This new Mexican holiday is a weekend where retailers across the country offer great deals and discounts on a variety of items. Buen Fin (meaning "Good Weekend" in Spanish) takes place on the third Friday in November and lasts until the following Monday. Although the Buen Fin tradition began in 2011, it has already reached popular status throughout Mexico.

Buen Fin logo Mexico 

The dates for Buen Fin 2013 run from Friday, November 15 - Monday, November 18.

Stores and businesses participating in Buen Fin deals in 2013 include:

  • Walmart
  • Suburbia
  • +kota
  • 100% Natural
  • Sam's Club

And thousands more.

A large number of Playa del Carmen businesses are offering Buen Fin deals as well, including hotels, resorts and restaurants.

Buen Fin marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in Mexico, similar to the famous Black Friday in the United States. The event began as an initiative by the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (Council of Business Coordination), together with the federal government, large business organizations and a variety of national bank organizations. Their goal was to reactivate the economy as well as improve the quality of life for Mexican families by offering them good deals on a variety of products.

By law, Mexican employers are required to pay their employees at least 15 days of salary in December as a sort of Christmas bonus, known as an aguinaldo. Starting with the 2012 edition of Buen Fin, many government employees were given part or all of their aguinaldo a month early in an attempt to increase Buen Fin sales.

Buen Fin shopping Mexico 

Image: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/

While many look forward to Buen Fin every year, the holiday has many critics. Some claim that the larger chain stores inflate their prices a few weeks in advance in order to appear that they are offering discounts on the weekend of Buen Fin, especially when it comes to more expensive items like electronics. For shoppers planning a large purchase, it's recommended that they keep an eye on the prices for a few weeks before Buen Fin to ensure they're getting a good deal.

Overall, Buen Fin has been a popular and successful endeavor where thousands of Mexican stores of all sizes offer their customers the best deals of the year. So far, the holiday hasn't reached the dangerous level of Black Friday mobs in the United States (although you might find some crowds!), so don't be afraid to head out to your favorite Mexican restaurants, shops and stores to check out their Buen Fin deals.