¡Hola amigos! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating this week. A quick note to say just how grateful we are for you and this amazing community that reads, shares, and builds a little more connection in Mexico. 

This week, Mexico is facing rising inflation, a powerful Arctic cold front pushing temps below freezing, and a wave of protests and labor unrest unfolding across the country.

Plus, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about calculating your household staff’s aguinaldo, and taking you inside what life is really like in a small Mexican pueblo.

And because it’s the season, we’re also exploring the Magic Town where it’s Christmas every day of the year. 

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❓México Trivia

What bird, now a holiday staple, was once considered sacred in ancient Mesoamerican cultures?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

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📣 México News Roundup

📈 Mexico’s annual inflation rose to 3.67% in early November, driven by stubborn core inflation that remains above 4%.

🌐 President Sheinbaum warned that any attempt by Peru’s new government to enter the Mexican Embassy in Lima to arrest ex–prime minister Betssy Chávez would violate international law and Mexico’s sovereignty.

🌬️ A strong Arctic front, Frente Frío 16, moved into Mexico on Monday with temperatures as low as -10°C and cold conditions expected across more than a dozen states. 

🦠 Measles cases in Mexico have climbed to 5,299 across 27 states, and earlier in November the Americas lost their measles-free status after reporting a 30-fold surge in cases across 10 countries. 

🏥 IMSS Bienestar workers marched in Edomex last week demanding fair wages, permanent contracts, and an end to critical medicine and supply shortages that they say are hurting patient care.

✊ Mexico’s CNTE teachers’ union plans a 72-hour strike in early 2026 and says it will disrupt President Sheinbaum’s events, claiming her government has refused dialogue and used force at protests.

🚨 7 bodyguards assigned to protect Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo were arrested after investigators tied them to his Nov. 1 assassination in Michoacán.

💄 Estée Lauder has taken a minority stake in Mexican luxury fragrance brand Xinú, marking its first investment in a Latin American beauty label.

📡 Mexico is building Latin America’s largest public supercomputer through a new partnership with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.

📍Immigration Essentials

Your Guide to Mexico’s Mandatory Holiday Bonus

In Mexico, El Aguinaldo (Christmas bonus) is more than just a tradition; it’s the law.

Employers must pay at least 15 days’ worth of wages to their employees by December 20. This applies to everyone who works for you, including housekeepers, caretakers, caregivers, gardeners, pool maintenance workers, and others.

If someone hasn’t worked the full year, they still get a proportional bonus based on the days they’ve worked.

Use this formula to calculate:

1. Calculate the Aguinaldo for Full-Time Employees with Monthly Salary:
   Daily Wage = Monthly Salary ÷ 30

   Aguinaldo = Daily Wage × 15

   
   Let’s say employees earn a monthly salary of 15,000 pesos — and have worked a full year. To calculate the daily wage, divide the monthly salary by 30: 15,000 ÷ 30 = 500 pesos per day. This means the workers earn 500 pesos daily. To calculate the Aguinaldo, multiply the daily wage by 15, the minimum number of days required for the bonus: 500 × 15 = 7,500 pesos.

2. Calculate the Aguinaldo for Part-Time Workers:
   Days Worked = Days Worked Each Week x 52

   Aguinaldo = (Days Worked ÷ 365) × 15 × Daily Wage

   
   Let’s say you have a part-time maid working two days a week at MXN $400 per day. 52 weeks x 2 days = 104 ÷ 365 = 0.285 × 15 × 400 = 1,709.58.

You could do the math yourself or simplify the process with our Aguinaldo Calculator. It’s quick, accurate, and keeps you compliant with Mexican labor laws.

Calculate your bonuses here.

🧩 Life in México

What It’s Really Like to Live in a Small Mexican Pueblo

Sure, Ajijic, San Miguel, and PV have their perks, but what’s it really like to live in a small Mexican pueblo? Longtime resident Emerson Howell Nagel shares what life looks like in a town where neighbors ride muleback, lambs are raffle prizes, and fresh milk still gets delivered right to the doorstep.

From the real talk on housing, accessible healthcare, and getting around, to the unexpected perks of being on a first-name basis with your entire town, this article covers what to expect if you’re thinking of ditching the big cities.

Read the full story here. 

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🇲🇽 Viva México

The Magic Town of Eternal Christmas

For the Christmas enthusiasts out there, this one’s for you.

High in the piney mountains of Michoacán, the pueblo mágico of Tlalpujahua celebrates Christmas all year long (even the giant tree in the town square stays up 365 days a year…no shame). Shops like Villa Claus and Navidad Eterna line the cobblestone streets, and the scent of canela and pine floats through the air like a snow globe come to life.

But this festive little town wasn’t always so merry.

In the early 1900s, Tlalpujahua was one of Mexico’s richest gold mining towns. The Dos Estrellas mine was once among the top 5 gold producers in the world, helping fund Mexico’s national railway system and bringing French architecture and global investment to this mountain village.

Then, in 1937, tragedy struck. A massive landslide buried a third of the town, killed dozens, and shut the mine down for good. Families fled. The town nearly disappeared.

Then, Christmas came to the rescue.

In the 1960s, local resident Joaquín Muñoz Orta returned from Chicago with glassblowing skills and started training artisans to make ornaments.

What began as a few festive workshops grew into a full-scale artisan economy. Families began producing handblown glass ornaments, nativity figures, and Christmas keepsakes using traditional techniques passed down through generations. 

Each piece is carefully painted by hand, with designs that range from classic holiday scenes to pop culture icons..

Today, more than 250 families carry on the tradition.

Each fall, Tlalpujahua hosts the Feria de la Esfera, where over 400 artisans set up shop and fill the town with color, craft, and Christmas cheer. Live glassblowing demos, festive displays, and a joyful parade celebrate the town’s resilience and creativity.

Tlalpujahua is just one of many gems in Mexico. If you're ready to explore more magic towns like this, check out Pueblos Mágicos: A Traveler’s Guide to Mexico’s Hidden Treasures – it’s full of smart picks, regional tips, and travel inspiration.

🪷 Viva Wellness

The Bittersweet Brew That’s Good For You

If there’s one thing Mexico takes seriously, it’s coffee. With an average of 1.7 kilos consumed per person each year,  this daily ritual is more than just caffeine – it’s culture. From the sweet, cinnamon-spiced Café de Olla to the humble jar of Nescafé on nearly every kitchen shelf, coffee is embedded in everyday life.

One lesser-known style is Café Torrefacto, a smoky, sugar-sealed coffee with a bold taste and even bolder health benefits. 

First popularized in the early 1900s by Spanish entrepreneur José Gómez Tejedor, who observed roasting methods in Mexico and Cuba, Torrefacto coffee is made by adding sugar during the final roasting stage. The sugar caramelizes and forms a glossy shell that seals the beans and slows down the oxidation process.

What began as a practical method to extend shelf life and mask imperfections in lower-grade beans, inadvertently created a strong, smoky, bittersweet brew. 

While some coffee critics might describe the taste as  “liquefied coal,” Torrefacto coffee maintains a devoted following among older generations who enjoy its bold flavor and traditional roots.

Today, it’s winning new fans, especially among health-conscious drinkers. 

Research shows the Torrefacto roasting process triggers the formation of melanoidins and polyphenolic compounds, powerful antioxidants that help combat free radicals linked to aging, heart disease, and chronic illness.

Coffee already contains up to 10 times more antioxidants than tea or red wine, and Torrefacto takes it up a notch. Studies confirm that both ground and brewed Torrefacto coffee show significantly higher antioxidant capacity than standard roasts – and espresso-style extractions pack the biggest punch.

So go ahead…sip boldly. Your health (and your taste buds) will thank you.

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

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.

Los Cabos International Film Festival – Dec 10-14, Los Cabos, BCS
Celebrating 13 years, this festival brings exclusive premieres of international and Mexicans, plus red-carpet events, director Q&As, industry panels, and family-friendly screenings across multiple Los Cabos venues. More info here.

The Santa Run – Dec 14, Parque La Mexicana, CDMX
Kick off the holidays by running in full Santa gear at this festive 1K, 5K, and 10K race. The event starts at 7:00 a.m. in Parque La Mexicana and includes a Santa suit (depending on registration), medal, runner number, hydration, and access to a post-race Christmas celebration. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“Es de confianza”

Translation: He/She is trustworthy or reliable.

This is a phrase you need to know, especially when asking for a recommendation for a doctor, mechanic, housekeeper, or even a favorite vendor at the mercado.

If a neighbor says “mi dentista es de confianza”, it means you can feel good about going. It’s a powerful endorsement.

It’s also the phrase to use when you're looking for a trusted contact. You might say:
“¿Conoces a alguien de confianza para arreglar la lavadora?”
(Do you know someone trustworthy to fix the washing machine?)

It’s a small phrase that opens doors.

🎯 Trivia Answer

The turkey.

Long before it starred on American holiday tables, the turkey was revered in Mesoamerican civilizations as far back as 300 BCE. Archaeologists have uncovered turkey remains in temples and graves – not just eaten, but honored.

In Aztec mythology, the turkey was linked to Chalchiuhtotolin, the “Jade Turkey,” a deity symbolizing both disease and purification. It represented power, transformation, and the delicate balance between life and death.

Turkeys were among the first animals domesticated in Mesoamerica, raised on maize and tied to ritual use. Their brilliantly feathered cousin – the ocellated turkey – remained wild, still roaming southern Mexico and Central America today.

When the Spanish arrived, they were struck by the strange and beautiful bird. Moctezuma reportedly gifted Hernán Cortés hundreds of turkeys as part of a diplomatic offering. The bird soon made its way to Europe and dazzled the continent.

As for the name? A twist of global irony: the English called it “turkey” after Ottoman traders; the Turks called it “hindi,” thinking it came from India. But its roots? Firmly Mexican.

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