¡Hola amigos! This week, Mexico’s throwing punches (literally), a new peso-backed stablecoin hits the market, and we’re breaking down how you could lose your property in Mexico – even if you’ve done nothing wrong.

Plus, how to bring your pets and car across the border stress-free and what Ancient Rome has to do with Mexico’s beloved Holy Week dessert. You’ll want a spoon for this one.

📣Que Paso

💰 Mexico’s crypto platform Bitso launched a peso-backed stablecoin called MXNB to make cross-border payments faster and easier across Latin America.

🗿 A 1,600-year-old altar found in the Guatemalan jungle shows the ancient Maya and Mexico’s Teotihuacan once shared political power – a rare sign of alliance, not conquest, between two major Mesoamerican civilizations.

🥊 President Sheinbaum threw on boxing gloves to support the National Boxing Class, where over 500,000 people across every state joined in. The event promoted health, education, and peace. Check out the video of Mexico in action.

🚆 The Maya Train is about to hit a major milestone — officials say it’s on track to carry its one-millionth passenger during the Easter holidays.

🚴‍♂️ History made! Isaac del Toro is the first Mexican ever to win the Milán–Turín cycling classic – the oldest race of its kind, dating back to 1876.

🌎 President Sheinbaum will attend the CELAC Summit on April 9 – a regional meeting of Latin American and Caribbean nations focused on cooperation and unity, independent of U.S. or Canadian influence.

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

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Do I Really Need Health Insurance in Mexico?

You’ve probably heard it before — healthcare in Mexico is so affordable, some people skip insurance altogether.

But is that actually a smart move? Not always.

While routine visits and minor procedures might come at a lower cost compared to the U.S. or Canada, larger medical events like major surgery or cancer treatment can still carry a hefty price tag — sometimes enough to force people to return to their home country for care.

In this week’s article, we break down the real risks of going uninsured, what “self-insuring” actually means, and why international coverage may still be worth it.

🏠 Real Estate Roundup 

Can Mexico Seize Your Property? Yes – and Here’s Why.

Under Mexico’s Ley Nacional de Extinción de Dominio, the government can seize property suspected of being linked to criminal activity — even if the owner is unaware. This law applies to current owners, landlords, and in some cases, those who’ve acquired homes where illegal activity occurred in the past.

That means if someone — a renter, guest, or even a previous owner — used the property for trafficking, money laundering, or other crimes, your legal title might not protect you.

📍 Immigration Essentials

Moving to Mexico by Road? Here’s What You Really Need to Know

For many people relocating to Mexico, the idea of bringing their car, pets, and a few essentials across the border sounds simple enough. Pack it all up, hit the road, and start your new chapter.

But the reality? It's often far more complicated – and potentially risky – than expected.

If you're planning to drive into Mexico, especially from the northern border through cities like Nuevo Laredo, it’s important to understand that the process involves more than just showing up with a full tank of gas and a GPS.

Security checkpoints throughout northern Mexico have become more frequent. These stops may include state police, the National Guard, and military units, all of whom can request paperwork, question your travel plans, or even ask for “gifts.” If you don’t speak Spanish or aren’t sure about the legal requirements for crossing with pets or a vehicle, these interactions can quickly escalate.

For solo travelers, especially women, the risks increase. Simply knowing where to stop, how to handle interactions, and how to respond appropriately can be the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one.

Flying with pets isn’t always an option. Driving means navigating Temporary Import Permits (TIPs), customs paperwork, and border offices like Banjercito – all in Spanish. And if one form is off, or your responses don’t add up? You could face delays, denials, or even fines.

The key is knowing what to expect — and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Find out how to bring your pets, vehicle & belongings to Mexico – stress free.

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🇲🇽 Viva Mexico

Capirotada: Mexico’s Holy Week Bread Pudding with a Deeper Meaning

If you’ve ever tasted capirotada, you know it’s not your average dessert — it’s a rich, comforting blend of sweet and savory, loaded with symbolism and centuries of history.

Capirotada is a traditional Lenten dessert, especially popular during Holy Week in Mexico. At its core, it’s a bread pudding — typically made with layers of toasted or stale bolillo, soaked in piloncillo syrup, cinnamon, cloves, aged cheese, and often topped with raisins, nuts, or coconut.

Sounds unusual? It is. But in the best way.

What many don’t realize is that this beloved dish didn’t originate in Mexico — it has roots in Ancient Rome, Spain, and medieval Europe, where earlier versions were savory, made with vinegar-soaked bread, meats, cheeses, and spices.

Once it crossed the Atlantic to New Spain, it transformed — meat was removed for Lent, and the sweet elements took center stage.

The name capirotada is believed to come from “capirote” — the tall hoods worn during religious processions. And every ingredient tells a story:

• Bread symbolizes the body of Christ

• Piloncillo syrup represents Christ’s blood

• Cinnamon sticks recall the wood of the cross

• Cloves represent the nails

• Cheese? The burial shroud.

Today, you’ll find regional variations throughout Jalisco, Zacatecas, Sonora, Guanajuato, and beyond.

Check out the Top Places to Experience Semana Santa in Mexico.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Digital Detox: Log Off to Tune In

Semana Santa isn’t just a time of religious observance – it’s a moment when daily life in Mexico naturally slows down.

It’s the perfect time to try something your brain and body might be craving: A digital detox.

And let’s be honest: With so much noise, fear, and firestorm energy in the world right now, it’s easy to get caught up in the drama and lose ourselves in the scroll.

A 2024 study published in Cureus found that even a short digital detox (stepping away from social media and smartphones) can lead to less anxiety, better focus, and more emotional clarity. Participants who unplugged – even temporarily – reported feeling more present, more aware of their habits, and more in control of their time and attention.

And no, it wasn’t always easy. Some people felt bored or isolated at first. But with time, most adjusted – and many even enjoyed the mental space it gave them.

Try a few (or all) of these simple digital detox tips…

• Put your phone away for the first hour of your morning

• Skip the scrolling when you get bored

• Leave your phone behind during a neighborhood walk

• Pay attention to how your body feels without notifications

Trade 10 minutes of screen time for stillness, journaling, or silence – and see what happens. Just disconnect long enough to reconnect with yourself.

Your nervous system will thank you.

🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events

🎉 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.

🌸 Feria de la Primavera – April 11–20, Cuernavaca, Morelos 
Spring’s in full bloom at Cuernavaca’s Feria de la Primavera, where rodeo meets regional music and festival energy. Expect horseback shows, escaramuzas, jaripeos, and headliners like Los 2 Carnales, Alfredo Olivas, and Christian Nodal lighting up the palenque. Food stalls, horse dancing, and live music every night? Sí, por favor. Get more info here.

🦪 Festival de las Conchas y el Vino Nuevo – April 13, Ensenada, Baja California
Sip, slurp, and savor your way through Ensenada’s most delicious weekend. This 25th anniversary edition of the beloved wine and seafood fest brings together Baja’s top chefs, winemakers, and shellfish straight from the sea. Hosted at the Hotel Coral & Marina, it’s a day of pairings, ocean views, and serious flavor…with plenty of vino to go around. 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.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“¡Ya estuvo!”

Translation: That’s enough! / We’re done here!

Short, punchy, and oh-so-Mexican, this phrase is perfect when something has gone on long enough. Whether it’s a delay, a noisy neighbor, or a never-ending task – this is how locals say “That’s it. I’m done.”

Use it once and watch your local friends crack a smile and say, “Exacto.”

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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