¡Hola amigos! This week, Mexico’s economy took a dip for the first time since 2021, Sheinbaum’s government is under pressure after mass protests in Michoacán, and the U.S. pulled flight routes from Mexican airlines as the two countries wrangle over airport slots.

Plus, we’ve got what you need to know about renewing your residency card and how to handle a medical accident in Mexico, including who to call and what to do if you’re hurt and alone.

And because we all need a little more cuteness in our lives, meet Mexico’s volcano rabbit, a tiny whistling furball that’s basically the size of a potato. You’re welcome in advance.

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❓México Trivia

Where in Mexico do hundreds of couples get married at the same time in a massive, no-cost civil ceremony?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 México News Roundup

✈️ The Trump administration revoked 13 flight routes operated by Mexican airlines, including Aeroméxico, Volaris, and VivaAerobus, escalating a dispute over Mexico City airport slot limits.

🌐 In response, Mexico agreed to return flight slots to U.S. airlines that had previously been taken away after talks with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The move could boost routes by 2026.

📉 Mexico’s economy contracted 0.3% in the third quarter, its first year-on-year drop since 2021, as industrial activity slowed.

⚖️ Mexico ranked 121 out of 143 countries in the 2025 Rule of Law Index, dropping three spots from last year due to low scores in corruption, justice, and security.

🪧 Thousands of people took to the streets of Morelia, Uruapan, and other municipalities in recent days, demanding justice after the killing of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo.

🗣️ Facing backlash over rising violence in Michoacán, President Sheinbaum denounced political attacks following Carlos Manzo’s murder and reaffirmed her “justice, not war” stance.

🌏 Mexico’s Secretary of Economy announced the country will host the 2028 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. 

🤝 Mexico and Spain took a step toward reconciliation after seven years of diplomatic tension over the Spanish Conquest.

💧 Mexico and the U.S. signed a new agreement to end the Tijuana sewage crisis, pledging $93 million to modernize wastewater systems and protect coastal communities by 2027.

📚 President Sheinbaum released her book, Diary of a Historical Transition, which details her journey from election night to inauguration alongside former President López Obrador.

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🍎 Your Health Pulse

How to Handle Medical Accidents in Mexico

A tumble on the street, a car accident, or a fall in your own home can turn complicated fast in Mexico.

Dealing with a medical emergency isn’t always as straightforward as calling an ambulance and heading to the hospital. From car crashes and home injuries to what to do if you’re hurt alone, the steps you take next matter… and they’re not always what you’d expect.

Click here for a breakdown of what you need to know before something happens.

📍Immigration Essentials

Renewing Your Temporary Residency Card

If your Mexican residency card is expiring, it’s essential to understand the rules, and the deadlines, for renewal. First things first, you must be physically present in Mexico to apply. All renewals must be filed in Mexico; the process cannot be done from abroad.

For temporary residents, the standard renewal window is 30 calendar days before your card expires. However, if you miss that window, you have a 55-day grace period starting the day after the card expires to file the renewal. This is a time-sensitive process, and INM procedures may vary slightly by location. 

Under the current rules, you do not need to re-provide proof of your economic solvency when you are applying for renewal of temporary residency. However, some offices may request additional documents or clarification.

You must renew your residency at the same immigration office that issued your card, unless you’ve filed an official change of address with INM.

After your first year of temporary residency, you may choose to renew for 1, 2, or 3 additional years. Student permits can only be renewed for one year at a time. If you were granted residency through marriage to a Mexican national or foreign resident, your permit may be valid for up to two years, after which you may qualify for permanent residency.

Click here to view the full INM residency renewal guide.

If you plan to travel during the renewal process, you must apply separately for an exit/re-entry permit (Permiso de salida y regreso) through INM before leaving Mexico. Without it, your application will be considered abandoned, and your residency status may be canceled. 

This permit is valid for a maximum of 60 days from the date it is issued, and you must return to Mexico before it expires. 

The process begins with an online form, which you print and take to the same immigration office that is processing your renewal. You’ll also need a passport-style photograph and a signed letter in Spanish explaining the reason for your travel. A government fee must be paid at a local bank before submitting your request. 

If you leave Mexico without it while your renewal is pending, you may be required to start the entire residency process over from scratch. Click here for more. 

🧩 Life in México

Emergency Numbers You Should Know

Whether you’re new to Mexico or have called it home for years, it’s worth saving a few key numbers that can make all the difference in an emergency. Add these to your speed dial, 

911: Fire, ambulance, or police. The go-to number for emergencies, from accidents to medical crises or public safety issues.

066: Backup police line if 911 isn’t working.

065: Connects you directly to Red Cross ambulances.

088: National Guard citizen service line for highway emergencies, crimes, or administrative issues. Operators are trained to guide and coordinate help.

089: Anonymous tip line (“Denuncia Anónima”) for reporting crimes like kidnapping, drug activity, or extortion. No names, no questions.

071 : For power outages or electrical issues, this connects you to CFE, Mexico’s public electricity utility.

A few seconds of preparation now can save you precious minutes later. Go ahead and add them to your contacts today.

🇲🇽 Viva México

Mexico’s Tiny Volcano Rabbit

It sounds like a legend: a tiny rabbit that whistles, lives on volcanoes, and hides in the clouds above Mexico City. But the zacatuche (Romerolagus diazi), also known as the volcano rabbit, is very real and heartbreakingly rare.

Its local name comes from Náhuatl, which means “rabbit of the bunch grass.” 

The name itself reveals its secret to survival. The zacatuche can only live in high-altitude pine forests thick with zacatón, the tough bunchgrass that feeds and shelters it. The Volcano Rabbit lives at a high altitude of around 3,000 meters above sea level, where few other mammals can survive.

One of the smallest rabbits in the world, second only to the pygmy rabbit of North America, the zacatuche measures roughly the length of a russet potato.

You’ll only find it on the slopes of four volcanoes – Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl, El Pelado, and Tláloc – all within 45 minutes of Mexico City. These pint-sized rabbits, barely a pound in weight, make their burrows among dense zacatón grasses that grow on volcanic soil. The grass feeds them, shelters them, and defines their world.

Unlike any other rabbit on earth, the zacatuche doesn’t thump to signal danger…it whistles. Scientists think this high-pitched call evolved for survival in the foggy highlands, where visibility is low but sound carries far.

Today, the zacatuche is listed as Endangered, with fewer than 7,000 believed to remain in the wild. Habitat loss, grazing, and frequent fires continue to threaten this tiny symbol of Mexico’s volcanic highlands.

I highly recommend watching this short documentary. Fair warning: it’s cuteness overload. 

🪷 Viva Wellness

Healing Waters of Mexico

Beneath Mexico’s numerous volcanic peaks lies a hidden network of natural hot springs – mineral-rich pools that bubble up from geothermal veins across the country. These steamy gems don’t just soothe sore muscles after a hike; they offer a wellness recharge straight from the earth itself.

Steamy, sulfur-scented, and often infused with magnesium, silica, and even mood-boosting lithium, each soak delivers its own brand of healing magic.

Mexico has plenty of well-known thermal spas and waterparks, but we’ve sought out five of the most rustic pools for you.

Should you visit, bring plenty of pesos, take all your trash with you, and expect basic amenities.

Río Caliente (Jalisco): Tucked in La Primavera Forest near Guadalajara, this thermal river bubbles up to 70°C before cooling into perfect soaking pools.

Manantiales El Aguacate and Xidhí (Querétaro): Emerald-green pools shimmer between the canyons of Cadereyta de Montes. You can reach them by a short boat ride or a 90-minute scenic hike from Xidhí, a small ecotourism village with its own thermal baths.

Cañón de Guadalupe Hot Springs (Baja California): This oasis near Mexicali offers rugged camping with natural tubs carved into granite boulders. You can also hike to nearby petroglyphs etched into the canyon walls. You’ll need a 4x4…the road’s no joke.

Los Azufres Hot Springs (Michoacán): High in the misty mountains of Michoacán, Los Azufres is a cluster of natural pools, steamy mud baths, and rustic spas surrounded by geothermal vents and sulfur steam.

Aguas Termales Nuevo Ixtlán (Nayarit): Shaded by towering trees near Guayabitos, more than 30 mineral pools stay piping hot (up to 55°C) but you can mix in cool water for your ideal soak.

Want to explore more of Mexico beyond the usual routes? Friend of the newsletter Chuck Burton’s new book, Pueblos Mágicos: A Traveler’s Guide to Mexico’s Hidden Treasures, maps 62 of these towns with regional routes, insider tips, and his favorites. It’s a beautifully organized invitation to discover Mexico’s magic…one town at a time.

Pick up a copy today. 

_{*Disclosure: we may earn a small commission if you purchase through this link.}

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

SCORE Baja 1000 – November 10-16 – Baja California
This year’s 854-mile loop runs from Ensenada down to San Quintín, across to the Sea of Cortez, through Valle Trinidad and Ojos Negros, before finishing back where it began. More info here.

69th Annual International Marlin & Tuna Fishing Tournament – November 12-15, Puerto Vallarta
This iconic tournament draws experienced crews and sport-fishing fans from around the world for marlin, tuna and dorado competition, with weigh-ins at Marina Vallarta and a prize pool exceeding MX$1 million. More info here.

Festival Internacional del Globo – November 14-17, León, Guanajuato
León welcomes the annual spectacle of hot-air balloons. Dozens of colorful fleets take off at dawn, night-glow events light the skies, and live concerts and gourmet zones keep the fun going from sunrise to stars. More info here.

Festival del Helado en Tizimín – November 15, Tizimín, Yucatán
Tizimín hosts the fifth edition of this peninsula-wide ice-cream fest, blending Janal Pixan/Día de Muertos traditions with music, surprising flavors, and family-friendly fun from morning to night. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“¿Tienes un rato?”

Translation: Do you have a moment?

This phrase is your go-to for asking a neighbor or friend if they have time to talk. It’s polite, friendly, and perfectly casual.

If you’re speaking with your landlord, someone at the bank, or anyone you don’t know well, use the formal version instead: “¿Tiene un momento?” 

🎯 Trivia Answer

The Mass Wedding at the Feria Yucatán Xmatkuil.

Each year at the vibrant Xmatkuil Fair just outside Mérida, more than 400 couples say “I do” in a single, government-sponsored civil ceremony totally free of charge. Part of the Formaliza tu unión program, this mass wedding helps longtime partners, especially those in common-law relationships, legally formalize their union without the usual paperwork hurdles.

Thanks to recent reforms, couples no longer need medical exams or witnesses – just valid IDs, birth certificates, and a completed application.

This year’s ceremony takes place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, during the final weekend of the Feria Yucatán Xmatkuil, which runs from November 7–30.

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