¡Hola amigos! This week, the peso is expected to weaken by year's end, the U.S.-Mexico border is reopening to Mexican cattle after a year-long ban, Mexico wants to end its dependence on imported fertilizer, and cyclist Isaac del Toro made Tour de France history.

Plus, the rights and responsibilities of Temporary Residents and how a spiky agave made Yucatán incredibly wealthy. 

Finally, if you've been looking for the right Spanish teacher, we've got something just for you. Our new Insider's Guide to Spanish Teachers in Mexico is now live, and every recommendation came from fellow readers. More on this below.

Was this forwarded to you? Sign up here. It’s Free!

Which famous Mexico City monument is missing one important original piece? 

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

💵  Analysts expect the peso to weaken to about 17.92 per U.S. dollar by year-end. 

🐮 The USDA will reopen the U.S.-Mexico border to Mexican cattle on August 24 through the Sonora-Arizona crossing at Douglas, after a year-long ban over New World screwworm.

📦 Mexico's exports hit a record $72.551 billion in June despite ongoing U.S. tariffs.

🌾 Mexico plans to reduce its reliance on imported fertilizers with two new fertilizer plants in Durango and Sinaloa.

📈 Analysts expect Mexico's economy to rebound in the second quarter. 

🤝 Mexico and the U.S. will resume USMCA trade talks in September as both sides remain divided over auto manufacturing rules and tariffs.

🥉 Isaac del Toro became the first Mexican cyclist to finish on the Tour de France podium, placing third overall and winning the race's Best Young Rider award.

💧 President Sheinbaum canceled the long-stalled La Parota hydroelectric dam, saying it would harm local communities. Instead, Acapulco will get new wells and water infrastructure.

🏭 The U.S. asked Mexico to impose new tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum imports to protect North American producers.

🚂 A freight train carrying chemical products derailed near Naco, Sonora, on Saturday. Authorities launched an emergency response and reported no injuries.

Most tequila bottles have one thing in common: They never tell you how the tequila was actually made.

Some come from small family distilleries that have been making tequila for generations.

Others come off industrial production lines.

Good luck figuring out which is which from the label.

That's why The Tequila Report created the first-ever Craft Tequila List.

Instead of researching distilleries, decoding tequila labels, or falling for expensive marketing, you get one simple list of 232 craft tequila brands made without diffusers, additives, or mass-scale industrial production. 

Think of it as your cheat sheet for buying tequila in Mexico.

Subscribe to The Tequila Report (it's free) and join more than 62,000 readers getting twice-weekly bottle reviews, buying guides, and remarkable stories about the people, traditions, and craftsmanship behind Mexico's best tequilas. Like the one about the one-eyed racehorse that inspired one of the country's most iconic brands.

Next time you're staring at a shelf of tequila, you'll know exactly where to start.

Subscribe to The Tequila Report

Navigating health insurance in Mexico isn't just about picking the right plan—it's about understanding it, too.

Mastering key Spanish health insurance and claims terms will not only make your doctor visits smoother, but also streamline the often-tricky claims process. One unfamiliar term could mean the difference between a smooth claim and an expensive surprise.

Here are 7 must-know Spanish insurance terms that can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Read More

Your Residente Temporal gives you more than the legal right to live in Mexico. It also comes with important rights, responsibilities, and restrictions that many people don't fully understand.

Find out what you can do, what you can't, and what every temporary resident should know.

Read More

When we asked how your Spanish was coming along, more than 1,000 of our readers responded.

Some of you are confidently chatting with neighbors. Others understand more than they can speak. Some freeze when it's time to answer, while others shared that hearing loss, age, or simply learning differently makes Spanish more challenging. Many of you just wanted a teacher who matches the way you learn.

Whether you're ordering tacos, chatting with neighbors, or simply hoping to feel more at home in Mexico, learning Spanish opens the door to a richer connection with the people, culture, and everyday life around you.

The challenge isn't finding a Spanish teacher. It's knowing which one is right for you.

So we asked our readers who they'd actually recommend – and turned those recommendations into The Insider's Guide to Spanish Teachers in Mexico.

Every teacher and school featured was recommended by an Expat Insider Mexico reader. The free guide lets you compare teaching approaches, specialties, class formats, and locations, so you can find the right fit without spending hours searching online.

Explore the Guide

Stroll along Mérida’s elegant Paseo de Montejo, and you’ll pass grand mansions built during one of Mexico’s greatest economic booms.

The fortunes that built them didn't come from silver mines or sugar plantations. They came from henequén (Agave fourcroydes), a spiky agave native to Yucatán.

The Maya called the plant ki and used its exceptionally strong fibers for centuries, especially to make ropes and cords.

As global trade and agriculture expanded during the 19th century, so did the need for tough, durable rope. Henequén met the demand and was shipped around the world. 

Much of the fiber became known internationally as "sisal," after the Yucatán port whose name appeared on export shipments – even though true sisal comes from a different agave species. 

Demand surged after mechanized harvesting equipment began using henequén twine to bind crops such as wheat.

The economic impact was staggering.

Henequén became known as "Green Gold," creating immense fortunes and reshaping Mérida into a city of extraordinary wealth.

Across Yucatán, vast henequén haciendas covered the landscape. More than farms, they became industrial estates where fiber was harvested, processed, and baled for export.

Behind the grand architecture and soaring export figures was a harsh reality. The thriving industry depended on thousands of Maya laborers, later joined by Korean and Chinese migrants. Many workers endured punishing conditions and debt systems that made leaving the haciendas nearly impossible. Their labor powered the fortunes still visible in Mérida today.

For decades, henequén dominated Yucatán's economy. But during the 20th century, synthetic fibers began replacing natural rope in many industries, sending demand for henequén into a steep decline.

Those once-grand estates slowly fell into decline. Some still operate on a smaller scale or welcome visitors interested in the region’s henequén history. Traditional henequén products, including ropes, bags, rugs, shoes, and hammocks, also continued to be made.

Today, as industries around the world look for more sustainable materials, henequén is attracting renewed interest. 

Most of us think of aloe vera as nature’s after-sun gel. But the clear gel inside those thick, fleshy leaves has been used medicinally for thousands of years.

Known as sábila in Mexico, Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is far more than a sunburn remedy.

Mouth Health
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, aloe helps fight plaque and gingivitis. Studies found it works as well as chlorhexidine, the prescription mouthwash used to treat gum disease.

Aloe vera oral gel has even been used to treat chemotherapy-related mouth sores. Studies found it can ease pain, speed healing, and reduce the severity of oral mucositis, a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It may also help relieve common mouth ulcers.

Blood Sugar Support
Aloe may also help regulate blood sugar. Research suggests aloe may improve insulin sensitivity and help lower fasting blood sugar, particularly in people with prediabetes. Studies in people with type 2 diabetes have shown mixed results. It's not a substitute for medication, but it's a promising complement.

Digestive Health
Aloe has long been used to support digestive health. The yellow aloe latex beneath the leaf acts as a natural laxative, although it should only be used with caution. Early research also suggests aloe syrup may help relieve symptoms of acid reflux (GERD), while other studies are exploring its potential benefits for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

Before You Try It: The aloe in your garden works well for topical use. Just don't ingest it raw.

Beneath the gel is a sticky yellow layer called aloe latex, which can irritate your stomach. It also has a strong laxative effect and may cause cramping or diarrhea. If you're taking aloe internally, choose a product formulated for that purpose.

Feria Internacional de la Guitarra – August 1–9, Paracho, Michoacán
Known as the World Capital of the Guitar, Paracho celebrates its signature craft with nine days of concerts, handmade instrument exhibitions, artisan sales, and classical guitar performances. The 51st edition also features competitions for guitar makers and performers, alongside traditional Purépecha culture and regional cuisine. More info here.

Desfile de Mojigangas 2026 – August 2, Atlixco, Puebla
Atlixco’s giant mojigangas return for the fourth edition of this colorful street parade. Handcrafted from cartonería, the towering figures draw on Mexican history, trades, traditions, and popular characters. They will move through the city’s main streets in one of Atlixco’s most distinctive displays of local creativity. More info here.

Festival del Mar 2026 – August 7–9, Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz
Coatzacoalcos' waterfront festival returns for a second year with three days of music and culture. The festival also includes workshops, artisan markets, and family-friendly activities. Manuel Turizo, Natalia Jiménez, and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón headline the concerts. More info here.

Fiesta de los Colores at L.A. Cetto – August 8, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California
Hosted by one of Mexico's largest wineries, Fiesta de los Colores celebrates the start of the grape harvest in Valle de Guadalupe. Expect wine tastings, the blessing of the season's first pressing, and grape stomping in the heart of Mexico's premier wine region. More info here.

8th Chiapas Cocoa and Chocolate Festival – August 7-9, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas
The 8th edition of this free festival brings together cacao producers, artisans, and chocolatiers in Tapachula. Visitors can browse chocolate tastings, workshops, cultural performances, exhibitions, and local products. The event also celebrates Chiapas' long tradition as one of Mexico's leading cacao-producing regions. More info here.

Baja Beach Fest 2026 – August 7–9, Rosarito Beach, Baja California
Baja Beach Fest returns to Rosarito for three days of reggaeton, Latin music, and beachside parties overlooking the Pacific. More than 30 artists are on the lineup, including Anuel AA, Junior H, Ozuna, John Summit, Farruko, and Sean Paul. More info here.

Dahlia Parade – August 9, Huamantla, Tlaxcala
Celebrating Mexico's national flower, the Dahlia Parade is one of the signature events of the Huamantla Fair. Flower-covered floats, marching bands, folkloric dance groups, and local performers transform the town's streets into a colorful celebration of local heritage. More info here.

Skip the "Qué." Embrace the "¿Mande?"

In Mexico, saying "¿Qué?" when you didn't catch something can come across a little blunt – almost like replying, "WHAT?" to your grandmother.

Instead, try "¿Mande?" It means, "Excuse me?" or "Could you repeat that?" and adds a touch of courtesy that Mexicans really appreciate.

It's one of those little cultural differences that instantly makes your Spanish sound more natural…and shows respect for the person you're speaking with.

Want to keep building your Spanish?

Explore The Insider's Guide to Spanish Teachers in Mexico to find trusted teachers and schools personally recommended by your fellow readers.

Browse the Guide

A: The Ángel de la Independencia.

On July 28, 1957, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Guerrero, causing major damage in Mexico City. The Ángel de la Independencia collapsed and was severely damaged. Restoration took 14 months, and the monument returned to Paseo de la Reforma in September 1958. 

The Ángel you see today is a restored version – not the same statue unveiled in 1910. But one piece never made the trip back…the Ángel's original bronze head.

Today, that original head is on display at the entrance to the Archivo Histórico de la Ciudad de México in the Historic Center, where anyone can see it for free. It's one of the city's most fascinating hidden historical treasures.

Want to reach globally minded readers living in Mexico? Advertise with us. Click here to see if we’re a good fit.

*Some of the links in this newsletter may come from our affiliates or sponsors, meaning we could earn a commission if you purchase.