Time to string more papel picado. It’s high season in Los Cabos. (Unsplash/Mary West)
Los Cabos has become a more year-round destination in recent years, and the numbers support this trend. The summer months, traditionally the heart of Los Cabos’ slow tourism season, have seen increasing numbers of visitors over the past decade. In 2016, only 450,000 tourists arrived between July and September. By 2024, according to Fideicomiso de Turismo de Los Cabos (FITURCA), that figure had grown to 800,000.
Yes, tourism has also increased during high season, which runs from October through May, with its absolute peak between December and March. Taking only the period from October to December, for example, tourism grew from 710,000 in 2016 to 1.31 million in 2024. But tourism in the fall and winter no longer outperforms summer as convincingly as it has in the past, and the gap between these seasons has been gradually shrinking. It’s not all snowbirds anymore, in other words.
October and the return of high season in Los Cabos ushers in more big events, including Sammy Hagar’s annual birthday bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina in October. (redrocker.com)
Even with the shrinking gap, however, these numbers present a powerful argument that high season still matters. With that in mind, here are five reasons to celebrate the arrival of October in Los Cabos and the return of high season.
Changing weather
As September turns to October, several welcome changes occur: the temperature drops (from an average of 85 degrees Fahrenheit to 82), humidity lessens and sunshine increases due to decreased precipitation levels and chances of tropical storms.
The weather difference is even starker if we view it from a larger lens, comparing the period of July-September versus that of October-December. In the latter calendar window, humidity drops significantly (from 73.3% to 56.3%) as do average temperatures (from 84 degrees to 75.7), while the 90+ degree highs of July and August give way to daily highs in the mid to low 80s.
Keep in mind that this transition to glorious weather is taking place as temperatures are cooling precipitously in the U.S. and much of Canada as winter arrives, and it’s easy to see how and why the traditional high season developed as it has. Particularly, when one considers that even in December, water temperatures in Los Cabos average 75 degrees and are comfortable for swimming, diving and other activities.
Changing hotel rates
One of the most significant reasons that high season in Los Cabos still matters is that the difference in average hotel rates between high season and low has never been wider. It bears noting that rates have gone up significantly across the board since the pre-pandemic era, with the average daily rate (ADR) climbing precipitously in the space of a few short years.
However, if we compare the third and fourth quarters (July-September vs. October-December), it’s clear that the former still offers significant attractions from a budgetary perspective. Yes, rates in the third quarter have increased by 53.6% since 2019. But high-season rates in October-December have gone up by 61.4% during the same six-year stretch.
Hotel prices rise to meet increasing demand during the high season in Los Cabos, but have also risen significantly year-round since 2019.
If you’re wondering, Los Cabos boasts the highest hotel rates on average in Mexico, a reflection of its ongoing rebranding as a luxury destination. September remains the most affordable time to book, as once October arrives, rates begin rising. In 2024, for example, per FITURCA data, ADR during the third quarter was $381, as compared to $441 in the fourth. So rates went up by about $60, a premium pricing uptick of 16.4% to meet increased demand during high tourist season.
More big events
There are a few big events during the summer months, but almost none during August and September. The seasonal event calendar kickstarts in earnest in October, with a spate of heavyweight happenings, and this momentum continues throughout high season.
Some weren’t intentionally scheduled to take advantage of the season. Sammy Hagar’s annual birthday bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – a major draw for over 30 years – are based on the Red Rocker’s birthdate (Oct. 13). It’s a happy accident. However, the fact that the biggest fishing tournaments, including Bisbee’s Black and Blue, with the world’s richest payouts, take place in October has everything to do with seasonal weather conditions (and the fact that there is less chance of tropical storms in October than in September).
More specifically attuned to increasing tourism, meanwhile, is Art Walk in San José del Cabo, a high-season cultural staple since 2006. Each year, this event returns contemporaneously with Day of the Dead festivities at the beginning of November – an occasion for artistic ofrendas – with locals and tourists alike gathering each Thursday evening through June to walk the cobblestone streets and explore the galleries, shops, restaurants and bars of the historic Gallery District.
Whale watching season
Of course, the biggest of big events, literally and figuratively, is whale watching season. It runs each year from Dec. 15 to April 15 and has become not only a bucket-list activity but also a major economic driver for the destination.
It wasn’t always like this. Whale watching wasn’t formally introduced as a tourist activity in Los Cabos until 1980, helped along by new permitting procedures from Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Still, it would take a while for the nascent industry to take hold. By February 2016, there were 35 permitted ecotourism operators in Cabo San Lucas and six in San José del Cabo. Meanwhile, between 2010 and 2019, profits from whale watching increased exponentially, from $388,622 locally to nearly $3 million ($2,911,010, to be exact).
Whale watching season, which takes place during Los Cabos’ high tourism season, has become a major economic driver. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
These numbers have only continued to grow. Nowadays, an estimated 50,000 visitors per year participate in seasonal whale-watching activities, forming a crucial component of the destination’s tourism economy, both generally and specifically as the highlight of its marine ecotourism offerings. That whale watching season runs concurrently with the height of high season in Los Cabos is yet another reason why such seasonal distinctions still matter.
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.
Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus Navarro holds up a prepaid card that offers Puerto Vallarta bus users easy access to the city's transport system, including the future all-electric bus line. (Mobility Portal)
A modern electrified transport system is coming to the Mexican Pacific Coast city and tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, featuring 18 articulated buses 18 meters long with room for 120 passengers, as well as 20 smaller ones.
Dubbed the Francisco Medina Ascencio Electric Public Transport System for Puerto Vallarta, the new “electromobility” project will modernize transportation in the city as it reduces pollution, according to Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro.
The recently completed Las Juntas interchange represents another step forward in Puerto Vallarta’s improving transportation system, offering a time-saving alternative in one of the city’s busiest areas. (Pablo Lemus Navarro/Facebook)
A major feature of the new system will be a new all-electric route that will run along the busy coastal thoroughfare Francisco Medina Ascensio Avenue that connects the city center with Ixtapa, an urban area within the Puerto Vallarta municipality.
In June, Lemus Navarro said the new transport route, which is expected to cost $897 million pesos (US$43.39 million), will be equipped with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi to provide a “first-world” service. It is expected to serve around 20,000 passengers a day.
The electric mobility project is part of an ongoing campaign to improve transportation in Puerto Vallarta.
The state, federal and municipal governments have invested over 2.2 billion pesos ($119.7 million) in infrastructure and the modernization of the city’s public transportation, Lemus Navarro said.
In addition to the new electric route, the Las Juntas Interchange recently opened, which is expected to enhance mobility in one of the city’s most congested areas.
“After seven months, we are grateful for the patience of the people of Vallarta during the construction of the first phase of the Las Juntas interchange,” Lemus Navarro wrote on the X social media site. “This roadway is now operational, streamlining traffic in Puerto Vallarta.”
An hour into a conference, Sheinbaum made a quick exit, skipping over the usual question and answer portion of the mañanera. (Gabriel Monroy / Presidencia)
The main focus of the abbreviated mañanera was the “Viernes muy mexicano” (Very Mexican Friday) initiative and the México Canta singing competition, which will stage its grand finale this Sunday.
Buy Mexican, shop local
Viernes Muy Mexicano is a public-private initiative designed to encourage consumers to buy Mexican products and use Mexican services, especially those on offer at family-run businesses in their own communities rather than at multinational chains.
The objective, according to the Viernes Muy Mexicano website, is to “strengthen pride, consumption, and national identity in everyday life by promoting the consumption of Mexican products every Friday.”
Every Friday participating businesses offer promotions, discounts and “special experiences,” the website says. “The last Friday of each month will have greater visibility and participation.”
Octavio de la Torre Stéffano, president of a confederation of chambers of commerce, gave an update on a program to promote local businesses every Friday. (Gabriel Monroy / Presidencia)
On Friday morning, the president of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism provided an update on the initiative.
Octavio de la Torre Stéffano said that on the first day that the initiative ran, which was last Friday, 23,335 “family businesses” across all 32 federal initiatives participated.
“The states with the most registrations were Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Guanajuato, Puebla and Mexico City,” he said.
“Among the municipalities with the most promotions were Ciudad Victoria, León, Puebla, Campeche and Puerto Vallarta,” de la Torre said.
Participating businesses receive stickers and posters to promote their participation in the Viernes Muy Mexicano initiative.
De la Torre said that restaurants, hardware stores and beauty salons were among the businesses that participated last Friday.
Red and green pinwheel stickers and posters mark business as participants in the program Viernes Muy Mexicano. (Screenshot)
He said that the initiative supports “local employment” and contributes to “community safety.”
“Presidenta,” de la Torre added.
“Viernes Muy Mexicano is aligned with Plan México, … it strengthens the internal market, promotes shared prosperity and recognizes the family business as the backbone of the economy,” he said.
“…I also want to emphasize something important. This is not just a discount campaign, this is the economy with a human face. When we choose a neighborhood restaurant, a hardware store, a shop, or a salon in our community, what we are doing is financing family scholarships, helping to pay rents, sustaining learning, generating and maintaining trades, and above all, preventing income from escaping outside the community,” de la Torre said.
“For us, that is everyday sovereignty; it is where we decide that money in circulation should remain in our country,” he said.
Record deals up for grabs in ‘México Canta’ finale
The finalists of the “México Canta” singing competition attended the mañanera and performed parts of the songs they will sing at the grand finale on Sunday night.
As Mexico News Daily reported on Thursday, “México Canta” is a singing competition akin to “American Idol” with one overriding rule: Songs that glorify the lives of cartels, violence or drug trafficking are not allowed.
Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza reminded reporters that “México Canta” is an “unprecedented binational contest” that “unites young Mexicans and Mexican-Americans through music and our traditions.”
¿Quiénes son los semifinalistas que cantaron en 'La Mañanera del Pueblo'?
She thanked all the contestants as well as established artists that supported the competition.
“It’s a competition that is organized by the Mexican government through the Culture Ministry in collaboration with the Mexican Music Council,” Curiel de Icaza said.
“It has been an integral part of the strategy of attending to the causes [of crime] in order to obtain peace and against addictions,” she said.
“The goal has always been to promote new musical narratives that transform lyrics to express values and other possible worlds without resorting to glorifying violence,” Curiel de Icaza said.
The “México Canta” grand finale on Sunday will air from 7 to 9 p.m. Mexico City time on Canal Once, Canal 22 and Canal 14; the first two are on various platforms and cable systems in the United States.
Additionally, the show is expected to be streamed live on YouTube channels, such as the official Gobierno de México and Secretaría de Cultura accounts.
Curiel de Icaza said that two prizes will be awarded via the popular vote of viewers: one for best composition and another for best performance.
Specialist judges will award a third prize to another finalist, the culture minister said. All three winners will be awarded record deals.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
Some 350 "black bloc" protesters aimed incendiary devices at police and threw Molotov cocktails as the annual march remembering the Oct. 2, 1968 massacre of students turned violent Thursday. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro.com)
Thursday’s march commemorating the 57th anniversary of the infamous Oct. 2 1968 student massacre turned violent after a minority contingent of roughly 350 demonstrators clashed with Mexico City police.
More than 120 people were injured, including 94 police officers, as a masked mob threw incendiary devices at law enforcement personnel and attacked them with hammers and stones. The so-called black bloc also smashed shop windows and looted stores.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada and Police Chief Pablo Vázquez praised the 1,500 officers assigned to the demonstration for not succumbing to provocation despite aggressive attacks from violent demonstrators. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico City officials estimated 10,000 people participated in the march which did not turn violent until the throng reached the Zócalo, the capital’s main square. However, there were reports of looting and incendiary devices being hurled as the demonstration approached the Zócalo.
Mexico City Police Chief Pablo Vázquez said the approximately 350 members of a black bloc that participated in the riots were carrying clubs, Molotov cocktails, lock-picking pliers and other devices.
He said 500 police officers were initially deployed to protect the protest, but 1,000 more officers were sent to the scene once violence began.
“We condemn the violent events that occurred during the demonstration this Thursday,” Vázquez said. “There is no doubt that there are those who would like our police to act based on past models, but we will not be provoked.”
“I recognize the bravery of the Mexico City police officers who resisted provocations without resorting to confrontation, she said. “Unlike in 1968, our police do not repress. Our police build peace, protect citizens and seek to ensure public safety.”
Brugada earlier said the police “acted at all times in accordance with established protocols and with the aim of safeguarding the protesters, even putting themselves at risk.” She also said the government would provide compensation to the injured officers.
While local authorities are investigating Thursday’s violence, Vázquez said they do not intend to investigate the members of the black bloc, but rather any possible crimes they may have committed.
“We don’t investigate protesters, but we do investigate crimes,” Vázquez said, “and that’s where we’re going to focus our actions.”
One person was arrested, apprehended while allegedly looting a jewelry store.
As often happens, the message and purpose of the legitimate marchers — about 10,000 of them on Thursday — was overshadowed by the violent minority, although the memory of the tragedy of 1968 is still alive and expressed every Oct. 2. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro)
Vázquez insisted the police remain committed to guaranteeing the right to free demonstration without resorting to repressive actions.
For decades, El Universal said, law enforcement has been hamstrung by the policy that “we will not repress the people,” oft-repeated by the leftist governments that have led Mexico City since 1997.
President Claudia Sheinbaum disbanded Mexico City’s riot police in 2019 in one of her first acts as mayor of the capital, fulfilling a central demand of the 1968 student protests.
However, El Universal mused, “after [Thursday’s] looting and attacks, isn’t it time to re-evaluate that policy and admit that controlling violence at marches isn’t equivalent to repression?”
Even as the authorities and media reports indicated the police did little more than defend themselves, protect bystanders and douse flames caused by Molotov cocktails, the Mexico City Human Rights Commission (CDHCM) appeared to place some blame on the police.
The violent confrontation essentially obscured the message hoped for by t the ’68 Committee for Democratic Liberties — the organizers of the march that has been a usually peaceful annual event on the Oct. 2 date of the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre.
As the violence increased, the roughly 10,000 people gathered in the Zócalo to commemorate the tragic event had difficulty hearing the speech by Félix Hernández Gamundi, a leader of the 1968 student movement.
Hernández said the violence that happened 57 years ago “was not a massacre; it was a genocide, and we must identify it accurately and call it what it was.”
“Similarly, there is no war in Gaza,” he said. “Instead, it is genocide, a practice of extermination being carried out step-by-step in the most cynical manner by a crazed ruler with fascist and repressive beliefs,” he said.
What is a black bloc?
Black bloc protesters typically wear black and obscure their identities to give the impression that they move as a unified mass. (Galo Cañas / Cuartoscuro)
A black bloc is a protest tactic whereby protesters wear black clothing, ski masks, scarves, sunglasses, motorcycle helmets with padding or other face-concealing and face-protecting items. It has its origins in 1980s Europe and is notable for its confrontation with authority and for the use of “justified” violence.
The clothing and face-coverings help conceal the identities of the protesters and allows the group to appear as one large unified mass.
“We contend that property destruction is not a violent activity unless it destroys lives or causes pain in the process. By this definition, private property — especially corporate private property — is itself infinitely more violent than any action taken against it.”
A year into her presidency, President Sheinbaums detractors are as passionate — though not as numerous — as her supporters. (Daniel Augusto / Cuartoscuro)
During the past 12 months, Mexico News Daily reported on numerous polls that found that President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approval rating was 70% or higher, making her one of the world’s most popular leaders.
In this article, we’ll consider the views of some of the Mexicans who are opposed to the president, her government, the ruling Morena party and the so-called “Fourth Transformation” (4T) political project that was founded by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) but which is now led by Sheinbaum.
While Mexico’s first female president is extremely popular, it is important to remember that a sizable percentage of Mexicans — 27% of the population, according to the results of the most recent El Financiero poll — do not approve of her performance.
The aim of this article is not to delve deeply into the reasons why roughly three in ten Mexican adults don’t support Sheinbaum, but rather to provide some additional perspective on why the presidenta is not universally popular.
To do this, we have compiled a collection of quotes from some of the most prominent critics of President Sheinbaum, and others, whose opinions feed into broader anti-Sheinbaum sentiment.
The quotes are categorized according to the issues they correspond to. Our publication of the views does not, of course, constitute an endorsement of them.
Much of the criticism relates to reforms that were first proposed by López Obrador. Sheinbaum is an ardent defender of AMLO’s legacy, and is perpetuating much of his political agenda as she seeks to build the “second story” of the so-called “fourth transformation” he initiated.
On the enduring influence of AMLO
While Sheinbaum wasn’t exactly handpicked by AMLO, she was widely considered the former president’s preferred successor. Sheinbaum was a minister in López Obrador’s government when he was mayor of Mexico City in the early 2000s and has looked up to — and remained loyal to — the ex-president ever since. Claims persist that Sheinbaum is essentially a “puppet” of AMLO, who has more or less disappeared from public life since concluding his presidency just over a year ago. Those claims are unfounded or justified, depending on who you speak to. While Sheinbaum’s close association with AMLO has undoubtedly helped her politically, it is also a hindrance to winning over Mexicans who were staunchly opposed to the 2018-24 government he led.
Raymundo Riva Palacios, a columnist for the El Financiero newspaper:
“The president governs on the razor’s edge. On one side, the need to show she has her own leadership: different, technical, and calm. On the other, the obligation to pay tribute to the man who brought her to power and who, though officially retired, has not stopped influencing every breath of national politics. The former president is not in the National Palace, but his shadow is. It seeps into the morning press conferences, into speeches and declarations, into social programs and into the reverential obedience of governors, legislators, and Morena leaders who respond more to the founder of the ‘Fourth Transformation’ than to the president.”
President Sheinbaum’s close relationship with her predecessor, López Obrador, benefited her politically but also led to accusations that she was a puppet of the former president. (Cuartoscuro)
On welfare programs
The Sheinbaum administration has maintained all the welfare programs offered by the previous government and introduced three new ones. The outlay on the programs exceeds US $45 billion in 2025.
Senator Alejandro Moreno, national president of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
“[The federal government] has gone so far as to manipulate the population with social programs that don’t guarantee rights or solve structural problems, but do ensure political loyalty.”
Alejo Sánchez Cano, a columnist for the El Financiero newspaper:
“Most of the social programs implemented by this government lack clear objectives, operating rules, mechanisms for social participation, and independent evaluations. In addition, they are granted based on clientelist political logic rather than to address poverty and marginalization.”
Denise Dresser, a prominent Mexican political scientist:
“The election deals a devastating blow to Mexico’s young electoral democracy, signaling a return to a competitive authoritarian regime. Morena will now dominate the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, marking the end of a thirty-year era characterized by the division of power and checks and balances.”
Former president Ernesto Zedillo:
“These elections are a farce not only in their justification but also in their execution, as has already been clearly demonstrated by events during recent months. In fact, the government has selected farcically most of the candidates, evidently without ensuring that they truly possess the professional and ethical qualifications to administer justice.”
Former President Ernesto Zedillo has been an outspoken critic of the judicial reform, which was approved at the tail end of López Obrador’s presidential term. (Andrea Murcia Monsivais/Cuartoscuro)
“All the arguments put forward by former President López Obrador, and repeated by his successor, in defense of this legal and political atrocity are fallacious from start to finish. They have said, for example, that judges are also elected by popular vote in other parts of the world, citing the United States as a reference. However, they fail to clarify that this never occurs at the federal level and that only some states do so at the local level. In fact, the consensus of serious constitutional scholars around the world is crystal clear: The election of judges by popular vote undermines, and even nullifies, judicial impartiality, independence, and integrity.”
Former president Felipe Calderón:
“The judicial branch is [now] in the hands of militants and supporters of Morena. Some of … [the new judges] were lawyers of narco-traffickers, others are people without experience.”
Norma Piña, Supreme Court justice from 2015-25, chief justice from 2023-25:
On the disbandment of government autonomous agencies
Seven autonomous government agencies were disbanded as a result of a constitutional reform that was approved by Congress late last year. The reform proposal was submitted to Congress by López Obrador, but was also supported by Sheinbaum. The National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and the Protection of Personal Data (INAI), the Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) and the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval) were among the agencies that were eliminated, their functions absorbed into other government departments.
Senator Alejandro Moreno — the national president of Mexico’s once-dominant PRI party — leads a political alliance that opposes the current administration and the Morena party. (File photo)
On huachicol fiscal
Allegations that members of the Mexican Navy — a highly-trusted security force — and customs employees engaged in a fuel smuggling/tax evasion scheme via an illicit practice known as huachicol fiscal was the biggest government corruption scandal of the first year of Sheinbaum’s presidency.
Jorge Romero, national president of the National Action Party:
“The famous huachicol fiscal is not a minor matter. It’s the largest corruption scandal in the history of Mexico, much bigger than even the 5-billion-peso Master Fraud or [the] 15-billion peso Segalmex [scandal]. With huachicol fiscal we’re talking about approximately 200 billion pesos of corruption every year. You can ask me, what does that mean? It means that while you pay your taxes, others evade them through networks of complicity with authorities emanating from Morena who are filling their pockets.”
“It’s literally organized crime, but from the government, in the government.”
On government austerity
Like the previous government, the Sheinbaum administration says it is committed to austerity and the responsible management of public money.
Javier Garza Ramos, a journalist for various media outlets including Latinus:
“Austerity ends up creating problems. For example, this is closely related to the issue of medicine shortages, which is another of the big problems that President Claudia Sheinbaum inherited and which she hasn’t yet been able to solve.”
Budget-cutting certainly hasn’t helped resolve the persistent medication shortages that plague Mexico’s public health system. (IMSS)
On public security
Homicides declined significantly during Sheinbaum’s first year in office, but insecurity remains a major problem in various parts of Mexico, including Guanajuato — the country’s most violent state — and Sinaloa, where rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel have engaged in a bloody war over the past year.
Sheinbaum frequently states that her government does not tolerate corruption and is committed to “zero impunity.”
Not everyone agrees.
Alejandro Moreno:
“The scandals of corruption are no longer counted as isolated cases, but as entire networks of complicity: inflated contracts, unfinished public works, social programs turned into electoral spoils, appointments of friends and relatives, and shady deals that today sustain a regime that lives off rhetoric but rots in deeds. Morena did not come to banish corruption; it came to normalize it, institutionalize it, and use it as an instrument to perpetuate itself in power.”
Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity, a non-governmental organization:
“During the first year of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, we recorded 51 significant cases of corruption and impunity. All came to light during her government, although nearly half occurred in the previous administration: 47% of the cases occurred during López Obrador’s term, 10% correspond to Peña Nieto’s government, and 41% took place between October 2024 and October 2025. A special case, that of huachicol fiscal, spans the last two administrations.”
National Action Party Senator Ricardo Anaya, a presidential candidate in 2018:
“Big Brother is watching you. This extraordinary [Senate] session will go down in history as the darkest. Morena consolidated the #SpyGovernment: geolocation, access to your health, bank, and biometric data without a judge. We will not be accomplices.”
Institutional Revolutionary Party Senator Manuel Añorve Baños:
“Morena wants absolute control over the media and the digital ecosystem. That’s why, from the PRI Senate group, we will vote AGAINST the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law— or rather, the #CensorshipLaw — which clearly goes against freedom of expression.”
On the alleged erosion of democracy
The popular election of judges and the abolition of autonomous agencies, among other initiatives supported by Sheinbaum, have led to claims that democracy in Mexico is under threat.
León Krauze, a prominent journalist:
“Though Sheinbaum has handled President Donald Trump’s bullying deftly, her own autocratic impulses are alive and well. She seems intent on dismantling Mexico’s democracy — a project initiated by her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which she is now enthusiastically pursuing.”
“Sheinbaum’s Mexico is no beacon. If anything, it’s a flashing red warning light — a cautionary tale of how democracies steadily erode under years of institutional assault by autocratically minded politicians.”
León Krauze, a well-known Mexican journalist, has been a Univision anchor and a columnist for the Washington Post and El Universal, among others. (File photo)
Jesús Silva-Herzog Márquez, a journalist and Reforma newspaper columnist:
“Sheinbaum has persevered on the authoritarian path and has insisted on giving the new regime all the tools for its consolidation. She is responsible for the definitive push toward the destruction of the Judicial Branch as an autonomous and professional power. It is she who has called for an electoral reform whose explicit purpose is to enforce the powers of the new majority. It is she who has proposed a legal reform to grant the government broad licenses for arbitrariness. … Sheinbaum’s ambition is to consolidate competent authoritarianism.”
Carlos Loret de Mola, a journalist and prominent government critic:
On the alleged protection of Senator Adán Augusto López Hernández
Senator Adán Augusto López Hernández, Morena’s leader in the upper house and a former interior minister and governor of Tabasco, has been embroiled in a scandal involving his former security minister in Tabasco, who is accused of heading up a criminal group. Opposition politicians and others have claimed it is not possible that he was unaware of the alleged criminal activity of his security minister in Tabasco.
Sergio Sarmiento, a columnist for the Reforma newspaper:
“Adán Augusto won’t even be investigated. The 4T is dominated by a mafia of power made up of bigwigs who have gotten rich under the protection of the government and officials who allow organized crime to operate. They are all above the law.”
Raymundo Riva Palacios:
“Senator Adán Augusto López knows he is protected, which is why he has resisted for weeks the pressure from President Claudia Sheinbaum to step down from leading Morena in the upper house and accept an embassy post. … Neither Sheinbaum, nor a faction of Morena, nor the opposition, nor the press, nor even the United States, which has demanded it, has been able to move him, because he is backed by his patron saint: Andrés Manuel López Obrador.”
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
The last time Mexico hosted an NFL game was nearly three years ago, when the Arizona Cardinals lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City. (Galo Cañas / Cuartoscuro)
Mexico City will host its sixth regular-season National Football League game next year, a widely anticipated announcement that was confirmed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday.
“We’ll be back in Mexico City next year, which we’re thrilled about,” Goodell said during his appearance at the Leaders in Sport conference in London.
Speaking in London ahead of a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the NFL’s expanding international schedule will again include Mexico City in 2026. (@agendasetting1/on X)
Details about the game — date, teams and broadcast information — will be announced early next year.
The NFL has held five previous regular-season American football matchups in Mexico City across the past two decades, including the historic Oct. 2, 2005, game — the first NFL regular-season contest played outside the United States.
Since that landmark game at Estadio Azteca, 55 NFL games have taken place outside the United States, including seven this season — six in Europe and one in Brazil.
The last game Estadio Azteca hosted came on Nov. 21, 2022, when the San Francisco 49ers routed the Arizona Cardinals 38-10 on Monday Night Football.
The stadium was removed from international series rotation after that contest to undertake renovations ahead of next year’s World Cup which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States
Mexico City officials say the refurbished stadium — including revamped player facilities, new hospitality areas and a name change to Estadio Banorte — will be ready early next year, following the multi-year overhaul required to meet FIFA standards.
Sometimes still affectionately known as “El Coloso de Santa Úrsula,” Estadio Banorte is poised to become the first stadium to host three World Cups (Mexico staged the 1970 and 1986 tournaments).
Goodell made his comments ahead of this weekend’s NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In 2005, the first-ever non-exhibition NFL game played outside the United States was a major binational cultural event and a turning point for the NFL and Mexican fans of Americnan football. (@trejogaray/on X)
London is hosting three NFL games this season, while Berlin and Madrid are set to host their first-ever NFL contests in November. Dublin hosted its debut NFL game last week as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-21.
The NFL’s international series has been expanding rapidly over the past few years as the league seeks to increase its global footprint.
“In today’s world, we have to be global,” Goodell said last week in Dublin. “Every time we play an international game, fans say they want more. I really, truly believe our game can and will be global.”
Returning to Mexico City was an easy decision as Mexico boasts the most NFL fans outside of the U.S., with more than 23 million fans. Brazil is second with about 20 million.
Here are the results of regular-season NFL games at Estadio Azteca:
Oct. 2, 2005 — Arizona Cardinals, 31, San Francisco 49ers 14
There's always something going on in Guadalajara, and that's especially true this October. (Unsplash/Roman Lopez)
For many, October is Halloween month. But for tapatíos (residents of Guadalajara), it is the Palenque season at the traditional Fiestas de Octubre.
Beyond this yearly event, October also brings to Guadalajara, Mexico’s most successful musical show (Mentiras), a dedicated fair to prepare yourself for Day of the Dead, live performances, children’s festivals and more. Let’s dive right in!
Visit Fiestas Patronales in Chapala
Chapala’s patron saint, St. Francis, is honored with a nine-day novena as part of annual celebrations. (Facebook)
As in most of Mexico, each town has its own saint and patron saint. In Chapala, residents celebrate the town’s patron, Saint Francis, with a nine-day novena between September and October. Each day is sponsored by a different group of residents, such as gardeners, merchants, bricklayers, truck drivers and more. Expect daily parades, music and food stalls in public areas every day as part of this folkloric celebration.
Dates: Sep. 26 – Oct. 4
Location: Parroquia de San Francisco and surrounding public streets
Cost: Free
Take the family to Festival Papirolas
Kids can take a fun and exciting journey to the past during the 30th annual Papirolas Festival. (Papirolas)
Children and teenagers will enjoy Papirolas, a creative, multicultural and educational festival that’s become one of the city’s most beloved events. Back for its 30th edition, this year’s theme is “Journey to the Past,” so attendees can expect a display of four thematic pavilions with engaging activities, exploring the Scientific and Cultural Revolution, Great Civilizations, Giants and Life in Prehistory and Living Roots.
Dates: Oct. 1 – 5
Location: Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas y el Pabellón Cultural Universitario de Guadalajara
Cost: 100 pesos
See standup comedy with Daniel Sosa
Daniel Sosa will be performing his latest comedy show, “Dilema,” in Guadalajara on Oct. 2. (Teatro Diana)
Mexican comedian Daniel Sosa will bring his new stand-up comedy show “Dilema” to Guadalajara, as part of an extensive national tour across 15 cities. The show explores the dilemmas of everyday life as a young adult, with Sosa’s characteristic dry humor and witty observations about Mexican culture. An ideal show for anyone looking to improve their Spanish skills and Mexican humor.
Date: Oct. 2
Location: Teatro Diana. Av. 16 de Septiembre 710. Col. Centro.
El Mariachi Real Axixic brings mariachi magic to the shores of Lake Chapala. (Facebook)
The quaint town of Ajijic, on the shores of Lake Chapala, is set to host an authentic Mexican regional music concert. Featuring El Mariachi Real Axixic, expect an innovative performance that blends traditional mariachi music with the sound of an electric guitar and a sax.
Date: Oct. 3
Location: Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de la Ribera. Carretera a Chapala-Jocotepec 168, Col. La Floresta, Ajijic
Cost: Pre-sale at 300 pesos; general admission 400 pesos
Experience Fiestas de Octubre
Some of Mexico’s biggest musical artists will be performing during the 60th edition of Fiestas de Octubre. (Fiestas de Octubre)
The iconic Fiestas de Octubre is back for its 60th edition. As usual, it will feature nightly concerts in palenque style (a circular and intimate round arena similar to a rodeo). This year’s lineup includes both national and international artists such as Zoé, Caifanes, Morat, Los Ángeles Azules, Carlos Vives, Natalia Jiménez and many more. During the day, attendees can enjoy a fair, rides, food stalls, exhibitions, and family-friendly shows and activities.
The annual Feria del Cartón is a highlight in Guadalajara’s Morelos Park. (Gobierno de Guadalajara)
The Guadalajara Cardboard Fair is one of the city’s most iconic traditions, held annually in Morelos Park in preparation for the Day of the Dead season. At the fair, you’ll find various crafts and typical products for altars, including sugar and chocolate skulls, pan de muerto, marigold flowers (natural and artificial), confetti, clay figures, cardboard Catrinas and more.
Dates: Oct. 7 – Nov. 4
Location: Morelos Park. Calles Independencia and Juan Manuel, Col. Centro.
Cost: Free
Try out an immersive experience
Down Under visits Guadalajara courtesy of an Immersive art installation about life in Australia. (Guadalajara Secreta)
Interactive art installation “The Creature Immersive Experience” will arrive in Guadalajara this month, all the way from Australia. The experience seeks to immerse visitors in Australian habitats through real-time projections and systems that respond to audience movement, inviting them to understand humanity’s relationship with nature.
Dates: Oct. 7 – 10
Location: Sala 4 del Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas. Anillo Perif. Nte. Manuel Gómez Morín 1695, Rinconada de La Azalea, Belenes Nte., Zapopan.
Cost: 250 pesos
Watch a tango show
Luis Bravo’s “Forever Tango” has been thrilling audiences for 35 years, and will again in Zapopan on Oct. 9. (SuperBoletos)
If you like Latin-American rhythms, you’ll probably enjoy “Forever Tango,” a show created and directed by Argentinean Luis Bravo. The show, which has conquered international audiences for 35 years, offers an intense Buenos Aires dance experience with 11 live musicians and 14 international dancers.
Date: Oct. 9
Location: Teatro Galerías. Avenida Lápizlazuli 2986, Zapopan
Cost: Starting at 500 pesos
Get tickets for ‘Mentiras,’ Mexico’s most successful musical
Smash hit musical “Mentiras,” the most successful in Mexico’s theatrical history, is coming to Zapopan. (Instagram)
Theater lovers will enjoy the legendary Mexican production “Mentiras the Musical,” which has been running for 16 years. The play is Mexico’s most successful musical theater show. The story follows four women from the 1980s who discover they all love the same man, weaving together humor, melodrama, and a collection of the era’s greatest hits.
Dates: Oct. 23 – 26
Location: Teatro Galerías. Avenida Lápizlazuli 2986, Zapopan
Iconic Chayanne is among the many exceptional performers visiting the greater Guadalajara area this month. (Auditorio Telmex)
Chayanne’s international tour “Bailemos Otra Vez” is coming to Zapopan, bringing iconic hits like “Torero,” “Baila Baila” and “Un Siglo Sin Ti.” With a career spanning over four decades, Chayanne has cemented his position as one of Latin America’s most beloved icons thanks to his charisma, exceptional dancing skills and his ability to connect with audiences of all ages.
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
Fishing charters, like those leaving here from the Cabo San Lucas Marina, are a signature destination attraction. (Unsplash/Josh Withers)
Tourism in Los Cabos was largely built on the area’s exceptional fishing. Although many other attractions have been added during the 70 years since the first resorts appeared in the 1950s — from upscale wining and dining to wellness spas and golf — fishing remains the most iconic local activity.
Hooking a marlin, for example, can certainly contribute to a memorable vacation, but bear in mind that the seasonal availability of various species is one of only a dozen or more factors that should be considered before booking a charter, almost all of which not only impact cost, but also the quality of your experience.
Fishing boats of all shapes and sizes are in no short supply in Los Cabos. (Blue Sky Cabo)
For the benefit of first-time visitors, or those who’ve yet to throw their line in the local waters, here’s a guide to booking a local fishing charter.
What factors matter most when booking a Los Cabos fishing trip?
The two primary factors determining the cost of fishing trips in Los Cabos are the size of the boat and the length of the charter. The latter is typically broken down into two categories, half-day and full-day, with half-day charters ranging from four to five hours and full-day ones lasting eight hours.
As for the boats, these come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The simplest and cheapest to charter are what are termed pangas; essentially, open, outboard-motor-powered skiffs that are between 22 feet and 27 feet in length. The larger varieties are called super pangas and may provide at least some sun cover. Local companies with larger fleets typically feature more traditional fishing boats ranging from 25 to 38 feet, with some of the larger models featuring flybridges.
The Los Cabos Tourism Board has helpfully provided us with a basic price scale for 2025 based on these factors:
Half-day aboard a panga: $215-$350
Half-day on standard 25- to 28-foot fishing boat: $450-$850
Full-day on a 28- to 32-foot boat: $800-$1,350
Full-day on a luxury fishing boat (38-feet or more with flybridge): $1,500-$2,500+
However, it’s important to note that these boats have different capacities based on their size. For instance, the panga can carry two to three people, boats in the 25-foot to 32-foot range from four to six, and larger boats up to eight. Obviously, this impacts the price, and larger boats with greater capacity and conveniences may not cost much more on a per-person basis than smaller boats.
What’s included and what’s not?
Marlin, like this striped variety, is the most sought-after fish in Los Cabos. (Picante Sportfishing)
Also worth noting is that not everything is necessarily included in the quoted prices. Most boats will include a bilingual captain and crew, rod and reels, and fuel in the basic “bare boat” cost of a charter. However, items like food and drinks, live bait, and fishing licenses may or may not be included depending on the package, although they’re generally available upon request for an additional cost. To avoid misunderstandings, confirm with your charter company of choice what’s included and what’s not.
Fishing licenses, of course, are mandatory by law for anyone going out on a fishing boat in Los Cabos, and cost about $20 per person per day. Something that’s never included, but always appreciated by the crew, are tips. The standard rate is between 10% and 20% of the total charter value, paid out in cash at the end of the charter.
Where do boats leave from?
Most fishing charters leave from the Cabo San Lucas Marina in the Land’s End city, or from Puerto Los Cabos in San José del Cabo. So whichever of these cities you’re vacationing in, there are respected options to choose from. The East Cape is a somewhat different story, not because the fishing isn’t world-class, but because boats are likely to be associated with individual resorts and leave directly from their docks. For example, special fishing and accommodation packages are available at hotels like Palmas de Cortez, a Van Wormer property in Los Barriles, and prices for various boats are also posted in the lobby.
How seasonal factors affect what you’re fishing for
Fishing is good year-round in Los Cabos, but the species you’re most likely to catch can vary. Black and blue marlin, the most sought-after local catches, are most likely to be caught between July and October. That’s why most tournaments, including those with millions of dollars on the line like Bisbee’s Black and Blue, are scheduled during these months. It’s also why it’s a good idea to book your charters in advance during this period.
Striped marlin are generally common during the months that blue and black aren’t (November to May), so it’s possible to catch a marlin even if you don’t visit during late summer or early fall, although it bears noting that only one billfish like marlin, sailfish or swordish per day, per angler may legally be kept, and catch and release for these species is highly encouraged. Great food fish like tuna, snapper, grouper, and dorado (as mahi-mahi is known in Spanish) are also quite common, with the fishing best for the first two between July and December, and the latter two between March and June.
What to do with the fish you catch?
Many restaurants in Los Cabos offer hook and cook specials, meaning they’ll cook up the fish you’ve caught to order and serve it with a few side dishes. Companies like Gricelda’s Smoke House in Cabo San Lucas will process fish — meaning fillet, freeze, and vacuum-seal — and may even deliver it to your hotel for you. Hotels, meanwhile, will generally provide freezer space for fish you want to enjoy later in your trip, or take back to the U.S. Check with your concierge to confirm. As for bringing fish back to the U.S., this is fine, assuming you have the fish packed in a vacuum-sealed container and declare it to customs. Ask your airline about specific regulations.
What fishing company should you choose?
This helpful Los Cabos fishing calendar shows the best times of year to catch popular local species. (Picante Sportfishing)
Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily.
For every fruit in Mexico, there is a season. (Gobierno de Mexico)
I feel my chest tighten ever so slightly as I inch closer to the produce stall in my neighborhood market. It has become abundantly clear these last few weeks that my favorite fruit — the one I eat daily to break my overnight fast — is drifting out of season. Coveted piles of yellow, juicy mangos are now being replaced by other, less exciting, less tropical fruits, and a certain wave of sadness washes over me. I rummage through what’s left of the golden globes, filling my tray with as many as I can reasonably lug back to my apartment, and pick my jaw up off the floor when I hear the price. Because, along with a dwindling supply, the cost has doubled.
My addiction to mangos followed me from my previous home in Miami to my current one in Mexico. I eat them every day and love everything about the mango experience – choosing the best ones, washing them, cutting them, eating half of what I cut while I’m cutting, and then sitting down to a big bowl for my late breakfast. How can one not love the color, the smell and the variety of flavors one little fruit can produce? So when mango season inevitably crawls to a stop, I get that feeling I used to get at the end of summer as a kid: a blend of loss, acceptance, and hope for a brighter future.
The time of Mexican mangos has come and gone for now, but they’ll return soon. (Gobierno de Mexico)
I also get a feeling akin to a mild panic. What am I going to eat from now until March? In my quest to find a temporary replacement, I’ve compiled a list of fruits available over the winter. I’m happy to report that there are more than a handful of viable alternatives — get your shopping bags ready and hit the market with this handy guide to Mexican fruits in winter!
Colorful cactus-derived pitayas are among Mexico’s most colorful and delicious fruits. (Huerto en casa)
An exotic fruit from a cactus species, also called a strawberry pear. The flesh can be white or red with black seeds, and the exterior varies from bright pink to yellow.
Season: Peak harvest is late summer and early autumn
Origin: Wild pitaya is native to Jalisco, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Guerrero and Puebla
Benefits: High in fiber, magnesium, vitamins C, E, riboflavin and antioxidants; supports immune function and antioxidant defenses
Historical Significance: Dragon fruit has been cultivated by Indigenous peoples of Mexico for centuries. The Mexica and other pre-Hispanic civilizations valued pitaya both as food and medicine, often using it in religious ceremonies and as a natural remedy for various ailments like dehydration, heart disease and gastritis.
How to Know When Ripe: The skin should yield slightly to gentle pressure and have vibrant, even coloring. The scales (bracts) on the exterior should be bright and not wilted. Avoid fruits with dark spots, cracks or overly soft areas. A ripe pitaya will have a mild, sweet fragrance at the stem end.
Poblano Pears (pera Poblana)
As their name suggests, poblano pears traditionally hail from the state of Puebla. (Gobierno de Mexico)
Sweet, juicy and highly aromatic pears with subtle floral notes and a pleasant, tender texture that works well both fresh and cooked.
Season: Late August through November
Origin: Puebla
Benefits: Source of dietary fiber, vitamins C and K, potassium and antioxidants; promotes healthy digestion and supports heart and eye health
Historical Significance: Poblano pears are deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of Puebla. They became particularly important in colonial Mexico as Spanish settlers adapted European pear-growing techniques to local conditions, creating this distinct regional variety.
How to Know When Ripe: The pear should yield slightly to pressure near the stem end. The skin will have a golden-yellow color with a possible red blush. Ripe poblano pears emit a sweet, floral fragrance.
Guava (Guayaba)
Guavas are native to Mesoamerica and the Caribbean. (Sakurai Midori / CC-BY-SA-2.0 )
A tropical berry with yellow or green skin and pink or white pulp, known for its distinctive sweet-tart flavor and strong aroma.
Season: Harvested and sold primarily in autumn and winter
Origin: Cultivated in Michoacán, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas and Puebla
Benefits: Very high in vitamin C (more than citrus fruits), fiber and antioxidants; supports immunity and digestion
Historical Significance: Guava has been consumed in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times. Indigenous peoples used the fruit fresh to make beverages and preserves. Spanish colonizers quickly adopted guava, and it became integral to Mexican cuisine, particularly in traditional sweets like até de guayaba.
How to Know When Ripe: Ripe guavas yield to gentle pressure and have a strong, sweet fragrance. The skin should be yellow or light green without dark spots. The fruit should feel heavy for its size and give slightly when pressed, similar to a ripe avocado.
Benefits: Rich in vitamins A, C, E, potassium and fiber; supports eye health and immune function
Historical Significance: Mamey was sacred to the Maya civilization, which believed it had divine properties. Archaeological evidence shows mamey seeds in Maya burial sites, indicating their spiritual significance. The fruit played important roles in mythology and was often depicted in their art and codices.
How to Know When Ripe: A ripe mamey yields to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe avocado. The skin may have small scratches or scuff marks when ripe. When you scratch the surface lightly, it should reveal the salmon-pink flesh underneath. The fruit should feel heavy and have a slightly sweet aroma.
One look at black sapote fruit and you know why it’s sometimes referred to as “chocolate pudding fruit.” (Wikimedia Commons/Critical Miami)
A fruit with black, custard-like flesh when ripe, often called “chocolate pudding fruit” due to its dark color and sweet, chocolate-like flavor.
Season: September to December
Origin: Most common in Veracruz and Guerrero
Benefits: High in vitamin C, fiber and potassium; low in fat and calories
Historical Significance: Black sapote was cultivated by Indigenous peoples of Southern Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. The Mexica called it “tliltzapotl” and valued it both as food and for its medicinal properties, particularly for digestive health.
How to Know When Ripe: The fruit should be very soft to the touch, almost squishy. The skin will be dark green to black and may appear wrinkled. When fully ripe, it should yield easily to pressure all around. Unripe black sapote is astringent and inedible.
Passion Fruit (Maracuyá)
Passion fruit was introduced to Mexico during the colonial era, with missionaries seizing on its religious significance. (Facebook)
A round or oval fruit with tough, wrinkled skin containing aromatic seeds surrounded by tart, flavorful pulp. Common varieties include the purple passion fruit and the larger, yellow variety.
Season: August through the end of October
Origin: Cultivated in tropical regions like Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula states
Benefits: High in vitamins A and C, fiber and beneficial plant compounds; supports immune health
Historical Significance: Passion fruit was introduced to Mexico from South America during colonial times. Spanish missionaries named it “passion fruit” because they saw religious symbolism in the flower’s structure. It quickly became integrated into Mexican tropical cuisine and traditional medicine.
How to Know When Ripe: The skin should be deeply wrinkled and give slightly to pressure. Purple varieties should be dark purple, while yellow varieties should be golden. A ripe passion fruit will feel heavy for its size and may sound liquid when shaken gently.
Cherimoya (Anona)
Cherimoya not only tastes great, but is also really, really good for your body. (Directo al Paladar)
A heart-shaped fruit from the custard-apple family with creamy, white pulp and tropical notes, often compared to a blend of banana, pineapple and vanilla.
Season: Winter through spring
Origin: Native to and grown in Morelos, Puebla and Oaxaca
Benefits: High in vitamin C, B6, fiber and antioxidants; supports immune function and digestive health
Historical Significance: Cherimoya was cultivated by pre-Hispanic civilizations in the highlands of Mexico and was considered a delicacy among Indigenous peoples. Spanish colonizers called it “the masterpiece of nature” due to its exceptional flavor and creamy texture.
How to Know When Ripe: The fruit should yield to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe avocado. The skin may show brown patches or spots when ripe. It should have a sweet, fragrant aroma. Avoid fruits with dark, sunken spots.
Sapodilla (Chicozapote)
Sapodilla has been a staple fruit in Mexico since the early Maya civilization. (Facebook)
A round to oval fruit with rough, brown skin and sweet, brown flesh with a texture similar to a pear and flavors reminiscent of brown sugar and cinnamon.
Season: Winter through spring
Origin: Yucatán, Campeche, Quintana Roo and Tabasco
Benefits: Rich in vitamins A, C, dietary fiber and natural sugars; supports digestive health and provides sustained energy
Historical Significance: Sapodilla was a staple food of the ancient Maya civilization, who also harvested the tree’s latex to make chewing gum (chicle). The Maya considered the sapodilla tree sacred and used various parts of the tree for food, medicine, and construction materials.
How to Know When Ripe: The fruit should yield to gentle pressure and have a sweet, honey-like fragrance. The skin should be brown and may feel slightly rough. When ripe, it should feel similar to a ripe pear. Unripe sapodilla has a chalky texture and astringent taste.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.
Construction is currently underway in Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ahead of the World Cup. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)
As millions of soccer fans plan trips to Mexico for next year’s FIFA World Cup, the country’s airports are preparing to make a good first impression. Host city airports are investing billions of pesos to modernize and upgrade their facilities, which will welcome up to 5 million World Cup travelers in 2026, according to FIFA estimates.
In addition to the opening match on June 11, Mexico will host 13 matches in the cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Along with Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara will also host World Cup matches and are expecting a major bump in passenger traffic next year. (Shutterstock)
The airports in these cities are expected to receive the largest number of visitors in Mexico during the five-week tournament. These airports include Mexico City International Airport (AICM) Guadalajara International Aiport (GDL) in Jalisco and Monterrey International Airport (MTY) in Nuevo León.
Here’s what each airport has done in terms of renovation ahead of the tournament, and the groups behind their management.
Mexico City International Airport
While Mexico City is also home to the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) and the nearby Toluca International Airport (AIT), Diego González, Vice President and Analyst at Moody’s Ratings, told news outlet Aviación 21 that these airports will not take away the AICM’s strategic role or help reduce its demand.
“This airport [AICM] will continue to be critical for serving the metropolitan area,” González said.
Since July this year, the AICM has been under the management of the state-owned Grupo Aeroportuario Marina, which manages several other airports in Mexico.
The director of AICM, Admiral Juan José Padilla Olmos, said that to keep up with the expected surge in travelers, the air terminal is investing more than 8 billion pesos (US $435 million) in modernization processes, including the expansion and rehabilitation of terminals, parking lots and air traffic regulation.
Guadalajara International Airport
According to Cryshtian Amador Lizardi, the chief administrator of GDL, the airport added a Hilton Hotel and a new runway ahead of the World Cup (the Hilton, located inside the airport, opened in March 2024). It expects the increase in passenger traffic to continue after the sporting event concludes and is preparing to continue with upgrades, with a planned investment of 22 billion pesos (US $1.1 billion) over the next five years.
Lizardi added that GDL, operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), also plans to build a new terminal and purchase land to develop a new runway in the near future.
Monterrey International Airport
Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) operates MTY in the northern state of Nuevo León. Ahead of the World Cup, it has spent on facilities and infrastructure renovations and improved connectivity.
Forbes reported that during the 2021-2025 period, OMA has invested 15 billion pesos (US $815 million) in operational infrastructure, certifications, security and equipment, runways and platforms, operational and technological standardization, and complementary projects. The works also included the expansion and total renovation of Terminal A.
