How to renew your Mexican temporary residency card yourself — without losing your mind

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October 12, 2025

A close-up of two Mexican residency cards: a 'Residente Temporal' (Temporary Resident) card and a 'Residente Permanente' (Permanent Resident) card, on top of official INM immigration paperwork. — A residency card is worth getting if you want to stay in Mexico long-term. Don't overstay a tourist visa; it's worth the sense of security you'll have to do things correctly. (Matthew Harrup)

I’m writing this flying high — literally — on a plane out of Puerto Vallarta, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. My three-year Mexican residency card has just been approved, which means I won’t have to wrestle with immigration red tape again until 2028. Anyone who has gone through Mexico’s residency process knows how much of a victory this is.

Renewing from a one-year temporary residency to a three-year card is the next natural step for anyone on an immigration journey. Compared to getting your original residency card approved, the process this time around is blissfully straightforward. While many people choose to hire a fixer to handle everything, and understandably so, it’s also absolutely possible to do it yourself. I did it solo in Puerto Vallarta, and it was smooth sailing from start to finish. Here’s how it works.

A man wearing glasses and a light blue blazer holds a black clipboard while speaking to a woman with short blonde hair, whose back is partially to the camera. They appear to be in a professional setting, possibly an interview or meeting. — A “fixer” in Mexico is someone, usually Mexican, who runs a business helping foreigners navigate the Mexican governmental bureaucracy. But many expats do manage to get their resident visa without one. (Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash)

Why a fixer might be worth it (and why I didn’t use one)

Many immigrants in Mexico swear by their fixers — local professionals who specialize in navigating Mexico’s famously variable bureaucracy. It’s a common joke that each INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office has its own “interpretation” of the official rules. Some offices might require extra documents that others don’t.

A good fixer can anticipate those quirks, saving you time, frustration and possibly a few gray hairs.

That said, fixers can be pricey, often charging several thousand pesos for something you can do yourself with a printer, a bit of Spanish and a dose of patience. If you’re organized and don’t mind handling paperwork, doing it on your own is totally manageable. The process is clearly outlined online, and, in my experience, the immigration officers in Puerto Vallarta were professional, kind and even encouraging.

Step 1: Go to the official INM website

Start your journey at www.inm.gob.mx/mpublic/publico/inm-tramites.html. Click Trámites Migratorios and select Expedición de documento migratorio por renovación. This section is specifically for renewing your existing residency, not applying for a new one.

A person's hands are visible on a laptop keyboard, showing an online appointment scheduling system for "Registro de Citas" (Appointment Registration) on the screen, which includes a calendar displaying available (green), partially available (yellow), and unavailable (red) dates. — You’ll need to make your appointment to do your visa renewal “tramite” online at the INM website. (Original photo INM – Photo edited slightly with AI)

Here, you’ll find a detailed list of requirements and links to all the forms you need. Begin with the solicitud, which is the main application to extend your stay. Under Motivo de solicitud, choose Extender la estancia, and specify Expedición de Tarjeta de Residente por Renovación.

You’ll be asked to fill in details from your current residency card and passport. Once completed, the system will generate a número de pieza — a unique tracking number. Print or save this page; you’ll need it later to schedule your appointment. You’ll also need to bring this tracking number with you to your appointment.

Step 2: Schedule your appointment

With your número de pieza in hand, return to the Trámites page and click through to the Requirements section to schedule your appointment (cita) at your local INM office. If you’re renewing in a busy area like Puerto Vallarta, book early; slots fill up quickly.

Once your appointment is confirmed, it’s time to gather your documents.

Step 3. Gather your paperwork

A view of a a woman's hands signing paperwork that's laid out on a wooden conference table. One paper has what looks like a governmental shield of an indeterminate country. — Immigration offices in different locations in Mexico will have different levels of tolerance for gringo errors, so do your best to ensure your required paperwork is in order before you go. (Romain Dancre/Unsplash)

Here’s what you’ll need to bring to your appointment:

Your old resident card, plus a copy of the front and back of the card, copied onto the same page.
Passport, with a copy of the data page.
Printout of your número de pieza.
Formato básico, a simple information form. Most INM offices provide this in person, but some require it in advance. To be safe, you can download it here: https://www.gob.mx/inm/documentos/informacion-formato-basico.
Proof of payment. The fee for a three-year renewal (as of 2025) is 10,570 pesos. It’s easiest to pay by credit card at your appointment, although you can also pay in advance via bank transfer.

Don’t worry about bringing photographs in advance — you’ll take them during your appointment.

The last piece depends on your type of residency. If you have residency through a job, you’ll need a letter from your employer. If you’re a student, you’ll need to provide proof of enrollment.

For those of us living in Mexico under the general “living here” category, you’ll click the option for “Written renewal accrediting the circumstances subsist” — essentially a letter confirming that your situation hasn’t changed. The system will generate this document for you to print and sign.

Here’s where I hit a small snag: I forgot to bring this letter with me. Luckily, the immigration officer who helped me was an angel of empathy, who was clearly used to gringo errors. She showed me exactly where to find it online, told me where I could print it nearby, and even held my spot while I dashed out to get it. This kind of patience is not guaranteed, so learn from my mistake and have all your documents ready to go.

Step 4: Attend your appointment

Man filling out paperwork at Mexican National Migration Institute office — Renewing your visa is one of the rites of passage for expats seeking to put down roots in Mexico. (INM)

On the day of your appointment, arrive early, dressed neatly and with your documents in order. Depending on the office, you might need to wait a bit, but once called, the process moves quickly. You’ll review your information, make your payment, take your photo and fingerprints and confirm your details. If all goes well, you’ll leave that same day with your brand-new three-year residency card — valid, sturdy and beautifully laminated.

The difference between a one-year card and a three-year card might seem small, but it’s a game-changer in practice. Not only do you save yourself two years’ worth of renewal appointments, but you also gain a sense of long-term stability. You can travel in and out of Mexico freely, rent apartments more easily, open bank accounts and build a life here without the yearly stress of expiring paperwork.

Plus, once your three years are up, you’re eligible to apply for permanent residency, which is the ultimate goal for many people who plan to stay indefinitely. Permanent residency means no more renewals, ever.

Renewing your temporary residency might not sound glamorous, but it’s one of those necessary rites of passage for anyone putting down roots in Mexico. And if you handle it yourself, it’s surprisingly empowering.

Walking out of the INM office with that new card in hand felt like a tangible reminder that Mexico is home, at least for the foreseeable future. And as my plane lifts off the runway, I can’t help but smile at the thought that, for the next three years, my only paperwork will be postcards.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

Taste of Mexico: Salsa

By

María Meléndez

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October 11, 2025

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A plate with three different types of Mexican salsa — From red, to green and everything in between, María Meléndez has a beginners guide to Mexican salsa. (Alyona Yankovska/Unsplash)

In Mexico, salsa is more than a condiment. It’s a cultural emblem that is present at every restaurant, street stall, family table, and even in fast-food chains. Wherever there’s a Mexican enjoying a meal, there’s likely a salsa nearby. Historically, grandmothers crafted their perfect blends using molcajetes; today, the frantic pace of life often pushes us to whip up versions in blenders. Every family guards their own secret recipes, and each person has a personal favorite. What’s astonishing, though, is how rarely we see a straightforward guide to the variety of Mexican salsas.

It’s no poetic exaggeration to say that salsas reflect a fundamental part of our identity — a mosaic of tomatoes, herbs, and chiles. We amplify these basic ingredients with garlic, onion, salt, pepper, oil, lime, and a host of other spices. Sometimes, exotic elements like ants, crickets, walnuts, peanuts or pumpkin seeds are added. The possibilities are virtually endless. With around 250 species of chile in Mexico, it’s safe to say there are at least that many types of salsa.

Ground, chopped, blended, spicy, mild or fruity, the world of Mexican salsa is a vast one. (Unsplash)

However, trying to encompass all regional varieties of salsa can feel overwhelming. The truth is, the landscape of Mexican salsa is deeply intertwined with its geography, history, and culture. Salsas from Oaxaca or Yucatán taste different from those in Chihuahua or Mexico City; coastal varieties have a different character than mountain versions. Each salsa tells its own story, a world unto itself. For our purpose, we’ll focus on those that are accessible across the country and have even found commercial success.

Chilmolli and the roots of salsa

Chile has been woven into Mexican cuisine for over 6,000 years. Although we suspect that salsa drinking was widespread among ancient Mesoamerican cultures, archaeological evidence is scarce. We do know, with certainty, that the Aztecs regularly consumed chilmolli — a chile-based salsa — as part of their daily diet.

This ancient practice is demonstrated through the tools they used, particularly the molcajete (a stone mortar) and the comal (a griddle). The molcajete, invented 8,000 years ago, allows the essential oils of ingredients to be released, giving salsas a depth of flavor that modern appliances just can’t match.

The comal, meanwhile, provided a sturdy surface to roast ingredients, giving particular salsas their smoky character. Since those early times, salsas have become woven into the very fabric of Mexican cuisine.

The Salsa Spectrum

Taste of Mexico: Salsa

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To simplify this rich universe, we can categorize the most common types of salsa:

• Red Salsa: Made from tomatoes and chiles, it’s often less acidic than other varieties but bursting with flavor.

• Green Salsa: Based on tomatillo and chiles, it’s one of the oldest documented salsas and tends to be more tart, often used in seafood preparations.

• Tatemadas: These are salsas whose ingredients have been roasted on a comal — whether red or green. My personal favorite is salsa verde tatemada, which brings a smoky richness that is ideal for grilled meats.

• Molcajete Salsa: As previously noted, this salsa’s rustic, less refined texture is a testament to traditional preparation.

• Mezcla or Macha: A favorite of mine, this salsa combines seeds like peanuts, sesame, or pumpkin, along with dried chiles, garlic, vinegar, and premium oil. It’s a powerhouse of health benefits, perfect for salads or flavoring any dish.

• Pico de gallo: This one always makes me laugh. I had a couple of friends, one argued that pico de gallo is a salad and one who claimed that pico de gallo “is salsa roja but deconstructed.” When the fresh, chopped mixture of tomatoes, onion, chile, and cilantro are prepared with love, it’s nothing short of spectacular.

Depending on the chiles used, the heat level can vary dramatically — from the fiery habanero and chiltepín to the milder jalapeño or serrano.

More than just flavor

And yes, friends — enjoying salsa is not just a pleasure, but also an act deeply rooted in health. These vibrant condiments play a significant role in our well-being. If you want to maintain a healthy weight, salsas can improve glucose tolerance, increase insulin sensitivity, reverse fatty liver, and reduce pancreatic damage. They’re also allies in allergy therapies, possess antimicrobial properties — meaning street tacos soaked in salsa are not only delicious but safer (maybe) — and they improve blood circulation.

Perhaps most surprisingly, chili peppers trigger the release of endorphins — the body’s natural happiness hormones. It’s no exaggeration to say that drenching your food in salsa can boost your mood. And if you’re dealing with pain, salsa can serve as a natural analgesic — plus it’s an excellent distraction. These fiery condiments help balance your “good” and “bad” cholesterol levels, and they are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powerhouses.

If salsa irritates your stomach, start incorporating it in microdoses and build up gradually. As my grandparents used to say, “Well-made salsas make you strong, not weak.

Amigos, for health, patriotism, and happiness — eat salsa! 😊

María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.

Mexico’s week in review: CIBanco collapse and Banamex bid shake financial sector

By

MND Staff

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October 11, 2025

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A giant 2026 World Cup ball was installed at the Terminal 2 entrance of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) this week. — A giant 2026 World Cup ball welcomes travelers arriving at the Terminal 2 entrance of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM). (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

This week, the Sheinbaum administration celebrated several positive developments: daily homicides dropped to their lowest level in nine years, high-impact crime arrests neared 35,000 and government revenue continued its upswing, providing a crucial financial buffer for a year of tepid economic growth.

Despite falling national crime rates, five popular tourism destinations — including San Miguel de Allende — ranked among Mexico’s 50 most violent municipalities. A Mexico News Daily reader survey revealed that foreigners living in or visiting these cities maintain high perceptions of safety, confirming that the impact of violent crime is limited to certain groups.

Mexico’s financial sector, meanwhile, faced unprecedented turbulence as regulators shuttered CIBanco following U.S. money laundering accusations, leaving thousands of customers scrambling to recover their funds.

We also covered legislative developments on animal welfare and Sheinbaum’s proposed reform to Mexico’s amparo law.

Didn’t have time to read every story this week? Here’s what you missed.

CIBanco liquidated following money laundering accusations

Mexico’s banking sector faced its most dramatic development in years as IPAB revoked CIBanco’s license and began liquidating the institution on Friday, following U.S. Treasury Department sanctions in June that accused the bank of laundering millions for drug cartels.

The closure of CIBanco, alongside restrictions on Vector and Intercam, marked an unprecedented regulatory crackdown on financial institutions allegedly facilitating cartel operations.

IPAB announced it would begin paying insured deposits starting Monday. To access funds, CIBanco account holders can register a receiving account starting Oct. 13. Those without other Mexican bank accounts must visit CIBanco branches or IPAB offices in person to submit a Payment Request. Read more here.

The impact on the bank’s customers has been severe. A Mexico News Daily survey of over 200 readers in July found that 62% of CIBanco clients were considering closing their accounts, with many reporting frozen transfers and restricted withdrawals. One Mexican student abroad reported being unable to access funds after Visa suspended international transactions. The crisis particularly affected foreigners relying on U.S. check deposits and international transfers to pay contractors, employees and living expenses.

Grupo México’s Banamex bid rejected

Mining magnate Germán Larrea’s US $9.3-billion attempt to acquire Banamex caused a small earthquake in Mexico’s financial sector.

Grupo México’s binding offer on Sept. 8 sent the conglomerate’s stock plummeting 18.8% on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV). On Thursday, Citi rejected the proposal, reaffirming its prior commitment to selling 25% to Fernando Chico Pardo.

Mexican business magnate buys 25% stake in Banamex ahead of planned IPO

Grupo México shares shot up 4.5% after Citi’s rejection.

Government revenue hits record highs

The Sheinbaum administration reported that government revenue increased 9.1% annually in the first nine months of 2025, reaching 4.63 trillion pesos ($251.7 billion).

Finance Minister Édgar Amador Zamora attributed approximately 200 billion pesos of the increase to improved foreign trade tax collection and anti-corruption efforts at border crossings.

“Thanks to that … it has been possible to have very, very solid growth of public income, amid an economic context in which [GDP] growth has been a little more moderate,” Amador said.

Tech and transport sectors signal confidence

Salesforce’s $1 billion AI push: The cloud-based software giant announced a five-year, US $1-billion investment to expand operations, open a new five-story Mexico City headquarters and establish a Global Delivery Center providing AI consulting services across Latin America. Salesforce’s CEO also committed to training 100,000 Mexican students in artificial intelligence.
Electric freight innovation: Nuevo León announced that an electric cargo transport service using Windrose electric tractor-trailers will carry freight from Monterrey to Laredo, Texas, starting in November, with eventual extension to Dallas. The private sector initiative aligns with global decarbonization trends while capitalizing on nearshoring opportunities.

Pemex moves toward stability

This week, the state oil company notched several positive developments signaling progress toward financial solvency:

Major private investment secured: Carlos Slim’s Grupo Carso signed a $1.991 billion contract to drill up to 32 wells in the Ixachi field in Veracruz over three years, with payment contingent on well production. The agreement exemplifies President Sheinbaum’s strategy of leveraging private partnerships to boost production while managing Pemex’s $98 billion debt burden.
Credit rating upgraded: Fitch Ratings bumped Pemex’s rating to BB+, placing the company just one notch below investment grade. The upgrade followed government capital injections exceeding $16 billion and came remarkably just one month after Fitch had raised Pemex to BB with a positive outlook.

Tourism destinations among Mexico’s most violent municipalities

Security data revealed a sobering reality for several popular tourist destinations. Five tourism hotspots ranked among Mexico’s 50 most violent municipalities based on per capita homicide rates between September 2024 and August 2025, according to crime data compiled by elcri.men.

Tulum ranked 20th most violent with 83.9 homicides per 100,000 residents, recording 46 murders during the period. Acapulco, once a glamorous Hollywood destination, ranked 34th with 71 homicides per 100,000 people. Zihuatanejo ranked 41st with 61.3 per 100,000, while San Miguel de Allende, home to a sizable expat community, came in 50th with 49.3 per 100,000. Manzanillo topped the list at third place overall with 143.4 homicides per 100,000 people.

We asked readers to rate their perception of safety in the above cities, and most expressed continued confidence despite the statistics.

Tourists and foreign residents are rarely affected by violence in these destinations, as most incidents are related to organized crime.

Mexicans detained in Israel return home safely

Early in the week, Mexico announced that six Mexican activists detained by Israeli forces on Oct. 1 would be repatriated. The individuals had been part of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza when Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessels.

They were held at Ketziot, a maximum security prison in the Negev desert, before being transferred to Amman, Jordan, and then home.

President Sheinbaum condemned the interception and reinforced Mexico’s support for Palestine, noting that Mexico joined other countries in filing a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The group of six Mexicans, which included the journalist Ernesto Ledesma, was part of a flotilla of volunteers whose boats were boarded by Israeli soldiers after they entered restricted waters off the coast of Palestine. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Looking ahead

The week underscored how Mexico’s strengths and vulnerabilities will collide during next year’s pivotal USMCA review.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s recent accusation that Mexico fails to honor USMCA commitments in energy, telecommunications and agriculture signals difficult negotiations ahead. President Sheinbaum responded that Washington raised “about 50 points” largely stemming from misunderstandings — citing labor court funding calculations that overlooked state contributions — and expressed confidence that most issues are resolved. Yet Greer’s blunt assertion that “it doesn’t make a lot of sense to talk about extending” the pact suggests that challenging bilateral talks are ahead.

Security presents another mixed picture. Homicides are down, but public fear is at a three-year high — 63.2% of Mexicans feel unsafe, up from 58.6% a year earlier.

At the border, apprehensions plummeted to a 55-year low — just 237,565 in FY2025, down 87% from recent averages. And the World Bank’s upgraded forecast of 0.5% growth, though modest, joins similar OECD and IMF revisions suggesting economic stabilization. Record government revenue offers fiscal breathing room.

But the CIBanco liquidation exposed financial sector fragilities precisely when Mexico needs to project institutional soundness. Whether Mexico can resolve these contradictions — compliance versus sovereignty, falling crime versus rising fear — will determine its position when formal USMCA negotiations begin.

Mexico News Daily

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.

Looking for previous weeks in review?

Do you have friends who are ‘Confidently Wrong’ about driving in Mexico? A perspective from our CEO

By

Travis Bembenek

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October 11, 2025

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850x567 px (4)-3 — MND CEO Travis Bembenek and George Reavis, a longtime resident of Mexico and founder of MexEdge, break down what's legitimate versus misled in this week's podcast episode.

One of the most common questions I hear from people about Mexico is, “Is it safe to drive there?”

People always want to know how we get around locally, and if we drive the three hours from SMA to Mexico City when we go there. Another popular question is if I have ever been stopped by the federales?…and if so, if I had to bribe them to continue on my journey?

Driving in Mexico is a complicated topic, and of course, everyone has different experiences doing so.

The constant? It is nothing like driving in the U.S. or Canada. It is not always easy and requires advanced planning and patience, but it can be extremely rewarding and beautiful. Renting a car is often stressful and frustrating. And when you learn that, up until 2018, Mexico City only required a written test and a fee before granting 16-year-olds a license, you might hesitate before merging into the chaos.

I have often been given, and even more often heard, advice for driving in Mexico that was confidently wrong.

I have shared my driving experiences in previous articles:

But given the consistently wrong comments we hear on this topic, we decided to make this week’s episode of Mexico News Daily’s Podcast on “Confidently Wrong about driving in Mexico.”

Check it out and let me know what you think! Do you agree with our thoughts and recommendations? Please share!

You can listen on our YouTube channel, Mexico News Daily TV, below or here on Spotify.

Confidently wrong about driving in Mexico - Episode 6

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Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

What will Los Cabos look like in 10 years?

By

Chris Sands

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October 11, 2025

4

Land's End in Cabo San Lucas — Some things, like Land's End, never seem to change. Others, like Los Cabos' explosive population growth, have created a constant state of flux. (Unsplash/Tatiana Bernardi)

There is no end in sight for the explosive population growth that has taken Los Cabos from 44,000 residents as recently as 1990 to over 350,000 by 2020. In fact, according to estimated growth models, the population is projected to nearly double again by 2035.

That means in 2035, only a decade from now, Los Cabos is poised to be home to between 600,000 and 650,000 residents. Obviously, this kind of sustained growth at such a high rate comes with serious infrastructure challenges, some of which — like traffic and housing and water supply shortages — are already obvious to residents.

Population growth in Los Cabos — The population arrow for Los Cabos is still shooting nearly straight up, with the population expected to hit 650,000 by 2035.

But assuming population trends continue, and there’s no reason to think they won’t — Los Cabos, for example, continues to maintain an annual 14-16% growth rate well above the national average — I thought it would be interesting to take a peek into the future and see what will be different about Los Cabos a decade from now, and what may still be the same.

What is the plan for Los Cabos?

The first thing to note is that a governmental plan is in place to manage this significant growth. The first iteration of this appeared in 1999 under the title “Plan Director de Desarrollo Urbano de San José del Cabo y Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S.” It aimed at a responsible development of tourism infrastructure for the destination. However, by the time the second edition appeared in 2013 as “Plan Director de Desarrollo Urbano (PDU 2040),” the focus had shifted to responsible and sustainable residential growth by the year 2040 (hence, the title), with emphasis on such topics as expansion vision, designated growth areas, managing housing and water crises and infrastructure upgrades.

A third edition of this plan is expected to be completed soon, and yes, there is a participatory public element involved. For instance, over 40 workshops were held, involving over 700 participants, to garner input on the future direction of the Los Cabos municipality for the second update in 2013. Public input has also been sought for the third edition, although exactly how much remains uncertain.

If those seem like very small numbers relative to the population and its needs, they are. But decisions on the future of the destination have been made. That they’re already moving forward is evident in several of the upgrades that will be discussed shortly.

Demographics

So, where are the nearly 300,000 or so new residents moving to Los Cabos over the next decade coming from? Contrary to concerns about gentrification, a hot-button topic in Mexico at the moment, there won’t be any mass influx of foreigners, either from the U.S. or elsewhere. Currently, there are just over 17,400 foreign residents in the municipality, representing less than 5% of the total population. About 10,000 more are expected in the next decade, which sounds like a lot. However, due to the overall immigration pattern, this will have no meaningful effect on the percentage of foreign nationals. Rather, the mass of newcomers will be overwhelmingly Mexican, no doubt seeking new jobs and opportunities in a high-growth region.

Currently, more than half the population of Baja California Sur was born in another state in Mexico, and that trend should continue with new arrivals mainly coming from Guerrero, Sinaloa, Mexico City and Estado de Mexico. Los Cabos, one of only five municipalities in the state, already accounts for a whopping 44% of its total population, and that number should hit 50% by 2035.

Los Cabos demographics chart — Where are all the new Los Cabos residents coming from? Overwhelmingly, from within Mexico.

Tourism Infrastructure

Tourism in Los Cabos is being carefully and expertly managed, with Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, noting that the emphasis remains on sustainable growth that maintains the destination’s relatively newly acquired patina as a luxury getaway.

Still, both the number of hotel rooms and the tourists occupying them could increase significantly over the next 10 years due to increased connectivity and infrastructure upgrades. Currently, there are about 20,0000 available rooms for the four million tourists who visit annually. By 2035, the former figure will certainly pace upwards based on announcements for new resorts, although it’s hard to forecast how much.

What’s undeniable is that future growth is being facilitated by upgrades underway at the Los Cabos International Airport, to enable it to handle up to 40% more volume, including passengers from the new routes coming from North America, Europe, Central and South America. So, Los Cabos is well-placed to continue its steady tourism growth, while maintaining higher-than-average spending rates.

Traffic and water challenges

Traffic, although certainly a concern at present due to the lengthy but much-needed infrastructure upgrade to the Fonatur roundabout in San José del Cabo, which an estimated 60,000-plus vehicles use daily, is expected to accommodate the expected growth. Not only will a third artery be built between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, called the Eje Interurbano (Interurban Axis), to help divert overflow from Federal Highway 1 and the toll road, but mass transit improvements are also in the works, including the possibility of electric bus service.

These improvements should make traffic between the cape cities flow much smoother, although the residential sprawl of overtaxed surface streets is likely to remain a persistent irritant to anyone who wants to go somewhere in a hurry.

The most concerning issue, meanwhile, is likely to be water management. Currently, for example, Los Cabos is running at a deficit of 600 liters per second.

Los Cabos water supply and demand chart — Los Cabos is in the midst of a water crisis, one that only looks to be getting worse in the coming decade.

Yes, reinforcements are on the way, including the opening of a second desalination plant in Cabo San Lucas by 2026, plus a few privately owned resort and residential desalination projects by 2027. But demand (see the graph above, which is based on conservative estimates relative to rising population figures and traditional usage) is expected to increase significantly in the coming decade.

Housing concerns

Another area of concern over the next decade will be housing. As I referenced in my recent article on wealth disparity in Los Cabos, there is a dearth of affordable housing in Los Cabos, either homes or rental units. So if it’s bad now, what’s going to happen with up to 300,000 more residents moving in by 2035?

The premier coastal tracts will continue to be reserved for high-end real estate development, with the East Cape of Los Cabos a likely contested patch between long-time residents trying to fight off exploitative growth and environmental degradation, and resort and residential speculators licking their chops over how much pristine land remains. Four Seasons kick-started the luxury rush of the East Cape in 2019 with its impressive Costa Palmas resort and residences. Aman’s Amanvari is coming soon, and high-end hospitality brands Delano and Raffles have announced the opening of East Cape resorts and residences by 2029.

Those residences, however, are for the privileged few. For the many, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo can expect more sprawl into outlying areas, like the former’s Leonardo Gastelum colonia or El Tezal. Housing initiatives, including those locally endorsed by President Sheinbaum, have largely been stymied due to the difficulty of acquiring tracts of land at affordable prices. More initiatives will certainly be introduced, but the underlying issue remains.

What else could change?

These, of course, are only some of the more immediate concerns. There are others, too. What will a rapidly increasing population mean for farm-to-table food supply, or for the environment, including the spectacular natural beauty and amazing flora and fauna that have made Los Cabos such an attractive destination in the first place? The answers to these questions remain to be seen. Only one thing can be said with certainty: the next 10 years in Los Cabos will be interesting, to say the least.

Chris Sands is the former Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best and writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook. He’s also a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily.

La Señora: Who is she?

By

Monica Belot

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October 11, 2025

10

La Señora television promotion in Spain — The figure of the Señora is an archetype in film, television and popular culture. (Prime Video)

No longer just an indicator of whether a woman is married or not, the concept of a “Señora” has taken on a life (and character) of its own in recent years. Driven by pop culture, social media, television and perhaps a series of strong personalities in daily life, the “Señora” has become a fascinating representation of a certain type of woman in Mexican culture — one that embodies an attitude of both elegance and authority … with a touch of drama.

The modern-day concept of a Señora has implications that touch upon age, female roles, family, tradition and class.

So who is this (sometimes infamous) character? What do Mexicans mean when they talk about una Señora? What does it mean to be a Señora today?

The Señora, traditionally

Cuando te dicen "señora"

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In Mexican society, being called “Señora” touches on three interconnected aspects: sexuality, civil status and age. According to research by Hortensia Moreno, an academic at UNAM’s Center for Gender Research and Studies, these connotations reflect gender stereotypes active in Mexican society, despite belonging to an older symbolic framework.

In a Spanish cultural context, a Señora refers to a respectable, mature, traditionally feminine woman.

My neighbor, Rosario, explains: A Señora is usually a married woman, she says, often someone who has kids. You wouldn’t really call a woman in her early 30s a Señora; it more refers to someone mature, who acts like it.

The transition from “Señorita” to “Señora” represents a critical moment in Mexican women’s lives, often occurring around age 40, regardless of marital status. This shift carries emotional weight because it’s perceived as indicating a loss of youth. Many Mexican women resist being called “Señora” because it implies they’ve crossed into a demographic associated with diminished social value.

Despite traditional associations with the term, the definition of a Señora has expanded into a stereotype that is both celebrated and satirized; memes and comedic sketches often feature the “Señora de la colonia” (neighborhood Señora), a woman who gossips, maintains order at social events and upholds traditional values but secretly enjoys luxury and intrigue.

The Señora in pop culture and telenovelas

Maria Rubio as Catalina Creel in Cuna de Lobos was the classic Señora figure in telenovelas. (Telemundo)

In Mexican pop culture and telenovelas, this figure is brought to life as a woman of elegance and authority, often wrapped in privilege and dramatized with a flair that makes her unforgettable. She is the matriarch who commands a room with her impeccable fashion, the high-society hostess who enforces etiquette with precision, and the sharp-tongued presence whose wit and sarcasm can both entertain and intimidate. Always poised, always stylish, the Señora moves through stories as both a pillar of tradition and, at times, a villainous force.

No actress captured this archetype more vividly than Mexican actress María Rubio in her role as Catalina Creel in Cuna de Lobos. Catalina is the sophisticated and ruthless matriarch of the Larios-Creel family, known for her trademark eye patch. A refined, commanding and impeccably poised character, her ambition revolves around ensuring her son Alejandro becomes the sole heir to the family’s pharmaceutical empire, eliminating anyone — through lies, manipulation and even murder — who threatens her goals.

The character’s exaggerated elegance, authoritative nature and high-society demeanor turned her into the definitive telenovela Señora, a figure so iconic that she continues to define the archetype in Mexico’s cultural imagination.

‘Yo no soy una señora’

María José - No Soy una Señora

Watch this video on YouTube

In 2009, Mexican pop star María José reignited the cultural conversation around what it means to be a Señora with her explosive cover of “Yo No Soy Una Señora.” Catchy and defiant, the track quickly became a national anthem of female empowerment — pushing back against the very stereotypes that telenovelas and everyday culture have long dramatized.

While the traditional Señora is imagined as elegant, mature and bound by decorum, José’s lyrics gave life to a woman who refuses that role altogether. When she sings, “Yo no soy una señora, una de esas que tiembla con apenas dos palabras,” José rejects the image of a submissive woman who trembles at a man’s words. Instead, she claims strength and independence, defining herself on her own terms.

Later, in “Yo no soy una señora, soy de aquellas que pueden darte el alma,” the emphasis shifts to passion and authenticity: She is not bound by respectability or appearances but by her ability to love, give and live fully.

The chorus’ refrain, “Yo no soy una señora” becomes a refusal to be boxed into stereotypes of maturity, propriety or aging. The song turns the archetype of the Señora on its head, offering a counterimage to figures like Catalina Creel. Whereas the telenovela Señora rules with elegance and ruthless authority, José’s protagonist insists on freedom, individuality and the right to live unapologetically.

In doing so, the song not only became a pop hit but also a cultural touchstone — an anthem for women who refuse to be defined by society’s expectations.

‘In my Señora Era’: A lifestyle movement

@jerlynntorres Tap into your #senora era and let your intention guide you ✨👩🏽‍🍳🇲🇽 . #micasa #rinconcitoenelcielo #mexicana #senoralife #latinachef ♬ Perfume de Gardenias – La Sonora Santanera

If the telenovela Señora once ruled households with elegant menace, and María José’s pop anthem rejected the label altogether, social media has brought us the newest twist: a generation that is embracing the phrase “in my Señora Era.”

What started as a lighthearted hashtag has become a lifestyle movement that reframes the Señora not as a marker of age or decline but as a symbol of wisdom, comfort and intentional living.

On TikTok and Instagram, millions of young Latinas have leaned into the archetype of their mothers, tías, and abuelas — showing off slow mornings with cafecito, airing out bedding in the sun or sweeping to old bolero songs — as a way of celebrating traditions once dismissed as ordinary.

In this reclamation, the Señora is no longer a cliché but an aspirational figure who has traded hustle culture for peace, presence and a joy in everyday rituals.

Hashtags like #SeñoraEra and #SeñoraTok have amassed millions of views while, offline, the movement has inspired groups like City Señoras in New York, where cafecito walks and games of lotería have grown into lively community gatherings.

Younger Latinas are choosing to launch their Señora Era “early,” transforming domestic rituals into acts of self-care, healing and connection to family traditions termed as “ancestral slow living.”

In the “Señora Era” movement, calling yourself a Señora is no longer to accept a label imposed from the outside. It chooses a way of life that honors tradition while carving out space for balance and joy.

The evolving Señora

Whether rejected, dramatized or reclaimed, the figure of the Señora continues to evolve, embodying the tensions between tradition and change. In the end, to speak of la Señora today is to recognize a cultural force that reflects how Mexican — and, more broadly, Latino — societies imagine femininity, authority, age and tradition itself.

Do you have a Señora in your life, or are you channeling your inner Señora? Let us know more in the comments below!

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at medium.com/@monicabelot.

Islas Marías adds sustainable agriculture and park ranger training to its eco-education initiatives

By

MND Staff

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October 10, 2025

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islas marías entrance — The prison that occupied one of the islands until 2019 has given way to a tourist facility, which is soon to be joined by educational projects in park management and sustainable farming. (Gobierno de México)

The tourist center on the UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve of Islas Marías will soon be sharing space with an agroecological farm and a park ranger training center.

The federal government has authorized the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) to use an area of more than 70,000 square meters located on Isla María Madre, according to the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) published on Oct. 8.

Islas Marias — The grasslands and scrublands of the Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve are home to endemic species of raccoon and rabbit, and the surrounding waters teem with 21 species of sharks and 10 different ray species. (@jenarovillamil/X)

The Conanp project is part of the government’s National Environmental Restoration Program, whose goal for this year is to restore 5% of the total degraded surface area of coastal and marine ecosystems, 800 hectares of urban parks and forests, and 26,000 hectares of forest ecosystems.

Approximately 26,000 square meters of the Islas Marías project will be designated for “El Rehilete” (The Retreat), a self-sufficient and sustainable food production system.

The stated aim of El Rehilete is to support the local economy and promote the conservation of natural resources, while teaching a new generation of young people about food sovereignty.

The remaining 44,000 square meters will be dedicated to the construction of a training center to teach volunteer park rangers about conservation, preservation and management methods for Protected Natural Areas (ANPs).

Islas Marías is a Pacific Ocean archipelago comprising four main islets — María Madre, María Magdalena, María Cleofas and San Juanito — about 94 kilometers (58 miles) off the coast of the state of Nayarit.

Visitors can tour Islas Marías by purchasing government-regulated tourism packages with departures from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, or San Blas, Nayarit.

Originally named the Magdalenas Islands after they were discovered by Spanish explorers in the 1520s, the islands were used as a Mexican penal colony from 1905 until 2019.

Islas Marías earned its Biosphere Reserve status in 2010. Nine years later, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador closed the prison and announced it would be converted into an environmental education center named after the prison’s most famous inmate, José Revueltas, the Durango-born 20th-century author and dissident.

The islands are home to the Tres Marías raccoon (Procyon insularis), the endemic Tres Marías cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus graysoni), 21 species of sharks, 10 different rays, three species of sea turtles and healthy coral reefs.

The landscape consists of grasslands, shrublands and tropical deciduous and subdeciduous forest.

With reports from Milenio, Reforma and Vallarta Adventures

More than 20 fatalities reported from this week’s rain: Friday’s mañanera recapped

By

MND Staff

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October 10, 2025

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Sheinbaum mañanera Oct. 10, 2025 — On Friday, Sheinbaum gave a thorough update on the simultaneous storm systems drenching Mexico. (Juan Carlos Buenrostro/Presidencia)

The heavy rain that fell in various parts of Mexico on Thursday and consequent flooding were a central focus of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Friday morning press conference.

Later on Friday, authorities in four states reported fatalities linked to the rain.

Among the cities and towns affected by flooding are Poza Rica, Veracruz; Álamo, Veracruz; Huauchinango, Puebla; Huehuetla, Hidalgo; and Zihuatanejo, Guerrer o.

More than 20 rain-related fatalities

At the start of the mañanera, Sheinbaum said that national Civil Protection chief Laura Velázquez would join the press conference via video link to speak about “the situation with the rain in different parts of the republic.”

More than 20 people lost their lives in incidents related to heavy rain on Thursday and Friday, according to media reports published on Friday afternoon. At least 16 deaths occurred in Hidalgo, where rain associated with Hurricane Priscilla caused flooding and landslides. There were additional fatalities in Puebla, Veracruz and Querétaro, while a number of other people have been reported as missing.

Sheinbaum noted that it rained on Thursday in 31 of Mexico’s 32 federal entities.

“Only in Baja California Sur did it not rain,” she said.

Sheinbaum at mañanera Oct. 10, 2025 — On Thursday, it rained in 31 of Mexico’s 32 federal entities. (Juan Carlos Buenrostro/Presidencia)

Sheinbaum said that particularly heavy rain had fallen in the Huasteca region.

“[In] Veracruz mainly, but Querétaro, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí were also affected,” she said.

In addition to those states, Puebla and Guerrero received heavy rain on Thursday, Velázquez said.

“In Guerrero, in Zihuatanejo, is where the highest rainfall was recorded, which was 151 millimeters,” the Civil Protection chief said.

Tropical Storm Raymond dumped two months’ worth of rain on the Pacific coast city in one day, according to Zihuatanejo Mayor Lizette Tapia Castro.

Velázquez also reported that:

Rain damaged 5,000 homes in the municipality of Álamo, Veracruz.
The Jalpan River in Querétaro had burst its banks.
Landslides had occurred in Veracruz, Querétaro and Puebla.
The Axtla River and the Moctezuma River in San Luis Potosí burst their banks.
A school and a hospital were flooded in Puebla.

Velázquez said that shelters had been set up in Álamo, and noted that the army and the navy, along with other authorities, were responding to flooding in different parts of the country.

A woman walks with a member of the Navy through knee-high water after major rainfall in central Mexico — Veracruz, Querétaro, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Puebla and Guerrero were the states most affected by rain this week. (@Claudiashein/X)

She said that the Federal Electricity Commission was working to reestablish power in areas where service had been cut, including in parts of Veracruz, San Luis Potosí and Puebla.

Velázquez said that rain would continue to fall in different parts of Mexico on Friday and advised citizens to be alert to official communication channels and to follow “all the recommendations” issued by Civil Protection authorities.

On Friday afternoon, the newspaper La Jornada reported that 24 people had died in rain-related incidents, while other media outlets reported slightly lower death tolls. With at least eight people reported as missing, it appears likely that the rain-related death toll will rise over the weekend.

**Adidas to compensate Oaxaca community whose huarache design inspired its Oaxaca Slip-On sandal**

Also at Sheinbaum’s Friday mañanera, Deputy Culture Minister Marina Núñez Bespalova told reporters that Adidas has committed to compensating the community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalág, Oaxaca, whose signature huarache sandal craftsmanship inspired the German athletic apparel and footwear company’s Oaxaca Slip-On sandals.

Oaxaca threatens legal action against Adidas for its ‘Oaxaca Slip-On’ sandal

After accusations of cultural appropriation, Adidas and the designer of the Oaxaca Slip-On sandals issued apologies in August.

Núñez said that meetings between Adidas and “the affected community” had been held.

Representatives from the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property and Mexico’s copyright office Indautor also attended the meetings, she said.

“Several agreements were reached with the brand,” Núñez said, adding that while “the compensation agreement” cannot yet be announced publicly, it involves Adidas funding “some” infrastructure projects that the community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalág had requested.

She said that there could be “some kind of collaboration” between Villa Hidalgo Yalalág artisans and Adidas at some point in the future.

“But there is already a compensation contract for the community,” Núñez stressed.

Asked whether Adidas would be allowed to sell its Oaxaca Slip-On sandals in Mexico, the deputy culture minister responded:

“No, no. They pulled those shoes off the market immediately; within a week, they were gone.”

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

Mexico City’s new waste management strategy will require trash separation starting Jan. 1

By

MND Staff

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October 10, 2025

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Mexico City’s latest attempt to improve waste management in the capital is an ambitious trash separation strategy that aims to ensure that by 2030, 50% of the estimated 8,600 tons of waste generated daily in the city is recycled or reused instead of being sent to landfills or tossed in streets and empty lots.

To achieve that goal, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada has presented the campaign: “Transform your city, each piece of trash in its place.” Beginning January 1, 2026, homes, schools, offices and businesses will be required to separate their trash into three categories: organic waste, recyclable inorganic waste and non-recyclable inorganic waste.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, shown here with some members of the recently created Integrated Waste Management Agency (AGIR) on the day of their swearing in, understands that the success of the plan depends on the good faith participation of the populace. (Clara Brugada/Facebook)

In a ceremony that installed the governing body of the new Integrated Waste Management Agency (AGIR) — officially created in November 2024 — Brugada noted that only 15% of the city’s garbage is properly separated today.

“Every piece of waste we throw away has a direct impact on the air, water and land,” she said. “Therefore, we believe that with good organization, awareness and determination, we can transform this challenge into a great opportunity to build a cleaner, more equitable and sustainable city.”

The program’s initial investment will be 400 million pesos (US $21.5 million) 250 million of which will go to the purchase of new waste collection trucks, and the rest to improve the Bordo Poniente recycling plant and to build new plants throughout the city.

For the remainder of the year, Brugada’s government will coordinate an educational campaign to teach residents how to separate their waste.

Brugada said that once this program kicks in, garbage collection will be carried out on a daily basis, as follows:

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: organic waste (food scraps, garden scraps, etc.)
Monday and Wednesday: recyclable inorganic waste (paper, cardboard, glass, PET, aluminum, metals, etc.)
Friday and Sunday: non-recyclable inorganic waste, such as sanitary waste, diapers and cigarette butts.

This isn’t the first time the capital has sought to organize its waste management, as garbage separation is a long-standing environmental goal.

In 2003, the local government approved the Solid Waste Law of the Federal District, which established the obligation to separate waste into two basic categories: organic and inorganic. However, the lack of collection infrastructure and weak educational campaigns prevented effective implementation of the law.

With reports from El Universal, Lopez Dóriga, Chilango and TV Azteca