Hola amigos! It's Semana Santa, and while half of Mexico is heading to the beach and the other half joining in processions, we appreciate you taking a moment with us.

This week, we’re diving into why the Mexican government is urging banks to lower interest rates, the government’s plan to boost small-scale farming, and loading you up on interesting facts about Mexico.

Plus, the hidden risk that could cost you thousands when buying property in Mexico, and the one Spanish phrase born from 1980s payphones that perfectly sums up every “ah-ha” moment.

📣Que Paso

💸 President Sheinbaum asked Mexico’s finance minister to urge banks to lower rates on commercial and development loans, saying credit remains too costly and bureaucratic despite Banxico’s recent rate cut.

💧 Ongoing drought in northern Mexico may force renegotiation of the 1944 U.S.-Mexico water treaty, as Mexico has delivered just 26% of its required water quota from the Rio Bravo.

🍺 A dry law will hit several CDMX boroughs this Holy Week – including Iztapalapa, Cuajimalpa, Xochimilco, and Gustavo A. Madero – banning alcohol sales to maintain public order during religious celebrations.

✈️ American Airlines will launch service to Puerto Escondido this December – marking its 30th destination in Mexico and cementing its title as the U.S. airline with the most Mexico flights.

🐂 Michoacán just became the 6th Mexican state to ban bullfighting, following a decisive vote in Congress.

🌽 Mexico will invest over MX$80 billion in small-scale farming this year to boost rural economies, promote food sovereignty, and support more than 2 million producers nationwide.

🌎 Mexico and Brazil are working to strengthen trade between the two nations, announcing plans for closer economic cooperation.

🥇 Mexico claimed gold on home turf at the Diving World Cup in Guadalajara, with Osmar Ibarra & Juan Hernandez topping the podium in synchronized diving and Randal Willars Valdez for the men’s 10-meter platform.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

How to Manage Medical Accidents in Mexico

Here's the thing nobody tells you about accidents in Mexico: It's not just about the injury or emergency itself. That's bad enough.

But the real nightmare?

It's everything that comes immediately AFTER.

That's why we're hosting a FREE workshop on Managing Medical Accidents in Mexico where we’re breaking down exactly how to handle healthcare & insurance claims without losing your mind, wasting half a year as a professional paper pusher…or draining your life savings.

In this 60-minute workshop, claims specialist Barbara Palazuelos will walk you through…

• The complete "Accident Scene Checklist" – including exactly what you need to document upfront to protect yourself legally

• How to create an effective Medical Buddy System (plus the critical sequence of emergency contacts that could save your life)

• The truth about Mexican emergency services – what you absolutely need to know before you need them

• Specific protocols for handling injuries when you're alone (including the crucial difference between calling 911 and direct ambulance services)

• How to prepare for "anticipos" – those surprise upfront hospital costs that catch most expats off guard

Plus: Q&A session where Barbara will answer your specific questions.

Don't wait until you're in an emergency to learn what you need to know.

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16 @ 6 pm Mexico City time. It’s FREE!

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🏠 Real Estate Roundup 

Hidden Risk of Buying Property in Mexico (That No One Is Talking About!)

You’ve found the one – maybe it’s a beachfront condo in Puerto Vallarta, a colonial home in Mérida, or an apartment in Guadalajara. You’re ready to sign. But before you do…there’s a hidden risk that could cost you tens of thousands.

It’s not in the brochures. Your real estate agent won’t bring it up. Your bank certainly won’t warn you. Yet, it could cost you more than any other factor in your home purchase.

What is it?

Currency fluctuation.

The value of the Mexican peso moves up and down constantly – and when you’re buying property in Mexico, those swings aren’t just numbers on a chart. They directly impact how much you actually pay in U.S. or Canadian dollars.

Most homes in Mexico are priced in pesos — but if you’re buying with USD or CAD, your final cost hinges on the exchange rate at closing. Even a small market shift can turn into a surprise $10K - $50K hit (or more).

And if you're relying on your bank to move your money? Brace yourself for hidden fees and less-than-ideal rates.

Exchange rates have always fluctuated, but right now, the USD/MXN market is more volatile than it’s been in years. Keep reading to find out how to protect yourself (and your money).

🇲🇽 Viva Mexico

5 Fascinating Facts About Mexico You’ll Want to Know

Want to impress guests at your next dinner party? Here are 5 facts about Mexico that’ll give you bragging rights – no mezcal required.

#1 Mexico Had the First Printing Press in North America 
Long before printing presses reached the U.S., the very first one in North America was cranking out texts in Mexico City in 1539 — less than two decades after the Spanish arrived. Brought over by Spanish colonists and installed in the Casa de la Primera Imprenta, this press produced religious, educational, and government documents that shaped the early cultural and intellectual life of the Americas. It printed texts nearly 100 years before anything rolled off a press in what is now the U.S.

#2 UNAM is the Oldest University in North America
The National University of Mexico was founded on September 21, 1551, under the name Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. Widely considered the first university founded in North America, it followed the chartering of the University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru, by just a few months. After Mexico gained independence, it was renamed the University of Mexico, reflecting the country’s new national identity. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, celebrated for its bold architecture and sprawling murals by legends like Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Juan O’Gorman.

#3 Mexico Revolutionized Color TV
In 1940, Mexican engineer Guillermo González Camarena invented an early color television transmission system – the "Chromoscopic Adapter for Television Equipment" – and received a U.S. patent for it. He was just 23 years old. His invention made color broadcasting more affordable and accessible, and variations of his system were later used by NASA during space missions.

#4 Home to the World’s Second-Largest Coral Reef
Mexico is home to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world – stretching over 600 miles from the Yucatán Peninsula down through Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The reef starts off the coast of Quintana Roo. Locally, it’s known as the Great Mayan Reef, and it plays a vital role in protecting coastlines, supporting fishing communities, and preserving ecological balance in the Caribbean.

#5 The World’s Smallest Volcano Is in Mexico
Tucked into the city of Puebla, Mexico is Cuexcomate, widely recognized as the smallest volcano in the world – standing at just 13 meters tall. Though it looks like a miniature version of the real deal, Cuexcomate is technically an inactive geyser cone, formed by volcanic activity from nearby Popocatépetl over 900 years ago. Once called the “pimple of the earth” by locals, it even has a winding staircase inside, allowing visitors to descend into its hollow crater.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Pitaya: The Mexican Superfruit That’s Almost Too Pretty to Eat

Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, isn’t just Instagram-worthy. This vibrant Mexican cactus fruit is a legit wellness powerhouse that can help support immunity, digestion, and even glowing skin.

Packed with antioxidants like flavonoids and betalains, pitaya helps fight inflammation and cellular damage linked to chronic diseases. One cup offers a healthy dose of vitamin C, omega-3s, and fiber – all crucial for gut health, immune support, and sustained energy.

Its natural anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce joint pain and support heart health. Plus, the magnesium it contains can improve digestion, boost mood, and help with muscle recovery – ideal for active expats and beach lovers alike.

In-season from April to August, you’ll find pitaya in mercados across Mexico – or even pre-cut at roadside fruit stands. Heck, there are even pitaya festivals that celebrate the harvest (more on that in the events section below).

Want to add it to your routine? Slice it into smoothies, salads, or whip up a DIY face mask for a serious Mexi-glow.

🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events

✝️ Semana Santa in Mexico – April 13–20, Nationwide
Experience Mexico’s most sacred season with silent processions in San Luis Potosí, vibrant reenactments in Taxco, and the iconic Passion Play in Iztapalapa. Check out the top 10 places to experience Semana Santa.

🌵 Feria de la Pitaya 2025 – Now through early June, Las Nueve Esquinas, Guadalajara Sweet, spiky, and oh-so-Mexican! The Feria de la Pitaya is back in Guadalajara’s Las Nueve Esquinas district, filling the streets with vibrant colors, artisanal treats, and the star of the show: the juicy pitaya. This iconic event celebrates regional producers from places like Techaluta and Amacueca, offering everything from fresh pitayas to pitaya ice cream, and jams. Get more info here.

🌸 Feria de la Primavera Cuernavaca 2025 – April 11–20, Cuernavaca, Morelos
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of spring in Cuernavaca, the "City of Eternal Spring," at the Feria de la Primavera 2025. Held at the Club Hípico Vista Hermosa, this ten-day festival features a rich array of cultural events, including equestrian shows, traditional music performances, artisan markets, and local gastronomy. Highlights include performances by renowned artists such as El Trono de México and Los Dos Carnales. Get more info here.

🦪 Oyster Festival – April 19, San José del Cabo
Dive into a seafood celebration at the Veleros Beach Club, featuring top oyster farms from across Mexico and dishes crafted by renowned chefs like Chris Domit and Vanessa García. Get more info here.

🏍️ Mazatlán International Motorcycle Week – April 23–26, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 
Get ready for the ultimate biker bash as thousands of riders from around the world roll into Mazatlán for the 29th annual International Motorcycle Week. Expect epic stunt shows, beachside parties, and live music. The action centers around Plaza de la Moto near the convention center. Get more info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

"Me cayó el veinte"

Translation: This phrase means "I finally got it" or "It finally dawned on me." It's used when you suddenly understand something or realize an important point. If you're explaining something complex and the person finally understands, they might say, "¡Ah, me cayó el veinte!"

☎️ Fun fact: The phrase originates in the 1980s and comes from the use of public telephones that required a 20-cent (centavo) coin to operate. Once the coin dropped, the call could proceed, symbolizing the moment of realization or understanding.

The Newsletter Your Insurance Company Doesn't Want You Reading

Each week, Health Pulse Mexico exposes policy loopholes, hidden benefits, and critical healthcare shortcuts they hope you never discover. Plus, health hacks, longevity breakthroughs, and critical updates about your kids' well-being. No fluff. No basic tips. Just insider intel that protects your family.

→ Get the details

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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