The Río Bravo or Rio Grande, seen here winding its way along the border with Texas, defines much of the Mexico-U.S. border. The countries also share rights to its water. (Shutterstock)
Mexico has agreed to avoid incurring new deficits in water delivery to the U.S. as part of a new commitment to adhere to the terms of the 1944 Water Treaty.
In a Tuesday social media post, the Agriculture Ministry (Sader) said the agreement “establishes a clear path in accordance with the mechanisms provided for in the Treaty and is the result of sustained technical and political work.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, USDA official portrait on Feb. 14, 2025. (USDA photo by Christophe Paul)
It said the plan was negotiated with “full respect for the sovereignty of both countries, while ensuring at all times the human right to water and food for communities in our country.”
This week’s announcement comes after President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed how to resolve long-standing challenges in the management of water in the Río Bravo basin (called Rio Grande in the U.S.) in a Jan. 29 phone call.
In recent years, Mexico has struggled to make the required water deliveries, citing drought conditions fueled by climate change and local demand, a challenge Sheinbaum reiterated during her Friday morning press briefing.
For its part, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Tuesday that the new commitment will “provide greater certainty for farmers, ranchers and producers in South Texas who rely on consistent water deliveries from the Rio Grande.”
In a joint statement with the Foreign Relations Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the National Water Commission, Sader confirmed Mexico’s willingness “to guarantee the delivery of a minimum annual amount agreed between both countries, according to the hydrological conditions of the basin and the mechanisms provided for in the Treaty.”
The agreement accounts for the supply for both human consumption and agricultural production, while also “strengthening the orderly management of water resources in the Rio Grande basin and moving towards more predictable planning and shared responsibility in the face of the effects of drought, incorporating infrastructure and long-term adaptation actions.”
In the joint statement, Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to the water treaty, describing it as “an instrument that safeguards national interests, as well as the protection of productive and agricultural activities in national territory.”
Mexico has agreed to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre‑feet of water per year to the U.S. during the current five‑year cycle and will formulate a detailed plan to fully repay all outstanding water debt accrued during the previous cycle.
Additionally, both parties will hold monthly meetings to ensure timely, consistent deliveries and prevent future deficits, the USDA statement said, adding that the U.S. State Department and other federal partners will work closely to ensure satisfactory implementation.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that in the event of future non-compliance, the U.S. reserves the right to impose trade measures, including the application of tariffs.
UPAEP students and supporters watched the satellite launch via livestream. (Courtesy)
University students in Puebla have pushed Mexico deeper into the space age with the deployment of a nanosatellite designed to watch Popocatépetl — the active volcano between Mexico City and Puebla — from orbit.
Gxiba-1, a one-unit CubeSat built by students and professors at the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla (UPAEP), was released this week from the Japanese Kibo module of the International Space Station, according to the United Nations Information Service and media reports.
Constructed last year, the satellite — associated with the larger Ixtli Mission, in which Mexico is aiming to deploy four other observation satellites in coming years — now orbits about 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth.
Its main mission is to monitor the activity of Popocatépetl, and wouldn’t you know it, during the same week as the deployment, the volcano colloquially known as “El Popo” or “Don Goyo,” has been acting up.
Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) issued a yellow phase 2 alert Friday morning, urging the public “not to approach the volcano, especially the crater, due to the danger of falling incandescent fragments.”
The agency reported that there had been 20 low-intensity plumes, formed by gas and ash emissions, in the previous 24 hours, plus one notable 158-minute sequence of continuous gas-and-ash puffs during that period.
At 5,400 meters (17,716 feet) above sea level, Popocatépetl ranks as Mexico’s second-highest peak after Pico de Orizaba.
One of Gxiba-1’s main monitoring jobs is to track ash dispersion from space using a visible-spectrum camera. The data will be shared with Cenapred to improve early warning and decision-making in potential emergency situations.
The project was selected in the sixth round of KiboCUBE, a joint program of the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
As part of the Access to Space for All initiative run by UNOOSA, university-built satellites from Kenya, Guatemala, Mauritius, Moldova, Indonesia and now Mexico have been deployed. Mexico’s satellite arrived at the International Space Station aboard an H3 rocket launched from Japan.
“Congratulations to UPAEP for this tremendous accomplishment,” UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini said in a statement. “Through such international collaboration, our work directly supports capacity development where it is needed and valued.”
UPAEP said roughly 30 to 80 students, backed by teams of professors, led the design, construction and operations, treating the mission as full-scale engineering rather than classroom exercise.
The word “Gxiba” is reportedly from the Zapotec language and means “universe” or “stars.”
UPAEP Rector (president) Emilio Baños called the mission “a very motivating milestone for Mexico” and its aerospace industry in a post on Instagram.
An hour-and-a-half video about the UPAEP nanosatellite can be seen on YouTube; the live deployment starts at the 58-minute mark, but tune in a bit earlier to catch the mounting excitement of the Mexican team.
President Sheinbaum gave her Friday morning press conference from Michoacán, sharing security data and filling in details about the arrest of the mayor of Tequila. (Saúl López / Presidencia)
President Claudia Sheinbaum held her Friday morning press conference in Morelia, capital of the state of Michoacán.
“Buenos y fríos días,” Sheinbaum said at the start of her mañanera, simultaneously greeting reporters and acknowledging the frigid start to the day.
“… We’re going to present some of the advances of Plan Michoacán,” she said, referring to the security strategy the federal government devised in response to the murder of the mayor of Uruapan on Nov. 1 and general insecurity in the state.
Almost 2,000 additional troops were deployed to Michoacán as part of the 57-billion-peso (US $3.3 billion) plan, which is based on 12 central tenets (detailed here).
Homicides decline after implementation of Plan Michoacán
Marcela Figueroa, head of the National Public Security System, presented data that showed that the average daily homicide rate in Michoacán declined from 3.48 in October to 1.97 in November, before increasing to 2.45 in December.
Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice was announced on Nov. 9 and its implementation began shortly thereafter.
National Public Security chief Marcela Figueroa shared dating showing a decline in homicides since the implementation of the Plan Michoacán. (Saúl López / Presidencia)
In percentage terms, the reduction in the daily homicide rate between October and November was 43.4%, while the decline between October and December was 29.6%.
Figueroa also presented data that showed that the daily homicide rate in Michoacán across 2025 was 3.5, a decline of almost 15% compared to the 4.1 rate in 2024.
Security Minister Omar García Harfuch reported that between Nov. 10 and Jan. 20, “within the framework of Plan Michoacán,” authorities arrested 430 people.
In the same period, he said that authorities confiscated 240 firearms, almost 17,000 cartridges, 347 vehicles, 200 explosive devices, 53 kilograms of explosive material, more than 700 kilograms of methamphetamine, 28,800 liters of chemical substances used to make meth and 15,300 kilograms of such substances.
García Harfuch highlighted that soldiers and National Guard personnel have been carrying out patrols aimed at protecting the avocado and citrus industries in Michoacán, which are common targets of extortionists.
Michoacán’s many lime and avocado orchards have often fallen prey to cartel extortion, something the Plan Michoacán aims to prevent. (Juan José Estrada Serafín/Cuartoscuro)
Sheinbaum: Plan Michoacán is not ‘temporary’
After Michoacán-focused presentations from various federal officials, Sheinbaum reminded reporters that Plan Michoacán was “designed” by the government after the “unfortunate homicide of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan.”
“We haven’t just been working in Uruapan, but in the entire state of Michoacán, in coordination with the state government,” the president said.
“And we’re going to keep working.”
Sheinbaum stressed that Plan Michoacán is not solely focused on security issues, but rather is a “comprehensive plan” to attend to the needs of residents of the state, especially young people.
The plan includes economic initiatives, infrastructure projects and investment in housing, and aims to make improvements in the quality of education and health care in Michoacán, among other objectives.
Sheinbaum stressed that the plan will continue until 2030, the year her six-year term will end.
“It’s not a temporary plan, it’s not a one-month or two-month plan, but rather permanent work,” she said.
Sheinbaum says she personally received complaints about mayor of Tequila
A day after the arrest of the mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, on extortion charges, García Harfuch said that around 60 public servants have been detained during the execution of Operación Enjambre (Operation Swarm), a security strategy aimed at combating collusion between organized crime and municipal government officials.
Sheinbaum said that investigations into municipal officials are carried out “based on complaints” received by authorities.
“For example, in the case yesterday of the arrest of the mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, the security cabinet of the government of Mexico and obviously the Federal Attorney General’s Office received a lot of complaints, … a lot of citizens’ complaints,” she said.
“… I even personally received complaints from businesspeople in the area, from citizens, who complained about the situation they were experiencing and accused the mayor,” Sheinbaum said.
In addition to Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro, three directors in the Tequila municipal government were arrested on Thursday. All of the detainees were allegedly involved in an extortion scheme that targeted businesses, including tequila makers, in Tequila, located about 60 kilometers northwest of Guadalajara.
The four suspects allegedly have links to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Sheinbaum noted that the mayor is from Morena, the party founded by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and which currently controls both houses of federal Congress.
“No political party, least of all Morena, can be a cover for crime or corruption. That must be made very clear,” she said.
Asked how Rivera was able to become Morena’s candidate for mayor in Tequila, Sheinbaum said there was no prior evidence that he had links to organized crime or that he would engage in corruption as mayor.
She said that before municipal, state and federal candidates are endorsed by Morena, the party asks the Federal Attorney General’s Offices and state Attorney General’s Offices whether those persons are under investigation for any crime.
“The response was negative in all cases, of all candidates,” Sheinbaum said.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
The iCOAST program Mexico is joinng seeks to promote sustainable tourism that strengthens local coastal communities rather than threatening them. (Sectur)
Mexico is joining the U.N.-sponsored iCOAST project to further its quest for a sustainable, inclusive tourism model with shared prosperity, particularly along the coast.
In a press bulletin, the Tourism Ministry (Sectur) said the goal is to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability in Mexico’s tourism sector, focusing on coastal destinations.
The Nayarit coast is one of the zones that will benefit from Mexico’s participation in the iCOAST program. The others are Baja California, Baja California Sur, Jalisco, Sonora and Sinaloa. (Shutterstock)
In announcing the move Thursday, Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez said these standards can be achieved through the adoption of low-carbon models, the reduction of pollution, the promotion of the circular economy and greater climate resilience, with direct benefits for communities and territories.
The idea is to make it convenient for tourists to choose sustainable options without having to compromise on quality, costs or comfort, especially in regions where biodiversity and economic activity converge.
Rodríguez said iCOAST Mexico will be part of the U.N.’s Global iCOAST program and will be managed nationally by Pronatura Noroeste, in coordination with the federal government.
“iCOAST Mexico will focus on the coastal tourist destinations of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco — regions of high environmental and tourism value that concentrate a significant portion of the sector’s economic activity, as well as the country’s marine and coastal biodiversity,” she said.
In addition to reducing pollution, the goal of the iCOAST program is to reduce the over-consumption of natural resources and reverse tourism’s role in biodiversity loss, while creating equitable livelihoods and jobs for local communities.
The Mexico Travel Channel (MCT) said Sectur’s promotion of the iCOAST project will benefit more than 877,000 people by emphasizing low-carbon tourism and reliance on a circular economy.
“The project integrates a cross-cutting approach to gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that the wealth generated by tourism is distributed equitably under the principle of shared prosperity,” MCT said.
Rodríguez said iCOAST represents “an opportunity to demonstrate that tourism growth can go hand in hand with protecting our ecosystems, generating green jobs and strengthening local economies.”
The Integrated Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Tourism (iCOAST) Program is an initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with support from a number of major global agencies. Its stated objective is to drive change in the tourism sector that incentivizes governments, the private sector and local communities to enable sustainable and community-oriented tourism by creating policies and regulations that are supported by financial mechanisms and products.
iCOAST Mexico is currently being reviewed by the GEF Secretariat. Once final authorization is granted, Sectur, the Environment Ministry and the Finance Ministry will coordinate with state governments and the private sector to establish sustainable financing and introduce clean technologies.
Two of the U.S. military aircraft that landed at an undisclosed location on the Baja California Peninusula were HH-60W search and rescue helicopters. (Lockheed)
The Defense Ministry (Sedena) on Thursday acknowledged that it had authorized overflight and emergency landings for four U.S. aircraft that landed that day in Mexican territory.
The U.S. Air Force aircraft involved in Thursday’s incident were two Hercules tanker aircraft for in-flight refueling and two HH-60W helicopters.
As in the previous incident in January, the two planes that landed Thursday are reportedly Hercules tanker aircraft, often used for in-flight refueling during search and rescue missions. (Lockhheed)
In a social media post, Sedena said it “authorized the overflight in national airspace of two Hercules tanker aircraft and two helicopters from the U.S. Air Force, which were taking part in the rescue of a patient from a vessel at sea 400 nautical miles west of [the Baja Peninsula].”
No details were provided regarding where the planes landed, how long they were within Mexican airspace or for how much time they remained on the ground.
This incident comes a little more than two weeks after the landing of a U.S. Air Force plane in Toluca, just 65 kilometers (40 miles) west of Mexico City. It was allegedly linked to training activities that had not been previously reported publicly, and generated some controversy.
At the time, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the entry of U.S. military aircraft into the country would only be authorized under “special conditions.”
In response, Sheinbaum sought to quell concerns related to the two incidents, saying that the U.S. “wasn’t conducting any military activity in national territory.”
In an official bulletin issued on Thursday, Sedena said that the authorization was granted “in accordance with the Coordination Guidelines for Authorizing Overflights in Mexican Airspace and Landing of Foreign Aircraft.”
Sedena also reaffirmed its “commitment to international cooperation to safeguard the lives of people and regional security,” while citing the principles of “reciprocity, shared and differentiated responsibility, mutual trust and respect for sovereign decisions and territories.”
Authorization for overflights and landings in Mexican airspace must strictly adhere to Federal Civil Aviation Agency regulations, which generally require obtaining permits 48 hours in advance.
The Mexico Gastronomic Guide's restaurant of the year, Tierra del Sol, serves traditional Oaxacan cuisine in the Oaxaca city. (Tierra del Sol)
A Oaxacan restaurant with a focus on Mixtec cuisine is the top restaurant in Mexico, according to the Mexico Gastronomic Guide.
This year, Restaurant of the Year went to Tierra del Sol, a restaurant serving traditional food under the direction of chef Olga Cabrera in the capital of the southern state of Oaxaca.
Chef Olga Cabrera of Tierra del Sol. (Tierra del Sol)
The 2026 Special Awards recognize outstanding chefs, cooks and industry figures for their talent, career achievements and contributions to Mexico’s culinary scene.
“This goes out to Oaxaca, to the Mixteca region, and to Mexico,” Cabrera said after receiving the award, adding that the cuisine served at Tierra del Sol is not born solely in the restaurant, but in the land and in the collective effort to care for native seeds.
When handing over the award, judges said the restaurant not only offers a culinary experience, but also upholds an ethical and cultural vision of gastronomy. They recognized that Tierra del Sol has significantly contributed to the research, promotion and education of Oaxacan gastronomy.
Tierra del Sol’s cuisine focuses on traditional Oaxacan flavors and techniques, with particular emphasis on the Mixteca region: its land, native corn, atole and other dishes linked to family and community memory.
The judges praised Cabrera’s work blending tradition and innovation, and her direct collaboration with local producers, especially women guardians of corn, cacao and other crops.
Cabrera’s restaurant also appears as a new entry in the Michelin Guide Mexico 2025, complementing the recognition from the Mexico Gastronomic Guide and strengthening its position in the national scene.
Overall, in the 12th edition of the Mexico Gastronomic Guide, 26 special awards were given out. Some of these include:
Best chef: Ángel Vázquez, founder of Intro and Augurio (Puebla)
Gastronomic phenomenon of the year: Taquería La Once Mil (Mexico City)
Not only will the Andaz Mexico City Condesa let your dogs stay, it'll also let them make a fashionable entrance. (Hyatt)
It seems that we’re living in a time where animals, predominantly dogs, are everywhere. Furry patrons can be found on various modes of transportation — from planes to trains to automobiles — as well as in restaurants, cafes and even Pilates class. A recent U.K. study found that 53% of travelers now take their pets on vacation, regardless of destination.
Travelers find Mexico to be especially welcoming to animals; nearly 70% of homes have pets. If you’re coming to Mexico City for a long weekend or something more extended, here are 10 pet-friendly hotels in the capital’s most popular neighborhoods.
Pets will make plenty of new friends in Mexico City. (Instagram)
Condesa
Walking around Condesa without a dog makes you “the weird one.” Everyone seems to be a dog owner, probably because life here revolves around walkable, tree-lined streets like Amsterdam, Álvaro Obregón and Orizaba, all peppered with pet-friendly cafés.
Parque México and Parque España sit at the heart of Condesa and are famous dog hubs, with wide paths, shade and a designated off-leash canine area known as the “zona de perros” (dog zone) and “Perrópolis.”
If the priority is living your normal daily routine — coffee, brunch, work on a laptop, long walks — without leaving your pet behind, this is one of the best zones in Mexico City to do it.
Luxuries abound for you and your furry companion at the Andaz Mexico City Condesa. (Hyatt)
Set just a few blocks from Parque México, Andaz is one of the best pet-friendly hotel options in the area, thanks to Wooftop Beer Garden & Canine Club, a dedicated social space for pups and their owners.
While your dog is busy making new friends, you can hang out with a beer and a board game. The hotel itself caters to a youthful digital nomad crowd — check out the infinity pool on the rooftop, which boasts arguably the best skyline views in town. Those on a deadline will enjoy dedicated workspaces throughout, including a cozy matcha bar with plenty of electrical outlets.
You might like it if you’re: A younger couple, a remote worker, or a friend group who want activity and easy access to Condesa’s parks and nightlife.
Hotel pet policy: Pets welcome, with a dedicated pet terrace.
The Mondrian Mexico City Condesa is as pampering for pets as it is for their owners. (Mondrian Hotels)
Adjacent to Andaz is the equally vibrant Mondrian, a contemporary hotel with an ideal location for those wanting to lean into Mexico City’s nightlife scene. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, as well as galleries and parks, couples and friend groups seeking a base for pet-friendly socializing will be especially satisfied. From here, it’s a short walk to Parque México and the Amsterdam circuit.
Alternatively, you and your canine can enjoy the capital’s mild weather at Mondrian’s outdoor restaurant, La Terraza, or head to the buzzing lobby for a glass of wine at The Flower Shop.
You might like it if you’re: A couple or friends who prioritize restaurants, bars and design.
Hotel pet policy: One pet up to 30 kilograms (kg); fee per stay.
Polanco
Staying in Polanco with a pet is perfect for those looking for upscale, walkable city living with dog-friendly green spaces, cafés and hotels. Parque Lincoln, Parque América and the República del Líbano Garden allow on-leash dog visits, while the lively area known as Polanquito features sidewalk seating at cafés and restaurants where dogs are welcome — you can eat or have coffee with your pet beside you. Greenway Restaurant on Horacio advertises itself as 100% dog-friendly, even offering a menu for your pup.
Beyond the parks and pet-friendly dining, Polanco’s wide, tree-lined streets and proximity to Masaryk’s high-end shops make it an ideal base for travelers who want refined city living without sacrificing convenience for their canine companion.
There’s plenty of room for pets and their owners are on the bed. (Hotel Pug Seal Polanco Allan Poe)
This charming 1940s mansion turned 20-room hotel sits on quiet Edgar Allan Poe street in Polanco. Quite literally named after a pug, this hotel’s sun-filled interiors are covered with contemporary Mexican art and feature comfortable nooks for reading or relaxing. An inviting garden courtyard is an ideal spot for you and your furry loved one to rest between walks to the park. Masaryk’s high-end shops and restaurants are nearby, many of which allow leashed animals.
You might like it if you’re: A couple or solo traveler with a flair for style.
Hotel pet policy: The Pug Seal brand welcomes pets as standard practice.
Hotel Pug Seal Polanco Anatole France
Elegant and close to the Parque América. (Hotel Pug Seal Polanco Anatole France)
Housed in another 1940s mansion, this second Pug Seal property pays homage to the European immigrant families who shaped Polanco’s early character. If its sister property showcases Mexican design, Anatole France leans European — sitting rooms and elegant event spaces make it feel more like a private home.
Pets are very welcome here, just like at the Edgar Allan Poe location, and it’s an easy walk to Parque América and the wide plazas around Museo Soumaya.
You might like it if you’re: A couple, a remote worker or a friend group seeking a polished base near museums and boutique shops.
Hotel pet policy: Pets welcome, same as the Edgar Allan Poe
These stylish, Art Deco digs are a great place to stay… and pet-friendly. (Campos Polanco)
Keep an eye on your map, as it’s easy to pass right by Campos Polanco’s unassuming corner entrance on Campos Elíseos. Inside, 12 Art Deco suites unfold across multiple levels, each featuring communal kitchens and a quiet atmosphere. Tucked between Polanco’s galleries, parks, and high‑end boutiques, it feels more like a polished private residence than a traditional hotel.
Business travelers and families appreciate the two-pet policy, making this a smart pick for longer stays.
You might like it if you’re: A design-minded couple or a solo traveler who wants an upscale home base.
Hotel pet policy: Up to two pets under 25 kg each.
Hotels along Reforma Avenue
Paseo de la Reforma is ideal for travelers seeking big-city views and luxury hotels with easy access to Chapultepec Park’s dog-friendly areas.
Bosque de Chapultepec has designated zones — namely Parque Tamayo and the Gandhi Dog Park — where your pup can socialize and play, while Reforma’s wide, tree-lined sidewalks and long green median make quick bathroom breaks a breeze.
Travelers looking for full-service accommodation with gyms, pools and room service will be comfortable at any of the hotels listed below, all positioned along one of Mexico City’s most iconic boulevards with convenient access to both parkland and the financial district.
The Four Seasons is synonymous with luxury for you and your dog. (Four Seasons)
The Four Seasons brand is synonymous with luxury, and Mexico City’s outpost lives up to expectations. Wrapped around a charming central courtyard, 240 spacious rooms and suites feature views of either the garden or the cityscape. One dog or cat is welcome per stay, with amenities like cozy beds, food bowls and pet sitting services included.
You might like it if you’re: A business traveler or family who values animal-focused amenities and polished hospitality.
Pet-friendly brunches and scenic views are among the amenities at this Sheraton property in Mexico City. (Marriott)
This towering high-rise on Reforma boasts multiple restaurants, bars and direct views of the Ángel de la Independencia landmark. After exploring Reforma or the nearby cafés of Zona Rosa, retreat to Amici Restaurant’s outdoor terrace — a perfect place to relax after an afternoon in the park with your best companion — where you can also enjoy pet-friendly brunches.
You might like it if you’re: A business traveler, a tour group or a couple who wants a central, recognizable brand near offices and nightlife.
Hotel pet policy: One dog up to 18 kg per room; an extra fee applies.
Centro Histórico
Centro Histórico is ideal for travelers whose dogs thrive on urban energy and stay close by their side. The area around the Zócalo and pedestrian streets like Madero are extremely walkable, allowing you and your pup to take in colonial architecture, landmarks like the Cathedral and Palacio Nacional and constant people-watching. Just a few blocks away, Alameda Central offers wider, tree-lined paths for more relaxed on-leash strolls.
That said, Centro can be intensely crowded — if your dog has social anxiety or is easily overwhelmed by bustling streets and plazas, quieter neighborhoods like Condesa or Polanco may be a better fit. But for dogs who thrive on urban stimulation rather than off-leash play, Centro Histórico delivers an atmospheric stay right in the heart of Mexico City’s history.
Downtown Mexico
This 17th-century palacio comes complete with vaulted corridors, a rooftop pool and just 17 boutique-style rooms. Colonial architecture creates an atmospheric base for exploring the city’s historic center, and its spacious rooms feature high ceilings, tiled floors and private terraces or balconies in some rooms — all practical details when staying with a dog. The rooftop terrace and pool area welcome both guests and their pets.
Best of all, you’re just a short stroll from the Zócalo, Templo Mayor, Palacio Nacional and Palacio de Bellas Artes.
You might like it if you’re: A design-minded couple, solo traveler or friend group who wants historic-center immersion and a lively rooftop scene.
Hotel pet policy: Up to two pets, maximum 34 kg each; fee per stay.
Food and water bowls are available upon request at the Hilton Mexico City Reforma. (Hilton Hotels)
Hilton’s sky-high hotel includes a rooftop pool, a large gym and a direct connection to an on-site convention center. Pet-friendly rooms are spacious and come with food and water bowls on request.
The location couldn’t be better for quick dog walks — Alameda Central sits directly across the street with paved paths where locals stroll their dogs. Business travelers attending conventions will appreciate staying close to their pets between sessions.
You might like it if you’re: A business traveler, conference attendee or a family that needs big-hotel services and proximity to the historic center.
Hotel pet policy: One dog under 25 kg or a cat is allowed in designated rooms; a fee applies.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.
Flora Farms and the restaurant, Flora's Field Kitchen, where its organic ingredients are put to good use. (Flora Farms)
On the sunny southeastern edge of Baja California Sur, where luxury ocean resorts dominate, a different kind of business thrives. Flora Farms is a 25-acre farm-to-table ecosystem featuring a working farm, restaurant, artisanal shops, spa, luxury cottages and immersive experiences, including cooking classes and herbalist-guided walks.
Building a green oasis in the desert
In 1992, Gloria and Patrick Greene, an adventurous Californian couple and lovers of the Baja region, purchased a secluded, sandy plot behind a small village — a choice that surprised locals.
Flora Farms’ organic produce is grown on 25 acres in Ánimas Bajas, San José del Cabo. (Flora Farms)
“People were just going, ‘Why are you buying this piece of property?’” recalls Sonja Skarstol, who has been working at the farm for nearly 12 years and coordinates many of its community programs.
The property offered two crucial advantages that attracted the couple: a well for reliable water and a valley filled with mango trees.
Gloria’s background in agriculture and Patrick’s expertise in construction and landscape architecture enabled them to start a family experiment in sustainable living. They started small — a Mongolian yurt, a family vegetable garden and patient soil restoration using composting and organic methods.
“It was a tiny family garden at first,” Skarstol says. “Just fresh food for family, friends and maybe a little extra.”
Organic growth, literally and figuratively
“There was never a master plan,” says Skarstol. “It was one thing leading to another, and slowly, everything kind of worked.”
The family garden grew, and Gloria began sharing produce with the public. In 2003, she opened Flora Café in town and started a smallfarmers’ marketon the property — pioneering initiatives in a region dominated by conventional agriculture.
The Market by Flora Farms is a haven for fresh fruits and vegetables. (Flora Farms)
Visitors marvelled at the lush, chemical-free produce thriving in the desert.
“I remember walking in for the first time, just going, ‘Oh my God. Where are they getting this stuff?’” says Skarstol.
The market’s rapid popularity eventually led to its relocation off-site, where it became a fixture in San José del Cabo, helping to foster a local, sustainability-conscious community.
From farm to table: Opening the restaurant
After several years away and after questioning whether to sell the increasingly valuable property, the Greenes returned with a bold vision: a farm-to-table restaurant on-site.
Drawing inspiration from sustainable-construction methods observed during travels in the United States and Europe, they opened Flora’s Field Kitchen in 2010.
“They just wanted a fresh, farm-to-table, family-style restaurant with big wooden tables, garden food and fresh meats, but worried no one would drive over the mountain to eat in a remote valley,” Skarstol recalls.
Flora’s Field Kitchen, the on-site restaurant at Flora Farms, is one of the best and most popular in Los Cabos. (Flora Farms)
But the restaurant exceeded expectations. “As soon as they open the doors, people started coming because it was something different,” said Ana Gadsden Fernández, Flora Farms’ Marketing and Public Relations Director.
Chefs grill meats and roast vegetables in an open-air kitchen featuring a field rotisserie.
Seasonality dictates the menu: Morning-harvested produce shapes the daily offerings.
During mango season, for example, diners enjoy mango salads, mango chutneys for pork and mango-infused cocktails. The culinary team constantly experiments in the test kitchen, with the Greene family tasting and approving dishes before they are included on the menu.
Today, Flora’s Field Kitchenserves up to800 diners on peak nights, offering a unique connection to the land and its produce.
A complete farm experience
Flora Farms has expanded beyond dining. On-site amenities include:
A nature-based spasurrounded by gardens
Artisan shops featuring local fashion, jewellery, and body care products
Luxury straw-bale cottages offering immersive stays with unlimited access to organic produce, private beach clubs, pools, hot tubs and the spa.
Cooking classes, such as this salsa-making tutorial, are a popular feature at Flora Farms. (Flora Farms)
Year-round activities include cooking classes, painting workshops, herbalist-guided walks, sunset yoga and movie nights. Animal welfare events, dog adoptions and charitable initiatives — such as weekly produce donations to an orphanage and to a seniors’ lodge — reflect the farm’s community-first philosophy.
The operation employs 650 staff members, mostly local, providing daily meals, skill development and career opportunities.
“We’re a place that nurtures the land, but we are also a place that nurtures the community,” Gadsden reflects.
The agricultural foundation
Flora Farms operates on the original 25-acre site and a 125-acre ranch, managed by dedicated teams. A group of 15–20 farmers tend to the fruit trees, bushes and grass, while a group of about 12 workers manages the gardens and 16-20 employees work the ranch crops and livestock.
The ranch, overseen by 70-year-old Don Lupe, raises Heritage breed pigs, chickens and dairy cows — all free-range and hormone- and antibiotic-free. The farm also operates a butcher shop.
Flora Farms grows 75–150 crop varieties seasonally, including fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Tomatoes alone feature 10 varieties, while eggplants include five cultivars each for a different culinary use. The lead farmer, Sochi, along with Paulo, the in-house herbalist and agronomist, ensure everything stays on track.
Over 75 crop varieties are grown seasonally at Flora Farms. (Flora Farms)
A seed bank, established four years ago, collects 70% of all seeds, ensuring local adaptation and minimising external inputs.
Sustainable practices and zero-waste
Flora Farms prioritizes the local ecosystem. Produce serves the restaurant, on-site grocery, staff and cottage owners first daily, then orphanages, seniors’ lodges and food banks weekly. Leftovers feed livestock or become compost.
The farm operates an in-house carpentryand print shop to supply wooden furniture, tableware and menus, creating a circular, near-zero-waste system where nearly everything guests experience is made on-site.
Fish is one of the few external inputs; however, the farm partners with local fishermento maintain ethical sourcing.
The operation is fully organic — no chemicals or pesticides — relying on companion planting, crop rotation, interplanting, and organic composting. The majority of workers are local and come from long lineages of farmers, bringing traditional knowledge of hand-planting, hand-weeding and compost mixing.
Don Lupe with one of his farm friends. (Flora Farms)
Ancestralcrop rotation principles are employed, such as rotating corn — a heavy nitrogen feeder that depletes the soil — with beans or squash to replenish nitrogen, a system that Indigenous peoples perfected over millennia.
Solutions to challenges are born from observation rather than chemical intervention. When butterflies began laying eggs in the arugula fields, Don Lupe filled a large bucket with water and positioned a gasoline lamp on top, drawing butterflies to the light instead of the crops.
Skarstol recalls one year when the ranch dramatically overproduced tomatoes:
“I think we had enough tomatoes to feed all of Los Cabos,” she laughs.
Don Lupe responded by building a dehydrator, and the culinary team developed multiple new tomato sauces.
“I wouldn’t call them problems because they are things that happen and help us to innovate,”Gadsden reflects.
Pollinator program and bee rescue
Flora Farms is home to 38 beehives and also offers a bee rescue service. (Flora Farms)
The farm maintains38 beehives, producing all the honey used in the restaurant. But their bee care extends beyond their own production. Six years ago, the farm started a bee rescue servicefor the community.
“Before, when people got a swarm on their property, they’d call the fire department and the bees would be exterminated,” says Skarstol. “Now, the community calls us.”
A specialized team responds, rescues the unwanted bees and relocates them to the farm’s hives, practicing pollinator conservation while expanding the farm’s own pollination capacity.
To support the hives, the farm strategically plants flowers and allows specific quantities of crops — such as cilantro — to bloom, providing forage for the pollinators while becoming too bitter for culinary use.
Climate adaptation and resilience
If there’s one cloud on Flora Farms’ horizon, it’s the same challenge confronting farmers worldwide: climate disruption. A decade ago, the dry seasons and rainy seasons were more predictable, but that is no longer the case.
Two summers ago, a heatwave caused water shortages, insect pressures and fungal outbreaks. The farm adapted by planting sorghum to shade its heat-sensitive crops, such as lettuce and arugula, thereby creating microclimatesfor them.
This year, an unexpected stormdestroyed young plants fresh from the greenhouse,setting production back six weeks. Farmers now plant early-season crops on higher ground, which is less susceptible to flooding.
Some crop varieties have been phased out in favor of those that are resilient to increasingly unpredictable conditions.
Crisis management and community care
Flora Farms’ resilience has been tested on multiple occasions: In 2014, Hurricane Odiledevastated the Los Cabos region.
“The farm was decimated,” Skarstol says. The Floodingwiped out nearly everything.
The farm responded by opening a soup kitchen, feeding over 100 employees who were otherwise without work or income. In exchange for meals and a small salary, workers helped clean up and rebuild the farm.
“While many businesses remained closed for a year or more, we were open again in six weeks. It was incredible. The employees were so grateful because they and their families got fed,” Skarstol recalls.
A farm tour showcases fields that have been producing for more than 30 years. (Flora Farms)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant had to close, and the gardens were bursting. Rather than letting it rot, a small crew continued harvesting and distributed produce to the community and established a drive-through market.
“They always find a creative way to take care of people,” says Gadsden. “It’s truly part of the DNA here.”
Irena Vélez is a journalist at Wikifarmer, based in Seville, Spain. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism (Honours) from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and reports on a range of topics, including agriculture, sustainability, and agribusiness.
To learn more about the agriculture sector, Wikifarmer empowers farmers, agribusiness professionals, and industry observers through four key pillars: the Wikifarmer Marketplace, connecting producers with buyers around the world; the Wikifarmer Library, a free, open-access knowledge hub with thousands of expert-authored articles; the Wikifarmer Academy, offering online courses with certifications to enhance agricultural skills; and Wikifarmer Price Insights, providing real-time market intelligence on key commodities.
The federal security minister announced the arrest of Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro on Thursday. (SSPC)
Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch announced on Thursday the arrest of the mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, and three other high-ranking municipal officials.
Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro and three Tequila municipal government directors were detained on extortion charges, according to federal sources quoted in media reports. They all allegedly have links to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
En seguimiento a la Operación Enjambre, donde fueron detenidos tres presidentes municipales del Estado de México, y derivado de varias denuncias ciudadanas, en un operativo coordinado @Defensamx1, @SEMAR_mx, @FGRMexico, @SSPCMexico y CNI fue detenido en Jalisco, Diego “N”,…
García Harfuch said on social media that the mayor of Tequila — a municipality considered the birthplace of Mexico’s most famous tipple — was detained by federal security forces in an operation that was part of Operación Enjambre, a security strategy aimed at combatting collusion between organized crime and municipal government officials.
He said that the operation came after citizens filed “several complaints” against the mayor
García Harfuch also noted that three México state mayors were previously detained during the execution of Operación Enjambre.
In addition, he wrote: “Three other public servants from the [Tequila] municipal government were also detained: the director of public security, the land registry and property tax director and the director of public works.”
“These actions were carried out within the framework of the National Strategy against Extortion and the fight against corruption instructed by President @Claudiashein.”
Morena mayor allegedly extorted tequila companies
Citing federal authorities, the La Jornada newspaper reported that Rivera, who represents the Morena party, is under investigation for his alleged operation of extortion schemes that target beer and tequila companies in Jalisco, and for alleged links to a CJNG cell.
Late last year, the tequila maker José Cuervo filed a complaint against the mayor for his alleged attempt to collect excessive taxes from the company, and to charge it excessive license fees.
Other businesses have filed similar complaints, according to the Reforma newspaper.
Citing federal sources, the news outlet Debate reported that it is known that Rivera leads a “corruption network” within the Tequila municipal government in which officials extort businesses in the municipality and “divert” — i.e. embezzle — public funds.
The mayor also allegedly shut down the National Museum of Tequila and converted the building into his personal residence without the approval of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
In addition, Rivera has been accused of committing acts of “gender-based political violence” against three female councilors, Debate reported.
Four of a team of eight Mexican researchers get ready to board a Ukrainian vessel bound for what has been called "a milestone for national science and international cooperation.” (CAMEX-1)
Though Ukraine has its hands full at home, the war-torn nation still has enough resources and initiative to help Mexico launch its first scientific campaign in Antarctica.
The new campaign, CAMEX-1, marks Mexico’s debut in Antarctica’s international research network — in which Ukraine has been an established player for three decades.
In a notable example of international scientific cooperation under difficult circumstances, Mexico is joining Ukraine aboard the Ukrainian icebreaker Noosfera and in its Antarctic Vernadsky Station for scientific exploration that will help deal with climate change, among other pressing issues. (CAMEX-1)
The Research and Assistance Center in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco (CIATEJ) and the Mexican Agency for Antarctic Studies (AMEA) are leading the five-year initiative in collaboration with Ukraine’s National Antarctic Scientific Center.
The CAMEX-1 team has been invited to conduct research aboard the Ukrainian icebreaker Noosfera and at the Vernadsky Station, where Ukraine has carried out climate and atmospheric monitoring on the Antarctic Peninsula since 1996.
Eight Mexican researchers set sail from Punta Arenas, Chile, on Jan. 31 aboard the Noosfera, bound for what AMEA termed a “milestone for national science and international cooperation.”
“This campaign will generate key knowledge for understanding life in extreme conditions and addressing global environmental challenges,” said Lorena Amaya Delgado, CIATEJ’s general director.
The mission — which consolidates Mexico’s integration into the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) — includes projects focused on biodiversity, geology, microbiology, climate change and biotechnology.
Findings could aid in developing new antibiotics and forecasting climate impacts on Mexico’s coasts, said AMEA President Patricia Valdespino, emphasizing the global effects of climate changes in Antarctica.
“What happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica,” she said, referencing phenomena such as rising sea levels that could lead to flooding and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas.
Valeriy Olefir, counselor of economic affairs at the Ukrainian Embassy in Mexico, called the effort “an important milestone in scientific cooperation,” adding that Ukraine is committed to expanding ties “in the scientific and technological fields.”
AMEA director Pablo Gerardo Torres Lepe said Mexico’s participation in Antarctica is part of a long-term plan to “prepare the country for climate change.”
“This collaboration,” he said, “is not only scientific — it’s about strengthening our future.”
