Mexico's Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Tuesday to let Indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities participate in constitutional disputes for the first time as interested third parties. (SCJN)
For the first time, Mexico’s Supreme Court (SCJN) has opened a formal avenue for Indigenous peoples, communities, and Afro-Mexican communities to participate in constitutional disputes (known as controversias constitucionales) as interested third parties — a role that had previously been limited to only government bodies.
“Today is a historic day,” Chief Justice Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, who is of Mixtec Indigenous origin, said during the Tuesday ruling. “We are attending this appointment with history to see if we can correct in some way 200 years of exclusion and racism, and, among them, the judicial exclusion of Indigenous peoples and communities.”
The case originated in the Indigenous community of Crescencio Morales, in Zitácuaro, Michoacán. The community sought to participate in a constitutional dispute filed by the Zitácuaro municipal government over control of the autonomous community’s budget. (Concejo Indígena fundador de Crescencio Morales / Facebook)
With five votes in favor and four against, the SCJN recognized the participation of the Mazahua community of Crescencio Morales, in Zitácuaro, Michoacán, in two constitutional controversies brought by the municipal government, related to regulations and actions connected to a prior consultation on Indigenous self-government.
In its ruling, the SCJN concluded that the Mazahua community “must be recognized as an interested third party, in order to remove obstacles to its effective access to justice and ensure its full participation in a process whose resolution may directly affect its collective rights and interests,” Minister Arístides Guerrero García said.
An interested third party is any person or entity that has a contrary interest to that of the complainant in an amparo trial or constitutional dispute. Even though they are neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants and thus can’t initiate the trial, they can join ongoing disputes as an interested third party when a ruling by the SCJN could affect their rights or interests.
Historically, only entities, powers or governing bodies were able to act as third parties in constitutional disputes.
That doesn’t mean that Indigenous communities weren’t able to defend their rights. They could, through other means. What the new ruling established is the opportunity to join a constitutional controversy promoted by an authority, meaning they can consult the file, submit arguments, and defend their rights.
The court cited articles 2 and 17 of the Mexican Constitution as the basis for the new ruling.
Article 2, reformed in 2024, recognizes Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples and communities as subjects of public law, with their own legal personality and assets. Together with the right of access to justice under Article 17 of the Constitution, the SCJN ruled that those groups have a procedural voice if the outcome of the constitutional controversy affects their legal sphere.
Three ministers voted against the ruling, arguing that granting a recognition that is not explicitly provided for in the Constitution, “directly implies an overreach of powers” and amounts to legislating.
“This decision breaks the separation of powers,” Minister Espinosa Betanzo said.
Meanwhile, Minister Ríos González, who also voted against the ruling, added that the votes against the ruling do not imply a stance contrary to the rights of Indigenous peoples.
The commitment by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to develop and store solar-generated power in Campeche marks another advance toward meeting the Sheinbaum administration's goal of converting 38% to 45% of Mexico's energy supply to clean energy by 2030. (CIP)
Danish investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has announced it will invest approximately US $510 million into a priority clean-energy project in the state of Campeche.
The new La Esperanza Solar project — financial close was reached on Aug. 6 — is an energy storage-plus-solar PV (photovoltaic) project that CIP described as a 420MW (megawatt) solar PV and 150MW/750MWh (megawatt-hour) battery energy storage system project.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has been expanding its renewables portfolio in Latin America and considers the new Campeche project to be a “significant milestone” in that endeavor. (CIP / via LinkedIn)
The project — which CIP calls “a significant milestone in its growing renewables portfolio in Latin America” — is being financed via debt facilities provided by BNP Paribas, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Natixis CIB, Santander and Scotiabank. Mexico’s retirement fund administrator, Profuturo, is expected to be a co-investor.
Developed in collaboration with the Energy Ministry and relevant authorities, La Esperanza Solar aims to shore up the National Electricity System through long-term strategic energy infrastructure investment, as part of the government’s renewable energy plan.
Four days after financial close, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) agreed to purchase energy from La Esperanza Solar via a long-term power purchase agreement with CFE Calificados.
CFE Calificados is a CFE subsidiary specializing in providing qualified supply of electrical energy to large consumers and industries in Mexico. Qualified supply refers to vendors whose services have been verified and approved.
“A contract of this nature provides certainty regarding demand, and certainty is crucial for investments of this magnitude to be able to secure financing and construction,” CFE said in a statement.
The combination of PV solar generation and energy storage is particularly relevant, since electricity production depends on the availability of solar resources.
This capacity allows for more flexible management of the energy produced by the plant and contributes to the electricity supply in the Yucatán Peninsula, a region plagued by blackouts in recent years while energy demand continues to rise.
The La Esperanza Solar project also reflects the role of CFE Calificados within the national electricity system. It acts as a marketer that, with the support of the Federal Electricity Commission, contributes to strengthening the transition and national energy sovereignty, explained the state-owned company.
This agreement is part of CFE Calificados’ strategy to strengthen and diversify its portfolio with different generation technologies and to support its customers in the transition to cleaner energy sources.
As part of its adherence to President Claudia Sheinbaum’s clean energy directive, CFE Calificados has signed hedging contracts for renewable energy projects. With these options, large consumers can support their operations with renewable energy and have greater certainty of supply.
Shortly after taking office in October 2024, Sheinbaum declared her government would pursue a target of 38%-45% clean energy by 2030.
A fish vendor at Mexico City's Nueva Viga market. Mexico's informal employment rate topped 56% in July, the highest level since December 2021. (Graciela López Herrera / Cuartoscuro.com)
Mexico added almost 1.1 million informal sector jobs in July but lost more than 400,000 formal sector positions, according to data published by the national statistics agency INEGI on Thursday.
Mexico’s informality rate — the percentage of the total Mexican workforce employed in the informal sector — thus rose from 55% in June to 56.2% in July, the highest level since December 2021.
INEGI’s data shows that the number of people in informal sector jobs rose by just over 1.08 million in July to reach 34.1 million.
Meanwhile, the number of people in formal sector jobs — i.e. workers with employment benefits such as paid vacations and IMSS health insurance — declined 412,889 in July. Around 26.6 million workers, or 43.8% of the Mexican workforce, are employed in the formal sector.
The increase in informal sector jobs in July and the decline in formal ones left Mexico with a net gain of 670,991 positions last month, the best result this year. The net gain in jobs came after two months of declines, but the fact that the growth was due to a surge in informal employment is cause for concern.
The high level of informality in Mexico has “a direct cost on potential economic growth,” Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Banco Base, wrote on X on Thursday. She noted that 2024 data from INEGI showed that Mexico’s vast informal sector generated just 25.38% of Mexico’s GDP even though it employed — and continues to employ — more than half of all workers.
La tasa de informalidad en México se ubicó en 56.20% en julio y promedia 55.16% en lo que va de 2026, por arriba
del 54.87% de 2025 y del 54.27% de 2024.
Esta precarización tiene un costo directo sobre el crecimiento económico potencial.
Mexico has lost more than 775,000 formal sector jobs this year
INEGI data shows that Mexico added a total of 377,764 jobs in the first seven months of 2026.
The overall job growth is the product of the addition of 1.15 million informal sector jobs and the loss of 776,501 formal sector positions.
Siller said that the INEGI data is indicative of an ongoing deterioration of Mexico’s formal sector labor market. That deterioration is “one of the factors keeping the country in an economic stagnation trap,” she wrote in a Banco Base analysis.
INEGI reported on Thursday that a total of 60.75 million people were employed in Mexico in July, while 1.81 million people were classified as unemployed. Mexico’s unemployment rate in July was 2.9%, an increase of 0.1 points compared to the same month of 2025. The unemployment rate was 3.1% for women and 2.9% for men.
Of the 60.75 million people in jobs in July, around 63% were employed in the tertiary or services sector while about 25% worked in the secondary sector, which includes the manufacturing, construction, mining and electricity industries. Most of the remaining workers — about 10.6% — were employed in Mexico’s primary sector, which includes agriculture and fishing, among other activities.
The secondary sector added 504,390 jobs in the 12 months to the end of July, while the primary and tertiary sectors lost 279,339 jobs and 208,494 jobs, respectively. The net result was a loss of 45,352 jobs in Mexico in the 12 months to July 31.
The growth of the secondary sector workforce was primarily due to the addition of more than 522,000 construction jobs in the 12 months to the end of July. The manufacturing industry lost just over 61,000 jobs in the period, while the mining and electricity sectors added almost 43,000 positions.
INEGI also reported that 6.7% of Mexico’s 60.75 million workers were underemployed in July, meaning they weren’t working as many hours as they wanted. That figure was down 0.6 points compared to July 2025.
Most workers in Mexico earn between one and two times the minimum wage, meaning they take home 315-630 pesos (US $18.50-$37) per day.
INEGI reported that 27.88 million workers —45.9% of the workforce — earned “up to a minimum wage” in July. Just over 19.4 million workers earned more than one but no more than two minimum wages. That number equates to 32% of the Mexican workforce.
Less than 1% of Mexican workers earned more than 5 minimum wages (1,575 pesos or US $93 per day) in July, according to INEGI, while 5.7% made 2-3 minimum wages and 2.4% earned 3-5 minimum wages.
Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco met with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. (Marco Rubio / X)
Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Velasco and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held their first face-to-face meeting in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, amid tensions in Mexico-U.S. relations.
Both officials commented on the meeting in social media posts, though a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter revealed a tougher private ask.
Velasco, who succeeded Juan Ramón de la Fuente as foreign minister in April, wrote on X that he and Rubio “reviewed security progress” and Mexico and the United States’ “joint work against drugs and arms trafficking and against transnational organized crime.”
He asserted that the bilateral “security cooperation scheme” has “yielded the best results in the region.”
Velasco said that he and Rubio also spoke about “respect for the human rights of Mexican migrants in the United States.”
Me reuní hoy en Washington, D. C., con el secretario de Estado @SecRubio. Revisamos los avances en materia de seguridad: el trabajo conjunto contra el tráfico de drogas y armas y contra la delincuencia organizada transnacional. Es el esquema de cooperación en seguridad que ha… pic.twitter.com/6niYVJY0md
“I reiterated that our work with the United States is based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, shared responsibility, mutual trust and collaboration without subordination,” he wrote on X.
Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States Roberto Lazzeri and various other Mexican officials accompanied Velasco during his meeting with the U.S. secretary of state.
Rubio offered a briefer summary of Wednesday’s meeting, writing on X that he met with Velasco to “discuss decisive actions to end illegal immigration, halt fentanyl trafficking, and dismantle Foreign Terrorist Organizations and cartels.”
Bloomberg News spoke with anonymous sources who offered additional insight into the meeting between Velasco and Rubio.
Citing “people familiar with the matter,” the news agency reported on Thursday that the U.S. secretary of state told his Mexican counterpart that the Trump administration wants the Mexican government “to do more to stop undocumented migrants from crossing the U.S. border” given the recent spike in migrant apprehensions.
“… The push is led by Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser, and the main U.S. demand is that Mexico stop its own citizens from crossing the border,” Bloomberg reported, once again citing its anonymous sources.
“That presents a constitutional and legal complication for [President] Sheinbaum’s government because Mexican nationals are free to travel within their own country, including from the poorer southern states where many migrants originate to northern Mexico and the U.S. border region,” Bloomberg wrote.
Meeting takes place against a backdrop of bilateral tension
The meeting between Velasco and Rubio took place at a time when Mexico-U.S. relations are strained for a variety of reasons.
The deaths of 17 Mexicans in detention centers operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or during ICE operations.
In a major speech on May 31, Sheinbaum railed against what she framed as U.S. interference in Mexican affairs, but nevertheless vowed to continue security collaboration with the Trump administration.
She has maintained a respectful relationship with Trump, even though the U.S. president has claimed she is “scared” of Mexican cartels and publicly mocked and mimicked her way of speaking.
The lunar eclipse tonight (Thursday, August 27 in Mexico) ) won't be total, but very close to it (96%) and will be visible across most of Mexico starting at 8:33 p.m. CST. (NASA)
Mexico’s moon will lose much of its glimmer Thursday night as Earth’s shadow covers nearly all of it in a deep partial lunar eclipse.
The eclipse — which will darken 96.3% of the moon’s disk at its maximum — will be visible across much of Mexico, with clear skies being the deciding factor.
A map from NASA shows the timing of the phases of the lunar eclipse based on moonrise times across the globe. It uses UTC time as the base, which is five hours ahead of Central Standard Time, so that 1:24 a.m. means 8:24 p.m. in Mexico City. And because that’s after midnight, the date given is August 28, though in Mexico City it’s still Thursday, August 27. (NASA)
Its partial phase will begin tonight (Thursday) at 8:33 p.m. Mexico City time, reaching its maximum at 10:13 p.m. and ending at 11:52 p.m., according to NASA. The subtler penumbral phase will begin at 7:23 p.m. and continue until after midnight.
At maximum, only a thin, bright edge of the moon should remain outside the umbra, Earth’s darkest shadow.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the sun and moon, with sunlight filtered and bent through Earth’s atmosphere reaching the moon. Blue wavelengths scatter more readily, while red and orange tones reach and reflect from the moon, giving it a dim, coppery or reddish appearance.
Because tonight’s event is extremely close to being a total eclipse, Mexican news outlets are calling it a “luna de sangre,” or “blood moon.” The popular term describes the red appearance of a fully eclipsed moon, although it is often used loosely for deep partial eclipses.
While tonight’s spectacle is notable, it is not exceptionally rare.
Eclipses covering at least 85% of the moon’s diameter — which includes total eclipses as well as deep partial eclipses — occur somewhere in the world every two-and-a-half to three years.
In recent years, Mexico has seen total lunar eclipses in January 2019.March 2025 and March 2026 — and ordinary partial eclipses are even more frequent.
Mexico’s last major solar eclipse occurred in April 2024 and drew many international visitors, especially in the eclipse’s arc across parts of Sinaloa, Durango and Coahuila. With the moon positioned directly in front of the sun, there was nearly total darkness in those areas before the eclipse continued through the United States and Canada.
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye; no special glasses are needed. Binoculars or a telescope can sharpen the view of Earth’s shadow crossing lunar craters and other features.
Expert eclipse-watching guidance in Mexico City
Mexico City residents can attend a free pre-eclipse program at the capital’s 300 PILARES community centers, where science educators will offer guidance to people who bring their own telescopes, plus other eclipse activities.
A la Luz de la Luna (By the Light of the Moon) will run from 5 to 8 p.m., ending about half an hour before the partial phase begins and more than two hours before the greatest eclipse.
Advance registration is requested via the PILARES page, where you can also locate the community center near you. PILARES says telescopes will be available for people who don’t bring their own.
Among the big cats captured and held by the fuel smugglers were Bengal tigers, including the one seen here, African lions, jaguars and an ocelot. (FGR)
Raids on five properties in the northeastern border state of Tamaulipas resulted in the seizure of 68,000 liters of diesel fuel, several firearms, tactical communications equipment and 135 exotic animals.
The operation — carried out by the Navy, with assistance from the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Security Ministry and state authorities — was a follow-up to ongoing investigations related to huachicoleo (the illegal practice of stealing, smuggling and selling fuel).
The raids resulted in the seizure of 68,000 liters of stolen fuel, 135 illegally captured animals and at least one entire ranch full of fuel-processing tools and equipment — but only one suspect. (FGR)
“Our investigations continue to dismantle this network and affect its logistical and financial capabilities,” Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the Navy Ministry said that in addition to securing five properties, including a storage center, an illegal gas station, a house, a workshop and a ranch, one individual was arrested. The officials also seized an undisclosed number of tanker trucks and “fuel-handling equipment.”
Among the exotic animals impounded by the authorities — all at a single ranch — were at least 35 listed as endangered under Mexican law (21 spider monkeys, three jaguars, an ocelot, a green macaw, an American bison, bighorn sheep, a green iguana and an Aztec parrot).
Also found were Bengal tigers, a mandrill, a lemur, African lions, hyenas and sulcata tortoises, all of which are subject to special protection under international animal trade laws.
These spider monkeys were among the animals found, along with a green macaw, an American bison, bighorn sheep, a green iguana and an Aztec parrot, among others. (FGR)
All the animals were placed at the disposal of the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection for evaluation, safekeeping and specialized handling.
In addition to the diesel fuel, the raid netted a tractor-trailer, tanker trucks and other equipment.
The properties — located in the municipalities of Altamira and Tampico — have been sealed and were placed under the custody of the proper authorities. The suspect was turned over to the FGR for processing.
The Security Ministry said the investigation will seek to determine the origin of the fuel and the animals, as well as to establish potential liability and locate other members of the network under investigation.
It also emphasized that the operation aims to contribute to the protection and preservation of wildlife in Mexico.
A large part of protesters’ anger over gentrification was — and is — due to recent increases in rents for residential properties in certain parts of Mexico City.
With that in mind, this “Mexico in Numbers” article looks at how much it costs, on average, to rent a two-bedroom apartment in different parts of the capital, and how much rents increased in the 12 months to the end of June.
* The average monthly rents referred to in this article were calculated in June 2026 by Inmuebles 24, a real estate listing website. The El Economista newspaper and the news outlet Expansíon recently published the results of the Inmuebles24 Mexico City Index. The US dollar prices included in this article were calculated using the Bank of Mexico’s closing USD:MXN rate on Wednesday, Aug. 26, which was 16.96.
What’s the average rent across CDMX?
The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment across Mexico City is 21,921 pesos (US $1,292) per month, an increase of 9.6% compared to a year earlier. Mexico’s annual inflation rate in June was 3.37%.
At the end of May, the average monthly salary of a formal sector worker in Mexico was 20,419 pesos, an amount 1,502 pesos less than the average rent in the capital.
CDMX rental prices, by borough
Below we detail the average rents for a two-bedroom apartment in 10 of Mexico City’s 16 boroughs, or alcaldías as they are known in Spanish.
Cuauhtémoc
This borough — which includes the historic center of Mexico City as well as neighborhoods such as Roma, Condesa, Juárez, San Rafael and Doctores — has the highest average rents in Mexico City.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 29,149 pesos (US $1,719), an annual increase of 13.7%.
Miguel Hidalgo
This borough — which includes neighborhoods such as Polanco, Escandón, Lomas de Chapultepec, San Miguel Chapultepec and Tacubaya — has the second-highest average rents in Mexico City.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 27,786 pesos (US $1,642), an annual increase of 10.1%.
Cuajimalpa
This borough in western Mexico City has the third-highest average rents in the capital.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough — which includes part of the Santa Fe business and residential district — is, on average, 21,355 pesos (US $1,262), an annual increase of 9.9%.
Benito Juárez
This borough — which includes neighborhoods such as Del Valle, Narvarte, Nápoles and Portales — has the fourth-highest average rents in the capital.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 20,486 pesos (US $1,208), an annual increase of 6.9%.
Álvaro Obregón
This borough — within whose boundaries lies another part of Santa Fe as well as the pretty San Ángel neighborhood — has the fifth-highest average rents in the capital.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 20,016 pesos (US $1,180), an annual increase of 9.7%.
Coyoacán
This borough — which includes the picturesque Coyoacán historic center as well as the “University City” campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico — has the sixth-highest average rents in Mexico City.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 17,306 pesos (US $1,020), an annual increase of 15.5%.
Azcapotzalco
This northern borough — home to the concert venue Arena Ciudad de México — has the seventh-highest average rents in Mexico City.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 17,306 pesos (US $1,020), an annual increase of 15.5%.
Tlalpan
This southern borough — home to the Cuicuilco archeological site and the Six Flags amusement park — has the eighth-highest average rents in Mexico City.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 13,607 pesos (US $802), an annual increase of 15.5%.
Gustavo A. Madero
Mexico City’s northernmost borough — where the Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe is located — has the ninth-highest average rents in Mexico City.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the borough is, on average, 13,424 pesos (US $791), an annual increase of 8.3%.
Venustiano Carranza
This northeastern borough — home to the Mexico City International Airport — has the 10th-highest average rents in Mexico City. In other words, it has the lowest rents among the 10 Mexico City boroughs included in the Inmuebles24 Mexico City Index.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Venustiano Carranza is, on average, 13,021 pesos (US $768), an annual increase of 5.3%.
* Inmuebles24 didn’t publish data on average rents in the six other Mexico City boroughs, namely La Magdalena Contreras, Milpa Alta, Xochimilco, Iztapalapa, Tláhuac and Iztacalco.
Aerial view of Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta at night. (Credit: Alonso Reyes via Unsplash)
September can be a strange month in Puerto Vallarta. The summer crowds have thinned, the heat and humidity are still very much with us, school’s back in session so traffic picks up, and it can be tempting to spend the month hiding indoors with the air conditioning on.
But there’s still plenty happening around town, and some of it offers a chance to experience the city as something more than a tourist destination. September is a good time to slow down, explore local neighborhoods, support small businesses and take part in traditions that have little to do with beaches or resort pools.
Naturally Mazcal Weekend Market
If you’re looking for something a little more local and a little less polished, the Naturally Mazcal Weekend Market is a good place to start.
Held on Saturdays at the east end of Isla Cuale, the market brings together local makers, small producers, food vendors and wellness businesses. It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers the kind of relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere that makes it easy to browse, stop for something to eat and discover something you didn’t know existed.
You’ll find handmade products, locally produced food, natural body care items, clothing, art and other small-batch goods. The market is also a chance to meet the people behind many of the products being sold, which gives the experience a more personal feel than a typical shopping trip.
The September market is particularly appealing because it gives residents a reason to get out during what’s traditionally one of Vallarta’s quieter months. The pace is generally unhurried, and the setting near the river and Isla Cuale makes it easy to combine a visit with a walk through one of the city’s most distinctive areas.
On Sept. 15, Plaza de Armas comes alive with music, dancing, food and the anticipation of the traditional Grito de Independencia, when the mayor recalls the historic call for independence and leads the crowd in the familiar cry of “Viva México!”
Head down to Plaza de Armas on Sept. 15 for a traditional El Grito celebration. (Credit: Cortor Media via Unsplash)
The ceremony is followed by the kind of celebration that reminds you this isn’t simply another event on the calendar. It’s one of Mexico’s most important national celebrations, and the energy in the plaza reflects that. Families, residents and visitors gather together, often wearing green, white and red, while vendors fill the surrounding area with traditional food and refreshments.
The following morning, Sept. 16, brings the traditional Independence Day parade through the city. It’s crowded and noisy, and it’s gloriously Mexican. School groups, marching bands, dancers, military personnel and community organizations typically make their way through the streets as spectators line the route.
It’s the perfect way to catch a memorable glimpse into one of the country’s most important traditions.
‘Estampas de México’
On Sept. 18, the Camerata de Puerto Vallarta will present “Estampas de México,” an evening celebrating some of the country’s most recognizable musical traditions.
The concert brings together young musicians trained through the Orquesta Escuela de Puerto Vallarta, offering a program built around Mexican composers and the country’s rich musical identity.
The performance is expected to be more than a night of familiar songs and national pride. It also represents another step in the development of a local musical program that’s been working with young people in the region.
Through the Orquesta Escuela de Puerto Vallarta, young musicians are given the chance to study, rehearse and build the experience needed to continue growing as performers. “Estampas de México” reflects that effort while also placing Mexican musical traditions at the center of the program.
Orquesta Escuela de Puerto Vallarta rehearsing. (Credit: Orquesta Escuela de Puerto Vallarta via Instagram)
The concert’s setting is part of its appeal, too. Rather than taking place in a hotel or tourist venue, it will be held at the Colegio Niños Héroes auditorium in Las Gaviotas, creating a more intimate connection between the musicians and the community they represent.
It’s a reminder that Puerto Vallarta’s cultural life exists well beyond the Malecón and the city’s entertainment districts, so the program offers an opportunity to hear music associated with Mexican composers and traditions in a setting that feels both local and accessible.
Estampas de México begins at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 18. The Colegio Niños Héroes auditorium is located at Avenida Paseo del Marlin No. 89 in Las Gaviotas. Seating is limited, and tickets are available through WhatsApp at +1 (322) 241-6360.
Cuisine Without Borders: Nogada Edition
And then there’s food. Honestly, no list of things to do in Vallarta would be complete without including at least one culinary event.
Cuisine Without Borders: Nogada Edition runs through Sept. 20, bringing together Velas Vallarta, Casa Velas and Táu Beach Club for a culinary celebration inspired by chile en nogada.
The dish is one of Mexico’s most recognizable seasonal specialties. Traditionally prepared with a poblano pepper filled with a mixture of meat, fruit and spices, it’s covered with a creamy walnut sauce and finished with pomegranate seeds and parsley. The colors represent the Mexican flag, making chile en nogada especially popular around Independence Day.
Cuisine Without Borders will be serving up a fresh take on the traditional chile en nogada. (Credit: Sergio Rodríguez)
This event takes that classic dish and looks at it through an international lens, incorporating techniques and ingredients from the United States and Canada into the menus. The result is a celebration of Mexican cuisine that also reflects the international character of Puerto Vallarta.
There are special rates for locals and residents, making this worth considering even if you’re not here on vacation. It’s a chance to enjoy the city’s hospitality and dining scene from a resident’s perspective, without necessarily having to wait for visiting friends or family to arrive.
There you have it: four events, and four very different ways of experiencing Puerto Vallarta.
You can browse local products at Isla Cuale, join the crowds downtown for Mexican Independence Day, listen to young musicians perform the country’s musical traditions, or sit down to a creative interpretation of chile en nogada.
And perhaps the best thing about it all is that in September, you don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy the city. You just have to get out and be part of it.
Charlotte Smith is a writer and journalist based in Mexico. Her work focuses on travel, politics, and community. You can follow along with her travel stories at www.salsaandserendipity.com.
Sheinbaum introduced a bill to ban candidates with dual nationality from the presidency and state governerships at her Thursday morning press conference. (Presidencia)
Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds
📜 Constitutional bill targets dual nationality: Sheinbaum announced that the government would send a bill to Congress on Thursday to bar dual nationals from running for president, governor or Mexico City mayor. Presidential legal adviser Luisa María Alcalde said the current wording of the Constitution has created a legal loophole, and under the proposal, Mexican-born dual citizens would have to renounce their second nationality before registering as candidates.
🗳️ Sheinbaum weighs in on Sinaloa succession: Asked about Morena selecting Senator Imelda Castro as its Sinaloa “state coordinator” — putting her on track to be the party’s 2027 gubernatorial candidate — Sheinbaum praised Castro as a longtime “transformation” movement member who “loves Sinaloa very much.”
⚓ ‘Very solid’ case against ex-admiral: On the fuel smuggling case against former Rear Admiral Fernando Farías Laguna — extradited from Argentina last week and now ordered to stand trial — Sheinbaum said the FGR has enough evidence to show he ran a network distributing fuel smuggled into Mexico mainly from the U.S.
Why today’s mañanera matters
The presentation of a new constitutional bill and President Sheinbaum’s comments on the ruling Morena party’s selection of a state coordinator in Sinaloa were among the most important developments at today’s mañanera.
Morena’s new coordinator in Sinaloa — a federal senator who is currently on leave — will almost certainly become the party’s candidate at the state’s gubernatorial election next June. That means Imelda Castro will vie to become Morena’s second popularly elected governor of Sinaloa after Rubén Rocha Moya, who went on leave earlier this year after U.S. prosecutors accused him of drug trafficking in league with the Sinaloa Cartel. Rocha returned to the governorship for around 48 hours last weekend before leaving the job once again.
Senator Imelda Castro’s selection as Morena’s Sinaloa state coordinator puts her on track for the 2027 governorship, after U.S. drug-trafficking accusations against Rocha Moya shook up the state’s political landscape earlier this year. (Mario Jasso / Cuartoscuro.com)
Also of note at today’s mañanera were Sheinbaum’s comments about a fuel smuggling case involving a former high-ranking Navy official who is a nephew of former Navy Minister José Rafael Ojeda Durán.
Government proposes dual nationality ban for political leaders
At the start of the press conference, Sheinbaum announced that her top legal adviser, Luisa María Alcalde, would present a constitutional bill that seeks to ban presidential and gubernatorial aspirants from running for office if they hold dual nationality. She said that the bill would be sent to Congress on Thursday.
Alcalde noted that the Mexican Constitution states that to occupy the position of president or governor (including mayor of Mexico City), it is necessary to be a Mexican citizen by birth. She also noted that the Constitution states that positions for which Mexican citizenship by birth is a prerequisite are reserved for people who meet that criterion and “do not acquire another nationality.”
Alcalde said that the wording of the Constitution has created a legal loophole that has led to “interpretative misunderstandings.”
She said that the government is now proposing that the Constitution explicitly state that Mexican citizens who “already have another nationality” be precluded from holding the position of president, governor or mayor of Mexico City.
Under the government’s proposal, a Mexican by birth who is also a citizen of another country must renounce their second citizenship before registering as a candidate, Alcalde said.
Sheinbaum said that the Mexican Constitution in its current form is not clear, and highlighted that there have been governors with dual citizenship, including former Tamaulipas Governor Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca, who was born in Texas.
She said that the objective of the government’s constitutional bill is to ensure that “the interest of the nation is above any other interest.”
Presidential legal advisor Luisa María Alcalde shares the text of the constitutional bill seeking to ban presidential and gubernatorial candidates with dual nationality. (Presidencia)
Sheinbaum comments on Morena’s proposed gubernatorial candidate in Sinaloa
A reporter noted that Morena has selected Imelda Castro — a federal senator who recently took leave from that position — as its “state coordinator for the defense of the transformation” in Sinaloa, putting her in pole position to become the party’s candidate in the 2027 gubernatorial election in the northern state.
The reporter noted that Castro is known for “not being close” to Rocha Moya.
Sheinbaum acknowledged that Morena selected the senator as its coordinator in Sinaloa as she won the party’s internal poll of voters.
Castro, she said, “is a woman who has been involved in the transformation movement [i.e. Morena] for many years and loves Sinaloa very much.”
As Morena’s likely gubernatorial candidate, Castro “must be an upright, honest person who loves the people, loves her state and has a project for the state of Sinaloa,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum: FGR has a ‘very solid’ case against navy official accused of fuel smuggling
Asked what she expected in the fuel smuggling case involving former Rear Admiral Fernando Farías Laguna, Sheinbaum responded “justice.”
Sheinbaum said that the Federal Attorney General’s Office has a “very solid” case against Farías.
“There is enough information to know that this person had a network that enabled the distribution of fuel that came [into the country] as contraband, mainly from the United States,” she said.
Tipping in Mexico is complicated by many factors, including whether you're a foreign tourist, resident or Mexican national. (iStock)
As we kick off our new series, “Mexico and My Money,” we thought it made sense to begin with a topic that affects everyone here, from first-time tourists to full-time residents.
Is there a more polarizing personal finance topic for foreigners in Mexico than the question of how much to tip? I don’t think there is.
One of the complicating factors for tipping etiquette in Mexico is that the practice isn’t just confined to restaurants and cantinas. (Janet Blaser)
Before I dive in, I’d like to emphasize that there are no hard-and-fast rules for tipping in Mexico. Though some will invariably disagree, the decision of how much to tip in Mexico is subjective — a judgment call. Our recent personal finance survey findings certainly reinforced this point.
Like other tipping cultures, the appropriate amount to give depends on the quality of service you received and your economic situation. That said, this article will share current practices and local customs with respect to tipping in Mexico to help you make well-informed decisions.
How tipping culture in Mexico is evolving
If you talk to long-term foreign residents in Mexico, you gain a useful perspective on how tipping has evolved. Several decades ago, when virtually all restaurant meals in Mexico were paid in cash, customers simply rounded up their bill, adding a few pesos to their tab for service. More recently (pre-pandemic), it became common to tip 10% or 15% when paying your bill.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ground shifted further. For anyone living north of the border during those years, as I was, tipping became politicized. While a portion of society worked from home and socially distanced, frontline workers such as hospital staff, delivery drivers and restaurant waiters, to name a few, took daily risks interacting with the public.
Tipping expectations have evolved in recent years, both in the U.S. and in Mexico. (PYMNTS)
Tipping became a way to express gratitude for the risks essential workers faced. What began as an expression of solidarity evolved into higher baseline expectations.
In parallel, digital payments were becoming standard at all sorts of small businesses. Those paying with credit cards grew accustomed to digital screens prompting tips of 20%, 25% and more on their purchases, even when there was no real service.
As U.S. citizens expatriated to Mexico in droves post-pandemic and this new payment tech expanded south of the border, the pressure to tip bigger and more often here has similarly proliferated.
Tipping etiquette and why it’s complicated
How much should you tip in a Mexican restaurant? If you ask three different people, you’re likely to get three different answers.
As we saw in the recent MND financial survey, most foreigners in Mexico say they tip between 10% and 20% on their restaurant bill, with the largest share tipping 15%. At the high end, nearly 1 in 3 respondents said they generally tip 20% or more in restaurants.
(Credit: Mexico News Daily)
How does this square with what Mexicans tip? Our unscientific polling of Mexicans we know in Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City found that most typically tip 10% in restaurants, with 15% reserved for top service at fine dining establishments, where staff is highly trained and adds a lot of value.
If you’re like me and don’t live in a neighborhood popular with U.S. tourists, these practices are still widely observed.
Tipping practices vary regionally
When asked what they think of gringos who tip 20% or more in restaurants, Mexicans I spoke to expressed some frustration. Many see 20% tips as excessive and contributing to inflation in their everyday lives.
Waiters in vacation destinations like Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta have higher tip expectations than service staff in other parts of Mexico. (Los Tres Gallos)
Others state flatly that they can’t afford such extravagance on their modest wages and resent the social pressure to tip more in places that cater to foreign customers.
Still, if you happen to find yourself in Colonia Americana, Guadalajara, or touristy towns like San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta, you’ll quickly notice U.S.-style tipping has become normalized — and widely expected from foreigners.
Tread carefully if you attempt to bridge this divide. Suggest to a foreigner in Mexico that they should tip more like Mexicans do, and you risk being attacked as an exploitative cheapskate. Suggest to a global group tipping more generously, and risk being branded a gentrifier making everything more expensive.
What Mexican waiters earn in 2026
For context, it’s helpful to know what Mexican waiters typically earn. Government data show the average monthly base salary of Mexican waiters in the first quarter of 2026 was just 6,040 pesos (about US $357). An unlivable sum in most parts of the country these days, waiters rely heavily on tips to make ends meet.
While reliable data on tips is hard to verify, self-reported take-home pay for waiters in Mexico ranges from 12,000 pesos (US $710) per month in casual cantinas to 50,000 pesos (US $2,959) per month in fine dining spots and popular venues catering to wealthy Mexicans.
As anyone who has ever worked primarily for tips knows, your monthly income is inconsistent and unpredictable. Furthermore, most waiters in Mexico work informally, meaning they have no employment contracts and receive no government benefits.
Waiters in Mexico may do well on tips, depending on the type of restaurant they work in, but they don’t receive contracts or benefits. (Gobierno de Mexico)
These things are not lost on many foreigners living here, who tell me they tip generously to compensate for low Mexican wages.
Where tips are commonly expected in Mexico
While not an exhaustive list, it’s standard practice in Mexico to tip waiters, bartenders, valets, hotel cleaning staff, tour guides, Uber drivers, grocery store baggers and food delivery people.
These roles are poorly paid by employers — and in the case of grocery baggers, not paid at all.
(Credit: Mexico News Daily)
Know your rights
It’s illegal to mandate tips in a restaurant in Mexico. It’s also illegal to insist that customers tip a specific percentage of their bill. Though these practices occur regularly in tourist towns, they can be challenged.
If it happens to you, politely and firmly ask for the tip to be removed from your bill. If the restaurant refuses, be sure not to tip again when handed a credit card terminal.
Customers may also decline the suggested amounts on a credit card reader and enter a custom tip amount — or decline a tip via credit card payment, leaving cash instead.
Best practices when tipping for services in Mexico
Tipping in cash and in pesos is preferred by most waiters in Mexico. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)
Avoid tipping in a foreign currency. Converting cash in Mexico carries high commissions and is nearly impossible for a Mexican worker to do without a passport.
Tip in cash whenever possible to ensure the service provider receives your tip. Unscrupulous restaurant managers have been known to withhold servers’ tips paid electronically at the end of a shift.
Hand tips directly to the intended recipient, so that money left on an empty table isn’t stolen.
MND writer Dawn Stoner is reporting from Guadalajara.
