¡Hola amigos! Mexico’s 2026 budget was finally approved, and the short version is: life’s getting pricier. Visa and residency fees are going up, and even your museum ticket and can of Coke will cost more next year.

Also on tap this week: mental health care in Mexico, the congressional debate over euthanasia, and a look at blue agave’s other, less intoxicating side.

And a quick reminder…Monday marks Revolution Day, complete with parades, celebrations, and a long weekend that conveniently overlaps with Buen Fin.

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What’s your best Mexico life hack?

We know you’ve picked up a few tricks living in Mexico. Whether it’s a shortcut through bureaucracy or the secret to finding the town’s best gorditas, we want to hear it!

We’ll feature our favorite responses (and give you a shoutout!) in an upcoming newsletter.

» Share your hack here

❓México Trivia

What major Mexican city became a battleground for 10 days during the Revolution?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 México News Roundup

🥑 Avocado prices fell 10.5% in October, according to INEGI. Chicken, tomatoes, potatoes, tomatillos, eggs, oranges, serrano peppers, lemons, and bananas also saw price drops.​

⚡ According to the same INEGI report, electricity prices jumped 17.6% in October, while air transport, onions, beef, and homeownership costs also rose.

📦 Amazon Mexico and Rappi launched a 15-minute delivery service in Mexico’s largest cities, offering free delivery for Prime members during launch.

🚌 Mexico City raised public bus fares by 1.50 MXN, aiming to improve service quality and safety.

⚖️ Mexico’s Congress has opened debate on legalizing euthanasia for adults with terminal or degenerative illnesses.

🤝 Mexico and France agreed to boost trade and cultural ties after Presidents Sheinbaum and Macron met in Mexico City.

🚜 Mexican farmers are threatening nationwide road and border closures if Congress fast-tracks a new water law before Dec. 15 that would end private transfers of water permits.

✊ Farmers and producers plan a nationwide strike and protest Tuesday, Nov. 11, vowing to block roads and occupy Mexico’s Agriculture Ministry (SADER) in CDMX. They’re demanding fair crop prices and greater government support.

💻 Mexico now leads Latin America in data center investment, with multi-billion-dollar commitments from Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and CloudHQ.

👑 Major telenovela drama at Miss Universe 2025. Thai pageant official Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated Miss Mexico during a live event, prompting her and other contestants to walk out in protest. Nawat later called security after discovering an alleged casino sponsor tied to Miss Universe Mexico, leading to a Mexican delegate’s brief detention and release.

🪖 Mexico announced a new security plan for Michoacán, pledging 10,500 troops and 57 billion MXN after the assassination of Uruapan’s mayor.

⚽ Mexico City will host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Mental Health Support in Mexico: Public vs. Private Options

Navigating health insurance as a foreigner in Mexico is tricky enough, but when it comes to mental health, the rules get even murkier. 

There are two primary routes for expats seeking mental health coverage in Mexico: The public system (IMSS) and private international insurance.

Let’s start with IMSS. If you have temporary or permanent residency, or are married to a Mexican citizen, you can enroll voluntarily. It’s affordable, but limited. 

It excludes pre-existing mental health conditions and has long wait times. There’s no provider choice and very few bilingual psychiatrists or therapists.

You’ll need to go through your assigned family doctor for a referral, and medications are generic-only…when available. For most foreigners, it’s not a great solution.

Private international insurance offers more promise, but also more paperwork, higher costs, and more fine print. Mental health coverage is becoming more common, but often only in premium plans or as optional add-ons.

If you’ve had a prior diagnosis or inpatient treatment, you may face exclusions or be denied altogether. However, if your mental health needs are tied to a medical incident (like PTSD after an accident), some insurers may approve coverage – even if mental health isn’t included in your policy by default.

Companies like Cigna, Allianz, GeoBlue, IMG, and VUMI tend to offer the most robust options, but even with these, expect:

• Higher premiums

• Mental health-specific deductibles

• Waiting periods (usually 12–24 months)

• Session caps or lifetime maximums 

Most plans do require medical underwriting, which means being transparent about your history. You might also need to speak with a company-appointed specialist during the approval process.

Not sure where to start? Connecting with a vetted broker who knows Mexico’s healthcare system can make all the difference. Find your broker here.

📍Immigration Essentials

New Visa and Residency Fees in 2026 

A few weeks ago, we reported that immigration-related fees could rise in 2026. Now it’s official. 

As part of the newly approved 2026 Federal Expenditure Budget, visa and residency costs through INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) will increase across the board starting January 1, 2026.

Here’s what’s changing: 

• Temporary Residency Visa (1-year): Jumps from 5,570 MXN to 11,140.74 MXN. 

• Temporary Residency Visa (4-year): Rises from 11,140 MXN to 25,057.82 MXN 

• Permanent Residency: Goes from 6,789 MXN  to 13,578.96 MXN 

• Visitor Permit (FMM/Tourist Stay): Up from 861 MXN  to 983 MXN 

Certain applicants may qualify for a 50% discount on these fees. This applies to those whose stay in Mexico is for:

• Preservation of family unity

• a job offer from an individual or legal entity with valid registration as an employer

• An invitation from a public or private Mexican organization or institution to participate in non-income-generating activities

To qualify, applicants must prove their eligibility to INM according to the Ley de Migración and its regulations. 

🧩 Life in México

Mexico 2026: Price Hikes Ahead

On November 7, 2025, the Mexican Senate officially approved the 2026 Federal Expenditure Budget – a national spending plan that includes several new taxes and fee increases affecting everyday life. 

Here’s a breakdown of what’s going up January 1:

Sugary Drinks
The IEPS (Impuesto Especial sobre Producción y Servicios) tax on beverages with added sugars is nearly doubling from 1.645 MXN to 3.082 MXN per liter and beverages with added sweeteners to 1.50 MXN/L. That means sodas, flavored waters, energy drinks, and other sweetened beverages will cost 2-5 pesos more per bottle, depending on size and sugar content.

Tobacco
Cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products will see price hikes of 20-30%. This applies to both individual packs and cartons.

Museums and Cultural Sites
Entry fees to federal museums and heritage sites are expected to double, jumping from 80-100 MXN to 160-200 MXN at many locations. This applies to sites operated by INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia).

Video Games with Violent Content
A new 8% IEPS tax will apply to video games classified as violent, extreme, or adult (18+). This affects both in-country sales and imported titles. The classification and enforcement criteria have not yet been publicly detailed.

Online Gambling & Raffles
IEPS on games with bets and raffles is jumping from 30% to 50%. This includes lotteries, raffles, casinos, and online gambling platforms. 

Alcohol
No changes for now. Beer, wine, and spirits were not included in the 2026 IEPS adjustments.

If you’ve got hours to kill and a love of dense Spanish legalese, here’s the official budget for your reading pleasure. 

🇲🇽 Viva México

The Revolutionary Who Rewrote the Rules

Amelio Robles Ávila (1889–1984) was one of the Mexican Revolution’s most remarkable and trailblazing figures.

But this story comes with a slight twist: Amelio was born a woman and went by Amelia in childhood and youth.

By 1912, at 23 years old, Robles decided to join the revolutionary struggle through the Zapatista ranks. It was after enlisting that Robles began wearing clothing considered appropriate for men, and took the name Amelio and asked that it be respected.

And it was. 

Once inside the movement, Robles took on critical missions smuggling weapons, carrying messages across enemy lines, and engaging in armed combat. 

Known for his composure and courage under pressure, he earned the respect of his comrades, who began calling him “El Coronel Robles” – a title they bestowed long before any official recognition.

In 1918, as Mexico was transitioning from revolution to reconstruction, Robles joined Venustiano Carranza’s federal forces, continuing the fight under the command of General Adrián Castrejón, who became an ally and supporter. This alliance helped secure Robles’s place within the ranks of the formal army and reinforced his reputation as a capable, disciplined soldier from Guerrero.

Perhaps most remarkably, Robles achieved something almost unthinkable for the era: Significant acceptance and respect within the world of revolutionary warfare. 

Among the troops he commanded, his identity as a man was largely honored, and his military skill unquestioned. They saw a leader who got results, protected soldiers, and embodied the revolutionary spirit.

In 1974, the Mexican government formally recognized Robles for his military service, awarding him the title Veterano de la Revolución Mexicana. The honor was granted by the Secretariat of National Defense and issued under the name Amelio Malaquías Robles Ávila, as listed in his military records. 

🪷 Viva Wellness

What Blue Agave Does for Skin

Blue agave offers powerful and often overlooked benefits for the skin.

This hardy succulent thrives in the volcanic soils of Jalisco, where harsh sun and arid conditions force the plant to develop extraordinary protective compounds. These same compounds work wonders for skin.

For centuries, Indigenous communities used the sap of agave to treat wounds, burns, and infections due to its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Today, we know it acts as a humectant (drawing moisture into the skin) and its anti-inflammatory nature helps calm irritation and redness.

There’s more evidence of the plant's soothing power in the Agave fields themselves. After long hours under the blazing Jalisco sun, it wouldn't be surprising if harvesters’ hands were dry, cracked, and calloused; instead, they're soft and supple.

For generations, farmworkers have mixed agave gel with animal fat to heal and protect their hands – a simple tradition that revealed the plant's remarkable potential for modern skincare.

What makes it so effective is a naturally occurring biofermentation process. Agave nectar is broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast, converting complex sugar molecules into simpler compounds. This amplifies the potency of vitamins and antioxidants and makes them easier for the skin to absorb. 

One of these compounds, called PreBIULIN AGA, has shown promise in easing rosacea. 

Impressive skin benefits also come from agave’s stem cells.  Harvested from the plant’s core, they help the skin repair itself.

Loaded with antioxidants, they protect against environmental damage and strengthen the skin barrier. The stem cells also boost collagen, improving elasticity and reducing fine lines. 

The same resilience that allows blue agave to thrive in Mexico's harsh desert landscapes translates directly to great skincare benefits. That it also makes an exceptional Margarita is another bonus.

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

💡 Say It in Spanish

“¿Me podría…?”

Translation: Could you… for me?

If you’ve been using “¿Puedes…?” for everyday requests, you’re not alone. It works, but it can sound a little blunt, especially in more formal or polite situations.

“¿Me podría…?” is a softer, more courteous way to ask someone to do something for you.

The structure is simple: ¿Me podría + [infinitive verb] + [details]?

¿Me podría enviar el recibo? – Could you send me the receipt?
¿Me podría traer un poco más de agua? - Could you bring me some more water?

It’s a small shift, but it makes a big difference in tone. Use it with waiters, neighbors, or anytime you want to ask nicely without sounding too direct.

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🎯 Trivia Answer

Mexico City

For 10 bloody days in February 1913, the streets of Mexico’s capital turned into a full-scale battlefield. Known as La Decena Trágica, it began when rebel generals Félix Díaz and Bernardo Reyes launched a coup against President Francisco Madero. Reyes was killed within minutes, but the fighting spiraled into chaos.

Gunfire raged through the Zócalo, down Avenida Juárez, and around La Ciudadela and the National Palace. On day 4, rebels stormed Belem Prison, releasing an estimated 5,000 inmates, many of whom joined the uprising.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Colonia Roma became a hub of conspiracy, as Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson helped facilitate Madero’s downfall. 

The violence left thousands of civilians dead and ended with the assassination of Madero and Vice President Pino Suárez.

Check out the interactive map and timeline here.

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