Few countries in the world spoil history lovers quite like Mexico. From Olmec heads to Colonial wonders, the story of the nation is only a step away. (Unsplash / Alexis Mora)
Having spent the past four years living in and traveling all over Mexico, I’m continually struck by how well the country has preserved its historical heritage. Few countries display their history as openly as Mexico, where the layers of time are etched into the very landscape. You can see it in the colonial cathedrals built with the stones of dismantled temples and feel it as ancient pyramids that tower over the jungle canopy.
According to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), there are over 50,000 archaeological sites in Mexico. While the vast majority remain unexcavated, nearly 200 are open for exploration — many of which are entire cities that have withstood centuries of conquest and jungle reclamation. This historical wealth is staggering in its scale and comparable to that of countries like Peru and Egypt.
With that, I present another edition of Where to Travel in Mexico in 2025, designed to help you navigate Mexico, matching your specific interests to the destinations that best suit you. Here’s a look at six of the best historical spots in Mexico for travelers interested in the stories of yesteryear.
Mexico City and Teotihuacan: For the tallest pyramids
(Unsplash/Edgar Cavazos)
To travel back in time, the best place to start your journey is in the capital city. Beneath the skyscrapers and colonial buildings of Mexico City lie the remains of the ancient Mexica (Aztec) capital, Tenochtitlan. After a brutal siege in 1521, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his allies razed Tenochtitlan, building their new world directly upon its ruins.
For centuries, the great temple of the city’s ceremonial center, the Templo Mayor, lay forgotten. Today, you can descend into the excavation site next to the Metropolitan Cathedral. This was once the axis mundi of an empire, a dual pyramid once dedicated to the gods of war and rain, now forever shadowed by the symbols of its conquerors. To see the artifacts that have been recovered here, spend a day at the spectacular National Museum of Anthropology, home to some of the biggest collections of pre-Columbian artifacts in the Americas.
An hour’s drive from Mexico City takes you to Teotihuacan, dubbed the “Birthplace of the Gods.” This colossal city, which peaked centuries before the Mexica, was already an awe-inspiring ruin when they found it. They revered it as a sacred place, admiring its imposing pyramids.
From the top of the Pyramid of the Moon — it’s now possible to climb it again — you can look down at the Avenue of the Dead towards the Pyramid of the Sun, and admire the sheer scale and the mystery of who built it. On my recent trip here, I booked a hot air balloon trip over Teotihuacan for my friends who were visiting; needless to say, they were all absolutely blown away. Go early to beat the crowds and the sun — there is no shade — and wear proper footwear, a hat and sunscreen.
Chichén Itzá: For the best-preserved ancient city
(Unsplash/Christina Abken)
There are archaeological sites, and then there is Chichén Itzá. As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, its monumental scale and iconic structures are known across the globe. Of the numerous ancient ruins I’ve explored in Mexico, this is easily the best preserved.
Before my trip, I’d seen the pyramid of El Castillo in a thousand photographs, but nothing prepares you for standing before it, feeling its geometric perfection and contemplating its purpose as a massive stone calendar. This Maya city is a testament to an advanced understanding of astronomy, from the serpent of light that descends the pyramid during the equinoxes to the celestial alignments of the El Caracol observatory.
The best time to visit Chichén Itzá is during the spring or fall equinox. On these two days, the setting sun creates the illusion of the feathered serpent god, Kukulcan, descending the stairs of the main pyramid. Regardless of the time of the year, Chichén Itzá gets incredibly crowded. My advice is to get there the moment it opens. Better yet, stay overnight in a hotel in nearby Valladolid so you can beat the crowd. Hiring a licensed guide is also well worth the expense, as they can unravel the myths and understand the complex Mayan civilization.
Palenque: For wild jungle adventures
Palenque is another amazing pyramid site in Mexico. (Unsplash/Elias Almaguer)
Rising from the thick jungle canopy of Chiapas, Palenque is a city of staggering architectural and artistic achievement. It was a powerful Maya city-state that peaked in the 7th century under K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, or Pakal the Great. Its centerpiece is the towering Temple of the Inscriptions, which houses the famous tomb of Pakal, discovered only in 1952. The hieroglyphic inscriptions found here were crucial in cracking the Maya code.
I’ll never forget my first visit. As one of the first people to enter the park that morning, I felt like I’d stumbled upon a lost city. Long before I saw the first stone temple, I heard the guttural roar of howler monkeys echoing from the canopy and the chatter of parrots. As I walked the grounds, brightly-colored toucans flew through the dawn mist that clung to the pyramid tops.
The magic of Palenque lies in its seamless integration with the surrounding Palenque National Park. As a protected area, the park allows wildlife to flourish — it’s common to spot coatis and spider monkeys in the trees bordering ancient ball courts.
To experience Palenque the way I did, get there when it opens at 8 am. Consider hiring one of the certified local guides at the entrance — their invaluable knowledge brings the city to life. After exploring the ruins, head inside the on-site museum, the Museo de Sitio de Palenque, which houses many of the original treasures and features a stunning replica of Pakal’s intricate sarcophagus.
Calakmul: For a completely offbeat experience
(INAH)
If Chichén Itzá is the blockbuster movie, Calakmul is the art-house epic for hardcore history enthusiasts. The ancient city was one of the two Maya superpowers during the Classic period, the seat of the Snake Kingdom (Kaanul dynasty) and the sworn enemy of Tikal in Guatemala. The sheer scale is mind-boggling, with over 6,500 structures identified.
Esconced deep within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, this ancient site is remote and not easy to get to. It’s about a two-hour drive from the main highway, but the reward for this journey is profound solitude. Since a large portion of the ancient city is still not excavated, you get a sense that you are only scratching the surface of a forgotten superpower.
Visitors are still allowed to climb Structure II, the tallest pyramid in Calakmul, but the steps are steep and there are no railings, so be extra careful. From the top, you can look out to an unbroken sea of green jungle stretching to the horizon, with the tops of other temples poking through like islands, and imagine what this ancient city looked like in its heyday.
Visiting Calakmul is a pilgrimage, more than a simple day trip. I recommend renting a 4×4 or at least a vehicle with good suspension, as the road into the reserve is long and bumpy. This is a place for serious walking shoes and an adventurous spirit. Staying overnight in the nearby town of Xpujil is your best bet for an early start.
Ruta Puuc: For Puuc architecture
(Unsplash/Neven Myst)
For those who appreciate not just scale but unique style, the Ruta Puuc south of Mérida is a journey into architectural mastery. This collection of sites showcases the Puuc style of the Late Classic period, characterized by stunningly intricate mosaic stonework and a ubiquitous devotion to the long-nosed rain god Chaac.
The star of the route is Uxmal, a site so beautiful it rivals Palenque and Chichén Itzá. I remember being mesmerized by the Pyramid of the Magician, with its unique rounded sides, and the Governor’s Palace, a low-slung masterpiece of decorative friezes that Frank Lloyd Wright considered one of humanity’s greatest architectural achievements.
Renting a car from Mérida allows for more freedom to explore the Ruta Puuc at your own pace. After the grandeur of Uxmal, continue to the smaller sites of Kabah — with its dizzying Palace of the Masks — and Labná, where you can walk through a beautifully ornate arch that once connected two parts of a thriving city. It’s a day of appreciating artistry, craftsmanship and the subtle evolution of a civilization’s expression in stone. You can easily combine a weekend in Mérida with a road trip along the Ruta Puuc for an all-encompassing adventure.
Villahermosa and Xalapa: For Olmec history
(Wikimedia Commons)
Before the Maya, before the Aztecs, there were the Olmecs, the mother civilization of Mesoamerica. For those who want to go back to the very beginning of Mexican civilization, the trail of the Olmecs is a fascinating journey.
Seeing the colossal Olmec heads at the Parque-Museo La Venta in Villahermosa was quite the experience. Walking through a jungle park, I suddenly came face-to-face with a 20-ton stone head carved 3,000 years ago, staring at me with an inscrutable expression. It was humbling to stand in the presence of artifacts from a culture credited with so many firsts: major ceremonial centers, monumental stone carving and possibly the first writing system in the hemisphere. Their influence spread across ancient Mesoamerica, down to many parts of today’s Central America.
To properly trace their legacy, start in Villahermosa to see the colossal heads from the La Venta site, now displayed in a fantastic outdoor museum. From there, travel to Xalapa to visit the impressive Xalapa Anthropology Museum (MAX), which boasts the most important Olmec collection in the world. Villahermosa has a Gulf Coast climate, so pack light clothing and bug spray for the heat and humidity. On the other hand, Xalapa enjoys a cool climate year-round, as it’s located in the Veracruz highlands, surrounded by coffee plantations.
What’s right for each type of traveler?
We’ve put together a table summarizing which destination would suit culture travelers based on their experience in Mexico.
Beginner travelers are those with limited international experience; maybe this is their first trip to Mexico. Ideal for first-timers who prefer margaritas with training wheels. These travelers stick to well-trodden paths, mastering “¿Dónde está el baño?” while clutching a phrasebook. They thrive in destinations where guacamole arrives with optional spice and the hotel staff speak Google Translate.
Intermediate travelers are those with some international experience who can handle moderate language barriers and cultural differences. Ready to trade resorts for real-deal experiences, these travelers navigate cobblestone streets without face-planting. They’ve graduated to ordering “tres tacos al pastor” without pointing and can haggle for a sombrero in Oaxaca’s markets… but still overpay by 20%.
Advanced travelers are those with extensive experience navigating complex destinations independently. These wanderers treat Mexico like a choose-your-own-adventure novel written in Spanglish. They’ve adopted a street dog named Churro, debate the merits of different artisanal mezcals and know which mercado stall has the best tamales oaxaqueños.
Nellie Huang is a professional travel writer and author based in San Miguel de Allende with her family. She has contributed to BBC Travel, CNN, International Business Times, and National Geographic, and co-authored Lonely Planet’s 2025 Mexico guide. Read about her adventures worldwide on wildjunket.com and follow her updates on Instagram @wildjunket.
Tipping can feel like an act of support, especially when it's meant for those on low wages. Does overtipping make things worse? (Sam dan Truong)
For the umpeenth time this week, I’m at La Cabra Illuminada in San Miguel de Allende, enjoying a creamy piccolo and a hefty plate of enchiladas verdes stuffed with vegan pea cheese and zucchini and crowned with tiny sprigs of verdolaga, when a retired American couple eagerly saddles up next to me, waiting for the right moment to spark up a conversation. As usual, there is no such thing — I’ve got two hours before the kids are out of camp, I’m the breadwinner for my family of five and I’m working.
But there, sitting in silent awe of the weeping fig tree that’s been allowed to keep sprouting skyward in the very center of the café, thanks to Mexico’s signature green architecture, I do something I don’t usually do; I lean into the conversation. And when I surrender, I learn they’re in their late 60s, having just sold the majority of their belongings in order to complete an itinerary-less cross-country U.S. trip in a van. They’re currently splitting their time between Puerto Vallarta, California and, they hope soon, San Miguel de Allende.
When the check arrives, the dilemma begins: How much should you tip in Mexico? The national standard of 10% may not feel like enough, but are you creating a problem by tipping more just because you can afford it? (Shutterstock)
I applaud their strong commitment to speaking Spanish and instantly recognize their post-COVID-19 journey as the mirror image of so many like it: sick of the cold and itching for adventure in their golden empty-nester chapter.
“I’ve got to ask,” says the wife once she senses we’ve built enough of a friendly rapport, “what should we be tipping?”
I shut my laptop. I have a lot of thoughts about this. In September 2020 — during the late-stage COVID pandemic days — my business partners and I led a movement to eliminate tipping in restaurants (including in our own, where we implemented what we called Flat30).
We were early adopters with a radical-socialist-y philosophy, determined to push our customers and industry beyond a “minimum wage” mentality into the more complex reality of a livable wage, healthcare access and a sustainable labor model that offered a win-win for all. Wouldn’t it be nice if the price listed on the menu simply included everything you needed to pay — plus the peace of mind that the people serving you could truly afford their rent and groceries?
Nearly five years later and just a few days before meeting this lovely couple, I found myself grappling with another conundrum entirely: Have I been overtipping in Mexico? While COVID-19 upended how many hospitality professionals — and guests — thought about the total compensation of U.S. restaurant workers, the idea of a livable wage in any sector in Mexico is still a castle in the sky for most servers, bartenders, dishwashers and bussers south of the border.
And as the antigentrification movement gains momentum in Mexico City, those of us living on the other side of the Rio Grande could stand to more honestly examine how our behavior could be harming our neighbors, beyond willingly overpaying for housing and complaining in online forums about the daily fluctuations of the dollar-to-peso exchange rates.
Foreigners in Mexico with a favorable currency exchange often knowingly overpay for homes, food, services, etc., figuring they’re helping the local economy. (Roberto Carlos Roman/Unsplash)
According to data provided by Mexico’s 2019 Economic Census, food services here drive an 855 billion peso industry. Even more sobering is the distribution of these restaurants, with nearly 700,000 eateries employing 0–10 staff, while the categories of 11–50 and 51–100 employees demonstrate starkly lower numbers: 24,000 and 1,500 establishments, respectively.
As a former restaurateur, this tells me that the overwhelming majority of Mexico’s dining operations consist of mom-and-pops. Labor statistics claim to monitor “average earnings,” but it’s reasonable to assume most people are making significantly less.
For reference, the average monthly salary for restaurant workers in 2024 was reported to be around 9,000 pesos (US $470). Figures provided by the crowdsourced database Livingcost set monthly median spending for a family of four at 61,000 pesos(US $3,261), which, if these estimates are accurate, would leave most restaurant workers beyond priced out of a family dwelling in their hometown.
Now, let’s assume you live in Mexico, or visit often, but that you’re not considering any of the nitty-gritty economic statistics or the glaring social inequities when thinking about tipping. You’re likely of one of two minds: the first being that your income streams are in U.S. dollars and so it is your responsibility to leave generous gratuities wherever you go. The second assumes that you should neither overtip nor undertip and that you certainly don’t ever want to feel you’re being taken advantage of by being forced to pay a “gringo tax” for eating out.
Here’s my take: Given that I spent nearly three decades in hospitality — working grueling hours on my feet, scrubbing dirty towels and dishes, plunging toilets, somehow enduring the dreaded “triple-double” shifts and doing it all with a forced smile — I spent my first four years in Mexico in the former camp. Now add to that empathy the gratitude I feel when anyone has to pick up after my twin toddlers and their age-appropriate penchant for hurling bits of whatever’s in front of them to the ground.
I was, admittedly, a chronic overtipper.
But, recently, a local mompreneur gave me something to chew on.
“Stop tipping so much,” she wrote in all caps in our mixed-race San Miguel Social Moms group chat; yes, in all caps. She went on to explain that the well-meaning percentages that foreigners have been repeatedly tipping — above the socially accepted national standard of 10% and the above-and-beyond the norm for exceptional service of 15% — were not only catalyzing a domino effect of poor treatment of Mexican clientele by staff but also creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of servers conjecturing that Mexican customers wouldn’t tip “well.” The Mexicans, in turn, were expecting poor service even before it was delivered.
So where does this leave us? Is it acceptable to tip above 15% if you’ve had the best experience in your recent memory? Absolutely. But do you need to try to prove something noble to an invisible morality police every time someone cooks you a meal and delivers you a check for it? I think that’s up for debate.
In expat hubs like Mexico City, where foreigners may regularly tip above the 10%-15% norm, it is surprising that local businesses and staff eventually begin giving them preferential treatment over Mexican customers? (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)
If you want to be less of a colonizing presence and more of a mutual aid to your Mexican neighbors, do as I say, not as I do. The famous adage “vote with your dollar,” comes to mind, as does the TED Talk by the effervescently brilliant writer Taiye Selasi: “Don’t ask me where I’m from, ask where I’m a local.”
I think this is what my new couple friends were yearning to become.
To my fellow “locals,” next time someone provides you a service, whether it be at a restaurant or elsewhere, pause before you pull out your wallet. Rather than asking, “What should I be tipping?” it may be more compassionate to weigh a few alternative queries: “Why am I tipping this amount? Who benefits and who could potentially be damaged or displaced by my spending election?”
Whatever you decide, it’s ultimately a self-inquiry worthy of our discomfort, especially at a time when gentrification in Mexico is inching towards a tipping point of its own.
Simone Jacobson is a Burmese American former Top 10 in America restaurant owner, cultural connector, toddler twin mama and writer based in San Miguel de Allende. By day, she is the Content Director for Well Spirit Collective. In all other moments, she strives to raise compassionate children who never lose their curiosity, tenderness and radiant light. Read more by Simone here.
For once, we take a look at a fruit that doesn't hail from Mexico — but one that has found a home here regardless. (Jonas Renner/Unsplash)
For once, I’m going to write about a fruit whose history is refreshingly unconnected to ancient Mexico. The pomegranate hails from a stretch running through modern Iran to the northern reaches of the Indian Himalayas. Archaeological finds tell us that people in these regions cultivated and savored the fruit as far back as 5,000 years ago.
The pomegranate’s journey reads like a footnote to the great travelogues of civilization. Phoenicians — master navigators and merchants whose legacy includes the alphabet — spread pomegranate seeds from the Levant to the Mediterranean’s edge, long before Rome would see its first triumph. Their ships mapped new routes for culture and cuisine throughout Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Later, when the Moors conquered the Iberian Peninsula, they brought their gardens with them, including the pomegranate, to the Andalusian sun. Granada, one of Spain’s most exquisite cities, still bears the fruit as its emblem.
(Feliphe Schiarolli/Unsplash)
The final lap of its journey took place with the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Galleons laden with goods — gold, spices, dreams, and seeds — sailed west, carrying pomegranates into the New World, where the fruit found new soil and eventually, a starring role in Mexico’s culinary heritage.
As for the word itself, “granada” comes from the Latin malum granatum (“seeded apple”), revealing how ancient cultures viewed the pomegranate as both familiar and mysterious —so much so that it couldn’t help but attract legend.
For Egyptians, pomegranates were important enough to be placed in tombs for the afterlife, prized for their healing powers and as a source for textile dyes. The Babylonians believed eating the fruit before battle guaranteed good luck and courage. Greeks regarded the pomegranate as an aphrodisiac, weaving the fruit into their mythology — the story of Persephone’s descent into the underworld is marked by the fateful moment she ate its seeds.
Judaism holds that the fruit’s many seeds represent the 613 commandments of the Torah, adorning priestly robes and Temple pillars. Early Christians viewed it as a symbol of harmony, and in Islam, it is counted among the fruits of paradise, with pomegranate trees still grown in gardens as reminders of abundance and divine favor. Across generations and faiths, its symbolism endures.
Personal symbolism
At my grandparents’ ranch, a pomegranate tree dominates the center of the patio. Each year, as the fruit ripened, my grandfather would organize our harvest. Hands stained, clothes splattered with the indelible red juice, we’d gather beneath its branches to peel away the rind, gossiping and sharing stories until the sunset colored the sky. There, plans were made: quesadillas in the village, borrowing a neighbor’s stew, or simply playing rummy with fresh bread and milk at home. For me, the pomegranate tree is a symbol for enjoying a perfect moment of “dolce far niente” — sweet nothingness — after a day of hard labor.
Curiously, Mexican kitchens have rarely adopted pomegranate outside of one iconic dish. Unlike the sugar-crystallized candies, jams, or preserves made from other fruits, pomegranate’s role has been almost entirely reserved for chiles en nogada. This celebratory plate — white walnut sauce, green poblano pepper, and the brilliant red of pomegranate seeds—was invented to commemorate Mexico’s independence. It’s claimed the dish uses exclusively endemic ingredients from Puebla. Whenever I hear this strong affirmation, it makes me smile. Here is a fruit from Persia, chosen to represent the red of our flag, echoing the blood of independence fighters, yet a world away from Mexican origin.
Outside this symbolic role, pomegranates appear from August to October, filling market stands with granadas, some cut open to display their ruby grains. Street vendors roam, selling them whole, in simple sacks, or freshly seeded.
If you ask me, the simplest way is the finest: devour them as they are, sun-warmed and pure, or with a hint of salt and lime to accent their natural sweetness.
A powerhouse hidden in plain sight
Pomegranate isn’t just beautiful; it’s remarkably nutritious. Each seed is loaded with polyphenols, tannins, vitamins C and K, folate, potassium, and a good dose of fiber. If you’re chasing antioxidants, pomegranate outperforms even green tea.
Its benefits are wide-ranging and backed by growing scientific interest: potentially helping prevent certain cancers, improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure, boosting cognitive function and aiding in the prevention of Alzheimer’s, strengthening the immune system, and serving as an impressive anti-inflammatory agent — especially for those with arthritis. Some even call it a fountain of youth, thanks to its antioxidant compounds.
Reinventing tradition
These days, Mexican cooks are experimenting with pomegranate. It’s no longer confined to chiles en nogada or the market vendor’s buckets. Toss the seeds into salads. Try them with chickpeas, tomatoes, olives, red onion, a splash of olive oil, and a little vinegar. The freshness is unmistakable, the pop of flavor unforgettable.
The next time you eat chiles en nogada, reflect on what each bite delivers: the taste of Persian orchards, Phoenician spice ships, Moorish palaces, Spanish colonial ambition, and Mexican creativity. The pomegranate, in every seed, carries a vertical slice of world history — its crimson hue a reminder of the way our plates are shaped by journeys both ancient and ongoing.
María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.
Sheinbaum and her administration have remained calm and professional despite a barrage of insults and threats from the U.S., Bembenek writes. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Just a few months ago, it seemed nearly impossible to imagine that the Trump administration would hit Mexico with tariffs. Now, every day that Mexico largely avoids them brings a sigh of relief. At this point, Moody’s Analytics estimates that the effective U.S. tariff rate on Mexican goods is 13.5%, significantly higher than just a few months ago, but still relatively low compared to other countries. So how is it that Mexico has thus far been able to largely avoid the heavy blows of tariffs hitting so many other countries? How can it be that on the same day that Trump increased tariffs on Canada and reconfirmed them on nearly every other country in the world, Mexico yet again largely succeeded in dodging the bullet? These are important questions to analyze in order to predict what might happen going forward.
I first highlighted the “Claudia Sheinbaum case study” shortly after she was elected. I argued that she would be one of the most interesting and fascinating leadership case studies anywhere in the world to follow over the next few years. Making history by becoming the first female and first Jewish president of Mexico, she has a huge weight on her shoulders. She inherited a nearly zero-growth economy, increasing debt loads, high inflation and a strong currency. She has had to make important funding decisions on her predecessors’ expensive pet projects like the Maya Train, the Dos Bocas oil refinery, and the rapidly growing federal Bienestar welfare program. Cartel violence under her predecessor continued unabated. On top of all of that, she has faced new leaders in both the U.S. and Canada — each with a mandate for change in their own countries.
I believe that Sheinbaum and her team have been putting on a masterclass on how to work with the Trump team. They have been incredibly calm, patient, measured, mature and professional in the way they have managed the U.S. relationship in the face of such a barrage of insults, accusations and actions. Some highlights of how they have responded:
Sheinbaum has been having phone calls nearly once a month directly with Trump.
Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard has been in Washington every few weeks since Trump was elected to meet with U.S. trade and commerce officials.
Sheinbaum’s administration has clearly attempted to avoid direct confrontation when Trump administration officials have (frequently) harshly criticized Mexico. They have responded to threats and criticisms with facts and data in the daily press briefings.
Business organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico and American Society of Mexico have supported her administration by diligently and tirelessly emphasizing the strategic benefits of the U.S.-Mexico relationship: the two countries’ co-production system, the significant value add created by goods made by the U.S. and Mexico, the interconnected supply chains, etc.
Her administration has looked to strengthen direct ties with other countries like Canada and Brazil without expressly suggesting that it is in response to threats from the U.S.
Her team has taken steps to curb the flow of Chinese investments and goods into the country — raising tax rates on small-value packages from Shein and Temu, not encouraging investment of Chinese auto suppliers given the sensitivity of the U.S. administration, and cracking down on Chinese counterfeit goods.
Trump in return has not taken action against Mexico to the extent that he has against Canada, Brazil or countless other countries. He recently called out Canada’s lack of progress in stemming the fentanyl trade as justification for increased tariffs, yet significantly more fentanyl comes from Mexico. He doesn’t seem concerned that inflation will increase as a result of placing tariffs on top trade partners. So why is he ultimately treating Mexico less harshly on tariffs than other countries?
My sense is that Sheinbaum has actually won Trump’s respect. She has figured out how to appease him and give his administration what they want, while steering clear and not responding directly to their frequent insults and attacks. She has succeeded in explaining the challenges of quickly resolving cartel violence and drug trafficking while at the same time demonstrating some progress. Remarkably, she has been able to do this while still earning the trust of the Mexican people — evidenced by her most recent approval rating this past week of 80%.
Of course Trump could change his mind at any moment on literally any issue, but I think thus far Sheinbaum has done an exceptional job at steering her country in some very turbulent waters during some very tough times. That being said, she will have to continue to demonstrate her administration’s commitment and show progress on stopping the flow of drugs in order to continue to avoid tariffs in the future. I don’t agree with every domestic policy decision she has made, but I think she deserves a ton of credit and has my utmost respect thus far as Mexico’s leader.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
Sometimes the hardest part of hosting visitors from home is explainign to them how Mexico works and then watching them struggle to understand it. (Intricate Explorer/Unsplash)
I just had a whirlwind couple of weeks — my sister was here!
Because I’ve lived in Mexico for so long and we’re close, she’s probably been to Mexico now 30-plus times. She comes once or twice a year, typically. Even so, there are always plenty of things that take her by surprise!
Xalapa is pretty, traditional and a far cry from Texas. This might catch some visitors by surprise. (Matt Gush/Shutterstock)
What’s it like having guests from your home country at your home in Mexico?
It’s fun. And tiring. It also involves a fair bit of setting expectations (“What do you mean I can’t just hop in the shower and have hot water right away?”).
Let’s talk about it!
Language
If you live in a place where English is not as widespread, you’ll need to help your guests do pretty much everything when you’re out of the house. This includes explaining items on menus, ordering food, asking where the bathroom is, etc… They might also want to know what you’re talking about with others. This past weekend, we went to several museums, none with placards in English. I’m not saying they should have them in English, but when they don’t and you want your guest to know what they’re looking at,you yourself will serve as the guide and translator.
How things work in your house
Sorry about the lack of air conditioning. (Freepik)
I’ve lived in places from small rented rooms with concrete floors to, comparatively, virtual palaces. But as beautiful and spacious as it is, it lacks several major conveniences that my compatriots are used to. The most noticeable one is a lack of climate control. This is fine, as the weather here is usually pretty nice. Still, it can take some getting used to for someone who’s used to a precise 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if that were achieved, the houses aren’t sealed; some outside air is for sure coming in,as are mosquitoes, despite our best efforts at keeping them out.
Heating water for showers can also prove adventurous. At most previous places I’ve lived, it was a matter of turning on or up the water heater. Now I have an electrical shower, but a switch still needs to be turned on. Once it is, a choice must be made: water pressure or hot water? You cannot have both, because that’s just how it works.
Cars, streets, and infrastructure
“I’ve seen a lot of cars with at least one brake light out.” Yes. Yes you have. Honestly, I can’t help showing off a littlewhen I drive with guests around here. Watch as I dodge that motorcycle passing on the right and go over this tope just so! And all in a stick shift! Sidewalks around here can be equally crazy. A 60-degree wheelchair ramp that leads to nowhere but concrete steps? Why not? Cars parked on the sidewalks? Wherever you’re walking, you’ll definitely want to advise your guests to keep their eyes on the ground in front of them. Take no walking surface for granted!
Noise levels
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: you can’t be precious about noise levels in Mexico; it’s a losing battle.
Coming soon to a window near you, at 3 a.m. (Cuartoscuro)
I say this, but people don’t seem to really understand until they’re here. How loud could a residential place be, after all?
Oh, plenty loud. First, there are the approximately seven people per dayringing my doorbell. Then there are people shouting about the things they’re selling as they walk by. Behind my house, we’ve got a guy with one of those super noisy motorcycles, and unruly children who inexplicably don’t start playing outside until approximately 11 p.m. My neighbor across the street has a jam session with his buddies every Friday, too, and there are some neighborhood dogs who get very upset when others pass their houses. And this is a fairly quiet neighborhood, really.
If you need quiet to sleep, bring earplugs and maybe some muffs, too!
Creature comfort availability
One of the things we wanted to do on this last trip was recreate my mom’s famous pot roast. I have a slow cooker…What I don’t have is knowledge of how different cuts of beef are called. We wanted a “chuck roast,” but settled for a hunk of meat that was simply labeled “beef.”
Speaking of my mom, I remember a trip she took to see me back when I lived in Querétaro. We went to Walmart in search of a fan. “I’ll find it,” she said with confidence. “I know Wal-Marts, they’re all laid out the same.” They were not, and she was shocked to find only two to three models of fan available.
“What do you mean you don’t have gluten-free doritos with truffle oil and handpicked Kampot peppercorns?” (Isaac Esquivel/Cuartoscuro)
In terms ofproduct selection at places like the grocery store, it’s comparable to the US’s normal selection back in the 1980s. This is fine, as we really don’t need 20 different kinds of Doritos, do we?
You want trash cans? Search hard
This might go under the “sidewalks and street” category, but I think it deserves it own. It’s hard to find a place to freaking throw away your trash when in public, something that annoys me endlessly about my own city. If you don’t want people to litter, make it possible for them to actually throw things away!
Bathrooms are another issue. Perhaps those from large cities have similar experiences, but the fact that bathrooms here are a “business” usually comes as a shock. “Five pesos for 10 squares of toilet paper and powdered soap next to a dirty sink? What can I get for 10?” Thankfully, bathrooms in places like malls and grocery stores are free, at least.
Everything is smaller
Especially for larger guests, fitting in — literally —can sometimes be a challenge. In the US, we’re used to gigantic everything now. Cars (and parking spaces), to go cups, things we don’t think about being big like bathroom stalls (see above). “If you’re really thirsty, you should carry around a big bottle of water,” I say to my guests, knowing the unexpectedly tiny glass of agua fresca they’ll surely get at a restaurant.
For all these reasons, hosting can be pretty involved no matter how unintrusive your guests intent to be. And that’s okay. For those of us who’ve lived here for a while, we know the drill. Clear your calendar and enjoy giving tours not just of places, but of the culture!
Long time tour planners Chris and Lindsay Harvey run Baja Amigos, who have been running RV trips across the Peninsula for years. They spoke to Mexico News Daily about the challenges of touring, answered questions about the journey and discussed their personal stories. (Chris and Lindsay Harvey)
When it comes to RVing in Baja, an adventure enjoyed by thousands annually, Chris and Lindsay Harvey are acknowledged experts. Not only did they, as Chris likes to say, literally write the book on the subject — “RVing and Camping the Baja Peninsula” — they’ve also founded the website RVing Baja. The Harveys also recently took over as operators of Baja Amigos, which, since its founding in 2009 by Dan and Lisa Goy, has been the foremost specialist in small-size RV caravan tours through Baja.
That expertise is on full display speaking with Chris, as he discusses all aspects of RVing in Baja, from boondocking and border crossing tips to preparing your RV to weather the climate and road conditions of a long journey through one of the most ruggedly beautiful places on Earth.
RVing the Baja California peninsula is the adventure of a lifetime. (Chris and Lindsay Harvey)
Mexico News Daily: What are the must-know border crossing tips for RVers in Baja?
Chris Harvey: Certain paperwork is required for any RVers crossing into Baja. This includes the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), Mexican auto insurance and vehicle registration — including towed trailers or vehicles — valid for up to 180 days, which is the maximum length of time travelers are permitted to visit Baja.
To obtain the FMM, travelers must present a passport and pay the fee of approximately US $45. It is the traveler’s responsibility to request the opportunity to pull over at the border to process the FMM. There is a misconception, particularly at busier border crossings, that if the border agent does not tell you to get an FMM, then you do not need one. You absolutely need one. That is, if you plan to spend more than 72 hours beyond the 20-mile free border zone.
Is there anything new in 2025?
Effective in 2025, there are reports of special immigration officers checking tourists for their FMMs. If you travel without an FMM or the mandatory liability insurance on your vehicle, then you are breaking the law. Yes, the consequences can be severe. Also, if traveling with a pet, you must have up-to-date rabies vaccinations good for the duration of your travels, up to 180 days. The CDC now requires an additional fee-free form to be completed upon returning to the U.S.
When you choose to travel with Baja Amigos, we assist in processing all paperwork to ensure that each of our guests is a legal visitor in Mexico, properly insured and comfortable knowing that we are with them as we all cross the border together.
Which attractions in Baja California are best suited for RV travelers?
There are lots of great activities that attract RV travelers to Baja each year, particularly between late fall and early spring. From vineyards and wine tasting in Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California to gray whale watching along the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur, campers can expect loads of unique experiences.
By far, the biggest attractions in the busy RV season are the whale watching opportunities. Whether gray whale “petting” in the northern part of Baja California Sur or watching humpbacks breach and play in the waters near Cabo San Lucas along the East Cape, whales are a definite theme for attracting campers during the winter months. Additionally, travelers have the unique opportunity to swim with whale sharks in La Paz during this time, adding to the wildlife theme that offers all sorts of attractions during the winter.
Whale watching is a major seasonal attraction for those RVing in Baja. (Unsplash / Mike Doherty)
Which places do people most want to visit?
Many campers are generally attracted to warmer weather and water, where they can explore and stay on a variety of beaches on either side of the peninsula. Most prefer the warmer winter waters of the Sea of Cortés [Gulf of California] in places like Bahía de San Luis Gonzaga, Bahía de Los Ángeles, Bahía de Concepción and the beaches that stretch between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas along the East Cape.
Others prefer the Pacific side of the peninsula, which offers surfing, fishing, and whale watching, and great artistic communities such as San Juanico (Scorpion Bay), and Todos Santos and Los Cerritos.
Beachside camping is one of the unique features of Baja, where campers can either camp for free or for a minimal fee and wake up with million-dollar views outside their door. Then there are treasures to be found in the desert, including the otherworldly landscapes of Cataviña and oasis towns such as San Ignacio and Mulegé, each boasting rich history and historical missions. Culturally speaking, Loreto is incredibly popular with campers and is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. From fishing to water sports in the offshore national park to inland hikes and day trips to explore the San Javier mission and town, Loreto has something for everyone. And the food options in Loreto — incredible!
Which places are not for everyone?
Los Barriles, along the southern end of the peninsula, is also a camper’s haven with a handful of great campgrounds centrally located in a town that is arguably the most popular among expats in the southern state of Baja California Sur. Hyperscenic views on the drive in and around Los Barriles and a very English-friendly community make Los Barriles popular with campers who may want or need a little break from some of the smaller towns and villages that might have lacked the amenities they are used to when traveling in the U.S. and Canada.
We say that people either love or hate towns like Los Barriles and Loreto because they can be much more “comfortable” than other destinations throughout the peninsula. So, depending on whether you are seeking an authentic Mexican experience or want to spend some time where the living is easy, these destinations may be filled with the kind of attractions and relaxation that attract RV campers.
We have designed all of our Baja Amigos caravan itineraries to visit the most popular and must-visit destinations and include or offer optional tours for all of the activities and excursions that attract campers during the winter months. We mix beach camping with formal campgrounds and include highlights such as wine tastings, whale watching and historic town and mission tours in all of our caravans, giving our guests an action-packed overview tour of Baja, leaving them wanting for very little on their Baja-camping bucket list.
Baja Amigos offers intimate caravans for recreational vehicle enthusiasts (Chris and Lindsay Harvey).
How can someone ensure their RV is prepared for Baja’s terrain and climate?
The peak of RV camping is between November and early April, when the temperatures are typically mild, particularly for those campers traveling from northern U.S. states or Canada. However, during this time, nights and mornings can be cool and in the 50-degree Fahrenheit range in Baja California, while daytime temperatures can be warm (over 80 degrees Fahrenheit) in Baja California Sur.
So campers must be prepared for a range of temperatures when preparing to visit Baja. Between April and October, temperatures are generally considered unbearably hot, so if one plans to RV through Baja during the summer, they would need to account for hot temperatures that are over 100 Fahrenheit in many places. Typically, the summer offers better surfing and fishing. But because the temperatures are so extreme, most RVers will not travel during this time.
In terms of terrain, there is one main highway (Federal Highway 1) that runs nearly 1,000 miles through the length of the peninsula and is the primary backbone of transportation for all vehicles, including semi-trucks. The roads tend to be narrow, often without a shoulder and in various states of repair or disrepair. The highway traverses a variety of desert landscapes with several steep grades, but mostly flat or gently rolling hills. Because Baja is a desert, there are long stretches between towns and villages where cellular service is not to be expected.
What are the best preventative steps before starting out?
Because of the road and terrain conditions, we recommend that every traveler invest heavily in preventative maintenance for their vehicle(s) before they cross into Baja. This is particularly important for many travelers with Mercedes or other custom vehicles that may require special parts or fluids. In this case, we advise carrying spares of vehicle-specific items. Many skilled mechanics in Baja will go out of their way to assist. But if a part is not available, it can be incredibly challenging and inconvenient for travelers to find ways to ship parts to where they are awaiting repair.
We also advise that RVers inspect and replace any tires that are on their last legs and carry at least one full-size spare. Tire-repair shops are numerous along the highways in Baja because tire repairs are such common issues, and tires can typically be patched or installed easily. But when it comes to travel trailer and fifth-wheel trailer tires, bring two spares if possible, as trailer tires are not common along the peninsula.
Our Baja Amigos wagonmasters are all incredibly helpful in assisting our guests who experience issues related to terrain or climate. While we do not mandate mechanical proficiency, they have all traveled extensively throughout the peninsula for years and have loads of resources and contacts to assist when needed. We also travel at safe speeds and in the smallest group sizes of any company operating caravans in Baja, so our guests can feel comfortable knowing that they will receive adequate assistance in the event of traveling incidents.
Communal cocktails and making new friends are part of the fun of RVing in Baja. (Chris and Lindsay Harvey)
Is traveling alone safer or more enjoyable than with others in Baja?
Although we are in the business of leading small groups of campers through Baja, we are also the first to say that traveling in a caravan is not necessary for either safety or enjoyment. However, there is no doubt that traveling in a group is typically more fun, and there is always safety in numbers.
Baja is generally safe for campers, and the Mexican people are wonderfully hospitable and welcoming. It is always important to recognize and respect local customs and norms and to try to assimilate into Mexican culture while traveling. This not only leads to a more authentic experience but also to a safer one in which locals may make suggestions or offer advice to campers, particularly if there happen to be any local disruptions to the normal way of life.
So it’s safer in groups, but rewarding either way?
In the times when we travel by ourselves, we always make new friends along the way. Doing so opens the door to new experiences and relationships we would not have otherwise. Even though we literally wrote the book for RVing and camping in Baja, there are lots of places to discover outside of those we include in our book and online resources, and traveling alone can lead to all sorts of unique experiences.
However, Baja Amigos is built on the concept of the smallest caravan sizes, and we let all our guests know that regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs, traveling in our caravans will lead them to sharing incredible experiences that will result in new friendships and lifelong memories. As operators of the company and wagonmasters of several tours each season, we find that the joy of traveling with a small group of guests overshadows the “work” that goes into ensuring our guests have a remarkable experience.
This is to say that it is a coin toss whether travelers will enjoy and feel safe traveling alone versus in a group. Typically, we have a handful of couples on our tours where one or the other guest wants to travel independently while the other prefers the safety and expertise of a professionally planned and guided caravan. At the end of these trips, both guests in a party are grateful for choosing the caravan experience and all of the convenience it provides.
What are the benefits of caravan trips with Baja Amigos?
As we are the longest-running and most established caravan company in Baja, we have several key rewards for our guests: a smaller group setting, professionally planned itineraries and guidance and affordability.
Unreal scenery is part of the allure of the Baja journey. (Chris and Lindsay Harvey)
By far, the best thing about joining one of our Baja Amigos caravan tours is the small-group size. That differentiates us from other companies operating in Baja. We have a 15-person maximum, typically in seven RVs, which creates the most intimate experience possible. Guests remain close on the highway during drive days and camp together each night. Our small group size creates a perfect environment for both impromptu and scheduled happy hours and meals together, where strangers become friends and create lifelong memories together.
We also cut [out] months, if not years, of planning logistics and overcoming stressful situations. For instance, dealing with border crossings and driving on challenging roads. Most of our wagonmasters have traveled the peninsula for decades and add their own flair to the tour, where they have relationships, activities or other experiences that go above and beyond guest expectations. We constantly improve the guest experience by amending the itineraries each year based on guest feedback and the changing opportunities in Baja.
We tell our guests to let us do all the planning and worrying so they can make the most of enjoying their Baja camping adventure. And for those guests who make their decisions based just on the bottom-line costs, our caravans have always been and continue to remain the most affordable of any option. We provide an incredible amount of value for our guests, including unique experiences and meals that reflect the cultural and geographic diversity of the peninsula. Through years of leading tours, we’ve found a great balance between including not-to-be-missed activities with the freedom and flexibility for guests to experience more of the kind of things they may enjoy the most.
Of course, we’ve also built in the safety-in-numbers principle, and we only camp in reputable, established campgrounds or campsites where our guests feel secure. We also have great relationships with community members and vendors from years of operating in Baja, where our guests can know that their patronage has a positive impact in supporting great people and communities.
What are the top camping spots with amenities versus rustic sites in Baja?
For RV campers looking for formal campgrounds with amenities comparable to what they may be used to in the U.S. and Canada, regions near the border and a handful of other destinations scattered throughout the peninsula tend to offer the best camping opportunities. Clam Beach Resort near Ensenada and Pete’s Camp in San Felipe are two such options for campers looking for full hookups and the convenience of either camping on the beach or within walking distance to it.
Further south in La Paz, Campestre Maranatha offers arguably the best campground experience in Baja California Sur with level sites, full 50-amp hookup and a refreshing pool. Most other campgrounds in Baja offer a little of what one might expect north of the border, but are much more rustic. Most of the more popular destinations have campgrounds that make visiting convenient and comfortable.
Finding fun places to camp in Baja is not a problem. (Chris and Lindsay Harvey)
Typical electric hookups at most campgrounds are 15-20 amp, and many campgrounds may offer a primitive dump station, as opposed to full sewer hookups. Some have restaurants, laundry facilities or other extra features onsite. But, due to the landscape, most campgrounds have mostly level sites built in the dirt, as opposed to level concrete pads.
Of course, Baja is known for its primitive desert camping experience, particularly at any number of beaches that line both sides of the peninsula. For those looking to dry camp or boondock their way through a season of camping in Baja, the possibilities are limitless, and typically, one can find a nearby campground that will allow them to empty their tanks and fill up on water.
While 4×4 is a great feature for the most adventurous of campers, many of the most popular rustic beach camping areas are easily accessible with 2WD. Nearly a dozen beaches along the Bahía de Concepción, Playa Rosarito, Bahía de San Luis Gonzaga, Bahía de Los Ángeles, Playa Los Cerritos and Cabo Pulmo are among the most popular beach camping destinations for those willing to trade the convenience of modern hookups for the chance to wake up in a truly beautiful part of the peninsula.
It seems like winter is when most people want to RV through Baja. Is that when you’re planning your next Baja Amigos caravan?
Yes, by far, the best and most popular time for RVers to visit Baja is between November and early April. The late spring through early fall can be unbearably hot. However, for campers escaping the cold northern winters, Baja is a paradise between November and March. This coincides with wildlife migrations such as gray and humpback whales and whale sharks, and makes spending time on the water or camping next to it ideal.
Typically, most campers leave Baja just before the busy Semana Santa, the Holy Week before Easter, as this is a special time of celebration for most Mexican communities.
We offer all our caravans during this peak travel season, with our next Baja Amigos caravan departing the U.S. on November 7 for a 40-day fall adventure. Lindsay and I have been returning to Baja by early November each year since we discovered the beauty of the peninsula in 2019, and this is one of our favorite caravans to lead because we spend a bit more time on a few of our favorite beaches and we beat the rush that tends to fill up the peninsula after the holidays.
There’s always time for a detour to see natural attractions, like this cave art. (Chris and Lindsay Harvey)
However, we also offer one of our 30-day small-group caravans in both January and March, and we have three February offerings led by our amazing wagonmaster team. We also have a shorter 18-day “beaches-and-whales” themed caravan that Lindsay and I lead at the end of January.
How did you and Lindsay first become interested in RV travel?
Lindsay and I met in Cuba in March 2013 and were married on an island off the coast of Honduras at the end of the year. Travel and adventure have been a part of our marriage from the very beginning. In 2016, we became foster parents for up to eight children at a time, working as house parents for an orphanage in Florida.
With no kids of our own, the time with the children was incredibly fulfilling and allowed us to care for kids who would otherwise not have such a loving home. But we sensed that adventure awaited once our time with the orphanage was over. Sometime in our first year as foster parents, we began studying and planning a way to drive the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Argentina. We purchased a flatbed F-250 and a slide-in truck camper and began making preparations for the journey.
Two years later, most of the kids in our care were either reunited with their families or adopted, and we made a clean break from the orphanage to pursue our adventure to reach Deadhorse, Alaska, at the top of the world. In July 2018, we pulled into Deadhorse and swam in the Arctic Ocean. Then we turned south on our drive toward Argentina.
As we say, over the next year, everything but the wheels fell off in our plans. We returned to Florida at the end of 2018 to complete some substantial mechanical repairs and regroup before driving west to cross into Baja on our way south. We planned to take the ferry from La Paz to the mainland and continue south into Guatemala and beyond. However, early 2020 had other plans for us — and everyone else — and we realized that crossing international borders was not going to be feasible or advisable with all the uncertainty in the world.
What happened then?
We found ourselves in a holding pattern, taking the fall of 2020 off [from] visiting Baja, but realizing that as long as Mexico remained welcoming to tourism, we could always return to Baja. We spent six more months in our second winter season, further exploring and falling in love with the people, culture, landscapes and wildlife in Baja. At that point, we were hooked and abandoned any thought of the Pan-American Highway as we fell further and further in love with the peninsula.
Chris and Lindsay Harvey have made a career out of RVing Baja. (Chris and Lindsay Harvey)
While drawing a map in the sand for a couple we met on a beach, they suggested that we should write a book or lead others through Baja based on what we knew. It sounded far-fetched at the time. But we did just that, publishing the first edition of our guidebook in 2022. We began our own caravan company shortly thereafter.
As part of our business strategy, we reached out to the existing caravan companies to let them know that we wanted to peacefully coexist in helping first-time travelers explore and enjoy the peninsula. We received curious responses from two companies. The owners of one, Baja Amigos, responded incredibly welcoming, inviting us to not only operate our company side-by-side with theirs but also to teach us the ropes about operating caravans in Baja.
How did you come to operate Baja Amigos?
Our relationship with the owners deepened over the next two years. To the point that it made more sense for us to assume the operations of Baja Amigos rather than to start our own company from scratch. We ended up leading two caravans for them in the spring of 2024, further solidifying our relationship with the owners and realizing that our values were nearly identical: small group sizes, well-rounded and unique experiences that teach respect and support for local Mexican people and communities in which we travel.
It was natural to carry the torch forward for the owners. We share the same vision for helping our guests experience the things that made us so quickly and passionately fall in love with Baja — its people, culture, landscapes and wildlife.
We look forward to continuing to share our passion and experience with our guests as we constantly look to grow and deepen relationships with campground owners, vendors and tour operators in Baja, built on those that the owners of the company have established over the past two decades of traveling independently and as caravan leaders throughout the peninsula.
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.
After the U.S. accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of working with the Sinaloa Cartel, Sheinbaum responded: "If they have some evidence, show it." (Presidencia)
At her Friday morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum declared that there will be no U.S. military “invasion” of Mexico after news broke that President Donald Trump had “secretly signed a directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American drug cartels.”
During her final mañanera of the week, Sheinbaum also responded to questions on a range of other topics, including U.S. allegations against the president of Venezuela and the migrant caravan whose members are currently walking through southern Mexico.
Sheinbaum responds to US allegation that Nicolás Maduro has ties to Sinaloa Cartel
A reporter noted that the United States has increased the reward it is offering for “information leading to the arrest and/or conviction” of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
She also noted that the United States accused Maduro of having ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, which is based in the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa.
In a video message on Thursday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that a US $50 million reward — double the previous reward — is now on offer for information leading to the arrest of the Venezuelan president.
“Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like TDA [Tren de Aragua], Sinaloa and Cartel of the Suns to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country,” Bondi said.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 7, 2025
She also said that Maduro is “one of the largest narco traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security.”
Sheinbaum said it was the “first time” she had heard of the alleged links between Maduro and the Sinaloa Cartel, which the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization in February.
“On Mexico’s part, there is no investigation that has to do with that,” she said.
“As we always say, if they have some evidence, show it. We do not have any evidence related to that,” Sheinbaum said.
The reporter asked the president whether there was “any plan” for the migrants and whether they would receive assistance to regularize their presence in Mexico.
She said that officials from the Interior Ministry and the National Immigration Institute were “working” with members of the caravan, who set out on foot from the city of Tapachula on Wednesday.
The migrants — who are aiming to reach Mexico City — are reportedly from a range of countries including Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela.
They remained walking northward in Chiapas as of Friday.
Sheinbaum presents song dedicated to immigrants in the US
After Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza spoke about the México Canta music competition, which is now approaching its semi-final stage, Sheinbaum presented a new song by the Texas-based band Intocable, which plays regional Mexican music and will perform at the grand final of the México Canta contest.
“Yesterday, the group Intocable came [to the National Palace], Ricky and René, to tell me that they were joining the [México Canta] initiative … and they showed me an unreleased song,” the president said.
“And I said to them: Why don’t you let me present it at la mañanera? And they said yes. … It’s dedicated to our migrant brothers and sisters who suddenly find themselves in a difficult situation, and the song talks about how to come together, how to feel part of our country and part of a collective that loves them,” Sheinbaum said.
“Here’s Intocable.”
Durante la conferencia matutina, la Presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum, presentó la más reciente canción de Intocable, la cual está dedicada a la comunidad migrante, además de recordar que la agrupación musical está sumada a la iniciativa México Cantahttps://t.co/4bukeWtQt8pic.twitter.com/TLqILcjvuK
Videos circulating on the internet show the vehicle of the victim, Ernesto Cuitláhuac Vázquez Reyna, the FGR representative in Tamaulipas, in flames from the attack.
(Cuartoscuro)
Federal agents and military forces arrested Jaret Roberto “H” at a rehabilitation center in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, the border city where the murder took place. Authorities also seized two long guns, ammunition and drugs, the FGR said in a press release.
Jaret Roberto “H” is suspected of participating in the assassination of Ernesto Cuitláhuac Vázquez Reyna, the Tamaulipas state delegate of the FGR.
“Information found on his cellphone established without a doubt his direct participation in the homicide … as a member of ‘Los Metros,’ a faction of the ‘Gulf Cartel,’ one of the main groups responsible for fuel trafficking in that region,” the FGR said.
In a dramatic attack, the assailants threw a grenade at Vázquez’s black Cadillac SUV as he drove down Reynosa’s Miguel Hidalgo Boulevard. Vázquez was then dragged out of the burning vehicle and shot.
The FGR later tracked a vehicle involved in the attack, allowing them to identify and locate the suspect, Jaret Roberto “H” — who incidentally was the target of a pre-existing arrest warrant.
The investigation into the attack continues as authorities search for other suspects involved in Monday’s attack, the FGR said.
