The CNTE sit-in had occupied most of Mexico City's central square and surrounding streets, making it more difficult to get around an already crowded part of the city. (María José Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
The long-running National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) protest in Mexico City’s historic center came to an end on Sunday after 23 days.
The CNTE removed its tents and signs from the Zócalo and surrounding streets over the weekend, and by Monday, the main square had returned to business as usual.
🗣️En el plantón que mantiene la CNTE en el Zócalo, hay puntos que comienzan a liberarse, profesores recogen sus lonas, carpas y casas de campaña.
Este movimiento es más visible en la calle 20 de Noviembre previo a ingresar a la plancha, donde los profes ya tienen la mayor parte… pic.twitter.com/9eDQ3T439Q
The Zócalo/Tenochtitlan metro station also reopened its access points on Sunday afternoon after being closed for almost one month.
Members of the CNTE launched protests as part of a national strike on May 15, demanding changes to working and educational conditions. Union members were specifically calling for the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, which changed the federal pension scheme from pooled to individual, and which President Sheinbaum previously pledged to reverse.
In addition, teachers are mobilizing for a pay increase of 100%.
Local businesses in Mexico City’s historic center were affected by the disruptions, as restaurants and shops around the square were forced to close. Many began to reopen on Sunday and vendors have now returned to the streets.
Over the weekend, a Mexico City representative of the opposition National Action Party (PAN), Miguel Errasti, called on President Claudia Sheinbaum to launch an emergency economic program to support merchants in the Historic Center who were affected by the protests.
“Business groups report that the CNTE affected more than 30,000 businesses and accumulated losses [have totaled] 25 billion pesos, something the local government tolerated,” Errasti said.
“This is a call for the immediate launch of an emergency economic recovery plan for the Zócalo and Reforma Avenue areas.”
Meanwhile, the CNTE said it plans to continue with local demonstrations until a suitable agreement can be reached with the government.
The Mexican airline Volaris sees the eventual implementation of sustainable aviation fuel as reflecting "our participation in broader international decarbonization efforts.”(Shutterstock)
Airbus and Mexican airline Volaris have established a strategic alliance to support the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Mexico, marking a milestone for sustainability in Latin America’s air travel industry.
“This initiative supports our environmental objectives and our participation in broader international decarbonization efforts,” Volaris said in a statement.
Airbus also has SAF agreements with Panama, Peru, and Argentina. (Daniel Eledut/Unsplash)
In a Letter of Intent (Lol) presented during the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 2025 Climate and Aviation Week, the low-cost airline agreed to contribute to the ICAO’s Voluntary Environment Fund to support a feasibility study for sustainable aviation fuel production in Mexico. The study will be conducted through the SAF Assistance, Capacity Building and Training Program (ACT-SAF) in collaboration with the Federal Civil Aeronautics Administration (AFAC) and Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA).
Airbus and ICAO have previously announced feasibility studies for Argentina, Panama and Peru.
The ICAO ACT-SAF program assists countries in developing their SAF implementation potential, including reviewing policy and regulatory frameworks, assessing raw materials and pathways for SAF production, and providing support for implementation and financing.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to support the country in achieving the necessary conditions for SAF deployment,” Airbus executives said.
SAF is an alternative to petroleum jet fuel. It’s produced from agricultural and waste feedstocks and is consumed in blends with petroleum jet fuel. In the United States, investments in SAF have increased because of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and state and federal tax credits incentivizing the use of the fuel.
On November 28, 2023, Virgin Atlantic flight VS100 completed the world’s first transatlantic flight powered by 100% SAF. The Boeing 787 made the 7 hours and 16-minute flight from London Heathrow to New York (JFK) using a SAF blend of 88% hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) supplied by Air BP and 12% synthetic aromatic kerosene (SAK).
Also in November 2023, Emirates Airlines in Dubai conducted a demonstration flight with an Airbus A380. One of its four engines was completely fueled with SAF.
To date, over 450,000 flights have taken off using a mix of SAF and traditional fuels, and more than 50 airlines around the world have introduced SAF in their operations.
As of Monday morning, Barbara was about 186 miles (300 km) south-southwest of Playa Pérula, Jalisco, and less than 190 miles (305 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Colima. (@FerragamoWx/on X)
Tropical Storm Barbara has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, the first of the 2025 Eastern Pacific hurricane season.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said early Monday that swells generated by the storm system are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions along the coast of southwestern Mexico over the next few days.
At 6 a.m., Hurricane Barbara — the second named storm of the 2025 Eastern Pacific hurricane season — was located about 186 miles (300 km) south-southwest of Playa Pérula, Jalisco, and less than 190 miles (305 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Colima, one of Mexico’s biggest ports. By 9 a.m., it was within 150 miles (245 km) of Manzanillo.
The storm’s center was moving northwest at 10 mph (17 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 68 mph (110 kph) and gusts of up to 87 mph (140 kph), according to Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN).
No coastal warnings or watches were in effect on Monday morning, according to The Associated Press, but the storm was expected to bring heavy rainfall and wind to coastal areas of the states of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco. Barbara is not expected to make landfall.
The SMN said Guerrero, Michoacán and Colima would be most affected by Hurricane Barbara, but said the state of Nayarit would also see heavy rainfall, with waves of up to five meters along the coast. Further south, Oaxaca and Chiapas could also be affected by Barbara, the SMN said.
Authorities warned residents of the possibility of localized flooding as total rainfall could surpass 101 millimeters.
Also in the eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Cosme strengthened slightly on Monday morning but remained well off the coast of Mexico. It was about 630 miles (1,015 kilometers) south-southwest of the tip of the Baja California Peninsula, the NHC said.
Cosme’s maximum sustained winds increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center. Some additional strengthening is forecast, and Cosme is expected to become a hurricane later today, the NHC said.
Early Monday, Cosme was moving west-northwest near 6 mph (9 km/h) but was expected to turn toward the north with a decrease in forward speed by Monday night, followed by a faster north-northeast motion Tuesday through Wednesday. However, the NHC forecast that Cosme would begin weakening rapidly thereafter.
We all know the classic vacation destinations in Mexico — the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Mérida, San Miguel de Allende and Ensenada and the Guadalupe Valley. Of course, these places continue to charm and attract visitors, but Mexico also has hidden gems for vacationers — places with a unique personalities that have still maintained a low profile, ideal for those seeking to unwind and explore in places with plenty to do but not clogged with bars and partying.
According to the Mexican Association of Tourism Developers (Amdetur), vacation property ownership in Mexico is expected to be one of the fastest-growing segments of tourism this year, with an estimated 6% increase. Mexico is expected to have around 785 vacation ownership developments by the end of 2025.
So, where are the new and rising spots? The ideal places for a vacation home base and a smart investment? Read on to find out.
(Cultura 281)
Compostela, Nayarit
This charming Pacific colonial town, about 30 kilometers from Tepic, is known for its beaches, but it is also home to the impressive lake, El Molino, which is an important ecological reserve home to wild boar, deer, chachalaca, chana, peacock and quail. It’s also a culinary destination for many Mexicans due to its fresh seafood and many food festivals throughout the year. Compostela offers scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, parachuting, paragliding, hang gliding, ultralight flying and zip-lining, as well as biking.
In recent years, there has been an increasing real estate development activity, especially in the town of El Monteón around the popular lakeside La Mandarinaresort area, which is also less than 5 kilometers from Nayarit’s beautiful beaches.
(Top Yucatán)
Valladolid, Yucatán
This charming colonial city, also known as “The Pearl of the East,” this Magical Town quickly becoming one of the most visited places in the state of Yucatán. Surrounded by countless attractions — pristine cenotes you can swim in, a colorful historic downtown filled with restaurants and colonial architecture, traditional Mayan beekeeping farms, nearby archaeological sites and the stunning Coloradas (a series of pools whose high salt content gives them an intense pink color).
Valladolid is also one of the most important and fast-developing areas for real estate in Yucatán, thanks to its accessibility from the Cancún and Tulum international airports and its proximity to major archeological sites like Chichén Itzá. According to the report Forecast for the Real Estate Market in Valladolid, Yucatán (2024–2025), this location is set to become a leading destination for real estate investment in the coming years.
Land in Valladolid will remain a cornerstone of this growth, thanks to factors such as rising land values and government incentives to build new eco-friendly tourism infrastructure between 2024 and 2027.
(Ted McGrath/Flickr)
Cadereyta, Querétaro
This beautiful Magical Town is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly the Querétaro Wine and Cheese Route. In Cadereyta, you’ll find a wealth of traditional local dishes to sample, including barbacoa de carnero, nopal dishes, local versions of pulque — a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage that dates back to the pre-Hispanic era — and local sweets.
Fans of outdoor activities can explore Cadereyta’s Grutas La Esperanza caves or hike to impressive waterfalls like Velo de Novia in the nearby community of Maconi. Caderetya also attracts mountain bikers and sky divers, thanks to its breathtaking scenic landscapes, and folks intersted in lesser-known Mexican archaeological sites nearby, such as the Ranas y Toluquilla archeological zone, believed by INAH to date back to A.D. 400.
Luxury housing developments such as La Capilla Residencial offer a potential home base for repeat vacationers or a rental property for Cadereyta’s growing tourism. Located in the heart of Querétaro’s five Magical Towns, it offers promising capital appreciation, security and comfort.
(Matt Gush/Shutterstock)
Orizaba, Veracruz
Surrounded by forests and the spectacular snow-capped peak of Orizaba, this is one of the most colorful and picturesque cities in Mexico, with an iconic cable car that reaches the Ecoparque Cerro del Borrego, its botanical garden and the Iron Palace designed by Gustave Eiffel.
According to real estate experts, a high demand for housing is expected in Veracruz, particularly in Orizaba, which has become one of the state’s most visited places in recent decades. It’s a perfect place for vacationers interested in outdoor activities like hiking.
(acteck10/Pixabay)
Tlaxcala city, Tlaxcala
A few months ago, Mexico News Daily dedicated an entire article to discussing what makes Tlaxcala city one of the best places to live or invest in Mexico. Among its advantages is that the state of Tlaxcala has become one of the safestin the country. It’s also one of the cheapest.
Tourists come to this capital city — only 90 kilometers from Mexico City — for its colonial ambiance and its historic and archeological sites, particularly Cacaxtla, known for its well-preserved murals. Tlaxcala city is also rapidly becoming a foodie haven for those interested in Mexico’s ancestral cuisine.
All these factors have driven tourism in Tlaxcala city up by 42% just between 2022 and 2023. And in 2024, the real estate sector grew by between 10% and 15%, according to Israel Moreno Carpinteyro, president of the Tlaxcala section of the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI). Property values in the state also registered an annual increase of 14.7% during the first quarter, making Tlaxcala city the place to invest in a vacation property while the prices are still low.
(Misael Lavadores/Wikimedia Commons)
Sisal, Yucatán
Sisal, on the northwest coast of Yucatán, is a day trip’s ride from the more popular Mérida, with its own treasures to offer: Known for hosting the El Palmar Ecological Reserve, this area is famous for pink flamingo sightings and its turquoise waters and beautiful beaches.
Thanks to its reserve, Sisal remains well preserved. It was officially named a Magical Town in 2020, which has generated significant interest from area real estate investors. It should be noted, however, that there is controversy among residents regarding the promotion of sustainable and orderly development. If you decide to invest in vacation property here, you’ll want to do so responsibly.
(Sam Kano Rojas/Wikimedia Commons)
Atlixco, Puebla
Known as the “city of flowers” due to the richness of its fields, Atlixco is filled with tradition and history. In recent years, it’s become the most visited city in Puebla, rated as one of the best tourist sites in Mexico in 2024, according to Booking.com. Located just 25 kilometers from the capital, Atlixco is also one of the most affordable of Mexico’s Magical Towns in which to buy property.
Atlixco has several water parks for family vacation fun in spring and summer, an abundance of flower markets famous across Mexico, the Indigenous Huey Atlixcáyotl harvest festival every September, and the Cerro San Miguel, where you can take in sweeping, panoramic views of Atlixco and its surrounding valleys.
Thanks to these attractions and more, Atlixco’s Airbnb market in 2025 is stable and growing, with the city attracting 1.2 million tourists per year. According to the property investment site, airroi.com, the year-on-year revenue increase in Atlixco’s short-term rental market was 3% between June 2024 and May 2025, making this historic city a promising place to invest in vacation property.
Finally, special mentions go to:
Mascota, Jalisco, a beautiful colonial town located near the Western Sierra
Mineral de Pozos, Guanajuato, another gorgeous colonial town surrounded by old mines that got international attention in 2021 when it hosted the Mexico selection of the prestigious wine competition, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
El Oro, Hidalgo, also a colonial mining town that’s enveloped by a forest known for welcoming migrating monarch butterflies.
Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator for various outlets including Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.
Supper clubs are not just a great place to eat, but a great way to make friends — especially in a country as friendly as Mexico. (Nogal Nogal/Instagram)
There’s something special about a supper club, which is probably why the concept is taking off in Mexico City. Whether you show up solo, bring a date, or gather a few friends, you’ll find yourself part of a communal table, sharing dishes and stories with strangers who quickly start to feel like family. The menu is usually set and served family style, and the whole setup feels less like dining out and more like coming home for dinner.
Supper clubs are all about breaking bread together, and there’s a certain magic in the way a shared meal can turn a room full of strangers into friends. In a world where we’re craving genuine connection and new experiences, supper clubs deliver both, offering a taste of global food culture in a relaxed, welcoming space.
Nogal Nogal offers great cuisine in non-traditional settings. (Nogal Nogal/Facebook)
While the idea isn’t new — supper clubs have roots in the Prohibition era — they’ve made a big comeback since the pandemic. Chefs love them for the freedom to experiment with seasonal ingredients and try out comfort food with a twist. Guests love them for the chance to be surprised and delighted by dishes you won’t find on a typical menu. At a recent pop-up in Mexico City, for example, Israeli chef Ayuni scattered the table with whole salt-baked fish, picanha steak with pistachio chimichurri, creamy hummus, and roasted cauliflower. There were no rules or etiquette — just forks, conversation, and a lot of laughter as everyone dove in.
That sense of innovation and togetherness runs through many supper clubs. Social media and word of mouth keep the seats filled, and for chefs and staff, these events are a refreshing break from the grind of traditional restaurants. Nogal Nogal, a standout supper club in Mexico City’s Roma Norte, is a perfect example. Owners Rebeca Ortiz and Xavier Pinero started out during the pandemic selling pecan pies and Neapolitan pizza. After a stint in San Miguel de Allende and a residency in Puerto Escondido, they brought their supper club concept back to Mexico City, eventually settling in a cozy, open-plan space where guests and hosts share the same room and the same sense of belonging.
Food has always been central to my life, though being a chef is a more recent chapter. My earliest memories are of my grandmother’s unforgettable cooking and the grand Cantonese banquets at family weddings — fried crab claws, abalone in XO sauce, and shark fin soup. As a kid, I peeled shrimp at age seven and later spent my teenage years working in my parents’ Chinese takeaway and fish and chip shop, peeling potatoes and wrapping up orders while my friends were out having fun. My parents hoped I’d choose a different path, and culinary school never called to me, but my love for food never faded. Years of travel, a decade in New York, and a passion for hole-in-the-wall eateries have all shaped my palate and my approach to cooking. Now, as a sous chef at Nogal Nogal, I get to see the food world from a new angle, in a city that lives and breathes great cuisine.
At Nogal Nogal, supper club nights are intimate and intentional — one seating, a set guest list, and a focus on quality over quantity.I love assembling the plates that chef Xavier dreams up, like our cauliflower carbonara or crispy Brussels sprouts in Caesar dressing. The vibe is casual, but the creativity is serious, and we’re always pushing ourselves to make every dish memorable.
Before guests arrive, the kitchen hums with last-minute prep — slicing sashimi-grade tuna, roasting cauliflower, steaming flan, baking pecan pies, and whipping cheesecake to fluffy perfection. There’s a little nervous energy as people settle in at the communal table, but a glass of natural wine and a warm welcome quickly melt any awkwardness.
Dinner usually starts around 8 p.m., with platters of homemade ricotta with confit garlic, heirloom tomato panzanella, citrus salad with ginger and pistachio, picanha steak, cauliflower carbonara, and a cloud of whipped cheesecake with fresh strawberries for dessert. Afterward, guests linger over wine, chatting with the owners and soaking up the hospitality that makes Mexican dining so special.
In a city packed with everything from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, supper clubs offer something different: a chance to connect, to share, and to remember why food brings us together in the first place. If you’re looking for more than just a meal — if you want an experience that feels like home, even when you’re far from it — pull up a chair at a supper club. You might just leave with a few new friends and a story worth telling.
Simon Chung is a chef at Mexico City’s Nogal Nogal restaurant
Chilangos line up for tacos de guisado at a street vendor spot in Mexico City. (Moisés Pablo Nava/Cuartoscuro)
A proper history of Mexican street food would require more than an article, or even a book. Rather, it would need a massive encyclopedia set, covering the evolution of everything from aguas frescas, buñuelos, camotes, cemitas, ceviches, chicharrones, corundas, duros, enchiladas, fruta con chile, huaraches … You get the idea, and I haven’t even gotten to tlacoyos and tlayudas, much less tortas and the innumerable variations of all of the above.
This will be a less exhaustive version, which is to say, a condensed look at the origin of the iconic sextet of Mexican street food — tacos, tamales, elotes, sopes, quesadillas and churros — plus a historical survey of the baskets, carts, stalls, trucks, markets and more from which these specialties have traditionally been sold.
After all, part of the joy of street food is convenience, so a five-minute read seems more appropriate than the much longer alternative.
The taco
The taco in its modern form is younger than you may guess. (Jj saezdeo / CC BY-SA 4.0)
Despite being young, relatively speaking, the taco is the king of Mexico’s street food scene. Its name comes from the small charges used to excavate ore in Mexico’s silver mines during the 18th century. The mine workers of this era were the creators of tacos sudados — sweated tacos — with tortillas dipped in oil and filled with potatoes before being kept warm in baskets— the origin of tacos de canasta. After the mining industry’s decline following Mexico’s independence from Spain, many miners migrated to Mexico City, bringing their favorite treats along.
The first mention of tacos in print was in Manuel Payno’s novel “Los bandidos de Río Frío,” published in 1891. More than 100 other variations of tacos soon followed.
The tamal
There are hundreds of regional varieties of tamales in Mexico. (Shutterstock)
Tamales and atole are the oldest pairing in Mexico, with the former made with corn and other ingredients and wrapped in corn husks, the latter from corn flour and water, spiced with cinnamon, vanilla and other flavors.
Likely the first street food, the Maya have long associated the tamal with fertility and abundance, and the latter cannot be argued, since today there are over 500 varieties.
Elotes and esquites
Corn was first domesticated by human beings in ancient Mesoamerica. (Tim Mossholder/Unsplash)
Corn has been grown in Mexico for 9,000 years, and early versions of elote — grilled corn on the cob — as a proto-street food certainly existed in pre-Columbian times, as did esquites, which are loose corn kernels in a cup.
Modern versions originated in Mexico City during the latter half of the 19th century when ingredients like cheese, sour cream and mayo were added to longtime favorites like lime, cilantro and chili powder. The first evidence of mayonnaise as a topping dates to 1899 and comes from a food ad published in the newspaper El Imparcial.
The sope
The sope can be seen as Mesoamerica’s answer to the pizza. (William Neuheisel / CC BY SA 2.0)
Like the elote, sopes also have an ancient history. However, while the origin is undoubtedly pre-Columbian, there’s not a great deal of evidence to link them to possible creators like the Toltecs or Mexica, other than that the name comes from the Nahuatl word “sopalli.”
In modern times, Mexico City is the capital for this street food classic, which features a thick, fried masa base with pinched or raised edges to keep tasty toppings from falling off. These toppings often include shredded meat, lettuce, onion, cilantro, sour cream and cheese.
The quesadilla
A quesadilla has to have cheese, right? Not so fast. (Alain Hernández/Cuartoscuro)
With cheese or not with cheese; that is the question.
The corn tortilla, naturally, predates Spanish colonization and dates back to ancient Mesoamerica. However, the Spanish brought wheat for flour tortillas — a specialty in northern Mexico — and plenty of new ingredients to fold into both varieties, including the pork for chicharrón prensado.
Other favored modern ingredients, like mushrooms, huitlacoche and squash blossoms, though, are native to Mexico.
The churro
The art of churro-making is practiced across Mexico. (Ehécatl Cabrera/Wikimedia Commons)
Named for the antlers of the churra sheep, a breed native to Castile and León in Spain, churros weren’t invented in Mexico but were brought to perfection here, thanks to later pairings with hot chocolate.
The dessert treat evolved from Chinese deep-fried dough sticks called youtiao, which were first brought to Portugal, then Spain and finally Mexico by the 19th century, where they were and still are famously dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Cajeta, either as a stuffing or dip, is also popular.
The evolution of how street food is sold in Mexico
Eating food on the street is a habit that goes back millennia in Mexico. (Orlando Zamudio)
If the origins of Mexico’s favorite street foods all go back centuries, if not millennia, the methods of delivery of these foods are often a mix of old and new. The original street food was sold in tianguis, or traditional marketplaces, the best known of which in pre-colonial times was in Tlatelolco, on the site of the Plaza Tres Culturas in what is now Mexico City.
These days, modern marketplaces have since taken their place, the most notable example being the Mercado de La Merced in Mexico City’s Historic Center. Inaugurated in 1957 on the site of earlier markets, at over 500,000 square meters it instantly became one of the largest gathering places in Latin America.
Between the thousands of vendors here and at neighboring street markets and stalls, hungry chilangos can sample a microcosm of cuisine from around Mexico, from street food favorites like tacos, quesadillas and tostadas to aguas frescas, regional sweets, fresh fruits and vegetables and edible insects from Oaxaca.
For those who don’t live in Mexico’s great cities, though, street food is often a movable feast. Vendors who make their rounds with offerings in baskets still exist, but over time, the arrival of modern bicycles in the early 20th century evolved into the awesome variety of customized two and three-wheeled carts that vendors now peddle across virtually every navigable street in the nation.
The most creative of these was undoubtedly the camote cart, the oven on wheels with a distinctive whistle that became popular in the 1950s and still exists as a vehicle for delivering sweet potato treats to the masses with a variety of toppings, although its use has declined.
The food truck concept was a north-of-the-border innovation, as the modern trend began in Los Angeles in 2008 with a fusion of Mexican and Korean cuisine, courtesy of Chef Roy Choi. However, the model now exists in Mexico too, as does a more primitive version in which vendors drive around in pickup trucks with food packed in coolers in the back. That’s a favorite of seafood vendors in my neck of the woods.
After all, why wait for the customers to come to you? Especially when there are so many other competitors.
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. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.
This pristine shoreline in Yelapa is one of eight quieter, off-the-radar beaches you can find in and around Puerto Vallarta. (Chris Howey/Shutterstock)
Back in my 20s, I made Puerto Vallarta beach-hopping my full-time job. There likely isn’t a corner of Playa Los Muertos, Playa Camarones, or Playa Gaviotas that I have not combed. They are the big hitters, after all — the beaches people think of when they think of Puerto Vallarta. They’ve got the beach clubs, the Jet Skis, the resorts and the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s coastal scene.
That’s where “secret” beaches of Bahía de Banderas come in.
Scattered along the southern curve of the bay and tucked into pockets of jungle, rock and golden sand, these spots are where I go to find a little peace, overwhelming beauty and maybe a grilled shrimp skewer or two.
They’re not hard to get to, but they do require just enough effort to keep the crowds away.
1. Playa Colomitos
(Trip Advisor)
One of Puerto Vallarta’s best hikes is the one that winds from Boca de Tomatlán to Playa Las Ánimas. Playa Colomitos is the beach break you are begging for about halfway through the hike.
Forty minutes in, the trail spills down to a small pocket of golden sand, backed by a thick jungle forest and a gorgeous slice of turquoise-colored water that gently laps ashore. It’s one of the smallest and loveliest beaches in Jalisco. Don’t expect any vendors. No chairs or facilities either. Bring everything you need and leave no trace.
Or take the five-minute panga boat from Boca. No judgment. I’ve done both.
2. Playa El Caballo
Playa Caballo (Caballo Beach) Las Ánimas, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, México
Just around the bend from Las Ánimas lies Playa El Caballo, a once-deserted stretch of sand that now plays host to the Ánima Beach Club. Think boho daybeds, pricey cocktails and that bamboo-and-beige Tulum aesthetic. But don’t worry. Even with the new amenities, the beach still feels off the radar.
You can hike here as part of the Boca-to-Las Ánimas coastal trail or arrive via boat to Las Ánimas and walk over. If you want a VIP experience, you can book a private boat charter to the beach club via Jet’s Private Boat Tours.
3. Playa Esmeralda
(VIP Vallarta)
Just south of Mismaloya, this petite patch of golden sand and jade-green water flies under the radar, partly because it’s a little tricky to access.
You’ll need to drive or catch a southbound bus (hop on at Basilio Badillo and Constituyentes in the Zona Romántica) and exit near Condominios Playa Gemelas. From there, it’s a short hike down a rocky path that follows a shallow stream — slippery during rainy season, so tread carefully.
What awaits at the bottom is a peaceful, shady beach flanked by jungle and rock, without a beach club or vendor in sight. Bring your own snacks and umbrella. The pelican statue perched on the breakwater means you’ve found the spot.
4. Yelapa
(Trip Advisor)
Accessible only by boat, Yelapa is a fishing village cradled between jungle-covered peaks and the Pacific, about 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta by water taxi. You can catch a panga boat from Los Muertos Pier or Boca de Tomatlán.
The beach here is a wide, golden crescent lined with palapa-topped restaurants serving grilled fish and micheladas. The water is calm and swimmable, and there is a short hike that leads to a 150-foot waterfall.
5. Quimixto
(puertovallarta.com)
About 20 minutes south of Boca by boat (you’ll pass Las Ánimas and El Caballo on the way), Quimixto is a quiet, amber-sand beach lined with palm trees and fishing boats.
Along the southern curve of the Bay of Banderas, the village is a 20-minute water taxi ride from Boca de Tomatlán. Once ashore, Quimixto greets you with honey-hued sand, gentle surf and an unplugged vibe. There are no cars here, just cobblestone paths and sandy streets. The beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a wave during the fall and spring seasons.
6. Playa Palmares
(Canto Palmares/Facebook)
If you’re short on time but still want a local’s beach experience, Playa Palmares is for you. Just 10 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta by car or bus, this beach is hiding in plain sight. It’s right off the highway, with a small parking lot and public access stairs. Just look for the Canto Palmares restaurant.
Despite its proximity, Palmares rarely gets crowded. It’s long, narrow and perfect for swimming. Locals bring umbrellas and picnic coolers, so follow their lead. Bring your own shade, and settle in for a quiet day that feels miles from the city, even though you’re practically still in it.
7. Playa Las Gemelas
(Trip Advisor)
Just south of Palmares, Playa Las Gemelas (the “twin beaches”) is a stunner. One side is easier to reach, via steep public stairs next to Condominios Girasol Sur, while the other requires a scramble over rocks. Both beaches offer soft white sand, clear turquoise water and surprisingly few people, especially on weekdays.
The water here is calm, warm and shallow. There’s no shade, so bring an umbrella. And if you make it to the more remote side, congratulations: You’ve just claimed a slice of paradise few others are willing to earn.
8. Playa Majahuitas
(Carlos O. Flores/Shutterstock)
Last but not least is Majahuitas, a secluded beach cove with serious duality. On weekdays, it’s a mellow hangout with snorkeling, paddleboarding and a scattering of hammocks. But come the weekend, Majahuitas Beach Club turns up the volume. Think D.J. sets, barefoot dancing and chilled cocktails under the jungle canopy.
Take a panga from Boca or book a day trip from the Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port. The ride alone is worth it. Surrounded by Sierra Madre jungle, underwater caves and black coral reefs, Majahuitas is a “choose your own adventure” experience.
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.
After visiting so many countries, there was only one that Nellie Huang and her family wanted to call home: Mexico. (Nellie Huang)
The story of why I live in Mexico begins across the Atlantic. As we stood at the check-in counter in Amsterdam airport with all our belongings packed into five suitcases, a wave of emotion washed over me: bittersweet memories, the thrill of new beginnings and a flicker of fear. What if life in Mexico wasn’t all it was cracked up to be?
My husband Alberto and I were in our late 30s then; we’d spent four years raising our daughter and building a life in the Netherlands. For a while, we loved the international crowd, the progressive mindset of the Dutch and the nurturing environment where kids could just be kids. But somewhere along the line, we felt we needed a change — a break from the endless gray, the daily grind and a culture where life often unfolds behind closed doors.
Nellie’s Mexico story began in the Netherlands. (Nellie Huang)
So we sold everything, packed up our house and said goodbye to our friends and family. With Alberto landing a fully remote programming job and my freelance travel writing career buzzing along, we set off on one-way tickets to Mexico in search of a new way of life.
Two decades of wanderlust
We weren’t new to bold moves like this. After all, Alberto and I have been on the move ever since we met over 20 years ago on a student exchange program in Miami. Just a year later, I graduated from college in Singapore, where I was born and raised, and immediately flew to London to begin a new chapter with Alberto. Every penny we saved went straight into our shared passion for adventure: from train journeys across Europe and camping in the deserts of Jordan and Egypt to backpacking from Argentina to Mexico.
It was during these years that I launched my travel blog, Wild Junket, to chronicle our worldwide adventures. What began as a personal diary slowly grew into a go-to travel resource, opening doors to a career in travel writing. My lifelong passion wasn’t just a hobby anymore; it was becoming my profession. Slowly, my portfolio grew to include bylines in publications I’d long admired such as Lonely Planet, CNN, National Geographic and BBC Travel.
Passing on our love for adventure
Having been a travel writer for over 15 years now, I’ve been lucky enough to travel on assignment to places far and wide, from expedition cruising in Antarctica and Svalbard to gorilla trekking in Uganda, traversing the Silk Road by land and following the footsteps of nomads in Mongolia.
Living in Mexico has changed Nellie and her family’s lives more than they could have predicted. (Nellie Huang)
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with tourism boards and even leading intrepid groups to places that hold a special place in my heart, including Tibet, Tajikistan and Iraq. This obsession has consistently drawn me towards the world’s more remote and rarely explored corners, seeking understanding in places like Afghanistan, Iran and Papua New Guinea.
When my daughter came along 10 years ago, we didn’t stop traveling. If anything, our wanderlust deepened as travel gained new meaning for us. She took her first flight at just five months old to the Maldives — of all places! — celebrated her third birthday in the Sahara Desert in Morocco, went on an African safari in Kenya at four and recently stood proudly atop a mountain in Chile, marking her 60th country visited.
The spell of San Miguel de Allende
Living in Mexico has changed our lives in more ways than we could have imagined. In San Miguel de Allende, we awake to the morning sunshine sipping through our window and the sound of birds chirping. Where we once rushed through breakfast, our mornings are now slow and intentional. We spend more quality time together as a family, focusing on being present rather than distracted by work or screens.
San Miguel draws people who, like me, have defied the rules of conventional living. We all came here with a purpose and to live life on our own terms. I’ve built many lifelong friendships with like-minded people here. So has my daughter, who is thriving in a relaxed school environment where creativity is valued more than academic excellence. My husband, who works at the crack of dawn — European hours — gets to spend more time with us and has found the freedom that he yearned for.
Here we are, four years later. My family and I love our life in this beautiful, historic place, so rich in culture and traditions and yet always warmly welcoming outsiders with open arms. There’s beauty at every turn, and always a festival or event happening every weekend. We often wander its cobblestone streets, discovering fantastic restaurants tucked into colonial courtyards, stumbling upon vibrant art galleries showcasing local talent and embracing that small-town charm.
Most of all, we still get to travel often. Our first Día de Muertos in Mexico City was one for the books — the explosion of vibrant color and the magnificent display of culture completely blew us away. It became an annual tradition for us; since then, we’ve witnessed the Day of the Dead traditions in Oaxaca, Michoacán and Guadalajara, with each year bringing more meaning than before.
Mexico, I’ve discovered, is a universe unto itself — from the ancient ruins of the Yucatán Peninsula to the dramatic mountains in Chihuahua’s Copper Canyon, from the sultry, waterfall-laced Huasteca Potosina to the desertscapes of Baja California. I’ve learned that Mexico is so incredibly diverse that we don’t have to leave the country to feel like we’ve traveled across continents.
As someone who proudly calls this country home, I am honored to share my experiences with the Mexico News Daily community. Starting on June 15, I’ll be launching Where to Travel in Mexico in 2025, a weekly travel series.
This series is designed with distinct traveler profiles in mind each week: digital nomads looking for their next base, passionate foodies on culinary quests, adventurous road trippers and so on. Drawing from my extensive travels across Mexico, I’ll be offering tailored tips and recommendations to help everyone, whether you’re taking your first steps into Mexico or are a seasoned explorer looking for fresh perspectives.
Nellie Huang is a professional travel writer and author based in San Miguel de Allende with her family. She has contributed to BBC Travel, CNN, International Business Times and National Geographic and co-authored Lonely Planet’s 2025 Mexico guide. Read about her adventures worldwide on wildjunket.com and follow her updates on Instagram @wildjunket.
What happens if you put a lid on a sope or turn a tlacoyo into a circle? You get a Mexican gordita. (Gobierno de Guanajuato)
She’s a crowd favorite, a savior for cravings, easy on the wallet and, most importantly, delicious. We’re talking about the gordita.
The gordita is a cousin of the tlacoyo, which we discussed last week, and is part of the extensive family of over 700 dishes made from nixtamalized corn.
Blue-corn gorditas cooking on the comal in Patzcuáro, Michoacán. (Alejandro Linares García)
What is a gordita?
Short answer: A gordita is a thick, round corn empanada filled with a type of stew, typically made with protein.
Long answer: In Mexico, gorditas come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the region. They can differ in thickness, filling and whether they are sweet or savory.
The roots of the gordita
Much of our cuisine has roots in pre-Columbian cultures, and gorditas likely emerged from the creativity and lack of standardization in tortillas during this time in Mexico. Fray Bernardino de Sahagún’s “General History of the Things of New Spain” is a fascinating read, especially if you’re interested in history. In this work, Sahagún describes a wide variety of tortillas in different colors, sizes and thicknesses. He specifically mentions the cuauhtlacualli, tortillas described as “very white and large, thick and rough.” He also notes that people here ate bird meat wrapped in a type of empanada called nacatlaoyo tamalli.
Unlike tlacoyos, we don’t know the exact origins, location or historical preparation method for gorditas. What we do know is that they’re called “gorditas” — which translates as “little fatties” — due to their thick, hearty nature.
A street vendor prepares fried gorditas with salsa roja. (Nicholas Lundgaard / CC BY SA 2.0)
The colonial gordita
I’ve mentioned this in almost every article, but it bears repeating: The rapid fusion of pre-Columbian food with European ingredients and techniques is what formed Mexican cuisine. Without the conquest, we wouldn’t have some of our most beloved dishes, such as the gordita de chicharrón prensado (pressed pork rind gordita), since there were no pigs before colonization.
In each region of Mexico, the gordita’s fillings reflect local biodiversity, ingredient availability and culinary traditions. In northern areas and in the Bajío, you’ll find gorditas filled with shredded meat, chicharrón and beans. In places like Coahuila and Durango, the dough is often made with flour, and they’re delicious.
In Mexico City, in addition to the typical savory gorditas, we also use the term to refer to small corn cookies sold by nuns or local women outside churches. As a child, I was addicted to those cookies.
The rise of the modern gordita
Gorditas gained popularity in the 19th century, thanks to street food that offered affordable and filling meals for factory workers for a few pesos. Today, they remain a staple working-class dish, particularly in Mexico City, where they are a must-try.
If you haven’t experienced the joy of a gordita yet, you’re missing out. Be sure to visit a street vendor to try one! If you’d prefer to make them at home, here are two recipes: one featuring chicharrón prensado and the other with shredded beef.
Sweet dessert gorditas for sale in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. (Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata / CC BY SA 4.0)
Mix the masa: In a bowl, combine the corn masa, baking powder, salt, garlic powder and lard. Knead the mixture until it is smooth and non-sticky.
Form the gorditas: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Make a small cavity in each portion, fill with chicharrón and seal gently.
Cook: Slightly flatten each gordita with your hands and cook on a hot griddle or skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
Serve: Slice open the gorditas and serve them with green salsa, chopped onion and cilantro.
Shredded beef gorditas
Ingredients
200 g beef flank
¼ onion
1 garlic clove
1 bay leaf
½ cup tomato salsa (blended with 1 guajillo chili and ¼ onion)
Directions
Cook the beef: Boil the beef flank with the onion, garlic and bay leaf for 1.5 to 2 hours, or 40 minutes if using a pressure cooker. Once cooked, let cool and then shred.
Prepare the salsa: In a hot pan, fry the blended salsa in some oil for 5 minutes. Then, mix in the shredded meat until well combined.
Make the gorditas: Follow steps 1 to 3 from the first recipe, but fill the gorditas with the meat mixture instead.
For fluffier gorditas, add ½ teaspoon of baking powder to the masa. If you prefer them fried, put the gorditas in hot oil for a minute after cooking them on the griddle. However, many find that the griddle version tastes much better.
Amigos, what’s your favourite gordita filling? Do you prefer it fried or cooked on a comal?
María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.
After seeing the majority of the world's countries, Nellie Huang chose to settle down in Mexico. (Courtesy photo)
Years ago, I used to love watching the TV series “The Amazing Race.” I liked to learn about different parts of the world through the show and also imagined how my wife and I would have likely been eliminated in the first episode over some random task that resulted in a travel meltdown. The show inspired a good friend and I to create our own “Amazing Race” in which we competed on “total countries visited” and also set a goal of always having been to more countries than our current age. As we have both been to 60+ countries, so far so good.
Throughout most of my life, I was used to having been to more countries than almost anyone else that I would meet. That all changed when we moved to San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel attracts a very interesting mix of people — often people who have traveled extensively, only to settle down here in this small Mexican town. My friend Richard has been to over 80 countries. My friend Martin, over 100. My neighbor Ron, 110 countries. In just the past few months, I have met three different people here who have been to over 120 countries — and then I met Nellie.
Nellie isn’t the only world traveler in her family: Her 10-year-old daughter has been to 60-plus countries since she was born. (Courtesy photo)
Nellie Huang has been to 150 countries — and she is only 42 years old! Nellie is originally from Singapore, is married to a Spaniard, and currently lives in San Miguel de Allende with her husband and 10-year-old daughter. Nellie has, quite literally, been just about everywhere. She speaks three languages fluently (English, Mandarin, and Spanish) and also has learned French, Arabic and Dutch. She has been in Antarctica, the Arctic and almost every place in between.
And starting now, she is a weekly travel writer for Mexico News Daily. Nellie has an awesome perspective on travel, having been to so many places in a relatively recent time period. She has traveled extensively solo, with her husband, and now with her daughter. She has even visited 61 countries with her daughter since she was born 10 years ago! Nellie has been to some of the biggest cities in the world as well as some of the most remote places on the planet.
Nellie also really knows (and loves) Mexico. She has been to nearly 20 of Mexico’s 32 states, written for years about the country, and has settled down (relatively speaking!) in San Miguel de Allende. Having traveled so extensively, I find it fascinating that she has chosen Mexico, and specifically San Miguel, to be her home base. Throughout her writings in the coming weeks and months she will tell us why.
Mexico News Daily is excited to bring you weekly travel articles from Nellie starting on June 8. She will start with a “Where to Travel in Mexico in 2025” series. In this series, she will be focusing on a different type of traveler each week: retirees, foodies, adventurers, families, digital nomads and many more. She will give tips and location recommendations for travelers of all different levels of experience in Mexico — whether you are a “Mexico Novice,” “Mexico Intermediate” or “Mexico Expert” level.
From the beaches of Quintana Roo to the summit of Pico de Orizaba, Mexico has something to offer every type of traveler — something Huang will highlight in the upcoming series, “Where to Travel in Mexico in 2025.” (Cuartoscuro)
We will then be following up with a “If you love location ABC … then you will love XYZ in Mexico” series. In this weekly series, Nellie will draw on her extensive global travel experience and link amazing places around the world to what she has seen and experienced here in Mexico. For example, if you love the Maldives, Costa Rica or the Grand Canyon, Nellie will tell you where in Mexico you can find a similar experience, and tell us how best to see and experience it.
The idea is for her to show us some of the incredible variety of places to go and things to do in Mexico that rival many of the best travel destinations around the world. And being in Mexico, they are often relatively close, easy to get to, fairly inexpensive and still mostly undiscovered.
Mexico News Daily is continuing to bring our readers exciting new formats, inspiring new content, and top notch new writers. Nellie is a great example of someone new to our team who will most certainly inspire you to get out and go beyond your Cabo San Lucas home, your Mexico City business hotel or your Cancún beachfront all-inclusive resort and discover the magic of Mexico.
Check out Nellie’s first article tomorrow, June 8.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
