Oxxo's parent company announced the purchase of 249 convenience stores in Texas and New Mexico. (Shutterstock)
Oxxo, the ubiquitous Mexican convenience store, is officially expanding to the southern United States.
More than one decade after opening its first and only storefront in Eagle Pass, Texas, parent company Femsa has acquired 249 convenience stores from Delek US Holdings. The stores acquired by Femsa are located in Texas and New Mexico.
Oxxo’s expansion to the United States is a decade in the making. The convenience store opened its first U.S. storefront in Eagle Pass, Texas in 2014, but closed it during the pandemic. (@SergioChapa/X)
Femsa filed a statement with the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) earlier this month reporting the US $385 million acquisition. The deal includes inventory and a small fuel transportation fleet, the companies said in separate news releases on Aug. 1.
José Antonio Fernández, CEO of Femsa’s retail operations, said: “At Femsa, we have a long-held ambition to enter the U.S. convenience and mobility industry, and this transaction represents the ideal way for us to take our first step in this compelling market.”
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in the United States. The partners expect that to happen during the second half of 2024.
Oxxo is a Mexican chain of convenience stores and gas stations, which, with roughly 30,000 stores in over 17 countries, is the largest chain of convenience stores in Latin America.
Oxxo is wholly owned by Femsa (Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V.), a Mexican multinational beverage and retail company headquartered in Monterrey. It operates the largest independent Coca-Cola bottling group in the world and the largest convenience store chain in Mexico.
Delek US Holdings, based in Nashville, Tennessee, has assets in petroleum refining, logistics, pipelines, renewable fuels and convenience stores, 90 percent of which are located in Texas. Most Delek stores include a gas station under the DK and Alon brands.
Avigal Soreq, president and CEO of Delek, said: “The transaction creates an exciting opportunity for Delek US Retail and its employees as they become part of Femsa’s growth strategy in the United States.”
Femsa reiterated its long-held plans to expand into the United States in April, after divesting its shares of Heineken in 2023. According to the news site Expansión, Femsa director José Antonio Fernández told analysts in an earnings call that the company was evaluating opportunities in U.S. border states where customers were likely to be familiar with the Oxxo brand.
An earlier attempt to expand into the U.S. market was foiled by its Heineken holdings, according to Expansión. In 2014, Femsa was blocked by fair competition rules that declared the relationship with Heineken a conflict of interest for having an exclusive agreement to distribute the Dutch brewer’s beverages.
From sweeping beaches to heart stopping mountain vistas, Jalisco has it all. Find out why the MND Where to Live in Mexico 2024 Guide: Jalisco rates the state so highly. (Mexico Travel and Leisure)
With this instalment, the MND Where to Live in Mexico 2024 Guide: Jalisco, our extensive series, is nearing its mid-point. We’ve covered Mexico living in some diverse settings — both peninsulas (Baja and the Yucatan) along with cultural and coastal Oaxaca. This brings the total of Mexican states reviewed to five so far. It seems natural now to highlight Jalisco State, a cultural wellspring that has done more to define “Mexicanidad” than anywhere else. It’s also the place I’ve called home since 2015, exposing me to the State’s truths and myths when it comes to living here.
Our ratings highlight three very viable places to live — the quintessential beach vacation resort of Puerto Vallarta, fast-paced and forward leaning Guadalajara, and the de facto “birthplace” villages for overseas living for foreigners that are Lake Chapala. Having these three eclectic choices (not to mention twelve Pueblos Mágicos and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites) positions Jalisco as a kingpin for folks seriously seeking a viable place to live or retire in Mexico.
Verdant Jalisco is easily one of the most attractive places in Mexico for expat living. (Mexico Travel and Leisure)
Jalisco’s relevance stems from attributes no other state can match. First up are iconic cultural traditions innately associated with Mexico’s national image: tequila, mariachis and charros. Tequila (yes, it’s really a place) and Mexico’s joyous and sorrowful musical gift to the world are both a part of living here. Salud to that! The Jalisco economy is a powerhouse in technology, cinema (Hollywood auteur Guillermo del Toro hails from here), manufacturing, automobile production, agriculture, foreign remittances, foreign direct investment, medical care, and tourism. Much of Jalisco oozes prosperity, and there is a sense of political independence from the rest of Mexico. As for the climate? Well, its highland plateau offers spring-like year round living. The seasonally pleasant seacoast meanwhile, affords some residents a “seagull” existence with winters spent on the coast and the rest of the year in the mountains!.
Jalisco is, at its core, cowboy country. Its rural, socially conservative identity even permeates the temperament of big city Guadalajara. Less-than-welcome realities are narco violence and an embrace of “machismo” in some societal and familial settings. There are nagging social ills (teen pregnancy, gun violence and drinking water contamination) to consider. Unbridled growth across all three of our featured places is also impacting quality of life for both Mexicans and expats alike.
But no one should bet against Jalisco’s future — economically or socially. Put down roots here and you’ll have a front row seat to both the hyper-local (municipal government ups and downs) and big picture of Jalisco’s unbridled future.
Puerto Vallarta
A crowning jewel of Mexican beach living, Puerto Vallarta is hard to beat for anyone looking for a luxurious coastal lifestyle. (Garza Blanca)
Let’s start where millions of Americans embrace Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta. People fall hard for PV, many having a natural vacation connectionthat stretches back decades. As beach resorts go, it’s the place that comes closest to being all things to all vacationers in all of Mexico. With a population of 224,000, PV lost its fishing village virginity decades ago. But it’s still Mexico’s most picturesque coastal city.
Hugging the shore of Mexico’s largest natural bay, the epic Bay of Banderas, PV’s Malecon boardwalk is a top five Mexico experience at all hours of the day. The street food to gourmet dining selection is unsurpassed. Aquatic and inland eco-adventure stuff to do is also hard to beat. There’s also a heightened sense of place in the city’s architecture, color palate and vestiges of once-isolated village life in the city’s riverside downtown core, all of which feel very “Jalisco.” It’s all quite remarkable, really. In defiance of the high-rise tower invasion in the city’s Zona Romantica, neighborly relations and Mexican familial sensibilities prevail. Monumental change has been lurking for decades, but the PV “centro” is still a special place to live and visit.
Living here comes with a snappy urban resort pace mixed with pockets of residential and neighborhood community connections. It’s Mexico’s most LGBTQ-accepting destination and has a lively performing arts/live entertainment scene. An hour south is Jalisco’s emerging Costalegre, some of Pacific Mexico’s most beautiful, undeveloped coast.
Guadalajara
Guadalajata is Mexico’s second city, and it knows it. Architecture, food, culture and history abound in the streets of the sprawling state capital. (Kimkim)
“Guadalajara, Guadalajara…” so goes the popular mariachi song. With a population topping 5 million, this is Mexico’s second largest urban area with some 1,500 named neighborhoods. It stretches across a sloped plain that’s truncated in the north by a gapping gorge. Guadalajara is a contradiction when it comes to understanding its personality. It’s socially conservative, and stridently original in the visual and performing arts. It’s got more skyscrapers under construction than any city in Mexico, yet is home to cozy, leafy neighborhoods filled with parks, trees, and color. Guadalajara’s universities attract hundreds of foreign medical students. Paradoxically, there are surprisingly few museums to frequent.
I guess, “who needs stuffy museums,” when “tapatios” can rejoice at outdoors events and venues that host Mexico’s most diverse and robust monthly happenings: film, fashion, tequila (of course), microbreweries, sports — most notably soccer and baseball, but motorsport, athletics and even rugby have long traditions in the city — music, dance, books (the world’s second largest book fair), along with secular/religious happenings in stadiums, parks, expo centers, and historic buildings across the city. One online calendar of events highlights the 12 months of artsy things to do in Guadalajara.
Traffic snarls are part of everyday living, but so is an eclectic dining and bar scene, an American Society of Jalisco to help you get settled, and more live music than you could possibly take in. Mobility challenges can be mitigated by using bike lanes or the city’s excellent 18 station, 22 km-long metro line, crossing the city from northwest to southeast. Other lines are under construction. Mexico’s second largest airport is here, serving over 60 locations, non-stops to Europe, Central and South America).
Lake Chapala
Quiet Lake Chapala was traditionally the start of the Mexico living experience. It remains an excellent location for those looking for a home comforts in a foreign land. (Nicki Post)
If this is all too much stimulation, 45 minutes south is one of Mexico’s most iconic and original expatriate hang-outs. If lakeside village living is your calling, Lake Chapala might be your village in the sun. Lake Chapala living is clustered along the lake’s northwest shore. Across two municipalities, Chapala and Jocotepec, no one really knows how many foreign-born residents call this place home.
The numbers swell from October to March, exacerbating some automobile traffic challenges, rising rental costs, and the area’s water shortage. These growth concerns come with village and small-town settings (Chapala, San Antonio, Ajijic, San Juan Cosala, Jocotepec) inhabited by retirees from over 40 countries! The demographic is certainly “older,” but that doesn’t necessitate a nap on the hammock of things to keep you busy. Three English-language theater companies, a symphony, a community choir, the renowned Lake Chapala Society campus, Mexico’s longest standing weekly English lecture series, (Open Circle, and dozens of non-profit volunteer opportunities are relished in Mexico’s best year-round climate). Residents feel very safe being out at all hours. There is near zero homelessness.
The first pioneering foreigners living here started coming in the 1940’s. Lake Chapala boasts a very hybrid Mexico-a-la-Expat lifestyle. Foreigners and Mexicans live here in mostly symbiotic ways, with gentrification offset by a balanced commitment to helping the area thrive. If you want to embrace a social improvement cause, there’s a community of like-minded folk to connect with.
Yes, the lake itself is facing ecological challenges. But few living here connect with the lake beyond gazing at its majesty, backed by verdant mountains rising three thousand feet above the lake-facing towns. Will growth continue to eat away Lake Chapala’s mountainscape and drain over-taxed water wells? It’s a fair criticism.
Jalisco State is home to resort, urban and village settings. It’s pretty unbeatable for just about any overseas living aspiration. Or combine all three and show your friends and family up north a Mexico living reality they can barely imagine.
Author Greg Custer lives in Mexico. He’s worked for over 40 years in international tourism, educating travel advisors around the world about Mexico and other Latin American destinations. He helps folks explore Mexico for living at www.mexicoforliving.com.
For anyone within driving distance, the fiercely wild Costalegre makes a perfect weekend escape. (All photos by Meagan Drillinger)
The best weekend getaways from Puerto Vallarta are classics for a reason. Everyone loves Sayulita for its bohemian beach vibes, while the mountain village of San Sebastian de Oeste wows travelers with its cooler climates and misty mountain views. But my favorite way to escape the buzzy (beloved) chaos of Puerto Vallarta is to drive about four hours down the coast to the spectacular Costalegre for the perfect weekend escape.
The Costalegre is heaven on earth. Nearly 200 miles of undeveloped Pacific shoreline unfold between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. Epic waves thunder down onto golden beaches while pumas and jaguars slink through the thick, muggy jungle. Small villages spring up and down Highway 200 — places where you’ll find very few tourists and where little has changed in daily life over the decades.
While the Costalegre looks set to explode in popularity, the coastline is currently an underdeveloped paradise for those seeking sun, sand and relaxation.
This isn’t to say that the Costalegre isn’t growing. New resorts are opening up, and there is getting more and more press — much to the chagrin of Costalegre diehards, including myself. And yes, I recognize the hypocrisy in writing about it now. But because I love it here so much, I want others to love it and spend time here correctly. So, without further ado, this is my insider’s guide to the perfect weekend in Costalegre.
Thursday
Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport and rent a car. I like to make all my reservations with Gecko Rent-A-Car. The prices here are a little higher for a daily rate, but the customer service is outstanding. All the cars are in excellent condition, and all the prices are provided upfront and include all the necessary insurance. You’ll never be surprised by any extra fees. The company even offers complimentary airport pickup and drop-off. Of course, if you are loyal to another car rental service, Puerto Vallarta has many other international car rental companies like Hertz, Budget, and Enterprise.
After picking up your car, you are ready to drive the four hours to Barra de Navidad, which is at the end (or the beginning, depending on how you look at it) of the Costalegre. Don’t worry about missing anything along the way — you’ll be backtracking to see all the sights once you arrive.
Barra de Navidad has a handful of hotel options. The “fanciest” is the Grand Isla Navidad Resort, which is on the peninsula that helps frame the lush, wildlife-filled lagoon. For something more boutique and on the beach, Villa Star of the Sea is on an open stretch of beach in the bordering state of Colima, about a 25-minute drive from Barra de Navidad. You can also find funky short-term rentals if you want to stay directly in town.
Hotel options in the Costalegre are often high-end, luxurious boutique experiences.
Friday
Morning
Wake up early to take advantage of the (slightly) less humid morning. Days can get hot along the Costalegre, especially if you’re visiting between April and October. That said, this is the greenest time of year to visit when the mountains and fields are popping with every shade of jade and emerald.
Grab a light breakfast in the brightly colored courtyard of Mango Cafe. The pancakes with blueberry compote are insane. Or you can have the hearty molletes or chilaquiles. Don’t skip a fresh fruit smoothie, too.
Afterward, head over to the Malecon, where you’ll find many people offering boat rides around the lagoon. The lush lagoon is cushioned between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, with a soundtrack of sputtering fishing boats and the calls of migratory birds. It’s a beautiful way to get acquainted with Barra de Navidad and the tropical scenery of southern Jalisco.
Afternoon
Quiet Melaque is a shinign example of Costalegre living.
When you return from your cruise, it will be just in time for lunch. I recommend Mariscos Chicha for waterfront dining. Or, if you are hankering for some seriously good fish tacos, you can find incredible ones near the Abarrotes Arce grocery store. A simple sign that says “Fish Tacos” will point you toward succulent fish, shrimp, and octopus tacos.
Evening
Hop back in the car for the 10-minute drive over to the sister village, Melaque. Melaque is much smaller than Barra de Navidad, but has arguably more beautiful beaches, in my opinion. Walk along the broad crescent-shaped shoreline and stop at one of the many beachfront bars for a cold drink.
For dinner, grab a front-row seat at Albatros Restaurant & Bar for sunset and live music. Many of the beachfront restaurants in Melaque close their kitchens early, but Albatros stays open well into the evening.
Saturday
Morning
After breakfast, you’ll hit the road to check out some of the other rugged and naturally beautiful beach towns along the Costalegre. About 30 minutes north of Barra de Navidad are the broad, sweeping beaches of Tenacatita Bay. This jewel of a beachfront sits at the end of a very long, jungle-shrouded road that passes through a few smaller communities. Tenacatita Bay is famous for its clear waters, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
Tenacatita bay offers crystal clear water for those looking to explore the opportunities of the Pacific Ocean.
Late Morning
After an active morning, drive to La Manzanilla, another small (but funky) beach town on the other side of the bay. La Manzanilla is famous for its wildlife, particularly the crocodile sanctuary, where you can see these prehistoric creatures up close. Grab lunch at the beachfront Bahia Azul for heaping scoops of guacamole and colorfully fresh ceviche.
Afternoon
You can keep the theme low-key and head to Boca de Iguana, another undeveloped and pristine beach, or you can treat yourself to a little luxury. The ultra-luxe Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo is between La Manzanilla and Tenacatita Bay and a splurge-worthy treat for an afternoon spa treatment. Stay for sunset and have dinner at their stunningly beautiful open-air, oceanfront Sal restaurant.
Sunday
Morning
It’s time to depart, sadly. But Sunday is still filled with enough adventure to enjoy your final hours along the Costalegre.
Begin the drive north from Barra de Navidad. Stop in the small beachfront village of Perula for a final oceanfront seafood lunch. Mariscos Chee Chee is the best in town for its quiet corner of the beachfront, friendly service, and beautiful views of Chamela Bay.
Mariscos Chee Chee offers an exceptional view of the bay and equally exceptional seafood to accompany it.
Afternoon
As you get closer to Puerto Vallarta, you can stop at the town of El Tuito, a mountain town in the Sierra Madres about an hour outside of Puerto Vallarta. Grab a pick-me-up cup of coffee at Café CabCor. If you have time and energy for sightseeing, you can visit the Galeria Coppelia art gallery.
Late Afternoon
Arrive back in Puerto Vallarta just in time for a final meal and one last sunset. You’ll be spoiled for choice in Puerto Vallarta when it comes to the best restaurants, but for a farewell meal and one final sunset show, I always like to eat at El Barracuda with a table directly on the sand.
Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.
The town of Cuetzalan in Puebla state is home to some of Mexico's most stunning artisans and their works. More than that, however, it's a window into a picture perfect vision of rural Mexico. (All photos by Monica Belot)
Since relocating to Mexico, I, perhaps like many others, have developed an unexpected passion for crafts. It’s impossible not to, with the plethora of stunning “artesanías” the country has to offer. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the town of Cuetzalan, Puebla.
“Crafts” is not nearly adequate enough of a word to do justice to Mexican artesanías. It brings to my mind childish “arts and crafts” or knick-knacks from a fair. In Mexico, artesanías are more akin to exquisite handmade arts — very intentional creations for display or usage, of admirable quality and materials, often using near-ancient methods passed down from generation to generation for centuries. It’s particularly delightful when one encounters talented artisans experimenting with modern designs using traditional production techniques. From region to region, artesanías vary, reflecting the area’s native materials, its style, and traditions.
While the term “crafts” conjured up an almost childish fascination with creativity, Mexican artesans create intricate, delicate works of art.
It was this allure of artesanías and fascination with indigenous culture that drew our trio — Lourdes, Bethany, and myself — to Cuetzalan, though crafts as I had imagined them were not quite what we found there.
We set out from Mexico City on a Thursday morning. I had packed my habitual giant bag of snacks: raisin and walnut baguettes from Rosetta, bananas, dates, dark chocolate and a relatively unappetizing Cliff bar for emergencies. The plan was to drive to Puebla, the halfway point, spend a night and continue onward to Cuetzalan the following morning.
Puebla proved to be a treat. We enjoyed a tourist-free jaunt around the city, browsed antique markets, dined at the delightful Oaxacan restaurant Casa Bacuuza and enjoyed several hours sunning ourselves at the hotel’s rooftop pool. In the morning, we stopped at the glass factory Fábrica de Vidrio la Luz, and after excitedly ogling a Mexican actor we recognized from a Netflix show from behind a rack of margarita glasses, we set off for Cuetzalan.
The roads became winding and misty as we ascended to the city, dotted with cattle, horses, and chickens mingling on the side of the road. About an hour and a half from our destination, we stopped at a small roadside vendor to stock up on some of the crunchiest and most flavorful apples we’d ever tasted.
Bethany and Lourdes at the Hotel Cuetzalan.
Two hours, dozens of kilometers of winding roads and 38 songs later, we arrived at our hotel in Cuetzalan. Being the adventurous exploradoras we were, we had opted for an eco-hotel run by indigenous women, which was very much akin to cabins or glamping. In hindsight, other accommodations might be more comfortable for those such as myself, who are averse to the inherent dirt, mosquitoes and the excessive moisture that creeps into such structures. I had romanticized the experience in my mind, but nevertheless the surrounding nature was undeniably lovely.
Having donned our raincoats and with our belongings situated in our cabins, we ventured out into a storm to find a glass of strong mezcal and a cozy restaurant for dinner.
While not number one rainiest spot in the country, Cuetzalan is still one of the rainiest areas in Mexico. Set high up in the Sierra Norte hills in northern Puebla State, the region enjoys a warm and humid climate due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. The rainfall contributes to its lush, jungle-like vegetation and numerous waterfalls. The town itself is a maze of steep, cobblestone streets carefully designed for grip in the perpetual dampness. It’s built along a multitude of sloping boulevards, paths, and streets. As Bethany would later aptly caption an Instagram post accompanying a photo of the town, “Hills, hills, hills.”
Our first evening led us to Taol, an exceptional restaurant efficiently run by what seemed to be an all-woman team. It was a dream, set in a mystical indoor-outdoor space where we watched the rain from a covered garden patio as we sipped our cocktails. We devoured chicken over warm banana bread bathed in mole, an entire fresh grilled fish, queso sizzling over cecina and steaming corn tortillas.
Taol was the epitome of traditional Mexican cuisine, cooked to perfection.
Afterwards, overstuffed and guided by the glow of mezcal in our bellies, we stopped into a very local bar — think Cheers, but most likely someone’s converted living room — to enjoy a glass of the region’s traditional liquor, Yolixpa. Yolixpa, Nahuatl for“medicine of the heart,” is very much like Cuetzalan — a mix of everything. It combines up to twenty to thirty herbs, including hierbabuena (spearmint), fennel, mint, and lemon verbena with a base spirit, usually made of distilled sugarcane. It’s rumored to cure everything from heartache to illness, and it certainly provided a hearty start to our adventure as we made our way back to our lodgings.
Cuetzalan’s “bread and butter,” our guide Ricardo would inform us the next morning, is tourism. Even so, despite being a tourist destination, Cuetzalan has largely escaped commercialization. It’s a study in contrasts: charming yet gritty, nature-filled yet bustling, small-town Mexican rustic crossed with remnants of Spanish colonial architecture. Many of the men wear ranchero-style cowboy hats and leather belts, while the women don colorfully embroidered white huipils. It’s picturesque yet “real.” Live music blasts from quinceañeras set in giant barn-like halls while, in the town square next to the incredibly opulent Parish of St. Francis of Assisi, “Voladores” (flying men) soar and spin, suspended from a high pole. Below them, vendors sell their wares in a market, as families share a meal together in neighboring restaurants. Down the street, at the Iglesia de los Jarritos, a 19th-century monastery surrounded by a gloomy cemetery hosts murmuring lovers seated among the parapets, while cemetery visitors pray at the graves of their deceased loved ones. There is so much going on that it’s almost absurd, but it’s all so fascinating.
On our second day, I was not opposed when Lourdes — a bit of a daredevil and adrenaline junkie — suggested we embark upon a 6-hour tour of some of Cuetzalan’s caves, grottos and waterfalls. The tour would encompass several ziplines hundreds of meters above Cuetzalan’s valleys, a trek through an underground river, and my first experience rappelling, descending 60 meters by rope into the impressive Chichicazapan cave. It was magical.
As well as the charming town, the nature of Cuetzalan should not be missed.
The next day before departing, we explored Cuetzalan’s famed Sunday market. The region is renowned for its fragrant coffee, which is grown on plantations in the surrounding hills. It’s also celebrated for its textiles, including intricately embroidered blouses and quechquemitls (one-piece shawls) created using traditional techniques like back-strap loom weaving.
As a last stop on our way to Mexico City, chasing a lead from a staff member of our hotel, we passed through the tiny town of San Miguel Tenextatiloyan — nicknamed “the town of clay pots.” The town is rumored to have been producing clay artesanías since pre-hispanic times and it did not disappoint. The handmade clay pieces were a crafts-lover’s dream.
So the next time you find yourself in need of a weekend escape, consider Cuetzalan. It isn’t just a destination: it’s an unforgettable escape filled with authenticity and adventure that will throw your senses into a tizzy. Just remember to pack your sense of humor and an umbrella.
Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.
Also known as the prickly pear, tuna fruit is delicious, nutritious and uniquely Mexican. (Hal Wilson/500px)
I often think about those first human beings who dared to try different fruits. I get caught by questions like, “How hungry do you have to be to risk your life, or at least your hand, to grab a fruit surrounded by thorns, like a nopal or a tuna? Were they just reckless? Was grabbing these with your bare hand aninitiation rite to be accepted among the Aztecs?” These questions keep me up at night.
What is a tuna fruit?
Seen here: not a fish. (Wish Garden Herbs)
We are not talking about the fish, in case you’re confused. For us Mexicans, tuna or prickly pear is a native round fruit that grows on top of the nopal cactus. There are six types of prickly pears, and you can differentiate them by color: red, yellow, white, green, orange, and purple. I’m focusing on the red one because it is a common variety, and the flavor is extraordinarily nice to the taste buds.
What does red tuna taste like?
I might be romanticizing its flavor, but I’ll do my best to be objective. First, you get a sweet taste, almost like berries. Then there’s a tangy note, and finally a fresh burst similar to watermelon. It’s like eating a bolero melody, honestly. If you are worried about the texture, it resembles a kiwi or a pear with seeds.
Think of it like any other fruit, and have fun with it. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Cut off the ends of the prickly pear, peel off the skin, and enjoy it.
Make juice! To start your journey with this fruit, mix the red tuna juice with orange juice.
Freeze it and use it in a smoothie. Red prickly pear and mango smoothie is a must-try.
Passionate about salads? Add red tuna cubes to kale, cucumber, avocado, coriander, lime juice, and olive oil. You won’t regret it!
Are you “fit” during the weekdays like me? Quinoa bowl with red prickly pear and feta cheese.
Sweet tooth? Greek yogurt with honey, and red prickly pear. The color that the yogurt takes on with the prickly pear is exceptionally Instagrammable if you’re feeling like an influencer.
The best season to eat tuna fruit
They are available all year, but the best season goes from July to September.
Fun facts about tuna fruit
Tuna fruit often appears in pre-Hispanic art, a testament to how important it has been to the local diet. (Mexicolore)
During pre-Hispanic times, it was a predominant and valued fruit, especially for people living in arid areas since it provided them with the nutrients and water they needed to survive. For this reason, it was also a symbol of fertility.
Tuna is the Spanish-derived word of the Nahuatl word “Tonalli”. It was used to refer to the concepts of time ,and the nature cycles, but also to point out the close relationship between the environment and the well-being of a person. It is believed that the meaning of the word “tonali” applied to the fruit was then the description of something that allowed human survival in the cycles of nature.
It has scientifically proven health benefits, like reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases when eaten regularly.
Finally, while eating your prickly pear, play the song “Me he de comer esa tuna” by Jorge Negrete, the OG charro. The song talks about how stubborn we Mexicans are: “I have to eat that prickly pear even if it pricks my hand”, says the song.
María Melénedez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.
Mexico News Daily CEO Travis Bembenek met with a group of young journalism students in Querétaro for a study abroad program, and shares his experience. (Shutterstock)
I wrote a column back in April posing a question: Why don’t more students from the U.S. and Canada choose to study abroad in Mexico?
Given the close connections between these countries, the increasing business opportunities and the huge Mexican population living north of the border, it seems only logical that more students would want to study in Mexico.
Of course, there are some obvious obstacles that get in the way of more exchange programs — as pointed out by some readers.
But I was delighted when, shortly after the article was published, I received an email from a professor at the University of Oregon who was about to take a group of journalism students to Querétaro for a summer abroad program.
The professor asked if I would spend some time with the class talking about journalism in Mexico, which I was more than happy to do.
After our time together, we decided to have our lead editors at Mexico News Daily select and publish the top two articles written by the journalism students during their studies in Querétaro.
Travis enjoyed meeting and talking to the journalism students in Querétaro. (Courtesy)
Keep an eye out this coming week for the two best student stories here on MND.
“Why don’t more students study abroad in Mexico?” asked Travis Bembenek in a Mexico News Daily op-ed.
I read the piece as I was packing for a summer in Querétaro with twelve outstanding University of Oregon journalism students. My faculty colleagues were taking students out of their U.S. cocoons too, but to more usual locales along what I tend to dismiss as the London-Paris-Rome axis. Nothing wrong with Europe, but fighting mobs of tourists — too many in Bermuda shorts yelling in American-accented English — holds little allure for me.
Mexico, especially for journalism students, makes perfect sense. As Bembenek argues, it’s our neighbor and its people our cousins. Let’s get to know each other.
Yet faculty colleagues, plenty of students, and — understandably — parents howled the usual litany of concerns. Cartels! Corruption! Migration! Not to negate the importance of those stories (and that reality), but we weren’t heading south to report on what a reporter friend of mine calls “the dismal details of the daily downer.” The idea was to mix with the locals and find out how some average Josés live their lives.
Querétaro is ideal for the assignment. There are plenty of tourists, but most are locals (the gringos are just up the road in San Miguel!). The city bustles with business and social successes as it revels in the crucial role it played in New World liberation from Europe.
I’m pleased to introduce MND readers to a handful of student work examples. We invite you to stroll the Querétaro streets with us — meet a cobbler working against throwaway culture, or hear an argument in favor of raising fighting cocks versus chickens destined for tacos.
We at MND are proud to support and encourage future journalists, and we hope you enjoy reading their stories next week.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for over 27 years.
Mexicans are warm, welcoming people, happy to speak their minds. Except when these topics come up. (Julia Taubitz/Unsplash)
I’ve recently experienced one of my life’s most embarrassing moments.
It’s all Lily’s fault.
Two years ago, I asked a new acquaintance if she had any recommendations for a housekeeper. She quickly shared the phone number for Lily, who I promptly messaged.
Whether face-to-face or via messenger apps, Mexicans often avoid difficult conversations. (Adem Ay/Unsplash)
After a few back and forths, Lily and I settled on a day and time. She was late, as expected, but nonetheless sweet and trustworthy. For the next year, Lily would arrive every 15 days at more or less the decided hour. Because I loved her name, I made it a point to repeat it with each interaction.
And then, Lily got a job.
In her place, Lily sent her cousin, who came just once because she was unable to commit to the time. That cousin sent another cousin. That other cousin, Janet, has been working with me for a year. Recently, Janet had surgery, so the aforementioned noncommittal cousin was scheduled to fill in during the recovery process.
I know it’s a lot of cousins. That, in itself, is a good lesson on life in Mexico.
Upon the noncommittal cousin’s arrival, whose name I still didn’t know, I asked about Janet’s condition. She updated me with some details of the surgery and how she was healing. “And how is Lily?” I asked, genuinely curious as I hadn’t heard much about her in quite some time. Her face contorted into a look of remorse crossed with confusion. She smiled meekly. “I am Lily,” she said. As I stuffed the words “No, you’re not” back down my throat, resulting in a weak cough, “Lily” continued. “I think you were confused. When you texted me two years ago, I couldn’t take another client, so I sent Mayte. But I’m Lily.”
Are these all cousins? Probably.(Polo and Tweed)
I stood there, swirling in a state of confusion so great I couldn’t, at that point, remember my own name.
“So, you’re Lily.”
“Yes, I’m Lily.”
“And the girl who came here for the first year was Mayte.”
“Yes, that was Mayte.”
“And I called her Lily, for a year.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t she correct me?”
“I think she was embarrassed.”
“No, Lily. I’m embarrassed. It’s ME who is embarrassed.”
“Don’t worry!”
You actually can call someone by the wrong name for a year and they’ll be too polite to correct you. (MedicalNewsToday)
But I did worry, and I still do. More than the telenovela-worthy Lily debacle, I worry about all the things that Mexicans are unable to communicate.
If you’ve lived here for any significant period of time, you’ll notice that many quirks come at great contrast to what many of us non-Mexican westerners are known for — an ability to speak our minds, for better or for worse.
It just ain’t the case in Mexico.
As I start to delicately climb out of my cocoon of shame (I’ve been hiding in there for over a month), I reflect on the thoughts I had while stuck in there. The oft-critical information that regularly goes unsaid in a country of people who simply cannot confabulate directly.
Information including, but by no means limited to, the following.
That’s not my name
María. Carlos. Juraj. Jadwiga. Even if you get a name horribly wrong, you’re unlikely to be corrected. (eBay)
In a way, I get it. My name is repeatedly butchered in both foreign countries and English-speaking ones, which has resulted in me either A) Inventing a new name (Hola, mi nombre es Blanca Rosa) or B) answering to names that aren’t my own (Hi, Brittany! It’s actually Bethany, Dave. Hi, Brittany! Hi, Dave.)
I also get that after an unspecified period of time, it’s simply too late to correct someone. But I’ll never get how a full year went by without me realizing a blunder of such magnitude.
I don’t know how to get there
A Mexican would prefer to send you to Kathmandu than admit that they don’t know where something is located. This is especially treacherous territory in Mexico City, where chilangos take pride in the impossible — knowing every museum, church, statue or Sanborns situated in this monstrous urban sprawl.
In my unsolicited opinion, getting lost is the best way to learn a city’s geography. But when in a time crunch or a questionable neighborhood, may I suggest using Google Maps to get you where you need to go, rather than the sweet abuela at the corner store?
“Yes, I am sure the Zócalo is just down there,” said the chilango on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
I need to reschedule
I’ve played witness to this phenomenon in both my professional and cross-cultural dating life. Instead of a simple, “I’m sorry, but can’t do Wednesday, would you be free on Friday instead?” you’ll probably hear something along the lines of:
There is a great restaurant I’d like to take you to, but it’s only open on Fridays. (Pause. Wait for you to suggest rescheduling for Friday.)
I have so many meetings this week! I don’t know how I’ll be able to leave my office! (Pause. Wait for you to ask if rescheduling for Friday might be easier.)
I won Round 1 of my tennis tournament! (Pause. Wait for you to ask when Round 2 takes place.) Round 2 should be on Wednesday! (Insert wide-eyed emoji here if via text. Wait for you to inquire about the schedule of subsequent rounds and offer your availability. preferably on a day that does not fall in conflict with the tennis tournament. Like, Friday.)
My throat is really hurting. I’m sure it will get better by Wednesday. (Pause. You know the rest.)
For the record, he/she is not blowing you off. You are guaranteed to see this person on Friday.
I’m married
Is it just me, or do wedding rings not exist in this country? (And Italy.) What I once depended on as a tell-tale sign of availability has all but disappeared as I date my way through Mexico. After bearing witness to questionable mid-date phone calls and suspicious living situations, I’ve learned to ask in a straightforward manner “Are you married?” Believe it or not, when the answer is yes, the response is affirmative. In one form or another.
Rings on married men just don’t seem to be a thing in Mexico — so watch out ladies. (Melanie Rosillo Galván/Unsplash)
I’ll be there at X time
At risk of sounding cliché, Mexican time is real. In fact, I would apply flexible start times to nearly all territory extending southward from (and including) the city of Miami. Luckily, lateness doesn’t equate disrespect or lack of interest so bring a book and chill out until your party arrives.
Generally anything with the word ‘no’
A traditional Mexican will do anything in his or her power to avoid the word ‘no’. Once you understand and accept this, it becomes quite fun to watch. I’m repeatedly impressed with my friends’ fine tuned abilities in circumventing its usage. Similar to the Mexican art of rescheduling, your amigo will likely dance and sing his way around a direct negation to avoid disappointing you. He or she will employ tactics such as diversion, avoidance, and feigned ignorance to say “no” in any way possible that doesn’t involve the word “no”. Being the bearer of unwanted news is not the Mexican way, and with time you’ll discern when all signs point to “no” and, perhaps, become appropriately avoidant yourself.
Want more cultural tips? You might enjoy these articles:
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.
After the Trump rally shooting, a Mexican bakery went viral for their edgy take on a classic Mexican sweet bread.
How’s everyone’s summer going so far?
I hope it’s good, but I know that it needs more memes and the accompanying laughs. Why? Because we all need more laughs. It’s literally impossible to have too many.
I’ve got you covered. Here are some fun Mexican memes so you can laugh while you learn.
Meme translation:“Whoever invented fitted sheets can come fold their bullsh*t.”
What does it meme? How did I know my partner was the one?
In addition to minor things like being respectful, kind and always listening seriously and without judgment, he can fold a fitted sheet.
Really. I’ve seen him do it multiple times. His method seems logical, but I’ve never been able to reproduce the magic.
I, on the other hand, am more like whoever wrote this meme: if I’m the one to take it out of the dryer — thankfully, I hardly ever am — that bad boy is getting wadded up, then smashed into submission.
Meme translation:“‘We used to hunt mammoths’ – a man who’s never cleared his plate after eating.”
What does it meme? Making fun of entitled macho men who pretend to be super manly and nostalgic for a past they’d have never survived in order to justify their poor treatment of women is one of my favorite pastimes.
A cultural consciousness regarding women’s place in society is growing in Mexico, and humor is a great way to keep it spreading. I recommend the excellent Facebook page “Comentarios de Señores Románticos,” a page filled with screenshots of the creepy but also hilarious messages men send pretty girls even though they are strangers.
Meme translation:“Trump ears.”
What does it meme?Too soon? Not for Mexicans, it’s not.
“Oreja,” by the way, really is the name of that particular pastry. And with that icing on the edge! Mexican ingenuity knows no bounds, does it?
Meme translation:“Hey, are you sleeping okay?” “What 100-peso bill?”
What does it meme? Okay, the translation is completely literal. But it rhymes in Spanish, see? Even the number of syllables line up!
This ghoul, alas, is every mother. Light on sleep, heavy on trying hard to listen and focus despite it all. “Motherhood Under Capitalism,” I call it.
At least, like everything, we can have a sense of humor about our suffering.
Meme translation: “Sometimes I want to get to the gym, but I prefer to get into things that are none of my business.”
What does it meme? If you’re being particularly“chismoso” — nosy — you might get told “no te metas”: stay out of it.
But what are humans, if not gossips? We just love drama so much … even those of us who say we don’t. We know it’s a lie. And it’s 100% more fun than running on the treadmill!
Police found 41 migrants being held hostage at the Oaxaca city house. (FGEO)
Authorities in Oaxaca rescued 41 migrants who were being held against their will at a house in the state capital. Three people were detained at the same address.
The Oaxaca Attorney General’s Office (FGEO) said Friday that police freed 35 migrants from India, five from Nepal and one from Ecuador.
They had been locked in rooms inside the house for an unspecified period of time.
The FGEO said in a statement that police carried out an operation in the San Martín Mexicapan area of Oaxaca city after receiving a report from a citizen about a “man seeking help because he was kidnapped along with his wife and young son.”
Their captors were seeking “a large sum of money to release them,” the FGEO added.
The Attorney General’s Office didn’t say whether the man, woman and boy were among the 41 migrants who were rescued. However, a photo included in the FGEO statement showed a young child standing next to a police officer and a woman on her knees, apparently being arrested.
A woman wearing the same clothes appears in another FGEO press photo, apparently after her arrest. (FGEO)
It said that police arrested two men and one woman at the house. They were turned over to the “appropriate authority to determine their legal situation,” the FGEO said.
The migrants were given medical checks and then taken to accommodation, the FGEO said.
“The State Attorney General’s Office is committed to attending to citizens’ complaints and carrying out corresponding investigations in order to provide effective results in the pursuit of justice, especially in cases of high impact crimes such as kidnapping,” the FGEO said.
Large numbers of migrants enter Mexico via the country’s southern border with Guatemala before attempting to travel through the country to the northern border.
Police found 41 hostages inside the criminals’ safe house in Oaxaca city. (FGEO)
Most are from Central America, South America and Caribbean countries such as Haiti and Cuba, but people from further afield, including African and Asian countries, have also entered Mexico from Guatemala in recent years.
The National Immigration Institute (INM) said in June that almost 1.4 million undocumented foreigners were detected traveling in Mexico without entry authorization in the first five months of the year.
According to the INM, citizens from 177 countries — or around 90% of the world’s nations — were detected traveling irregularly through Mexico between January and May. The agency said that those people came from “the five continents” of the world,” but the majority left other countries in the Americas.
The alleged drugging occurred at resort near Cancún. (Dana Malave/Unsplash)
The Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office (FGE) said Friday that it has opened an investigation into the alleged drugging of two American tourists at a resort near Cancún.
Zara Hull and Kaylie Pitzer, both of whom are students at Oklahoma Christian University, became ill last Friday after consuming drinks at a pool bar at the resort where they were staying with their boyfriends.
Pitzer told Oklahoma’s News 9 she is certain that she and Hull were drugged as they both blacked out at the same time.
A Facebook post by Pitzer’s aunt indicates that were staying at Planet Hollywood Cancún, a resort on a narrow peninsular just north of Cancún in the municipality of Isla Mujeres.
Hull spent time in a hospital in Cancún before she was medevacked to Dallas, Texas.
News 9 reported that she and Pitzer were told by doctors in the U.S. that “they believe their drinks may have been spiked with synthetic fentanyl.”
U.S. college students Zara Hull (left) and Kaylie Pitzer (right) became severely ill at a resort near Cancún. (GoFundMe/Facebook)
The FGE said on social media on Friday that no formal complaint about the alleged drugging had been filed, but it opened an investigation after hearing about the allegations in the media.
“Via the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Drug Dealing, we immediately began investigations to shed light on the alleged intoxication of two women,” the office said.
The FGE didn’t identify the resort where the alleged drugging of the tourists took place. However, it did say that the “possible hotel” where it is alleged to have occurred is located in Costa Mujeres in the municipality of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo.
The FGE also said it was committed to holding those responsible to account.
Planet Hollywood Cancún didn’t respond to Mexico News Daily’s requests for comment.
On Facebook, Pitzer’s aunt, Stephanie Pitzer, wrote:
“This shouldn’t have ever happened. Whoever did this or was involved needs to be brought to justice!!! Praying Planet Hollywood Cancún has record of who the server was that day and deals with them accordingly!!!”
In a post to Instagram on Thursday, Hull said she experienced her “worst nightmare on what was supposed to be my dream vacation.”
“I was heavily sedated and put on a ventilator and don’t remember three days of this nightmare,” she wrote.
“… I thought staying at a resort was the safest thing for me but it wasn’t. I have endured so much pain and fear the past few days. I am lucky to be able to be alive.”
