Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Mexico is sitting on 500 million liters of unsold tequila

By
MND Staff
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6
Barrels of surplus tequila sit in storage
Some tequila brands began cutting prices last year as consumer demand for the spirit weakened. (Germán Romero/Cuartoscuro)

Falling demand for tequila in the United States has left Mexico’s producers of the spirit with a surplus of unsold inventory, according to a Saturday report in the London-based Financial Times (FT).

Coupled with the prospect of tariffs being slapped on exports to the U.S. under President-elect Donald Trump, tequila’s glory days in the United States seem to be in peril.

“The tequila industry is set for a very turbulent 2025,” Trevor Stirling, an analyst with the financial management firm Bernstein, told FT.

“Much more new spirit is being distilled than is being sold, and inventories are starting to accumulate,” he added.

Half a billion liters of surplus tequila in storage

According to FT, Mexico was sitting on more 525 million liters of tequila in inventory at the end of 2023.

Also, about one-sixth of the 599 million liters of tequila produced last year remained in inventory — according to figures shared with FT by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) — although some of that is being aged in barrels rather than waiting to be bottled or sold.

Bottles of Don Julio Mexican tequila sitting on a shelf
Nearly 100 million liters of tequila produced in 2023 remains in inventory — undergoing barrel-aging or waiting to be sold. (Shutterstock)

U.S. consumers’ thirst for tequila has grown rapidly over the past decade, in part due to a host of celebrity-backed brands such as comedian Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino, model-influencer Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila and actor George Clooney’s Casamigos.

Another such brand, Santo — founded by celebrity chef Guy Fieri and rocker Sammy Hagar — was reportedly victimized by a heist in the U.S. last month that netted the thieves more than 24,000 bottles of the stuff.

Despite the robbery, demand for tequila in the United States has fallen over the past 18 months, with FT citing two reasons: a decline in the pandemic spirits boom and imbibers cutting back on their drinking due to higher prices.

FT wrote that sales of spirits in the U.S. shrank 3% during the first seven months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, based on data provided by IWSR, a leading analyst of the global alcoholic beverage industry.

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri, left, and rocker Sammy Hagar, right, holding boxes and a bottle of their brand of tequila, Santo as they pose for a publicity photo
Numerous celebrity tequila brands, like Santo by Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar, cropped up during tequila’s boom years over the past decade. (Santospirit/Instagram)

IWSR, which originally stood for the International Wine and Spirits Record, noted that U.S. tequila consumption fell 1.1% during that span — well below its 4% rise in 2023 and 17% rise in 2021 at the height of the tequila surge, FT reported.

The volume of tequila exported from Mexico reached an apex of 418.9 million liters in 2022, marking the 13th straight year of growth.

Over that span, tequila exports from Mexico increased by 207% — and since 1995 the increase was a whopping 548%.

However, the export volume dipped to 401.4 liters last year, according to data from Statista.com, a 4.2% dropoff from 2022.

Tariffs threaten to deepen the tequila slump

Adding to the emerging tequila slump is Trump’s threat to hit Mexico, the U.S.’s biggest trading partner, with a 25% tariff on its goods.

“It would be shooting themselves in the foot because their consumers would have to pay much more,” said CRT president Ramón González.

Tequila shots with lime
Any tariffs on tequila would push up prices paid by U.S. consumers, according to the president of the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). (Shutterstock)

FT noted that Mexico relies on the United States to buy 83% of its exports.

Two-thirds of all tequila produced in Mexico was exported in 2023, FT reported, with 80% of that going to the United States. The next two largest export markets were Germany and Spain, with about 2% each, according to FT.

Tequila is protected by a designation of origin. Like French champagne or Italian parmesan cheese, products using the name tequila can be produced only in regions officially recognized by the Guadalajara-based CRT: most of Jalisco and parts of Nayarit, Michoacán, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas.

In addition, tequila must be made of at least 51% blue Weber agave, with an added requirement for “agave tequila” (such as blanco or silver) that all sugars come from blue agave.

Citing research by Bernstein, FT noted that large tequila brands have been cutting prices for more than a year in response to weaker consumer demand.

Moreover, the price of agave has plummeted from about 30 pesos per kilo to between six and eight pesos (for suppliers with contracts), or as low as two pesos on the spot market, according to producers and farmers, FT wrote.

With reports from Financial Times and Reuters

Tourism officials move to end airport taxi abuses at Cancún International

By
MND Staff
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4
Cancún will soon launch a program at the International Airport (AIC) to improve transportation, mobility and the traveler's experience
Taxis departing from the Cancún International Airport are known to charge tourists upwards of 100 dollars for a ride to the hotel zone. (Shutterstock)

Tourism authorities in Cancún are working to improve transportation, mobility and the traveler experience at Cancún International Airport, according to a recent announcement by Quintana Roo Tourism Minister Bernardo Cueto Riestra. 

The ministry’s efforts include resolving issues negatively impacting tourism to Cancún, including mistreatment of passengers, exorbitant taxi fares and frequent blockades in the resort city’s hotel zone.

In the announcement, Cueto noted that for several years, the local government had been detached from the happenings at the state’s airports. They are now striving to improve the traveler experience and become more competitive as a tourist destination. 

“We need to improve some aspects and dynamics at the Cancún airport to ensure our tourists have a better experience. This is crucial for … competitiveness,” Cueto emphasized.

Cueto explained that immediate actions include halting irregular transport services and improving taxi fares to ensure they are not determined by supply and demand. Authorities aim to enforce fair prices to reduce abuses by some taxi operators and improve passenger mobility. 

Taxis departing from the Cancún International Airport are known to charge tourists upwards of 100 dollars for a ride to the hotel zone. According to the rates established by the city, a one-way trip from the airport to the hotel zone should cost between 100 to 400 pesos (US $5 to 20). 

The confrontation between hitmen and members of the Judicial Police of Quintana Roo, in the Paraíso Maya subdivision, resulted in the death of the alleged leader of an organized crime group, known by the alias El Memín. The police officers, supported by members of the Mexican Army, were carrying out an operation in the subdivision to surround El Memín, who tried to escape and resisted capture. The alleged hitman fired from inside a taxi, with license plate 3457, against the members of the Judicial Police and the military, but was shot down by them during the shootout. Another alleged criminal, nicknamed El Flaco, was injured in the shootout, who received a graze and two bullet wounds in the arm. He, along with two others, were arrested.
Users and drivers of ride-hailing apps have experienced increasing acts of violence from taxi drivers in Cancún, who are known to charge higher fares than those determined by local law. (Amaranta Prieto/Cuartoscuro)

In addition to the pricing issues, users of rideshare apps like Uber have experienced acts of violence from taxi drivers. 

On Dec. 12, local police arrested three taxi drivers in Puerto Morelos, south of Cancún, for threatening a tourist for using a rideshare app. Videos posted on social media show drivers blocking an English-speaking tourist from getting into the rideshare car. Immediately after, the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, said in a statement that the taxi driver’s license had been permanently revoked.

In January 2023, the Supreme Court granted permission for Uber and other rideshare platforms to operate in areas of Cancún and the Riviera Maya, but strong opposition from local taxi operators has led to conflict, increasing attacks by taxi drivers.

With reports from Vértigo Político, Por Esto! and Diario Cambio 22

Foreign Affairs Ministry mourns Jimmy Carter, champion of bilateral diplomacy

By
MND Staff
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Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter
Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter died at his home in Georgia on Sunday, aged 100.(Shutterstock)

Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE) lamented the death of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, who died at his home in Georgia on Sunday aged 100.

In a message posted to X, the SRE offered “its most sincere condolences … to the family of the former president, as well as to the people and government of the United States for this regrettable loss.”

As president from 1977-1981, Carter broke with prevailing U.S. foreign policy early in his term, outlining a vision based on protecting human rights. 

Carter proclaimed a new era in U.S.-Mexico relations, while also pledging to end the tradition of U.S. interventionism in Latin America. Additionally, he offered to support the development of democracy through multilateral cooperation.

That same year he signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, guaranteeing that Panama would gain control of the Panama Canal after 1999.

In 1978, Carter again put his new foreign policy into action, straddling the geopolitics of the Cold War while seeking solutions to address a revolution in Nicaragua, where the Somoza dictatorship had been seen as a U.S. ally. Carter criticized the military dictatorship’s abuses, pushed for a path to democratic transition and eventually ended military assistance to the Somoza government in January 1979.

Carter’s visit to Mexico in 1979

In February 1979, Carter made what the New York Times described as a “troubled visit to Mexico,” during which he and then-Mexican president Jose López Portillo agreed to start negotiations for the U.S. purchase of Mexican natural gas.

While in Mexico City, Carter spoke in Spanish to a joint session of Congress, famously quoting storied Mexican poet Octavio Paz: “What separates us is the very thing that unites us. We are two distinct versions of Western civilization.”

But he also spoke hopefully: “Our perceptions of each other have sometimes been distorted,” he said. “But we have made progress, and I believe that in the coming years we will make greater progress toward fuller cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.”

During the three-day visit to Mexico, the two presidents agreed to close consultations on the issue of undocumented Mexicans in the United States, but made little progress on other issues that divided the two nations, including trade and border control.

With reports from El Economista, Infobae, Milenio and The New York Times

Is Mexico the most democratic country in the world? Sheinbaum says it might be, thanks to judicial reform

By
MND Staff
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25
A Mexican voter fills out a ballot in a voting booth bearing the words "INE" and "El voto es libre y secreto."
Starting in 2025, Mexican judges will begin to be chosen by election rather than appointment. (Shutterstock)

President Claudia Sheinbaum said Sunday that Mexico is “perhaps” the most democratic country in the world given that it will hold judicial elections in 2025.

Speaking at an event in Tlaxcala, Sheinbaum highlighted that a number of constitutional reforms were approved by Congress in recent months, allowing Mexico to “recover the social sense” and the “patriotic sense of our Constitution.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stands on a stage in Tlaxcala to say that Mexico is possibly the most democratic country in the world. A crowd of people in cowboy hats watches
The visit to Tlaxcala concluded Sheinbaum’s presidential tour of all 32 Mexican states. (Presidencia)

“Thanks to senators and deputies, this year something unique in Mexico and the whole world was approved. Next year, on June 1, thanks to one of the reforms to the Constitution, the judicial power will be elected by the people of Mexico,” she said, eliciting cheers and applause from attendees of the event in Panotla, Tlaxcala.

Sheinbaum noted that Mexico’s president and lawmakers are already “democratically elected” before emphasizing that the nation’s judges will soon be chosen by citizens as well.

“Now judges, magistrates and Supreme Court justices will be elected democratically. This makes us perhaps the most democratic country there is on the face of Earth,” she said.

“Our adversaries say there is authoritarianism but how [can there be] if it is the people who decide? Democracy is government of the people by the people for the people. And now the judicial power will serve the people of Mexico and the nation as it should have always done,” Sheinbaum said.

A man casts his ballot in a Mexican election
The first round of judicial elections are scheduled for June 1, 2025. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)

The president, like her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has argued that judicial reform was needed to rid the nation’s courts of corruption and other ills. López Obrador submitted the reform proposal to Congress in February and signed it into law two weeks before he left office at the end of September. A second round of judicial elections in 2027 will follow those scheduled to take place on June 1, 2025.

Critics assert that the election of judges will lead to the politicization of Mexico’s judiciary. In a nutshell, they argue that Mexico’s courts will come to be dominated by judges sympathetic to the ruling Morena party’s agenda, thus removing an essential check on government power.

Candidates for judgeships will be selected by the president, the Congress — which is currently dominated by Morena — and the judiciary itself. In 2025, citizens will elect a total of 881 federal judges, including nine justices who will sit on the bench of the Supreme Court, two fewer than is currently the case.

“On June 1 next year,” Sheinbaum said on Sunday, “together we will elect justices of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.”

“It is something historic,” she added.

The government has also faced criticism over some of the other reforms that were recently approved by Congress, including one that eliminated seven watchdog agencies.

Government critics have long argued that the incorporation of autonomous agencies into ministries and other federal departments would eliminate important counterweights to executive power and represent a backward step for democracy.

Sheinbaum has said that the reform will lead to “more transparency” and help to eliminate corruption while generating significant savings for the public purse.

Mexico News Daily 

What to expect for the Mexican peso in 2025, according to analysts

By
MND Staff
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10
500 Mexican peso bill to represent the currency's wobbling
Trump’s return to the White House, the Mexico-U.S. relationship and local fiscal policies are expected to impact the Mexican peso in 2025. (Shutterstock)

UBS Global Wealth Management managing director Alejo Czerwonko believes the Mexican peso will gain 4% on the US dollar in 2025, despite the currency weakening by 19% throughout 2024. 

His reasoning? An improvement — not a worsening — of bilateral relations between Mexico and the United States. 

Alejo Czerwonko
Alejo Czerwonko is a United States-based analyst with UBS Global Wealth Management and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2023. (WEF)

Rejecting the prevailing pessimism about future relations between North American neighbors, Czerwonko told the newspaper Milenio that the mutually beneficial bilateral relationship is very strong and can’t be overlooked when predicting the future of the peso.

“Of course, Mexico benefits from the United States, but the reverse is also true,” Czerwonko said. “If Washington really wants to reduce its economic dependence on China, the relationship [with Mexico] is part of the solution.”

Czerwonko predicted that the peso — which opened Monday at 20.31 to the US dollar — will trade at 19.50 to the US dollar by the end of 2025. This is stronger than most projections, but still weaker than the 18.70 exchange rate that Mexico’s Finance Ministry (SHCP) anticipates in 2025.

The peso’s tumultuous year in review

The 19% hit the peso took this year was its worst since 2016 though the decline in international oil prices was primarily to blame then, according to Milenio.

A 500 Mexican peso bill and a calculator.
The Mexican peso has taken a wild ride since mid-year, returning to its pre-2023 exchange rate of 20 to the dollar. (Shutterstock)

In April, the peso reached a nine-year high of 16.30 to the dollar. Shortly after, the currency started to slip, grazing an exchange rate of 18 by June 3. President Sheinbaum’s election on June 2 created nervousness about a perceived upward trend in absolutism, sending the peso on a downfall that was made worse by the Morena party’s passage of a controversial judicial reform in September. 

In recent months, the peso has hovered around 20 to the dollar, with December producing a depreciation of 0.46%. 

The exchange rate winds shifted dramatically this month as both the Mexican and U.S. central banks lowered their benchmark interest rates, inflation decelerated in Mexico and U.S. political news ahead of Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration emphasized potential conflicts. 

Contrary to UBS, the news magazine Expansión cited analysts who see Mexico’s currency weakening to as much as 21 pesos to the US dollar.

Trump’s return to the White House, the uncertainty of the Mexico-U.S. relationship, broad geopolitical concerns and local fiscal policies are all expected to impact the peso in 2025, Expansión reported.

In contrast to SHCP’s bullish stance, Mexico’s central bank sees the peso finishing 2025 at 20.53 to the dollar. Other institutions surveyed by Expansión offered projections ranging from 18.5 by Banco Base to 21 by Monex Financial Group. 

Citibank Mexico (20.5), Finamex Casa de Bolsa (20.9) and Rankia Investment Group (20.5) also foresee a slight weakening in the peso next year. 

Banco Base analyst Gabriela Siller hedged on the bank’s positive projection, telling Expansión that if Trump does carry out his threat to slap tariffs on Mexican imports to the United States, the situation would become less certain.

With reports from Milenio, Expansión and ABC Noticias

Mass graves discovered at Mexico’s northern, southern borders

By
MND Staff
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Chiapas authorities examine a clandestine grave
Chiapas authorities arrested four people and seized weapons, vehicles and drugs during a state government security operation that led to the discovery of a clandestine grave in La Concordia. (FGE Chiapas/X)

Authorities have discovered 17 bodies in clandestine graves in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico.

The Chiapas Attorney General’s Office and the state Security Ministry said Sunday that 15 bodies were found in the municipality of La Concordia in recent days, while two additional bodies were located in Palenque. All 17 bodies belonged to men.

Maps location of La Concordia, Chiapas
The bodies of 15 men were found in clandestine graves in La Concordia, Chiapas. An additional two bodies were uncovered in Palenque, near the border with Campeche. (Google)

La Concordia is located in southern Chiapas near the border region where the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel are engaged in a long-running turf war.

Palenque, a municipality in northeastern Chiapas on the state’s border with Tabasco, is best known for the Palenque archaeological site. It is part of a region that has also been affected by cartel violence.

Chiapas Attorney General Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca told a press conference on Sunday that the 15 bodies discovered in La Concordia were found in 11 clandestine graves on two properties. Ten of the bodies were “mutilated,” he said, explaining that the victims had been “tortured” before they were killed.

“They have cuts in different parts of their bodies. They’re dismembered,” he said.

Authorities searching for clandestine graves in Chiapas
Authorities are continuing to search for clandestine graves in Chiapas, with the municipality of Catazajá, which borders Palenque, a current focus. (@ramirezlalo_/X)

Chiapas Governor Eduardo Ramírez said on social media on Saturday that in addition to the discovery of 15 bodies in the Frailesca region, of which La Concordia is part, four people were arrested and weapons, vehicles and drugs were seized during a state government security operation.

“We will continue with the operation. … We’re reestablishing tranquility and social peace in the region. We won’t take a backward step!” he wrote.

The two bodies discovered in Palenque were in two clandestine graves in the locality of Nueva Esperanza.

All 17 bodies found in Chiapas were taken to morgues to undergo testing aimed at determining the identities of the deceased, the cause of their deaths and how long they have been dead.

Authorities in southern Mexico are continuing to search for clandestine graves in Chiapas, with the municipality of Catazajá, which borders Palenque, a current focus.

Llaven said that authorities are searching for people who have been forcibly abducted or “disappeared.”

He said that the Chiapas Attorney General’s Office had received 124 reports of cases of enforced disappearance this year but acknowledged that many cases go unreported due to families’ fear of reprisal.

The discovery of the 17 bodies in La Concordia and Palenque came after human remains were found earlier this month in Emiliano Zapata, a municipality near Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas. Authorities have not yet determined how many people the charred remains belonged to. They were specifically searching for seven people who were abducted in November, among whom was a 12-year-old boy.

‘Possibly human’ remains found in municipality that borders US

The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office (FGE) said last Thursday that “bone remains” of 12 “indeterminate skeletons” had been found in 11 clandestine graves in the municipality of Ascensión, which borders New Mexico.

The discovery of the remains occurred during search operations carried out on Dec. 18, 19 and 20, the FGE said in a statement.

Maps location of Ascensión, Chihuahua
Skeletal remains were also discovered in Ascensión, a town near the border with New Mexico. (Google)

The exhumation of the “possibly human” remains was carried out by forensic anthropologists and other experts, the Attorney General’s Office said. The experts collected spent cartridge cases from the graves, the FGE said.

“The indeterminate skeletons and evidence found were transported to the laboratories of the Forensic Medical Service in Ciudad Juárez for analysis and investigations to determine identities and the cause and time of death,” the FGE said.

The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office has not yet announced the results of the testing.

Chihuahua, which borders both New Mexico and Texas, is one of Mexico’s most violent states.

With more than 1,800 homicides between January and November, the northern state ranked fourth among the country’s 32 federal entities for total murders in the first 11 months of 2024.

With reports from El Universal and EFE 

Try this classic Ambrosia Salad… but make it Mexican!

By
Deborah McCoy
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Mexican Ambrosia salad
Once considered a luxury in the United States, the Ambrosia Salad is back... and now 100% more Mexican thanks to the ingenuity of Deb McCoy. (Canva)

When you think food and the holidays, you think rich and heavy especially when it comes to desserts. But what about a dessert that’s equally rich and pleasing to the palate but a little lighter? The perfect accompaniment to a New Year’s celebration, or a fab cocktail party. That’s where our Mexican Ambrosia Salad enters the picture.

It’s not really a salad but instead a delightful concoction of fruits, nuts, coconut, cream and marshmallows, a very simple recipe from humble beginnings that has evolved over the past centuries in the U.S. to something more complex. But when it first came into being it was a very different concept. 

A classic (non Mexican) ambrosia salad
A classic ambrosia salad, once a luxurious treat for American households. (Allrecipes)

The term “ambrosia” derives from Greek and Roman mythology, where it was considered food for the gods, granting immortality to those lucky enough to consume it. In the U.S., the earliest documented ambrosia recipe is found in the 1867 cookbook, “Dixie Cookery.” It consisted of two ingredients: oranges sweetened with sugar, layered with coconut — and it was a luxury! 

Once again, Mexico influenced this recipe since coconut wasn’t introduced to American kitchens until trade routes were established during Spanish colonial rule. But by the 1930s, Ambrosia Salad was a traditional Southern holiday dish, especially for Easter and Christmas. 

The current American version utilizes canned fruits, sweetened coconut, mini-marshmallows, sour cream and Cool Whip. Heaven forbid to all but the mandarin oranges and marshmallows! And that’s the reason we’re going to make this Mexican, with wonderful fresh fruits of all kinds, and crema, nuts and unsweetened coconut! 

This is the perfect holiday dessert to serve alongside pumpkin or pecan pie or trifle. It is refreshing, rich and maybe, just a little lighter on the calories! 

Mexican Ambrosia Salad:

Mexican ambrosia salad
Serves eight. (Canva)

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (11 oz.) (311 g) mandarin oranges, drained well. (mandarinas)
  • 15 oz. (425 g) mixed, fresh fruits: strawberries (fresas), mangos (mangos), papaya 
    • (papaya), cut into bite-size pieces. 
  • 1 Cup (151 g) grapes, halved. (uvas)
  • 1 Cup (165 g) fresh pineapple, cut into bite-size pieces. (piña)
  • 1 – 2 sliced, fresh bananas. (plátanos)
  • OPTIONAL: Add 1 apple (manzana) and 1 kiwi (kiwi) for added flavor, cut into bite-size 
    • pieces. 

Also:

  • 2 Cups (250 g) mini-marshmallows. (mini-malaviscos)
  • ½ Cup (85 g) unsweetened, shredded coconut. (coco rallado sin azúcar)
  • OPTIONAL: Chopped pecans (nueces pecanas) or walnuts (nueces) to taste, for crunch. 
    • Fold nuts into salad before serving to avoid them getting soggy. 

Dressing:

  • ½ Cup (120 g) whipping cream. (crema para batir)
  • 1 Cup (230 g) crema. (crema)
  • ½ Cup (153 g) sweetened condensed milk. (leche condensada azucarada)
  • 1 tsp. (4.2 g) vanilla extract. (extracto de vainilla)
    • Mexican brands noted for their intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla. 

Instructions:

  1. Drain mandarin oranges thoroughly.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine crema, whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and blended. 
  3. In a large bowl, add fruits, mini-marshmallows, and shredded coconut.  
  4. Gently fold in the cream mixture until fruits, etc. are evenly coated. 
  5.  Refrigerate for a least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to blend. Refrigerate overnight for best results
  6. Fold in nuts (to taste) before serving, if desired. 

Disfruta!

Deborah McCoy is the one-time author of mainstream, bridal-reference books who has turned her attention to food, particularly sweets, desserts and fruits. She is the founder of CakeChatter™ on FaceBook and X (Twitter), and the author of four baking books for “Dough Punchers” via CakeChatter (available @amazon.com). She is also the president of The American Academy of Wedding Professionals™ (aa-wp.com).

 

National Geographic’s top rated Riviera Maya underground walk

By
Bel Woodhouse
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2
The Aktun Chen cave system is around 5 million years old
Echoing spirits and an astonishing dinosaur-era underground system can be found in Aktun Chen, an unmissable cave walk in the Riviera Maya. (Bel Woodhouse)

As you probably all know by now I’m a huge nature lover — above and below the ground. Whether zip-lining through treetops or spelunking in a five million year old cave system, I’m happy. And spelunking is a special kind of happiness for me. So, when I found out that  Aktun Chen Eco Park had one of the world’s top underground walks, my friend and I were on the next ferry, ready for an adventure at the private park near Akumal, 40 minutes south of Playa del Carmen.

Now if you’ve never been spelunking before, it’s just dawdling around exploring caves. I’ve been spelunking all over the world. So far, my favorites were bat caves in Cambodia and Slovenia’s huge Škocjan Caves Park. But this one, at Aktun Chen right here in the Riviera Maya, tops my list! National Geographic has listed it as #3 on their Top Underground Walks of the World.

Cave systems in the Yucatán Peninsula can be as old as 5 million years old.
Bel (right) excited and ready to explore this sprawling cave system. (Bel Woodhouse)

A living museum

I love the tranquil peace of a cave system — especially one this old. Five million years is a long time, but not that long in the evolution of this planet. Whatever created this system, I’m thankful to experience it. Exploring the creamish-white caves is stunning. The ancient stalactites formed over thousands of years are amazing. The sparkle of the gemstones and mineral deposits in the stalactites is breathtaking. It’s a beautiful world rarely seen, which, to my eyes, makes it a little bit of magic here on Earth.

Plus, my inner child likes to pretend I’m in a Lord of the Rings movie on an epic quest, slowly moving deeper into the earth, listening to underground rivers and seeing a whole new world as your eyes adjust to the low light. But we didn’t need to on this walk.

Ancient stalactites formed over thousands of years
Ancient stalactites hanging from the ceiling formed over millions of years, a testament to the age of the caves. (Bel Woodhouse)

The walk inside Aktun Chen, the cave system in the Riviera Maya

The caves aren’t that deep. A few meters under the surface, it’s well-lit and well-ventilated as you follow the guide. An easy 650-yard (0.36 mile, or 594 meters) walk. There are plenty of stops along the way as they explain about the cave system and its formation.

Geeking out on geological formations is a given in such an amazing place. Formations that fascinated me. Stalactites hang from the cave roof. Stalagmites grow from the ground up and the columns form as they grow large enough to meet. This takes thousands of years, forming from mineral deposits left from water dripping down. Occasionally, thick braids of tree roots hang from the ceiling, creating a living column through the cavern before disappearing into the earth again. The natural structure supports huge trees above, in the lush jungle. These caves support all sorts of life.

Life in the cave

An underground river connects the entire cave system in Aktun Chen
The cave feels ancient — and maybe even supernatural. (Bel Woodhouse)

In ancient times people lived in caves, using them for shelter. This makes them historically and geologically interesting, as well as geologically interesting. But the thing that I loved was the local legends. 

Echos are natural in any confined space like a cave. But in certain places, the acoustics make it sound like other people are there. So, the Maya used to think there were spirits and revered the caves. Now, I didn’t hear any spirits, but I would like to go back and try to. Our tour group was chatty, removing any spookiness that may be heard on a quiet day. I’d love a chance to talk with the spirits to see if they answer back. Imagine if they did?

Okay, I just gave myself goosebumps so let’s move on. I want to share my favorite part of the cave.

The underground river

Stalactites hanging from the ceiling in the Aktun Chen cave system.
In the depths of Aktun Chen, you can see the reflection of the stalactites hanging from the ceiling in the clear waters.  (Bel Woodhouse)

Some moments in life concrete into treasured lifelong memories. For me, standing on the boardwalk crossing the underground river is one of them. Honestly, it is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I have ever seen.

So much so, that I didn’t want to leave. My tour group moved on yet I remained to enjoy a moment of peace in the tranquility of the cavern. Pure, crystal clear water showed every underwater formation below my feet. Above, hung the honey and pale mustard of the stalactites, mixed with dusky pinks and pure whites of other formations. I could have spent hours in there marveling at the pristine beauty.

This area was my favorite. It’s easy to see why National Geographic has named it one of the top underground walks in the world. And it will remain that way. There is no swimming in the river so it remains protected. And you know what? Knowing that makes my nature-loving heart smile.

Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon. 

What’s new in the Bay of Banderas in 2025

By
Meagan Drillinger
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1
Jake Knapp at the PGA Vedanta Tour in Puerto Vallarta, which will return in 2025.
From Pro golf to stunning new hotels and airports, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area is set for a huge 2025. (PGA Tour)

Puerto Vallarta is the perennial darling of sunseekers, nature lovers and the margarita aficionado. But if you think you’ve seen all this slice of paradise has to offer, think again. 2025 is shaping up to be a year of new additions to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, giving even the most veteran traveler new reasons to visit. Here’s what’s on tap for the Bay of Banderas area, from Puerto Vallarta up to Riviera Nayarit, as we head into the new year.

The Hotel scene

UNICO 20°87°, Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s UNICO 20°87° has set the new standard for what all-inclusive trips to the Bay of Banderas should be. (All Inclusive Outlet)

When UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya opened in 2017 it turned the all-inclusive, adults-only resort model on its head. It was one of the first resorts to open in Mexico under the luxury all-inclusive concept. Now the brand is making its debut on Mexico’s Pacific coast. In 2025, sister resort UNICO 20°105° Puerto Vallarta will make its debut in Nuevo Nayarit. With Bay of Banderas and Sierra Madre views, this Pacific adults-only retreat promises to deliver the same service and contemporary design that made its Riviera Maya counterpart a success. Expect a rooftop pool touted as the best in town, gourmet restaurants and curated experiences that dive into Vallarta’s culture.

Over in Riviera Nayarit, Milaroca is preparing to open in April as an eco-friendly five-star resort. Spread across 105 acres of beachfront and jungle, the property promises farm-to-table dining, immersive activities like cooking classes and archaeological tours and sustainable design elements like low-density construction, natural cross-ventilation and energy-efficient lighting. 

April 2025 will also bring the debut of Breathless Puerto Vallarta. This adults-only all-inclusive resort will have 450 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, five bars and four pools and will be 10 minutes from the airport.

Meanwhile, Rosewood Mandarina, part of the same development complex that includes the One&Only Mandarina, will be a playground of panoramic views, luxury villas and three extremely photogenic pools. Opening in April, it’s perched between the Sierra del Vallejo mountains and a mile-long stretch of beach. 

One&Only Mandarina, projected to arrive in Puerto Vallarta 2025.
The new Puerto Vallarta offering from One&Only looks set to continue the high standards guests have come to expect from the chain. (One&Only Mandarina)

For those drawn to Sayulita’s bohemian vibes, the debut of Zen Sayulita by Melia will bring a new style of resort to this surfer town. Think 125 rooms, villas, a rooftop bar, a beach club and a spa. Alongside Zel Sayulita, Meliá Hotels International will also open a ME by Melia in Sayulita. Located along the beach, the new resort will boast 125 rooms and villas, as well as three restaurants, a spa, pool, gym and rooftop bar with a separate pool. 

Don’t sleep on Tryst Puerto Vallarta, which quietly opened in the Fall of 2024. Already making waves for its inclusive vibe, stylish design and beachfront access, it’s a newbie to consider when visiting town.

Getting there just got easier

Puerto Vallarta’s infamously inundated international airport welcomes more than six million passengers each year and has been working on expanding in order to accommodate the increasing number of annual visitors. Its long-anticipated Terminal 2 is officially slated to open in 2025. The LEED-certified terminal will, according to the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, be the first Net-Zero-certified terminal in Latin America, and the two-story building will increase airport capacity by 125 percent.

Tepic’s airport, now rebranded the Riviera Nayarit International Airport, has received a significant US $250 million upgrade. The expansion includes a new terminal, more than 33,000 square feet of retail and dining, a runway extension and a new car rental center. The airport is expected to receive international flights beginning in 2025.

Riviera Nayarit airport, Tepic
The new Riviera Nayarit International Airport in Tepic is projeted to start receiving international flights in early 2025, connecting Punta Mita and Sayulita with more visitors from across the world. (Soy de Tepic/X)

The coming year is also set  to bring expanded air connectivity that will make hopping over a breeze. Sunwing Airlines has launched a weekly service from Bagotville, Quebec, catering to the snowbirds escaping Canada’s icy grip. Alaska Airlines isn’t playing around either, with new weekly flights from Sacramento, Kansas City and St. Louis starting in January, plus four weekly flights from New York. Not to be outdone, Southwest Airlines joins the mix with weekly Sacramento flights kicking off in March.

And let’s not forget the game-changing highway that now connects Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. A quick jaunt through Jalisco’s tequila-soaked countryside allows travelers to pair PV beaches with Guadalajara’s historic streets. 

The events

Whale watching – December to March

A gray whale surfaces near a boat in the waters off Mulegé, Baja California Sur
Like much of the Pacific coast, the Bay of Banderas plays host to scores of young whales throughout the winter period. (Adolfo Vladimir/Cuartoscuro)

From December to March, the Bay of Banderas becomes a nursery for humpback whales. Tour operators like Ecotours Vallarta and Vallarta Adventures lead excursions that feature hydrophones so you can hear the whales’ melodic songs — a true bucket-list experience. 

Mexico Open at Vidanta – Feb. 17-23

Golf enthusiasts, this one’s for you. The PGA Tour returns to Vidanta Vallarta. Beyond the greens, the Par Tee Deck offers food, VIP lounges, and merchandise for fans.

Puerto Vallarta Marathon – April 6

Puerto Vallarta Marathon
The annual Puerto Vallarta marathon is back and bigger than ever in 2025. (Vallarta Nayarit Blog)

Runners return for the revamped Puerto Vallarta Marathon, with distances ranging from a 5K to a Boston Marathon-qualifying 42K.

Vallarta Pride – May 17-25

Puerto Vallarta has long been a top LGBTQ+ destination, and 2025’s Vallarta Pride promises to outdo itself. The theme, “Revolution: The Future Has No Gender,” underscores the event’s commitment to inclusivity. Expect parades, beach parties, art exhibitions and more. 

Why Puerto Vallarta in 2025

For those who think they’ve “been there, done that,” 2025 proves there are always new reasons to come back to Puerto Vallarta, from new hotels to the spectacles of nature and parties and events year-round.

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

The best Mexican TV shows of 2024 and where to watch them

By
Carolina Alvarado
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0
Los Azules, an Apple TV+ series, one of the best Mexican shows of 2024
2024 was a great year for Mexican TV. Here are some of the best shows and where to stream them. (Apple TV+)

Every year seems to bring an avalanche of new shows to the small screen, and it is simply impossible to keep up with the volume of new releases. To help you work out what’s worth your time and what isn’t, we’ve selected the best Mexican shows released in 2024.

From medical dramas and crime thrillers to contemporary adventures and historical melodramas, it’s been an exceptionally interesting year for Mexican television. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are the best Mexican shows of 2024 and where to watch them.

Como Agua para Chocolate  | Max

Como Agua Para Chocolate | Trailer Oficial | Max

Adapted from the 1989 novel of the same name written by Laura Esquivel, the miniseries tells the story of Tita de la Garza and her forbidden romance with Pedro Múzquiz, her childhood sweetheart. Unfortunately, although the young lovers dream of making a life together, Tita’s destiny is doomed by an overbearing family tradition, which requires her to remain single to care for her mother until she passes away. As in the novel, Max’s reinterpretation is a story of love and rebellion, of duty and destiny, and of social tensions in the times of the Mexican Revolution. 

Emotionally rooted, visually dazzling and worthy of the legacy of the original, “Como Agua para Chocolate” has been renewed for a second and final season. 

Bandidos | Netflix

Bandidos | Official Trailer | Netflix

Who doesn’t like an action-adventure series about a high stakes search for a legendary treasure?

With seven exciting episodes, “Bandidos” follows a daring and thrilling archeological adventure in the Mexican Caribbean and a thrilling underwater heist. Directed by Adrián Grünberg and Javier Ruiz Caldera, it tells the story of Miguel, Lilí and an eclectic crew of bounty hunters who risk everything to recover a priceless Mayan relic lost in the Gulf of Mexico. 

After its premiere in March, it became one of Netflix’s most watched Latin American series and secured a Top 10 spot in more than 65 countries. Luckily, the second season is on its way.

Las Azules | Apple TV+  

Las Azules — Tráiler oficial | Apple TV+

Crime thriller fans: This one’s for you. 

The plot is loosely inspired by true events and set in conservative Mexico in the early 1970s. “Las Azules” (Women in Blue) examines the founding of Mexico City’s first female police squad, and their intense fight against a serial killer dubbed the “Tlalpan Undresser.” This slick thriller tells the story of four intrepid recruits: Maria, Gabina, Angeles and Valentina, as they strive to redefine the entrenched patriarchal culture within law enforcement. 

With intricate period details, a well-crafted plot, and witty characters, Pablo Aramendi and Fernando Rovzar’s lavish series does not disappoint.

La Máquina  | Hulu

La Máquina | Official Trailer | Hulu

After sharing credits in popular films such as “Y tu mamá también” (2001), “Rudo y Cursi” (2008), and “Casa de mi padre” (2012), longtime friends Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna have reunited on screen, this time for Hulu’s first Spanish-language production, “La Máquina” (The Machine), a tribute to Mexico’s glorious boxing history. 

This vibrant miniseries follows Esteban Osuna (García Bernal), nicknamed “La Máquina”, a legendary boxer who is nearing the end of his career. His eccentric friend and agent Andy Lujan (Luna), assures him one last chance in the ring in hopes of reviving his golden days. However, almost as quickly as Esteban scores a victory that returns them to the pinnacle of boxing, both are threatened by an omnipotent criminal organization, which puts their lives and those of their loved ones, in danger. 

Accidente | Netflix

Accidente | Tráiler oficial | Netflix

After arriving on Netflix in August, “The Accident” quickly became one of the most controversial and popular Mexican series of the year. The suspenseful family drama centers on a tragic accident in which a bouncy castle causes the untimely death of three children and the harrowing disappearance of another. Naturally, the grief of the families spreads like wildfire, and everything becomes even more complicated when evidence emerges that, perhaps, it was not just an act of God. 

Created by Leonardo Padrón and directed by Gracia Querejeta and Klych López, “Accidente” is a raw and intriguing drama, even as it veers into telenovela territory. 

Familia de Medianoche | Apple TV+

Familia de medianoche — Tráiler oficial | Apple TV+

Sometimes a great documentary is just the beginning of the story. Such is the case with Apple TV+’s medical drama, “Midnight Family.” The series is inspired by Luke Lorentzen’s influential, award-winning documentary of the same name. 

Refusing to shy away from gory details, the reimagining of “Midnight Family” follows the lives and adventures of the Tamayos, a family of hardened paramedics, as they respond to emergency calls in Mexico City. Like the source material, Gibrán Portela and Julio Rojas’ television fiction harshly questions the efficacy of the Mexican capital’s healthcare system and explores the underworld of private ambulances. The ten-part series is humane, involving and hugely satisfying.

If there is any justice in this world, there will be another installment.

Any of the other best Mexican shows that we’ve missed from this year? Let us know in the comments!

Carolina Alvarado is a Venezuelan journalist and has devoted much of her career to creative writing, university teaching and social work. She has been published in Lady Science, Latina Media, Global Comment, Psiquide, Cinetopic, Get me Giddy and Reader’s Digest, among others.

 



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