¡Hola amigos! This week, the peso keeps falling, the auto tariff clock is ticking, and Mexico’s racing ahead with big infrastructure moves. We’re also unpacking what you really need to know about emergency services in Mexico.

Plus, we’ve got the ultimate Semana Santa guide and a Spanish tip that might save you from milking a cow when all you wanted was a latte.

📣Que Paso

💸 The Mexican peso fell for the fifth straight day on Monday, hitting 20.39 per USD, as U.S. tariff threats, Banxico rate cuts, and a growing trade deficit drive investor uncertainty.

🚗 A new 25% U.S. tariff on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks, and some auto parts goes into effect April 2, with collection starting April 3 – a move threatening Mexico’s $63 billion auto export industry.

🛫 Mexican air traffic to the U.S. fell 4.6% in early 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

⛴️ A new Ensenada–San Diego ferry is set to launch in April 2025 with space for 330 passengers per trip. The exact start date is still unconfirmed, according to Azteca Ferries.

🚆 Construction begins on the Mexico–Pachuca train, expected to serve over 83,000 daily passengers and reduce travel time by up to 30%. Travel from CDMX to Pachuca will take 1 hour 15 minutes.

🥇 Mexico’s Senate approved a series of nine commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be minted in gold, silver, and alloys, with Banco de México overseeing the designs.

🛒 Walmart Mexico will invest over US$6 billion in 2025 – nearly triple last year’s budget – to open new stores and complete two distribution centers, creating 5,500 direct jobs.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Must Know Facts about Emergency Services in Mexico

From why paramedics won’t break down your door to save you to what an ambulance ride might really cost you — Mexico’s emergency medical service has its own quirks, strengths, and gaps.

There are places where EMS may not reach at all. Paramedics focus on stabilizing and transporting – not full treatment on-site. And what you say when you call 911 could impact what happens next.

Whether you fall in your own home or are road-tripping through Chiapas, knowing how emergency services work before you need them could be a real lifesaver.

📍 Immigration Essentials

What Is the CURP and Why Is It Important?

The CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) is Mexico’s national ID number, similar to a Social Security number. It’s an 18-character alphanumeric code used to identify all residents and citizens in Mexico. Each person only gets one CURP, and it never changes.

Only Mexican citizens and legal residents can obtain a CURP. Tourists are not eligible.

If you have a Temporary or Permanent Resident Card, your CURP is automatically generated during your residency application. It is printed on your card – there’s no need to apply separately.

You’ll need your CURP for many things in Mexico: Opening a bank account, registering a car, getting a driver’s license, paying taxes, applying for your RFC (tax ID), and accessing programs like INAPAM. It may also be needed for setting up utilities or registering with the civil registry.

Although the CURP is printed on your card, some offices may ask for it in PDF format. You can download it at www.gob.mx/curp.

🇲🇽 Viva Mexico

Top Places to Experience Semana Santa in Mexico

Semana Santa is one of Mexico’s most sacred and spectacular holidays. Across Mexico, streets transform into sacred spaces. Schools and businesses close. Cities pause for long processions. Churches overflow. Passion plays reenact Christ’s final days.

From ancient rituals to modern celebrations, it’s a week steeped in reflection, reverence, and community.

If you’re in Mexico during Holy Week, here are 3 of the most unforgettable places to experience it…

Iztapalapa, Mexico City 
One of the most dramatic reenactments of Christ’s crucifixion in the world takes place in the southern Mexico City neighborhood of Iztapalapa. Over 3,000 locals reenact Jesus’ final days in a multi-day event that draws millions of spectators.

The tradition began in 1833, after a deadly cholera outbreak. Locals promised to honor Christ if spared — and they’ve kept that promise for nearly two centuries. The main procession ends with a dramatic crucifixion scene on Cerro de la Estrella – not for the faint of heart, but absolutely unforgettable.

San Luis Potosí
La Procesión del Silencio (Procession of Silence) is hauntingly beautiful. On Good Friday, participants in hooded robes walk silently through the historic center, lit only by candles. Leading the way are Nazarenos – men in black robes and hoods, walking barefoot, carrying candles and heavy wooden crosses. Behind them, women dressed in mourning black follow solemnly, bearing a statue of the Virgin Mary.

There are no words. No music. Just reverence and rhythm. It all ends at midnight with a special Mass back at Templo del Carmen. It’s one of the most emotionally powerful Semana Santa experiences in Mexico.

Taxco, Guerrero
Set against steep cobblestone streets and colonial charm, Taxco’s processions are known for their intensity – and their pain. Hooded penitents walk barefoot, carry thorny bundles, and perform acts of self-penance in a centuries-old ritual of devotion.

The town’s Baroque centerpiece, Santa Prisca Church, glows with candlelight as incense fills the air and ancient rituals unfold. It’s raw, reverent, and unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else in Mexico.

See our full list of 10 places to experience Semana Santa — plus tips for navigating crowds, local traditions, and travel during Holy Week.

🪷 Viva Wellness

DIY Mexican Skincare Treatments You Can Make at Home

Want that sun-kissed, dewy glow without spending a fortune at a spa? Mexico’s ancient beauty wisdom has you covered. From calming chamomile to juicy nopal, these easy, natural recipes bring the magic of Mexican skincare right to your bathroom counter.

Try one (or all!) of these time-tested treatments that nourish, soothe, and revive your skin…using ingredients you can find at the mercado or in your own cocina.

Chamomile and Honey Face Mask
Mix a cooled cup of chamomile tea with a tablespoon of honey. Apply it to your face and let it sit for 10–15 minutes before rinsing. This mask calms inflammation, hydrates the skin, and leaves it looking fresh.

Cinnamon and Aloe Vera Serum
Blend a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with a dash of cinnamon powder. Massage it into your skin to increase circulation and reduce puffiness. The aloe hydrates deeply, while the cinnamon enhances blood flow, promoting a glowing complexion.

Nopal Gel Mask
Slice a nopal pad and scoop out the gel. Apply it directly to your face and let it sit for 10 minutes. This mask locks in moisture and boosts elasticity, and soothes sun-exposed skin, giving it a renewed and plump look.

Chilcuague Spot Treatment for Acne or Irritations 
Apply a small amount of chilcuague extract or ointment to blemishes or irritated areas. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce acne and promote healing. Make sure you use high-quality chilcuague extracts or roots, sourced from reliable providers.

Caution: Always do a patch test before applying chilcuague to your face or skin – it's potent and can cause sensitivity for some.

🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events

🏊‍♂️ World Aquatics Diving World Cup – April 3–6, 2025, Guadalajara
Guadalajara makes a splash as it welcomes the World Aquatics Diving World Cup for the first time since 2013. Hosted at the Centro Acuático Code Metropolitano in Zapopan, this event kicks off the 2025 Diving World Cup series. Expect gravity-defying dives, Olympic-level talent, and the electric energy of a city with deep roots in aquatic sports. Get more info here.

🌸 Polanco Flower and Garden Festival – April 3–6, 2025, CDMX
Step into the future of flora at the Polanco Flower and Garden Festival! This year's theme, "Gardens of the Future," invites designers, artists, and florists to showcase innovative floral arches throughout Parque América. Stroll through Polanco's vibrant streets adorned with imaginative installations that blend nature with futuristic concepts. Get more info here.

🎸 Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 – April 4–6, Monterrey, Nuevo León
Get ready for one of Mexico’s biggest music blowouts! Tecate Pa’l Norte roars back to Monterrey’s Parque Fundidora with a massive multi-genre lineup, epic stages, and that iconic lion energy. Get more info here.

🎉 Feria Nacional de la Huasteca Potosina – April 10–20, Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí
From Gloria Trevi to Grupo Pesado, this 10-day cultural blowout brings top-tier concerts, traditional Huasteca cuisine, artisan markets, folk dance, and family fun to the lush heart of San Luis Potosí. Held in Ciudad Valles, FENAHUAP is the ultimate celebration of Huasteca pride. Get more info here.

🍄 Spora: Festival del Bosque – April 17–20, Chapultepec, CDMX
Step into the magical world of mushrooms at this year’s Festival del Bosque in Chapultepec. “Spora” brings giant fungi installations, bioluminescent picnics, open-air films, live music, and family-friendly workshops — all celebrating the wild, wonderful kingdom of fungi. Most activities are free. Get more info here.

🐴 Feria Internacional del Caballo Texcoco 2025 – March 28–April 27, Texcoco, Estado de México 
Experience one of Mexico's premier fairs, celebrating equestrian culture with charreadas, jaripeos, and rodeos. Enjoy performances by renowned artists like Alejandro Fernández and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón. The fair also features traditional cuisine, artisan crafts, and thrilling rides. Get more info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

Ordeñar vs. Ordenar

One little letter…two totally different vibes.

Say “ordenar” and you’re confidently ordering tacos or a garrafón of water. Say “ordeñar” and... well, you’re milking something. Literally. 🐄 

“Ordené un latte” = I ordered a latte.
“Ordeñé una vaca” = I milked a cow.

Big difference, right? 😉 

Use this as your friendly reminder that Spanish is spicy – and just one vowel away from a whole different story. ¡Buen provecho y cuidado con las vacas!

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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