Is it a cake? Is it a sweet bread? All we know is, this taste of Mexico is full of tradition (and small statues of Jesus). (El Globo)
Friends, did you think that all the Christmas celebrations were over? No, sir. In Mexico, we still have a couple more festivities and meals to enjoy: Día de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day) and Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day). Both celebrations are tied to the Catholic calendar, which has influenced life in Mexico for centuries. Although modernity has somewhat diminished the religious aspect, the festivities and food remain an important part of our culture.
Every January 5th, Mexican children write letters to the Reyes Magos — the same Wise Men who visited the Baby Jesus at his birth. If we’ve behaved well, we receive presents on the morning of January 6th. That’s right: Mexican children get gifts twice, once on Christmas Day and again on Three Kings’ Day.
Biting into the Rosca de Reyes in search of a small statue of Jesus is the most important way to start the year. (Lolo Mercadito)
After the excitement of receiving and opening our presents starts to fade, we need a little sugar to keep our energy up, so we enjoy a slice of Rosca de Reyes and a cup of hot chocolate. Once we’re recharged, we’re sent off to play with our new toys in a place where we won’t disturb the adults.
What is the Rosca de Reyes?
It’s a circular-shaped bread, similar to a giant doughnut. This giant doughnut is topped with frutas cristalizadas (traditional sweets preserved using pre-Hispanic techniques), like figs, ate (fruit paste made from various fruits), and acitrón. The bread also features sections of the same sugar glaze used for conchas. In recent decades, some people have begun filling the rosca with creams and frostings. I’m not a huge fan of this trend, but give it a go.
Small figurines of the Baby Jesus are hidden throughout the Rosca, allowing people who eat it to find them.
Traditions around the Rosca
This tradition is not exclusive to Mexico; many countries with a strong Catholic influence have their own variations of this bread. In Spain, it is known as Roscón de Reyes; in Portugal, it is called Bolo Rei; in France, it’s referred to as Galette des Rois; and in northern Italy, it’s named Focaccia della Befana. While these breads differ in style and ingredients, they share two common characteristics: they are traditionally served on January 6th, and each contains a figurine that someone is meant to find.
The Origin
The sweet bread has become associated with the arrival of the “Magic Kings” — also known as the Three Wise Men. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Some historians believe that the tradition of the Rosca de Reyes is an adaptation of an ancient Roman festival honoring Saturn, celebrated at the end of December. During this festival, people ate a type of sweet bread that contained a hidden small object, turning it into a game.
With the spread of Christianity, bread became associated with the crown of the Magi, and January 6th was established as the official date to share it with loved ones.
Back to Mexico
This tradition is undoubtedly one we inherited from the Spaniards, but as Mexicans, we experience a particular sadness when there’s no upcoming celebration to look forward to, as if life loses its significance. To address this, we have created our own tradition. First and foremost, it’s important for everyone to gather around the rosca and pay close attention to what unfolds.
1. We cut the Rosca de Reyes. It used to be mostly a family event; now it’s an excuse to get together at work, school, or anywhere else.
2. It’s almost like playing Russian roulette. Friends, few moments are as tense as deciding where to cut the rosca. Keep in mind that small Baby Jesus figurines are hidden throughout. When you receive your slice, you feel the weight of responsibility. If you’re sitting with a group of Mexicans, you’ll definitely hear an enthusiastic chorus of “ahhhhhhhh” when someone finds a Baby Jesus.
3. You found a Baby Jesus figurine. Amigos, you now have a significant responsibility — almost a patriotic duty — to take charge of the “tamaliza” on Candlemas Day (Día de la Candelaria). Don’t worry; we’ll discuss this celebration as the date approaches. You have nearly a month to prepare tamales and atoles for everyone who participated in the Rosca de Reyes.
Where to Buy Good Rosca de Reyes?
In Mexico City, I have three favorite places to get rosca:
1. Panadería Rosetta: This bakery is always busy, and you need to order in advance, but it’s definitely worth it for their delicious rosca.
2. Panmex: Located in the southern part of Mexico City, Panmex is one of the best bakeries in the city. Their rosca tastes as good now as it did 35 years ago — it’s unbeatable for me.
3. City Market: It may seem unusual to recommend a rosca from a supermarket, but I’ve recently found that City Market’s bakery is surprisingly good. It’s a classic option for taking to the office or large gatherings, especially when you’re on a budget.
Enjoy your rosca with hot chocolate, write your letter to the Reyes Magos — they’ll surely bring you gifts! — and don’t forget to note who got the Baby Jesus figurines in the Rosca. They owe you tamales.
María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.
An Endless Surf wave basin and Cabo Real Golf Course, both visible here, are signature attractions at Cabo Real Surf Club in Los Cabos. (Cabo Real Surf Club)
Surfers have been coming to Los Cabos since the 1950s, meaning they were among the first to take advantage of the region’s charms as a tourist destination. In recent decades, golf has surpassed surfing in popularity locally, not only because of how many great courses there are — 18 and counting — but because of how effective these layouts are in helping to attract resort guests and sell real estate.
However, a certain innovation may address this imbalance, making surfing easier than ever for those who’ve never tried it and proving the worth of surf technology to complement golf in marketing the Los Cabos lifestyle for those considering primary or secondary homes in the area.
Surfing is easier than ever at Los Cabos in its newest surf basin. (Bradley Hook/Pexels)
The Endless Surf wave basin premieres at Cabo Real Surf Club
Work began in December 2024 on the Cabo Real Surf Club, the first development in North America to feature a private Endless Surf wave basin. Endless Surf has led the charge for this technology, using pneumatics in recent years to achieve customizable waves for surf parks. But what it’s doing in Los Cabos is really special.
Boardwalk home sites at Cabo Real Surf Club. (Cabo Real Surf Club).
Cabo Real Surf Club will feature a four-acre wave basin able to accommodate 40 surfers and provide 480 customizable ocean-quality waves per hour. This is only possible thanks to a pneumatic air system powered by 250-horsepower motors that can generate 25-second rides on waves up to seven feet high.
“Given the large number of waves per hour and the ability to create an infinite number of wave shapes, surfers are able to catch a month’s worth of ocean waves in a single day and all of them are captured on video,” notes David Likins, formerly president and CEO of the Kelly Slater Wave Company and now a partner in Meriwether Companies, which along with the Sánchez Navarro family, are behind the development at Cabo Real Surf Club.
“This huge amount of repetition and access to analysis creates an extremely steep learning curve allowing even beginners to become advanced surfers and for advanced surfers to learn expert skills they will never master in the ocean.”
Real estate and lifestyle amenities at Cabo Real Surf Club
Surf casita at Cabo Real Surf Club. (Cabo Real Surf Club)
The Endless Surf basin is a centerpiece of Cabo Real Surf Club, part of a larger 3,000-acre master-planned Cabo Real development in the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Over 200 homes are planned at Cabo Real Surf Club, from estate lots and boardwalk homesites to surf casitas and ocean-view villas, with over US $50 million in sales already logged.
However, Endless Surf isn’t the only attraction for home buyers. There’s also golf, of course, not to mention the swimmable beach nearby with an oceanfront beach club for members; a racquet club with facilities for tennis, Padel and pickleball; two swimming pools; state-of-the-art fitness facilities; and networks of hiking and biking trails that show off the development’s gorgeous natural setting.
“We are thrilled to partner with Meriwether Companies in bringing Cabo Real Surf Club to life,” Diego Sánchez Navarro said via a press release: “My father acquired the land at Cabo Real in 1983 because of its beautiful beaches and ideal location between vibrant Cabo San Lucas and charming San José del Cabo. With existing properties such as El Dorado Golf & Beach Club and Las Ventanas al Paraíso, it is fitting that Cabo Real will be home to the most exciting, next-generation private club in Mexico.”
The history of the Sánchez Navarro family in Los Cabos
Beach club at Cabo Real Surf Club. (Cabo Real Surf Club)
Eduardo Sánchez Navarro, Diego’s father, was one of the second wave of developers in Los Cabos, coming after pioneers like Rod Rodríguez, Bud Parr, Luis Cóppola and Luis Bulnes. But in terms of legacy, he’s already in a class of his own.
Since breaking ground on Cabo Real in 1989, the elder Sánchez Navarro has helped to transform Los Cabos via high-profile resort and real estate investments, including the 2000-acre development at Puerto Los Cabos just outside San José del Cabo, which includes a marina, 27-hole golf course from Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman and some of the finest art in Los Cabos, including sculptures from famed British-Mexican surrealist Leonora Carrington and Guadalajaran Gabriel Macotela.
Grupo Questro, where Sánchez Navarro serves as president, has also opened two other golf courses and owns or manages several local resorts, including Casa Dorada, Casa del Mar, Dreams, El Ganzo, ME Cabo and Secrets Puerto Los Cabos. Eduardo Sánchez Navarro was likewise the guiding force behind the Los Cabos International Film Festival — formerly the Baja International Film Festival — which launched in 2012.
Eduardo is also, it should be noted, brother to Mercedes Sánchez Navarro, girlfriend of Carlos Slim, the richest man in Mexico. Eduardo’s family members have become key contributors to the success of Grupo Questro, with several serving in executive positions.
The future of Endless Surf wave basins in Los Cabos
Eduardo Sánchez Navarro, among his many other accomplishments, was behind one of the first golf courses in Los Cabos, the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Cabo Real, which opened in 1993, the same year Jack Nicklaus opened Palmilla Golf Club. The course is currently undergoing renovation before reopening in 2025 and like the Endless Surf wave basin, it will serve as a signature amenity for the Cabo Real Surf Club. It will likely become private for members— big news for destination golfers since Questro Golf offerings like Cabo Real, Club Campestre and Puerto Los Cabos have all traditionally been open to the public, and the latter two still will.
As surfing in Los Cabos is world-class thanks to breaks along the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific Ocean, the expertise provided by reps in the Endless Surf basin in effect opens up countless other regional amenities, from East Coast surf breaks at Shipwrecks and Nine Palms to Pacific Coast favorites such as Cerritos, San Pedrito and La Pastora, as well as points in between, like Zippers — site of the one-time World Surf League sponsored Los Cabos Open of Surf — and Monuments, a legendary lefty point break with views of Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas.
Will surf basins now start popping up at other Los Cabos real estate developments as golf courses began doing starting in the 1990s? It’s still too early to tell. But simulators and video, which have helped to revolutionize the golf experience, will certainly help. However, there is only one for now, and Cabo Real Surf Club has it.
Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.
As Mexico and the world turn a new page, what's in store for 2025? (Cuartoscuro)
As we start 2025, much of the world is facing significant uncertainty regarding the months and years ahead. North America is no exception, with President Sheinbaum just starting her six-year term, U.S. President-elect Trump about to start a second four-year term, and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau perhaps nearing the end of almost 10 years in office. Mexico, as MND covers each and every day, has a lot on its plate this new year. With that introduction, and knowing that it will likely be a year that will not look kindly on forecasters, I will share 12 of my predictions for Mexico in 2025.
1. President Sheinbaum will remain extremely popular with the Mexican population. Recent polling showed her having an exceptionally high 76% favorability rating in Mexico. I think that in 2025, despite a lot of uncertainty and turmoil, she will retain a favorability rating above 70%.
2. President Sheinbaum and President Trump will get along better than expected. Despite Trump’s highly confrontational style, President Sheinbaum will successfully manage the relationship and they will have a productive and positive working relationship that will surprise many people.
3. The Mexican peso will weaken to above 21 to the US dollar, and I would not be surprised to see it go above 22 by the end of the year. There will be a lot of uncertainty throughout the year, and uncertainty tends to strengthen the US dollar and weaken the Mexican peso. USMCA negotiations, foreign direct investment delays, slowing GDP growth in Mexico, and a difference in interest rate reductions between the U.S. and Mexico will likely all contribute to peso weakness.
4. There will be many delays of new foreign direct investment (FDI) into Mexico in 2025, resulting in disappointing FDI numbers for the year. But then I think that there will be an acceleration of FDI in 2026 and beyond. Until there is more clarity around tariff policies and USMCA renewal terms, many companies will hold off on making significant FDI moves in Mexico this year.
5. Mexican GDP growth will surprise to the upside, but still be disappointingly low. Many experts are predicting 2025 GDP growth in the 1.1%-1.2% range, which would be below the U.S. rate and far below what Mexico should expect given the nearshoring opportunity. I think a number closer to 2% might be the reality for the year: better than expected but still way too low.
GDP growth could remain sluggish in 2025, as Mexico struggles to make the most of the nearshoring opportunity. (BYD)
6. Mexico will need to bring its interest rates down more quickly than the United States. The U.S. will likely have the luxury of being able to pause its interest rate reductions for now and cut less in 2025. Mexico likely will not have that ability due to a sluggish economy, declining FDI rates and slowing inflation. The result could be an even faster depreciation of the Mexican peso than predicted above.
7. Mexico will surprise the world by taking some substantive actions against the drug cartels. A reduction in violence unfortunately would be difficult to predict, but I think that 2025 will be a year in which the Mexican government visibly goes on the offensive again against the cartels after six years of a “hugs not bullets” strategy (that arguably failed) by former President López Obrador.
8. Mexico will take an increasingly strong stand against Chinese investments in the country. Look for more tariffs (in coordination with the U.S. and Canada), more actions on Chinese counterfeit goods in the country, and more actions against Chinese nationals. The tidal wave of Chinese cars and car dealerships will slow down significantly, at least for now. It’s in Mexico’s best interest to do this, and would also lead to a more productive USMCA discussion.
9. Pemex will likely go mostly untouched in 2025, but some high profile green energy investment projects will be announced. With so many other pressing issues to attend to this year, I doubt President Sheinbaum will have the bandwidth to try to tackle Pemex, but I do expect much more momentum around green energy projects and investments.
Investment in renewable energy could be in the cards for 2025, MND chief Travis Bembenek writes. (Iberdrola)
10. Less cynicism and more optimism will take hold on Mexico’s all-in focus on trains. Both the Maya Train and Interoceanic Train will demonstrate their value, and excitement will build around the newly planned and soon-to-be-constructed routes in the center of the country heading north.
11. Mexico City will continue to get the recognition and visibility it deserves for being one of the great cities of the world. The city, which had very few tourists in the past, is now booming with tourism. Expect to hear more people than ever saying “I had no idea CDMX was such a great city … who would have ever thought?” (Cue the eye rolling.)
12. Tourist numbers will continue to hit new records throughout the country. A weakening peso, a strong U.S. economy, the booming cruise industry and lots of new flights will keep tourists coming in record numbers again in 2025. More people are increasingly discovering great new places to vacation in Mexico.
2025 most certainly will be a fascinating year with a constant flow of news. Mexico News Daily will be there to cover it all for you. Stay tuned and buckle up!
Which of my predictions do you agree with? What do you think I missed or got wrong? Please share your thoughts and predictions in the comments.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
From local beauty salons to copy and print shops, Mexico is thriving with local businesses, that have been open for generations.(Bhavesh Jain/Pexels)
A couple of weeks ago I presented a list ofbusinesses I wished people would start in Mexico. A few people took it more seriously than it was meant, but I had a good laugh, and that’s the important thing, right? Writing to entertain myself?
Anyway, while I wait for someone to re-invent or franchise the apparently toxic Yankee Candle Company, I thought I’d take some time to talk about cool businesses that are already here. Most of these are places that you might not hear about until you’re actually here. They don’t have websites, though some might have Facebook or Instagram if they’re fancy.
Internet cafes and beauty salons are among Mexico’s dearest entrepreneurship projects, and can be found practically anywhere in the country. (Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)
But when it comes to serving the masses, you don’t need to be fancy; you just need to be good, accessible and reliable. Hit that trifecta, and you’ll always have work!
Without further ado, here are a few of the businesses that I really appreciate in Mexico:
The best businesses in Mexico
Copy shops-cum-internet cafes
From buying your last minute ‘cartulina’ for school, to printing important documents, the Mexican internet cafe format is there to save the day! (Marcus Aurelius/Pexels)
When I first came to Mexico in 2002, it was rare for people to have internet access in their homes, and home computers weren’t all that common. But instant messaging and e-mail were also all the rage, so if you wanted to use it, the internet café was the place. Per hour rates were cheap, and you could have cheap copies made and things printed, too! Nowadays the computer-use side of these businesses is no longer booming.
Thankfully for them, the copious amount ofcopies and printed-out documents one needs to get things done around here are keeping them in business. There’s a copy shop around the corner from where I live, and I use them at least once a month! Related to this business are places that make lonas, or those vinyl plastic signs. They can help with designs or you can take your own, and they’re relatively cheap.
Beauty services
If you like manicures, pedicures, hair and facial treatments and “reductive massages,” then you’re in luck in Mexico! Prices for these services are in accordance with the local economy, so they’ll vary from place to place. Depending on where you are, there’s quite a lot to do — or have done! In my city of Xalapa, you can practically throw a rock and hit a nail salon. There are plenty of places too to get mink lashes and even botox and similar services. Having a lot to choose from is certainly nice for customers, but the market isn’t as oversaturated as you’d think. Every places seems to have a pretty good, stable business!
Really fresh food
People in Mexico are used to buying their chicken from local pollerías, to get a fresh meal every day. (Cuartoscuro)
If you’ve lived in a Mexican town or city, you’ve no doubt noticed all the chicken. When I first arrived, it struck me as odd and unsanitary, but now it seems unnatural to buy it refrigerated at the store.
Do not ask me about the logistics here; I really don’t know how they do it, but I’m impressed. All I know is that for the first several hours of daylight, you can find people selling chicken on the sidewalk. In my own city, they typically just have a little table, a chair and an umbrella. People arrive and buy their chicken parts for lunch, nice and fresh!
Grocery store chicken, at least around here, is considered far inferior in quality and taste. Another thing you can get fresh? Well, just about anything: Fresh cut fruit, freshly baked bread, homemade ice cream. While freshness is considered a premium where I’m from, here it’s par for the course.
Meal delivery systems with dieticians
Now, this is a premium service, but it deserves to be. It is not uncommon in Mexico for people to visit nutritionists to get specialized meal plans. In bigger cities, you can also find meal delivery systems attached! I’ve used these services before, and while they’re not cheap, they’re also not a great deal more than one might spend on groceries to prepare food for yourself. Since I personally hate cooking and food preparation, these have been a godsend to me. Whether you want to adjust your weight or simply hate to cook, they’re great!
Private trash and recycling pickup
In Mexico, the garbage truck usually comes once a week to collect trash and goods that can be recycled. (Yerania Rolón/Cuartoscuro)
Trash is one of those things that you don’t really think about until you have to think about it. The most organized municipalities handle it seamlessly and predictably: It becomes as certain as the rising sun.
For the rest of us, private trash collectors fill in the blanks. For a few pesos — well, depending on how much trash you have — they’ll cart it away. What do they do with it? The answer varies from place to place. They do recycle what they can, though, so if you’re able, separate the recyclables into different bags.
Construction, gardening, painting, electricity and plumbing
These essential services mostly fall under the “I know a guy” category. Unfortunately, they’re not always that easy to find if they’ve got no online presence. In any case, most Mexicans aren’t comfortable inviting someone into their homes without a reference. If you need any type of service done, the place to start is with your friend group. Who do they recommend? Who does good work and what were their experiences? Once you’ve got some good personal recommendations, shoot off a WhatsApp message. So fast, so simple.
These are all obviously only a fraction of some of the great businesses out there. What else would you add? Let us know in the comments!
Don't miss out on Holbox Island and these other iconic destinations in your 2025 travels through Mexico. (Corentin Largeron/Unsplash)
2025 looks like it will be a big year for Mexico. With huge investments in tourism and infrastructure, traveling the country has never been easier. With new roads and airports across the country, this could be the year that you get out and really explore what Mexico has to offer.
Here’s a range of destinations, from mountain peaks to glorious coastlines, that deserve a visit from you in 2025.
The city of Coatepec, Veracruz, is known for its high-quality coffee. (Shutterstock)
Mountains
Xalapa, Veracruz
Xalapa is the coastal state of Veracruz’s hidden gem. The city blends history, nature, and culture into an unforgettable experience. Dubbed the “Athens of Veracruz,” this mountainous college town enchants visitors with cobblestone streets, cloud forests and the tantalizing aroma of locally grown coffee. Begin with a lechero at La Parroquia before exploring the Anthropology Museum, home to awe-inspiring Olmec artifacts like colossal stone heads.
Xalapa’s culinary delights reflect its rich heritage. Savor mole xiqueño from the nearby town of Xico, local speciality fish dish huachinango a la Veracruzana or enjoy wood-fired enchiladas at Cerro Gordo. Botanists can take a stroll through the misty Clavijero Botanical Garden or visit Coatepec, Mexico’s coffee capital.
Beyond its attractions, Xalapa’s charm lies in its people, known for their warmth and hospitality. Engage in lively conversations at Parque Juárez or the bustling Mercado Jáuregui. Xalapa invites you to savor, explore and connect, offering discovery at every turn.
The city also boasts the highest number of Mexico News Daily contributors per capita in the world, so make of that what you will.
OK, so this one is a road trip that takes you through several destinations, ending in what might be Mexico’s most authentic city. Weave through vibrant landscapes and rich culture in a journey inspired by the annual Guelaguetza festival, a week-long adventure through Mexico’s heartland that blends history, cuisine, and breathtaking sights.
There is too much to mention about Oaxaca here, of course. Highlights include the vast and historically important Monte Albán ruins, the Textile Museum, and rooftop dining overlooking the illuminated Templo de Santo Domingo.
Of all the areas in Mexico, Oaxaca is the most unapologetically itself, which has rightfully earned it a reputation as a must-visit destination. Eager road trippers might also fancy a drive down the mountain to the Pacific coastal towns of Mazunte, Zipolite and Puerto Escondido, thanks to the new highway that has dramatically cut transit times.
Tucked away on the Gulf of California, San Carlos is a hidden gem, offering serene beaches, dramatic desert landscapes and a wealth of outdoor adventures. The town is far from the bustle of La Paz or Los Cabos and charms visitors with boutique hotels, cliffside villas and unspoiled beauty. Accessible via a 90-minute drive from Hermosillo, the journey is as picturesque as the destination.
Adventure seekers can dive into “the world’s aquarium,” as Jacques Cousteau called the Gulf of California, with activities like kayaking, diving and sailing. For land lovers, hiking and biking in the region’s lunar-like terrain are equally enthralling. Don’t miss the Mirador Escénico for breathtaking views of rugged canyons and the iconic Tetakawi peak.
San Carlos’ culinary scene is a seafood lover’s paradise. From fresh aguachile at Mesa Cortez to casual delights at Tortuga’s, every meal is memorable. Whether it’s vibrant sunsets or unparalleled tranquility you come in search of, San Carlos promises an unforgettable escape.
The northern location of San Carlos means it doesn’t suffer from the overtourism of other major beachside destinations in the area, like Mazatlán and the Riviera Nayarit — so you can have a taste of what Mexican oceanside life is really all about.
Bucerías, Nayarit
If San Carlos seems a bit too isolated, consider Bucerías, Nayarit, instead. A tranquil village on the Bay of Banderas, it offers a serene alternative to the bustle of Puerto Vallarta. Cobblestone streets, vibrant bougainvillea-draped houses, and a seemingly endless beach define this charming getaway. With boutique hotels, fresh seafood, and an emerging art scene, Bucerías embodies the magic of a classic Mexican retreat without the crowds.
A perfect weekend begins at Hotel Ysuri, known for its ocean-view rooms and relaxed elegance. Visitors can dine at La Negra, a lively eatery serving seafood tacos and killer margaritas, before catching a fiery sunset on Playa Bucerías. Saturday highlights include exploring the Bucerías Art District and savoring beachfront meals at Karen’s Place, followed by paddleboarding adventures. Dinner at Mar y Sol offers unforgettable seafood with ocean views.
Sunday invites treasure hunting at the bustling local tianguis market, before making your way conveniently back to Puerto Vallarta’s excellently connected international airport.
Holbox, Quintana Roo
Holbox is a slice of island paradise off the Yucatán Peninsula. The car-free island boasts stunning natural beauty, eco-conscious accommodations and a vibe reminiscent of Mexico decades ago. Arriving via ferry (or even by private plane), the journey feels like a passage into a simpler, more serene world — which it most certainly is.
Stay at funky hostels like Tribu, boutique gems like Casa Cat Ba with its zero-waste ethos and sunset views or the tranquil Las Hamacas Club de Playa for luxurious privacy. Dining is equally memorable — savor innovative fusion at Parador 33 or fresh avocado toast with Caribbean sunrises.
Holbox isn’t just for lounging though — but it is perfect for that if that’s your jam — and activities like kiteboarding, swimming with whale sharks, and long beach swims keep active travelers happy. As you ferry back to the mainland, you’ll carry the island’s peaceful charm with you, already plotting your return.
Magic Towns
The Convent Route
Yucatán’s Convent Route is a history lover’s dream, blending Maya ingenuity with colonial charm in a day trip south of Mérida. Skip the crowds at Chichén Itzá and instead explore hidden gems like Acancéh, where ancient stucco masks of the sun god Kinich Ahau and a vibrant colonial church coexist. From there, Tecoh beckons with its pyramid-perched church and nearby Hacienda Sotuta de Peón, a glimpse into the historic henequen industry that made the Yucatán what it is today.
Further south, Mayapán, the ancient Maya capital, offers quiet ruins that are ideal for (responsible) climbing and reflection. Towns like Mama, Tekit, and Chumayel provide fascinating churches, including Mama’s bell-shaped dome and Chumayel’s ties to the legendary Maya Chilam Balam texts. Finally, the Pueblo Mágico of Maní enchants with its vibrant market, honey-based goods, and the haunting history of burned Maya codices. Don’t miss Poc Chuc at El Príncipe Tutul Xiu for a delicious finale!
The route, which can take place in a single day or be spread out into a vacation in its own right, provides a window into the regions Maya history that other, more developed sites have now overlooked as they are consumed with mass tourism. Littered with Magic Towns, the route also offers visitors the chance to understand how the Maya community lives in the region today and what life is like for the descendants of those who constructed such magnificent monuments.
Cuetzalan, Puebla
Nestled in the misty hills of Puebla’s Sierra Norte mountain range, the sleepy town of Cuetzalan is a mass of vibrant culture and authentic charm. Cuetzalan is home to much of the region’s outstanding artisan industry, providing the town with a wonderful character all of its own. This character is made even cozier by the cobblestone streets, cascading waterfalls and a culture as rich as its landscapes.
If exploring the many workshops, colonial architecture and alleyways of the town isn’t for you, there are hiking trails, rappelling and the chance to get up close and personal with nature, before retiring for mouth-watering local dishes and delicious cocktails made with traditional regional herbs.
Cuetzalan’s Sunday market showcases local coffee, textiles, and ceramics, epitomizing its artistic soul. Authentic, gritty and unforgettable, Cuetzalan promises a feast for the senses and a touch of magic that the major cities of the country struggle to offer.
With 10 nominations, "Emilia Pérez" is the most-nominated movie in contention for the Golden Globes this year. (Emilia Pérez Film/X)
The Netflix film “Emilia Pérez” — a musical crime comedy about a Mexican drug trafficker who transitions to womanhood and starts a new life — is the most-nominated film heading into Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California.
“Emilia Pérez” received 10 nominations, including for best musical/comedy film, best non-English film and best screenplay. Audacious French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, who based the 132-minute movie on an opera libretto that he wrote, is nominated for best director.
Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascón in a scene from “Emilia Pérez.” (Shanna Besson/Netflix)
The film’s other nominations are Spaniard Karla Sofia Gascón for best actress in a musical/comedy film; Americans Zoë Saldaña and Selena Gomez, each for best supporting actress; best original score; and two entries in the best original song category.
“The Brutalist,” in which an architect grapples with his past, including Holocaust trauma, received the second most nominations with seven.
“Emilia Pérez” premiered last year at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Jury Prize and its four lead female actresses (the three above plus Mexican Adriana Paz) received a combined best actress award. The Times of London has declared it “one of the year’s best films.”
Netflix acquired its distribution rights in North America and the United Kingdom, and since Nov. 13 has been streaming the film in those regions but not in Mexico. According to reports, the film will open Jan. 23 in theaters in Mexico, where it has received the “Cinépolis Guarantee,” assuring moviegoers of the film’s quality. This, however, has led to debate in Mexico, with some social media users criticizing both the film (see below) and Cinépolis’ decision to support it.
“Emilia Pérez” follows the journey of four women in Mexico, each in search of their own happiness. The film is primarily in Spanish, although as this trailer reveals, several scenes feature English, notably those involving Gomez and Saldaña.
Gomez, born in Grand Prairie, Texas in 1992, is an American singer and former Disney Channel star whose father’s family is from Monterrey, Nuevo León. She has spoken often about her pride in her heritage, and she regularly celebrates her Mexican roots through her work and music (and by having learned to speak Spanish).
In “Emilia Pérez,” Gomez plays Lola, an influential friend to the lead character, the former cartel leader Emilia, after she transitions to a woman. Emilia, portrayed by Gascón, faces a rocky road as she navigates her identity and challenges as a woman.
Saldaña plays a lawyer that Emilia hires to help carry out her longtime plan to fake her death and undergo gender-affirming procedures.
The film is a musical odyssey set primarily in a vibrant, pulsating Mexico City. The soundtrack has been nominated for a Golden Globe, as have the songs “Mi Camino” and “El Mal.”
Because the film mixes the musical genre with gender identity and forced disappearances in Mexico, it has been criticized by some for its lack of sensitivity in addressing such delicate issues.
With Spaniard Karla Sofia Gascón playing the lead role, the movie has received some criticism for not casting Mexican actors to play main characters. (Netflix)
There also has been backlash because the main characters are not portrayed by Mexicans. Casting director Carla Hool has stated that although Mexican actresses were scouted, the best options proved to be European and American — a comment that generated social media accusations of racism and lack of representation.
Gascón fueled the criticism by calling the detractors “gatos,” which translates to “cats” but in this context is an insult, probably implying that the critics lack independent thought and are acting ignorantly.
In the category for best motion picture that’s a musical or comedy, “Emilia Pérez” will be competing against the box office smash “Wicked,” the sometimes funny drama “A Real Pain,” the dark romantic comedy “Anora,” the tennis-love triangle “Challengers” and the Demi Moore movie “The Substance.”
Winners will be chosen by 334 entertainment journalists from 85 countries.
The 82nd Golden Globes will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser for the first time. Paramount+ will livestream the ceremony, which will be televised in the United States by CBS starting at 7 p.m. Mexico City time.
U.S. teen Jason Peña, at left, is fighting for his life after being shot in the head while visiting family in Mexico. (Spotfund)
A Chicago teenager who was shot in the head while visiting family in Mexico has been transferred to a hospital in Texas, according to the U.S. State Department and family members.
Jason Peña, 14, has been in a medically induced coma since he and three other members of his family were attacked on a highway on Dec. 27 in the northwestern state of Durango. Jason is the lone survivor of the attack.
On Thursday, Jason was flown on a private plane to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston where he will receive treatment. “He is in critical condition in ICU and on life support,” his mother, Ana Cabral, said in a post on the fundraising site Spotfund.
Local authorities are investigating the attack, which has generated indignation in the Duranguense community in the Chicago area, according to the newspaper El Siglo de Durango.
A birthday celebration becomes a tragedy
Jason, his father Vicente Peña Jr. and his younger brother drove 3,000 miles from Chicago to the municipality of Santiago Papasquiaro in Durango, where they planned to celebrate Jason’s 14th birthday with family, according to Telemundo Chicago.
Family spokesperson and lawyer Julie Contreras said that two days before the birthday, Jason jumped into his father’s car as his dad, his uncle and a cousin left to buy food and drinks in Santiago Papasquiaro.
When the group had not returned after two hours, Vicente Peña Sr. — Jason’s grandfather — alerted the authorities.
Shortly thereafter, police located the vehicle, an SUV with Illinois license plates, along the Francisco Zarco Highway. All four occupants had been shot; the three adults — Vicente Jr., 38, Antonio Fernández, 44 (Vicente’s brother who flew from Chicago to join the festivities), and Jorge Eduardo Vargas, 22 — were pronounced dead at the scene.
Vicente Jr., Jason and Fernández were all U.S. citizens, Contreras said, and Jason was a student at Prairie Hills Junior High School in Markham, Illinois.
Jason was taken to a public hospital in Durango city, the state capital, but the hospital was not equipped to treat the severe brain injury. Cabral flew to Durango to be with Jason and her other son and began working to fly Jason to Houston for better care and to ensure his safety, Contreras said, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The U.S. State Department told USA Today that they had been in touch with the victims’ families and confirmed that Mexican authorities are conducting an investigation.
Contreras, through her NGO United Giving Hope, worked with the family to arrange for the private plane to carry Jason back to the U.S., while also alerting the public to a fake GoFundMe page that had been opened in Jason’s name.
The boy’s grandfather, Vicente Sr., spoke to Chicago television station WMAQ-TV in Spanish and said the shooting had wrecked their family.
“I feel very devastated because they wiped out my entire family,” he told the outlet. “It was a massacre … because my son was shot four times in the head and once in the shoulder.”
In the statement to USA Today, the U.S. State Department said “Durango, Mexico, has a Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution Travel advisory due to crime.”
On the subject of receiving non-Mexican deportees from the U.S., "we could collaborate through different mechanisms," Sheinbaum said Friday. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
Possible mass deportations of immigrants living in the United States and tariffs implemented by the Mexican government this week were among the topics President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her Friday morning press conference.
She also announced that a former governor would take over the leadership of one of Mexico’s energy agencies.
Mexico could receive non-Mexican deportees, Sheinbaum says
Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexico “is not in favor” of the mass deportations United States President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to undertake during his second stint in the White House.
“But if they happen … we’re going to receive the Mexicans that arrive in our country, and we’re going to ask the United States to, as far as is possible, send migrants who aren’t from Mexico to their countries of origin. And if they can’t, we could collaborate through different mechanisms,” she said.
Sheinbaum said last month that Mexico has an agreement with the Biden administration under which the United States sends deportees “of many nationalities” on direct flights to their countries of origin. She said that her government hoped to reach a deal with the incoming Trump administration so that most non-Mexican deportees continue to be sent to their countries of origin.
If Mexico were to agree to receive non-Mexican deportees, the federal government could limit acceptance “to certain nationalities or request compensation from the U.S. to move the deportees from Mexico to their home countries,” The Associated Press reported.
Mexican authorities previously said they would push for Trump to return migrants directly to their country of origin, though Mexico has accepted non-Mexican deportees from Venezuela, Cuba and other countries in the past. Shown: Officials in Reynosa transport recently arrived U.S. deportees. (CBP/Twitter)
AP noted that “Mexico, like any other country, is not obligated to accept non-Mexican migrants, but it has agreed to do so in the recent past, especially from countries like Cuba and Venezuela.”
Those countries, the news agency added, “often refuse deportation flights from the United States, but may accept them from Mexico.”
Sheinbaum said Friday “there will be a time to speak with the United States government if these [proposed] deportations really happen.”
“But we will receive … [deportees] here and we will receive them properly. We have a plan that I said yesterday we would present in due course,” she said.
“There are these [online] platforms where one can request any product. One thing is the individual arrival [to Mexico] of one piece, but what we detected is that in reality [the e-commerce sites] were being used to bring [products into Mexico] and then sell them in Mexico,” she said.
E-commerce companies are the target of new taxes and import duties, which went into effect Jan. 1. (File photo)
“One person, an individual, requesting a piece is not the same thing as [many] pieces being brought in to be sold, right?” Sheinbaum added.
She said that many Mexican small businesses have closed down due to reasons that include the entry of products from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have trade agreements, such as China. Some of those products enter Mexico to be sold “widely” after they were purchased on e-commerce sites (such as Temu and Shein), Sheinbaum said.
Disincentivizing that practice is the objective of the new tariffs, she said.
Former Veracruz governor joins federal government
Sheinbaum announced that former Veracruz Governor Cuitláhuac García will take on the role of director of the National Center for Natural Gas Control (Cenagas).
García, who completed his six-year term as governor of Veracruz last November, will start in the position next Monday, the president said.
“Few people know that Cuitláhuac is a mechanical and electrical engineer who studied at the Veracruzana University. He’s a very good engineer,” Sheinbaum said.
Cuitláhuac García wrapped up his term as governor of Veracruz in November. (Cuitláhuac García/Facebook)
“He was studying his doctorate abroad and in 2006, if I’m not mistaken, or 2012, he took the decision to leave the doctorate to come to fight for the transformation of Mexico,” she said of the former Morena party governor.
Sheinbaum described García as an “honest” man “with a lot of technical knowledge” about energy.
“He will help us coordinate all the work at Cenagas related to the production, use and distribution of natural gas,” she said.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
Roughly 100 metric tons of tilapia have died over the past week in Guerrero's El Gallo reservoir. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)
A major fish die-off killed roughly 100 metric tons of tilapia Guerrero’s El Gallo reservoir this week, local fishermen have reported.
Fishing groups across the region blame the massive die-off on a lack of oxygenation in the water due to poor management at the Mexicana de Hidroelectricidad Mexhidro (Mexhidro) hydroelectric plant, located in the municipality of Cutzamala de Pinzón.
Piles of dead fish crowd the shore of the El Gallo reservoir. (via La Jornada)
“For four days now, the tilapia has been dying in the entire dam; it is sad that neither the state nor the federal government pay attention. Who knows what they want us to do?” a local group of fishermen from the Guerrero town of La Dicha told the newspaper La Jornada.
Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua) constructed the El Gallo dam on the Cutzamala River in the northwestern part of the state of Guerrero to expand the irrigation system to the valleys of Cutzamala and Ciudad Altamirano.
Fishing groups say that the floodgates at the dam are not opened often enough, leading to a lack of water oxygenation, which then causes mass fish die-offs. The eight cooperatives operating in the region have reported similar experiences along the reservoir’s 30-kilometer length.
The cooperatives have been reporting the issue since 2013 and are now calling on President Claudia Sheinbaum to intervene. Fishermen previously caught between 20 and 30 metric tons of fish a year in the region, supporting the supply of Mexico City’s famous La Viga fish market. However, this figure has fallen significantly in recent years.
Each metric ton of fish lost is valued at 50,000 to 60,000 pesos (US $2,420-2,905), according to reports from the news site Sur Acapulco.
Local fishing groups have threatened to protest if the government does not intervene.
Cutzamala: A key Mexican waterway
The Cutzamala River originates in the central state of Michoacán and ends in Guerrero. Dams on the upper part of the river provide water to Mexico City, via an aqueduct over the mountains known as the Cutzamala System.
The system is one of the world’s largest networks of dams, canals and pipes, supplying around 27% of the capital’s water. However, in recent years, water levels in the system have decreased due to drought and other factors, falling to a historic low of below 30% in May 2024, according to Conagua.
As Mexico City officials race to develop alternative water networks, Mayor Clara Brugada last week announced a plan to halve the capital’s reliance on the Cutzamala reservoir system for the next two years. The goal of cutting withdrawals is to allow the water levels of Cutzamala System reservoirs to recover from extended drought conditions, and any excess water could boost downstream reservoirs like El Gallo in Guerrero.
Chinese e-commerce retailers like Temu will face some of the highest rates under Mexico's new tariffs. (Shutterstock)
New tariffs on products imported to Mexico via e-commerce sites such as Amazon and Temu and international courier companies took effect on Jan. 1.
Ranging from 17% to 19%, the tariffs entered into force the same day a new rule took effect requiring foreign e-commerce companies to pay Mexico’s 16% value-added tax (IVA) on products they export to and sell in Mexico.
On top of recent tax increases, e-commerce sites like Amazon, Shein and Temu will also be subject to importation tariffs. (Álvaro Ibáñez/Flickr)
Federal tax agency SAT said in a statement that the tariffs were being implemented to “continue strengthening the fight against abusive practices” of foreign companies that import products to Mexico.
SAT also said that surveillance of goods entering Mexico from Asia will be strengthened, which could lengthen delivery times.
Outlined in the General Rules of Foreign Trade for 2025 document that was published in the federal government’s official gazette earlier this week, the tariffs are as follows:
All products imported via e-commerce sites and courier companies from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have a trade agreement are subject to a uniform 19% tariff. Mexico doesn’t have a trade pact with China, where Temu, Shein, AliExpress and other e-commerce companies are based.
A 19% tariff also applies to goods valued at more than US $1 that are imported via e-commerce sites and courier companies from countries with which Mexico does have a trade agreement, with a couple major exceptions: Goods imported from the United States and Canada are exempt.
Products entering Mexico via e-commerce sites and courier companies from the United States and Canada are subject to a 17% tariff if their value is greater than US $50 but doesn’t exceed $117. Goods from the U.S. and Canada — Mexico’s USMCA trade partners — are not subject to any tariff if their value doesn’t exceed $50.
Products entering Mexico via e-commerce sites and courier companies from the United States and Canada are subject to a 19% tariff if their value is between US $118 and $2,500.
Previously, countries were not required to pay duties on goods of those values, according to a SAT spokesperson quoted by the Reuters news agency.
Media organization Merca 2.0 noted that “a decorative LED desk lamp purchased on Amazon and shipped [to Mexico] from China with a base price of $700 MXN would incur a 19% tariff equivalent to $133 MXN, bringing the cost to $833 MXN.”
The price of the lamp would be even higher if Amazon passed on the 16% IVA to the customer.
Imports from e-commerce companies like Chinese fast fashion retailer Shein are often cheaper than Mexican-made products, threatening domestic industries. (Mictlancihuatl/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Last month, the federal government announced new tariffs on clothes and textiles imported from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have a free trade agreement. The stated aim was to protect the Mexican textile/clothing industry, which the Mexican government says is losing jobs due to, in large part, unfair competition from underpriced Chinese imports.
The El País newspaper reported that the objective of the 35% tariffs on imported clothes and textiles is to “kill three birds with one stone”: to encourage production in the Mexican textile industry; to increase tax collection in a country that has one of the lowest collection rates in the OECD; and to send a “conciliatory message” to the incoming U.S. government led by Donald Trump.
Obliging foreign e-commerce companies to pay IVA and tariffs on products they import to Mexico will create a more level playing field between foreign and Mexican businesses — and thus should make locally made goods more competitive.
