Chichén Itzá was the most-visited Mexican cultural site in 2025. This year, however, the archaeological wonder was closed from mid-May through June 1 over a labor dispute. (Martin Zetina/Cuartoscuro)
Chichén Itzá reopened to tourists Monday after a two‑week closure that left thousands of visitors unable to enter and caused millions of pesos in losses for the tourism industry in Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
Mexico’s most-visited cultural attraction in 2025 closed May 18 amid a bitter dispute over the relocation of hundreds of vendors — who for years have sold their handicrafts and trinkets within the site, steps away from the ruins — and new regulations for the local tour guides who offer guided visits for a fee.
#YUCATAN Después dos semanas de permanecer cerrada, este lunes reabrió la zona arqueológica de Chichén Itzá. Artesanos comienzan a reubicarse en los sitios asignados por el @INAHmx@CulturYucatan Video AR pic.twitter.com/bJ2dDgMfYt
The shutdown of the archaeological site in Tinum, Yucatán, roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cancún, Quintana Roo, led to mass tour cancellations and what the Mexican Association of Inbound Tourism Agencies (AMATUR) called a “terrible image of Mexico.”
“Chaos at Chichen Itza with thousands of tourists unable to enter,” beamed a headline in Reportur. The tourism-industry news outlet reported that each day around 9,000 visitors were unable to enter.
Then again, the closure didn’t completely keep people out.
Chichén Itzá’s gates reopened at 8 a.m. on Monday under a deal struck after 13 days of negotiations between the Yucatán government, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), artisans, tour guides and Tinum authorities.
Access is now exclusively through the new Visitor Assistance Center, known as CATVI.
Authorities pledged there will be no evictions and no increase beyond the 666 authorized vendors operating inside the complex.
Some 264 artisans agreed to move into stalls in a new handicrafts market that all visitors must pass through before entering via CATVI. Meanwhile, vendors on the causeway between Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cenote) and the Temple of Kukulcán, also known as El Castillo, will remain in their current spaces.
Pablo Euán of the Indigenous Governing Council of Pisté said the council will oversee the reorganization of artisans and guide work areas.
In a statement, the council said reopening “represents a relief for hundreds of families” but stressed “the fight continues” for a community economic corridor and respect for collective rights.
Officials insist the closure of the old access, known as Old Parador, is irreversible, even as injunctions and community demands keep the conflict from being fully resolved.
Mexico "is not anyone's piñata," President Claudia Sheinbaum declared on Sunday. (Hazel Cárdenas/Presidencia)
Mexico “is not anyone’s piñata,” President Claudia Sheinbaum declared on Sunday as she railed against U.S. interference in Mexican affairs during a large rally in Mexico City to mark the second anniversary of her election.
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) June 1, 2026
“Let it be heard loud and clear, Mexico doesn’t accept interference. We are a free, independent and sovereign country,” she proclaimed, prompting an enthusiastic response from rally attendees, including chants of “you are not alone.”
More than 40 minutes into her address, after speaking at length about government achievements and positive developments across a range of areas including the economy, education and healthcare, Sheinbaum turned her attention to what she called “important issues that we think are essential to share with you.”
“Friends: For some months now, we have been the target of a media offensive and million-dollar campaigns on social media. This is no coincidence,” she said.
“… Behind these campaigns are national and international conservative sectors that have never accepted that Mexico recovered its dignity and chose to fully exercise its independence,” Sheinbaum said.
The president asserted that campaigns against her government — and representing the interests of “foreign and national conservative sectors seeking to recover lost privileges or stop the transformation supported by the popular majority” of Mexico — intensified after the death of two CIA officers and two security officials from Chihuahua in a car accident following a drug lab operation on the weekend of April 18 and 19.
“In light of these events, the Federal Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation into possible violations of Mexican law,” said Sheinbaum, who has reiterated that the federal government didn’t authorize or have knowledge of the CIA’s alleged participation in the security operation alongside Chihuahua forces.
“And here we want to be very clear: the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and the National Security Law establish with precision that no foreign agent may carry out tasks that correspond exclusively to Mexican authorities. Whoever comes to our country must do so respecting our sovereignty, accrediting themselves in accordance with the law and subject to our regulations,” she said.
Referring to the April 29 unsealing of an indictment against Rocha and nine other Sinaloa-based current and former officials, Sheinbaum said that “a few days later, something even more serious occurred.”
“An office of the United States Department of Justice issued an urgent request for the arrest for extradition purposes of 10 Mexican citizens — including a sitting governor, a sitting mayor, and a sitting senator — without publicly presenting evidence to support the request,” she said.
“An action of that magnitude has no precedent in the history of our bilateral relationship,” Sheinbaum said.
“And so we must ask — and it is a legitimate question: Is this a genuine, legitimate interest in helping Mexico? Is it a genuine commitment to combating organized crime? Or are we witnessing sectors of the American far right using our country to position themselves ahead of their 2026 elections? Or perhaps they intend to influence the 2027 elections in our country? These are not rhetorical questions,” the president said just two days after Mexico’s Congress approved a reform that allows the nullification of elections tainted by foreign interference.
“Mexico is not anyone’s piñata,” Sheinbaum added.
The foreign interference reform, approved on Friday, will nullify any election result deemed to have been influenced by “illicit financing, propaganda, the systematic dissemination of disinformation, digital manipulation and the intervention of foreign governments or agencies.” (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
The president went on to say that when verdicts of guilt or innocence are “dictated from abroad,” when attempts at “pressuring our institutions from the outside” are made, and when the idea that a foreign country can intervene in Mexican affairs is normalized, “we are no longer talking about cooperation, we are talking about interference.”
“… It is legitimate to question the true motives behind extradition proceedings targeting elected officials. Because — let’s be clear — first they come for some, then for others, until offices of the [U.S.] Justice Department become the primary elector in Mexico. We cannot allow that,” she said.
“Mexico’s history knows where that path leads. Interventions have never delivered justice or well-being,” Sheinbaum said.
“Therefore, we must not fall for the trick. Let this be clear: we will never defend corruption or collusion with crime. Never. That is what Mexico’s state institutions are for: the Federal Attorney General’s Office and the judiciary, she said.
“So firm has our fight against corruption and criminal collusion been that the Attorney General’s Office has proceeded against officials from all political parties when their ties to criminal activity have been proven,” Sheinbaum added.
The president’s remarks on Sunday denouncing foreign interference in Mexico were her strongest statements yet against the United States’ meddling (or alleged meddling) in Mexican affairs. Although she has reiterated that her government won’t protect anyone who has committed a crime, Sheinbaum has been accused by opposition politicians and others of providing cover for Rocha and other Morena party officials accused of drug trafficking by U.S. prosecutors. She has endorsed the Federal Attorney General’s Office’s declaration that U.S. authorities have not provided sufficient evidence to arrest Rocha and his co-defendants.
In addition to strong rhetoric, a commitment to keep collaborating with the US
While Sheinbaum denounced the United States’ meddling in Mexican affairs, she also vowed to continue security collaboration with the Trump administration.
“We believe in cooperation between nations, in the exchange of information, and in joint efforts to tackle shared problems. But cooperation does not mean subordination. Collaboration does not mean submission,” she said.
“The fight against organized crime is a shared responsibility of all states. But that fight cannot be used as an excuse to undermine fundamental principles of international law, such as non-intervention and respect for the self-determination of peoples. We will continue to collaborate to prevent drugs from crossing the border — out of humanist conviction and because we understand the pain that problem causes in U.S. families,” Sheinbaum said.
“… It is better to work together as trading partners, respecting one another and strengthening our shared interests with mutual respect for our sovereignty. But let this be absolutely clear: Mexico does not allow interference in our internal affairs, because we do not meddle in the internal affairs of other nations. That is the constitutional principle of non-intervention,” she said.
Sheinbaum also reiterated that, “to help us reduce violence in Mexico,” it is “essential” that the United States “stop the illegal trafficking of weapons into our country” and “address the serious problem of drug use in their territory.”
Sheinbaum outlines her government’s ‘main achievements’
On a stage erected in front of the Monument to the Revolution in Plaza de la República, the same square where presidential candidate Luis Donald Colosio made a famous speech in March 1994 just 17 days before he was assassinated, Sheinbaum began her address on Sunday by noting that on June 2, 2024, nearly 36 million Mexicans voted in favor of continuing on “the path of transformation begun by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador,” who was in office from 2018 to 2024.
Over 100,000 people gathered in support of President Sheinbaum on Sunday at Mexico City’s Monument to the Revolution. (Hazel Cárdenas/Presidencia)
“With that support, I assumed the honor and enormous responsibility of leading the continuation of the fourth transformation of public life — a mandate born of the popular will, of the conviction of millions of Mexicans who stated clearly that “the past of privileges, corruption, decadence, and abandonment of the homeland and the people must not return,'” she said.
“And on that day, something else occurred that will be forever etched in the memory of our nation: for the first time, a woman reached the presidency of the republic. It was a victory for the women of Mexico, but above all, the victory of a people who decided to keep making history,” said Sheinbaum, who now leads the so-called “fourth transformation,” or 4T, political movement founded by López Obrador and supported by the ruling Morena party and its allies.
“Two years after that magnificent and historic triumph of the people, I appear before you again to be accountable, as we have always done — face to face with the people, in the public square,” she said.
On a warm day in Mexico City, Sheinbaum ran through a long list of the government’s “main achievements” since its six-year term began 20 months ago.
Among those achievements — and other positive developments in Mexico — she highlighted an increase in tax collection; record foreign investment in the first quarter of 2026; low unemployment; declining inflation; and a “strong” Mexican peso.”
In addition, the president touted her government’s welfare programs, its commitment to austerity, its support for farmers, its healthcare and housing initiatives, its support for Indigenous communities, its “rescuing” of Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission, its construction of new highways, railroads and water infrastructure, its commitment to making access to water a “fundamental right” and its success in reducing violence in Mexico.
“In 20 months, we’ve reduced homicides by 49% and high-impact crimes by 20%,” Sheinbaum said, referring to data that compares May with September 2024, the final month of López Obrador’s presidency.
“And we will keep delivering results on security — attending to young people and ending impunity — so that all Mexicans can move safely throughout our territory,” she said.
Toward the end of her 65-minute address, Sheinbaum declared that “nothing and no one will stop the transformation of our homeland.”
“That is the new reality,” she said.
“Mexico is a democratic country. It is false that ‘we want to be a dictatorship’ or that ‘we support censorship.’ Quite the opposite. We may well be the country that enjoys the greatest freedoms in the world, because this movement was born of the people, walks with the people, and governs for the people,” Sheinbaum said.
“These are no longer the times of privilege and corruption,” Sheinbaum said before she reaffirmed her commitment to defending the sovereignty and independence of Mexico, pledged to govern in accordance with the will of the people, and wished “long life” to the “fourth transformation of public life in Mexico,” and to “the dignity of the people of Mexico” — and Mexico itself.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
Sit back and enjoy a slice of Mexican history with these on-demand soccer series. (Netflix)
Mexican soccer fever is a real thing. Even if you’re not a passionate aficionado most of the year, everyone in Mexico pauses whatever is going on in their lives to watch “El Tri” take the field. Businesses shut down. Traffic thins out. In many ways, to be Mexican means cheering on the national team when things are good, criticising them when things are bad and following their progress like a religion.
Being half-Mexican, my upbringing was no exception. I still maintain the penalty given to the Netherlands versus Mexico in the 2010 round of 16 was unjustified. I remember exactly where I was and who I was with when Mexico beat Germany 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup. Soccer is a deep part of Mexican culture to the point where I can’t imagine Mexico without it. But it turns out, I’m not the only person who feels that way. There’s evidence to back up this claim.
So, for those who crave World Cup action before the latest edition of the tournament kicks off in June, there’s plenty of great content to watch before Mexico plays in their first group stage game.
Good Rivals
Good Rivals Docuseries - Official Trailer | Prime Video
This docuseries is centered on the intense sporting rivalry between Mexico and the United States. It has gone on for decades, and the show does a great job explaining the cultural impact soccer has had on both nations.
From the pride Mexico feels when beating the United States in their national pastime, to the rise of American soccer in the 1990s, the docuseries makes you feel like you’re right in the action. The interviews with former players, coaches, and journalists provide as sense of perspective and authenticity that often feels missing in sports series of the same nature. What I appreciate most about this docuseries is the fact it makes the case that both nations benefited from playing against each other.
Rafa Márquez: El Capitán
Rafa Márquez: El Capitán | Official Trailer | Netflix
If there’s any one Mexican soccer player who you should familiarize yourself with, Rafa Márquez is it. Not only was he a beloved captain of the Mexican national team, but he also represented Mexico at some of the world’s top clubs, including Monaco and Barcelona. He became the first Mexican to win the Champions League in 2006, cementing his position as an all-time great of the sport.
The docuseries also examines the realities of Mexican corruption, the national tragedy of being knocked out of the 2002 World Cup by the United States, and the controversial “no era penal” game against the Netherlands in 2010.
México 86
Mexico 86 | Official Trailer | Netflix
The 1986 World Cup was by far Mexico’s most successful, based on their performance. It featured some of the most legendary soccer players Mexico has ever had, like Hugo Sanchez, Fernando Quirarte, and Manuel Negrete, who helped lead their nation to the quarter-finals, where they lost on penalties against Germany.
But Netflix’s México 86 will be centered on the untold story of how a Mexican bureaucrat managed to win the rights for Mexico to host the World Cup over the United States.
Releasing June 5, this film is part of Netflix’s long-term investment in Mexican cinema.
Brazil ‘70: The Third Star
Brazil ‘70: The Third Star | Official Trailer | Netflix
1970 wasn’t just the first World Cup Mexico hosted (and the first outside South America or Europe), but it was the first played on color television. The Azteca was beamed around the world in a way no other stadium had been before, and the legendary footage of Pelé being carried out of Azteca after winning his last World Cup is an image that will live on forever in the minds of soccer fans worldwide.
Though Brazil ‘70: The Third Star isn’t about Mexico per se, 1970 was the start of Mexico showing the world how amazing their country was on and off the field.
Are you excited for this June?
After losing in the group stage in the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, the nation is hoping that El Tri will turn things around with a solid performance this June. If history shows anything, it’s that Mexico tends to play better when they’re on home soil — advancing to the quarter-finals the two times it hosted the World Cup.
So, am I optimistic about Mexico’s chances this year since they’re co-hosting with Canada and the United States? All I’ll say is in Guillermo Ochoa I trust.
Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.
Five civilians traveling on the highway were caught in the crossfire, including the American, a 31-year-old man from California, who died from his injuries. (José Betanzos Zárate/Cuartoscuro)
An American was killed late Saturday and seven others were injured as a result of a running shootout between the Mexican military and armed suspects in Baja California Sur.
The incident began around 11 p.m. when members of Mexico’s army responded to reports of gunfire on the Transpeninsular Federal Highway north of Los Cabos.
When confronted by the soldiers, the convoy of armed civilians opened fire, prompting an intense gun battle.
Five civilians traveling on the highway were caught in the crossfire, including the American, a 31-year-old man from California, who died from his injuries.
The other injured civilians are: a 35-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, both from Los Cabos; a 14-year-old teenager from San José del Cabo; and a 65-year-old woman who suffered serious leg injuries.
Two soldiers were also wounded. One of them, a 20-year-old, remains in serious condition due to life-threatening gunshot wounds, while the other, a 25-year-old, suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
After the confrontation, the authorities seized four vehicles in addition to five long guns, rifles, loaded magazines of 7.62×39 caliber and 5.56 millimeters, a grenade launcher and tactical gear.
Fuerzas Federales y Sicarios se enfrentaron en Los Cabos, dos Soldados y cuatro civiles fueron heridos, un estadounidense murió (Informacion en el enlace) https://t.co/xYf3Pciguapic.twitter.com/CGwShwZDZO
— Blog del Narco México (@blogdelnarcomex) May 31, 2026
In a follow-up operation conducted by the state police, two suspects were arrested in San José del Cabo and a cartel safe house was raided, leading to the seizure of more tactical gear, drugs and weapons.
By early Sunday, Baja California Sur Governor Víctor Manuel Castro and Los Cabos Mayor Christian Agúndez were leading an extraordinary meeting of the Regional Security Council, during which it was agreed to strengthen the operational presence of the Navy, the National Guard and local security agencies.
“The safety of the public is a priority and we will not lower our guard so that Baja California Sur continues to be a safe place,” Governor Castro said.
The state Security Council on Monday said it is maintaining search and surveillance operations in the area with a special focus on protecting tourist corridors and areas with high visitor traffic.
The Security Council said it is in contact with U.S. diplomatic officials and is providing consular assistance to the family of the American.
A new hotel is coming to San Miguel de Allende, alongside stores, a petition and even a new educational initiative from an online sales giant. (Ria Talken)
Development never stops in San Miguel de Allende, as a former landmark makes way for a new hotel and residences. The city will also finally see the construction of a long-planned Home Depot. Discover all this, and more, in our latest local news roundup for San Miguel de Allende.
Rancho Hotel El Atascadero razed to make way for hotel and new homes
The historic Rancho Hotel El Atascadero is no more. (Rancho Hotel El Atascadero)
The 51-room Rancho Hotel El Atascadero near Prolongación Santo Domingo, east of Centro, has been demolished. Opened by Gloria and Fortunato Maycotte about 70 years ago, it reportedly was San Miguel’s first hotel and had a swimming pool, sauna and tennis and frontón courts.
In its place will be a 1 Hotel & Homes property by Florida-based Starwood Hotels. Scheduled to open in 2027, the new facility will consist of about 97 rooms and 48 residences. The plan includes gardens, pools, a small lake, a spa and an outdoor event space.
Rancho Hotel El Atascadero had most recently been a three-star boutique hotel built around an 1800s hacienda run as a silk factory. The property has a long history, including being operated as a horse-riding club and an artistic retreat.
According to media reports, the hotel was closed earlier this year with the expectation of renovation, and a notice was posted stating that work there had been permitted by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Home Depot store going in next to Nissan dealership
Construction has finally begun on the new store on Libramiento José Manuel Zavala. (Shutterstock)
A Home Depot home improvement store is currently under construction next to the Nissan dealership located at Libramiento José Manuel Zavala 65.
The San Miguel de Allende outlet is reportedly scheduled to open sometime later this year, with additional stores coming to León and Guanajuato. They are part of a total US $1.3 billion investment Home Depot is planning in Mexico through 2030, including 25 new stores.
The Georgia-based Home Depot said that 80% of its inventory sold in Mexico is sourced locally, and that the company plans to achieve a 100% national supply by 2028. In Mexico, Home Depot has more than 18,000 employees working at 140 stores in more than 100 cities.
San Miguel has a number of hardware and home supply stores, including several Grupo Ferretero Don Pedro outlets. The main store is at Carretera San Miguel a Celaya Km. 2.4, with others at Avenue Independencia 4 in San Rafael and Calzada de la Aurora 20 in Guadalupe.
Los Frailes green space petition hits signature goal
Part of the green space in Los Frailes that residents are hoping to protect.
A petition from Villa de los Frailes subdivision residents who oppose condo construction on the largest green space there has hit the goal of 2,500 signatures. As of May 31, the petition on change.org had 2,507 verified signatures.
The petition asks the San Miguel municipal government to acknowledge the original agreements that created the green space. According to petitioners, the legal owner of the property, the Comisión Federal de Electricidad, doesn’t want the space sold or developed.
The residents plan to present the petition signatures and accompanying testimonials to Mayor Mauricio Trejo and ask him to declare the area a permanently protected green space.
Volaris adding new flights to Querétaro
Flair and Volaris have announced new flights to the Bajío region. (Querétaro International Airport)
Starting in June, Volaris is adding five U.S. and five Mexican destinations to flights departing from Querétaro International Airport (QRO).
The new U.S. flights will be to San Antonio, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Orlando, while the domestic flights will be heading to Acapulco, Durango, Mazatlán, Oaxaca and Veracruz.
Specifics on the new routes, including departure and arrival times, can be found on the Volaris website.
Meanwhile, Canadian low-cost carrier Flair Airlines will begin weekly nonstop flights from Vancouver to Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) beginning Oct. 3.
Amazon opens first Latin America educational lab in Querétaro
Querétaro’s futuristic BLOQUE will host a series of Amazon Web Services learning initiatives. (Municipality of Querétaro)
With the stated goal of closing the digital divide in Latin America, Amazon Web Services (AWS), the retail giant’s cloud computing platform, just opened its first Think Big Space educational lab in the region in Querétaro.
Seattle, Wash.-based Amazon said the facility will train more than 1,200 students each year “in the technologies that are redefining the world of work,” such as cloud computing, robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, the Internet of Things and 3D printing.
The lab is located Querétaro’s BLOQUE municipal innovation center. Starting this month, high school students can enroll through the BLOQUE website in six 20-hour STEM courses for free. The courses, designed and taught in collaboration with UNAM, start in September.
Cathy Siegner is an independent journalist based in San Miguel and Montana. She has journalism degrees from the University of Oregon and Northwestern University.
Whether you're visiting Monterrey for the World Cup, or just because, you'll want to try some of the city's best drinking and dining options. (Jorge Gardner/Unsplash)
Monterrey, Mexico’s northern capital of industry, was built on beef and beer. Those visiting from the U.S. will see much cultural crossover from the Southwest, which, along with this part of Mexico, was considered its own economic and cultural region for many years. Besides business, beef and beer, the city’s other obsession is soccer, and Monterrey will host 4 World Cup games during June in Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA). If you’re coming for soccer and want a taste of classic regional food, drink and ambiance, here are a few recommended places to try.
Meat is always on the menu at La Nacional, and in a variety of juicy cuts. (La Nacional)
Sometimes a classic doesn’t have to be 100 years old, such is the case of La Nacional, which opened in 2003. They are known for taking traditional Regio cuisine and adding their own particular twist. This family restaurant, with its white tablecloths and upscale service, is beloved by the entire city and is a great place for a long, leisurely lunch with family or friends. Menu recommendations include the signature version of fideo seco — plus various ribeyes, flatiron steak, arrachera and burgers. What could be more classic in Mexico’s beef country?
The region’s most famous dish is cabrito — baby goat roasted over an open flame on a cross-shaped spit. It’s served with a bevy of salsas and fresh, hand-patted tortillas and is an iconic Sunday meal for Regios. This is the speciality at El Gran Pastor, a family-style restaurant that opened its first location in 1996. They now have six other locations throughout the city and, along with some of the best cabrito in the city, serve machaca (dried, shredded beef), mollejas (fried gizzards), rib eye and other meaty options. Several restaurants compete for the title of best cabrito in Monterrey, but if you can’t get someone to make it for you in their backyard, El Gran Pastor is my favorite option.
Sierra Madre was one of the first microbreweries in Mexico in 1998 and was a pioneer in the Mexican craft beer movement. No longer a tiny start-up, they have expanded to several locations in Monterrey without losing their deeply rooted local vibe. Purists might say that this isn’t of the utmost historical relevance, but beer in Monterrey is one of its oldest industries, with the founding of one of the country’s first breweries, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc, dating back to 1890. If you have a chance to tour the original factory, “La Cervecería” (now owned by Heineken), or the bottling factory museum, you won’t regret it.
Mercado Campesino
Mercado Campesino is not for the squeamish, with loads of freshly butchered animals, notably goats for the city’s famed cabrito. (Facebook)
This market is not for the faint of heart. Along with fresh fruits and veggies, and prepared foods, there are live animals (in particular, the live goats customers select for making cabrito that are sold and butchered onsite in the nearby butchering room). Despite the intensity, if you want a taste of the region, this is an obligatory food stop. Prepared dishes like fritada de cabrito, asado de cerdo and special regional gorditas stuffed with fillings like barbacoa can be found at the dozens of food stalls here, as well as homemade salsas in recycled bottles, pickled vegetables and herbs floating in massive mason jars, fresh-from-the-farm eggs and fresh local cheeses and honey.
Cafe Iguana is a legendary rock and roll venue in Monterrey. (Instagram)
It might surprise visitors to learn that Monterrey was a formative place for Mexican rock in the 1990s, creating a kind of citywide innovation hub — known as La Avanzada Regia — that produced some of the era’s most innovative bands. While rock has faded as the city’s most prominent music style, you can still get a taste of that vintage vibe at Cafe Iguana, where live rock bands play, and when the stage is empty, the stereo is still blasting. The drinks and food menu here are nothing special — beers and pub grub — but the historic downtown feeling that permeates this place can’t be replicated.
Bar Lontananza
Bar Lontananza is one of the oldest in the state and has reportedly had some famous clientele, including Fidel Castro. (Instagram)
This list would not be complete without an old-fashioned cantina. Lontananza has been functioning as a cantina since 1910 and, while a little dive-y, has a classic, neighborhood ambiance. Reported famous clientele include Fidel Castro and Mexican-Cuban boxer José Ángel “Mantequilla” Nápoles. There’s even a book about it: “Cuentos e Lontananza,” published in the 1990s. The beer is cold, the tequila pours freely and the menu is full of cantina classics like caldo de res, machaca, guacamole and pork chops. It’s an old-school world inside this bar, and it’s recommended that you brush up on your Spanish before visiting.
Lydia Carey is a freelance writer and translator based in Mexico City. She has published extensively both online and in print, sharing her insights about Mexico for over a decade. She lives a double life as a local tour guide and is the author of “Mexico City Streets: La Roma.” Follow her urban adventures on Instagram and see more of her work at mexicocitystreets.com.
MEXICO CITY — Mexico City lawmakers have approved new rules to regulate cell phone use in schools, in what officials are calling a “historic step” toward ensuring students spend at least 5% of class time looking vaguely in the direction of the chalkboard.
The reform, passed unanimously by the capital’s Congress, requires primary and secondary schools to draft policies limiting cell phone use during school hours, while allowing exceptions for emergencies and “educational purposes,” a category students immediately interpreted as “pretty much anything.”
Shhhh! These kids might be “learning.” (Moisés Pablo Nava/Cuartoscuro)
Under the new guidelines, schools are encouraged to introduce short, structured “phone pause moments,” during which students will place their devices face down on the desk, maintain eye contact at all times, and attempt to remember their teacher’s last name. Some campuses are testing secure phone lockers designed to hold devices, reduce distractions, and provide a safe space for notifications to pile up unsupervised.
Teachers cautiously welcomed the change. “If even three students notice that I am in the classroom, that will be progress,” said one middle school teacher in Álvaro Obregón, adding that she dreams of a future where at least one pupil asks a question that was not generated by an AI homework app.
Parents, meanwhile, expressed mixed feelings, torn between supporting reduced screen time and fearing they will no longer be able to send urgent mid-morning messages on WhatsApp, such as “did you see what I packed you for lunch” and “answer me, I see you’re online.” Authorities stressed that traditional communication tools, like school landlines and crumpled notices at the bottom of backpacks, still remain fully operational.
Estádio Azteca has been known as Estadio Banorte since 2025, and will be known as Mexico City Stadium for the World Cup. It's one of the three venues in the country for the upcoming tournament. (Instagram)
We are less than two weeks away from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played across three nations: Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. While the tournament is being jointly staged, this is, for better or worse, the U.S.’s event. They will stage 75% of the games and every match from the quarter-finals onwards. Mexico will at least have the honour of opening the tournament when the home team steps into Estadio Azteca to play South Africa on June 11.
Back in 2017, 49 stadiums put forward bids to be considered as a World Cup host, and there was considerable competition between venues in Canada and the U.S. Mexico, however, had already settled on its three stadiums. Mexico City would be an obvious choice, and there were two stadiums in the capital big enough to stage games. The Estadio Olímpico Universitario, though, was never a serious contender, despite a special place in sports history as the venue for the 1968 Olympics. It’s still decorated with the iconic art of Diego Rivera and the 1968 Olympic design team, and anybody returning to the stadium for the first time since those Olympics would struggle to see anything that had changed. Today, the Estadio Olímpico Universitario looks more like a museum than a modern sports arena, and the capital’s nomination was always going to be the Azteca.
Estadio Azteca and World Cup history
The late Diego Maradona’s epic and controversial “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England in 1986 is one of many great World Cup moments to take place in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. (Public Domain)
Estadio Azteca sits on the edge of the Coyoacán district of Mexico City and hardly needs an introduction. It is the largest stadium in Latin America and the eighth-largest association football stadium in the world. More than size, Estadio Azteca is a place of soccer legends. It was here that Maradona destroyed England in the 1986 World Cup, first with his “Hand of God” goal, then with his dazzling run that took him past four players, events still celebrated by plaques and memorabilia around the stadium.
It was here, in the Azteca, that Pelé played in his second World Cup final for the magnificent Brazil team of 1970, and here where Italy and Germany fought out their 4-3 extra-time epic described as “the match of the century.” Nor are the stadium’s memories limited to football. There have been musical superstars from Michael Jackson to Bad Bunny and, outshining them all, a visit by Pope John Paul II.
Renovation and naming dramas
As Mexican soccer fans will be aware, Estadio Azteca was closed in May 2024 for a major upgrade. On the outside, little has changed, and indeed, many of the interior improvements are not obvious. It is a credit to the original architects that a stadium that was designed in the early 1960s still looks so good. The World Cup renovations, which have already cost US $75 million, include a new pitch, a capacity increase to up to 90,000 seats, new LED screens and sound systems and an upgrade of the security cameras. When Mexico steps out to play South Africa on the tournament’s opening afternoon, Estadio Azteca will become the first stadium in the world to have staged games in three different men’s World Cup tournaments.
Work for the World Cup was essentially complete by late March, with the formal handover to FIFA taking place in May. Along with the handover came a renaming for the duration of the tournament: Mexico City Stadium, instead of Estadio Banorte, the corporate sponsorship deal given during renovations. However, since FIFA forbids such corporate sponsorships during the World Cup, what fans will still call Estadio Azteca is now Mexico City Stadium until the event is completed on July 19.
The renovation work, meanwhile, was both slow and controversial.Around 200,000 people live in the vicinity of the stadium, including many crowded into the historically working-class neighbourhood of Santa Úrsula Coapa. There have been grumbling and protests that the renovations have caused local prices to rise and will interfere with the area’s often limited water supply.
Estadio Akron is now Guadalajara Stadium for the World Cup
Estadio Akron will be renamed Guadalajara Stadium for the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)
Guadalajara, noted for tequila, mariachi and a rich soccer culture, was always going to be a venue, just as the modern Estadio Akron was always going to be preferred to the historic Estadio Jalisco. Indeed, Estadio Jalisco has aged so badly that it was not even considered suitable as a training base for any national teams. The Estadio Akron is the result of the desire of CD Guadalajara (better known as Chivas to its fans) for its own stadium. The design concept was a brave gamble, a stadium that would resemble a volcano, with the white roof that seems to float on top of the main structure representing the clouds of smoke. Work started in February 2004, but financial problems and other issues delayed the completion.
It was July 2010 before the stadium opened, with Guadalajara beating Manchester United in an exhibition game. Estadio Akron might have opened late and run over budget, but the volcano theme has worked, and the result is one of the most striking stadiums in the world. It has been home to some big nights since then, including the 2010 Finals of the Copa Libertadores and the 2011 Pan American Games opening and closing ceremonies. While Guadalajara only has four World Cup matches, it does have a couple of big draws. On June 18, Mexico will play South Korea, and eight days later, Uruguay meets Spain in what should be one of the most competitive of the group stage games.
However, as with Estadio Azteca, Estadio Akron will be renamed Guadalajara Stadium during the World Cup to comply with FIFA’s ban on corporate sponsorships.
How Monterrey became the third venue
Estadio BBVA, renamed Monterrey Stadium for the World Cup, offers soccer fans a view of the majestic Cerro de la Silla. (@la_okocha/on X)
The decision on a third venue must have been closer, with Puebla in with a chance. The city is the fourth most populous metro area in Mexico. It is an underestimated tourist center with a World Heritage historical old town and is noted for its low crime rate. Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla was big enough for World Cup games and had undergone a major renovation in 2014-2015. However, that work had not been made with a World Cup tournament in mind, and the feeling was that Estadio BBVA in Monterrey was the superior stadium.
Monterrey Stadium, as it will be known during the World Cup, is the fourth-largest stadium in Mexico, holding 51,000 spectators. At US $200 million, it is also the most expensive sports arena in the country, but the city got value for its money. Walking through to your seat, there is a bit of a “TARDIS effect,” in that it feels bigger on the inside. However, take in the aerial view from a drone, and you see what an impressive building this is. The stadium is also noted for its green setting, being surrounded by grass and forested areas, and with the peak of the Cerro de la Silla towering above the complex. This “green image” is not just for show; the design has won praise for its efficient water management and eco-friendly energy usage.
Soccer history in Monterrey
Many local fans still remember the opening game when two-time European champions Benfica played local football club Monterrey for the eighth edition of the Eusébio Cup. The home side won 3-0, and since then, there has been plenty to cheer about. The club has traditionally done well in regional competitions, and wins in the CONCACAF Championship took them to three World Club Championships, where they twice finished an honorable third, as well as reaching the knockout stage of the expanded 2025 tournament.
There was some disappointment for local soccer fans when the World Cup fixtures were announced, particularly that none of Mexico’s games will be played in the city. Indeed, the stadium only gets four games, and the group matches involving Tunisia, Japan, South Africa and Sweden are not going to set the world alight. Similarly, Monterrey’s participation ends on June 29 with a round of 32 match.
Bob Patemanlived in Mexico for six years. He is a librarian and teacher with a Master’s Degree in History.
Peak wine tourism in Mexico is in the summer and fall, so now's the perfect time to plan your trip! (Kelsey Knight/Unsplash)
It may barely be June, but if you’re a wine lover in Mexico, it’s not too early to start planning your seasonal vineyard trip for this year. And if you’ve never visited one of Mexico’s emerging wine regions, you’re still in time to make your first trip. The good news is that there are more and more high-quality wine regions in Mexico to explore than ever.
While Baja California has long held the crown as the titan of Mexican wines, a dramatic shift is happening, with newer wine regions in other states like Guanajuato finally getting major attention on the world stage. And if you want to really go off the beaten path, some of Mexico’s most undervisited states are quickly turning into must-see wine regions that you can proudly say you discovered first.
Wineries across Mexico are already gearing up for an influx of wine tourism in the summer and fall. (Tierras y Almas)
The female leaders of Baja California winemaking
Baja California, of course, is Mexico’s most famous wine region — and deservedly so. So if you’re looking for a repeat tour here but with a new twist, did you know that there are several excellent wineries in the state’s popular Valle de Guadalupe region either owned or run by women?
Veteran winemaker Laura Zamora, arguably the matriarch of this movement, is one of them. She started in the industry nearly 50 years ago as a lab tech at Mexico’s second-largest winemaker, Bodegas de Santo Tomás winery in Ensenada, when she was only 17. She worked her way up to the position of head winemaker there in 2005, when Santo Tomás became the first winery in Mexico to appoint a woman as its head enologist. These days, Zamora has her own winery in Valle de Guadalupe: Casa Zamora.
Find out more about Casa Zamora and the other wineries in Valle de Guadalupe run by women in our article below.
Jalisco wines? Yes, it’s increasingly a thing. The area around Ribera de Chapala, for example, is an up-and-coming wine destination worth checking out, with a cluster of wineries on the southern shore of Lake Chapala. If you’re feeling more adventurous, look up Jalisco’s emerging Los Altos wine region, home to several vineyards that do tours and tastings.
Not long ago, MND reported on Altos Norte Vinícola, an award-winning newer vineyard in this region that is Mexico’s first certified-organic winery — a feat accomplished after years of preparing the land on a former livestock farm in owner José Miguel Vega’s family since the 1920s.
Altos Norte winery produces effervescent Pét-Nat and dry sparkling brut wines, working with varietal grapes like Albariño, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
Find out about the family-run Altos Norte Vinícola, noted for its low-intervention, zero-waste and fair labor practices — and, of course, for its great wines — in the story below.
What’s old is new again: The renaissance in Coahuila wines
The colonial Spanish discovered Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, when they arrived here at the end of the 16th century. While they declared the native grapes unsuitable for wine, they recognized that the climate was perfect for vineyards and encouraged the Catholic missions that established there to grow better wine grapes on their estates. Mexico’s first winery, Casa Madero, is located in Parras de la Fuente, as are several other newer great wineries.
While Parras de la Fuente has long been a wine-producing region, only recently has it been recognized outside Mexico. It’s also a stop on probably one of the quirkiest wine routes anywhere: the Vinos y Dinos (Wines and Dinos) route, where you tour vineyards while also visiting Coahuila’s famous dinosaur fossil sites.
Querétaro has long been seen as one of Mexico’s more staid, historic — frankly, a bit boring — states, a rising manufacturing and data center economic powerhouse with beautiful nature reserves in the Sierra Gorda, but somehow not a big tourism or vacation destination. So state officials must have been pleasantly surprised when Querétaro was recently included on the New York Times’ list of the 52 best places to go in 2026.
“In recent years,” the newspaper wrote, “the city and its surrounding countryside have emerged as a surprising new destination for food and drink.”
A big reason for that is undoubtedly Querétaro’s multitude of wineries, located conveniently close to the capital city of Quéretaro and the Querétaro International Airport. Wineries on this route offer daily tours, tastings and wine pairing workshops. The state’s impressively organized wine route is actually called The Wine and Cheese route, since there are small artisan cheesemakers to be found along the way as well.
The Spanish sparkling wine producer Freixenet has had vineyards and a large winery here for decades, and it’s left its imprint on the region: Querétaro and its vineyard-friendly arid climate have quietly become the capital of sparkling and effervescent Mexican wines, producing over 3.5 million bottles annually.
Guanajuato: Giving Baja California a run for its money
Over the border, Guanajuato state has long been turning into a wine-producing powerhouse — one of the biggest contenders in the nation poised to steal Baja California’s winemaking crown.
A testament to the state’s growing international importance as a wine producer is the fact that when the gold standard of wine competitions, The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, chose in 2024 to hold its main competition for the first time in the Americas, it held it in León, Guanajuato. For over a decade before that, Guanajuato’s wineries had already been taking home medals at the Concours Mondial México edition.
Located in central Mexico, a few hours from Mexico City, the state of Guanajuato is chock-full of award-winning wineries and boasts a wine route with several great options. For a roundup of seven of Guanajuato’s best wineries, all award-winners, check out Lydia Carey’s article below.
If you’re a newbie to wine travel in Mexico, here are some thoughts to keep in mind:
Choose your wine region based not only on the wines’ reputation, but on the activities available nearby. By their nature, vineyards are usually located in rural areas, so be clear on what you want to do on your trip once the wine part is over. Many of the wineries in Coahuila’s Parras de la Fuente wine region, for example, are located near the Magical Town of the same name. There, you can take carriage rides in the architecture-rich historic center and visit picturesque lakes, but not much else. But a wine-loving dinosaur buff may enjoy other parts of Coahuila’s Vinos y Dinos route.The wine regions of Guanajuato and Baja California may be a good fit for those who love outdoor adventure. Companies in the region provide hiking, nature exploration and extreme sports offerings. Find out the name of the nearest town or city to your vineyard of choice, and research the tourism activities available within reach. In other words, choose your region wisely.
Don’t just show up. At the very least, check the winery’s website to see if you need a reservation to take a tour or do a wine tasting before you arrive. Also, winery staff can alert you to pitfalls to avoid in getting there and answer questions about tourism options nearby.
Consider how you’ll get to your winery — and back to your hotel. It may make the most sense to drive yourself there, but there can be benefits to booking with a local reputable wine tourism company. Baja California has lots of them, and even less touristic cities like Querétaro do as well. You may also welcome the presence of a sober driver after indulging in a day of wine-tasting that surprises you with its alcoholic potency. Again, staff at the vineyard you’re visiting are often good sources of information on trustworthy companies for this type of service.Or, if your winery of choice has hotel rooms on-site, you can opt to turn your vineyard visit into a mini-getaway!
Less than two weeks out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Liberation Plaza in downtown Guadalajara remains fenced off as preparations for the city's FIFA Fan Festival move forward in the Historic Center. (Fernando Carranza García / Cuartoscuro.com)
Two of Mexico’s most politically prominent governors found themselves facing legal scrutiny the last week of May, as the Attorney General’s Office summoned Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos for questioning. Meanwhile, President Claudia Sheinbaum kept up a busy week at the mañanera podium — defending a call to boycott a major television network, announcing a multi-billion-peso pharmaceutical investment and, on Friday, giving away her own World Cup ticket.
The economy offered some counterweight to the political turbulence. New data showed foreign direct investment hit a record high in the first quarter of 2026, and April export revenue surged. But a closer look at the labor market complicated the picture, with analysts warning that low unemployment figures mask a contraction in formal-sector work.
On the cultural and civic front, Sheinbaum reversed course on a controversial port project in Baja California Sur after sustained public pressure, and Congress passed a constitutional reform that would allow elections to be nullified in cases of proven foreign interference — a measure that moved from legislative proposal to a congressional vote in a matter of days, and now awaits ratification by state legislatures.
Didn’t have time to catch this week’s top stories? Here’s what you missed.
Governors Rocha and Campos face Attorney General’s questions
The week opened with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) summoning two sitting governors for questioning: Sinaloa’s Rubén Rocha Moya and Chihuahua’s Maru Campos. Sheinbaum announced the summonses at Monday’s mañanera, framing them as evidence that her government does not grant impunity to anyone. Underscoring her point is the fact that the two governors belong to opposing parties: Rocha Moya is a member of the ruling Morena while Campos is a member of the opposition National Action Party (PAN). Both agreed to appear before the FGR, with Rocha Moya facing a U.S. federal indictment accusing him and other Sinaloa officials of drug trafficking in league with the Sinaloa Cartel, and Campos summoned over the alleged unauthorized operations of CIA agents in Chihuahua — something she says she neither authorized nor had knowledge of.
Economy posts strong numbers, but labor data adds nuance
President Sheinbaum sparked debate on Monday when she publicly called on Mexicans to stop watching TV Azteca, citing what she described as biased and inaccurate coverage of her government. She used Tuesday’s mañanera to elaborate on the call, framing it as a personal recommendation rather than a government directive. Critics argued the distinction matters little given the power differential between a sitting president and a private media outlet.
Congress moves fast on foreign interference reform
A constitutional reform that would allow Mexican elections to be annulled in cases of proven foreign interference moved quickly through the legislature this week. The bill, introduced by Morena’s congressional leadership, passed both chambers of Congress and must now be ratified by at least 17 of Mexico’s 32 state legislatures before taking effect. Sheinbaum addressed the measure at Thursday’s mañanera, framing it as a defense of national sovereignty. Supporters described the reform as a safeguard against external meddling; critics questioned its scope and potential for politically motivated application.
Security figures, CNTE clashes and a Loreto reversal
In a separate development, Sheinbaum reversed a presidential decree that would have opened the waters near Loreto, Baja California Sur to heavy marine traffic, citing the volume and consistency of citizen opposition.
World Cup: Bookings lag, Iran arrives and teachers protest
With the tournament less than a month away, the week produced a mixed picture on World Cup readiness. Hotel occupancy in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey is projected to average between 60% and 65% — well below the 80%-plus forecast by Deloitte in February — and the Mexico City Hotel Association reported that current reservations are below those of summer 2025.
On Monday, CNTE teachers challenged World Cup organizers, attempting to take over the Zócalo, the central plaza where FIFA is already setting up for tournament fan events. Riot police prevented their entry and the union protesters set up camp elsewhere in the city center. Protests continued throughout the week and on Wednesday, 16 CNTE teachers were injured in Oaxaca after community leaders attacked a union blockade, leading the dissident teachers union to break off talks with the federal government.
Iran’s national team chose Tijuana as its last-minute base for the World Cup, after the United States declined to host the team. Iran’s plans to participate in the World Cup have been in question since February, when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.
The first matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kick off in Mexico on June 11, with Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey hosting games across the group stage. The most immediate pressure point between now and then is the CNTE standoff: More teachers are expected to arrive in the capital ahead of a large planned protest on June 1, with a national strike potentially beginning the same day — putting the government on a collision course with the tournament it has spent years preparing to host.
This story contains summaries of original Mexico News Daily articles. The summaries were generated by Claude, then revised and fact-checked by a Mexico News Daily staff editor.
