Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – As the year draws to a close in Puerto Vallarta, the air fills with anticipation for traditional end-of-year celebrations – the joy of Christmas, delicious food, and quality time with family. Alongside these cherished customs, Mexican workers look forward to a financial boost that helps make the season bright: the aguinaldo, or Christmas bonus.
While the aguinaldo has been established as a right under Mexican law since 1970, the custom of end-of-year generosity has deep historical roots. Interestingly, this idea can be traced back to the Celtic people, who practiced exchanging dried fruits and nuts as a gesture of good will and generosity during the winter season.
Today, this tradition is enshrined in the Federal Labor Law, making it an inalienable right for all employees. Employers across Mexico are legally obligated to provide a minimum benefit equivalent to 15 days’ salary to their workers. Crucially, this payment must be made before December 20th.
The requirement applies universally to all employees, whether they are on a permanent basis or work for just a few hours here and there. It is important to recognize that the term “employer” includes anyone who pays for a service. This means household employers – like those who hire a gardener, a housekeeper, or someone to maintain their swimming pool – are also obligated to provide the bonus.
For individuals who work part-time or on a short-term basis, the benefit is calculated proportionally based on the time they have worked throughout the year. For example, the bonus for a housekeeper who works two days a week might be four days of their regular pay, reflecting their proportional contribution over the year. The law emphasizes that this obligation stands even if the bonus is not stipulated in a written employment contract.
The Federal Labor Defense Attorney’s Office (Profedet) clarifies that the aguinaldo must be paid in cash and in Mexican currency, not through vouchers, merchandise, or substitutes. Bank transfers are acceptable, as long as the full amount is delivered.
Failure to provide the Christmas bonus can result in serious consequences. According to Article 1002 of the Federal Labor Law, violations of labor standards carry significant fines. Given that the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (the unit of measurement used to calculate payments, fines, and penalties) for 2025 is $113.14 pesos per day, fines can range from a minimum of 5,657 pesos up to 565,700 pesos.
As the holidays unfold, Banderas Bay residents are encouraged to include the aguinaldo in their seasonal planning. Doing so not only fulfills a legal responsibility but also strengthens goodwill in the community and shows your appreciation for those who help make your life in Puerto Vallarta more enjoyable year-round.
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