¡Hola amigos! Over the weekend, thousands took to the streets across Mexico under the banner of “Generation Z,” protesting rising violence after the killing of an anti-crime mayor earlier this month.

President Trump says he’s not happy with Mexico, a court ruling is keeping the Delta–Aeroméxico alliance alive (for now), and lawmakers have passed a reform banning banks from charging for cards and services you never asked for.

Plus, a look at the tax residents shouldn’t be paying, and the story behind Mexico’s most beloved mascot.

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❓México Trivia

What Mexican town is nationally recognized as the birthplace of the traditional piñata? 

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 México News Roundup

👮‍♂️ CDMX suspended several police officers for allegedly assaulting protesters and journalists during the Generation Z march this past weekend. 

🇺🇸 President Trump said he is “not happy with Mexico” and did not rule out a possible military strike against drug cartels.

✈️ Mexico has agreed to return some slots at CDMX's Benito Juárez airport to U.S. airlines after months of trade tensions with Washington.

⚖️ A U.S. appeals court temporarily blocked the DOT’s order to dismantle the Delta–Aeroméxico joint venture, allowing the partnership to remain in place while the case proceeds.

💳 Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies approved a reform banning banks from issuing unsolicited credit or debit cards and charging fees for financial products customers never requested. 

🦎 Banxico says 9.8 million Mexicans are holding onto the Gorda ajolote 50-peso bill, keeping about 490 million pesos out of circulation.

📉 Mexico’s Labor Ministry will present a proposal to drop the standard workweek from 48 to 40 hours to Congress for debate on Nov. 20.

🍫 Mexico began construction of the first Chocolate Bienestar plant in Tabasco, a project backed by 80 million pesos to support local cocoa producers.

🚜 Transport workers and farmers announced nationwide blockades for Nov. 24, targeting major highways and access points across Mexico. They are protesting rising highway insecurity, increasing assaults, and a lack of government action on safety and production costs.

🌳Mexico launches a national forestry plan targeting net-zero deforestation by 2030, aiming to restore degraded forests and tighten oversight of logging and land use nationwide.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Skipping Insurance? Know the Tradeoffs.

Health insurance isn’t required in Mexico, and some residents choose to go without it.

But self-insuring can become very expensive and may even force you to return to your passport country for medical care for larger medical events like major surgery or cancer treatments. This article breaks down what you need to know.

Read more

📍Immigration Essentials

The Tax Residents Should Not Be Paying

If you're a Residente Temporal, Residente Permanente, or Mexican citizen, you are legally exempt from paying Mexico’s Derecho de No Inmigrante (DNI), better known as the tourist tax. So are transit passengers (staying in Mexico less than 24 hours), diplomats, and children under 2 years old.

The catch is that airlines charge it by default, unless you flag your resident status during booking.

How to Avoid It When Booking

When buying tickets online through carriers like American, United, Delta, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, or Aeroméxico, look for a field labeled "Country of Residence" in the passenger information section.

Change your residency to Mexico and the tax should disappear from your total.

Your passport number can remain foreign. What matters is the country of residence.

If your frequent flyer profile has a U.S. or Canadian address saved, either log out before booking or manually update the residence field during checkout.

Some low-cost or international carriers may not display this field, in which case the tax will be included automatically and you’ll have to ask for a refund.

Already Paid? You Can Still Get a Refund

You can usually request a refund within 12 months of ticket purchase. Each airline has its own process, but in general, you will need to provide:

• Your ticket or reservation number

• A scanned copy of your Mexican residency card (front and back)

• Your boarding pass or e-ticket receipt (some airlines require this, others don’t)

Here are links to refund request pages for major carriers:

• AeroMexico

• American Airlines

• Alaska Airways

• Delta Airlines

• Southwest Airlines

• United Airlines

• WestJet

If you're flying with another airline, check with their customer service about your refund. Most major carriers are familiar with the process and will issue the refund once documentation is received.

🧩 Life in México

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Why You Need a VPN You Can Trust

From airport Wi-Fi to banking logins and streaming access, having a solid VPN in Mexico isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Many foreigners living in Mexico rely on VPNs to access home-country content from platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer.

But beyond entertainment, a VPN plays a bigger role: it helps protect your personal data on public networks, avoid dynamic pricing on flights and subscriptions, and prevent banking apps from flagging or freezing your accounts when they detect foreign logins.

That’s why we recommend Proton VPN. Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN operates outside international surveillance alliances. It has a strict no-logs policy, is independently audited, and offers open-source apps for full transparency. With Secure Core routing and built-in NetShield malware and tracker blocking, it offers serious protection for travelers, remote workers, and long-term residents alike.

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🇲🇽 Viva México

The Story behind Mexico’s Most Beloved Mascot 

It’s a familiar sight throughout Mexico: a boisterous, larger-than-life lab-coated character getting down to reggaeton outside a pharmacy. 

Dr. Simi is the friendly face of Farmacia Similares. 

Entrepreneur and licensed physician Víctor Gonzáles Torres launched the pharmacy chain in 1997 as a social mission: to provide low-cost, generic medicine and basic care to communities underserved by Mexico’s public healthcare system.

To promote the brand, González knew he needed a figure people would instantly trust, someone with the warmth and humor of a friendly grandfather. So he based Dr. Simi on Don Susanito Peñafiel y Somellera, a beloved character from a 1940s Mexican film, ensuring the mascot carried that familiar “old-school doctor” archetype audiences already loved.

Nearly 3 decades later, Dr. Simi has evolved beyond a simple mascot. He’s now a pop culture phenomenon with over 5 million followers on TikTok.

He has his own museum (Museo SimiCasa) and a café where latte art features his smiling face. And then there’s Similandia – an entertainment center with mini-golf, arcade games, and Dr. Simi swag.

He’s also been immortalized in plush doll form and has become a regular concert-goer. 

The now-famous concert-throwing trend began at Mexico City’s Corona Capital music festival in 2021, when a fan tossed a Dr. Simi doll onstage – sparked a national ritual embraced by artists and audiences alike. Artists like Bad Bunny, Adele, and even Metallica have all caught a flying Dr. Simi doll.

The concert-throwing trend has boosted production from 30,000 to 35,000 dolls per month.

There are dozens of versions of the mustachioed mascot, such as astronaut, firefighter, and mariachi, all handmade in Cholula, Puebla. The facility employs around 440 workers, 90% of whom have mental or physical disabilities. 

Operating on a zero-profit model, all income from sales goes directly to the workers. This unique model has made the doll workshop a point of pride in Puebla – and a reminder that the Simi universe was built with an eye toward inclusion, not just commerce.

Of course, not everyone feels the same way. Some musicians and cultural critics see him as a symbol of corporate overreach, sparking debate about what he represents in modern Mexico. But for millions, he remains a joyful, dancing ambassador of affordable care and Mexican creativity.

🪷 Viva Wellness

The Plant Most People Ignore but Mexico Got Right

You might’ve seen this unassuming succulent at the mercado. Sold in bunches, with oval leaves attached to fleshy stems, it might not scream superfood, but verdolagas (purslane) is one of the most nutrient-dense plants in Mexico.

It grows with the tenacity of a weed, thriving in nearly any conditions and often popping up wild in gardens and fields around the world.

But here in Mexico, verdolagas is more than just a wild plant…it’s a beloved ingredient and time-honored remedy.

In Mexico, verdolagas is prized by Indigenous communities for both food and healing. Healers would crush the cooling leaves into poultices to treat insect, snake, and scorpion bites. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties helped reduce pain and prevent infection. It was also brewed into teas for digestive troubles, headaches, and liver ailments.

Omega-3 fatty acids are typically found in fish, not plants, but verdolagas breaks the mold. It contains the highest alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) levels of any land-based plant. These omega-3s fight inflammation, protect the heart, and may lower the risk of stroke and dementia. 

Verdolagas is also loaded with vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, and melatonin, which supports restful sleep.

Its tart, slightly salty flavor has been compared to watercress or spinach. It can be eaten raw, lightly steamed, or stir-fried.

When fully cooked, it becomes viscous and slightly sticky – not everyone’s favorite texture, but perfect as a soup thickener thanks to its pectin, a soluble fiber that supports digestion and helps lower cholesterol.

Next time you spot verdolagas, grab a bunch, toss it on a taco, and enjoy this powerful little “weed” with big wellness benefits.

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.

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

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

A huge gracias to everyone who weighed in last week. More than 86% of you told us you love this section — so it’s here to stay.

FICENS: Ensenada International Film Festival – Nov 20-23, Ensenada, Baja California
Independent cinema takes over Ensenada with four days of screenings, filmmaker conferences, and hands-on workshops across venues like Cinépolis Plaza Marina, Caracol Science Museum, CSCC Riviera, and Casa de la Cultura. A must for film lovers and creatives! More info here.

Chiapas Fair 2025 – Nov 28-Dec 14, Tuxtla Gutiérrez
One of southern Mexico’s biggest fiestas returns with massive concerts at the expanded Foro Chiapas, a brand-new Palenque, a circus, artisan and food pavilions, and free cultural shows. More info here

Gran Maratón Chevron Mazatlán 2025 – Nov 28–30, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 
Mazatlán hosts its 24th annual marathon weekend with 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K races, plus a sports expo and route along the city’s coastal avenues. More info here.

88ª Feria Nacional de la Plata – Nov 29-Dec 6, Taxco, Guerrero
Taxco shines bright with a week of silver artistry, cultural shows, and the National Silversmithing Competition featuring jewelers and sculptors. Expect exhibitions in Plaza Borda, artisan showcases, and award-winning pieces displayed at Casa Borda. More info here.

Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) 2025 – Nov 29-Dec 7, Guadalajara
The world’s biggest Spanish-language book fair returns with 3,000+ activities, 2,800 publishers from 60 countries, and Barcelona as this year’s guest of honor. Expect author talks, kids’ workshops, comics, translation forums, and packed days at Expo Guadalajara. More info here.

Fiestas Guadalupanas – Dec 1-12, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Puerto Vallarta’s historic center fills with daily processions, mariachi, dancers, and food stalls as the city honors the Virgen de Guadalupe. The celebrations peak on Dec 12 with the massive Pilgrimage of the Favorecidos, a beloved tradition recognized as Intangible Heritage of Jalisco. More info here.

Colima Birding Festival – Dec 3-7, Manzanillo, Colima 
Explore one of Mexico’s most biodiverse states on five expert-guided birdwatching routes, plus conferences, panels, and training sessions at the Salagua Cultural Center. With 470+ species and landscapes from Volcán de Fuego to the Pacific coast, it’s a paradise for nature lovers. More info here.

Feria Internacional de la Piñata Acolman 2025 – Dec 4-7, Acolman, Estado de México
Celebrate 40 years of piñata magic with artisan workshops, food stalls, and free concerts from Danny Daniel, La Castañeda, Los Bunkers, and La Arrolladora. One of the state’s most beloved fiestas! Arrive early – it gets packed. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“Puente”
Translation: It means a bridge, but it’s also the word for a long weekend.

In Mexico, puente is the magic word for those extended weekends when a holiday “bridges” with a Friday or Monday. 

You might hear:

¿Vas a salir este puente? - Are you going away this long weekend?
¿Te fuiste de puente? - Did you go away for the long weekend?

Whether you're hitting the road or staying local, a puente is always a reason to slow down and enjoy life Mexican style.

🎯 Trivia Answer

Acolman, Estado de México 

Just 40 kilometers northeast of Mexico City, Acolman is widely considered la cuna de la piñata tradicional…the cradle of the traditional piñata. 

At the heart of this tradition is the Convento de San Agustín, a massive 16th-century monastery where Augustinian friars are believed to have used piñatas during posadas as teaching tools. Over time, the craft took on a life of its own – blending European, Indigenous, and even Chinese influences into a uniquely Mexican art form. Today, piñatas are cultural icons, bursting with symbolism, sweets, and joy. 

Every December, Acolman hosts the Feria Internacional de la Piñata, a multi-day festival celebrating this legacy with artisan workshops, cultural events, music, and local food (hello, barbacoa and pulque!). The 2025 edition runs December 4-7. And, yes, the original monastery is open to visitors. 

Click here for event info.

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