¡Hola amigos! This week, the U.S. halts Mexican cattle imports (again), a major customs shake-up is underway, and measles is back in the headlines as health officials scramble in northern Mexico. We’re also digging into the real reason everyone’s sipping blue tea (hint: it’s not just TikTok).

Plus, how to talk to your doctor without miming your symptoms – and the Spanish phrase that’ll keep you in line at the mercado and in life.

📣Que Paso

🧬 Mexico’s worst measles outbreak in decades has spread through Latin America’s largest Mennonite community in Chihuahua, with 922 confirmed cases and one death, prompting nationwide health efforts.

🛒 President Sheinbaum renewed the Paquete contra la Inflación y la Carestía (the Package Against Inflation and High Prices or PACIC) – with major retailers and agricultural producers, freezing prices on 24 basic basket items to protect household economies.

🐄 On Sunday, the U.S. suspended Mexican exports of live cattle for 15 days after detecting screwworm — just three months after lifting a previous ban in February. President Sheinbaum called the move “unfair” and warned of economic fallout.

🛃 Mexico is pushing major customs reforms to modernize oversight, digitize processes, and crack down on tax evasion — targeting loopholes in programs like IMMEX and holding importers, brokers, and officials jointly accountable.

🏎️ F1’s Mexico City Grand Prix secured a three-year extension that will keep the race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez through 2028 — this after drawing a record-breaking 405,000 fans in 2024.

🌊 Mexico filed a lawsuit against Google for labeling the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” a change originally tied to a Trump executive order. President Sheinbaum called it a violation of Mexican sovereignty.

📊 President Sheinbaum’s approval held at 81% in April, with 83% backing her social programs and 61% disapproving of her security efforts.

🥑 Mexico’s avocado exports to the U.S. are projected to hit a record $4B in 2025, up from $3.79B in 2024, as volume grows 5% to 1.34M tons. Despite a dip in 2024 shipments, Mexico still supplied 88% of U.S. avocado imports.

🚧 Mexico will invest $3.3B USD in 2025 to modernize over 48,000 km of roads, bridges, and highways, generating 162,000 jobs and expanding infrastructure in states like Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Jalisco.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Don’t Get Lost in Translation: How to Communicate with Doctors in Mexico

Navigating a healthcare system in another language can be overwhelming – and even a little scary. Whether it’s explaining symptoms or understanding what’s being said, the stakes are high, and miscommunication can lead to real headaches (or worse).

But here’s the good news: You don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to make your medical appointments smooth and stress-free.

Want to feel confident walking into any appointment – no matter the language barriers?

📍 Immigration Essentials

Can I Work in Mexico with a Temporary Resident Visa?

Yes, but only if your visa is authorized for work. A Temporary Resident Visa (Residente Temporal) does not give you the right to work unless it explicitly includes work authorization. If you plan to work for a Mexican employer or offer paid services in Mexico, your visa must say “con permiso para trabajar.”

If you’re applying from outside Mexico and already have a job offer from a Mexican company, your employer must be registered with INM and provide a formal offer. This becomes part of your visa application. Once approved, your residency card will reflect work permission.

Already living in Mexico on a Temporary Resident Visa and now want to work? You must apply for a “Permiso de Trabajo” (Work Permit) before starting any paid activity.

On the other hand, Permanent Residents (Residente Permanente) can work in Mexico without additional authorization. However, you are still required to notify INM within 90 days of starting employment.

For official forms and application details, click here.

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🇲🇽 Viva México

Facts That Make You Love Mexico Even More

When we shared a handful of curious Mexico facts a few weeks back, the response was hotter than a salsa habanera. So, by popular demand, we’re serving up five more – fresh, surprising, and muy shareable.

#1 Mexican Cuisine Is UNESCO-Recognized
In 2010, Mexican cuisine was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity – a title it shares with only a few global food traditions. This recognition celebrates not just the food itself, but the rich cultural knowledge, techniques, and community practices behind it. Dishes like mole, tamales, and Chiles en Nogada (which features the green, white, and red of the Mexican flag) are more than just delicious — they’re edible expressions of identity, history, and pride, passed down through generations.

#2 Mexico Played a Key Role in the Creation of the Birth Control Pill
In 1951, 26-year-old Mexican chemist Luis Miramontes synthesized norethindrone, the active compound that became one of the first effective ingredients in oral contraceptives. Working at a lab in Mexico City, Miramontes used a compound derived from a native wild yam to complete a breakthrough that helped spark the global sexual revolution. Today, historians and scientists alike credit this quiet moment in Mexican science with transforming reproductive health worldwide.

#3 Mexico Is Home to the Oldest Winery in the Americas
Long before Napa or Mendoza made a name for themselves, Mexico was already bottling history. Founded in 1597, Casa Madero in Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, holds the title of the oldest operating winery in the Americas. Authorized by Spain’s King Felipe II, it was created to produce sacramental wine for missionaries — and has been producing wine and brandy ever since. Nestled in a desert oasis blessed with natural springs, Casa Madero is now a globally recognized brand exporting to over 27 countries, but its roots are as rich as the soil it grows in.

#4 Mexico Is One of the Most Biodiverse Countries on Earth
Home to 10–12% of all known species, Mexico ranks among the world’s top five most biodiverse countries. It holds the #3 spot globally for mammals and #2 for reptiles —many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. This incredible variety isn’t just natural; it’s cultural too. From medicinal plants to traditional farming, biodiversity here is deeply tied to Indigenous knowledge and daily life, making Mexico not just a hotspot of nature, but of living heritage.

#5 Vanilla Originated in Mexico
Before it became a kitchen staple and perfume ingredient, vanilla was a sacred orchid found only in the tropical forests of Mexico. The Totonac people of Veracruz were the first to harvest its pods, long before the Aztecs blended it with cacao for royal drinks. Even after the Spanish took it to Europe in the 1500s, no one could grow it elsewhere —the plant bloomed, but never fruited. The secret? A tiny bee native to Mexico that pollinated the orchid. For 300 years, vanilla remained one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets — and still today, Mexican vanilla is prized as the most flavorful on earth.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Why Everyone’s Talking About Palo Azul

Palo Azul, or "blue stick," isn’t just another herbal tea — it’s a centuries-old Mexican remedy with a mesmerizing twist. Brew it right, and this earthy tea reveals an iridescent blue glow that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi film.

But the real magic? What it does for your body.

Used by Aztec healers and Indigenous communities for generations, Palo Azul is revered for its powerful diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It’s known to support kidney and liver health, and ease digestive woes.

Packed with flavonoids and polyphenols, it has up to 4x more antioxidants than spirulina and has even outperformed vitamin C in neutralizing free radicals. Translation: it helps fight aging, inflammation, and cellular stress — naturally.

Whether you sip it hot or pour it over ice with a twist of limón, Palo Azul offers a potent, beautiful way to support wellness in Mexico’s warmer climate.

Curious how to brew the perfect blue cup — and where to find the good stuff?

🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events

🎭 Festival Cultural de Mayo – May 8–30, Guadalajara, Jalisco
Experience 44 events across 21 venues, including contemporary dance, jazz, mariachi, and immersive art installations. Highlights include Rubberband's Reckless Underdog, The Brooks' jazz-funk concert, and a tribute to Ravel by the Jalisco Philharmonic. Canada is the guest country, bringing a vibrant mix of performances and exhibitions. More details here.

🪁 Festival del Viento – May 16–18, 2025, Bucerías, Nayarit
Bucerías is bringing the breeze! The Festival del Viento, one of Latin America’s largest kiteboarding events, takes over the beach town with three days of high-flying action and coastal energy. Over 300 athletes will compete in freestyle, slalom, and long-distance races along the stunning Riviera Nayarit shoreline. After the sun sets, the fiesta continues with music, food, and beachfront celebrations. More info here.

🍻 Expo Cerveza México – May 16–18, 2025, Guadalajara
Guadalajara is calling all beer lovers! The fourth edition of Expo Cerveza México lands at Expo Guadalajara from May 16–18, bringing together over 100 breweries from the Bajío and western Mexico. This three-day celebration blends craft beer, business, and fun with guided tastings, live music, and even a Sunday karaoke showdown. Don’t miss “Beer Friday” deals, the amateur brewers’ competition, and the laid-back beer garden. Tickets are $180 MXN per day and include a souvenir glass. More info here.

🏊‍♂️ Triatlón Astri Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo – May 17, 2025, Guerrero
The Triatlón Astri Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo returns, uniting elite athletes and passionate amateurs for one of Mexico’s most scenic triathlons. Participants will swim the crystal-clear Pacific, cycle along the lush coastline, and run through palm-lined roads – all in the tropical paradise of Guerrero. Whether you're racing or cheering with a cold coconut in hand, this event brings serious energy to the coast. More details here.

🎶 Mexican Caribbean Music Festival – May 17, 2025, Tulum
Tulum’s turning up the magic for one unforgettable night! On May 17, the lush jungle venue at Zamna hosts the first-ever Mexican Caribbean Music Festival – and Sting is headlining. Even better? It’s free – just reserve your spot ahead of time (limit four per person). With local food vendors, artisan booths, and that dreamy Tulum vibe, this isn’t just a concert...it’s a full-on Caribbean celebration under the stars. More details here.

🏳️‍🌈 Vallarta Pride – May 17–25, 2025, Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta Pride 2025 lights up the city from May 17–25 with the theme “Revolution: The Future Has No Gender.” Expect a week of parades, pool parties, drag shows, art exhibitions, and cultural events, highlighted by the iconic Pride Parade on May 22. Join thousands from around the world in honoring love, diversity, and inclusion in Mexico’s LGBTQ+ capital. More info here.

🐾 PV Pride Pet Parade – May 19, 2025, Puerto Vallarta
Get ready for wagging tails and rainbow trails! The third annual PV Pride Pet Parade returns on May 19, inviting pets and their humans to strut their stuff along the Malecón at sunset. The walk kicks off at 7:00 PM from Lázaro Cárdenas Park in the Romantic Zone, looping to the Friendship Fountain and back. Costumes are encouraged—think glitter, pride flags, and fabulous flair. This year’s event benefits Dog&Cat, a local pet daycare, with donations supporting animal welfare groups across Vallarta. More info here. More details here.

🐚 Puerto Vallarta Lesbian Pride – May 21–26, 2025, Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta Lesbian Pride returns May 21–26 with a week of sun-soaked, women-centered celebration. Hosted at the Hilton Vallarta Riviera, the lineup includes beach parties, speed dating, sunset mixers, and a catamaran cruise—plus full participation in the city’s Pride Parade and Block Party. VIP packages are sold out, but general admission events are still open. Get more info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

¿Estás formado?

Translation: Are you in line?

In Mexico, lines can be a little...invisible. At the bakery, bank, or taco stand, people often wait by just standing nearby – so instead of guessing, ask: “¿Está formado?” (if they’re male) or “¿Está formada?” (if they’re female).

It’s polite, practical, and shows cultural savvy. Locals appreciate when you check before jumping in.

👉 Bonus tip: To claim your spot, just say “Estoy formado” or “Estoy detrás de él/ella.” (“I’m behind him/her.”) Works like a charm!

Why El Expat Insider Mexico? Life abroad isn’t just about relocating — it’s about reinventing. Every sunrise in Mexico brings new opportunities to explore, learn, and connect. Whether you’re here for a season or a lifetime, we’re your compass for making the most of every moment. Because life’s too short to live on autopilot.

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