Yucatán's drool-worthy cochinita pibil, panuchos and other delicious Maya dishes won the state recognition at this year's International Tourism Fair. (Shutterstock)
On Wednesday, Yucatán state was named Ibero-American Capital of Gastronomy 2025 at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid.
The designation “will allow us to introduce one of our country’s best cuisines to all of Mexico and the whole world,” Yucatán Gov. Joaquín Díaz Mena said.
Yucatán Gov. Joaquín Díaz Mena (center right) displays Yucatán’s gastronomy award in Madrid. (Huacho Díaz Mena/Facebook)
The southeastern Mexican state, home to the famed Chichén Itzá pyramid, was recognized for its wide range of culinary offerings and invited to share the state’s cultural, historical, natural and gastronomic attractions with those attending the event.
A team of more than 40 representatives from Yucatán, including state officials and business leaders, attended the 45th edition of FITUR in Madrid, Spain. Gov. Díaz Mena and federal Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora cut the ribbon at the inauguration of the event’s Yucatán pavilion.
The recognition of Yucatán at the tourism fair was not an isolated achievement, but rather “the fruits of the joint work of a government committed to bringing the greatness of Yucatan to the world, and of a people who demonstrate every day that the true driving force of our land is its history, its culture and its people,” stressed Díaz Mena.
The Yucatecan delegation offered a tour of the state’s beaches, cenotes, archaeological sites and gastronomy at its stand. The theme, “Mayan Renaissance,” aimed to combine Yucatán’s cultural roots with innovation and sustainable development.
“We took Yucatán to the world and returned with great benefits for our people: international agreements, investment attraction, financial inclusion and the pride of being named Ibero-American Capital of Gastronomic Culture 2025,” Díaz Mena wrote on the social media site X.
“We continue to promote the Mayan Renaissance with more opportunities, development and global recognition for our state.”
Enrique González and Lizette Minjares were honored by MIT for their achievements as inventors, specifically their groundbreaking work in regenerative medicine at their company, Nanoblast. (UDLAP)
Two Mexicans were among the young people recognized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with its Innovators under 35 LATAM program.
Enrique González and Lizette Minjares were honored by MIT for their achievements as inventors, specifically their groundbreaking work in regenerative medicine at their company, Nanoblast.
González and Minjares, both graduates with degrees in molecular engineering from the University of the Americas in Puebla (UDLAP), founded Nanoblast in 2014 in Jalisco. The company is committed to making regenerative medicine accessible through nanotechnology and the circular economy.
The invention for which they were recognized has to do with the treatment of chronic ulcers via agave residues, according to UDLAP. The treatment has also proven effective for slow-healing scars in diabetics, a solution that can prevent the need for amputations.
According to the company website, Nanoblast focuses on skin regeneration technologies and offers advanced wound-healing technology.
The company’s main goal is to develop innovative technologies that “improve quality of life through elegant and simple solutions.” The company emphasizes research that combines a deep knowledge of its clients with state-of-the-art technology and broad experience in research and development.
Enrique González holding a Nanoblast product. (@udlap/X)
González has extensive global research experience in health, environment and advanced materials. His LinkedIn page says he has focused on regenerative medicine and has developed and patented advanced nanomaterials targeting two key sectors: tissue regeneration and sustainable solutions for environmental remediation.
González also founded Ceiba, a company that strives to eliminate the use of plastics in personal care products.
Minjares’ role at Nanoblast focuses on product development. She has research experience in the area of skin cancer with an emphasis on non-invasive diagnosis. Her LinkedIn page also describes her as a cosmetic chemist and a clean beauty specialist.
In addition to Nanoblast, Minjares also co-founded the company Zero Waste Skincare in Jalisco. The philosophy from which the company’s name was borrowed aims to reduce waste and limit the environmental impact of the cosmetic industry by eliminating the use of single-use products and excessive packaging, and by utilizing more sustainable materials.
The Innovators under 35 LATAM awards are presented annually by MIT Technology Review magazine, which began the program in 2012 as part of a talent search in Latin American countries. The magazine seeks to identify innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing new technologies and shaping their fields with revolutionary projects and ideas that will transform people’s lives through technology.
Thousands of applications are submitted each year and a jury formed by experts in technology and innovation select laureates in the categories of Inventors, Pioneers, Entrepreneurs, Visionaries and Humanitarians.
Over 38,000 Mexicans have been deported since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term. (Carlos Sánchez Colunga/Cuartoscuro)
More than 4,000 migrants have been deported to Mexico from the United States in the past week, but the totals are not dissimilar to the number of weekly deportations in the past, according to Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Despite headlines about the possibility of mass deportations flooding Mexican border cities, Sheinbaum insists that fears of a mass influx of migrants are so far unfounded, telling reporters at her Monday morning press conference that there has been regular communication between the governments of Mexico and the U.S.
🔴#buzos | Estados Unidos ha deportado a 4 mil 94 personas a México, la mayoría de nacionalidad mexicana, informó la presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum. pic.twitter.com/NxkWhocBHf
Mexico accepted 4,094 deportees between Jan. 20-26, Sheinbaum said. In addition to those who have been deported at border crossings, the U.S. also sent four deportation flights to Mexico using civilian aircraft.
Sheinbaum also mentioned that Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week. There have also been regular meetings between U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials and Mexico’s assistant secretary for human rights, she said.
During her update, Sheinbaum also revealed that Mexico has received non-Mexican deportees from the United States in the past week, though the majority of deportees received between Jan. 20 and 26 were Mexican.
The president had been on record saying that her administration would not agree to the restart of the “Remain in Mexico” program, a so-called migrant protection protocol that requires that non-Mexican migrants remain in Mexico while their asylum requests are processed by the United States.
Since Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president on Jan. 20, there has not been a “substantial” increase in deportees received by Mexico, Sheinbaum said.
Similar stories were heard along the Mexico-U.S. border.
Officials in the border state of Chihuahua told the newspaper La Jornada that the 136 people deported on Friday represented a typical day at the Ciudad Juárez border crossing.
Enrique Serrano, coordinator of Chihuahua’s Population Council, told La Jornada that, if excessive deportations are imminent, the U.S. government has agreed to alert Mexico’s Consulate in El Paso — across the border from Ciudad Juárez — as well as Mexico’s National Immigration Institute.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs told clients last week that it sees a 20% chance that Trump will impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada this Saturday, though sources close to Trump indicate the administration appears committed to a "tariff before talks" approach. (Donald Trump/Facebook)
United States President Donald Trump said on the first day of his second term that his administration could impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian exports to the U.S. on Feb. 1.
But will Trump actually act on his threat and hit the United States’ North American trade partners with a punitive tariff for what he says is their failure to stop, or at least limit, the flow of migrants and drugs into the U.S.? Even without first engaging in formal talks with Mexico and Canada?
According to U.S. government sources who spoke with The Wall Street Journal, the possibility is very real.
“He’s as serious as a heart attack,” said Republican Party Senator Kevin Cramer in reference to Trump’s tariff threat against Mexico and Canada.
Unnamed White House advisers told the WSJ that Trump feels that Mexico and Canada aren’t taking his threats seriously and wants to impose tariffs on their exports to prove he isn’t bluffing and to force them to negotiate on a range of issues including migration, drug smuggling and the USMCA free trade pact, which is up for review in 2026.
Citing “people familiar with the matter,” the WSJ reported last week that Trump was “using the threat of imposing stiff tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico” as soon as Feb. 1 “to pressure the two nations to start renegotiating” the USMCA ahead of schedule.
Trump himself said in late November that he would impose 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports on the first day of his second term and leave them in place “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”
While he held off on the proposed tariffs last week, he laid the groundwork for their implementation by issuing an “America First Trade Policy” memorandum that directed the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the United States’ “large and persistent annual trade deficits” and “recommend appropriate measures, such as a global supplemental tariff or other policies, to remedy such deficits.”
Trump uses Colombia as an example of his willingness to act against allies
Trump said on social media on Sunday that he had been informed that “two [U.S. military] repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia.”
As a consequence, he announced that he had directed his administration to impose “emergency 25% tariffs” on all Colombian goods entering the United States.
“In one week, the 25% tariffs will be raised to 50%,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that Colombia — a long-standing ally of the U.S. — would retaliate with its own tariffs on U.S. goods.
However, a trade war was averted because, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the Colombian government agreed to “all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”
“Based on this agreement, the fully drafted IEEPA [International Emergency Economic Powers Act] tariffs and sanctions will be held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honor this agreement,” Leavitt said in a statement on Sunday night.
An unnamed senior Trump administration official told the WSJ that the president’s decision to impose tariffs on Colombian exports, despite the subsequent pullback, demonstrated that Trump sees tariffs as an “effective negotiating tool” and “effective punishment” for countries that don’t fall into line with his agenda.
The official said that Trump is “very serious” about his threats to impose tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and expects them to cooperate.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs told clients last week that it sees a 20% chance that Trump will impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada this Saturday.
Tick-tock! This week will be pivotal
By Goldman Sachs’ reckoning, Mexico has an 80% chance of averting the tariff Trump has said he could impose on its exports. But with just five days left until the U.S. president’s revised imposition date, the Mexican government will have to act quickly.
In response to repeated questions about Trump’s threats, President Sheinbaum has focused on the importance of collaboration with the United States. (Presidencia)
Sheinbaum said last week that “a process of talks” between the Mexican and U.S. governments had begun with a call between Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She also said she was “convinced” that her government would reach agreement with the Trump administration on “different issues.”
No doubt the Mexican government will this week seek an agreement that wards off tariffs on Mexican exports to the United States, which is easily Mexico’s largest trade partner. But it remains to be seen whether it will have enough time — and whether the U.S. government will be willing — to reach a deal.
A White House official attributed the denial to an “administrative issue,” and Leavitt said on X on Friday that “thanks to President Trump” Mexico “accepted a record 4 deportation flights in 1 day” on Thursday.
“This comes in addition to unrestricted returns at the land border, the deportation of non-Mexicans, & reinstatement of Remain-in-Mexico. Mexico has also mobilized 30K National Guard,” the White House Press Secretary said.
While Mexico is receiving deportees — and has developed a strategy to help them reintegrate into society — Trump tied his tariff threat to the northward flows of migrants and narcotics, and is therefore seeking increased action from the Mexican government to stem those flows.
Mexico hasn’t done enough to avoid tariffs, says US official
Sheinbaum has repeatedly said that her government is willing to cooperate with its U.S. counterpart on the issues of migration and drug trafficking, albeit on the proviso that Mexico’s sovereignty is respected.
Mexico is the U.S.’s top source of imports. (US Census)
Sheinbaum has highlighted that encounters between United States authorities and migrants on the Mexico-U.S. border have fallen significantly and stressed that migrant caravans don’t reach the border “because they are taken care of” — or broken up — in Mexico.
However, the senior Trump administration official who spoke with the WSJ said that Mexico hasn’t yet done enough to avoid tariffs. The Journal reported that the official wouldn’t specify what other steps the Mexican government would have to take to avoid duties on its exports to the U.S.
Sheinbaum said late last year that Mexico would impose a retaliatory tariff on U.S. exports if Trump acted on his threat, but more recently she has focused on avoiding the commencement of a trade war.
Whether Mexico will be able to negotiate its way out of the tariffs remains to be seen, but the WSJ reported that some key figures in the U.S. government are not willing to talk — at least not yet.
“Protectionist advisers such as Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick and deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller are advocating the tariff-first-talk-second approach, according to people familiar with the discussions,” the Journal reported.
However, “no final decisions on Canada and Mexico have been made,” the WSJ said.
In addition to imposing tariffs this Saturday, “other options are also in play,” the Journal said, explaining that they include “announcing tariffs on Feb. 1 but giving a grace period before they are implemented.”
The potential impact of tariffs on Mexico
If the U.S. president were to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican exports in violation of the terms of the USMCA, the Mexican economy would go into recession, according to Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexico’s Banco Base.
However, she said on X last week that it is “highly unlikely that Trump will impose a general 25% tariff on all products from Mexico, at least not for a long period of time.”
“A 25% tariff would be equivalent to leaving the USMCA,” Siller said.
“This would mean a structural change for the Mexican economy that would result in a severe recession, job losses, an increase in [employment] informality to rates above 60% and an increase in public insecurity.”
The WSJ reported that “a 25% tariff could grind the auto industry to a halt across the continent, depending on how it is imposed, because vehicles and auto parts cross borders several times before a final car is completed.”
With this new Viva Aerobús flight, travelers from Querétaro will now be able to avoid a layover in Monterrey on their way to Dallas, Texas. (Gabriel Tovar/Unsplash)
Central Mexico will have greater air connectivity thanks to the addition of two new national and international flights to Querétaro International Airport (AIQ) this year.
Starting in April, low-cost carrier Viva Aerobús will operate a direct flight between Querétaro and Tijuana, Baja California, and between Querétaro and Dallas, Texas. Presently, both routes include one stop in Monterrey, Nuevo León.
¡Tenemos más buenas noticias, en el marco de la FITUR 2025! Viva Aerobus convierte la ruta a Tijuana en vuelo directo desde el AIQ; abre una ruta directa a Dallas; e incrementa frecuencias en la ruta Monterrey-Querétaro.
Querétaro Governor Mauricio Kuri made the announcement at the International Tourism Fair (Fitur), which was held in Madrid, Spain from Jan. 22-26. In it, Kuri celebrated the airline’s expansion in Querétaro.
“To you, the shareholders, to all those who represent this great company [Viva Aerobús]. I am so happy that you are bringing us more connectivity … and that you are bringing the world to Querétaro,” he said.
In addition to the new direct flights to Tijuana and Dallas, Viva’s Monterrey-Querétaro route will increase its frequency from 28 to 33 weekly flights, improving connectivity between both cities.
“We are an ally of tourism and, therefore, our commitment to strengthening air connectivity is key and constant,” Viva Aerobús’s Director of Corporate Communications Walfred Castro said. At Fitur, representatives of Viva Aerobús presented an investment project for Querétaro, the details of which will be made public soon, the state government said in a press release.
The Querétaro airport has seen a consistent increase in passengers, both national and international, since completing renovations in December 2023. (Demian Chávez/Cuartoscuro)
AIQ saw an important increase in international air connectivity last year. According to data from the Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation Ministry (SICT), the number of international passengers traveling through AIQ went up by 60.3% between January and July 2024, with 313,832 passengers. The previous year saw 195,836 international passengers.
Tickets for the new flights were not yet available for purchase at the time of writing.
No sooner was Donald Trump sworn in as president of the United States than he tackled the most pressing issues of the day, like changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. “Beautiful ring” to it, he said.
Did I, as a semi ex-pat (six months in Mexico, six up north) somehow overlook reports of people thronging the streets of New York, Atlanta and L.A. chanting “Gulf of America!” or, inevitably, “G.O.A.!” for short?
A careful review of recent media revealed no such movement.
The only thing of interest I found was the reaction of the new president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who proposed changing the name of all of North America to Mexican America, as it was called in a map from the 1600s which she displayed during her Jan. 8 presser with a sly smile.
The only problem with the past is that, like with the Bible, anyone, the devil included, can quote it for their own purpose. Nothing good comes of reaching too far into the past for claims to territory, as the Middle East all too clearly shows.
It was then that I remembered a flash of insight I had several years ago in Quito, Ecuador, when standing in the main square and looking at all the passersby. I realized: But, we’re all Americans! The whole hemisphere!
The United States makes a mistake in aggregating to itself the exclusive title of America when there are at least three: North, Central and South. Since all three Americas touch the body of water in question, it should be called The Gulf of the Americas. Not singular but plural.
And maybe out of that plurality a certain unity could emerge, in time, as it did in Europe where countries that hated each other for centuries joined forces and created the European Union. A more self-aware Western Hemisphere could find better and better ways to exchange goods, services and ideas, and, in time, might even unite into The United States of the Americas. That too has a sort of “beautiful ring” to it.
Richard Lourie is a writer who lives in San Miguel de Allende, GTO
When it comes to Mexican desserts, it's hard to overlook the French influence behind (almost) every bite of these crepes. (Canva)
Unusually for a Mexican fusion recipe, Mexican crepes do not begin in Spain. The Spanish ruled Mexico for over 300 years and when we think of the country today, we often associate it with Spain first and foremost. After all, so many fruits, vegetables, nuts and more hailed from the Iberian Peninsula and flourished in this fertile land, with so many different climates suited to so many different varieties of foodstuffs.
The Spanish also had an influential impact on Mexico’s cuisine, which blended with its indigenous people, who in turn introduced the Spaniards to many of their culinary delights like chocolate. So, when do crepes enter the picture?
Crepes hail not from Spain, but from France. (crepesalafrench)
Crepes originated from France, specifically Brittany, during the medieval era and their name derives from the Latin “crispus” referring to their thin, crisp texture. Crepes made their way across the Atlantic, as France came to establish a monarchy in Mexico, proclaiming Maximilian of Habsburg as emperor in 1864.
Over time, Mexican crepes took on various forms. Some were filled with cajeta (goat’s milk caramel), fruits or chocolate. Others took on a savory tone, like the marquesita, which features cheese and cajeta, and was invented by Leopoldo Mena in the Yucatan in the 1930s.
So, let’s talk a traditional French-Mexican crepe for dessert, one made with cinnamon-sugar caramelized apples, and topped with powdered sugar, ice-cream or traditional cajeta (recipe included).
Mexican Cinnamon-Sugar Caramelized Apple Crepes with Calvados and Cajeta:
Recipes adapted from oregonlive.com and mexicanmademeatless.com. (Canva)
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
Crepes:
2 eggs (huevos)
1 Cup (250 mL) whole milk (leche entera)
1/3 Cup (79 mL) water (agua)
1 Cup (120 g) all-purpose white flour
Use only American flour, available online.
2 Tbs. (24 g) granulated sugar (azúcar estándar)
1 tsp. (4.2 g) vanilla extract* (extracto de vainilla)
Mexican brands noted for intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla.
2 Tbs.(28 g) butter*, melted (mantequilla)
Best Mexican brands: Lala; Gloria; Alpura; Aguascalientes; Flor de Alfalfa.
Filling:
3 large Granny Smith apples or Golden Delicious (or a combination of the two):
(manzanas Granny Smith o Manzanas doradas y deliciosas)
2 Tbs. (28 g) unsalted butter (mantequilla sin sal)
1/3 Cup (65 g) brown sugar (azúcar moreno)
1 Tbs. (14 g) Calvados* or cognac (coñac)
I recommend using Calvados, a brandy from Normandy, France, made from apples and/or pears, and perfect for this recipe.
To toast hazelnuts, spread shelled nuts in a shallow pan and roast in a 350F/176C oven for 8-10 minutes or until their skins crack. Remove skins by rubbing warm nuts with a rough cloth or in between your hands.
Toppings:
Powdered sugar (azúcar glas)
Whipped cream, vanilla ice-cream, or cajeta (recipe follows)
Instructions:
Crepes:
In a blender or food processor, combine eggs, milk, water, flour, sugar, vanilla and melted butter. Blend for 5 seconds or until smooth. Stir down and repeat, if necessary.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and up to 24 hours.
Gently stir the batter if it has separated.
Heat a nonstick or well-seasoned 6- or 7-inch pan over medium-high heat until hot. (Use a 9- or 10-inch pan for larger crepes.)
Wipe the pan lightly with butter, then lift the pan from the heat, and pour in 2-3 Tbs. of batter (about 1/4 cup for a 9- or 10-inch pan), tilting and rotating the pan to coat.
Cook crepe until almost dry on top and lightly browned on the edges, about 1 minute.
Loosen the edges with a spatula and flip the crepe over using your fingers or the spatula.
Cook the other side for about 15 seconds or until lightly browned.
Turn the crepe out onto a clean kitchen towel to cool.
Repeat with remaining batter, wiping the pan with butter as needed and stacking the crepes as they are cooked.
For serving immediately: Cover the crepes with aluminum foil and keep them warm in a preheated 200-degree oven.
If serving later: Wrap in plastic wrap and then put in a self-sealing plastic freezer bag.
Refrigerate the crepes for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Filling:
Peel, core and thinly slice apples.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until it starts to sizzle.
Add apples, sprinkle with sugar and cook until the sugar turns amber, and apples are tender.
Gently mix in the Calvados or cognac and cinnamon and nuts. Set aside.
Arrange a few slices of caramelized apples on one quarter of each crepe. Fold each crepe in half twice so it forms a triangle.
To serve:
Arrange 2 crepes on each plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Top with a dollop of whipped cream, ice-cream, or cajeta and serve at once.
Traditional Mexican Cajeta:
Recipe adapted from mexicanmademeatless.com. (Canva)
Ingredients:
2 Cups or 16 oz. (500 ml) goat’s milk (leche de cabra)
⅓ Cup or up to ½ Cup (100 g) granulated sugar (azúcar estándar)
½ tsp. (2.17 g) vanilla extract* (extracto de vainilla)
Mexican brands noted for intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla.
1 cinnamon stick (canela en rama)
pinch of salt (sal)
¼ tsp. (1.42 g) baking soda (bicarbonato)
2 Tbs. (30 mL) whole cow’s milk (leche entera)
Instructions:
In a large heavy pot, over medium heat, pour goat’s milk, sugar, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon and bring to a light boil.
Stir to ensure the sugar has dissolved; remove from heat.
In a separate bowl mix cow’s milk and baking soda until the baking soda has dissolved.
Remove pot from burner and pour baking-soda mixture into the goat’s milk, stirring fast.
Be careful because the liquid will quickly froth and overflow.
Stir until the bubbles have subsided.
Put pot back on the stove.
Turn the heat to medium and continue to cook the goat’s milk mixture, stirring frequently so the mixture does not boil over.
After 20-30 minutes, the mixture will darken and thicken into a thick sauce.
Continue simmering and stirring until the mixture turns a dark caramel color and coats a wood spoon (which may take 20-40 minutes).
The cajeta should the same consistency as maple syrup.
Next:
Pour into a jar and cool completely.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use (up to 2 weeks).
The cajeta will taste best if warmed before using.
Disfruta!
Deborah McCoy is the one-time author of mainstream, bridal-reference books who has turned her attention to food, particularly sweets, desserts and fruits. She is the founder of CakeChatter™ on FaceBook and X (Twitter), and the author of four baking books for “Dough Punchers” via CakeChatter (available @amazon.com). She is also the president of The American Academy of Wedding Professionals.
El Barrio Chino, Mexico City’s Chinatown, consists of a few blocks filled with shops, restaurants and places to have your fortune told. It's also the hub of celebrations during Chinese New Year. (Rogelio Morales Ponce/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico City is a city of dragons — and at no time is it more obvious than during Chinese New Year. Some of them come in the form of afeathered serpent with lavish emerald scales; others have fangs, claws and long mustaches. Though you might not spot them soaring the skies — you guessed it, pollution is to blame — these beasts inhabit the capital’sBarrio Chino, in the riotously chaotic heart of the Historic Center.
Nestled between the crowded blocks of Calle Dolores, Barrio Chino is the country’s busiestChinatown. Although its exact year of foundation is uncertain, merchants and artisans found themselves a home in the San Juan Moyotlan neighborhood around the 1930s. Ever since then, classic moon cakes and bao buns have been baked in the capital and the annualcelebration of the Chinese New Year has taken place there — even amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic.
People gather at the Historic Center in Mexico City to watch the Dragon Festival every year, during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Barrio Chino. (Rogelio Morales Ponce/Cuartoscuro)
The latest census statistics for the capital show that over 30,000 Chinese migrants live here. In search of better job opportunities and a taste of freedom, Chinese migration to the capital has continued for generations. In 2024 alone, the Mexican government issued over 5,000 temporary residency visas to Chinese immigrants. This year, Mexico expects to issue even more.
Why is the snake the animal for the 2025 Chinese horoscope?
The Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date. On the contrary, it is celebrated during the last week of January or the first of February, when an energetic cycle comes to an end. Following the Buddhist tale, this horoscope follows a 12-year lunar cycle, meaning that each animal will have an entire year every 12 years. Moreover, this horoscope considers 5 natural elements: Fire, Metal, Earth, Water and Wood. These elements not only affect a person’s destiny but also make the universe and its creatures constantly cycle. As per this year’s celestial arrangement, an entire generation influenced by the Wood Snake will come to be in 2025.
At the beginning of time,ancient legend says that the Jade Emperor summoned every species on his land to his palace. However, only 12 of them heeded his call: a pig, a dog, a rooster, a monkey, a sheep, a horse, a snake, a dragon, a rabbit, a tiger, an ox and a rat.
Así se vive el Año Nuevo Chino en la CDMX
To those who came to him, the Emperor granted them that each year be named in their honor. To set the order, he suggested that a race be held. And so, the Chinese horoscope was born. Some historianssuggest this horoscope was first arranged during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE). However, other sources believe it is as ancient as China herself. Ever since then, say Chinese mystics, the lunar calendar follows these 12 sacred animals, who influence those born under their sign.
For those born under the snake, explains theSouth China Morning Post, “money or wealth will come easy […] in the new lunar year.” With powers of divination and other dark mysteries, they carry the heritage of goddess Nüwa, the mother and creator of the Universe, and prefer not to rely on other people. A future of growth and stability awaits babies born in 2025. Following the lunar cycle, the year of the Wood Snake will end on Feb. 16, 2026.
The Wood Snake in the land of Quetzalcóatl
All activities related to the Chinese New Year in Mexico are free and family-friendly. (Andrea Fischer)
If they are not a native Mandarin speaker, everyone is a foreigner in Mexico City’s Chinatown. However, local merchants welcome anybody who is willing to participate or just curious about their traditions. Dressed in red and gold, Barrio Chino will host the Chinese New Year 2025 festivities.
However, the grand Dragon and Lions Parade will be held in Centro Nacional de las Artes (Cenart), which will collaborate with the Chinese Embassy in Mexico to display “traditional dances, wushu/Kungfu [demonstrations], traditional music, Hanfu catwalk, cosplay and shadow theatre,” the institution wrote in anInstagram post.
Thousands of visitors flood the capital’s Chinatown during the Chinese New Year, looking to have a taste of the boisterous festivities: from trying traditional street food or high-end cuisine to displays of martial arts and circus, both Cenart and Calle Dolores become a sight to be seen during the last week of January.
Even though these two locations — and all of their activities — are family-friendly, if you’re planning on going with little children, beware of the crowds: Barrio Chino can get quite busy during the holidays. Also, try to bring a bottle of water with you, and lots of cash, because Chinese establishments in Mexico City are known not to accept credit cards or transfers. China thrives with the dragon’s roar — but is also wary of all-mighty Quetzalcóatl and his people.
When to go: Jan. 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where to go: Two locations
Barrio Chino (Chinatown), 06050, Historic Center
Cenart: Av. Río Churubusco 79, Country Club Churubusco, Coyoacán, 04210 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cost: All these activities are free, both in Chinatown and Cenart.
Andrea Fischer [link to profile] is an editor for Mexico News Daily. She has edited and written forNational Geographic en Español andMuy Interesante México, and continues to advocate for anything that screams science. Or yoga. Or both.
As always, Puerto Vallarta plays host to some of Mexico's best vibes, parties and events. (Visit Vallarta)
With a calendar bursting at the seams with cultural celebrations, sporting events and charitable soirées, February in Puerto Vallarta is anything but dull. Whether you’re a beach-loving foodie, a sports fanatic or an art aficionado, there’s something happening every day that will tickle your fancy. Pack your sunnies and get ready for a month full of fun with these must-attend events.
Boozy language exchange at La Catrina
(Vallartacalendar.com)
If your idea of a good time includes sipping cocktails while brushing up on your Spanish skills, then this weekly event at La Catrina Cantina. Hosted by the Spanish tutor Eddie, this laid-back conversation club is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture, meet fellow language enthusiasts and ask all those burning Spanish grammar questions — all while keeping things light and fun. Donations are welcome, and who knows? You might just walk away with a new phrase or two.
Date: Feb. 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Location: La Catrina Cantina, Lázaro Cárdenas 315B, Zona Romántica Cost: No cover, donations accepted
Puerto Vallarta College Challenge
(Puerto Vallarta College Challenge)
The Puerto Vallarta College Challenge is back, bringing some of the top D-I softball programs to the beaches of the Bay of Banderas. Since its debut in 2015, this tournament has grown into a major event for PV, drawing top-tier athletes and enthusiastic fans. All games take place at the Nancy Almaraz Softball Field, a.k.a El Estadio, so grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks and watch these teams swing for the fences.
Date: Feb. 6 to 16
Location: Ecuador 1566, Lázaro Cárdenas Cost: US $100 per tournament pass, which can be purchased online until Jan. 24. Daily and tournament passes can be purchased in person in Puerto Vallarta afterwards.
Realty & Gourmet Market
(Visita Puerto Vallarta)
Whoever said real estate and restaurants don’t go hand in hand hasn’t met the Realty & Gourmet Market in Puerto Vallarta. Kicking off the first edition of this unlikely pairing, 30 exhibitions, including some of the city’s best restaurants and real estate companies, will come together along the Malecon. Guests can enjoy gourmet bites and get information on what condos and houses are available to rent or buy in town.
Date: Feb. 11 Location: Los Arcos del Malecón Amphitheater, Malecón s/n, Centro Cost: Free entry
Chalk Artist Festival
(Carlos Ibarra/Bucerias Chalk Art Walk)
Cupid’s arrow hits double the target on Valentine’s Day in Puerto Vallarta. First, wander the works of art at the Chalk Artist Festival, where the streets transform into a kaleidoscope of creativity. Talented artists from across Mexico compete for cash prizes, bringing the pavement to life with intricate, colorful designs.
Date: Feb. 14 Location: Various locations
Cost: Free entry
Por Amor al Arte
(Por Amor Al Arte)
When you’re done with the Chalk Art Festival, head over to ARTe VallARTa Museo for Por Amor al Arte, a glamorous fundraising event celebrating all things artistic. Expect an evening filled with performances, gourmet bites and the chance to take home a masterpiece of your own at the silent auction. Proceeds benefit the museum, so you can indulge your inner art critic for a good cause.
Date: Feb. 14, 6 to 10 p.m. Location: ARTe VallARTa Museo, G. Prieto 164, El Remance
Cost: Tickets start at 1500 pesos
PGA Tour – Mexico Open
Tee up for one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year: the Mexico Open at Vidanta. Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and green fairways, this PGA Tour event attracts some of the biggest names in golf. You can be a die-hard fan or just looking for an excuse to sip margaritas on the green.
Who needs Rio when you’ve got Puerto Vallarta’s Carnival? Expect three days of non-stop revelry with live music, folk dances, drag shows and DJs lighting up Downtown and the Romantic Zone. The pièce de résistance? The fabulous parade on February 22nd, winding its way from the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort down the Malecon, ending in the vibrant Romantic Zone. It’s a spectacle of color, creativity and contagious energy that you won’t want to miss.
Date: Feb. 20 to 22 Location:
Cost:
Vallarta Bird and Nature Festival & Chili Cook-Off
(Festival de Aves & Naturaleza de Vallarta)
Nature lovers and foodies unite! The Vallarta Bird and Nature Festival is a fantastic opportunity to explore the region’s incredible biodiversity through guided tours, walks and kid-friendly activities.
And if all that birdwatching works up an appetite, head to the annual Puerto Vallarta Chili Cook-Off. Sample a dizzying array of chili recipes from local restaurants and home cooks, groove to live music and sip ice-cold beer, all while supporting Toys for Tots Puerto Vallarta. It’s a win-win for your taste buds and the community.
Date: Feb. 22 Location: Various locations Cost: Various prices
Charity Bingo for Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic
(Nacho Daddy/Facebook)
Feeling lucky? Test your bingo skills for a good cause at Nacho Daddy, where Charity Bingo raises funds to provide free spay and neuter services for Puerto Vallarta’s furry friends. With a special food and drink menu, fabulous prizes and a fun-loving crowd, it’s an evening of entertainment that helps make a difference.
Date: Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. Location: Nacho Daddy, Basilio Badillo 287, Zona Romántica Cost: 300 pesos
Illumination V Dinner & Show
(Pastios de Luz)
Rounding out the month in style, Illumination V Dinner & Show is an exquisite gala benefiting Pasitos de Luz, a charity supporting children with special needs. Held at the luxurious beachside Shangri-La in Marina Vallarta, the evening promises a starry night of gourmet dining by local chefs and live performances.
Date: Feb. 27, 6 to 10 p.m. Location: Shangri-La, Av. Paseo de la Marina Sur 385, Marina Vallarta Cost: 2,200 pesos
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
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