What’s on in Guadalajara in September

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September 3, 2025

roman-lopez-oNRD6lTTxCc-unsplash (1) — Wave flags, munch snacks and get a feel for Jalisco's unique culture throughout September. (Unsplash / Roman Lopez)

September is a month of celebration in Mexico as the country commemorates its independence from Spain. Beyond the festivities that mark this occasion, Jalisco’s capital will host a variety of events, including an Oktoberfest, a film festival, and a celebration of corn. Lake Chapala also contributes to the lineup with an exciting outdoor event featuring hot air balloons.

Let’s get right into it!

European Film Festival 2025

European FIlm Festival Guadalajara — (Facebook)

If you’re a film lover, especially a fan of European cinema, you won’t want to miss the European Film Festival. From documentaries that capture unique stories to dramas and comedies that portray life in different European countries, this edition brings together eight films with a wide variety of genres and narrative styles. Some of the featured films include “Historjá,” “Hotel Pula,” “Animal” and more.

Dates: Aug. 28-Sept. 5

Location: Cineteca FICG, Av. Manuel Gómez Morin 1695

Cost: Free

Exposición de Francisco Toledo

Francisco Toledo art showing — (Facebook)

Francisco Toledo (1940-2019), one of Mexico’s most prominent artists, will be honored in Guadalajara with the exhibition “From Juchitán to the Universe: The Work of Francisco Toledo.”

Famous for his work as a painter, engraver, sculptor, ceramist, illustrator and cultural promoter, his work is characterized by a visual universe influenced by Zapotec art, fantastical animals and organic forms.

Dates: September-December 2025

Location: Guadalajara City Museum, Calle Independencia 684, Centro Histórico

Cost: Free

Regata de Globos de Ajijic

Regata de globos in Ajijic — (Ajijic Pueblo Magico)

To kick off Independence Day festivities along the Chapala shore, you won’t want to miss the folkloric hot air balloon festival that takes place in the Magical Town of Ajijic. The event sees local teams and families come together to launch colorful handmade paper balloons of various shapes and sizes. Dubbed the Ajijic Balloon Regatta, this event has taken place every September since the 1960s.

Dates: Sept. 13

Location: Campo Deportivo Cruz Azul

Cost: Free

Concierto gratis de Los Aguilar

To mark Mexico’s 214th Independence Anniversary, Governor Pablo Lemús has announced a free concert featuring one of the most prominent families that represent regional Mexican music: Los Aguilar. The live performance will see the iconic Pepe Aguilar, along with his children Ángela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar, accompanied by a live mariachi band.

Dates: Sept. 15

Location: Paseo Alcalde, Historic Center.

Cost: Free

Oktober Fest

Traditionally known as Oktober Fest, this year’s edition has changed its name to OtoñoBierfest, in a nod to the word Autumn in Spanish.

Inspired by the German Oktoberfest, attendees can expect craft and German beer, traditional foods and live German music under a large tent decorated in Bavarian style. Featuring long tables and wooden benches, OtoñoBierfest promises an authentic Oktoberfest atmosphere.

Dates: Sept. 19–21

Location: Predio Titanes, Av. Sebastian Bach and Av. Tchaikovski, Zapopan

Cost: Starting at 500 pesos

Día del Maíz

Corn Day in Mexico — (Gobierno de Mexico)

National Corn Day (Sept. 29) was established in Mexico to raise awareness and protect the diversity of native corn. To celebrate the occasion, Guadalajara will host an event to bring together corn producers, activists and the general public to enjoy ceremonies, workshops, corn tastings and exhibitions. The event will also feature live music and various artistic activities for the whole family.

Dates: Sept. 27

Location: Casa ITESO Clavigero (designed by Luis Barragán), C. José Guadalupe Zuno Hernández 2083, Col. Americana.

Cost: Free

El Orgullo de Jalisco concert at the Teatro Degollado

Zarzuela El Orgullo de Jalisco — (Facebook)

“El Orgullo de Jalisco” is a zarzuela composed by Federico Moreno Torroba that fuses Spanish tradition with typical Jalisco sounds. This year, it will be released again at the Degollado Theater in Guadalajara. The re-release will feature the Jalisco Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by 11 prominent singers and actors on stage.

Dates: Sept. 14

Location: Teatro Degollado, Zona Centro.

Cost: Starting at 50 pesos

Plant Fest Guadalajara

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A post shared by Plant Fest (@plantfest.mx)

Calling all plant lovers to attend the Plant Fest Guadalajara, an event centered around native flora. The event will bring together more than 30 plant exhibitors showcasing everything from cacti, succulents, collectible plants and orchids to carnivorous plants, fruit trees and more. Attendees will also be able to purchase gardening utensils, including pots, tools, soil and fertilizers.

Dates: Sept. 26-28

Location: Vía Libertad, Calle Colonias 221, Colonia Americana

Cost: Free

Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.

Sheinbaum praises Mexico-US relationship ahead of Rubio meeting: Tuesday’s mañanera recapped

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MND Staff

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September 2, 2025

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Sheinbaum mañanera 2 Sept 2025 — Despite "all the difficulties, and all those who would prefer that there not be a good relationship between Mexico and the United States, we must always seek a good relationship with the United States," Sheinbaum said on Tuesday morning. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)

Among the topics President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her Tuesday morning press conference was her upcoming meeting with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is making his first visit to Mexico as the Trump administration’s top diplomat.

Among other remarks, Sheinbaum revealed that she will embark on a whirlwind national tour and briefly spoke about the patriotic duty she will carry out on Sept. 15.

Sheinbaum: Meeting with Rubio will demonstrate ‘relationship of respect’ between Mexico and US

Sheinbaum said that Rubio would arrive in Mexico City on Tuesday afternoon ahead of bilateral talks on Wednesday.

She said that she and other Mexican officials would meet with Rubio on Wednesday for one or two hours, and then the U.S. secretary of state and Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente will hold a joint press conference.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arriving at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) outside of Mexico City on Tuesday afternoon. — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) outside of Mexico City on Tuesday afternoon. (Edgar Negrete/Cuartoscuro)

Security, and in particular a new bilateral security “understanding,” is set to be the focus of the meeting.

Sheinbaum — who last month rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Mexico “does what we tell them to do” — asserted on Tuesday that “a good relationship” has been established between her government and its U.S. counterpart.

Despite “all the difficulties, and all those who would prefer that there not be a good relationship between Mexico and the United States, we must always seek a good relationship with the United States, because it is our neighboring country, because around 40 million first, second, third and fourth generation Mexicans live there, because we have many things in common, because we are trade partners,” the president said.

“Therefore, we must always strive for a good relationship. There will be moments of greater tension, of lesser tension, subjects on which we may not agree, but we have to seek a good relationship,” Sheinbaum said.

“And tomorrow’s meeting, I believe, will demonstrate that — a relationship of respect and, at the same time, a relationship of collaboration within the framework of respect for our sovereignties,” she said.

Sheinbaum’s meeting with Rubio will take place a day after the newspaper El Financiero published the results of a poll that showed that 56% of respondents believe that the Mexican government is doing a bad or very bad job at handling the relationship with Trump.

Sheinbaum to present government reports in every state in the country

A day after delivering her first annual government report in a 70-minute speech at the National Palace, Sheinbaum told reporters that she would visit every state of the country to present reports pertaining to each entity.

“Starting this Friday, … we’re going to visit all [32] entities of the republic in three and a half weeks,” she said.

President Sheinbaum with all 32 governors of Mexico. (@claudiashein/X)

Sheinbaum said that in each state she would present “an individual report for the entity.”

“We’re going to inform the people. We’re going with the governors, all the governors. We’re going to go to three states in a day [in some cases],” she said.

“… We’re going to report on the welfare programs in each state, the public works that we’re doing in each state, the other things that are coming for [each] state. It’s an effort to be accountable,” Sheinbaum said.

Sept. 15 will be a proud day for Sheinbaum

A reporter asked the president how she feels about becoming the first female president to perform “El Grito” from a balcony of the National Palace on the night of Sept. 15, the day before Mexico’s Independence Day.

El Grito is a reenactment of the original “Cry of Dolores” made by the priest and founding father of Mexico, Miguel Hidalgo, in 1810. The cry marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence.

Sheinbaum said that she will feel very proud when the time comes for her to perform El Grito, an act that takes place in front of a large crowd of people gathered in the Zócalo, Mexico City’s central square.

“You’ll soon see how we’re going to do it,” she said.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies ([email protected])

Nuevo León Congress wants polluting steel plants out of Monterrey

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MND Staff

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September 2, 2025

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Ternium steel mill — The relocation demand comes after Ternium’s CEO, Máximo Vedoya, discussed progress on its $4 billion investment in its Pesquería facilities in Nuevo León during a recent Steel Market Update in Atlanta, Georgia. (Ternium/Facebook)

Citing health concerns and ongoing complaints from residents, Nuevo León state Congresswoman Brenda Velázquez has called for relocation of the Ternium steel facilities away from the densely populated greater Monterrey area, despite the company’s recent investment of another US $4 billion to expand its local operations.

“The health and safety of the population must be a priority for all stakeholders involved,” Velázquez said. “It is imperative that the Nuevo León state government take the necessary measures to ensure a cleaner and safer future for the families living in these areas, as well as for those who travel through them daily.”

The plant, located close to the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, has been found to affect air quality in the area and has been linked to cases of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

In January, findings were published from a joint investigation carried out by The Guardian and investigative reporters from Quinto Elemento Lab that found dangerously high levels of lead, arsenic and cadmium in homes and schools near the plant, which processes hazardous waste from the United States.

Samples taken from windowsills in 2023 “found lead, which is neurotoxic, at levels 60 times higher than the level at which the U.S. says action should be taken to fix the problem to avoid health consequences,” reads the report.

Last week, the Permanent Commission of the Nuevo León Congress, led by Deputy Brenda Velázquez, agreed to urge the state government to consider relocating the Ternium plants in the municipalities of Monterrey and San Nicolás. (Congreso de NL)

More recently, in April, Ternium announced that the plants had spilled hazardous substances into the local Talaverna stream. “Eleven kilometers of the watershed were affected by toxic waste, and some of the fauna in that ecosystem died,” stated Velázquez.

Following the spill, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) demanded a detailed study on the spill so that corrective measures could be implemented. Soil and water samples were taken by the Monterrey Water and Drainage Department to assess the impact of the spill, and clean-up operations were carried out.

Ternium issued a response to Congresswoman Velázquez on its website, claiming that its commitment to the environment is “reflected in the more than US $300 million we have invested in environmental improvements at our San Nicolás [near Monterrey] plant over the last 20 years, aimed at protecting the air and water of Nuevo León.”

The relocation demand comes after Ternium’s CEO, Máximo Vedoya, discussed progress on its $4 billion investment in its Pesquería facilities in Nuevo León during a recent Steel Market Update in Atlanta, Georgia.

Steel company Ternium to invest additional US $4B in Nuevo León

Construction of another Ternium steel mill in the region is expected to add a production capacity of 2.6 million tonnes of cast steel annually. Completion of the development’s third phase is scheduled for 2026, by which time more than 8,000 people will have been employed in the construction.

The firm’s expanded operations could help replace imports of steel and derived products to the region, which amount to $175 billion, according to Vedoya.

With reports from Milenio and El Economista

Remittances to Mexico slide for 4th month running

By

MND Staff

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September 2, 2025

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dollars — The Bank of Mexico (Banxico) also reported on Monday that Mexico's income from remittances totaled $34.88 billion between January and July, a decline of 5.5% compared to the same period of 2024. (Unsplash)

The inflow of remittances to Mexico declined in annual terms for a fourth consecutive month in July, while income from the international monetary transfers was also down in the first seven months of the year.

The Bank of Mexico (Banxico) reported on Monday that remittances totaled US $5.33 billion in July, a 4.7% decline compared to the same month of 2024. It is the first time since 2013 that Mexico’s income from remittances has declined on an annual basis during four consecutive months.

The vast majority of remittances to Mexico are sent by Mexicans who live and work in the United States, where the Trump administration’s deportation agenda has created fear among the large Mexican migrant community and caused some people to limit their movements outside their homes.

Analysts have partially attributed the decline in remittances to Mexico this year to fear of going out to work among U.S.-based Mexicans, of whom 4.3 million are “unauthorized” immigrants, according to the bank BBVA.

Banxico also reported on Monday that Mexico’s income from remittances totaled $34.88 billion between January and July, a decline of 5.5% compared to the same period of 2024.

That was the largest year-over-year decline in remittances since the first seven months of 2009, when an 11.9% annual reduction was recorded.

Thus, income from remittances — money that helps many Mexican families make ends meet — is on track to decline in 2025 for the first time in more than a decade.

Fewer transactions, smaller sums, in first 7 months of 2025

Banxico data shows that the $34.88 billion in remittances Mexico received between January and July was transferred in just over 89 million transactions, a 4.9% decline compared to the number of individual transactions in the first seven months of 2024.

The average amount transferred to Mexico in each transaction was $392, a 0.6% decline compared to the average in the first seven months of last year.

In July, the number of individual remittance transfers to Mexico declined 8% to 12.8 million, but the average sum sent increased 3.6% annually to $416.

More than 99% of the total amount in remittances Mexico received between January and July was transferred electronically.

Outgoing remittances fell 13.7% between January and July

Banxico data also shows that $687 million was sent out of Mexico in remittances in the first seven months of 2025. That figure represents a decline of 13.7% compared to the same period of 2024.

Mexico’s remittances surplus in the first seven months of the year was $34.2 billion, down from $36.12 billion in the January-July period of 2024.

With reports from La Jornada and Reforma

INAH confirms authenticity of cave paintings discovered in Puebla

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MND Staff

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September 2, 2025

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rock art — The oldest rock paintings in the region are thought to mark ceremonial centers of ancient nomads. (INAH)

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has confirmed the authenticity of ancient cave paintings found near the city of Santa María Coapan in the municipality of Tehuacán, Puebla.

An investigation carried out last month by INAH’s national coordinator of archaeology Dr. Francisco Mendiola found that some of the more than 1,500 cave paintings and handprints are approximately 10,000 years old.

INAH investigators used DStretch software — a tool that highlights imperceptible details in cave paintings — to verify the paintings found in the Cañon de las Manitas (literally, Canyon of Little Hands). The software allows investigators to digitally enhance faint rock art, pictographs and graffiti.

According to INAH, the site consists of four archaeological units named Tinaja I, II, III and IV that extend along the wall of a small canyon.

The INAH analysis concluded that Tinajas I and II appear to have been ceremonial spaces for nomadic groups. Site I features “more than 30 representations of hands in negative and positive, made with the stencil technique in white pigment on a black background” and three similar imprints were found in Tinaja II. The initial studies indicated they are all at least 10,000 years old.

Tinajas III and IV contain a more varied and less ancient repository — anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures and geometric motifs in red and white pigments. Initial studies suggest they are linked to the Mesoamerican Postclassic (1100-1521 A.D.). The abstract figures in these caves were made of hematite (iron oxide) and could possibly represent elements of the worldview of the region’s inhabitants.

The Cañon de las Manitas represents the third cave system in the area with rock art, positioning the site as a future archaeological and cultural landmark in Puebla. INAH is cooperating with Santa María Coapan authorities to develop a plan to preserve and protect the site.

Other sites in Puebla with cave paintings are the Cave of the Monkeys in Teotlalco and the Cave of the Musicians in San Luis Atolotitlán.

The region of the latest confirmed find is located in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, which has been the scene of fundamental processes in the history of the Americas, according to INAH. In this area, humans carried out the domestication of plants and seeds and created complex cultural expressions, including ceremonial sites and pre-Hispanic monuments.

With reports from La Jornada and El Popular

Competition with a cause: Mexico hosts its first tree-planting tournament

By

MND Staff

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September 2, 2025

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people planting trees — The CEO of event sponsor Global Lemon considers tree-planting to be a new sport "born from the drive of a new generation seeking to do transcendent things that help the planet.” (File Photo)

On your marks … get set … plant a tree!

That’s pretty much how it went over the weekend when Mexico hosted its first tree-planting tournament — which combined a sporting event with a mission to help the planet.

gloved hands of a tree planter — Factored into the scoring were strategy, technique and the seedling’s chance of survival. (File Photo)

Titled with the English word “Planting,” the competition drew nine forestry brigades from the south-central Mexican states of Oaxaca, Tlaxcala and Puebla.

Last year, there was a similar project in which 500 women from 10 rural communities helped reforest the Sierra Tecuani Biosphere Reserve in Guerrero — only that event lasted a week and it wasn’t a competition.

The one-day event on Saturday definitely was a competition, with teams of 10 squaring off in fast-paced, 20-minute matches in which they were scored. Referees and judges were tasked not only with monitoring strategy and technique, but also with verifying each seedling’s opportunity for survival.

More than 600 people — including brigade members, officials, volunteers and enthusiastic supporters — turned out for the event, which was deemed the Lemon Challenge 2025.

It was held in Lomas de Santana, an area undergoing reforestation and soil reconditioning in Santa Rita Tlahuapan, Puebla.

When all was said and done, more than 7,000 trees had reportedly been planted during the competition.

“This event is a recognition of the forestry brigades and rangers around the world who risk their lives fighting pests and fires and reforesting our forests,” said Paúl Burgos Navarrete, CEO of Global Lemon. “This sport was born from the drive of a new generation seeking to do transcendent things that help the planet.”

In the men’s tree-planting final, the Águilas Reales de Tepelmeme (Oaxaca) edged Piolines de Tlahuapan (Puebla), 115 trees to 108.

Competition in the women’s division was even more fierce, with Luciérnagas de Tlahuapan (Puebla) edging out Heroínas del Matlalcueyetl (Tlaxcala) by a single tree, 38 to 37, to secure the title.

Matches ran with all the trappings of sport: a stopwatch, a scoring system, and field judges who assured both fair play and the survival of the saplings.

“Planting combines the best of sport with the best of ecology: strength and physical skill, strategy, teamwork … and well-planted trees,” said chief referee and forestry engineer Ricardo Castro.

Local government, the ejido de Santa Rita Tlahuapan and companies such as Tajín and Driscoll’s México helped organize, fund and staff the event. Brose, Citelis and Grupo Tored also provided logistical and financial backing.

While the tournament put thousands of new trees in the soil, the needs for Mexico’s forests are urgent. New research from the Institute of Ecology AC (Inecol) warns that more than 1,000 native tree species face extinction.

Although less than 10% are officially listed as threatened, there are still pressing concerns over habitat loss from agriculture, mining, tourism and climate change.

“Trees are the backbone of most ecosystems,” said researcher Marie-Stéphanie Samain. “Without them, there is no clean water or air, nor shelter for animals.”

With reports from Aristegui Noticias, La Jornada and Zócalo

Poll: Majority of Mexicans think bilateral relationship with US is deteriorating

By

MND Staff

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September 2, 2025

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Americans and Mexicans marching against Trump — According to a recent poll by the newspaper El Financiero, just over half of respondents — 51% — think that the bilateral relationship is bad or very bad. (Cuartoscuro)

President Claudia Sheinbaum has been described as a “Trump whisperer,” but a majority of Mexicans believe that her administration is not doing a good job managing the relationship with the U.S. president, according to the results of a recent poll.

The newspaper El Financiero surveyed 1,000 Mexicans between Aug. 14 and 25, asking them a range of questions related to the Mexico-U.S. relationship.

President Sheinbaum stands at a podium next to a projected video of Donald Trump, with the raised hand of a reporter visible in the foreground — El Financiero’s poll began the day that Trump claimed that Mexico “does what we tell them to do,” an assertion dismissed by Sheinbaum. (Moisés Pablo Nava/Cuartoscuro)

The polling began two weeks after Sheinbaum spoke to Donald Trump and won a reprieve from an increase in U.S. tariffs on non-USMCA compliant goods that was scheduled to take effect on Aug. 1.

The poll was conducted shortly after a U.S. drone flew deep into Mexican airspace to monitor cartel activity, and began the day that Trump claimed that Mexico “does what we tell them to do,” an assertion dismissed by Sheinbaum.

56% of poll respondents think Sheinbaum is doing a bad job managing the relationship with Trump

El Financiero asked the poll respondents to “rate the way in which the government of Claudia Sheinbaum is handling the relationship with Donald Trump.”

Fifty-six per cent of respondents said that the Sheinbaum administration is doing badly or very badly in that task, while just 28% of those polled said it is doing well or very well.

The remaining 16% of respondents didn’t answer one way or the other.

El Financiero didn’t ask for specifics on why people thought the Sheinbaum administration was doing a good or bad job managing the relationship with Trump. Some observers claim that the Mexican government is being too subservient to the U.S. government, even as Sheinbaum repeatedly asserts that Mexico takes its own sovereign decisions to best serve its own national interest.

Since Trump began his second term on Jan. 20, the United States has imposed tariffs on a range of imports from Mexico, undermining the USMCA, and pressured Mexico to do more to combat cartels and the northward flow of narcotics. The Mexican government has made some progress in those areas.

Sheinbaum — who maintains a very high personal approval rating — has spoken to Trump by telephone on several occasions, and the latter has described the former as a “terrific person and “wonderful woman.”

However, his administration has accused the Mexican government of affording “safe havens for the cartels to engage in the manufacturing and transportation of dangerous narcotics,” a claim that has currency among opposition politicians in Mexico.

Speculation remains that the U.S. government could use military force against drug cartels in Mexican territory, although Sheinbaum has dismissed that possibility and frequently declares that Mexico will never accept any kind of violation of its sovereignty.

Relationship between Mexico and US is bad, according to a majority of poll respondents

El Financiero also asked the 1,000 people it polled to rate the relationship between Mexico and the United States.

Just over half of the respondents — 51% — said that the bilateral relationship was bad or very bad. The percentage was six points lower than in July.

Almost four in ten of those polled — 37% — said that the Mexico-U.S. relationship is good or very good, an increase of 10 points compared to El Financiero’s July poll. That indicates that the Mexican government’s efforts to stave off a higher tariff rate (30%) on non-USMCA compliant goods were recognized by some poll respondents.

Trade and security have been the dominant issues in the bilateral relationship this year.

During El Financiero’s polling period, the security relationship suffered a hiccup after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration touted the launch of what it called a “bold bilateral initiative to dismantle cartel gatekeepers and combat synthetic drug trafficking.”

Sheinbaum subsequently said that her government wasn’t part of any such initiative.

The Mexican and U.S. governments will have an opportunity to address any remaining fallout from that episode when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Mexico City on Wednesday.

Most respondents are opposed to US military action against cartels in Mexico

Sixty-five per cent of respondents said they disagreed with the idea of deploying U.S. military forces to combat criminal groups in Mexico. That percentage declined 10 points compared to July, suggesting that some Mexicans have changed their opinion on the matter.

One-third of respondents — 34% — said they were in favor of the U.S. military taking action to combat Mexican cartels, six of which are now designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. That figure is up 10 points compared to July.

The poll results don’t align with Senator Lily Téllez’s claim last month that most Mexicans would welcome U.S. assistance in the war against drug cartels.

Opposition Senator Téllez tells Fox News that Mexicans want US help against the cartels

The Trump administration is certainly willing to deploy the military to Mexico to take action against cartels, as Sheinbaum revealed in May that she had rejected an offer from the U.S. president to send the U.S. army into Mexico. It would appear unlikely — albeit not inconceivable — that the U.S. would unilaterally take military action against Mexican cartels on Mexican soil.

Two-thirds of poll respondents — 66% — said that the Mexican government should “defend national sovereignty” and not allow the United States to get involved in the fight against drug cartels in Mexico, while 31% said that the Sheinbaum administration should collaborate more with its U.S. counterpart. The former percentage declined 19 points compared to July, while the latter increased 18 points.

Most respondents support handover of cartel figures to US

Two days before El Financiero began its poll, the Mexican government sent 26 organized crime figures to the United States, marking the second large transfer of Mexican prisoners to the U.S. this year.

Just over seven in 10 respondents — 72% — said they agreed with the decision to hand over the criminals (or alleged criminals), while 25% disagreed with the move.

A slightly higher 76% of poll participants told El Financiero in March that they agreed with the decision to hand over 29 cartel figures to the United States. That transfer of prisoners occurred in late February.

Mexican authorities portrayed the separate handovers of the organized crime figures as sovereign decisions that were in Mexico’s best interests, as there was a possibility that some of the prisoners could have been released from Mexican jails.

Insecurity seen as Mexico’s biggest problem

Asked what Mexico’s “main problem” is today, 55% of poll respondents cited public insecurity.

While the number is still high, the percentage of El Financiero poll respondents citing insecurity as Mexico’s No. 1 problem has trended down this year from a high of 78% in January.

Sheinbaum touted the reduction in homicides her government has achieved during the presentation of her first annual government report in a 70-minute speech on Monday.

A total of 36% of respondents cited the Mexican economy or corruption as Mexico’s biggest problem. The split among that cohort was even: 18% cited the economy as the top problem and 18% mentioned corruption.

Economic growth is slowing in Mexico, while the country recorded its worst-ever score and dropped 14 spots on Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, even as Sheinbaum and other federal officials assert that corruption in government is largely a thing of the past.

With reports from El Financiero

Looking to buy in the Riviera Maya? Look out for these hidden costs!

By

Ian Ostroff

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September 2, 2025

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bae3ac_28cdb62f735243aa920de479e5e78b3b~mv2 — On the hunt for a dream home by the sea? There are some things to know before buying real estate in Mexico. (www.susimacdonald.com)

There was a period in Mexico’s history when buying property as a foreigner was out of reach. That’s because Mexico once had restricted zones, which prevented non-Mexican residents from owning land within 100 kilometers of the border or 50 kilometers of the coast. But in 1993, everything changed when former President Carlos Salinas de Gortari amended this restriction to welcome billions of dollars in foreign investment into the country under the NAFTA free trade agreement.

It may be said that Salinas is a key reason why the dream of retiring in a Mexican beach town is possible in 2025. A fideicomiso is the most common way for non-Mexican residents to buy a condo these days. The bank owns the property, yet the beneficiary retains all the rights of ownership. This means a foreign investor can live in the property, sell, mortgage, or even rent it out through Airbnb.

Riviera Maya condos — A fideicomiso, or bank trust, is necessary to buy coastal real estate in Mexico, but it confers all the rights of ownership to the purchaser. (www.susimacdonald.com)

If you’re entrepreneurial and want to start a business in Mexico, that’s another viable option. You can register a corporation, set up office headquarters, and place yourself as a shareholder. This gives you the ability to buy a home since your business will be considered a legal entity, and you’ll be contributing to the economy via taxes.

How to buy real estate on the Riviera Maya

Since the Riviera Maya is one of Mexico’s most popular regions for expats to invest in beach-filled areas like Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Cozumel, I reached out to a well-known real estate expert named Susana Macdonald to get more insight on how the buying process works.

Having appeared on shows like “House Hunters,” Macdonald has been a licensed real estate sales advisor in the Riviera Maya for 13 years. She has also collaborated with the YouTube Channel “Dream Retirement Mexico,” where she provides valuable insight on the Mexican real estate market.

Every time I go anywhere within Quintana Roo, I always think about someday calling somewhere in that region home. But if I were to buy property myself in, say, Bacalar, I wanted to understand what unexpected fees were involved in buying my dream condo.

What to know about unexpected fees before you buy

“What always catches my clients by surprise is the high percentage of closing costs,” Macdonald told me. “In the Riviera Maya, the acquisition cost alone will range from 3% to 4% as a buyer. The notary fee can also be as high as 6%. Appraisal costs are something else to keep in mind. But the good news is, once you buy a property, the maintenance costs and property taxes are usually low. The trust fees you have to pay each year to maintain your investment will also be quite reasonable.”

According to Macdonald, the fees that go along with buying property in Mexico can be up to 10%. It’s worth keeping in mind the next time you browse your favorite real estate site online.

Condo decor in Riviera Maya — You’ll need to understand fees and other costs before buying (and decorating) your new condo in Mexico. (www.susimacdonald.com)

“It comes down to where you decide to live,” Macdonald said. “For example, the acquisition cost of buying property in Tulum is the highest at 4%. Cancún is 3.3%. Playa del Carmen and Bacalar are both at 3%. The list goes on. Prices and acquisition costs vary by municipality. That’s why it’s important to do your research and be sure you’re aware of what’s involved in purchasing your dream home. It’s also worth consulting a lawyer to help represent your best interests.”

The importance of finding a good real estate agent

I was pleased to learn it’s realistic to pay less for the acquisition if you manage to find an undiscovered hidden gem in a less frequented area by tourists. Macdonald added that certain areas within the state of Yucatán have acquisition costs as low as 2.5-3%.

The more we spoke, the more I realized how knowledgeable she was about the real estate world in Mexico. It also made me curious to understand what I should look for in an agent once I am in the market for a little apartment in a chill Mexican beach town.

“So I feel it’s important to deal with an independent real estate agent because you’ll have a much more personalized experience,” Macdonald said. “You have agents that work for the developer and represent only one project or commercial building. But independent agents, such as myself, are not tied to one entity and can help you shop around in multiple neighborhoods. We’re in a good position to help find the best opportunities for our clients and make sure they’re able to get what they need.”

Building a relationship with your real estate agent

Macdonald also stressed the importance of building a relationship with her clients. That way, they have an ally to help navigate any problems that may arise down the line. Sometimes, even long after the sale is made, Macdonald will be available to help them.

“I think if somebody sits down and talks to me, they have the expectation of wanting to do business with me, and I have to provide them that service. Even when the transaction is finished, I encourage my clients to call me if they need anything. Moving to Mexico is a big decision, and I try to be the best advocate that I can be so they are happy.”

condos in Riviera Maya — Condos are a great option for those seeking to buy a home on the Riviera Maya. (www.susimacdonald.com)

What to budget beforehand

If you’re looking at a property that goes for US $200,000, the most crucial takeaway is to budget at least $20,000 more in order to prepare yourself for the other fees. It’s also worth exploring your options because Mexico has plenty of great beach towns and homes. But if you have any more questions, you can reach Macdonald on her website and book a call.

So, are there any other expenses that we haven’t gone over in Mexico’s Riviera Maya? Let us know in the comments below.

Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico, visiting family and friends.

Tropical Storm Lorena to bring heavy rain to 4 states before weekend landfall

By

MND Staff

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September 2, 2025

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Tropical Storm Lorena's path — Tropical Storm Lorena is forecast to dump 50-75 mm of rain on Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán over the next 24 hours, with heavy rains reaching Baja California Sur by nightfall. (NOAA)

Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) has issued advisories for four Pacific Coast states after Tropical Storm Lorena formed early Tuesday.

The National Water Commission (Conagua) alerted states in the storm’s path after Tropical Depression Twelve-E picked up speed, increasing from 23 km/hr to 39 km/hr, and continued on its west-northwesterly path roughly parallel to the coast.

The SMN has forecast heavy rains for the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán as the storm moved within 350 kilometers of Manzanillo, Colima, and Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, to the northeast.

Although Lorena is expected to dump considerable rain on those four states, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) projects the probable path of the storm center to remain parallel to the coast through Thursday before it slows and veers east.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 55 km/h at 8 a.m., with gusts of up to 75 km/h, and it was within 550 km of Cabo San Lucas, a resort city on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.

An NHC bulletin warned that “additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Lorena could reach hurricane strength by Wednesday.” Conagua said Lorena might not reach hurricane strength until Friday.

Lorena is expected to make landfall halfway up the Baja California Peninsula late Friday night, but Conagua expects it to decrease to a tropical depression as it crosses the Gulf of California and comes ashore in Sonora.

Official coastal watches and warnings were in effect by mid-morning Tuesday.

The SMN said the storm’s outer bands would lash the Pacific Coast, dumping from 50 to 75 mm of rain on Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán over the next 24 hours, with heavy rains reaching Baja California Sur by nightfall.

Lorena could be accompanied by hail and electrical charges, according to the SMN daily report, generating puddles, landslides and flooding in low-lying areas of the aforementioned states.

The SMN also advised coastal areas to expect sustained winds of 40 km and gusts up to 70 km through early Wednesday. The storm could also stir up waves exceeding 3 meters.

Maximum amounts of 12 inches of rain are possible across portions of Baja California Sur and southwestern Sonora through Friday, adding that potentially significant flash flooding is a possibility.

Lorena is the 12th tropical storm to form during the current hurricane season, with 16 to 20 expected in the Pacific and 13 to 17 in the Atlantic.

With reports from Proceso, N+ and El Informador

What’s on in September in Mexico City

By

Andrea Fischer

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September 2, 2025

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whats-on-in-september-in-Mexico-City — ¡Viva México! September is Independence Month in our beloved country, and Mexico City is ready to rumble! (Osvaldo Samuel Rendón/Pexels)

Get your Mexican flags (and Tums pills) ready, because September 2025 is here and some of the best culinary events will fill our taste buds with delights from across the country. Beyond enjoying “El Grito,” Mexico’s traditional cry of independence, our civic festivals, architectural and theatrical performances also await. Here’s our digest of what’s on in Mexico City in September 2025.

Chiles Rellenos Festival by Sanborns

Chiles en Nogada — Chiles en nogada are a September fan favorite across the country. (Mike González/Pexels)

Every year, Mexicans eagerly await September to try the seasonal dishes. Honoring this long wait, traditional restaurant Sanborns celebrates our cuisine with its yearly Festival de Chiles Rellenos. Although traditional chiles en nogada will be the stars of the event (as expected), customers will also be able to try different stuffed chile recipes from across the country. If you visit your nearest Sanborns store, don’t even ask for the menu — just order chiles en nogada. You can thank us later.

Dates: Running from Sept. 1-30

Location? Any Sanborns store in Mexico City!

Cost: Varies according to menu items ordered

Bosque de Chapultepec annual race

Annual race in Bosque de Chapultepec — Dubbed ‘the capital’s greatest lung’, Bosque de Chapultepec will host its yearly race in September 2025. (IMSS/Cuartoscuro)

Covering 15 kilometers, the 2025 edition of the Chapultepec Park Race is designed to allow participants to explore every corner of the park. Organized by the Chapultepec Forest Trust and Asdeporte, the event has a clear goal: to raise funds for the conservation work needed by Mexico City’s “greatest lung.” From Gran Avenida, within the First Section of the Forest, to the Monument to the Child Heroes, the route is divided into 3 categories: 5, 10, and 15 kilometers, depending on the skill level of each participant.

Date: Sept. 7

Location: Follow the official route here

Cost: Entrance fees starting at 500 pesos

Piano Festival at the National Center for the Arts

From China to Cuba, pianists from all over the world will come to the Blas Galindo concert hall this September. (Gobierno CDMX/Wikimedia Commons)

The Blas Galindo auditorium, one of the National Center for the Arts’ largest concert halls, will host the “Blanco y Negro” piano festival this year. On its 28th edition, interpreters from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland and Cuba will take the stage in eight different concerts. As “the most important piano showcase in the country,” as described by CENART’s authorities, the program is one of the most ambitious of the year.

Dates: Every weekend in September, from Sept. 6-28

Location: Río Churubusco 79, Country Club, Coyoacán.

Cost: 250 pesos

Leviatán

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This soundscape exhibit feeds an algorithm with each visitor’s voice. In this way, the chatbot – the centerpiece of the tour – responds to new visitors with a mix of the voices of previous attendees. In the context of the AI boom, according to museum authorities, Leviatán “invites us to look beyond technological wonder and explore the profound questions about what it means to be human.”

Dates: Until Sept. 28

Location: Justo Sierra 16, Centro, Cuauhtémoc.

Cost: 50 pesos

‘El Grito’ at the national palace

President Sheinbaum speaking — For the first time in Mexico’s History, a female president will perform ‘El Grito’ from Palacio Nacional’s main balcony. (Luis Andrés Villalón Vega/Unsplash)

For the first time in Mexico’s history, a woman will perform ‘El Grito’ from Mexico City’s Palacio Nacional. President Claudia Sheinbaum is expected to lead the traditional Independence Day Ceremony from her office’s balcony. During the event, she will ring the same bell that leader Miguel Hidalgo used to call for an armed uprising 215 years ago. In a country with a daily toll of 10 feminicides, this is not only a victory over gender violence but a milestone for gender struggle across the country.

Date: Sept. 15

Location: You can watch “El Grito: online or watch it on TV

Cost: Free of charge

Watch the fireworks and light show in the Zócalo

Independence Day video mapping show — The video mapping and firework show traditionally lasts about an hour on Independence Day. (Israyosoy S./Pexels)

The best way to enjoy ‘El Grito’ and the fireworks is from above. Of course, watching the show directly from the Zócalo has its own charm. However, it’s far more comfortable to enjoy the show from a terrace or balcony of one of the hotels surrounding the main square. The mapping and fireworks last for about an hour, during which you could have a hearty Mexican dinner from a lovely terrace or balcony. My best suggestion would be to book a room at the Grand Hotel, where you can spend the entire night away from the crowds, with the best view.

Date: Sept. 15-16

Location:16 de Septiembre 82, Centro, Cuautémoc.

Cost: Fees vary depending on the room

MEXTRÓPOLI 2025

Mexico City’s most important architectural festival is up in September. Expecting roughly 100,000 visitors this year, the event addresses “Collective Housing” as its main theme. The open-air exhibition seeks to rethink how we inhabit cities and how we can design spaces that respond to current challenges. Through several workshops and talks, MEXTRÓPOLI 2025 will question balanced urban density, architectural flexibility, recycling materials and the creation of community environments.

Dates: Sept. 18-21

Location: Several locations across town. Check the route here

Cost: Free, but workshop fees may vary

Museo Universitario del Chopo’s 50th Anniversary

Celebrating a 5-decade journey through contemporary art and exhibits, Museo Universitario del Chopo has announced a multidisciplinary program that spans across every discipline the venue has hosted. The iconic cultural venue in the Santa María neighborhood will showcase iconic moments in its history, from being brought piece by piece from Germany to its time as an archaeology museum. Karol Wolley, a representative of the curatorial team, emphasized that this is not a typical chronological exhibition: it is presented as a collection of curiosities, to show an “intimate relationship with the history of the site itself.”

Dates: Aug. 21-Nov. 25

Location: Museo del Chopo, Dr. Enrique González Martínez 10-P.B., Santa María la Ribera, Cuauhtémoc.

Cost: General entrée starting at 30 pesos; children and seniors, 15 pesos.

Japan: from myth to manga

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” an icon of Japanese art, arrives like a tsunami in Mexico City with the exhibition “Japón: del Mito al Manga.” Hosted by the Franz Mayer Museum, in the capital’s Historic Center, the exhibit showcases legends, iconography, fashion, design and technology “to create a sensorial journey that connects the past with the present,” museum authorities note.

Dates: Aug. 8-Sept. 30

Location: Museo Franz Mayer. Hidalgo 45, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc.

Cost: Entrance fees starting at 180 pesos.

Watch EGREGOR, director Santiago Cumplido’s latest creation

Teatro de la Capilla — AI seems to be awakening a different kind of consciousness in contemporary humans, doesn’t it? (Sistema de Información Cultural/Gobierno de México)

“Egregor” refers to a thought that gives life to a non-physical entity. In the boom of AI, director Santiago Cumplido designed, staged and choreographed this performance, staged at the iconic Capilla Gótica theater, which transports us to a futuristic Mexico where time has been fractured. The show features dance, clones, and post-humans “in a world where the collective unconscious has given birth to an entity that feeds on human energy,” said theater authorities.

Dates: Sept. 25-Oct. 19

Location: Teatro de la Capilla at Instituto Helénico. Avenida Revolución 1500, Guadalupe Inn, Álvaro Obregón.

Cost: Entrance fees starting at 650 pesos

Andrea Fischer contributes to the features desk at Mexico News Daily. She has edited and written for National Geographic en Español and Muy Interesante México, and continues to be an advocate for anything that screams science. Or yoga. Or both.