Cancún alone accounted for 75% of new hotel rooms in the first five months of the year. (Fernando García/Unsplash)
Cancún and the Riviera Maya have established themselves as the main drivers of Mexico’s hotel industry through 2025, leading the construction and expansion of hotels and accommodations nationwide.
According to a new report from commercial real estate firm CBRE, Cancún and other areas of the Riviera Maya added 2,070 new rooms between January and May, accounting for 91% of the national inventory. In other words, nine out of every 10 new hotel rooms that have opened in Mexico this year opened in that region.
In the first five months of the year, 2,280 new hotel rooms were built in Mexico. Of that total, 1,715 rooms (75%) opened in Cancún while 355 (16%) opened in the Riviera Maya.
“We have more than 130,000 rooms. We are 20,000 rooms away from reaching the hotel capacity of Las Vegas. With the new hotels, the airport and the Maya Train, which will connect three international airports, we are facing a completely different change,” Martínez said.
After Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit comes next in the opening of new rooms, with 140 (6%) between January and May.
In the report, CBRE estimates that more than 3,900 new rooms will come into operation across Mexico during the second half of 2025.
Trends in the hotel and travel industry
According to CBRE, investment in resorts continues to be the most attractive alternative for investors, as growing demand has driven this type of development in both established destinations and emerging markets like Mexico.
“Mexico has established itself as a key destination, with multiple luxury brands expanding their presence,” the report says.
Currently, Cancún, Riviera Maya and Los Cabos have more than 5,000 rooms under construction, which could be released to the market between 2025 and 2027.
As for hotel occupancy, the Tourism Ministry reported that the average hotel occupancy rate in the 70 monitored tourist destinations was 58.7% between January and April, with Cancún and Los Cabos leading the way in arrival of international tourists.
The Kahlo family home, painted red by their descendants, now houses family memorabilia, including photos by Frida's father Guillermo and items of her sister and caregiver, Cristina. (Museo Casa Kahlo)
Museo Casa Kahlo, also called Casa Roja (Red House), has opened its doors as a museum in Mexico City, offering a new window into Frida Kahlo’s intimate and family life beyond what the familiar Casa Azul (Blue House) depicts.
The museum, located just steps away from Casa Azul in the Coyoacán neighborhood, was originally the home of Frida Kahlo’s parents and later of her sister Cristina. Until just two years ago, direct descendants of the Kahlo family lived there, where they catalogued and preserved personal belongings before turning the property into a museum.
Visitors can explore the Kahlo basement, a favorite refuge of Frida where she used a microscope to study insects. (@Ancher_Politics/X)
The new museum intends to broaden Kahlo’s image beyond her art and mythologized fame by revealing intimate details about her close-knit family.
According to Kahlo’s great-niece María Romero Kahlo, who took the Associated Press on a tour, the family decided to paint the house red and keep it that way over the years, because, she said, it symbolizes “the heart of the Kahlo family.”
“You can find a more human approach to her story, to her origins,” the museum director Adán García said, adding that visitors will see that behind the great artist was a child who “struggled with polio and who was fond of her father and her mother.”
To get a sense of Kahlo’s private life, visitors will see extensive correspondence between Frida and her family, including her sister and caregiver Cristina, whom Frida has described as the other half of her heart.
Casa Roja also displays the work of her father, Guillermo Kahlo, a professional photographer. Visitors learn about his arrival in Mexico from his native Germany, as well as details about his first marriage, his two daughters, and how he met Frida’s’s mother, Matilde Calderón.
Personal items like jewelry pieces worn by Kahlo in pictures, embroidered dresses, her paint brushes and even a microscope the artist used as a child to find insects, are displayed throughout the house.
The exhibition also offers glimpses of the young Frida Kahlo’s artistic awakening, including the embroidery of a small house she completed when she was five, drawings of distant landscapes copied from postcards, and what is thought to be the only murals painted by the artist.
According to María Romero Kahlo, visitors to the museum will discover “the real Frida. The one who cried, who laughed, who shared secrets with her sisters — and these walls will reveal some of them.”
The museum is open Wednesday through Monday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Keita is a young Japanese man born in Kyoto who traveled to Mexico and his life changed forever. (All photos by María Ruiz)
A few days ago, I was in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. The last thing I imagined was that I would be tucking into some delicious tacos made by a local chef.
When you get to know another country, you want to taste the local cuisine to discover new flavors, especially in Japan, which is known for its rich and varied gastronomy. So, when I traveled to the country for the first time with some friends. I was excited to try everything, from the weirdest and most exotic things I could find at 7-Eleven, to the most traditional dishes in little restaurants where only locals go.
How I found a taquería in Kyoto, Japan
Rather than following a map, I like to explore cities as I see what they have to offer. (María Ruiz)
When I travel, rather than following a map, I like to follow my instincts and let myself wander through streets that look charming and photogenic to my photographer’s eyes; that’s how I often stumble upon tourist spots “by accident.” Also, I don’t like to follow the typical visitor’s route. I prefer to feel like a local and walk around places where tourists normally wouldn’t go. While I was in Kyoto, I left my hotel without a fixed plan, simply choosing the direction where most of the pretty things to see seemed to be and started walking.
A few kilometers later, I crossed the street and something caught my eye: some foreign guys were staring at a sign. I peeked to see what it said, and to my surprise, it turned out to be a Mexican taco stand. Of course, I decided to go in, partly because I was missing Mexican food a little — which, let’s be honest, as Mexicans we always do, even if we’re away from home for just two days — and partly out of curiosity to see if the tacos would be as good as in Mexico, or a disappointment. At that moment, I felt like the official judge in charge of giving a verdict on behalf of the entire country.
The story behind Keita’s taquería
When I entered, I ordered three tacos: one carnitas and two steak. The place was small, with just a counter, a bathroom and a kitchen — no chairs — just like tacos are eaten in Mexico: standing up. Since it was such a small space and because it was just me and the taquero, conversation flowed easily. As soon as I ordered my tacos, I pulled out a 100-peso bill, showed it to him and said: “I’m Mexican.” He was pleasantly surprised and delighted that a Mexican had come to his place to try his tacos. I was even more surprised to watch this Japanese man, Keita, prepare those delicious tacos with such enthusiasm and care: first placing the tortilla on an elegant black plate, then the freshly grilled meat, a handful of diced purple onion, followed by cilantro, guacamole and finally the essential squeeze of lime.
While he prepared the tacos, we chatted a bit and he told me his story. In 2018, he went on a student exchange program to La Paz, Baja California Sur, for three months. Every day of his stay in Mexico, he tried tacos of different kinds. He was so captivated by the taste that when he returned to Japan a couple of years later, he decided to open his own taquería.
Where the ingredients come from
Taco Scratch in Kyoto has a small staircase leading to the second floor, where there are three tables and a mural depicting a fusion of Japanese and Mexican culture. (María Ruiz)
Keita makes his own tortillas — he only buys the masa online, which costs about ¥1242 (154 pesos, or US $8.40) on Rakuten Market. They even sell blue corn masa there. At first, he used to visit Mexican restaurants and ask chefs how tortillas were made; he also researched online. For four and a half years, since opening his place in Fukushima, he has been perfecting the process until developing his own original recipe. I must say the tortilla was delicious, with the perfect thickness, color and size — much better than the pale tortillas you usually find in other countries.
As for the other ingredients, like onion, meat, avocado and lime, he buys them at his local market. This didn’t surprise me, since Japan has a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The salsa he makes is green, using tomatillos and serrano chiles, which he can also easily find in specialty stores.
The tacos looked amazing, enticing from the very first glance, as good as any you’d find in a taquería in Mexico. The moment I took the first bite, I was amazed by the flavor and even though the salsa wasn’t very spicy, the whole ensemble was an homage to the Mexican taco. I was even more surprised to discover that Keita also made the carnitas himself. I felt so happy to taste them, not feeling disappointed at all, but rather amazed that Japanese hands could create something so faithful to Mexico.
A cultural exchange over tacos
As I ate, we kept talking about his fascination with Mexico, and he noticed my fascination with Japan as I told him I was trying to learn to write hiragana and katakana. It turned into a very interesting cultural exchange. I showed him what I had learned, and he taught me other things, like how to write numbers, how to say thanks, and how to write my name in hiragana. The place was decorated with Mexican banknotes left by other customers, and one of them happened to be the famous axolotl bill. Then, in my hiragana and katakana practice book, I found that axolotl in Japanese is ウーパールーパー ‘ūpārūpā’. So, I pointed at the axolotl and said “ūpārūpā”; he was surprised to find out that the bill hanging on his wall featured an ūpārūpā.
The second time I visited Keita, I saw a couple of Japanese people eating tacos, and I was very surprised to see that they were eating them with chopsticks.
I asked him how many Mexicans visited his place each day, and he told me about 10 on average, which is quite a lot, especially since many come in big groups of friends or family. He also said he receives about 20 Japanese customers daily and the rest are foreigners of other nationalities: Americans, Australians, Germans, French, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Danes, and a few Chinese, all united by the taste of Mexico. I found it really interesting that so many Japanese people visited and were curious about tacos. When I asked why, he said Mexican food has gained huge popularity thanks to the Netflix series “Taco Chronicles.”
Gifts from a satisfied customer
Between chats, tacos and laughter, time flew by and my heart filled with joy after finding Taco Scratch and having that conversation with Keita. On leaving the place, I couldn’t stop smiling about the experience I had just enjoyed. Of course, I returned two more times, eager to taste those tacos again and chat more with my new friend. On my last day in Kyoto, I stopped by to say goodbye and gave him a Mexican flag and a charro hat as a token of my gratitude for his effort and dedication to honoring Mexican culture in such a way. Keita says he would love to return to Mexico and live there someday.
Keita, ありがとうございます
María Ruiz is the Director of Digital Marketing at Mexico News Daily. She enjoys photographing her hometown of San Miguel de Allende in her spare time.
Mexico is an agricultural powerhouse, and the 11th largest producer of agricultural goods in the world. (Gobierno de Mexico)
Mexico is a leading global agricultural producer, ranking 11th worldwide. Its diverse geography and climates, ranging from fertile valleys to tropical lowlands and arid plateaus, enable the cultivation of various crops that supply domestic consumers and international markets.
Sector overview
Agriculture has shaped Mexico’s economy, food security and culture for millennia. Staple grains like maize remain central to daily life, while high-value exports such as avocados, berries and tomatoes drive foreign trade earnings.
Fresh fruits and vegetables have been economic mainstays in Mexico for millennia. (Unsplash/Jacopo Maiarelli)
Agriculture contributes 3.8% of gross domestic product (GDP), yet it punches above its weight in trade: Agri-food exports reached US $19.4 billion from January through October 2024. Mexico’s agricultural sector encompasses 49 million acres (20 million hectares), with 47 million acres (19.2 million hectares) harvested in 2024, generating a total production value of 855.8 billion pesos (US $45.36 billion).
Trade agreements — most notably the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)—have strengthened market access, while new opportunities in Asia are emerging for tequila, coffee and specialty fruits.
The following analysis examines the five most significant crops by production value and volume, highlighting their market performance, pricing trends and economic contributions. Official data is drawn from Mexico’s Agricultural and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER).
Challenges
Despite its strengths, the sector faces persistent hurdles:
Water scarcity: Northern states such as Sonora and Chihuahua are confronting dwindling reservoir levels, threatening irrigation-dependent crops like wheat and corn.
Climate change: Increased drought frequency and unpredictable rainfall disrupt planting cycles and reduce yields.
Smallholder vulnerability: More than 70% of Mexican farmers are smallholders with limited access to credit, insurance and modern technologies, leaving them exposed to market volatility and extreme weather.
Market pressures: Peso appreciation has reduced dollar-denominated returns on exports such as avocados, while global competition is intensifying in key crops like tomatoes and berries.
Innovation
Mexico is addressing these challenges through technology and new business models:
Water-efficient farming: Drip irrigation, precision agriculture and protected cropping systems (greenhouses and shade houses) are gaining ground, improving yields while conserving water.
Genetic research: Public and private institutions are developing drought-resistant maize varieties to stabilize production.
Cooperatives & fair trade: Smallholder cooperatives are helping farmers secure better prices, especially for coffee and beans.
Urban agriculture: Projects in Mexico City and other major urban centers connect consumers directly with growers, reducing food miles and supporting local economies.
Sustainable certification: Organic farming and fair-trade certification are expanding, particularly in export-oriented crops such as berries and coffee.
1. Corn: The heart of Mexican cuisine
Corn originates in Mexico, and the country is home to a wide range of native corn varieties. (Conabio)
Corn is Mexico’s most valuable agricultural crop, generating 172 billion pesos in production value in 2023. More than a food source, corn is central to national identity. Archaeological evidence traces the domestication of maize in southern Mexico over 9,000 years ago, and millions of small-scale farmers still cultivate native landraces, preserving biodiversity and traditional methods.
Production: Forecast at 23.5 million metric tons (MMT) for marketing year (MY) 2024-2025, a 16% decrease from the previous year due to drought. Spring–summer cycle production was 18.6 MMT, while fall–winter cycle production contributed 4.9 MMT, a 45% drop due to severe drought in Sinaloa. White corn production reached 18.5 MMT, with Sinaloa contributing significantly. Mexico is on track for white corn self-sufficiency in 2025, with national availability projected to exceed 2 MMT.
Market prices: The government-guaranteed price for small producers is 5,840 pesos per ton (2025). Prices showed volatility due to drought and production variations, with white corn prices remaining mostly stable or slightly declining between October and December 2024.
Outlook: MY 2025–2026 forecast: 24.5 MMT, a 7% increase driven by higher local prices and reduced domestic stocks. The Harvesting Sovereignty Program aims to boost white corn production to 25 MMT by 2030.
2. Avocados: Mexico’s ‘green gold’
Thanks to the high prices they command, avocados are sometimes referred to as ‘green gold.’ (Jose Castanares/AFP via Getty Images)
Avocados are Mexico’s second-most valuable crop, with a production value of 60 billion pesos in 2023. Mexico is the world’s largest avocado exporter, with Michoacán dominating global markets.
Production: 2024 forecast: 2.77 MMT, a 5% increase over 2023 (2.65 MMT), driven by strong export demand, particularly from the U.S. Michoacán: 73% of national output; Jalisco: 12%; State of Mexico: 5%. Planted area: 636,470 acres (257,571 hectares) in 2023, up 2% from the previous year.
Market prices: Export value decreased 12% in 2023 despite higher volumes due to peso appreciation. Local producers reported lower prices because of smaller average fruit sizes caused by drought and above-average temperatures.
Outlook: Favorable growing conditions and conversion from traditional crops to high-value avocado orchards, particularly in Jalisco, support near-term growth. Expansion continues, replacing corn, wheat, and pasture areas. Environmental scrutiny on deforestation could influence future planting.
3. Tomatoes: A key export crop
Mexico produces a lot of tomatoes, including over 3.30 million metric tons in 2024. (Gobierno de Mexico)
Tomatoes are a major Mexican export, particularly to the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Production: 2024 forecast: 3.30 MMT, up 2% from 2023 (3.22 MMT), driven by export demand and investments in protected agriculture systems. Leading producers: Sinaloa (22%), San Luis Potosí (13%), Michoacán (7%). Harvested area in 2023: 114,457 acres (46,319 hectares), producing 3.22 MMT.
Market prices: The U.S. is the top export market, with 1.82 MMT valued at US $2.7 billion in 2023, representing a 1% volume increase and 10% value increase from 2022.
Outlook: Transition toward greenhouses, shade houses and high tunnels mitigates climate risks. While short-term production may drop, yields and quality are expected to improve over time.
4. Beans: A cultural mainstay
Thirty-one different species of beans are native to Mexico, and beans bring the highest prices on a per-ton basis. (Gobierno de Mexico).
Production: Forecast at 1.01 MMT for MY 2024-2025, a 41% rebound from the drought-driven low of 724,000 tons in 2023-2024. Recovery is due to a 32% increase in planted area and improved rainfall. Zacatecas and Sinaloa are primary producers; Sinaloa harvest expected 150,000–180,000 tons, surpassing the internal demand of 100,000 tons.
Market prices: The government-guaranteed price is 27,000 pesos per ton (2025), the highest among major crops. Imports surged 230% in 2023 to 313,000 tons valued at US $369 million.
Outlook: President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Prosebien program aims to boost output by 300,000 tons annually, targeting a 30% production increase over six years to reduce imports and achieve food sovereignty.
5. Wheat: A culinary staple
Wheat is a staple crop in Mexico, although the last harvest was affected by drought conditions in Sonora and Sinaloa. (Gobierno de Mexico)
Wheat, introduced during Spanish colonial times, is essential for bread production. It faces significant drought-related challenges, particularly in northwestern states.
Production: MY 2024–2025: 2.6 MMT, down 25% from the previous year. Winter cycle: 2.53 MMT, affected by prolonged drought and record-low water levels in Sonora and Sinaloa reservoirs.
Market prices: Government-guaranteed price: 7,600 pesos per ton. To offset reduced domestic production, imports are forecast at 5.7 MMT, up 6%.
Outlook: MY 2025–2026: forecast 1.7 MMT, down 36%, with imports projected at 6.4 MMT. Farmers are increasingly shifting to less water-intensive crops.
Conclusion
Mexico’s agricultural sector is a global leader, combining rich tradition, diverse crops and strong export performance. Challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, and smallholder vulnerability persist, but innovation, sustainable practices and government programs are strengthening resilience. Balancing heritage, modern technology and global market demand will be key to ensuring Mexico’s continued prominence in agriculture.
As agriculture continues to evolve, access to reliable data and expert knowledge becomes increasingly important. Wikifarmer is an international platform that empowers farmers and agribusiness professionals through three core pillars: the Wikifarmer Marketplace, which connects producers with buyers globally; the Wikifarmer Library, a free knowledge hub with thousands of articles authored by experts; and Wikifarmer Price Insights, which provides up-to-date market intelligence on key crops and commodities. With millions of users worldwide, Wikifarmer combines practical expertise with real-time market data, making it a valuable resource for stakeholders seeking to understand and succeed in the agricultural economy.
Irena Vélez is a journalist at Wikifarmer.com, based in Seville, Spain. She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism Honours from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and has a background in agricultural reporting. She writes research-based articles on sustainable farming, crop management and rural entrepreneurship, helping make agricultural knowledge accessible to farmers worldwide.
Mexico City is fantastic. But everyone needs an occasional getaway. Travel planner Bethany Platanella shares her favorite spots. (Unsplash/Alexis Tostado)
Anyone living in a city that cradles millions of people can relate. One day, you’re having coffee at your favorite panaderia, face in the sun, heart full of joy. “I love living here,” you think to yourself. The next day, you’re back at that panaderia, feeling inexplicably agitated, and someone bumps into you. You burst into tears.
No, it’s not your hormones.
It’s not your hormones. It’s one of those days in Mexico City. (Unsplash/Jezael Melgoza)
Mexico City is equal parts intoxicating and overwhelming. The gridlock traffic. The constant construction. The lingering smog. The throngs of people, glued to their phones, utterly unaware of their place in space. I love this city so much — until I don’t. And then I need to leave immediately. To where? I don’t care. A place with fresh air and natural landscapes. A pueblo with cobblestone streets and one central plaza with live music and a flower market. Another city will do, so long as it’s relatively calm and easy to navigate.
When I first moved to the buzzing capital three years ago, I started a list on a digital notepad entitled “Places to explore near Mexico City.” It has since been renamed: “Places to escape from Mexico City — quickly.” In other words, nearby getaways to rebalance my mind, reset my soul and leave me feeling fresh so I can return with excitement to the city that I call home.
Criteria for the perfect quick escape from Mexico City
Several criteria must be fulfilled for a destination to make my list, especially if a weekend is all I have to spare. Here is a basic guide.
Proximity: First, decide how much time you’re willing to invest to arrive. Typically, I do not like to spend more than three hours in a vehicle of any kind if I’m going for a weekend getaway, though I’ll stretch it to three-and-a-half for a town like Taxco.
Transportation: Next, identify if you’re open to flying, driving, or taking the bus. Personally, I only take a flight if I see an extremely convenient option of an hour or less. Otherwise, I opt for the bus or a rental car.
Activities: Close your eyes and imagine yourself leaving the city. Where do you land? Usually, the first image to come to mind is what you’re after. Are you on a beach? Hiking a mountain? Practicing yoga? Reading by a pool? My instinct has never failed me, and I often use it when deciding where I want to go.
Affordability: Most destinations surrounding Mexico City satisfy any budget, though some (Malinalco) are pricier than others (Las Estacas).
There are times when the guide doesn’t help. Where the criteria fail, a listicle goes a long way.
Jump in your vintage car and go. Failing that, best opt for a bus or rental. (Unsplash/Adam Dillon)
Top destinations for a CDMX weekend getaway
Six popular — but not too popular — destinations to escape the madness of Mexico City in three hours or less.
Tlalpan
The Palacio Municipal de Tlalpan is one of many attractive destinations in the Mexico City neighborhood. (Wikimedia Commons/Rodrisar)
Okay, okay — technically, Tlalpan is Mexico City. At the same time, it’s so not. At one and a half hours in a car or on public transportation, Tlalpan is far enough from the center zone to feel like you’ve landed in a completely new place. The area is quite diverse; visitors can explore historical Centro I, home to the main square, a 500-year-old Parish of St. Agustin, and Mercado de la Paz, an impressive structure built under the Porfiriato. Museums include the Museum of Time and the Tlalpan History Museum. Art lovers should pop into Casa Frissac Cultural Center. Nature seekers can stroll through Fuentes Brotantes National Park, or drive 30 minutes to Parque Nacional Bosque de Tlalpan, a protected forest at the foothills of the Ajusco mountains.
Type of traveler: Culture explorer, nature lover
Best for: Solo, couples, families
How to get there: Car, Uber/Didi, or bus. RTP leaves from Cetram Taxqueña to Tlalpan every 5 minutes.
Malinalco
The Pueblo Mágico of Malinalco is a great destination for a weekend getaway. (Gobierno de Mexico)
Malinalco is a charming Pueblo Mágico nestled in a lush valley that feels worlds away from Mexico City’s urban chaos. Things to do in Malinalco are varied, but the star attraction is the Cuauhtinchan Archaeological Zone, where an Aztec temple dedicated to eagle warriors was carved directly into living rock — a rare Mesoamerican gem. Beyond the archaeological wonders, visitors can wander cobblestone streets lined with colonial architecture and a 16th-century Augustinian monastery. In a way, it’s a quieter version of Tepoztlan, similarly an evolving wellness destination, yet featuring a distinctly more sophisticated air. Split time between the museums and galleries in town and the hiking and waterfalls just outside, or opt for a resetting yoga retreat – all just a two-hour drive from the capital.
Type of traveler: History buff, archaeology enthusiast, spiritual seeker
Best for: Couples, friends, solo
How to get there: Car or Flecha Roja bus from Terminal Poniente (Observatorio) to Chalma, local taxi or microbus to Malinalco
Tepoztlán
Tepoztlán is not only incredibly beautiful, but a great place for temazcal and other wellness options. (Visit Mexico)
Tepoztlán, Mexico’s spiritual heart, might seem the most obvious weekend escape, but its convenience bears repeating. In just one hour (on a good day), you’ll find yourself at the base of the towering Tepozteco mountain, surrounded by indulgences: hiking to the mountaintop, eating your way through the bustling market, admiring Mon Laferte’s art gallery, cleansing your energy in a steamy temazcal. Many travelers to Tepoz, as it’s lovingly called, prefer to reserve a Tepoztlán luxury hotel with a spa and spend their weekend moving from pool to sauna to Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant, on repeat. And why not? Sometimes the most effective way to find your center is by doing almost nothing at all in a seriously beautiful place.
Type of traveler: Hiker, yogi, foodie
Best for: Friends, couples, solo
How to get there: Car, Pullman de Morelos bus from Taxqueña to Tepoztlán
Valle de Bravo
Lake Avandaro (seen in the background) is a prime outdoor attraction for visitors to Valle de Bravo. (Unsplash/Tomas Martinez)
To live in Mexico City is to hear about your friends’ long weekends in Valle de Bravo and wonder when the heck you’re going to check it out. It’s an ideal escape from CDMX for the mountains, culture and abundance of outdoor activities. The historic center is a haven of cobblestone streets, a 17th-century church, vibrant markets and a variety of dining options that range from budget to fancy. Most city dwellers come for Lake Avandaro, Valle de Bravo’s spectacular centerpiece for sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding — even paragliding if you’re up for it. Encased by Monte Alto State Park, the outdoorsy type will have their fill of hiking or mountain biking adventures. A visit to Velo de Novia waterfall is also a draw. From November to March, Piedra Herrada Sanctuary showcases thousands of fluttering monarch butterflies.
Type of traveler: Watersports/outdoors, adventure
Best for: Friends, couples, families
How to get there: Car, Zumpango or Autovías bus from Terminal Poniente (Observatorio) to Valle de Bravo
Huasca de Ocampo
From verdant forests to centuries old haciendas, there’s a reason Huasca de Ocampo was the first-ever Pueblo Mágico. (Visit Mexico)
In 2001, Huasca de Ocampo in Hidalgo State was named Mexico’s first official Pueblo Mágico. Upon arrival, you’ll understand why. It’s one of the best natural escapes near Mexico City for an enchanting countryside with basaltic prism rock formations, verdant forests and centuries-old haciendas. Huasca boasts a vibrant historic center complemented by numerous outdoor activities. Haciendas abound: Santa María Regla, for example, is a day trip in itself, bursting with original stone archways and a chapel, and surrounded by a rocky cliff and waterfalls. Visit the Museo de los Duendes (Elf Museum), go fishing at Bosque de las Truchas trout park and take panoramic photos at Peña del Aire canyon. It should come as no surprise that trout is the specialty here, and the light fish is often featured in the traditional Mexican dishes at local restaurants and weekend markets.
Type of traveler: Nature-lover, romantic, rural retreat
Best for: Couples, families, photographers
How to get there: Car, tour van or ADO, Ovnibus, or Futura bus from Terminal Norte to Pachuca. From Pachuca, take a taxi or local bus to Huasca de Ocampo.
Las Estacas
Las Estacas is an oasis for water-based activities like swimming, snorkeling … or just floating. (Instagram)
For a no-frills, waterlogged jaunt from the big city, Las Estacas fits the bill. The natural oasis is best known for a crystal-clear, spring-fed river with areas to swim, snorkel, and float. The setting is lush — you’re surrounded by tropical plants and wildlife — with plenty of spots to soak up the sun. Many visitors opt to stay overnight, and accommodations are limited to one hotel, two hostels and glamping/camping, through which you can register for ziplining, hiking and diving tours. Within the ecopark are several restaurants, and food is permitted as long as you don’t bring glass or styrofoam. Outdoor grills are first-come, first-serve basis. If the river starts to feel too chilly, the park features several heated pools. There aren’t a million things to do in Las Estacas beyond enjoying the river — and that’s the point.
Type of traveler: Swimmer, nature lover, budget traveler
Best for: Families, couples
How to get there: Car, Pullman de Morelos bus from Taxqueña to Zacatepec or Jojutla, then taxi or combi to Las Estacas
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.
While Mexico's tariff hikes are aimed at various products from various Asian countries, China's automotive exports to Mexico, which grew by 10% last year, have been the major focus. (Meric Dagil/Unsplash)
China’s Commerce Ministry has initiated a trade investigation into the higher tariffs and other restrictive measures Mexico plans to impose on Chinese products, primarily automobiles, auto parts, textiles and toys.
The ministry said in a statement that the tariffs will harm Chinese companies and undermine investor confidence in Mexico. It warns that they could also threaten the security of the Mexican business environment.
Trade tension between Mexico and China could have major consequences, since even without a free trade agreement, the two countries did US $137 billion worth of business in 2024. (luzmadelamora/X)
The investigation, which may last up to six months, will examine both tariffs and other trade and investment restrictions.
“China believes that faced with the abuse of tariffs by the United States, all countries should jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism in any form,” a spokesperson from China’s Commerce Ministry said. “No party should sacrifice the interests of third countries under the coercion of another.”
The ministry also initiated anti-dumping investigations into pecan imports from Mexico and the United States, an apparent threat at retaliation.
Last week, Mexico announced plans to raise duties to up to 50% on cars and other products made in China and other Asian countries with which it does not have a free trade agreement.
The move follows mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to introduce tariffs on China, although President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that the proposed tariffs neither target China nor are the result of U.S. pressure.
Earlier this month, Beijing issued a stern warning urging Mexico to reconsider.
China, which the government says is the largest exporter to Mexico without a trade agreement, would be severely affected by the proposed tariffs. This is especially true for its automotive sector, whose sales to Mexico grew nearly 10% in 2024.
Trade between Mexico and China exceeded US $137 billion in 2024. In the absence of a trade agreement, the countries’ bilateral trade relationship is governed by the framework established by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and specific provisions of Mexico’s ¿f Economy Ministry.
The Yuma Project music collective is able to jam with mushrooms by using PlantWave technology to capture tiny variations in electrical conductivity released by the fungi and convert them into digital signals. (Instagram)
Step aside, magic mushrooms. In Mexico, a new approach to fungi is taking people to places they’ve never been: musical mushrooms.
Los Yuma Project, a group of experimental musicians in the northern state of Durango, is making mushrooms sing — literally.
There’s been a global trend of bio-sonification, turning plant microcurrents into soundscapes. (Phoenix Han/Unsplash)
The collective has been incorporating a technology that transforms the natural electrical impulses of mushrooms and plants into music, creating soundscapes where nature is not just an audience but a performer.
Using a device known as PlantWave, the musicians attach electrodes to various plants and mushrooms, psilocybin or otherwise.
The sensors capture tiny variations in electrical conductivity released by the flora and fungi and convert them into digital signals, which are then transformed into musical notes.
The result is a blend of raw natural rhythms and live improvisation.
The group’s methodology took flight during its participation last month in the 8th Mushroom Fair in the forested groves of Mexiquillo, an increasingly popular eco-tourism destination within the remote municipality of Pueblo Nuevo, Durango.
The performance blended mushroom impulses with live instrumentation.
“In addition to the equipment connected to the mushrooms, the musicians will improvise various genres based on the sounds generated by the specimens of the fungi kingdom,” said Marvin Reyes, owner of the Edible Mushroom Biofactory, in advance of the performance.
“The moment of bringing my hand close to the plant ingredients and feeling how they reacted to human contact was crucial,” explained Los Yuma Project guitarist and vocalist Jair Mijares. “Suddenly, there were rhythms, electrical responses that became music.”
The collective is composed of eight artists, all from Durango, using instruments such as bass guitar, drums and saxophone. Their previous experimentations with mushroom and plant sounds earned them an invitation to participate in the Mushroom Fair.
Along with vocalist Lorena Bellavia, they are now recording an album that expands their bio-sonic experiments into full compositions.
The group combines the natural rhythms of plants and fungi with live improvisation. (Los Yuma Project/Instagram)
Performances like their one in August build on a global trend of bio-sonification, popularized by devices such as PlantWave, which was developed in the U.S. as a tool for turning plant microcurrents into soundscapes.
While the resulting music is ultimately human-processed, advocates say it invites audiences to consider plants and fungi as active, responsive beings rather than passive life forms.
“The plant becomes another component,” said Los Yuma Project percussionist Israel Pesci, adding to the emotions one already feels from music.
Pesci, Mijares and the other members of the collective insist their project is about more than novelty.
“The way you detect vibrations in plants and fungi is based on the rhythmic patterns and the intensity of the sound itself,” Mijares said. “When you touch the fungus, the intensity of the sound increases, and the rhythm begins to vary a little more.
“The challenge … is that you need to monitor a plant all day, every day, to see when it’s most active, when it’s undergoing photosynthesis, if it’s receiving sunlight, if it has water, or if it doesn’t. There are many stimuli it responds to. To understand the plant, you need to learn to listen to it.”
New data centers, bank business and popularity ratings were topics of interest at Thursday's presidential press conference. (Saúl López Escorcia/Presidencia)
Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard subsequently spoke about the economic benefit investment in data centers will bring to Mexico, while Sheinbaum commented on the sale of a 25% stake in Banamex and the results of a recent opinion poll.
Ebrard: Data centers will help drive economic growth
Ebrard told reporters that the development of artificial intelligence and data center projects in Mexico is still in its infancy.
“What you’re seeing is the beginning, … the launch, because it’s something that is very new in the whole world,” he said.
“… The good thing is that we’re on the wave,” Ebrard said before praising Sheinbaum, state governors and IT companies for their “foresight” in helping Mexico to get on that wave.
“These data centers will allow us … to train our people, integrate services, integrate companies,” he said.
Data centers will drive economic growth in Mexico in coming years, according to Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard (left), shown here with the COO of U.S. tech firm CloudHQ, Keith Harney. (Saúl López Escorcia/Presidencia)
Ebrard said it was “very difficult” to say how much data center and AI projects would add to Mexico’s GDP in the near term, but he asserted that such projects would be “one of the main drivers” of the Mexican and global economy in the years ahead.
Mexican businessman’s purchase of 25% stake in Banamex is ‘good news,’ says Sheinbaum
She said that Chico — Mexico’s eighth richest person — is “a man of good reputation.”
Sheinbaum said that she understood that he had reached a “good agreement” with Citigroup, which sold him the 25% stake in Banamex.
“They contacted me to inform me [of the transaction], which is important to know,” she said.
“So, … Banamex returns to a Mexican businessman in a legal transaction that begins with a 25% [stake],” she said.
“I think that it’s very good; it’s good news,” said Sheinbaum, who shares her maternal surname with Chico Pardo, although they are not related.
Sheinbaum: ‘People see that things are going well in the country’
A reporter noted that a recent poll found that Sheinbaum has a high approval rating among people who identified themselves as supporters of opposition parties, namely the Institutional Revolutionary Party (65% approval), the National Action Party (60%) and the Citizens Movement party (64%). The poll conducted by Enkoll for the newspaper El País and W Radio detected an overall approval rating of 79% for the president.
Sheinbaum acknowledged that she and her government have “a lot of popular support.”
In addition to a 79% overall approval rating, a recent poll found that supporters of opposition parties generally approved of Sheinbaum. (Enkoll)
She said that one reason why her government is so popular is that it has stuck to its principles and hasn’t broken its promises.
Another reason, Sheinbaum said, is that “there is continuity in the transformation that began in December 2018,” when former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office.
“… That’s why we call [my administration] the second story of the transformation,” she said.
“And the people see that things are going well in the country,” said Sheinbaum, who is just five days away from completing her first year in office.
“… There is acceptance that Mexico is doing well and that we’re going to continue making progress. And that is what gives [us] popular support,” she said.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
With the Oct. 1 International Coffee Day approaching, Veracruz state lawmaker Victoria Gutiérrez Pérez has proposed an out-of-this-world strategy for boosting consumption and production. (Veracruz State Congress)
Deputy Victoria Gutiérrez Pérez sparked a controversy in the Veracruz state Congress by suggesting that outer space could smell like Veracruz coffee.
While participating in a discussion of draft bills to support coffee growing and coffee producers in Veracruz, Gutiérrez claimed that scientists in Veracruz have created a spacecraft that could allow “outer space to smell like coffee.”
Veracruz is the second-largest coffee producing state in Mexico, producing roughly one-quarter of the nation’s coffee beans. (cafedeveracruz.com.mx)
Gutiérrez — a member of the Morena party that controls the state Congress, holding 30 of the 50 seats — chairs the Special Committee for the Attention, Monitoring and Development of Coffee Growing in Veracruz.
The 71-year-old Gutiérrez proposed boosting the spread of Veracruz coffee by using the apocryphal spacecraft — which she said is capable of traveling to Mars — to carry its aroma beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
“Don’t you know coffee is also drunk in space?” she said, adding that she has asked the scientists to demonstrate how the aroma of Veracruz coffee could also be present in space as part of the state’s International Coffee Day commemoration on Oct. 1.
Deputy María Elena Córdoba, a member of the Citizen’s Movement Party, said Gutiérrez’s proposal “lacks all seriousness”
Córdoba told the newspaper La Jornada that unserious proposals for International Coffee Day had come from other Morena lawmakers as well, citing suggested images depicting “astronauts in space,” “families at table,” “sleepless students” and even “a wake,” where participants drink coffee.
Such marketing images, effective or not, are hardly in the same category as launching a rocketship to spread the aroma of coffee into space.
Still, said Córdoba, “It is truly painful and worrisome that instead of addressing the true needs of the sector, this committee is considering ideas that do little or nothing to resolve the underlying problems” Instead, she said, attention is being diverted from the real debate about the incentives the sector actually requires.
Opposition lawmakers insist the state’s more than 90,000 coffee producers — and the more than 200,000 Veracruzanos that depend directly on coffee cultivation — have been severely affected by a recent fall in international prices, as well as climate change, and the state must take steps to support them.
Veracruz is the second-largest coffee producing state in Mexico, according to the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry (Sader). With more than 145,000 hectares dedicated to coffee cultivation in 2024, the Gulf Coast state produces roughly one-quarter of the nation’s coffee beans.
Most of the confiscated weapons were replicas that the detained church members were using to train as a militia. (Michoacán Security Ministry/Cuartoscuro)
Federal and state authorities arrested 38 individuals allegedly linked to the La Luz del Mundo church in the municipality of Vista Hermosa, Michoacán, while they were undergoing weapons training at a clandestine camp.
The raid in Michoacán, which was part of a joint search-and-seizure operation in seven states, was carried out early Tuesday morning by members of the Army, the National Guard, the state Attorney General’s Office and municipal police officers. One of those arrested has been identified as a U.S. citizen.
While 38 of his followers were being detained in Mexico, third-generation Luz del Mundo leader Naasón Joaquín García faces charges in the U.S. of racketeering, conspiracy, sex trafficking and child exploitation, in addition to the sexual abuse of children conviction for which he is already serving time. (Michoacán Security Ministry/Cuartoscuro.com)
But what disconcerted the authorities was that the suspects did not identify themselves as cartel hitmen, but as members of the apocalyptic church La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World), whose leader is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence in California.
Naasón Joaquín García, the controversial leader of the Guadalajara-based church, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing children in 2020, but his legal troubles are far from over.
According to the Morelia, Michoacán newspaper Changoonga, the suspects were “dressed in black, with fake weapons, radios and even a homemade bomb simulator, … [and] looked like a commando unit.”
They told the authorities they were training to be part of the Jahzer Guard, a special force created to protect Joaquín and his immediate family, as well as to protect the faith in the “Final Judgment.”
Not much has been reported about the Jahzer Guard, but a victim of Joaquín’s abuse told El País the group “participated in the criminal acts of evangelical leaders,” even kidnapping women and holding them in safe houses.
