As we bid farewell to 2024, we’re raising a glass to the thousands of you who’ve joined us in our first six months of publishing. Your support and feedback have been nothing short of increíble. ¡Gracias, comunidad!

This week, we’re wrapping up the holiday season with Día de Reyes, sharing Mexican traditions to kick off 2025 with intention, getting to the bottom of the Culiacán zoo giraffe drama, and taking a closer look at Mexico’s push to ban GMO corn through a constitutional reform.

Here’s to a new year full of culture, connection, and living la vida mexicana. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Big News Coming Soon... 🎉

We’ve been working on something special just for you. Imagine tools designed to save you time, money, and stress — and help you navigate Mexico like a local. Whether it’s decoding rental contracts, impressing friends with your knowledge of Mexican spirits, or mastering Mexico’s cultural etiquette, it’s all coming your way soon.

📣Que Paso

🌽 The Mexican government has proposed a constitutional reform to prohibit the planting of genetically modified corn in order to protect native varieties.

🦒 Culiacán Zoo’s missing giraffe mystery solved! On November 7, the new director of the Culiacán Zoo noticed a giraffe was unaccounted for. Come to find out, the giraffe had actually died on September 15 of natural causes. Under media pressure, zoo officials finally admitted the truth. Click here to read the official statement.

🤝 President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico will send a representative to Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration on January 10. This marks the first recognition of Maduro’s reelection by Sheinbaum’s administration.

📱Mexico is testing a new app that allows migrants to alert relatives and consulates if they're about to be detained by U.S. immigration authorities. The app aims to ensure detained migrants have access to legal and consular assistance quickly.

🌎 President Claudia Sheinbaum supports expanding the USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement) to include more Latin American countries, highlighting the potential for regional economic growth and unity.

Do You Know How Much Currency To Bring On International Trips?

The average group brings $700 cash for a 12-night trip, so they never miss out. Tips, taxis, shopping at markets and having a backup plan make bringing some cash a must-have travel item. Order currency online today to beat climbing rates and get your currency delivered to your home as soon as the next day. Currency exchange has never been easier. Your happy travels start here.

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🍎 Your Health Pulse

How Does International Insurance Work with Hospitals in Mexico?

If you are living in Mexico as an expat, there may come a time when you need medical care.

If your medical care includes a procedure performed in hospitals in Mexico, it is important to understand how insurance works so that you won’t wind up paying significantly more than necessary.

📍 Immigration Essentials

Marriage and the Path to Becoming a Naturalized Mexican

Foreigners married to Mexican citizens can fast-track their path to Mexican citizenship — and unlock numerous rights and privileges.

The process begins with a one-year temporary residency, renewable for a second year, by proving your marriage and your spouse’s financial solvency. After two years of continuous residency, you can apply for permanent residency or naturalization.

Benefits of naturalization include the right to vote, the ability to purchase property in restricted zones without a fideicomiso (trust), freedom from immigration status renewals, and the right to work for any employer in Mexico without requiring a Constancia de empleador.

The process involves completing specific application forms, providing necessary documentation and paying applicable fees. Typically, it takes about four to six months.

Click below for more info on becoming a naturalized Mexican through marriage, including step-by-step instructions and requirements.

🇲🇽 Viva Mexico

Día de Reyes: A Royal Adiós to the Holiday Season

Every January 6, Mexico lights up with the magic of Día de Reyes (Three Kings' Day), one of the most cherished traditions in Mexican culture.

Also known as the Epiphany in other countries, this holiday celebrates the arrival of the Magi — Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar — who journeyed far to honor the newborn Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

In Mexico, the celebration carries unique cultural layers. The Magi’s visit reflects themes of protection and hope, as families recall the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph hiding baby Jesus from King Herod’s soldiers.

On the night of January 5, children place their shoes by the door — or under the Christmas tree — hoping los Reyes Magos will leave toys and gifts. In some towns, kids tie their wish lists to helium balloons and release them into the sky.

The next morning brings laughter, excitement, and the sweet aroma of the holiday’s centerpiece: The Rosca de Reyes.

This ring-shaped bread isn’t just delicious — it’s deeply symbolic. Its circular shape represents unity, and the candied fruits resemble the Magi’s jeweled crowns. Hidden inside the Rosca is a figurine of baby Jesus.

Finding the figurine is both an honor and a responsibility. It means you’ll host a feast on February 2 for Día de la Candelaria, complete with tamales and atole.

Beyond the food and festivities, Día de Reyes carries deep meaning. Communities gather for processions, church masses, and traditional plays reenacting the Magi’s journey. This day isn’t just about receiving gifts — it’s a celebration of faith, generosity, and togetherness

🪷 Viva Wellness

Mexican Traditions to Welcome 2025 with Luck and Prosperity

In Mexico, New Year’s is rich with traditions aimed at ushering in prosperity, love, and adventure. Here are five customs that many Mexicans embrace to start the year on a positive note:

Sweeping: As midnight approaches, families sweep their homes, directing the dust out the door. This act symbolizes the removal of negative energy, making way for good fortune in the coming year.

Lentils: Consuming lentils on New Year's Eve is believed to bring prosperity and abundance. Some enjoy a spoonful of cooked lentils, while others place a handful outside their door, both practices intended to attract wealth.

Walking with a Suitcase: At the stroke of midnight, those yearning for travel take an empty suitcase and walk around the block. This ritual is thought to ensure that the new year is filled with exciting journeys and adventures.

Grapes: As the clock counts down to midnight, it's customary to eat twelve grapes, one for each chime. Each grape represents a wish or intention for the twelve months ahead, with the act believed to bring good luck and the fulfillment of these desires.

Underwear: The color of one's underwear on New Year's Eve is chosen deliberately to attract specific fortunes:

• Red signifies a desire for love and passion.

• Yellow aims to bring wealth and prosperity.

• Green is selected for improved health and well-being.

• White symbolizes a wish for peace and harmony.

🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events

🇲🇽 Yo Amo México Festival: Jan – Mar 2025, Riviera Maya
Celebrate Mexican culture at Rosewood Mayakoba's Yo Amo México Festival, running from January to March 2025. Enjoy events featuring artisans, chefs, and wellness practitioners, with proceeds supporting Centro Educativo K'iin Beh, a local bilingual school. Click here for details.

🎭 Mérida Fest 2025: Jan 5–26, Mérida Celebrate
Mérida’s 483rd anniversary with Mérida Fest 2025, featuring 199 events across the city! From January 5 to 26, enjoy Yucatecan trova performances, traditional music, and concerts at iconic venues like Santa Lucía Park and Plaza Grande. This festival reflects the heart of Yucatecan culture and Mérida’s status as a vibrant cultural hub. Click here for more info.

🐾 Lotería for Animals: Jan 8, San Miguel
Calling all animal lovers! Join the next Lotería for Animals on January 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Trina Cantina. Proceeds will support Amigos de Animales San Miguel de Allende, a local organization dedicated to sterilizing pets in the community. Click here for more info.

🎉 Fiesta Grande de Chiapa de Corzo: Jan 8–23, Chiapas
Celebrate one of Mexico's most vibrant traditions at the Fiesta Grande de Chiapa de Corzo! From January 8 to 23, the streets come alive with Parachicos—masked dancers in colorful attire—and Chiapanecas in embroidered dresses, all moving to the rhythm of drums and flutes. This UNESCO-recognized festival honors local patron saints with parades, traditional dances, and rich cultural expressions. Located just 20 minutes from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapa de Corzo offers an unforgettable experience of pre-Hispanic customs and communal joy. Click here for more info.

💡 Say It in Spanish

"Arriba, abajo, al centro, y pa’ dentro!"

Translation: Up, down, to the center, and down the hatch!

This playful toast is a staple at Mexican celebrations. On New Year’s Eve, it takes on extra joy as families and friends raise their glasses to toast to love, health, and prosperity. Each motion — lifting your glass up, down, to the center, and finally drinking— adds a fun ritual to the moment.

Why El Expat Insider? 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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