¡Hola amigos! Big tax hikes may be on the horizon as lawmakers move Mexico’s 2026 revenue plan toward Senate approval, with 5.8 trillion pesos projected from taxes alone. Meanwhile, automaker BYD launches its largest-ever recall, and Costco is betting big on Mexico’s growth.

We’re also covering practical tips: how to cut prescription costs, what really happens if you’re stopped without documents, and why Revolut’s arrival could make banking here a lot less painful. Plus, the Spanish phrase for when you’re not quite there… but close enough.

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

❓México Trivia

What classic Mexican dish was invented by accident when a maître d’ had to feed hungry Americans after the kitchen closed?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 Qué Pasó

🚗 BYD is recalling over 115,000 Tang and Yuan Pro models built between 2015 and 2022 due to battery and design flaws that pose potential safety risks.

🛒 Costco is expanding its Mexico market, with plans to open 30 new stores total over the next 20 years.

💰Mexico’s lower house of Congress has approved the 2026 Revenue Law, projecting over MX$10 trillion in income for next year, of which MX$5.8 trillion will come from taxes. It now moves to the Senate for final approval.

🥤If the law passes, Mexico will raise its sugar drink tax in 2026, with the expected MX$41 billion in revenue going entirely to health programs.

🏛️Also, if approved, starting in 2026, admission fees for foreign visitors to archaeological sites and museums managed by INAH and INBAL will increase by more than 100%. There will be no change for Mexican citizens or foreign residents.

🗳️ Mexico’s PAN party has ended its alliance with the PRI, launching a major rebrand to rebuild its political base and stand alone in future elections. 

🌊 President Sheinbaum criticized PAN for relaunching its party during nationwide flood emergencies, calling the move “insensitive” to victims.

💧 Mexico’s government will allocate MX$10 billion to help more than 70,000 families affected by floods across five states, with direct payments beginning this week.

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

🍎 Your Health Pulse

How to Save on Prescription Meds

Prescription drug prices in Mexico have risen nearly 5% this year, as chronic diseases push demand higher. With out-of-pocket spending on medicines topping half of total health costs, it pays to know where you can still save.

The good news: there are still easy ways to save. Here’s how.

Pharmacy Discounts & Loyalty Programs
Chains like Farmacias del Ahorro, San Pablo, Benavides, Guadalajara, and Similares offer rotating discounts and loyalty memberships. These are open to anyone. All you need to do is provide your name, phone, and email. Expect promos like 2-for-1 deals or special pricing on common meds.

Tip: Farmacia Similares is best for generics. Ahorro offers regular email coupons and membership pricing.

In-Store Doctor Consults
To unlock some prescription discounts, you may need a script from a local doctor. Most chain pharmacies have a walk-in clinic (consultorio) attached. Visits usually cost $50–$100 pesos and often get you access to lower-priced medications.

IMSS Enrollment
Mexico’s public health system, IMSS, covers many prescriptions if you’re enrolled. It’s available to residents (temporary or permanent) either through employment or voluntary enrollment. Costs vary by age and do not apply to tourists. Coverage includes access to IMSS doctors and on-site pharmacies. Is IMSS worth the hassle? We break it down here.

📍Immigration Essentials

What Happens If You’re Stopped without Immigration Documents?

Last week, we explained who can legally stop you and what makes a checkpoint valid. This week, we’re diving into what happens if you’re stopped at a roadside immigration checkpoint – not at the border – and you don’t have your documents with you.

Under Mexico’s Ley de Migración, foreigners must present proof of their legal status and identity when requested by Instituto Nacional de Migración officers (Article 16). Only INM agents may request or retain your documents. Police or the Guardia Nacional can’t demand them unless they’re formally assisting INM (Articles 17 and 96).

If you don’t have your residency card or passport with you, INM will verify your status through an administrative process, not a criminal one. 

Under Article 68, immigration agents can take you to the nearest INM office to verify your immigration status. This process, known as a presentación administrativa (administrative presentation), allows INM to hold you for up to 36 hours while confirming your records. It is not considered an arrest or formal detention.

What Counts as Proof

By law, your valid immigration document is the only official proof of legal stay.

• Residents must carry their residency card.

• Tourists must carry their passport with either their FMM tourist card (which is still issued at the border) or a printout from an airport scanner indicating when you entered Mexico and by when you must leave, and have the stamp in your passport. 

The law doesn’t explicitly mention digital copies, which leads to inconsistencies. Some INM agents accept digital scans of residency cards, while others require the original documentation.

There is nothing in the law that requires temporary or permanent residents to show a passport along with their residency card. However, we heard from a reader who has been asked at roadside checkpoints to show both a residency card and a passport. Despite explaining to agents that both weren’t required, they were pulled into secondary inspection and fined.

As with many things here in Mexico, there’s what the law says and what actually happens on the ground.

If you want to err on the side of caution, always travel with your physical documents. And know the law, which you can read here. 

Miss last week’s article on your rights at roadside immigration checkpoints? Check it out here. 

🧩 Life in México

Revolut: A New Digital Banking Option in Mexico

Revolut, the U.K.-based financial technology company, has received final approval from Mexico’s National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) and the Bank of Mexico to begin banking operations. 

The authorization, announced October 20, 2025, makes Revolut the first independent digital bank to receive a full Mexican banking license directly from regulators, rather than buying or partnering with an existing institution.

The company will begin with a beta program in a few weeks, with full operations expected in early 2026. As a regulated Mexican bank, all deposits will be insured by IPAB, Mexico’s deposit protection agency, for up to MX$3.4 million per account.

The new bank promises to make everyday money management much easier. A big plus is that customers will be able to open an account online (no more spending hours at a branch). Revolut’s initial features will include international money transfers, plus tools to split expenses and track spending. 

Users interested in being among the first to experience Revolut's services can sign up on the wait list here.

🇲🇽 Viva México

Pan de Muerto: A Delicious Link Between Life and Death

Pan de Muerto isn’t just a sweet treat…it’s a powerful symbol woven into the Día de Muertos tradition. This beloved bread acts as a bridge between the living and their ancestors, reminding us of the cycle of life and death with every bite.

The origins of Pan de Muertos are believed to date back to pre-Hispanic times, with roots in Aztec rituals. Some historians suggest it symbolizes a human heart offered to the gods, while others connect it to an offering of a young maiden sacrificed to the goddess Izcoxauhqui.

With the arrival of the Spanish, the bread evolved, incorporating European baking techniques and ingredients.

There are differing explanations as to why it’s the shape it is, but most agree the round shape represents the circle of life, while the bones adorning the bread symbolize the deceased.  

Depending on the region, you might find it shaped like human figures, animals, or even crescent moons. The ingredients and flavors also vary, but it’s usually a soft, yeast-based bread infused with orange zest or anise.

During Día de Muertos, families place Pan de Muertos on ofrendas dedicated to their ancestors. The bread is believed to nourish the spirits who return to visit. Sharing it with family and friends not only honors the memory of those who have passed but also strengthens bonds among the living.

🪷 Viva Wellness

The Flower of the Dead

As Día de Muertos approaches, cempasúchil flowers form golden pathways along streets, in doorways, and across markets, spilling from stalls in vibrant orange cascades.

[Not sure how to pronounce it? Try this: sem·pa·su·chil]

This native Mexican marigold, originally called cempohualxochitl in Nahuatl (meaning twenty flowers), is placed on ofrendas to guide ancestral spirits home with its brilliant color and distinctive scent.

But beyond its role as a spiritual beacon, cempasúchil has been treasured by traditional healers for centuries. The petals and leaves contain a mix of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant compounds.

Curanderas have long brewed cempasúchil tea to ease digestive discomfort, colic, and intestinal parasites. It’s also used to help soothe menstrual cramps, thanks to its spasmolytic (muscle-relaxing) effects. This tea also has a mild sedative effect, useful for treating anxiety, nervous tension, and insomnia. 

The cempasúchil flower is one of the richest plant sources of lutein, a nutrient essential for eye health. Lutein helps filter harmful blue light and supports visual function, reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Research also suggests lutein may enhance visual memory, learning, and cognitive performance.

Crushed flowers are still used as a healing poultice for wounds, burns, and skin irritations, helping to prevent infection. When rubbed on the skin, the oils work as an insect repellent.

Cempasúchil's versatility also extends to the cocina. Its slightly bitter, saffron-like blooms are used to finish salads or flavor soups and sauces. Rich in antioxidants, they also inspire modern desserts like artisan chocolates and cempasúchil-infused crème brûlée. 

In some regions, it’s even used to flavor pulque, turning it into a festive drink, perfect for raising a toast to la vida! 

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

We’ll return to our regular event postings next week, but we couldn’t pass up the chance to spotlight Día de Muertos one more time.

Check out our top can’t-miss celebrations across Mexico.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“Ya casi.”

Translation: Almost done / Almost there.

This is one you’ll hear everywhere: at restaurants, barbershops, or while waiting on your plumber. It’s the universal Mexican way to say, “Just a little more patience.”

Use it when checking in on a task without sounding pushy:

¿Ya casi termina? — “Almost finished?”
¿Ya casi llegas? — “Almost there?”

Short, friendly, and full of good vibes – ya casi keeps things light while you wait.

Health insurance in Mexico doesn’t have to be confusing.

Skip the endless searching and connect directly with a vetted broker who can match coverage to your needs. Peace of mind starts with the right policy.

Find your broker here.

🎯 Trivia Answer

Nachos. 

The story goes that it was created in 1943 by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. When a group of U.S. military wives arrived after the kitchen was closed, Anaya improvised with what he found: fried tortillas, cheese, and jalapeños. He called it Nachos Especiales, and the rest is crunchy, cheesy history. 

Fun fact: Today, October 21, is International Nacho Day. And, yes, that’s a thing.

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

Not Yet a Subscriber? Click Below to Get Our Newsletter Every Week — It’s FREE!