¡Hola amigos! It’s been a rough week for Mexico, with rains and flooding from coast to coast, and it’s been hard to watch people’s lives destroyed. Our hearts go out to those affected.

Weather aside, there’s plenty unfolding across the country this week. Inflation is up, CIBanco clients are finally getting their money back as IPAB begins reimbursements, Mexico’s congress delays debate on new tariffs for Chinese imports, and Delta and Aeroméxico are lawyering up to save their cross-border alliance.

Plus, we’re breaking down your rights at immigration checkpoints, our top Día de Muertos celebrations, and the truth about ahorita — Mexico’s most flexible unit of time.

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❓México Trivia

What Pueblo Magico hosts the spectacular Festival de la Luz y la Vida and is also known for its year-round Christmas spirit?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 Qué Pasó

🏦 Mexico’s bank savings agency IPAB has begun reimbursing CIBanco clients after its banking license was revoked. Customers can claim insured deposits up to 400,000 UDIs (≈ MX$3.4 million) through IPAB’s online portal.

💼 Moody’s confirmed that the CIBanco liquidation poses no risk to Mexico’s financial system or to Mexico’s Institute for the Protection of Bank Savings' (IPAB) reserves. The ratings agency said the deposit insurance fund remains solid, supported by strong capitalization and a robust legal framework.

📈 Mexico’s annual inflation rose to 3.76% in September, its second consecutive monthly increase but still within Banxico’s target range. 

🌧️ Torrential rains have devastated central and eastern Mexico, killing at least 64 people and leaving 65 missing across five states, including Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla. Authorities estimate more than 100,000 homes were damaged, and 200 communities remain cut off by floodwaters.

🌊 Heavy rains caused the Jalpan dam in Querétaro’s Sierra Gorda to overflow, washing away a suspension bridge, flooding nearby communities, and forcing the evacuation of families in high-risk areas. See the dramatic videos from the overflow.

🌧️ President Sheinbaum convened an emergency meeting with governors from Puebla, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí, urging them to take stronger action and coordinate directly with federal authorities in response to the devastating rains. Sheinbaum’s call came after facing angry crowds in flood-hit towns who said their local governments had failed to act.

🇨🇳 Mexico’s Congress has postponed debate on proposed tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese imports until next month. The plan, proposed by the Economy Ministry to protect local manufacturers, drew pushback from lawmakers who warned it could strain trade ties with China and other Asian nations.

✈️ Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico have sued the U.S. government to keep their joint venture, challenging a Department of Transportation order that requires them to end the partnership by January 2026.

⛽ Mexico’s National Customs Agency is developing a new app to detect fuel tax evasion. The app will track fuel shipments nationwide—from import to gas station distribution—to curb huachicol fiscal, or fuel smuggling.

🎀 Mattel’s 2025 Barbie Día de Muertos doll is now available for purchase, featuring a cempasúchil-inspired gown, golden heart earrings, and delicate catrina makeup. The collectible is available at El Palacio de Hierro and on Amazon. 

🚇 Mexico City's Mayor confirms the city will complete the Metro Line 1 renovation by mid-November, adding 20 new trains, a modernized Observatorio station, and upgrades to safety and accessibility systems for 850,000 daily riders.  

🦂 Archaeologists have uncovered a 200-foot scorpion-shaped mound in Puebla’s Tehuacán Valley, believed to have served as a solstice observatory between CE 600 and 1100.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Health Insurance Gaps: Making Sure You’re Fully Covered

Whether you already have international health insurance in Mexico or you’re looking to get coverage, it's crucial to understand your health insurance coverage to avoid any surprises.

Too many people don't read their policy documents thoroughly, which can lead to unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

Click here for the most common health insurance gaps in international health insurance plans – and how to bridge those gaps.

Author Chuck Burton takes you on a journey through 62 of Mexico’s most enchanting magic towns, sharing their legends, history, and hidden gems in his new book Pueblos Mágicos: A Traveler’s Guide to Mexico’s Hidden Treasures. It’s perfect for road-trippers, culture hunters, and anyone who loves Mexico.

Get your copy here.

📍Immigration Essentials

Know Your Rights at an Immigration Checkpoint in Mexico

Immigration checkpoints raise frequent questions from foreign residents about who can stop you, what documents to show, and when a checkpoint is legal.

Here’s what Mexico’s Ley de Migración (Migration Law) says…

Who Can Legally Stop or Question You?

According to the law, only immigration authorities (Instituto Nacional de Migración / INM) can directly request or retain a foreigner’s immigration documents. Police, the Guardia Nacional, or any other authority may participate only when formally assisting the INM, and not on their own.

This authority is defined across three key articles:

• Article 16 – Obligations of Migrants: Foreigners with regular immigration status must “safeguard and protect the documents that prove their identity and situation” and “show them when requested by immigration authorities.”
  

• Article 17 – Retaining Documentation: “Only immigration authorities may retain the documentation proving a migrant’s identity or immigration status when there are elements to presume it is falsified.”
  

• Article 96 – Cooperation of Other Authorities: Other agencies may cooperate with the INM “when requested,” but this does not authorize them to independently perform immigration checks or detain migrants.

In practice, only INM agents may ask to see or hold your immigration documents. Police or military personnel may not legally conduct immigration inspections unless acting under INM’s supervision.

What Makes a Checkpoint Lawful?

Under Mexican law, immigration checkpoints are legal only when formally authorized and led by INM officials under a written order. Random or roving stops without proper documentation are not valid.

Two key articles define these limits:

• Article 92 – Verification Visits: The INM may conduct verification visits only for specific, legally justified purposes, such as confirming information or verifying an expired visa, and each must be supported by written justification. These are administrative reviews, not random inspections.
  

• Article 97 – Immigration Reviews: The INM may carry out immigration inspections within the country, but every operation must be backed by a formal written order (orden fundada y motivada) specifying who is in charge, the assigned personnel, the geographic area, and the duration of the inspection.

Mexico’s Supreme Court has ruled that suspicionless or arbitrary immigration checks violate constitutional rights. Legitimate checkpoints are authorized, documented, and led by INM officials.

What to Do If You Are Stopped

• Politely confirm that the officer belongs to the INM (ask to see official identification).

• Present your valid residency card or passport if requested by INM personnel.

• You are not required to show documents to police or military unless they are assisting INM under a formal written order.

If you cannot immediately show your documents, INM may verify your immigration status through administrative procedures, not criminal ones. Under Article 68, you can be held for verification for no more than 36 hours while your situation is checked and documented.

Stay tuned…next week we’ll cover what happens if you don’t have your documents with you and what the law actually says about showing copies or photos.

🇲🇽 Viva México

The Ancient Guardians of Mexico

If you’ve seen Pixar’s beloved movie “Coco,” you probably remember Dante, the goofy, loyal pup who follows young Miguel into the Land of the Dead. 

Dante isn’t just any canine companion; he’s a Xoloitzcuintli, one of the oldest and most mystical breeds in the world.

Pronounced show-low-eets-kweent-lee, the Xolo’s history stretches back more than 3,500 years. Its name derives from Xólotl, the Aztec god of lightning and the underworld, and itzcuintli, the Nahuatl word for dog, literally, Xólotl’s dog.

Xolos were more than pets; they were also guardians believed to ward off evil spirits in life and, after death, safely guide souls on the dangerous journey to Mictlán, the underworld. 

But this sacred assistance came with a condition: only those who had been kind to dogs in life would receive a Xolo's help in death.

This spiritual connection explains why they remain deeply woven into Día de Muertos symbolism today. Many people place Xolo figurines or images on their ofrendas to honor deceased pets or invoke protection for departed loved ones. 

Revered for centuries, Xolos were suddenly condemned as superstitious under Spanish rule. Colonizers branded them as pagan symbols and killed the dogs in large numbers. They also introduced European replacements. 

By the early 20th century, the breed was nearly extinct. 

After the Mexican Revolution, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera helped spark a revival, embracing Xolos as symbols of indigenous heritage. The couple kept several as beloved companions and often featured them in their artwork. (See some of Frida’s self portraits with Xolos.)

Their efforts – and those of Mexican breeders who followed – helped bring the Xolo back from the brink, leading to its official recognition in 1956.

These dogs are prized for their calm, loyal temperament. They come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. Most are hairless, though about half are actually born with coats. The ratio of coated-to-hairless Xolos is roughly 50/50 (even though it’s often said that only a quarter are coated), which explains why you might see a Xolo with a funky mohawk or furry slippers.  

Their warm skin can reach 102°F and was believed to have healing powers, especially for aches and arthritis. Some say they still have a healing instinct, often curling up next to sore spots. 

Their combination of striking features and spiritual symbolism has made them truly unique in Mexico’s history. Today, they are a celebrated national treasure and a symbol of Mexican pride and identity. 

🪷 Viva Wellness

The Healing Power of Copal

For thousands of years, copal has been at the heart of sacred rituals and healing in Mexico. In Nahuatl, it’s called copalli, which means incense or resin. However, you may also hear it referred to as the sacred blood of the tree.

Seen as food for the gods, the earthly offering of resin was transformed into divine sustenance as it turned to smoke. It also became a pathway between the human and spirit worlds.

During Día de Muertos, the sweet, piney smoke rises from ofrendas (altars) and gravesides across Mexico, continuing its ancient role in connecting the living with the departed. Copal is burned to purify the air and spirit, ensuring ancestral spirits can find their way back to their loved ones.

In pre-Hispanic times, the incense was used in temazcales and purification ceremonies to cleanse both body and mind. Healers still use copal today in limpias – cleansing rituals meant to release grief, fear, or fatigue and restore harmony and balance.

Beyond its spiritual power, copal’s resin has long been used as a natural healer. Traditional practitioners across Mexico apply it to wounds, rashes, burns, insect bites, and joint pain, blending the resin with oils or wax to make soothing balms for eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections, arthritis, and muscle aches. It is said to seal and protect the skin, keeping wounds clean while encouraging them to heal faster.

Modern research supports much of this ancestral wisdom. Studies on Bursera (the Mexican copal tree) and Dacryodes peruviana (a related species from South America) have identified compounds such as α-pinene and limonene, along with natural triterpenes, that show anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic effects. These bioactive molecules help calm inflammation, fight bacteria and fungi, and promote skin regeneration – echoing what Indigenous healers have practiced for centuries.

The skincare industry has recognized copal's potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, incorporating it into healing balms and creams formulated to ease dryness, itching, and inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.  

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

Can’t-Miss Día de Muertos Celebrations 

This week’s ¡Vamos! looks a little different because Día de Muertos deserves its own spotlight (and there’s just too much magic to cram into this newsletter).

From reverent to rowdy, we’ve rounded up Mexico’s most unforgettable Día de Muertos celebrations.

See our guide to the best events across Mexico. 

💡 Say It in Spanish

“Ahorita vengo” 

Translation: “I’ll be right back.” 

But don’t be fooled…in Mexico, ahorita bends time. Sometimes it means two minutes. Sometimes it means two hours. And sometimes…well, let’s just say don’t hold your breath.

Use it when you’re ducking out of the tienda for a quick errand or when you don’t really know when you’ll return. Either way, everyone here understands: ahorita runs on Mexican time.

Need Health Insurance in Mexico?

Get connected with a vetted broker who knows the system. Whether the priority is private coverage, long-term insurance, medical evacuation, catastrophic care, or travel insurance – there’s a trusted professional ready to guide the search.

Find your broker

🎯 Trivia Answer

Chignahuapan, Puebla.

Each November, this mountain Pueblo Mágico glows with more than a thousand torches during the Festival de la Luz y la Vida. It’s a breathtaking procession of light that honors the journey between life and death. Locals carry candles from the town’s church to Lake Chignahuapan, where the night ends in music, dance, and reflections over the water.

But Chignahuapan’s magic doesn’t fade when the torches go out. It’s also known as “the town of eternal Christmas” – Mexico’s largest producer of hand-blown glass ornaments. More than 200 family workshops create millions of colorful spheres every year, filling the streets with sparkle and keeping the Christmas spirit alive long after December.

If you’re itching to see more of Mexico and explore other magic towns like Chignahuapan, you’ll love Pueblos Mágicos: A Traveler’s Guide to Mexico’s Hidden Treasures.

Get your copy here.

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