¡Hola amigos! Before we dive into this week's Mexican magic, I need to get mushy for a sec...

Because holy tamales – nearly 8,000 of you are now part of this wild adventure! (Including 2,000 new amigos who joined in the last month. Bienvenidos a la familia!)

From sparking the Viva México section with your feedback to sending amazing story ideas, you've helped shape this newsletter into something truly special.

So, what's next? You tell me! Take the poll below and help shape what comes next — because this newsletter isn't just mine, it's ours. 💛

📣Que Paso

🇲🇽 President Claudia Sheinbaum proposes constitutional reforms to strengthen Mexico’s sovereignty, amending Articles 19 and 40 to impose tougher penalties on arms trafficking and limit foreign agency influence.

📉 Mexico's economy grew by 1.2% in 2024, the slowest pace since 2020, with a 0.6% contraction in Q4.

🎬 Netflix is set to invest $1 billion in Mexico over the next four years, aiming to produce around 20 projects annually and boost the local film industry.

🥃 Mexican tequila makers sound the alarm as a proposed 25% U.S. import tax threatens to shake up the industry, drive up prices, and hit distilleries hard.

📚 An audit reveals that during President López Obrador's term, the Benito Juárez Scholarship program awarded funds to 486 deceased students and nearly 20,000 non-existent enrollees.

🌮 Cuernavaca just snagged a Guinness World Record with an 80-meter taco acorazado. You’ve got to see this for yourself.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Catastrophic Health Insurance in Mexico

Picture this: You’re living your best life in Mexico. Then, out of nowhere, a major accident or illness strikes. Suddenly, those affordable doctor visits don’t mean much when you’re staring at a six-figure hospital bill. Yikes.

Here’s the deal: Catastrophic health insurance isn’t about everyday checkups – it’s about covering the big medical emergencies that could drain your savings overnight.

And the best part? It may be more affordable than you’d expect.

📍 Immigration Essentials

How to Check When Your Tourist Visa Expires

A big gracias to one of our readers who reached out with this important question: If my passport stamp is unreadable, how do I know when my tourist visa expires? 

Since Mexico’s Multiple Migratory Form (FMM) is now digital, travelers no longer receive that little paper slip – making it harder to track your exit date.

In the past, you had to go to the airport to confirm your exit date, but now you can check online in just a few minutes.

Overstaying your visa can lead to fines, so whether you’re here on a tourist visa or have friends and family visiting, it’s worth double-checking.

How to Check Your FMM Expiration Date Online:

1. Go to INM Portal 

2. Click "Multiple Digital Migratory Form by Air"

3. Enter your first and last name, passport number, country of issue, date of birth, and passport expiration date

4. Click search

That’s it! A quick check now can save you from headaches (and fees) later.

🇲🇽 Viva Mexico

Beyond the Pyramids: Mexico’s Most Fascinating Ancient Sites

A few months back, I decided to go down the Mexican ruins rabbit hole.

Turns out, I had a pretty one-dimensional idea of what Mexico’s ancient sites looked like. Pyramids? Sure. Temples? Of course.

But what I didn’t expect was just how diverse, and mind-blowing some of these places are – just like Mexico itself.

Mexico’s ancient ruins aren’t just history – they’re full of surprises. Some even have experts scratching their heads.

Take Guachimontones in Jalisco. Built by the Teuchitlán culture — a pre-Hispanic society that thrived in western Mexico — between 300 BCE and 900 CE, this site ditches the traditional pyramid shape in favor of circular stepped pyramids.

These structures, unique in Mesoamerica, feature concentric platforms and terraced levels, likely used for ceremonial gatherings and communal events. Scholars believe the circular layout reflects a cosmological worldview focused on cycles and the natural world, but it also suggests a sophisticated understanding of space and structure.

Then there’s Guiengola in Oaxaca, a Mixtec fortress near San Pablo Villa de Mitla that looks more like a medieval stronghold than a ceremonial city. Built in the 15th century, it was a strategic defensive settlement designed to control territory and resist Aztec expansion. Its high-altitude position, thick stone walls, and maze-like layout made it nearly impossible to conquer.

But Guiengola was more than a fortress – it had residential areas, ceremonial spaces, and platforms, suggesting it was a fully functioning political and social center. Unlike most Mesoamerican sites focused on temples and plazas, Guiengola prioritized survival, strategy, and military dominance.

And then, perhaps the most fascinating is Teotihuacán. At its height between 100 BCE and 650 CE, this massive metropolis was home to an advanced civilization whose identity remains unknown.

Beneath the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, archaeologists uncovered mercury pooled in underground chambers. Mercury was rare and difficult to extract, yet the people of Teotihuacán may have sourced it from cinnabar mines and used it for ceremonial or symbolic purposes.

In Mesoamerican cultures, mercury was often linked to water, fertility, and the underworld, leading some scholars to believe it could have represented a portal to another realm. Whether it was part of a ritual, a tomb, or something else entirely, one thing is certain: Teotihuacán’s builders knew far more about advanced materials than we ever imagined.

I could go on for days about ruins that are still hidden in the jungles, buried beneath modern cities, or those with carvings no one has deciphered yet.

But perhaps the most fascinating part of Mexico's archaeological heritage isn't just what we've discovered – it's what's still waiting to be explored.

Want to uncover Mexico’s hidden history for yourself? Check out Mexico's Archaeological Site Finder.

🪷 Viva Wellness

The Ancient Superfood the Spanish Tried to Erase

Amaranth was once up to 80% of the local diet in some Mesoamerican communities.

Before the arrival of Europeans, this powerhouse grain was a staple, and it’s easy to see why Indigenous Mesoamericans were so enamored with it – every part of the plant was edible and beneficial.

The tiny, round grains are rich in amino acids, iron, and protein and are the only grain that contains Vitamin C. This wealth of nutrients was especially important given that the traditional Mesoamerican diet was mostly plant-based, with only elites consuming significant quantities of meat.

But amaranth wasn’t just food – it was deeply woven into spiritual life.

For one Aztec festival, puffed amaranth grain and honey were sculpted into a statue of Huitzilopochtli, the patron god of the Aztec capital. The effigy was carried through the streets before being cut up and eaten by celebrants.

The Spanish, seeing an unsettling resemblance to the sharing of bread in Christian Communion, banned the cultivation of amaranth when they took control of Mexico.

Naturally, this only made the grain even more sought after. It continued to be cultivated in secret, and today, amaranth is a common ingredient in traditional Mexican treats.

Beyond its cultural significance, amaranth is now recognized as a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals, it’s a gluten-free superfood that supports digestion, heart health, and muscle recovery.

Its ancient reputation as a life-sustaining grain has made it a favorite among modern health-conscious eaters, appearing in smoothies, energy bars, and grain bowls around the world.

🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events

Carnaval season is here! From coast to coast, Mexico’s got a party for everyone —parades, costumes, music, and more. Check out the full 2025 lineup here.

🎭 Mérida Carnaval: February 26 – March 5
Immerse yourself in the vibrant festivities of the Mérida Carnaval 2025, themed “Amazonian Carnival.” The celebration kicked off on February 22 with the Coronation of the Kings and Queens at the Centro de Espectáculos Carta Clara. Festivities continue with the Burning of the Bad Mood on February 26 at the Bajos del Palacio Municipal. The event culminates on March 5 with the traditional Burial of Juan Carnaval. All concerts and events are free to the public. Get more info here.

🎭 Ensenada Carnaval: February 27 – March 4 
Get ready for six days of music, dance, and vibrant festivities as Ensenada hosts its annual carnival. The celebration kicks off on February 27 with the Burning of the Bad Humor and features a stellar lineup of performers, including Los Ángeles Azules, Banda El Recodo, and Matute. Get more info here.

🎭 San Miguel de Allende Carnaval: February 27 – March 4
Get ready for one of San Miguel de Allende’s most vibrant celebrations where the Jardín Principal will come alive with festivities leading up to Ash Wednesday on March 5. Join locals and visitors in the time-honored tradition of breaking cascarones – colorful eggshells filled with confetti. Get more info here.

🎭 Mazatlán International Carnaval: February 27 – March 4
Experience “La Perla,” the 2025 Mazatlán International Carnaval, featuring parades, live music, and cultural events along the Olas Altas promenade. Highlights include the Coronation of the King of Joy on February 27, the Queen of the Floral Games on February 28, and the Carnaval Queen on March 1. Get more info here.

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💡 Say It in Spanish

Voy a [destination]. ¿Este camino me lleva ahí?

Translation: I’m going to [fill in your destination]. Will this road take me there?

You’re cruising down a Mexican toll road, life is good, the playlist is fire…then BAM —detour ahead. 🚧 Do you follow the caravan of confused drivers? Or do you ask someone if this “shortcut” actually leads where you need to go?

This phrase is your road trip lifesaver. Drop it at a gas station, ask a roadside vendor, or flag down a friendly local before you end up on a dirt road that mysteriously leads to who knows where.

Bonus phrase: ¿Voy en la dirección correcta?

Translation: Am I going the right way?

Love exploring Mexico? Try our new archaeology site finder and uncover hidden ruins near you.

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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