At least 9 people were injured in when the tourist bus went off the road, falling to the switchback below. (Screenshot)
Four Mexicans were injured in a crash on Monday when a tourist bus plunged off a road near the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru, the Mexican government said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) said on social media that four Mexicans sustained “multiple fractures” when the bus in which they were traveling crashed.
#Urgente Bus de la empresa Consettur que traslada turistas de Machu Picchu Pueblo al Parque Arqueológico se despistó hoy en la carretera Hiram Bingham. pic.twitter.com/AzugnsZErB
The bus went off the edge of a winding mountain road near Machu Picchu on Monday, amid foggy conditions.
At least five other tourists were also injured, but no deaths were immediately reported. Those injured were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
In a video posted to social media by the journalist Lourdes Mendoza, a Mexican who was on the bus said that three other Mexicans were seriously injured.
Speaking from a clinic, Jorge Polanco said that those three people — among whom is his wife — had broken their legs and hips.
“They don’t know how to treat them,” added Polanco, who was also injured, according to Mendoza’s post.
The news website Perú 21 reported that approximately 32 foreign and Peruvian nationals were on board the bus when it crashed onto a lower section of a winding road on Monday morning.
The bus was returning to the town of Aguas Calientes from Machu Picchu when the accident occurred, according to the bus company Consettur MachuPicchu.
According to witnesses cited by Perú 21, the bus driver’s sight was impeded by fog.
The SRE said that the Mexican Embassy in Peru was in contact with the injured Mexicans and would provide them with the assistance they require.
AYUDA A los heridos en el accidente en #Perú donde hay mexicanos los están tratando de trasladarlos en un tren “No están organizados , nos saben qué hacer “ me dice Jorge Polanco https://t.co/F3kYwtMxiUpic.twitter.com/DOVIyvfW8l
In another video posted to X by Mendoza, Polanco said that Peruvian authorities were “trying to transport those injured by train,” presumably to a better-equipped hospital.
However, “they’re not organized, no one knows what to do,” he said.
The town of Aguas Calientes is located northwest of the city of Cusco. A train trip between the two destinations takes more than four hours.
According to Reuters, “deadly bus accidents are common in Peru, where many buses travel on precarious mountain roads or are driven by inadequately trained drivers.”
A three-month-old baby was among the four people confirmed dead on Monday, more than two days after the first in a series of deadly mudslides in San Luis Ayucan. (Protección Civil Edomex)
Four people are dead and five were still missing on Monday after a series of mudslides near the México state town of Jilotzingo on Friday night.
Heavy rains caused the inhabited hilltop known as La Peña to come apart, with several houses and large sections of mud thundering down into the San Luis Ayucan neighborhood of Jilotzingo, about 50 km northwest of Mexico City.
Eight houses were destroyed, according to the México state Civil Protection agency.
Emergency responders were quickly on the scene after the first mudslide but other mudslides occurred over the weekend. In addition, sections of the town were under water after a nearby river surged over its banks.
“There have been several mudslides in the municipality,” a Civil Protection official told the newspaper El Universal,” but we are focusing on ground zero where we continue to carry out search and rescue operations.”
Though authorities admitted that finding survivors was less and less likely after three days, they were determined to recover the bodies of all the victims.
Rescuers managed to dig out three survivors, a woman and two children, on Saturday. (Protección Civil Edomex)
On Saturday, three people were rescued and transported to the Lomas Verdes Hospital in nearby Naucalpan. The survivors were described as a 12-year-old boy, a 10-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman.
The online news site Infobae reported that the rescue occurred after 11 hours of intense labor and the combined effort of state and local authorities, the Army, the Navy, the National Guard and rescue dogs.
Jilotzingo Mayor Ana Teresa Casas González urged local residents to remain indoors. She also asked non-residents to stay away.
“We call upon the general public to avoid driving through San Luis Ayucan since it is the area most directly affected,” she said, according to Infobae. “And [residents] should remain indoors while the authorities evaluate the situation.”
In conjunction with the state Civil Protection authorities, Jilotzingo officials sent emergency personnel into the neighborhood and surrounding areas to check in on the residents. Clean-up crews were also onsite Monday and geologists were examining the surrounding hillsides to determine if evacuation was necessary.
México state Governor Delfina Gómez had been in contact with local authorities to provide all necessary assistance, briefly visiting the site on Saturday.
Two weeks passed before Gómez visited Chalco on Aug. 15, and a month later many streets remain inundated with stagnant, contaminated water. The TV news program Telediario México reported Monday that some progress had been made as the dank waters had been drained away in two Chalco neighborhoods such that a few businesses were opening their doors again.
This unassuming mesquite tree was the sight of a quiet mass, held by priest Miguel Hidalgo, as his band of revolutionaries marched to declare insurrection. (Ricardo Espinoza/Facebook)
Each year at 11 p.m. on September 15, the Grito de Dolores — the famous call to arms or “cry for independence” made by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810 on the steps of the parish church in Dolores Hidalgo — is reenacted in cities and towns of all sizes throughout Mexico, followed in most cases by an impressive fireworks display and jubilant celebrations. The festivities continue throughout September 16, Independence Day, with parades featuring schoolchildren dressed as adorable revolutionaries and plenty of patriotic speeches, among other activities.
But one small community with a big claim to fame adds a particularly poignant commemoration to the mix. The community of la Erre, home to the once-powerful Hacienda de la Asunción de la Erre, lies four kilometers from that famous church in Dolores Hidalgo, and it was the first stop for Padre Hidalgo and his ragtag band of soldiers on their march to war.
The early hours of September 16 saw a group of revolutionaries declare independence from Spain in the town of Dolores Hidalgo. (Gobierno de México)
The actual Grito de Dolores happened around 2:30 a.m. on September 16, 1810, when Hidalgo rang the church bells to call his congregation from their beds. With Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama at his side, the priest urged his people to revolt. While Allende and Aldama then rode off to garner reinforcements, Hidalgo led a band of men to the Hacienda de la Erre, where they arrived around dawn. Allende and Aldama joined them there, and over a meal with the owners of the hacienda, Miguel, Luis and Manuel María Malo, they reflected on what they had just done and considered how best to move forward. They established the first cabildo, or leadership structure, for their fledgling revolutionary army. Moreover, Father Hidalgo said a mass for the assembled rebels—who represented a wide variety of social classes—under a mesquite tree at 11 a.m. that morning, providing a powerful religious imprimatur to the cause of justice and independence. So fortified, the fledgling fighters then marched on to Atotonilco and San Miguel de Allende.
A commemorative mass is now said every year on that exact spot, by the sacred mesquite tree. According to a plaque at the site, the mesquite has survived floods, fires, logging and even a lightning bolt that cracked it, causing many of its branches to lie at ground level, from which new branches have taken root. The tree is fenced off for protection, but at this year’s commemorative mass, no one complained when a young child climbed onto the inviting branches. As one bystander commented, “It is for her, our future, isn’t it, that we preserve the past?”
The Hacienda de la Erre was one of the oldest in Mexico founded by the sixth Mariscal de Castilla, Tristán de Luna y Arellano, soon after his arrival in México in 1535. Construction of the current buildings began in 1635.
At this year’s commemorative mass, subdelegada (local government representative) Erika Morales shared her passion for her community and its place in history. “My family has lived here for generations. I feel a profound connection to this earth and the powerful moment in history that occurred right here. Here, the values of independence, brotherhood, justice, and faith were put forth as the goals of our nation.”
Today, the hacienda lies mostly in ruins. (Wikimedia Commons)
The current condition of the hacienda makes the annual commemorative event all the more poignant. While the 389-year-old exterior walls of the enormous main house still stand, the interior is crumbling into ruin due to severe floods that have caused the foundation to sink by several meters. This and other difficulties such as Conagua expropriation, pillaging, and the economic challenges of maintaining such a property have resulted in it becoming unlivable.
“I feel such nostalgia for my childhood here in this beautiful place,” said Angelina Torres Aguilar, who co-owns the property with other family members. She grew up at the ex-hacienda when it was still a working cattle ranch with turkeys and over a hundred peacocks. The villagers would gather peacock feathers and take them into Dolores to sell. “We dream of one day being able to restore it to a condition worthy of its history.”
Her daughter, Laura Rodríguez Torres, shared more of that history: “The Ruta de la Plata, the main road of Camino Real Tierra Adentro, connecting mines, haciendas and towns from Guanajuato to Mexico City and Veracruz among many more cities, ran right through here, by the hacienda. All major trade routes, such as the Silk Road, bring together people from all over the world with different belief systems, spices, plants, and animals, and that’s exactly what happened here: there was a great mestizaje, a tumultuous mixing of the Spanish, the local Chichimecas, Otomís, free mulatos as well as indigenous cultures brought in from other parts of Mexico, too, plus quite a few Africans. At that time, this region was Nuevo España’s northern frontier. The diverse contributions of so many different cultures forged this country.”
She continued, “There has certainly been suffering in the course of that history. As the priest said in his sermon today, our society still must strive toward justice in order to create peace. We still have work to do — and remembering our history is an important part of it.”
Based in San Miguel de Allende, Ann Marie Jackson is a writer and NGO leader who previously worked for the U.S. Department of State. Her award-winning novel “The Broken Hummingbird,” which is set in San Miguel de Allende, came out in October 2023. Ann Marie can be reached through her website, annmariejacksonauthor.com.
Governor Rubén Rocha said that all areas of the state where violence is occurring are a "priority" for his government, particularly the city of Culiacán. (José Betanzos/Cuartoscuro)
The violent fallout from the arrest of alleged Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García continues.
A soldier was killed and two other people were found dead in Culiacán, Sinaloa, on Monday morning, authorities said.
Five men were found murdered on a street in southern Culiacán on Sunday morning. (José Betanzos/Cuartoscuro)
The deaths came after at least 36 people were killed and more than 30 were abducted in Culiacán and nearby municipalities in the seven days to Sunday. Seventeen of those killings occurred on Saturday and Sunday. Three armed men were killed in a shootout with soldiers on Saturday.
Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya told reporters that a soldier was killed Monday morning in a clash with armed men in the La Campiña neighborhood of the state capital.
The state Security Ministry said on social media shortly after 7 a.m. that it had received reports of gunfire in La Campiña.
“It’s an attack on military personnel by armed civilians,” the ministry said.
El Mayo has accused Guzmán López, an alleged Sinaloa Cartel leader and one of the sons of convicted drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, of kidnapping him in Culiacán and forcing him onto a plane that delivered him into the hands of U.S. law enforcement authorities. He is currently in custody in New York, while Guzmán López is behind bars in Chicago.
The main cause of the recent violence in Culiacán is believed to be Sinaloa Cartel infighting between the “Los Chapos” and “Los Mayos” factions of the powerful criminal organization.
Sinaloa government targeted in cyberattack
“Cowards it would be better that you f*** off and don’t come back. More death is coming in Sinaloa.”
Those were the ominous words that appeared on the website of the Sinaloa Tax Administration Service (SATES) website on Sunday afternoon.
The message was signed “Nuevo Virus,” or New Virus.
Durante algunos minutos, la página web del Sates y del Cobaes fueron hackeadas y colocaron un mensaje en contra del Gobernador Rubén Rocha Moya; el hackeo fue confirmado por el Gobierno de #Sinaloa
👉https://t.co/Y8nEWLssx5pic.twitter.com/XINZZfVGrD
A similar message specifically directed at Governor Rocha appeared on the website of a state government school, the Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Sinaloa (Cobaes).
“Governor Rocha Moya. Here is not the land of cowards. It would be better that you f*** off and don’t come back. More death is coming in Sinaloa,” the message read.
Both the SATES and Cobaes websites couldn’t be reached when Mexico News Daily attempted to view them on early Monday afternoon.
The social communication department of the Sinaloa government said that the cyberattacks were detected “immediately” on Sunday, security systems were activated and the situation was brought under control in “approximately 10 minutes.”
Rocha, a representative of Mexico’s ruling Morena party, was asked on Monday whether the threats posted online came from a criminal group.
“It could be from anyone,” he said.
“It could be from [political] opponents who are taking advantage of the situation politically,” the governor said.
Rocha said he hadn’t increased his personal security detail in light of the threat, but revealed that he had asked the federal government for additional support to confront the high levels of violence in Sinaloa.
“It would be better that we had a little bit more support — I already requested it from the federal government,” he said, adding that he specifically asked for more planes to assist the fight against crime.
As Mexico and the world turn a new page, what's in store for 2025? (Cuartoscuro)
Take a visual tour of Mexico’s celebrations of Independence Day around the country — from the Mexico City zócalo to the border with the U.S. in Tijuana.
Mexico City
Thousands gathered on Sunday for President López Obrador’s final “Grito de Independencia” as president in Mexico City. (Cuartoscuro)The zócalo or main square in Mexico City’s historic center was lit up with fireworks and lighting displays on Sunday night. (Cuartoscuro)
San Bartolomé Quialana, Oaxaca
In San Bartolomé Quialana, Oaxaca, an Indigenous Zapotec community, a parade is held every year to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day. (Cuartoscuro)
Tijuana, Baja California
On the morning of Sept. 15, the “binational race” was held in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day, a half-marathon starting on the U.S. side of the border in San Diego and ending on the beach in Tijuana. (OMAR MARTÍNEZ/ CUARTOSCURO.COM)
Toluca, México state
A crowd gathered to watch the “Grito de Independencia” in the capital city of México state, Toluca, on Sunday night. (Cuartoscuro)
Zacatecas, Zacatecas
A crowd watches the fireworks display to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day in the city of Zacatecas. (Cuartoscuro)
Canelo Álvarez is 11-2-1 against previously undefeated opponents.
(@premierboxing/X)
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez has now gone six straight fights without knocking anyone out, but the Guadalajara native showed he’s still one of the best in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
With a packed T-Mobile Arena decked out in green, red and white and rollicking with excitement on Mexico’s Independence Day weekend, the 34-year-old Álvarez dominated a younger Edgar Berlanga to retain his three super-middleweight championship belts.
“It’s an honor for me to represent my country and my people on Mexico’s Independence Day,” Canelo said. (@premierboxing/X)
Álvarez looked like he might have ended the fight when he sent Berlanga to the canvas with a sharp left hook to the chin in the third round. Although the 27-year-old got up and made it through all 12 rounds, he was unable to prevent Álvarez from improving his record to 62 wins, two losses and two ties.
Of the wins, 39 are by knockout, but none since a technical knockout (TKO) of Caleb Plant in November 2021.
Berlanga, born in New York and of Puerto Rican heritage, was handed his first loss and is now 22-1. Álvarez is 11-2-1 against previously undefeated opponents.
In the lead-up to the 168-pound confrontation, Berlanga stated that he’d be the first to knock out the Mexican — which the influential boxing magazine The Ring labeled “absurd” — while Álvarez himself promised he’d finish off Berlanga by knockout.
The highly pro-Álvarez crowd of 20,312 didn’t get to see either, but with their boxer in control, strutting around the ring with confidence, they certainly had a lot to cheer about.
Oftentimes, they were in a frenzy, shouting “Me-xi-co! Me-xi-co!” or “Ca-nel-o! Ca-nel-o!”
For a fifth straight time, Álvarez defended his super middleweight titles of the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC). He was stripped of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt in July after opting to take on Berlanga rather than the IBF’s mandatory challenger, William Scull.
The three judges scored it 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109 in favor of Canelo, indicating the bout was not close.
Even though his height (5’7″) and reach (70½ inches) didn’t match up to Berlanga (6’1″ and 73 inches), Álvarez closed as a -1,600 favorite at the BetMGM Sportsbook — meaning a bettor would have had to wager US $1,600 on Álvarez to win just $100.
“I did well,” Álvarez said. “Before, they said I [only] fought older fighters. What are they going to say now? That I only fight young fighters? They always talk, but I’m the best fighter in the world.”
“It’s an honor for me to represent my country and my people on Mexico’s Independence Day,” he added. “I feel proud about it.”
The fight started off hot, with both men exchanging words and illegal blows.
“I admit I got a little angry with his tactics, but I’m Mexican, man” Canelo said. “My experience and my talent made the difference.”
Álvarez entered the ring to the sounds of the “Billete Grande,” a narcocorrido by Fuerza Regida that praises the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and “the street mafia” of Culiacán.
The fight was part of a huge night of combat sports in Sin City. Just three miles down Las Vegas Boulevard, the Sphere hosted its first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event. The immersive, high-tech venue allowed for an array of amazing Mexican–themed video presentations, such as a tribute to Mexican independence and an ode to the Day of the Dead.
Álvarez’s next fight, which will likely take place around Cinco de Mayo again,will be against an opponent to be determined.
“I’m gonna rest, I’m gonna enjoy my family and then we’re gonna decide,” he said.
The Melipona honey bee is a natural, stingless, wonder. While they are endangered in modern Mexico, traditional Mayan beekeepers still maintain dozens of hives. (All photos by Bel Woodhouse)
Okay, I’m geeking out hard right now. Why? Because I think I’ve fallen in love. I am learning about my local stingless bees and stingless bee honey. Are stingless bees real? Yes, stingless bees are real. Of the 46 species in Mexico, 16 are found in Yucatán, where I live. Isn’t that amazing? Melipona beekeeping is a way of life here and the history of the craft goes back centuries.
“Yucatán is one of the most biodiverse stingless bee areas worldwide.” Russell, the beekeeper at the Mayan Bee Sanctuary, told me. This has opened up a whole new world for me. It is a fascinating world of healing jungle honey with potent medicinal properties. And melipona honey is used for beauty treatments too.
A guardian Melipona bee in a natural hive. The stingless bees have fertilized the plants of the Yucatán peninsula for centuries.
This is all thanks to the small but mighty Melipona. Or should I say, the Royal Lady Bee, named after her namesake, Xunan Kab — the Maya goddess of Meliponas, bees, and honey. See why my inner nature nerd is loving this little bee?
Why do I want a hive?
Talking with Russell, the head beekeeper at the Mayan Bee Sanctuary, and learning about the tiny but mighty Melipona beechii’s race against extinction stole my heart. Plus, they are very relaxed, docile, and stingless. This means no harm to myself or my pets, so it’s about as perfect as it gets, in my eyes.
Something you should know about me — I’m a culture vulture, a nature nerd, and a Batty Botanist. I love learning about the environment around me. Ever since moving to the Riviera Maya seven years ago, I’ve been fascinated with Maya culture. But learning about the special relationship between Maya and Melipona is hands down my favorite thing so far.
My other big loves are natural history, conservation, and preservation of native flora and fauna. So, learning about the history of meliponas in the region is delightful. I’m also passionate about natural treatments and holistic living harmoniously within an environment. A passion that the ancient Maya and their modern-day descendants share.
That’s why I want a hive, or two, or three. Meliponas are the perfect starter bee for this budding beekeeper!
Are Melipona bees endangered?
Yes, their numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate. Back at the height of the Maya civilization, there was evidence of beekeeping with thousands of hives. The Maya, it’s estimated, kept as many as 2,000 hives each at the time. Nowadays, most beekeepers keep less than a dozen hives.
The Mayan Bee Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to experience these amazing creatures in the wild.
Because these little bees only produce a couple of liters of honey annually. In comparison, the European honey bee produces up to 30 liters. So, the popularity of the Apis bee species in Mexico has swung in favor of the greater producers.
There is a big difference in the honey as well. Mayas have been using this concentrated jungle honey as medicine for thousands of years. That’s another great reason I want a hive. And to learn how to keep them the Maya way.
A natural way within the environment so the bees are happiest. Placing the hive in consideration of the cardinal points North, East, South, and West for optimal honey production. Placed correctly, the hives can last decades, if not centuries.
Where do stingless bees live?
The inside of a jobon hive.
In a hollowed-out log or tree, stingless bees build their hives, called jobon. Russell says “a steady temperature is one of the most essential things when keeping a jobon healthy,” so the wood has to be over an inch thick. But you can also keep them in a box, making harvesting the honey easier.
So natural log jobon for tradition, or a box for convenience? That is the question. Which would you choose? I’m leaning towards a jobon. Because I like the natural look of a log. Plus, I can always use a large syringe to extract the precious healing honey from those fat little pots inside.
Stingless bee honey.
I learnt that for optimal stingless bee honey production you need to create the right environment. Russell kindly shared a guide to keeping meliponas the traditional Maya way. So far, here’s what I’ve learned.
The most important thing is flowers. Meliponas need tropical flowers. Without them, the hive will perish. Once you have a flower-rich environment, place a hive taking into consideration:
Location
Orientation
Protection
Roof
Shelves – Materials and height from the floor for temperature control.
Maya take Meliponas to the next level.
According to the Maya, the cardinal points North, East, West and South all need to be taken into consideration in locating a hive. Each direction represents something vital to the bees.
The Maya cared for Melipona hives long before the arrival of the Spanish. (Asheville Sister Cities)
North is the place where the bees went to collect resins.
East is the place where the honey originated;
South was the place where the bees gathered to collect pollen.
And the West indicated the place where the brood comes from.
This idea intrigues me. Thankfully, Russell explained the meanings. To pick the right place it needs shade so they don’t overheat. Thick walls to help them thermoregulate the hive. Lastly, place the entrance facing East, towards the sunrise.
“Facing the sunrise, they will produce more honey. They wake early and leave as the sun rises because they need to see it’s clear before they start work.”
So, when am I getting my hive?
Well, I still need a bit more education first. Russell says “To start keeping these bees you need knowledge.” It is the key to the survival of the hive. So, watch YouTube videos, join groups, talk to beekeepers in other regions or even from other countries.
And that folks, is why I’m geeking out so hard right now. I’ve disappeared down the rabbit hole of Melipona stingless beekeeping. It’s wonderful and I’ll happily be ready to adopt the next hive that needs rescuing. Those magic little Meliponas can come and live with me any day.
Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.
On-site taxi companies are available for curb-side pickup at Mexico City International Airport. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
The Mexico City International Airport (AICM) announced new restrictions on the use of ridesharing applications at its two terminals last week, prompting frustrated responses from travelers.
On Wednesday, the AICM posted a brief message on X announcing that ridesharing apps like Uber, Cabify and Didi could no longer pick up passengers within the terminal grounds.
The response from the public was swift and negative, even as airport officials insisted the decision would improve security and traffic flow within the terminal.
While some criticized the inconvenience of the change, or expressed security concerns, others complained about the high prices and inefficiency of on-site taxi companies.
Among the responses:
“You really think we are going to walk such a long distance with suitcases while also risking getting mugged?”
“This is the service and security you are offering?”
“If you’d like, maybe I should just walk all the way home.”
One TV news reporter covered the announcement by posing the question “Should I kiss the Uber driver when I get in?” (to make the authorities think it’s a family member picking someone up).
Uber also demanded that the airport respect the injunction and called on the authorities to respect the rights of tourists to choose the transportation options they prefer.
The AICM did not respond to Uber’s claim but it did announce hefty penalties for ridesharing vehicles that violate the new restrictions.
Fines could range from 43,440 pesos (US $2,254) to 130,320 pesos (US $6,762) and offending vehicles could be impounded, adding additional costs for ridesharing companies that violate the new rule.
For its part, Didi said it was willing to adhere to the new rule, according to a statement posted by journalist Pamela Cerdeira.
“At Didi, we are always open to collaborating with authorities, taxi groups and private drivers to ensure that airport users in the country have different mobility alternatives. We are convinced that joint and coordinated action will make a difference and contribute to the creation of a better environment for everyone.”
Former President López Obrador signed the judicial reform bill into law shortly before leaving office, despite a judicial injunction. (Lopezobrador.org.mx)
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Sunday promulgated the federal government’s judicial reform, setting the stage for thousands of judges, including all Supreme Court justices, to be elected by Mexican citizens starting next year.
Mexico City lawmakers celebrating their legislature’s ratification of President López Obrador’s judicial reform bill after it passed in the federal Congress. (Andrea Murcia Monsivaís/Cuartoscuro)
In a video posted to social media, the president, seated alongside President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, said he was signing the reform into law “with the intent of improving the judicial power because we need justice to get to everyone.”
Among the other aims of the reform, he said, are to eliminate corruption in the judiciary and for judges, magistrates and Supreme Court justices to apply the law equally to all.
“We should have an authentic, a true rule of law, not a crooked one,” said López Obrador, who asserts that many judges are corrupt and has been angered by court decisions handed down against his government’s projects and policies.
“The simulation must end because it was said we lived in a democracy but we didn’t. An oligarchy dominated. Those right at the top were the ones who were in charge, a minority with the facade of democracy,” he said.
Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed full support for President López Obrador’s constitutional reforms. (Cuartoscuro)
“There was simulation. Now it’s different, now it’s the people who rule, the people who decide,” López Obrador said.
He described Sunday — the eve of Mexico’s Independence Day — as an “historic day,” considering the publication of the judicial reform decree in the government’s gazette.
Sheinbaum, the president’s “witness of honor,” applauded the president after he uttered three words — “voy a firmar,” or “I’m going to sign” the decree.
She will be sworn in as Mexico’s first female president on Oct. 1, and will immediately have immense power as a coalition led by the ruling Morena party has a supermajority in the lower house of Congress and a near-supermajority in the Senate.
Under the reform, all federal judges including the Supreme Court justices (seen here) will be elected from a pre-selected pool of candidates. (SCJN)
The president promulgated the judicial reform despite a court in Colima ruling against its publication in the government’s gazette.
Morena Senator Ernestina Godoy, who will serve as legal counsel to Sheinbaum, asserted Friday that the court order was not valid given that two-thirds of lawmakers in both houses of Congress had approved the judicial reform.
“One power can’t do that to another power,” she said.
The most controversial aspect of the judicial reform is the provision to allow citizens to directly elect all members of the judiciary, including Supreme Court justices and other federal judges.
In accordance with the reform, thousands of judges — approximately half of the nation’s judiciary — will be elected in “extraordinary elections” on June 1, 2025. Another round of elections will be held in 2027 at the same time midterm congressional elections take place.
The judicial reform bill has generated controversy and protests around the country for weeks. (Cuartoscuro)
The National Electoral Institute will be responsible for organizing the judicial elections.
Critics of the judicial reform argue that judges sympathetic to Morena will come to dominate the judiciary as the president and the Congress will nominate candidates.
We all want a piece of the good life in Los Cabos - but how do you get it on a budget? (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
In recent years, Los Cabos has repositioned itself as a luxury destination, a process helped by a slew of newly opened properties from high-end hospitality brands. Not surprisingly, as the quality of available vacation experiences has risen, so have the attendant costs for visitors — including an average daily hotel room rate north of US $500. That’s not to say, however, that it’s not still possible to enjoy a budget friendly travel in Los Cabos. Some people still do. But it’s not as easy as it used to be.
The good news is that many of the best things about Los Cabos — the beaches, for instance — don’t cost a thing… unless you want the frills. A lounge chair in a roped-off area, for example, and a waiter to bring you seafood and margaritas. If that’s what you want, more power to you. It’s a vacation, after all. But implicit in the experience is deciding which things you’re willing to pay — or pay extra — for and which you’re not.
Art and culture might not be in short supply in Los Cabos, but many other activities can become expensive, and fast. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
With that in mind, here are a few tips on spending less for your Los Cabos vacation. Finding budget-friendly airline fares is a good start. Southwest — which flies to Los Cabos from 10 U.S. cities — is one of several airlines that offer a low-fare calendar that allows you to shop for the best fares in any given month. The differences in prices are often striking and number in the hundreds of dollars.
But that’s a bonus tip. The real savings start when you decide where to stay.
Choose a reasonable hotel in an appropriate location
The location of your hotel or resort matters — a lot. The average daily room rate at resorts in the 20-mile-long Tourist Corridor in May was US $656. In San José del Cabo, for comparison’s sake, the average was US $383. In Cabo San Lucas, it was only US $316. If you surveyed accommodations only in the downtown area of Cabo San Lucas, that number would be even lower, as many of the best budget-friendly hotels are located there.
There are over a dozen budget-friendly inns and boutique hotels in downtown Cabo San Lucas where you can stay for less than US $200 per night — and a handful where you can find a room for under $100. Airbnb rentals offer even more options in the latter category, but hotels are usually a significant step up with amenities, service, and responsiveness.
For the best hotel rates, contact the properties directly. Third-party hotel booking sites lure you in with great rates, but by the time taxes and fees are added they’re seldom better than the ones the local hotel owners would happily provide.
Take advantage of free activities
Swimmable beaches are among Los Cabos’ best free attractions. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
If there’s one thing Los Cabos has no shortage of, it’s beautiful, free beaches. No other municipality in Mexico has more blue-flag beaches — meaning they have been certified to meet certain standards for sustainability and services like informational signs, bathrooms and handicap access. Blue flag beaches don’t welcome pets outside of service animals, but they’re a great place to spend time.
They may be perfect not just for sunning, but swimming and snorkeling, too. However, a qualifier is necessary as not all Los Cabos are swim-friendly, and some on the Pacific Ocean are dangerous due to strong rip currents. As a guide, the following popular beaches are all swimmable: Lovers Beach and Playa El Médano in Cabo San Lucas; and Chileno, Santa María and Palmilla beaches in the Tourist Corridor. The middle two of these are also excellent snorkeling spots. So don’t forget to pack your mask and fins. Otherwise, you’ll have to rent them.
Sightseeing, of course, is likewise free, and museums are nearly so. Todos Santos and La Paz are wonderful in this regard, although you’ll need to rent a car or take a bus to get to these regional destinations. San José del Cabos is a better local option, particularly on Thursday evenings from November through June, when its lovely downtown area and historic Art District come alive for Art Walk. But its picturesque downtown area is worth visiting any day.
Don’t dine or drink in tourist traps
A good adage to remember regarding food and drinks is that the farther the establishments that serve them are from the ocean, the cheaper they will be. It’s not foolproof. There are exceptions. But generally speaking, the most popular — and expensive — bars and restaurants for tourists are on or near beaches and feature ocean views. It stands to reason, right? But you’re paying more for the great views because the bars and restaurants in these locations pay a lot more in rent.
The most popular — and expensive — bars and restaurants for tourists are on or near beaches and feature ocean views. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t occasionally splurge on a great meal. It’s just a reminder that some of the most enjoyable food is found at taquerías and locals’ favorite restaurants — and these, for the reasons given above, are rarely located near the water. So where should you eat? In Cabo San Lucas, try chicken or ribs — or both via a combo meal — at Pollo del Oro, seafood at Las Tres Islas and fish tacos at Los Claros. Ask the nearest local if or when you ever exhaust your appetite for these reliable comfort food pleasures.
You’re in Mexico: Use pesos!
Everyone in Los Cabos will accept American dollars. However, that doesn’t mean you should use them as currency. Each local business establishes its own exchange rate to effect transactions, and guess what? If you use dollars, you’ll lose money every time.
Let’s say the actual exchange rate is 19 pesos to the dollar. But the restaurant where you’re dining has a posted rate of 18 to 1. It may not sound like much, but paying a few dollars extra for every meal adds up quickly. Use pesos exclusively. They’re best gotten at your bank before you even leave home.
Credit cards have similar issues since you’ll likely be charged for the conversion rate if you pay in pesos. And, as noted, if you pay in dollars you’re not getting the best value.
Much of Los Cabos accepts dollars, but you’ll get the most bang for your buck by paying in pesos. (Spanishandgo)
Avoid taxis and airport shuttles
It’s not just resort room rates that have been steadily rising. The price of everything in Los Cabos has gone up. For more than a decade, it was possible to get a shared airport shuttle for about US $20 per person. Now it’s skyrocketed to US $85 and up from Cabo San Lucas. Taxis, of course, have always been expensive in Los Cabos. So both are best avoided for those on a budget.
Except for walking, buses are invariably the most cost-effective way to get around Los Cabos. It bears noting there are several kinds of buses. Ruta del Desierto’s purple buses will take you — quite cheaply — from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo and all the parts in between. Autobuses Aguila is the best bet for trips to Todos Santos and La Paz — US $10 and $18 per person, respectively. If you want to get to and from the airport, meanwhile, take Uber. It will save you at least $30 over taxis coming and going from Cabo San Lucas. Or rather, the peso equivalent.
Any more advice for budget friendly travel in Los Cabos you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.
