Hotel hopper: The best hotels in Puerto Vallarta

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February 24, 2024

casa-kimberly-gallery-26-bridge-puente-del-amore — Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing and most popular resort destinations. Meagan Drillinger breaks down the best the in town. (Casa Kimberly)

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing and most popular resort towns. Nowadays, you’ll find every kind of hotel and resort to suit all budgets and tastes. From beachfront all-inclusives to quirky historic boutiques, bed-and-breakfasts, luxury adults-only escapes and everything in between, Puerto Vallarta does the hotel scene very, very well.

I may be a resident of Puerto Vallarta these days, but before it became official I was an avid visitor. I have stayed in more than a dozen of the hotels and resorts in and around Puerto Vallarta over the past decade and in that time I have curated a list of my favorites.

Dazzling ocean views make a hotel in Puerto Vallarta a great choice for rest and relaxation. (Unsplash)

If you’re looking to explore the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta, have a look at my list of favorites and see for yourself which one may be right for your next Puerto Vallarta vacation.

Hotel Mousai

Funky, off-beat and a total departure from the trendy luxury aesthetic, Hotel Mousai is my go-to recommendation for travelers to Puerto Vallarta who want a little bit of everything. The two-tower hotel is all-inclusive and adults-only, with a decor inspired by a melange of styles: Art Deco, contemporary and a dash of surrealism.

The rooms at Hotel Mousai are among my favorite in Puerto Vallarta. Each room has its own balcony with a hammock and a private plunge pool. This was one of the first hotels in Puerto Vallarta to use smart technology, with iPads that control the music, lighting and blinds. You can even order room service via the iPad.

Features at this resort are top-notch, from the Spa Imagine, with its sweeping Banderas Bay views, to the fitness center that rivals any luxury gym setup and the two sleek rooftop infinity pools. While the resort does have access to the beachfront at sister resort Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, you’ll need to take a quick shuttle ride to get there. That said, I have never once missed being on the ocean at this resort because its pools are spectacular.

Hotel Mousai scores great marks with dining, too. Each of its signature restaurants offers something different. My favorites are Hiroshi for Japanese and Dao for contemporary Chinese. A great perk of being a Hotel Mousai guest is that you get access to all the restaurants of Garza Blanca — a privilege that doesn’t go both ways. If you’re going to dine at Garza Blanca, make a reservation at Bocados Steak House. A table outside at sunset is the way to go.

The only cons at this resort are that it is not beachfront — which, again, has never impacted my stay — and the fact that it’s a 10-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. The attraction of Puerto Vallarta is experiencing the city itself, as well as its natural beauty, and I find when I’m staying at Hotel Mousai I don’t feel like getting in a taxi and making the trek into town — particularly if I’ve opted for the all-inclusive plan, which is worth every penny.

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway

Not far behind Hotel Mousai is Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway. Also all-inclusive and adults-only, this intimate 80-room resort is both right on the beach in the Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood and within walking distance to Puerto Vallarta’s Downtown and Zona Romántica neighborhoods. You can’t get a better location for a beachfront resort in Puerto Vallarta.

All rooms here have private balconies and ocean views. I love the main pool area, which is the social hub of the resort. Here you’ll find two pools and a collection of restaurants. The hotel has three of them. You can also book a romantic private dinner out on the hotel’s jetty at sunset, an experience I highly recommend. The hotel has a small spa, which has recently undergone a renovation.

I love the thoughtful touches at Villa Premiere too, from the five-minute welcome massage to the selection of aromatherapy and pillows you can choose to personalize your room.

One thing to note: while the resort is on the beach, the beaches in Puerto Vallarta proper are not the destination’s best. The beach here can be rocky depending on the time of year, and you may have to deal with a parade of vendors trying to sell you souvenirs.

Villa Mercedes Petit Hotel

Bright, colorful and packed with history, I adore this boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. Villa Mercedes Petit Hotel is an adults-only city hotel geared towards LGBTQ+ travelers. A block from the beach, the hotel is the former residence of the owner’s grandmother, which has been renovated, remodeled and splashed with bright paint and funky murals.

Rooms are centered around a central courtyard, which has a small swimming pool and plenty of places to lounge. The courtyard is connected to Restaurante Eclecticos, and guests can dine either in the restaurant or at the hotel.

Villa Mercedes’ rooftop terrace is a great spot for sunbathing or watching the spectacular sunset. And for those who want to be in the heart of the action on Playa Los Muertos, the hotel is just a block away.

Casa Velas

Puerto Vallarta has a lot of fantastic hotels, but very few of them are on the beach. Casa Velas is another example of one of the city’s best hotels without beachfront access. I love this tropical garden oasis location. The luxury, all-inclusive, adults-only hotel is like a hacienda-style Garden of Eden, shrouded in thick tropical foliage and complete with a few roaming peacocks.

The pool here is one of the best in the city, with plenty of lounge chairs and day beds. For guests who want to play golf, Casa Velashas one of the best locations in town, lying directly on the golf course near the Puerto Vallarta marina.

If you do want to go to the beach, the resort provides a complimentary shuttle service to Táu Beach Club, where guests can enjoy all-inclusive perks and priority reservations. Táu Beach Club has a pool, jacuzzi and restaurant.

Casa Kimberly

It may be a bit of a splurge, but it’s a worthy one. Casa Kimberly is my favorite luxury hotel in Puerto Vallarta. I love it for the design, the views, the food and the story. This boutique nine-room hotel was built from the bones of the former villa of Elizabeth Taylor.

The glamorous, European-style villa has ornately designed guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass-paned doors that open up to expansive terraces. The balconies overlook the scruffy, red-tiled roofs of Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica and Banderas Bay.

A massive central courtyard has a beautiful fountain and connects to The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar, a must for dinner, particularly at sunset. In the lobby, you may notice a bridge that connects over the cobblestone street below. Modeled after Venice’s Bridge of Sighs, the Puente Del Amor (Bridge of Love) connected Elizabeth Taylor’s home to the home of her lover, Richard Burton. The two would allegedly use the bridge to evade the prying eyes of the public and the paparazzi during their not-so-secret love affair.

I love this resort’s location, tucked up in the hills of the exclusive Gringo Gulch section of downtown. Wandering the streets at this hilltop location takes travelers back in time to the romantic glory days of Puerto Vallarta. It’s a quiet break from the non-stop energy and complete modernization of the streets below.

Rivera del Rio Boutique Hotel

Quirky, fun and with a fabulous location, this is one of my favorite boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta. Rivera del Rio sits in the back of the Zona Romántica alongside the banks of the lush, tropical Cuale River. Its 19 rooms are all individually designed, ensuring that no repeat stay is ever the same. A recent renovation saw the addition of a rooftop infinity pool and bar, too.

My favorite room to book here is the Carlotta Suite, which has its own entrance to Calle Aquiles Serdán. Inside the room is a spectacular crystal Venetian chandelier, a stately fireplace and a pop of color from the decidedly modern lime green couch. The room comes with a small private kitchen, as well.

But my favorite place to be at this hotel is up on the rooftop, enjoying the 360-degree views of Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. The hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from Playa Los Muertos and the restaurants along Basilio Badillo.

Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort

One of the largest resorts in Puerto Vallarta, the Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort is also one of the best-equipped. The family-friendly resort has 444 rooms, as well as a beachfront location, just a few minutes drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta.

This is a great resort for groups of all sizes, particularly families, who can enjoy the beach, the pools and the many activities. The rooms themselves are clean and comfortable but are fairly uninspired in terms of decor. What they do have are spectacular views of the Banderas Bay from the private terraces.

Guests can choose from a large selection of international restaurants, including Italian, Mexican, Asian and a steakhouse. My personal favorite is Sunan Sushi, which has great food and hand rolls their sushi with a view overlooking the bay. The hotel’s gym is one of the best I’ve seen, and it has a beautiful spa as well.

Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa

I rarely recommend that visitors to Puerto Vallarta stay in the marina because it’s so far removed from the best parts of the city. That said, one of the best family-friendly resorts in the city is right here: Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.

Featuring one of the largest pools in the area, plus a wide stretch of beachfront and views overlooking the mountains and skyline of downtown, this is a great option for families looking for a traditional resort.

Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers six restaurants, including the lobby Ceviche & Tequila bar, which is my personal favorite. I also love Mikado for Japanese dining and Las Casitas for a romantic ocean-view dinner.

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.

Guerrero’s warring organized crime groups reported to have reached a truce

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MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

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Police stand guard around the scene of a crash, with a damaged car and motorcycle — The reported ceasefire comes a week after the mayor of Taxco, Guerrero, was attacked by an armed gunman on a motorcycle. The mayor was unhurt. (Cuartoscuro.com)

Two criminals groups in Guerrero have apparently agreed to a truce after a gun battle that left at least 12 people dead.

According to Catholic priest and activist José Filiberto Velázquez, leaders of the Familia Michoacana cartel spoke via telephone with the head of the Los Tlacos crime group on Wednesday and they agreed to a “ceasefire.”

The two groups were involved in a confrontation in the municipality of San Miguel Totolapan on Monday that claimed the lives of 12 people, according to President López Obrador. Initial reports said that 17 people including 16 members of the Familia Michoacana were killed.

Velázquez, director of the Chilpancingo-based Minerva Bello Center for the Rights of Victims of Violence, told media outlets that the truce applies to all areas of Guerrero where the Familia Michoacana and Los Tlacos have been fighting. He said he wasn’t privy to other details of the agreement the rival criminal leaders reached.

The two groups have been involved in a dispute in the Sierra region of the southern state, where opium poppies have long been grown. They are also engaged in turf wars in other parts of the state including Iguala, Huitzuco and Taxco, the El Universal newspaper reported. Their illicit activities extend beyond drugs to crimes such as extortion.

Citing Guerrero residents, the news outlet Sin Embargo reported that more than 100 people have been killed in confrontations between the Familia Michoacana and Los Tlacos over the past year. Many more people have disappeared and large numbers of residents have been displaced due to the violence between the two groups.

Bishop José de Jesús González Hernández speaks at the pulpit — Bishop José de Jesús González Hernández and three other bishops reportedly met with criminal leaders last week, hoping to broker a peace deal. (Dassaev Téllez Adame/Cuartoscuro)

The truce comes a week after Bishop José de Jesús González Hernández said that he and the three other Catholic bishops in Guerrero had met with criminal leaders in an attempt to broker a peace agreement between feuding groups. González said their efforts were in vain as no agreement could be reached over which groups would have criminal control over different parts of the state.

Velázquez said that bishops weren’t involved in the truce reached between Johnny and Alfredo Hurtado, alleged leaders with the Familia Michoacana, and Onésimo Marquina Chapa, presumed head of Los Tlacos.

The priest said he was hopeful that the two groups would stop fighting and stop “attacking communities” and that the agreement they reached would “really be a lasting truce.”

He said that the “next step” is to get the two crime groups to disarm.

Guerrero was Mexico’s seventh most violent state in 2023 in terms of total homicides with 1,688, according to data presented by the federal government last month. The majority of murders are linked to organized crime.

With reports from El Universal and Sin Embargo

Mexican Navy seizes 672 kilograms of cocaine off Oaxaca coast

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MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

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GG924ZBW4AAXOI- — Six suspects were taken into custody following the high-speed chase on Thursday. (@SEMAR_mx/X)

The Mexican Navy recently seized a shipment of cocaine weighing 672.9 kilograms off the coast of Oaxaca, the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) announced on Thursday.

The bust included the seizure of a small vessel with two outboard motors and 29 drums containing 1,219 liters of fuel.

The seizure occurred near the port of Santa Cruz Huatulco on Thursday. (@SEMAR_mx/X)

Six suspects were taken into custody, though no information about their nationalities was released.

The seizure occurred in the Pacific Ocean approximately 73 nautical miles (135 kilometers) southeast of the port of Santa Cruz Huatulco, in the 18th Naval Zone.

The Navy credited field and office work for uncovering information about a possible transfer of illicit cargo, after which Navy ships and aircraft were quickly sent into action.

But as soon as Navy personnel spotted their boat, the suspected smugglers realized the jig was up and tried to flee. A high-speed chase ensued and, needless to say, the suspects were pursued and captured.

The entire action was carried out by the Mexican Navy in its Coast Guard role. The Mexican Navy includes the Mexican Naval Infantry and the Mexican Coast Guard.

The recent bust wasn’t as large as some recent Navy seizures – such as 4,400 kilograms from two vessels in late August and 922 kilograms from a single vessel one week later – but it did continue a trend of large cocaine seizures at sea.

One of the seizures was of a submarine off the coast of Baja California last June. The vessel, considered the largest narco-submarine seen in the last five years, was found to be carrying 3,500 kilograms of cocaine.

Overall, the Mexican Navy had a record year of illicit drug seizures in 2023.

With reports from Quadratin

Julieta Venegas to headline International Women’s Day events in CDMX

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MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

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Julieta Venegas sings and plays accordeon — Julieta Venegas will give a free concert in the Mexico City Zócalo to mark International Women's Day. (Julieta Venegas/Facebook)

A free concert by singer Julieta Venegas and a mass ballet class directed by renowned dancer Elisa Carrillo Cabrera will help Mexico City commemorate International Women’s Day next month.

The two Mexican superstars will appear in person on March 16 and 17, respectively, at the Zócalo, the capital city’s central plaza that can hold upwards of 100,000 people.

While International Women’s Day is March 8, the Zócalo is being held open that day for women’s rallies and speeches.

“It is a fundamental day of mobilization and, therefore, it has all the respect and guarantees from the government of Mexico City,” said interim CDMX Mayor Martí Batres. “The Zócalo will be free for women’s gatherings on March 8. I make it very clear so that there is no confusion.”

Overall, there will be more than 120 activities at more than 90 locations in Mexico City during the Tiempo de Mujeres (Time for Women) festival, held March 1 through March 17 — including service fairs, films, conferences and workshops.

One of the events is a March 1 show at Teatro de la Ciudad (City Theater) in which 77-year-old American punk rock legend Patti Smith will perform a concert that combines poetry, music and images.

Portraits of Mexican ballerina Elisa Carrillo Cabrera and rock star Patti Smith — Other scheduled events include a open-to-all ballet class given by Mexican ballerina Elisa Carrillo Cabrera and a performance by punk rock singer/writer/artist Patti Smith. (Elisa Carrillo Cabrera/Facebook, PattiSmith.net)

Smith will kick off the sixth annual Tiempo de Mujeres festival, which this year is subtitled “Festival for Equality.” It aims to recognize women’s social struggle through spaces that promote their artistic, cultural, political, scientific and educational work.

The exhibit “Eyes of a Flying Woman” by Patricia Aridjis at the Photography Archive Museum is part of the lineup, as is a presentation at Teatro de la Ciudad of the Ka’ux Women’s Philharmonic Band from Oaxaca’s Mixe community.

A new mural by artist Eva Bracamontes will be unveiled at the FARO Oriente cultural center in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa borough, and a tribute will be paid to filmmaker María Novaro, 72, who was among the first generation of female filmmakers to graduate from a film school in Mexico.

The Venegas concert — which will also feature Vanessa Zamora, Laura Itandehui and Girl Ultra — is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 16 at the Zócalo, with the Carrillo ballet class the next day at 9 a.m. Both events are free.

A pink concert poster featuring Julieta Venegas holding a bouquet of flowers — Julieta Venegas, Girl Ultra, Vanessa Zamora and Laura Itandehui will perform at the Zócalo on March 16. (Secretaría de Cultura CDMX/Facebook)

Venegas is well known in Latin America for her 2006 album and hit song “Limón y Sal” (Lime and Salt) and her worldwide hit “Me Voy” (I’m Leaving). Born in Long Beach, California, in 1970, the indie-pop star grew up in Tijuana.

Carrillo, the dancer, was born in 1981 in the municipality of Texcoco in México state and is a principal dancer with the world-renowned Berlin State Ballet. She has won the three most important international ballet awards, becoming the only Mexican and first Latin American to do so.

Her free class will turn the Zócalo into “the largest dance classroom in the world,” wrote the newspaper El Economista.

Mexico City’s Ministry of Culture has more information about the festival on its Facebook page, its account on the X social media site and on its website.

With reports from La Jornada, Milenio and El Economista

Mexico’s economy grew 3.2% in 2023, but slowed down in last quarter

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MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

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shutterstock_1140800771 — Mexico's economy surpassed growth expectations in 2023, but 2024 could bring a slowdown. (Shutterstock)

The Mexican economy grew 3.2% in annual terms in 2023, according to revised data published by the national statistics agency INEGI on Thursday.

The figure is slightly below the 3.3% GDP expansion reported in mid-January based on preliminary data. The 3.2% growth comes after expansions of 3.1% in 2022 and 5% in 2021.

Audi plant in Mexico — Mexico’s secondary or manufacturing industry recorded the strongest growth among the three broad sectors of the economy. (Audi México)

The strong growth in 2021 came after an 8.5% contraction in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions ravaged the economy.

Last year, Mexico’s secondary or manufacturing industry recorded the strongest growth among the three broad sectors of the economy, expanding 3.5% compared to 2022.

GDP for the tertiary or services sector increased 3.1%, while that for the primary sector including agriculture, logging and fishing expanded 2.1%.

The overall growth figure was well above forecasts made in early 2023, but slightly below some more recent ones. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), for example, predicted in January that final data would show that the Mexican economy grew 3.4% last year.

The IMF said late last year that Mexico had overtaken South Korea and Australia to become the 12th largest economy in the world.

At 2.5%, annual growth in the final quarter of 2023 was below the figure for the entire year. Andrés Abadia, chief Latin America economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, believes it’s “probable that growth will continue to be weak in the short term due to stricter financial conditions and less favorable remittances from abroad.”

President López Obrador and Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama view construction at the Tulum Airport — The construction sector – a key driver of growth last year – has begun to slow as the government nears completion of major infrastructure projects. (Mara Lezama/X)

The Bank of Mexico’s benchmark interest rate remains at an all-time high 11.25% almost a year after it was raised to that level, while remittances could fall from the record level recorded in 2023 depending on economic conditions in the United States.

An initial cut to the key interest rate is expected some time in the first half of this year, provided inflation continues to fall.

Annual headline inflation declined in the first half of February after increasing during three consecutive months between November and January, but at 4.45% remains above the central bank’s target.

Abadia said that Mexico’s strong labor market will help avoid a “prolonged downward trend” in economic growth rates. However, he noted that activity in the construction sector — a key driver of growth last year — has begun to slow as the government nears completion of some major infrastructure projects, such as the Maya Train railroad.

The El Financiero newspaper reported that the “market consensus” is that the Mexican economy will grow 2.4% this year, but noted that predictions could change if an interest rate cut — or even successive cuts — spurs private consumption.

Meanwhile, the growing nearshoring trend is expected to once again benefit the economy in 2024 as foreign companies act on investment announcements they have already made.

Foreign firms announced investment plans totaling over US $106 billion in the first 11 months of 2023, according to the Economy Ministry (SE), which expects the money to flow into the country in coming years. That figure is almost triple Mexico’s foreign direct investment total in 2023, according to preliminary data published last week.

With reports from El Financiero and El Economista

Got 1 min? Europe’s first direct flight to Tulum airport announced

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MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

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Discover Airlines_A330-300_ (1) — Germany's Discover Airlines will become the first carrier to offer direct flights to Tulum International Airport from Europe. (Discover Airlines)

In a move expected to boost tourism in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the new Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport will welcome its first direct flight from Europe at the end of the year.

Discover Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Group, will operate two flights a week from Frankfurt, Germany, to the Tulum airport during the winter season, from Dec. 12 through April 2025.

Tulum international airpot — Tulum airport is expected to bring a surge in tourism to the already-popular region, with the addition of direct European flights opening the beach town up to larger markets. (Mara Lezama/X)

The airline also operates six weekly flights to Cancún during the summer and winter seasons and four in the low season. Once the Tulum route begins, Discover will offer daily connections to the Yucatán Peninsula from Germany.

“Discover Airlines is proud to become the first European airline to offer non-stop flights to Tulum,” the company said in a press release. “With this new route, the Frankfurt-based leisure airline is responding to the strong demand from travelers in Germany and throughout Europe.”

Mexican officials negotiated with airlines from Switzerland, Spain and Germany during last month’s International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid, as part of efforts to attract more flights from Europe to Tulum.

Tulum, located in the state of Quintana Roo, is known for its beaches and spectacular Maya ruins and cenotes.

Additional hotel infrastructure is being built in the region to handle the boost in international tourism the new airport is expected to provide.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador inaugurated the Tulum airport on Dec. 1, which boasts a terminal with capacity for 5.5 million passengers annually.

The airport will begin receiving flights from North America in March. Delta, United, American, JetBlue and Air Canada will be providing connections to 12 destinations in the United States and Canada.

The first flights from South and Central America are also expected to begin operating soon, connecting through Panama City via Copa Airlines.

With reports from La Jornada Maya and Aviacionline

As Mexico’s presidential election approaches, Sheinbaum holds a commanding lead

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MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

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CandidatesFeb2024 — The three candidates — from left to right, Xóchitl Gálvez, Claudia Sheinbaum and Jorge Álvarez Máynez — return to campaigning next week after a pause mandated by the National Electoral Institute (INE) that began Jan. 19. (Mexico News Daily, X)

Claudia Sheinbaum has a decisive advantage over Xóchitl Gálvez in the contest to become Mexico’s next president, according to the results of a new poll.

Just over three months before election day, a poll conducted for the El Economista newspaper found that Sheinbaum has 51.6% support, almost 24 points clear of Gálvez on 27.8%.

Claudia Sheinbaum has a decisive advantage over Xóchitl Gálvez in the race to become Mexico’s next president, according to a poll from the newspaper El Economista. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Jorge Álvarez Máynez, the candidate for the minor Citizens Movement party, is in a distant third place, with 5.1% support among 1,600 adults polled by the company Mitofsky between Feb. 17 and 20.

Support for Sheinbaum, who will represent the ruling Morena party and its allies in the June 2 election, increased 0.8 percentage points compared to El Economista’s January poll, while the percentage of respondents who said they would vote for Gálvez, the candidate for a three-party opposition alliance, increased by 0.9 points. Support for Álvarez Máynez declined slightly.

Sheinbaum’s advantage over Gálvez is even greater if the 15.5% of non-committed respondents are stripped out of the poll results. In that case, the former Mexico City mayor has 61.1% support, more than 28 points ahead of Gálvez, a former National Action Party (PAN) senator who will represent that party as well as the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) on June 2.

The official campaign period begins next Friday March 1. The new president will be sworn in Oct. 1.

Xóchitl Gálvez is in second place in polls, comfortably ahead of Citizens Movement candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Which presidential candidate is the most experienced, the most intelligent and “closest to the people”?

The poll respondents were asked to take into account what they know about the three candidates in order to respond to the following nine questions.

Who is the most experienced?
Who would make the best president of Mexico?
Who is closest to the people?
Who is the most intelligent?
Who represents more of a change?
Who would create more jobs?
Who would attract more investment?
Who is more honest?
Who don’t you trust

Sheinbaum — a physicist and environmental scientist who was environment minister in Mexico City when Andrés Manuel López Obrador was mayor in the early 2000s — fared best on every question.

Over 50% of those polled said that the 61-year-old Mexico City native is the most experienced; would make the best president of Mexico; is closest to the people; and is the most intelligent.

Former Mexico City mayor Sheinbaum retains a commanding lead in the polls on every major public issue. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Just under half of respondents — 48.5% — said that Sheinbaum represents more of a change than her two rivals, even though her election would keep Morena in power. Similar percentages of respondents said that the ex-mayor would create more jobs; attract more investment; and is more honest than the other two presidential hopefuls.

Only 18-26% of respondents cited Gálvez — a 61-year-old Indigenous Otomí woman who was a businesswoman before moving into politics — when responding to the first eight questions. The range for Álvarez Máynez, a 38-year-old lawmaker, was 3-7%.

Just under one in five respondents — 17.9% — said they don’t trust Sheinbaum, while the figures for Gálvez and Álvarez Máynez were 36.1% and 16.2%, respectively.

Desire for continuity greater than appetite for change

More than five in 10 poll respondents believe that it would be better for Mexico for Morena to continue governing the country, while fewer than four in 10 believe that a change of party is preferable.

Morena, officially the National Regeneration Movement, took office in late 2018 when President Andrés Manuel López Obrador won a comprehensive victory at the presidential election in July of that year. The president founded the party early last decade and it is now the dominant political force in Mexico, holding power in 21 of the country’s 32 federal entities. Morena is allied with the Labor Party and the Ecological Green Party of Mexico.

The Morena party of incumbent President López Obrador is still believed to represent change, despite having been in power for six years. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

The percentage of poll respondents who believe that Mexico will be better off with a continuation of Morena rule — 53.4% — increased 1.9 points compared to El Economista’s previous poll.

Sheinbaum has pledged to build the segundo piso, or second story, of López Obrador’s so-called “fourth transformation,” or 4T, which has been characterized by things such as significant spending on welfare and employment programs, austerity in many other areas, a stated commitment to combating corruption and impunity and the construction of several large infrastructure projects.

Another tenet of the 4T is the president’s so-called “hugs, not bullets” security strategy, which focuses on addressing the root causes of violence over combating criminals with force. While the number of homicides last year was the lowest since 2016, total murders during López Obrador’s presidency — over 170,000 — is the highest of any six-year period of government in Mexican history.

The percentage of poll respondents who believe that Mexico would be better off with a different party (or parties) in power declined to 38.9% from 40.8% in the January poll.

The PAN was in power for the first 12 years of this century after Vicente Fox won the 2000 presidential election and thus ended over 70 years of uninterrupted rule by the PRI. Fox was succeeded by Felipe Calderón, who initiated a militarized “war” on drug cartels shortly after he took office in 2006. Homicides increased significantly during his six-year term, and continued to rise during the presidency of Enrique Peña Nieto, who was sworn in as president in late 2012, returning the PRI to power.

Peña’s administration was plagued by corruption scandals and severely tarnished by the abduction and presumed murder of 43 students in Guerrero in 2014. The previous government enacted a number of constitutional reforms, including one that opened up Mexico’s energy sector to foreign and private companies. In February 2014 — seven months before the 43 students disappeared — Time magazine put Peña Nieto on its cover and declared that he was “saving Mexico” as a result of his “sweeping reforms.”

After 18 years of PAN and PRI rule this century, and just over five years of a Morena administration, a majority of Mexicans — according to the latest El Economista poll and numerous others — believe that a continuation of the 4T under the leadership of Sheinbaum is preferable to returning to the past by electing the three-party coalition headed by Gálvez.

With reports from El Economista

Flag Day: The Story of the Mexican Flag

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MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

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shutterstock_1718212390 — Flag Day is celebrated every Feb. 24 with a ceremony and a song known as 'El Toque de Bandera." (Shutterstock)

Every year on Feb. 24, Mexicans commemorate one of the country’s three national symbols: the Mexican flag.

On this day, students nationwide hold special flag ceremonies at school and pledge allegiance to the flag while singing “El Toque de Bandera,” a short anthem in its honor.

Mexico’s flag is an important source of national pride for many across the country. (Michael Balam/Cuartoscuro)

As an emblem of national identity, our flag reveals crucial parts of our country’s history, dating back to the Mexica Empire, the Spanish conquest and most recently, Mexico’s independence.

In today’s story, we will explore how Mexico’s flag has changed over time, its current role as a symbol of unity and the fascinating myth that inspired its emblem. We will also explore the laws that currently regulate it and why, unlike the U.S. flag, it’s impossible to find the Mexican flag on commercial merchandise.

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mexico’s first flag

In September 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, often referred to as the Father of the Nation, took the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe from the sacristy of the parish of Atotonilco, Guanajuato and used it as a symbol of resistance and unity to claim independence from Spain.

As a priest, Hidalgo was well aware of mass religious sentiment towards the Virgin Mary and knew that only she could unify the entire country for a common cause.

The flag of Emperor Agustín de Iturbide

Once Mexico achieved independence in 1821, criollo Agustín de Iturbide — who fought for the royalist army against the insurgents before joining them in 1821 — was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico and used a tricolor flag to represent his government.

This flag was Mexico’s first as an independent country and features a crowned eagle shield and the colors of independence: green, white and red, which would remain in subsequent flags.

In this flag, white represents the Catholic religion, green represents Mexico’s independence and red represents the unity of Mexicans with Spain.

Benito Juárez flag

The flag used during the government of Benito Juárez, which lasted from 1858 to 1872, is known as the republican banner. In this version, the eagle no longer has a crown, and laurels and olive trees represent the republic.

The colors also changed meaning as a result of the separation of church and government: green represents hope, white represents unity and red represents the blood of the nation’s heroes.

The flag of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico

In 1864, Archduke Maximilian of Austria was appointed Emperor of Mexico by Napoleon III. During his rule, the Mexican flag underwent some design modifications, including changes to its proportions and the addition of four crowned eagles in each corner. Its appearance was similar to the coat of arms of the Second French Empire.

The flag remained in use until 1867, when the Austrian monarch was executed and Benito Juárez’s government returned from exile.

Porfirio Díaz flag

By the late 19th century, Porfirio Díaz — who ruled Mexico for over 30 years — used a flag that featured an eagle devouring a snake while perched on a cactus, surrounded by a laurel wreath.

Due to Díaz’s preference for French culture, the eagle was depicted in the French style of the time, with its wings spread and facing forward.

The flag of the Mexican Revolution

During the Mexican Revolution, President Venustiano Carranza ordered the eagle’s position to be changed. On September 20, 1916, he decreed that the eagle should be shown prostrate on a cactus, on a rock surrounded by water. The eagle would also be surrounded by a semicircle of oak and laurel and be depicted from the left profile to reflect the ideology of Carranza’s government.

The current flag and the Mexica legend that inspired it

The current Mexican flag was officially adopted on September 16, 1968, by President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. Maintaining the original colors, its coat of arms depicts a golden eagle perched on a cactus and devouring a snake.

The coat of arms was inspired by the Mexica legend of the founding of Tenochtitlán, part of the myth of the people of Aztlán.

According to the story, in the 12th century, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war, ordered the Nahua people to leave their homeland of Aztlán. The Mexica, one of these groups, were told to build their new city in the place where they saw an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus while devouring a snake. The Mexica finally saw this sight on a tiny islet in the middle of Lake Texcoco, in the Valley of Mexico.

To build their city, the new residents developed garden islands known as chinampas, connected by causeways. Today, this city has become Mexico City. Since then, the eagle, the snake and the cactus on the islet have been symbols of identity for the Mexica and their descendants.

Regulations around the flag

In 1968, Mexico issued the Law on the National Coat of Arms, Flag and Anthem, which regulates the use of Mexico’s three national symbols.

According to this law, it is illegal in Mexico to commercialize the Mexican flag on merchandise such as coffee cups, t-shirts, pens and other utensils. Selling replicas of the flag is only legal during national holidays.

Gabriela Solís is a Mexican lawyer based in Dubai turned full-time writer. She covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her life in Dubai in her blog Dunas y Palmeras.

Don’t ‘break your head’ trying to say these American expressions in Spanish

By

Paulina Gerez

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February 23, 2024

7

sander-sammy-ufgOEVZuHgM-unsplash — Idioms can be confusing, but don't beat about the bush and andarse con rodeos - let us help you instead! (Sander Sammy/Unsplash)

Speaking another language is hard. In fact, it’s so hard, that we’ve produced a guide to stop you from breaking your head trying to articulate your thoughts in Spanish. ¿Alguna vez te has roto la cabeza por no encontrar lo que quieres decir en español? Language is a powerful tool, but sometimes finding the right words can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. ¿Te suena familiar?

Let’s explore some common English idioms and their Spanish equivalents to unravel the mystery of expression.

Beat Around the Bush – Andarse con rodeos

When someone is avoiding the topic or not getting straight to the point, you might say they are “beating around the bush.” In Spanish, this translates to “andarse con rodeos.”

Next time someone is not being straightforward, try this expression:

Example: No te andes con rodeos, solo ve al grano!

Stop beating around the bush, cut to the chase!

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Speak of the Devil – Hablando del Rey de Roma

In Spanish, the equivalent expression for this idiom is “Hablando del Rey de Roma.” It’s a fun way to acknowledge that the person you were just talking about has unexpectedly shown up. Next time this happens, try smoothly using the Spanish version!

Example: Carlos: ¿Has visto a Sofía últimamente? No la he visto en semanas.

Have you seen Sofia lately? I haven’t seen her in weeks!

Ana: No, ni yo. Hablando del Rey de Roma, ¡mira quien llegó!

Neither have I. Speaking of the devil, look who’s here!

Sofía: ¡Hola! ¿De qué están hablando?

Hey! What are you talking about?

Carlos: Estábamos precisamente hablando de que no te veíamos hace mucho.

We were just saying that we haven’t seen you in a long time.

Costs an Arm and a Leg – Costar un ojo de la cara

Have you ever wanted to buy something that cost an arm and a leg? In Spanish, the equivalent phrase is “costar un ojo de la cara.” Now you can tell your friends about that new gadget you desire while sacrificing a totally different body part.

Example: Ana: Si vas a ir al concierto?

Are you going to the concert?

Sofía: No, cuesta un ojo de la cara.

No, it costs an arm and a leg.

Understanding idioms not only enriches your language skills but also provides insights into local culture. So, whether you find yourself beating around the bush, speaking of the devil, or buying something that costs an arm and a leg, remember that language is a journey – one that often involves a bit of cabeza-breaking along the way. But fear not, as each idiom cracked is a step closer to mastering the art of expression in Spanish.

Paulina Gerez is a translator-interpreter, content creator, and founder of Crack The Code, a series of online courses focused on languages. Through her social media, she helps people see learning a language from another perspective through her fun experiences. Instagram: paulinagerezm / Tiktok: paugerez3 / YT: paulina gerez

Air quality alert in effect for Mexico City metropolitan area

By

MND Staff

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February 23, 2024

0

Hazy view of Mexico City skyline — High levels of pollution have led to the implementation of environmental protection measures, including vehicle restrictions in Mexico City and its surrounding areas. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

The Mexico City Environmental Commission (CAMe) announced Phase 1 emergency environmental measures Thursday afternoon, triggering vehicle restrictions within the greater metropolitan area that will remain in effect on Friday.

A Phase 1 air quality alert is in effect for the Valley of México after a heavy concentration of ozone was detected, and as of 10:00 a.m. on Friday, authorities announced the alert would remain in place throughout the day until 10 p.m.

View of Mexico City from a webcam — The air quality alert went into effect on Thursday afternoon because of increased levels of atmospheric ozone. (Webcams de México/X)

The Phase 1 order affects all 16 Mexico City boroughs and 12 municipalities in the neighboring state of Mexico. The alert dramatically reduces the number of vehicles allowed to circulate in the Mexico City metropolitan area, cuts in half the number of LP gas delivery trucks on the road, prohibits certain cargo deliveries in the morning (from 6 a.m. through 10 a.m.) and cautions the public from engaging in outdoor activities.

In a Thursday night press release, CAMe reported that ozone measurements had topped out at 167 parts per billion (ppb) at 3 p.m., necessitating the Phase 1 alert which is declared any time ozone surpasses 100 ppb.

The CAMe report indicated that its meteorological models revealed a high-pressure system above the Valley of México accompanied by intense solar radiation, atmospheric stability and lack of wind, all of which contributed to the ozone concentration.

A thermal inversion was also detected, further complicating the situation. Such inversions play a major role in air quality, especially during the winter when these inversions are the strongest.

Pollutants from vehicles, wood burning and industrial emissions become trapped near the ground, contributing to poor air quality. The lack of wind allows the pollutants to remain trapped above the valley.

Those considered most at risk from ozone exposure are children, people with asthma and other lung diseases, older adults, and adults who are active or work outside.

The CAMe will issue an updated bulletin on air quality at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, which can be consulted via the agency’s X account.

With reports from Infobae