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Traditional Mexican market
Cultural orientation course

Orientation Workshop for Expats and Foreigners in Mexico

A practical course for foreigners moving to Mexico: history, customs, food, basic laws, safety, scams, paperwork and survival Spanish. In person or online.

The 8 modules

  1. Essential history: from Mesoamerica to modern Mexico, to understand how the country thinks and lives.
  2. Customs and etiquette: greetings, punctuality, the famous "ahorita", tipping, invitations and how to say "no" the Mexican way.
  3. Food without fear: meal times, spice, safe street food, water and markets.
  4. Basic laws: immigration status, documents worth carrying, traffic rules, alcohol and dealing with authorities.
  5. Safety tips: neighborhoods, times of day, reliable transport, phone use and emergency numbers.
  6. Common scams: taxis, ATMs, currency exchange, fake rentals, loan apps and phone extortion. Get a preview in our guide to common scams in Mexico.
  7. Money and paperwork: cash vs. card, banks, RFC, CURP, renting a home, healthcare and insurance.
  8. Survival Spanish: key phrases, Mexican slang and how to catch an albur (double entendre).

Formats

  • Express (3 hours): all 8 modules in an essentials version, with a digital pocket guide. Available on open dates or privately.
  • Full immersion (3 sessions): in-depth modules with real cases, a guided visit to a market and public transport, a closing meal with a cooking workshop and a 30-day follow-up group.
  • Corporate and school (tailor-made): an onboarding program for relocated staff and their families, in person or online, with invoicing and attendance reports.

For companies and universities

A good landing reduces stress, speeds up productivity and lowers the risk of an international assignment failing. We design the program with your HR or global mobility team and include content for spouses and children.

Frequently asked questions

What language is it taught in?

English or Spanish, depending on the group. We can also arrange interpreters for other languages (extra cost).

No. The workshop gives practical guidance and tells you what to ask and whom; for specific immigration procedures we recommend a certified lawyer or agent.

Can I take it online?

Yes. The Express format and the corporate program can be delivered online, although guided visits are in person only.

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