Living in Mexico
Paying bills in Mexico without losing your weekend
Utilities, rent, and the cash-tier shortcuts that actually work.
Mexico runs on a mix of digital and cash. Electricity (CFE), water (city utilities), internet (Telmex/Izzi/Megacable), and gas (LP tank refills) all have their own quirks. The shortest path: pay through a Mexican bank app's bill-pay feature, the utility's online portal, or in cash at an Oxxo. Skip the bill in the mailbox; you're looking for the account number on it, then you pay through one of the channels below.
Electricity (CFE)
CFE is the national power company. Bills arrive every two months. You can pay through the CFE website, the CFE Contigo app, in person at a CFE office, at any Oxxo, or via Mexican bank apps using the “servicios” / “CFE” option. You'll need the 12-digit servicio number from the bill.
Don't pay late: a missed bi-monthly bill can trigger disconnection within days of the due date.
Water and gas
Water is municipal and varies by city — pay at city hall, the local water authority's office, or via your bank app. LP gas comes in tanks delivered by a truck (the one playing a familiar jingle); pay the driver in cash. Natural-gas service exists in some cities but is far less common than tank LP.
Internet and TV
Telmex, Izzi, Megacable, and Totalplay are the main providers. Each has an app and a web portal for online payment. Auto-pay from a Mexican bank account is simplest; foreign credit cards often work for one-off payments but auto-pay setup can be rejected.
Rent
Most landlords accept bank transfer (transferencia) — your Mexican bank app sends pesos directly to their account. Foreign Zelle/Venmo doesn't work. Some landlords will accept cash; fewer take cards.
Oxxo as the universal cash fallback
Oxxo is everywhere and accepts payment for almost everything — utility bills, online orders, even some government fees. Bring the bill or a printed reference and pay in cash. The receipt is your proof of payment; keep it for 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a US credit card to pay Mexican utilities?
Sometimes. Online portals often accept Visa/Mastercard. Recurring auto-pay setups are more often rejected for foreign cards. A Mexican bank account is the simplest long-term answer.
What's the simplest way to pay a one-off bill?
Take the paper bill to an Oxxo. Hand it over with cash, the cashier scans the barcode, you keep the receipt. Done in under five minutes.
Do I need a Mexican bank account?
Not for short stays. For anything past three or four months, a Mexican account makes rent, utilities, and savings dramatically easier. Most banks need your residente card to open one.
What if I miss a CFE bill?
Pay it as soon as you can — CFE can disconnect quickly after a missed due date and reconnection costs add up. If you'll be away, set up auto-pay or pay the next bi-monthly cycle in advance.
