Sustainable fuel megaplant to be built in Sinaloa

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December 12, 2023

download — The Topolobampo, Sinaloa-based plant will be the world's largest sustainable methanol facility, designed to serve the North American and Asian markets. (IFC)

The world’s largest “ultra-low carbon chemicals facility” is slated to be built on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Sinaloa.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Houston-based company Transition Industries signed an agreement at last week’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai to jointly develop the Pacífico Mexinol project, a green and blue methanol production facility that will have the capacity to produce 6,145 tonnes of the organic chemical per day.

Pacfico Mexinol — The new green site will be able to process more than 6,000 tonnes of methanol per day. (Pacifico Mexinol)

The plant, expected to begin construction in late 2024, will be located near Topolobampo, a town on the Gulf of California coast about 20 kilometers southwest of Los Mochis, the municipal seat of Ahome.

According to Spanish energy company Iberdrola, green methanol is “methanol that is produced renewably and without polluting emissions, one of its variants being generated from green hydrogen.”

“This chemical compound can be used as a low-carbon liquid fuel and is a promising alternative to fossil fuels in areas where decarbonization is a major challenge, such as maritime transport,” the company says on its website.

Blue methanol is “obtained by synthesis derived from natural gas, but includes as part of the process the capture and storage of the carbon generated during its production, converting it into a less polluting product [than grey methanol],” Iberdrola says.

Green methanol plant in Spain — An Iberdrola/Foresa green methanol plant in Spain. (Iberdrola)

United States Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement on Saturday that over US $2.2 billion will be invested in the Sinaloa green and blue methanol project.

The IFC said that the plant “is expected to be the largest single ultra-low carbon chemicals facility in the world, producing approximately 300,000 MT [metric tons] of green methanol from captured carbon and green hydrogen and 1.8 million MT of blue methanol per year from natural gas with carbon capture.”

The global development institution said in a statement that “Pacifico Mexinol is expected to reach final investment decision in 2024 and commercial operations in late 2027.”

“The project is expected to generate an average of more than 3,000 jobs during construction and up to 450 direct and indirect workers during operations,” the IFC added.

U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar said that over US $2.2 billion will be invested in the Sinaloa project. The new site is expected to create more than 3,000 new jobs. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

The agreement with Transition Industries – known as a Joint Partnership Development Agreement – allows IFC to “contribute to the development of a project with the potential to reduce natural gas flaring, treat recycled wastewater, diversify Mexico’s chemicals capacity, increase exports and generate employment,” said Alfonso García Mora, IFC’s vice president for Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

“At least 40% of the global production of methanol comes from coal. Decarbonizing methanol production is an imperative for IFC,” he said.

Salazar, who has been a staunch advocate for renewable energy investment in Mexico since becoming ambassador in late 2021, said that the methanol project “will allow us to make progress in our shared goal of consolidating North America as a leading power in clean energy.”

“… This project will help to reduce the flaring of natural gas, promote wastewater treatment, diversify Mexico’s chemicals capacity, increase exports and contribute to the creation of jobs,” the ambassador said, echoing the words of García.

“Given that 40% of the global production of methanol comes from coal, this plant will serve as an example of what we can achieve when our governments work together with the private sector and international organizations to combat climate change, advance in the energy transition in North America and generate opportunities and well-being for our people,” Salazar said.

The IFC said that “Pacifíco Mexinol’s responsibility to sustainable resource management and its neighbors extends far beyond the ultra-low carbon production of methanol.”

The project – previously announced as a 9.3 billion peso initiative backed by two Dutch companies that no longer appear to be involved – “has been engaging with local stakeholders for over four years, listening to local community members to understand their needs and concerns,” the IFC said.

“As a result, the project’s design includes an innovative water solution that will use municipal wastewater eliminating competition with local freshwater needs. There is also no water being removed from or discharged into the nearby bay – an important local ecosystem. The facility will export methanol through an existing port, requiring no dredging or additional infrastructure,” the Washington D.C.-based institute said.

Sinaloa Economy Minister Javier Gaxiola Coppel acknowledged Monday that local indigenous communities must be consulted before the project can be approved.

“All these large-scale investments require a lot of steps [to obtain] the different permits to be able to carry them out, but in this we have a governor who is helping a lot,” said Gaxiola, who noted that the proposed construction site is in Paredones, a locality just outside Topolobampo.

The local environmental collective ¡AquíNo! (Not Here!) has already expressed its opposition to the project.

“The Indigenous communities of the Ohuira Bay are totally convinced that [a] petrochemical [project] is not the development we want for our communities,” said collective member Claudia Quintero.

Environmental and Indigenous rights campaigners oppose both the construction of the new Mexinol plant, and a planned fertilizer facility in Topolobampo. (Change.org)

“The development of Sinaloa has to move ahead, but not at the cost of our lives, not at the cost of our land and not at the cost of the health of our children. … They’re taking it for granted that there is going to be a methanol plant when they haven’t approached us and haven’t asked us whether we’re going to give our consent for the installation of the plant,” she said.

¡AquíNo! also opposes the construction of a fertilizer plant in Topolobampo, which was supported by three-quarters of the participants in a referendum held in 2021.

In April 2022, the Supreme Court revoked the environmental authorization granted to the US $5 billion project because the federal Environment Ministry failed to consult the local Indigenous community about it.

The future of that project remains uncertain, although the company behind it, Gas y Petroquímica de Occidente – a subsidiary of Swiss-German construction group Proman AG – reportedly remains committed to the construction of the plant.

The announcement of the green methanol “Joint Partnership Development Agreement” between IFC and Transition Industries came just a couple of weeks after President López Obrador said that a Danish fund – Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners – would invest US $10 billion in a green hydrogen plant on the Pacific side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

Mexico News Daily

How did the ancient Maya build their pyramids?

By

Mark Viales

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December 12, 2023

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Captura de pantalla 2023-12-12 a la(s) 17.20.32 — Pyramids were used not only as temples and focal points for Maya religious practices. (Unsplash)

For over 3,000 years, the city-states that made up the Maya civilization dominated southern Mesoamerica, building majestic cities and towering pyramids in a hostile jungle habitat. Perhaps even more amazing is that they did so without using metal tools, wheels or beasts of burden to transport large limestone blocks from quarries in distant mountains to building sites. Instead, they did this with pure manpower.

“The Maya did not use the wheel nor draft animals, so they transported the building materials using person-power from the quarries to the building site,” Judith Maxwell, Professor of Linguistics and Anthropology at Tulane University told the Daily Herald in 2016.

Smaller blocks were carried by individuals with a tumpline, a backpack attached to the forehead with a leather strap, which places pressure on the spinal column rather than muscles, allowing people to bear heavier loads. Without the smelting techniques needed to forge iron, they devised chisels from jadeite and obsidian, which artisans used to create facade designs and to chunk out the stone blocks that supported awe-inspiring architecture.

A sophisticated network of causeways known as sacbeob (white roads, were intricately woven through the jungle and stood as symbols of immense political influence. They connected major cities and greatly increased the speed of transport of people and goods to support the rapid growth of the empire. Functioning as royal processional pathways connecting kingdoms – some stretch up to 60 miles in length – the sacbeob represented a remarkable engineering achievement comparable to the roads built by the Roman Empire. The ancient Maya strategically positioned sizable rocks on either side of the causeway, filling the intervening space with cobbles and smaller stones. The entire surface was then coated with stucco, a robust and sleek white plaster.

“Blocks were cut using stone tools only,” writes British historian Mark Cartwright. “Burnt-lime cement was used to create a form of concrete and was occasionally used as mortar, as was simple mud.”

The Maya also altered the landscape to navigate challenging terrains by elevating the ground with stones to maintain a level road. Traci Ardren, archaeologist and University of Miami professor of anthropology, told Miami media outlet News@TheU in 2020 that the Maya concocted a similar formula as the Romans used for concrete in the third century B.C. “[They] would have been a beacon through the dense green of cornfields and fruit trees,” Ardren said of the sacbeob. Archaeological evidence suggests the sacbeob likely played a pivotal role in fostering migration and prosperity through trade across the Yucatán Peninsula.

The ancient Maya were fascinated by the concepts of space and time, diligently studying the stars and aligning their cities with the intricate geometry of the heavens. Despite using basic tools, they demonstrated impressive precision in tracking stars and planets. The Caracol observatory in Chichén Itzá is perfectly aligned with the movements of Venus and solstices at the time. Seemingly irregularly placed windows in the observatory at the world-famous archaeological site capture the solar cycles of the closest planet to Earth. This enabled the creation of their highly accurate astronomical calendars, unparalleled in the ancient world. The Maya learned to predict eclipses, which they understood as illnesses among heavenly bodies and saw as dangerous to humans, employing rituals and talismans to protect themselves during these events.

“Buildings were constructed on precise plans according to such events as the winter and summer solstices and equinoxes,” writes Cartwright. “In addition, the outline of structures, when seen from above, was also deliberate and could form or resemble Maya glyphs for, for example, completion and time.”

He describes Maya sites as displaying evidence of deliberate urban planning, while monuments are often laid out on a radial pattern incorporating wide plazas. Topography usually determined where larger buildings were constructed. In contrast, buildings themselves were oriented along, for example, a north-south axis, and were positioned to take advantage of solar and other celestial events or sight lines.

Carving magnificent cities in one of the most inhospitable environments, numerous untouched Maya sites and their secrets remain concealed in the jungles stretching from Mexico to Honduras. The ancient city-state of Palenque in Chiapas has pyramids with hidden passageways and trap doors. One of them, the tomb of King Pakal, conceals an 80-foot stairway leading down inside. In a crypt measuring 30 feet in length and 23 feet in height, Pakal’s tomb held a massive 20-ton sarcophagus carved from a single piece of limestone.

“Pyramids were used not only as temples and focal points for Maya religious practices where offerings were made to the gods,” writes Cartwright. He writes that another function was as gigantic tombs for deceased rulers, their partners, sacrificial victims, and precious goods. Pyramids were also periodically enlarged so that their interiors, when excavated, sometimes reveal a series of complete but diminishing pyramids, often still with their original coloured stucco decoration. “In addition, individual shrines could be amalgamated into a single giant complex over time as Maya rulers attempted to impress their subjects and leave a lasting mark of their reign,” writes Cartwright.

Mark Viales writes for Mexico News Daily

INAH investigates cave discovered during Maya Train construction

By

MND Staff

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December 12, 2023

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INAH Maya caves — The cave, which has more than 1,000 traces of human habitation, appears to have been built in the Maya period. (INAH)

Amidst the excitement of the Maya Train’s inaugural run later this week comes news of more discoveries within its boundaries: a cave that has retaining walls possibly built by ancient Maya people during pre-Columbian times.

The cave in Quintana Roo is quite a find, in part because it includes 1,106 features associated with human presence, said Diego Prieto Hernández, general director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). It may have served as a place of shelter or an enclosure.

The Maya Train traverses more than 1,500 kilometers of the Yucatán peninsula. (Tren Maya/X)

The agency issued a press release about their findings in the cave on Monday, and Prieto explained it is a natural formation located along Section 5 of the Maya Train, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum and within the Paamul II Ecoarchaeological Corridor.

That’s the same area where an ancient enclave of more than 300 buildings, some over 8 meters high, was found in 2022 and named Paamul II. Among the findings made by experts with INAH and the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza) in Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Maya Train are 579 objects such as figurines or vessels; support walls indicating areas that served as shelters or enclosures; 140 human remains; and more than 200,000 ceramic shards.

Archaeologists are going to need “to be very careful” as they excavate, Prieto said, noting that many of the remains are in areas of dissolving bedrock, which could mean the presence of sinkholes and other hazards.The investigation is being conducted by a team of specialists, led by archaeologist Susana Echeverría Castillo.

There have been numerous archaeological discoveries during the multi-year Maya Train project. Recent findings have included a well-preserved sculpture of a Maya warrior head in Chichén Itzá, a circular temple in Campeche dedicated to the Maya serpent deity Kukulcán and an 11 mile long Maya road in the Yucatán jungle.The latter discovery was made by INAH scientists using LIDAR, a remote laser sensing method that stands for Light Detection and Ranging. The sacbé – “white road” in the Yucatec Mayan language – linked the cities of Uxmal and Kabah over 1,200 years ago.

Ek Balam — Construction work on the massive Maya Train project has led to a revolution in the discovery and understanding of the ancient Maya people who originally inhabited southern Mexico. (INAH/Cuartoscuro)

The Maya Train’s inaugural trip between Campeche and Cancún is scheduled for this Saturday. The section between Cancún and Palenque, Chiapas, is slated to open on Dec. 31, and the full route and 34 stations are expected to be operational on Feb. 29, 2024.

The multi-billion-dollar project will connect cities, airports, archeological zones and various attractions in five states: Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Chiapas. Throughout its history, Maya civilization encompassed these parts of Mexico as well as all of Belize and Guatemala and parts of Honduras and El Salvador.

With reports from Reporte Índigo and Infobae

Snow blankets parts of Mexico as another cold front sweeps in

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MND Staff

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December 12, 2023

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edomex-nevada-deja-paisajes-bellos copy — Some high-altitude parts of México state received heavy snowfall on Monday. (Antenas Retransmisoras Cerro Jocotitlán/Facebook)

An arctic air mass and a cold front combined to produce some postcard-worthy snapshots Tuesday morning in central Mexico — and some good headlines.

“¡Blanca Navidad!” (White Christmas!) beamed one, while others read “Tormenta de nieve” (snowstorm) and “Nevada deja bellos paisajes” (snowfall leaves beautiful landscapes).

CDMX cold weather — Mexico is bracing for another cold front, as snow and temperatures as low as -8 Celsius sweep the country. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

Flakes fell at higher elevations overnight, leaving a snow-capped scene on the top slopes of Xinantécatl – better known as Nevado de Toluca – in México state. At 4,680 meters (15,354 feet) above sea level, the stratovolcano is the fourth-highest Mexican peak.

Additionally, Jocotitlán Hill in México state looked like a winter wonderland in some parts. The “hill,” where television broadcast antennas are located, is actually an inactive volcano that shoots up to 3,953 meters (12,969 feet) above sea level, making it Mexico’s 12th-highest peak.

Adrián Romero, director of civil protection agency Sinaproc, said that additional snowfall is expected on Tuesday, or overnight into Wednesday, in areas at least 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level. No communities are situated that high, he added.

The effects of cold front number 16, which arrived less than a week after cold number front 15, included cold temperatures throughout the country, including –7° C in Sonora and –8° C in Chihuahua. In the north, it should remain frosty throughout the week because another cold front is expected Wednesday or Thursday.

Snow is falling on many of Mexico’s highest peaks, particularly in the center of the country. (Antenas Retransmisoras Cerro Jocotitlán/Facebook)

The National Meteorological Service predicted that cold front number 16 will extend today to the western Caribbean Sea, causing heavy to very heavy rains in southern portions of Mexico.

Downpours have already caused rivers and streams to rise in northern Chiapas.

Authorities there reported that 24 homes were flooded amidst landslides and road closures in the municipality of Tila, Chiapas. The flooding there trapped three people in their homes, but they were rescued and taken to a shelter.

Temperatures on Tuesday in the Valley of México are expected to range from 1° to 17° C. Snow might resume falling at higher elevations, mainly on volcanoes such as Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s highest peak (18,491 feet), Popocatépetl (Mexico’s second highest peak) and Iztaccíhuatl (the third highest).

With reports from La Jornada, Aristegui Noticias and TV Azteca

Mexico suspends migrant deportations, leaving thousands stranded

By

Cat Rainsford

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December 12, 2023

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INM migration check suspension — Mexican checkpoints at the U.S.-Mexico border have struggled to meet operational demands during a record year for migration. As a result, the government has taken the decision to suspend border checks for the foreseeable future. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) has suspended deportations of undocumented migrants due to a lack of resources, following a year of record-breaking transit of migrants through the country.

INM head Francisco Garduño ordered the suspension on Dec. 1, in an internal memo that was seen and verified by the Associated Press and later by Mexican news media.

Migrant river crossing Coahuila — Migrant crossings are particularly high in Coahuila. Without deportation services operated by the Mexican government, it is unclear how migrants who have been detained will be repatriated to their home countries. (Alejandro Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)

In Mexico’s northern border cities, the newspaper Milenio spoke with several officials who confirmed the halt of deportations, adding that Mexican border guards no longer even approach people who appear to be migrants.

“It is the responsibility of [Mexico’s] federal government to address the migration issue,” said Oscar Ibáñez, the Chihuahua governor’s representative in Ciudad Juárez. “Resources need to be allocated in the budget, and this lack of resources needs to be declared a crisis.”

Several officials expressed alarm that the halt to deportations would trigger even greater migrant arrivals at the northern border, and possible closures of international bridges into the United States. The state of Texas and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have already ordered several border crossing closures this year, causing heavy financial losses. In Piedras Negras, Coahuila, the Eagle Pass International Bridge has currently been closed for more than a week.

“There is no intention in the Customs offices to reopen the bridge,” one INM official told Milenio. “Every day, about 2,000 people arrive who want to cross the border.”

Migrants arriving in Ciudad Juárez — The crossing at Ciudad Juarez is one of the busiest on the border, with around 2000 prospective migrants attempting to cross every day. (Pedro Anza/Cuartoscuro)

Meanwhile, the suspension of deportations has left thousands of migrants who have already been served deportation orders in limbo – a situation exacerbated by the closure of many publicly-funded migrant shelters.

“These are desperate people who would like to go back to their home countries, but there are no more federal resources,” said Gladys Cañas, a representative of a pro-migrant organization in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, where an estimated 3,000 migrants are stranded.

The INM has a budget of 1.7 billion pesos (US $98 million) for 2023. Legislators have asked to increase this to 1.9 billion pesos (US $109 million) for 2024, given this year’s historic arrivals of migrants.

In the first ten months of the year, 588,626 migrants were detained in Mexico – 25% more than in all of 2022, and 90% more than in all of 2021. Asylum applications are expected to reach at least 140,000 by the end of the year – 15% more than the record 130,000 set in 2021. Venezuelans make up a large proportion of these migrants, and many of them are children.

These unprecedented numbers are causing huge strain not only in Mexico’s northern border cities, but also further south. Overflowing migrant shelters in Mexico City have pushed many migrants to sleep in the streets, while growing numbers of migrants are moving into Mexico’s southern tourist towns to find work.

Diana Chavolla, head of one migrant shelter in Oaxaca, told Milenio she expected the suspension of deportations to increase migrant flows by up to 60%.

“Without resources, INM agents cannot carry out operations,” she said. “Hopefully this doesn’t get out of hand.”

With reports from Milenio and Animal Político

Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to raise fees in 2024

By

MND Staff

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December 12, 2023

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shutterstock_1896634750 — Industry experts are concerned the fee hike will cause ticket prices to go up next year. (Ulrike Stein / Shutterstock)

The Mexico City International Airport (AICM) has announced that a range of airport fees will increase significantly in 2024, a move the National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) says will have a negative effective on Mexico’s competitiveness and raise the cost of airplane tickets.

The AICM and the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR), which controls the airport, announced the fee hikes in a statement published on Monday.

What are the increases?

Fees payable by airlines for landing, the boarding and disembarkation of passengers, overnight stays for aircraft and the revision of passengers and their hand luggage are all going up by around 77%.

The fee increases apply to both domestic and international flights. The fees for the latter are significantly higher than those for the former.

The total amount payable by airlines for each flight varies depending on the weight of the aircraft they are operating, the number of passengers on board and the length of time their plane is remaining at the airport.

The airport use fee (TUA) for AICM will also increase on Jan. 1, 2024, but the hike is a much more modest 3.2%. The TUA will be US $28.95 for domestic passengers and $54.96 for international ones next year. The fee in pesos fluctuates depending on the prevailing USD:MXN exchange rate.

The argument for raising AICM fees

The AICM and SEMAR noted that the current airport service fees haven’t increased in over 13 years.

They also highlighted that the AICM fees are significantly lower than those at the 34 Mexican airports operated by the publicly-listed ASUR, GAP and OMA airport groups.

AIFA Mexico City — The increase in fees at the AICM may motivate more carriers to move to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (pictured). (Cuartoscuro)

Even with the 77% increases, the new fees will continue to be lower than the ASUR/GAP/OMA average, the AICM and SEMAR said.

They said that the fee increases are among “the actions and measures” that the current AICM management is undertaking to make the airport more efficient and to strengthen its financial position.

The federal government declared in early 2022 that both AICM terminals had reached saturation point, and has been seeking to ease pressure on it by encouraging airlines to shift some of their operations to the army-built Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), which opened at a location just north of Mexico City last year.

Will airlines choose to make greater use of AIFA now that AICM fees are going up?

The aviation sector’s response to the AICM fee hike

Canaero outlined its opposition to the AICM/SEMAR announcement in a statement titled: “Excessive increase in AICM fees affects the country’s competitiveness and raises ticket prices.”

AICM terminal 1 — Today the AICM is the country’s busiest airport and serves as a hub for Latin America. (Depositphotos)

The 77% increase to the four airport service fees is not justified given the “high profitability” of the AICM, Canaero said.

Aviation sector companies and airline passengers will be adversely affected by the excessively high increases, the association said, adding that they will “take away competitiveness from the country’s main air connectivity center and all of Latin America.”

Canaero said that the AICM has “historically” generated sufficient income for the “optimal operation” of the airport, but much of that money is “diverted to purposes other than those of its operation.”

“… In 2022, the AICM generated almost 18.5 billion pesos [US $1.06 billion at the current exchange rate] and over 73% of [that amount] came from TUA passenger fees and airline airport service fees. The underlying problem is that [the airport’s] income isn’t wholly allocated to maintain and increase infrastructure,” the chamber said.

“… Canaero continues to acknowledge that the management of AICM by the Ministry of the Navy has been successful, orderly, neutral and transparent, but they’re working with very limited resources due to the diversion of … [airport] income,” it added.

The association issued an “urgent” appeal to financial authorities, saying that they should allow the AICM to use its own income to ensure that it is able to operate adequately.

“Canaero and its members are fully willing to … [contribute] with time and talent so that aviation in Mexico is competitive, accessible and continues to be a driver of economic development and social well-being. The solution mustn’t be making public services more expensive for the [Mexican] population and tourists,” it concluded.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Latin American Air Transport Association and the National Tourism Business Council were also critical of the announced fee increases at the AICM.

“This decision will raise air fares for passengers, negatively affect airlines and jeopardize the country’s competitiveness,” the IATA said.

“Raising operating costs at Mexico’s main aviation hub is in stark contrast to the Mexican federal government decision to reduce fees and increase costs efficiencies at other airports in the country. Moreover, the Airport Usage Tax (TUA) at AICM is already one of the highest in the world,” it added.

“… IATA is asking that the increases be reconsidered, especially since the facilities at AICM have further deteriorated, thus not reflecting the high cost paid by airlines and passengers,” the Montreal-based association said.

“… AICM could operate in a profitable manner if its revenues were not used to fund other projects – such as the repayment of loans related to the canceled Texcoco Airport – but rather be reinvested into the maintenance, improvement and enhancements of its infrastructure and facilities.”

With reports from El Economista, El Financiero, El Universal and Reforma

Christmas 2023: Where to shop local this season

By

MND Staff

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December 12, 2023

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Are you looking for the perfect gift for your new Mexican suegros (in-laws)? Or maybe it’s your first year in Mexico, and you want to get yourself something nice that reflects your new geographic coordinates.

No matter what the occasion, it’s always better to support local businesses and creators, especially in a country as talented – and diverse – as Mexico.

Here’s the roundup of tiendas where you can shop small this holiday season in Mexico City, Mérida, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende.

CDMX

Super Cope

Calle Gral. Antonio León 31, San Miguel Chapultepec

Super Cope calls itself an Abarrotería Cooperativa, or Cooperative Corner Store, where you can find cute gastronomic gift sets of locally made botanitas, salsas, beers, mezcals and more.

Incendiarias

Calle Marsella 60, Juárez

Incendiarias is a woman-owned gallery and gift shop that sells affordable prints of artwork by local artists, notepads and journals, books, candles, calendars and more. It also has a well-stocked online shop for those who prefer to do some (browser) window shopping first.

Casa de Luna

Francisco Ortega 23, Coyoacán

Located in the center of Coyoacán, you won’t find a better selection of traditional Indigenous art and handicrafts than at Casa de Luna. The boutique’s textiles, grabados and ceramics are sourced from every corner of the country. After you’ve bought a few or fifty things, head around the corner for a bite to eat at Casa de Los Tacos.

Bazar Resiliente

Colima 194, Roma Norte

Once monthly, Bazar Resiliente takes over the mansion of Centro Gallego in the heart of Roma Norte. At each edition, you can find over 50 vendors spanning fashion brands, jewelers, chefs and ceramicists. Keep your eyes on their instagram for information on the next date.

Happening Store (also in Mérida)

Tabasco 210, Roma Norte

A classic “concept store,” Happening is where you can indeed find all kinds of things happening: fun slogans, home decor, jewelry, clothing, art, gifts for your dog… Hit Happening if you’re out of ideas and you’ll be sure to think of at least a few more people to buy gifts for this year.

Mérida

Casa Consciente

Calle 7 278F, Campestre

For the eco-conscious shopper, Casa Consciente offers a variety of local products that all adhere to the store’s focus on sustainable, cruelty-free and slow goods. Swing by their upcoming Conscious Bazar on Dec. 16, and enjoy a healthy lunch at their on-site restaurant, María y Yo.

Zamá MID

At the corner of Calle 57 and Calle 66, Barrio Santiago

Located in the Santiago neighborhood of downtown Mérida, Zamá is a haven of handmade apparel and home goods. At Zamá, you’ll find the best in contemporary Mexican design, and unique pieces that work for both casual and formal styles. Preview their online store here.

Color Amor

Calle 55 510D, Centro

If you’re looking for artesanías, Color Amor is your one-stop shop. Now in its 10th year, Color Amor knows the classics – modern huipils, embroidered bags and wallets, vibrant throws and huaraches.

Oaxaca

Flor Cacao

Calle de Manuel Bravo 210, Centro

Find the perfect gift for a chocolate lover at Flor Cacao, a quaint café and candy shop tucked away in the center of Oaxaca city. Their special 10-piece chocolate tree is built into a precious red box that adds the right touch of luxury.

Mexchic

Calle de Manuel Bravo 307, Centro

Right down the road from Flor Cacao is Mexchic, a clothing boutique featuring one-of-a-kind pieces made using traditional techniques. Stop in and try on unique textures that will transport you to the heart of Oaxaca.

Suculenta

Calle Porfirio Díaz 211, Centro

Salsas, spices and spirits are what you’ll find at Suculenta, a general store where you can find great homemade gifts for foodies.

Puerto Vallarta

Art & Market Marina Vallarta

Calle Popa, Marina Vallarta

A Vallarta classic, the Marina-area Art & Market is a must-see on your holiday shopping spree. Every Thursday evening, find local art, crafts, food and music, all in one picturesque place.

Hilo & el mar

Hamburgo 148, Versalles

The beautiful boutique of Vallarta brands Hilo & el mar, Taller Umi and Calmar. Here, you’ll find breezy beach dresses, sweet details to decorate your home, and fun skirts for a night out in the Romantic Zone.

Pakalita

Paseo de las Palmas 3 – Local 14, Plaza 3.14, Nuevo Vallarta

Think traditional threads and frills but with a coastal vibe. Pakalita works with artesans from all over Mexico and seeks to elevate Huichol, Zapotec and Tzotzil designs within their catalog of clothing, home goods and jewelry.

San Miguel de Allende

La Victoriana

Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez Macias 72, Centro

Family-owned beauty pharmacy La Victoriana is the place to go for all natural, small-batch skincare. In addition to facial creams and body oils, La Victoriana makes lovely aromatic pillow sprays and calming remedies for all ages.

Mixta

Pila Seca 3, Centro

Check out Mixta Shop for gorgeous jewelry, clothes and decorative gifts, including embroidered throw pillows, candles and folk art.

Solana SMA

Solana is known for its colorful glassware inspired by the Mexican tradition of talavera. Take home a unique set for the person on your list who appreciates the tilework of colonial Mexico, as these glasses are sure to evoke similar delight. Shop online here.

Octágono

Tenerías 2, Centro

The wine lovers on your list will appreciate a unique blend from winemaker Marcelo Castro Vera, who runs a natural winery that uses clay vessels made by regional potters. Visit the tasting room to pick up a bottle, or book a wine tasting with Marcelo himself.

By Caitlin Cooper, Mexico News Daily writer

Got 1 min? Canadian low-cost airline to offer flights to Cancún

By

Cat Rainsford

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December 12, 2023

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Cancún beach — Canadian travelers will have more options for flying to Cancún and the Riviera Maya next year. (Cuartoscuro)

The Canadian budget airline Lynx Air will soon open a new service from Toronto to Cancún, giving Canadians a new low-cost option to visit the Mexican Caribbean.

The route will start operating on Feb. 15, 2024, with daily flights from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport aboard a 189-seat Boeing 737 MAX-8. Tickets will cost CAD 179 (US $132) each way.

Lynx Air plane taking off. — Lynx Air, which previously operated as Enerjet, will compete alongside several other Canadian airlines serving Mexico. (ArchCardinal / Wikimedia Commons)

“With winter approaching, we know Canadians love to travel south in search of warmer weather and sandy beaches,” said Lynx Air’s Chief Commercial Officer Vijay Bathija in October. “We are thrilled to be offering an ultra-affordable option to Cancún, one of the most popular sun destinations in Mexico.”

Cancún will be Lynx Air’s eighteenth destination since the self-described “ultra-affordable” airline launched in 2022. It is also Lynx’s first destination in Mexico, bringing the airline’s network up to three countries.

The new service will have to compete with seven other Canadian airlines that already operate in Mexico – Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat, Canada Jetlines, Flair Airlines, Sunwing Airlines and Westjet.

Toronto to Cancún is the main air link between Mexico and Canada, with 547,221 passengers flying the route in the first nine months of 2023, according to Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC). Lynx Air’s new service will bring the route up to 87 flights and more than 19,000 seats per week.

Nevertheless, industry insiders are confident that Lynx’s low-budget service can still offer passengers something new.

“Demand for Cancún continues to be incredibly high for passengers traveling from Toronto Pearson,” said Janik Reigate, Strategic Customer Relations Director at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “We welcome Lynx’s new service as it will provide passengers with another option to fly to the sunny beaches of Mexico.”

With reports from Riviera Maya News and Aviacionline

3 ‘micro-quakes’ registered in Mexico City

By

MND Staff

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December 12, 2023

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959822_Microsismo CDMX-3_impreso — Three quakes occurred over three minutes this morning in the capital, accompanied by confusion and of course, the proper dose of humor. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

Three brief earthquakes shook Mexico City late Tuesday morning causing residents to quickly evacuate buildings, though no seismic alarm sounded.

Over the course of three minutes, three “micro-quakes” occurred with epicenters in the city’s southwest borough of Álvaro Obregón, beginning at 11:06 a.m. local time. The first quake registered a magnitude of 2.8, followed one minute later by a 3.0-magnitude quake at 11:07, and a third with a magnitude of 2.4 at 11:08.

The earthquakes were felt in the boroughs surrounding Álvaro Obregón, including Benito Juárez and Cuauhtémoc. (Juan Pablo Zamora/Cuartoscuro)

“An earthquake has been detected in Mexico City; at this moment we are establishing communications with the risk management and civil protection units of the boroughs. Information coming soon,” Myriam Urzua Venegas, Mexico City’s Integral Risk Management and Civil Protection minister, posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 11:09 a.m.

While residents waited for further information, social media was flooded with memes connecting the seismic activity with the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which draws millions of faithful to the capital every year on Dec. 12.

Tuesday’s “micro-quakes” are the second (third and fourth) earthquakes to be felt in Mexico City in less than a week. On Thursday, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck the area of Chiautla de Tapia, Puebla, triggering the seismic alert system in the Valley of Mexico.

Upon confirming that the quakes originated within city limits, Mexico City’s Center of Control, Command, Communication, Computer and Quality (C5) posted a short video on X explaining that when earthquake epicenters are located within a close range of the capital, the seismic alarm is not triggered.

“In the case of earthquakes that occur inside the Valley of Mexico, it is impossible to establish an opportune warning,” Juan Manuel García Ortegón, head of the C5, says in the video.

At the time of publication, no material damages had been reported following the earthquakes in the capital.

With reports from El Universal

Countdown to the Maya Train: What’s inside the official guide?

By

MND Staff

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December 12, 2023

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AMLO with Maya Train guide — The president showed the new Maya Train guide to reporters at the Monday morning press conference. (Cuartoscuro)

An official guidebook will help Maya Train passengers get the most out of their trip on the soon-to-be operational railroad.

Ahead of this Saturday’s inaugural trip between Campeche and Cancún, the federal government on Monday presented the Gran Guía del Tren Maya (Great Guide to the Maya Train), which will be distributed free of charge to the first 10,000 passengers and subsequently made available for purchase.

The Maya Train will serve its first passengers starting Saturday, inaugurating a new era in passenger train travel in Mexico. (trenmaya.gob.mx)

“Starting Friday we’ll have the Gran Guía del Tren Maya,” Diego Prieto, director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History, told President López Obrador’s morning press conference.

The guide includes information about the Maya Train stations, the natural attractions, archaeological sites and beaches along the route and the region’s gastronomy, he said.

“I believe it’s a very useful tool to allow the visitors to the southeast [of Mexico] and the Yucatán Peninsula to appreciate the immense cultural, archaeological, historical, scenic [and] gastronomic attractions … of this great region of Mexico,” Prieto said.

It was unclear whether the guide contained information in English in addition to Spanish, or whether the government planned to publish separate editions in English and other languages.

Maya Train chief Óscar Lozano told the president’s press conference that the railroad will operate 365 days a year and that tickets will soon be sold via an official Maya Train website. Tickets are currently being sold on the e-ticket website.

Lozano also said that tickets will eventually be available at Maya Train stations and airports in the five states through which the railroad will run, among other locations. To avoid the resale of tickets through third parties, a maximum of five tickets will be available to purchasers, he said.

Tickets for the first trip sold out in under an hour earlier this month. Tourist class and first class tickets for the Campeche-Cancún trip were up for grabs on Dec. 1. The former cost 1,166 pesos (US $67), while the latter cost 1,862 pesos (about US $107).

The second section to become operational will be that between Cancún and Palenque, Chiapas.

López Obrador said last month that the Cancún-Palenque section will open on Dec. 31, while the entire railroad and its 34 stations will be operational on Feb. 29, 2024.

The multi-billion-dollar project will connect cities and towns in five states: Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Chiapas.

With reports from El Financiero and El Universal