesos. This gives you the advantage of knowing when the best time to withdraw money is to get the most for your conversion.

Available on iOS and Android.

WISE

Wise.com not only lets you check today’s exchange rates from a foreign currency to Mexican pesos, but I have found it to be the most inexpensive way of getting money from my U.S. bank account into my Mexican bank account. I use it a lot! Plus, they have a great app that has an easy-to-use interface. Available on iOS and Android

Remitly

With Remitly you can also send money worldwide. The difference with Remitly is that the recipient in Mexico can opt to pick up their cash at a participating partner. Such as Oxxo, banks, and Coppel stores. Available in iOS and Android.

DuoLingo

Duo Lingo is a great app in Mexico that teaches you conversational Spanish from your phone or tablet. It even has feedback on your pronunciation which can make it less intimidating to practice your Spanish skills. Duolingo teaches you a few words each day and puts them into a sentence with images to help you fully comprehend what you are learning. It’s available on both iOS and Android.

Get our Free Email Series About Living and Retiring in Mexico! Learn more.

Rappi

Rappi is one of many full-service apps in Mexico that connects you to different retailers in your local area where you can order everything from booze, dinner, groceries to medications, flowers, and so much more! In most cities in Mexico, Rappi has a fee-based model that charges you a small fee depending on the service you have hired. Input your address, and Rappi will tell you what is available nearby for delivery. Available on both iOS and Android

Uber

Uber the most popular ride sharing app is available in almost every city in Mexico with some caveats. A lot of cities in Mexico have put in regulations that don’t allow Uber to pick you up at airports or bus stations in an effort to support taxi drivers. To use it, you connect a credit card to your profile and when you ask for a ride Uber will connect you to drivers nearby. You can see the fee Uber charges before accepting a ride, and don’t worry you don’t need to carry cash. Uber is available on iOS and Android

Didi

Didi is a strong competitor to Uber in Mexico. Also a ride-sharing app in Mexico that connects you to drivers nearby, Didi is available throughout Mexico. Didi is available on iOS and Android

La Comer

La Comer is a chain of grocery stores throughout Mexico. Their app allows you to buy groceries online, get them delivered, and even saves your previous orders. Although their app is only in Spanish, it is extremely convenient to order groceries and keep track of previous purchases in a single app. Particularly during Covid, as La Comer offers home delivery in almost every state. Available on both iOS and Android

Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio is a fantastic app that takes a lot of the guesswork out of finding transportation options. Think of it like Expedia, but just to get around.

You input a starting city in Mexico and an end city, and boom. Rome2Rio will give you various transportation options and, in most cases, even give you a breakdown of their cost with direct links to book. This app is available on both iOS and Android.

Units Plus Pro

Ever go to the tortilleria or carniceria and need to quickly determine what is 1/2 lb of tortillas or ham? That’s why I recommend the Units Plus app for iPhone or Android.

Even if you’re driving and need to know how fast 80km/h is in miles. This app will help you! As long as you have an internet connection, you can quickly convert any unit of measurement on your phone.

Convert values between commonly used units in an easy and efficient way.

What do you think? Were you familiar with these apps already? What about other apps that you think should be on this list? Comment and let me know!