How to Retire and Live in Ixtapa, Guerrero on a Budget

5/3/2023

Going to Ixtapa Island

Retiring in Ixtapa, Guerrero on a budget is possible if you're willing to be flexible about how you spend your hard-earned dollars. Ixtapa has become an increasingly popular retirement destination over the past few years, and it can definitely be a great place to retire.

It's located on the Pacific coast of Mexico and offers beautiful beaches, tropical weather year-round and inexpensive food to satisfy any picky eater. The town itself has plenty of restaurants, shopping malls and other amenities for retirees who plan their budgets carefully.

Do simple things like walk, take the bus and cook your own meals, just like you would in a cheaper city.

It's a good idea to be prepared to do simple things like walk, take the bus and cook your own meals, just like you would in a much cheaper city. You can take walks along the beach or through town with friends and family. The ocean view is beautiful!

Go for bike rides around town (bikes can be rented at many places, but buying a used bike is a cheap and easy way to get transportation anywhere without having to pay for gas!). It's easy on flat streets with minimal traffic congestion because there aren't many cars in Ixtapa compared with bigger tourist cities like Cancun or Acapulco.

Rent a smaller house or condo, a few blocks away from the beach can save big bucks!

Rental real estate is a great option for people who are on a budget and want to stay in Ixtapa for an extended period of time. Renting is cheaper than buying, especially if you're not sure about staying in a certain area long-term. There are also advantages to renting over buying because it allows you more flexibility with your living situation. Renting will allow for easy moves without having any long-term financial obligations attached (like paying off a mortgage).

In addition to being affordable, many rental properties in Ixtapa are vacation condos that offer many amenities including pools and gyms which make them great options for retirees that some of the amenities of a resort but without the high price tags. A great way to find them is to check on Facebook, Airbnb, or even local real estate agents. You can also come to Ixtapa, stay at an Airbnb for a few days, then walk around downtown and look for "Se Renta" signs, there are many of them plainly visible on the street.

You can rent an apartment in Ixtapa that’s furnished or unfurnished. Furnished rentals are relatively easy to find and usually the first choice for snowbirds and retirees that haven't made up their minds yet on the location that they would like to live in.

Eat in local restaurants, instead of paying tourist prices.

If you want to save money, the best thing you can do is cook your own meals, or eat at local "family style" restaurants. There are a few ways you can do this:

Avoid tourist traps. If there's an expensive restaurant that seems out of place in Ixtapa, then it probably is a tourist trap. You don't want to spend money on food that costs more than what locals pay (and trust us when we say that most people who live in Mexico don't have much cash).
Eat at the downtown market or street vendors instead of restaurants for lunch or dinner if possible - this will cost much less than eating out at night! You'll find a great selection of local fruit, vegetables and meat at the downtown market. You should also be able to find fresh seafood on the coast if you're interested in trying something new.
Visit small, family-owned bakeries for breakfast instead of going out for breakfast every day - bakeries are cheap and delicious! You can get a coffee and a pastry for less than a dollar or two at most of them.

Retiring on a budget in Ixtapa is 100% possible if you're willing to be flexible!

Retiring on a budget in Ixtapa is possible if you're willing to be flexible. Consider making some small sacrifices in order to have more flexibility with your money, especially when you first decide to move.

Do you REALLY need a beachfront condo?
Do you REALLY need a private pool?
Do you REALLY need to eat out every night?

If you can do without some of these luxuries, you might find living in Ixtapa more affordable than living in most places in the U.S.! If you're willing to be flexible about how you spend your retirement money, Ixtapa is a great place to retire. You'll save money on rent and food if you choose to live in a small house away from the beach, or even an older condo, as well as budgeting wisely for food. And don't forget that there are plenty of free things to do in Ixtapa! The beautiful beachfront sunsets are 100% free!