¡Feliz Día de la Independencia, amigos! We’re running a lean issue today (blame the Grito). But lean doesn’t mean light…

The 2026 budget proposal is stirring things up: Mexico plans to place tariffs on nearly 1,500 imports, temporary and permanent visa fees are set to double, and new oversight is coming to the “autos chocolate” program.

Plus: how to make store-to-store cash transfers, why Delta and Aeroméxico have been told to split, and a whole lot more.

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❓México Trivia

Which woman, locked in her room by her husband, found a way to send the secret message that ignited Mexico’s War of Independence?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 Qué Paso

📦 Mexico plans to place tariffs of up to 50% on nearly 1,500 imports – mainly from China and five other countries – including cars, steel, glass, and cardboard, as part of its 2026 Revenue Package.

✈️ The Trump administration is ordering Delta and Aeroméxico to end their joint venture by January 1, citing unfair advantages and anti-competitive practices at Mexico City’s airport. The alliance currently handles 60% of U.S.–Mexico City flights.

🚗 Changes are coming to Mexico’s “autos chocolate” regularization program, which legalizes used car imports. The 2026 budget proposal includes adjustments to boost transparency and oversight, but details haven’t been released.

🛠️ Mexico is investing MX$12.5 billion to build and rebuild 19 bridges and highway interchanges across 9 states. The 16.13km in upgrades are expected to be completed by 2028. See which states made the list.

🤖 Jalisco just became the first region in Latin America to test AI ethics at the government level, implementing UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment to guide digital policy across health, education, jobs, and more.

🕵️‍♀️ President Sheinbaum denied a report of a secret CIA–military alliance in Mexico, calling claims of joint operations to capture narcos “totally false.” She confirmed information exchange, but not joint operations.

📍Immigration Essentials

Temporary and Permanent Visas May Double in Price

On September 8, 2025, Mexico’s Ministry of Finance (Secretaría de Hacienda) submitted the Paquete Económico 2026 to Congress. This annual budget package outlines the government’s fiscal plans, including proposed changes to immigration fees.

Among the proposals: A 100% increase in the cost of temporary and permanent resident visas starting January 1, 2026.

• Temporary residency (1 year): rising from 5,328 pesos (US $290) in 2025 to 10,656 pesos ($580) in 2026.
  

• Temporary residency (2 years): from 7,984 pesos ($435) to 15,968 pesos ($870).
  

• Temporary residency (3 years): from 10,112 pesos ($550) to 20,224 pesos ($1,100).
  

• Temporary residency (4 years): from 11,984 pesos ($650) to 23,968 pesos ($1,300).
  

• Permanent residency: from 6,494 pesos ($355) to 12,988 pesos ($705).

The proposal also contemplates a possible 50% discount for certain applicants, as allowed under Mexico’s Migration Law Regulations. These typically apply in specific humanitarian or family-based cases, but details have not yet been clarified.

It’s important to stress that these changes are not final yet.

The fee hikes are part of the budget proposal now before Congress, which must debate and approve the package in the coming weeks. Only then will the increases become official.

We’ll keep you updated as the process moves forward.

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🧩 Life in México

Domestic Cash Transfers through Mexico’s Stores

Most people know you can pay bills at OXXO, but did you know you can also send and receive cash there?

And it’s not just OXXO. Farmacias Guadalajara and 7-Eleven also handle cash-to-cash transfers in pesos that can be picked up at another branch of the same chain.

Unlike traditional banks, these stores have longer hours and are far more accessible, especially in rural or smaller towns where banks are few and far between. 

All three services make the money available within minutes, even if the recipient doesn’t have a bank account.

Here’s how it works:

• Stop by OXXO, Farmacias Guadalajara, or 7-Eleven with your ID (IFE/INE, Residency Card or Passport), phone number, and the recipient’s full name (must be at least 18 years old).

• Give the cashier money in cash. You may have to pay a small service fee. 

• You’ll get a receipt with a transaction reference number. Share it with the person picking up the money.

• The recipient can collect it from any branch of the same chain nationwide with the reference number and photo ID.

There are limits you’ll need to know:

• OXXO: Up to $2,000 MXN per transaction. Fees vary. Service hours: 6 am - 10 pm.

• Farmacias Guadalajara: $3,000 MXN per transaction. Fees vary. 

• 7-Eleven: Up to $2,000 MXN per transaction. Service hours: 8 am - 8 pm. A 5% fee plus VAT applies.

Disclaimer: We’re not connected to or affiliated with Oxxo, Farmacia Guadalajara, or any of the businesses or apps mentioned here. We just hope this info is useful!

🪷 Viva Wellness

5 Epic Mountain Bike Trails in Mexico

Forget the spin class. Mexico’s mountain trails will give you a real workout. 

From pine forests to coastal deserts, biking here is about fresh air, wild views, and a serious dose of adventure. 

And with hundreds of miles of trails across the country, here are five epic spots to get your heart pumping.

Parque Ejidal San Nicolás Totolapan, Mexico City: Located on the western slopes of the Xitle Volcano, this eco-park has extensive mountain biking trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. Its name in Nahuatl means "place of birds," which are plentiful among the park’s thick forests.

Nevado de Toluca, State of Mexico: Ride through volcanic landscapes and high-altitude forests, with trails leading to the stunning twin crater lakes, Lago del Sol and Lago de la Luna. Trails range from beginner-friendly to challenging, with guided options for younger riders. 

Sierra Norte, Oaxaca: Cloud-forested mountains serve up challenging terrain and sweeping highland vistas. Local guides can show you hidden backcountry trails and where to get a well-earned sip of small-batch artisanal mezcal.  

Todos Santos, Baja California Sur: Coastal desert trails wind through desert cactus country and out to sweeping ocean views. The scenery makes cycling here unforgettable.

Cumbres de Majalca, Chihuahua: Pine forests and intriguing rock formations make this northern gem an ideal destination for both exploration and competition. It’s also home to the legendary Chupacabras 100K race.

If you’re after more trail inspo, these popular sites offer community-shared routes with trails for all abilities: MTB Project, or Wikiloc, Kamoot.

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

📚 Feria Internacional del Libro de Morelia – September 26 - October 5, Morelia, Michoacán
Celebrate 160 years of Mexico–Portugal friendship as Morelia welcomes Portugal as guest of honor in this growing literary festival. With over 190 events, 60+ publishers, and the theme Palabras Navegantes, the fair highlights authors like José Luis Peixoto, Afonso Cruz, and Patricia Portela, alongside Portuguese cinema, music, and theater. More info here.

🎪 Fiestas del Sol Mexicali – Sept ember 26 - October  12, Mexicali, B.C.
Seventeen days of culture and celebration at Centro FEX, featuring headliners at the Palenque (Luis R. Conríquez, Edén Muñoz, Christian Nodal, Carín León, Grupo Firme) alongside 17 nights of free concerts at the Isla de las Estrellas. You’ll also find rides, regional food stalls, artisan pavilions, charrería, and street art. Weekday hours are 5 pm–midnight; weekends extend until 1  am. More info here.

🎨 Museo Casa Kahlo – Opening September 27, Coyoacán, CDMX
A new museum dedicated to Frida Kahlo is opening in Casa Roja — the longtime family home of Kahlo’s parents and sister — just steps from Casa Azul in Coyoacán. Run by her descendants for the first time, Museo Casa Kahlo will showcase personal artifacts, clothing, dolls, letters, and never-before-seen photos from the family archive. The museum also includes rotating exhibitions and photography by Kahlo’s father, Guillermo. More info here.

🪑 Design Week Mexico 2025 – October 7–12, CDMX
Now in its 17th edition, Design Week Mexico turns CDMX into a hub of ideas under the theme “Designed in Mexico.” This year highlights Argentina as guest country and a Focus México showcase spanning 10 states from Oaxaca to Yucatán. Expect immersive interiors at Design House, bold debuts at Inédito, and public installations reimagining heritage through sustainable design. With 20,000+ visitors annually, it’s Latin America’s premier design festival. More info here.

🎸 San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta – October 24 & 25, San Felipe, Baja California
Back for its 20th anniversary, this iconic beachside fiesta fuses live blues music with vibrant local art…all for a good cause. Hosted by the San Felipe Lions Club, the event supports everything from orphanages and cataract surgeries to fire departments and elder care. Expect two days of soulful performances, artisan booths, and a Friday night blues jam session under the stars. Tickets are available with a donation and every peso goes back into the community. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“¿Dónde me toca pagar?”

Translation: Where am I supposed to pay?

In Mexico, the verb tocar isn’t just about touching or playing music,  it’s also used to mean it’s your turn or it’s your responsibility. 

You’ll hear it everywhere: “Me toca cocinar” (It’s my turn to cook), “Te toca a ti” (It’s your turn).

At the bank, a government office, or even when splitting a bill, ¿Dónde me toca pagar? is a handy phrase. Locals use it to ask where someone is supposed to pay – whether at a counter, cashier, or window.

🎯 Trivia Answer

Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez.

Better known as La Corregidora, Doña Josefa played a pivotal role in igniting Mexico’s War of Independence. Born September 8,1768, she was educated at the prestigious Colegio de las Vizcaínas in Mexico City – a rare opportunity for women at the time. Her education sharpened both her intellect and her sense of justice.

She married Miguel Domínguez, the corregidor (chief magistrate) of Querétaro, and used her social position to host secret meetings for revolutionary thinkers, including Hidalgo, Allende, and Aldama.

But she wasn’t just a hostess – she was a strategist and a fierce advocate for liberation from Spanish colonial rule.

In 1810, when Spanish authorities discovered the plot to overthrow the crown, Doña Josefa was confined to her room by her own husband – who feared for her safety and his position.

Undeterred, she managed to smuggle a warning to the conspirators, prompting them to act early.

That message directly led to Hidalgo’s call to arms, the Grito de Dolores.

She was later arrested and imprisoned, but not her convictions. Even after her release in 1817, she refused government pensions or favors, believing it would betray the cause she fought for.

Check out this video for images of her house and a deeper dive into her story.

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