Earthquake alert drills are yearly occurrences in Mexico, where earthquakes are common. (Carolina Jiménez/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico will conduct one of two annual earthquake alert drills on Tuesday morning to test its emergency response capabilities in central and southwestern Mexico. Authorities are encouraging everybody to participate.
Alarms and wireless emergency alerts are set to activate at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The drill will be based on a hypothetical 8.1 magnitude earthquake centered just offshore in the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
The simulation will activate the nearly 15,000 warning alarm speakers distributed throughout 11 states. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro.com)
President Claudia Sheinbaum called the drill “one of the most relevant prevention and civil protection exercises” that Mexico will stage this year.
Emergency personnel and security agents will conduct inspections in their respective operational areas.
At the same time, Navy personnel will be conducting a tsunami response exercise along the Pacific coast.
Laura Velázquez Alzúa, the coordinator of Mexico’s National Civil Protection Agency, said the year’s first emergency drill “not only promotes a culture of prevention but also allows us to evaluate emergency protocols and inter-institutional coordination.”
Tuesday’s drill will activate the nation’s earthquake alert infrastructure, which features nearly 15,000 speakers dispersed across 10 states (México state, Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Tlaxcala and Chiapas) and Mexico City. Alert messages will also sound on the radio, television and, in the Mexico City metropolitan area, on cellphones.
This will be the second time the cellphone alert system will be tested, and its effectiveness would represent a significant advance in early alert technology. Chile is the only country in the Americas with a centralized national alert system.
Mexico’s Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency has conducted 10 silent tests of cellphone alert technology with the cooperation of telecom companies Telefónica, Telcel and AT&T. The system is expected to send written messages accompanied by an alarm to five million cellphones. On Tuesday, the message will say, “This is a drill.”
Also on Tuesday, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) will convene with the virtual participation of all 31 governors and the Mexico City mayor. The CNE will conduct an analysis of the exercise and publish a performance review afterward.
🤳🏻🚨 ¡Recibe la alerta de simulacro en tu cel!
Este 29 de abril, a las 11:30 horas, se llevará a cabo el Primer Simulacro Nacional 2025. Asegúrate de que tu celular reciba la alerta en tiempo y forma. 😉 ¡Si eres de la CDMX, aquí te contamos cómo tener activo este sistema de… pic.twitter.com/tcFVwLO0MF
Instructions will be communicated to passengers using public transportation when the alarm sounds. Metro users in Mexico City can expect trains to come to a halt for three minutes during the drill.
The most recent earthquake drill in Mexico was held on September 19, 2024, the anniversary of both the 1985 and 2017 earthquakes in central Mexico.
Authorities have provided reminders about the importance of listening to public messages and heeding the instructions of emergency personnel. Among their recommendations is to use these drills to identify safe places, escape routes and prepare an emergency “go bag,” including nonperishable food, water bottles, first aid, a flashlight and important personal documents.
Fourteen years of research and work by an engineering crew of 25 preceeded Oaxaca Aerospace's presentation of the PE-210A at the recent Mexican Aerospace Fair.
(Oaxaca Aerospace/Facebook)
Mexican manufacturing company Oaxaca Aerospace has announced plans to bring the first-ever 100% made-in-Mexico aircraft, the Pegasus PE-210A, to market by next year.
“We will begin manufacturing the first aircraft based on [clients’] orders, to be delivered within 12 months,” Raúl Fernández, president of Oaxaca Aerospace, said during the aircraft’s official presentation at the Mexican Aerospace Fair (Famex) 2025, held at the Santa Lucía Air Base in Mexico City last week.
The all-Mexican-made aircraft features a tandem cockpit configuration where passengers are seated one behind the other. (Oaxaca Aerospace/Facebook)
According to the company, the Pegasus PE-210A will sell for US $3 million, representing 30% of the cost of similar aircraft on the international market.
“It will be able to perform missions very similar to those of a Texan model, but with much more affordable acquisition and operating costs,” Fernández said.
According to executives at Oaxaca Aerospace, the design phase alone required an investment of nearly US $30 million.
The Pegasus PE-210A, intended for tactical, surveillance and recreational use, is a two-seat aircraft featuring a tandem cockpit configuration where passengers are seated one behind the other. It has an operational range of 1,600 kilometers, and can attain speeds of approximately 388 km/h. Its maximum flight duration will be five hours.
The project required 14 years of research and development carried out by a team of 25 individuals. Various national and international institutions collaborated in the plane’s development, including the National Polytechnic Institute, the Aeronautical University of Querétaro, the Polytechnic University of Madrid, and the National Institute for Aviation Research in the United States, which provided specialized technical support.
At Famex, the Mexican company also revealed details of another project under development: the Pegasus P-400T, a prototype geared toward advanced tactical missions and light attack operations. This model will feature an engine of up to 600 horsepower, reinforced retractable landing gear, and the Garmin G1000 avionics system.
The company explained that the P-400T will be able to carry light weapons according to customer requirements and will be compatible with emerging propulsion technologies, such as the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
Manuel Pérez Cárdenas, executive advisor to the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), said in a press conference that Oaxaca Aerospace has the potential to capture up to 1% of the global light aircraft market, which would represent an annual demand for approximately 50 units.
Founded in 2011, Oaxaca Aerospace had one goal in mind: designing and manufacturing aircraft entirely in Mexico. The family-owned company, headquartered in the southern state of Oaxaca, was driven by the vision and resources of the Fernández Group, which opted for national innovation without resorting to large investors or foreign capital.
“We’ve already fulfilled the dream; the plane is already flying,” Fernández said. “Now comes the second challenge: mass production.”
In the first three months of the year, manufacturing exports generated $134 billion in revenue, a 5.5% increase compared to the first quarter of last year. (Bernd Dittrich/Unsplash)
The value of Mexico’s exports increased in annual terms to all-time highs in March and in the first quarter of 2025 despite the United States’ imposition of tariffs on a range of Mexican goods.
🚨En marzo de 2025, las exportaciones e importaciones crecieron a tasa anual, revirtiendo las caídas registradas en febrero. Las exportaciones no petroleras, que representan un 96% de lo que exportamos, se recuperan impulsadas por el aumento en las manufactureras y extractivas. pic.twitter.com/HgsTek5Hw0
— México, ¿cómo vamos? (@MexicoComoVamos) April 28, 2025
INEGI data also shows that Mexico earned $149.25 billion in export revenue in the first three months of 2025, a 4% increase compared to the first quarter of last year.
For two days in early March, 25% tariffs were in effect for all Mexican products shipped to the United States, but on March 6 Trump lifted duties on USMCA-compliant goods, a decision the U.S. president said he took “as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President [Claudia] Sheinbaum.”
“Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl,” he wrote on social media at the time.
It remains to be seen whether Mexico can set a new export record in 2025, even as U.S. tariffs apply to various Mexican goods, including lucrative auto exports.
Mining revenue surges, but manufacturing sector is still Mexico’s export powerhouse
The 9.6% year-over-year increase in export revenue in March can partially be attributed to the fact that Holy Week fell in March last year, while the week leading up to Easter Sunday was in April in 2025.
INEGI data shows that the lion’s share (90%) of Mexico’s export revenue in March came from the shipment abroad of manufactured goods. The manufacturing sector’s export earnings increased 10% annually last month to $49.99 billion.
The export of agricultural goods brought in revenue of $2.29 billion in March, a 2.8% decrease compared to the same month of last year, while international oil sales generated earnings of $2.17 billion, a 7.1% year-over-year increase.
Revenue from mining exports surged 34.1% to $1.06 billion, but only represented 1.9% of Mexico’s total export earnings last month.
In the first three months of the year, manufacturing exports generated $134 billion in revenue, a 5.5% increase compared to the first quarter of last year. Automotive exports fell 3.9% annually in the period, but non-auto manufactured products compensated for that decline by increasing 10.7%.
The value of agricultural exports fell 1.2% annually in Q1 to $6.64 billion while oil earnings plunged 21.9% to $5.81 billion.
Mining exports brought in revenue of $2.78 billion between January and March, a 22.6% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Mexico records trade surplus in March and Q1
Mexico imported goods worth $52.08 billion in March, a 7.1% increase compared to the same month last year.
Mexico thus recorded a trade surplus of $3.44 billion last month. INEGI reported that the surplus was up 72.8% compared to March 2024.
Spending on imports totaled $148.15 billion in the first quarter of the year, a 1.3% year-over-year increase.
Mexico recorded a $1.09 billion surplus in the first three months of the year, a turnaround compared to its $8.21 billion deficit in 2024.
Sheinbaum said the train will be complete by the end of Querétaro Gov. Mauricio Kuri's term in 2027. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
President Claudia Sheinbaum on Sunday formally inaugurated the Mexico City-Querétaro train project, a 226-km-long route connecting Mexico’s capital with a city and state that have experienced dynamic economic growth in recent years.
At a ceremony 30 kilometers outside Querétaro city, Sheinbaum said construction will cost an estimated 167 billion pesos (US $8.5 billion).
Upon announcing the project in October, authorities had estimated a cost of 75 billion pesos (US $3.75 billion). Cost estimates rose, project engineers said, after determining it will be necessary to build six tunnels, 14 elevated aqueducts, 28 underpasses and 52 overpasses.
The Defense Ministry is charged with completing the project in two-and-a-half years.
“My commitment is to complete the route before [Governor Mauricio Kuri’s] term ends,” Sheinbaum said. Kuri, a member of the opposition National Action Party, will be in office until Sept. 30, 2027.
Sheinbaum expressed confidence in the military’s ability to meet the deadline, saying “there’s nobody more capable.” She also emphasized that using the military will keep the train in public hands.
The Defense Ministry has been placed in charge of building the new train route. (Mauricio Kuri/X)
“It is in our best interest to finish the project on time, efficiently and flawlessly,” Vallejo said.
The proposed timeline is assisted by the fact that the route will largely rely on existing freight train tracks. Military engineers will focus on smoothing out curves and addressing vertical divergences, allowing the train to reach speeds of 160-200 km/h.
During remarks at the ceremony, Governor Kuri thanked Sheinbaum, recalling that a Mexico City-Querétaro train had been under consideration by several previous administrations, none of whom had moved beyond vague proposals.
In a social media post, Kuri called the project “a reflection of the shared vision and commitment to the development of our state and our country, boosting communications, investment, and employment.”
Marco del Prete, Querétaro’s minister of social development, said the train will be an engine of growth for thousands of families. In a social media post of his own, del Prete also said the route will have stations in Mexico City; Huehuetoca, México state; Tula, Hidalgo; San Juan del Río, Querétaro; and two stations in Querétaro city.
Hoy inicia una obra histórica: el tren México-Querétaro, un proyecto que conectará regiones, impulsará la movilidad eficiente y generará más de 600 mil empleos directos e indirectos. Con estaciones en Huehuetoca, Tula, San Juan del Río y Querétaro. Este tren será un motor de… pic.twitter.com/B59FKpg6uq
“[This] historic project … will connect regions, boost efficient mobility, and generate more than 600,000 direct and indirect jobs,” del Prete wrote.
Sheinbaum announced that the terminal in Querétaro city will be called “La Corregidora,” an homage to Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, a heroine of the Mexican independence movement.
As part of the goal to extend passenger train routes to the north of the country, the Querétaro station will eventually link to the border city of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, in the northeast, and connect to the northwestern border city of Nogales, Sonora.
“Querétaro will become a railroad hub,” Sheinbaum said. “Trains connecting to the Pacific and Gulf coasts will depart from here.”
There was a distinctly Mexican flavor to the latest tournament of the Saudi-backed LIV golf tour, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Club de Golf Chapultepec, a prestigious private course located just outside Mexico City proper in Naucalpan, México state.
Two Mexican players — Carlos Ortiz and Abraham Ancer — were part of the 54-man field, raising hopes of a local victory, but it was ultimately Joaquín Niemann of Chile who prevailed, earning himself US $4 million and extending his lead in the 2025 season standings after six tournaments played.
Niemann finished the three-round, 54-hole tournament at 16 under par after rounds of 68, 64 and 65 on the par-71 course.
Bryson DeChambeau — a big-hitting California native who led the $25 million tournament at the conclusion of rounds one and two — finished three shots back at 13 under par to tie for second place with Australian Lucas Herbert, who shot a course record-equaling 61 on Sunday to charge up the leaderboard after starting the day well back in the field.
DeChambeau, whose power game got an extra boost thanks to the low air density in high-altitude Mexico City, was still leading the tournament when he, Niemann and Australian Cameron Smith arrived at the 13th tee on the well-manicured course on Sunday afternoon. But his grasp on the trophy slipped when an out-of-bounds tee shot led the 31-year-old two-time major winner to make a double bogey six.
Niemann, who started the day three shots behind DeChambeau at ten under, made a par at the 13th to steal the lead, and despite making a bogey at the very next hole, held on to win his third LIV tournament of the season and a record-equaling fifth overall.
A final treat for Mexico City spectators
The smell of cigar smoke lingered in the air around Club de Golf Chapultepec as many well-heeled chilangos (Mexico City residents) and a not insignificant number of foreigners took the opportunity to see major winners such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio García, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson in action.
It was the first time that an LIV tournament had been held in Mexico City, after the El Camaleón (Mayakoba) course in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, hosted events during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The lucrative breakaway tour is bankrolled by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, a country that has been accused of “sportswashing” through the creation and funding of LIV Golf.
Saudi Arabia’s history of severe human rights abuses didn’t appear to be front of mind for spectators, many of whom enjoyed the golf while downing a beer or tequila cocktail as they caught up with friends in warm Mexico City weather.
With neither Ortiz nor Ancer in contention for victory on Sunday, many in the crowd adopted Niemann, a fellow Latin American, as their favorite, and the 26-year-old Chilean affectionately known as “Joaco” didn’t disappoint, making a birdie on the par-three 18th hole to seal his victory and provide one last treat to a crowd that witnessed plenty of quality golf over the past three days.
“I kind of felt like I was fitting pretty well with the crowd,” the Santiago native told a press conference after his win.
The Chilean — who arrived and left the media center for his press conference while munching on a well-deserved taco — provided numerous highlights throughout the tournament, including on day 1 when he holed a deft chip for birdie on the 18th.
However, both mexicanos fell well short of glory, without performing poorly per se.
Ortiz, a native of Guadalajara, finished the tournament in 16th place at four under par after a disappointing +2 round on Sunday to go with twin rounds of -3. Ancer — a United States-born dual U.S.-Mexico citizen who represents Mexico — tied for 26th position at even par after 54 holes.
Ortiz is currently 11th in the LIV season standings after two top-10 finishes this year, including a tied second place in the tournament in Adelaide, Australia, in February.
Ancer, who tied with Ortiz in Adelaide, is currently in 15th place in the standings, with two top-10 finishes in 2025 as well.
Events on the LIV tour — so named because LIV is the roman numeral for 54, and that number is both the number of holes played in an LIV tournament and the score a player records if he/she birdies every hole on a par-72 course — are not just individual competitions, but also team ones.
In each LIV tournament, thirteen four-man teams with names such as Fireballs GC and RangeGoats GC compete for a $3 million first prize.
What's on Mexico City's cultural calendar in May? (Gobierno de la Ciudad de México)
As May unfolds in Mexico City, the cultural calendar blooms with a fervor akin to the bold magenta bougainvillea that cascade from the balconies of Colonia San Angel. There’s a rich array of things to do, perfect whether you’re seeking new date night ideas or an alternative to weekend brunch with friends.
From world-class Impressionist masterpieces never before seen in Mexico City to symphonic celebrations of galaxies far, far away, our curated selection of May events reinforces Mexico City’s standing as Latin America’s cultural capital. Read on to find out what to do in Mexico City in May!
The Impressionist Revolution at Bellas Artes
(Instituto de Bellas Artes y Letras)
For the first time in Mexico’s history, Bellas Artes hosts an extensive collection of Impressionist masterpieces. This impressive — yes, pun absolutely intended — exhibit has journeyed south from Dallas to grace Mexico City’s most stunning museum for a three-month stint. Witness the evolution of this once-rebellious art movement through 45 magnificent works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and Matisse. While art enthusiasts will be over the moon, it’s also the perfect escape from CDMX’s scorching afternoons. Spend a cultured hour or two in air-conditioned splendor among some of history’s most beloved brushstrokes.
Dates: Through July 27 Location:Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc Cost: General admission is 95 pesos per person. Free on Sundays.
We all have that “Star Wars”-obsessed friend, and it’s your sacred duty to alert them to this cosmic musical experience. Happening just days after the Star Wars-centric May the Fourth holiday, fans can immerse themselves in John Williams’ iconic scores with the Concierto Galactico, a performance by a 70-piece orchestra.
With stunning visuals accompanying the music, this galactic spectacle promises to delight Jedi knights of all ages. The cherry on top? Costumes are encouraged! So, dust off your stormtrooper armor, polish your lightsaber, and blast off to Auditorio Nacional for a night that’ll transport you to galaxies far, far away.
Dates: May 7 Location:Auditorio Nacional, Paseo de la Reforma 50, Miguel Hidalgo Cost: Tickets range from 549 to 3,050 pesos per person
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Auditorio BB
(Ticketmaster)
Once dubbed “the most interesting band in the world” by Westword Magazine, Unknown Mortal Orchestra defies labels with their genre-bending sonic sounds. Originally hailing from New Zealand and now based in Portland, Oregon, these musical geniuses slide easily between indie rock and psychedelic melodies, delivering notoriously unpredictable live performances that fans love.
Led by Ruban Nielson, UMO returns to Mexico City following their 2023 Corona Capital appearance, this time in a more intimate venue in the heart of Condesa.
Dates: May 8 at 9 p.m. Location:Auditorio BB, Tlaxcala 160, Hipódromo Condesa, Cuauhtémoc Cost: Tickets start at 780 pesos per person
Feria del Mundo in Naucalpan’s Parque Naucalli
(Soynaucalpan.com)
With inflation talk dominating most dinner conversations these days, dropping several thousand bills on a trip to South Korea might not fit the budget. If you’re experiencing cabin fever but trying to save those precious pennies, venture out to the World Fair in Ciudad Satélite for a global journey without the jetlag.
Travel vicariously to over 40 countries in a single weekend at this festival highlighting international food, crafts, music and cultural traditions. Whether you’re a dedicated foodie, cultural explorer or just someone who wants to get out of the city for a stint, this fair delivers international vibes without the need to exchange a peso.
Dates: May 16 through 18 Location:Parque Naucalli, Naucalpan de Juárez, Estado de México Cost: Admission is free
Mexico City’s love for museums is palpable, so the extravaganza that is International Museum Day should come as no surprise. Though museums around the city will participate, the Mexico City Museum Fair’s main seats will be the Plaza Manuel Tolsá and neighboring Palacio de Minería on Calle Tacuba, both located in the Historic Center on Tacuba Street.
Make your way there for a grab bag of free workshops, titillating exhibitions and live tunes, and don’t miss the fair’s eight self-guided museum routes, which can be accomplished on foot or by bike. This culture-packed celebration is ideal for families, students and anyone keen to discover the city’s treasure trove of museums while soaking up the festive atmosphere.
Dates: May 18, 12 to 5 p.m. Location:Various venues Cost: Admission is free
100 years of Leica and documentary photography in Latin America
Here’s your chance to brush up on Latin American history without dusting off those college textbooks. Make your way to “La mirada esencial,” the captivating new exhibit at the Centro de la Imagen. This visual feast celebrates both the hundredth anniversary of the legendary Leica camera and the colorful, tumultuous history of Latin America.
Admire carefully curated images shot by the most influential photographers, tracing documentary photography’s evolution from the 1920s through the present day. These powerful photos capture the region’s diversity and resilience, offering an intimate look into a century of social, political and cultural transformations. History class was never this fun!
Dates: Through August 17 Location:Centro de la Imagen, Plaza de la Ciudadela 2, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc Cost: Admission is free
Ever wondered what sits behind those magnificent closed doors scattered throughout the city? This is your chance to find out! Nosy neighbors are guaranteed a satisfying afternoon at Mexico City’s premier architecture festival.
For a select time, locals and visitors will enjoy entry to more than 50 iconic buildings that are normally off-limits to the public. Peek inside private homes, historic offices, architectural studios, factories and museums on one of eight themed circuits that highlight the city’s architectural legacy. Choose between self-guided wanderings or expert-led tours, with all building info, audio guides and suggested routes available through the festival’s very own app.
Dates: Through July 6 Location:Various venues Cost: Admission is free
Put on your glass slippers, hop into your carriage and head to the Centro Universitario Cultural for Prokofiev’s “Cinderella,” an enchanting ballet production of everyone’s favorite rags-to-riches princess. This will be the ballet’s eightieth go-around in Mexico City, performed by over 40 dancers from the Compañía de Danza de Artes and the Filarmónica de las Artes’ live orchestra.
The show comes at a perfect time: whether you’re toasting International Dance Day, Children’s Day or Mother’s Day, “Cinderella” — or “Cenicienta,” as it’s called in Spanish — rolls all three celebrations into one spectacular show. Perfect for families looking to keep the little ones entertained, or anyone who’s on the lookout for their own fairy godmother.
Dates: Through May 10 Location:Centro Universitario Cultural, Odontología 35, Copilco, Coyoacán Cost: Tickets start at 400 pesos per person
‘Shifting Grounds’ at LagoAlgo
(LagoAlgo)
Art that makes you think but doesn’t make you open your wallet? LagoAlgo’s latest contemporary exhibition is a free look at creative interpretations of migration, environment and identity. Through monumental installations, sculptures, video art and murals, “Shifting Grounds” explores cycles of displacement. Focusing on visible and beneath the surface movement, the exhibit gives special attention to human environmental impact, migration patterns and the forces shaping our collective future.
Perfect for deep thinkers and art enthusiasts, an afternoon spent in one of Chapultepec Park’s most visually stunning corners is an afternoon well spent.
Dates: Through June 1 Location:LagoAlgo, Bosque de Chapultepec II Sección, Miguel Hidalgo Cost: Admission is free
Michelin dinner at Galea with guest chef Alexa Mejía
Foodies, mark your calendars! Roma Norte’s Mediterranean gem Galea is hosting a culinary summit you won’t want to miss.
Chefs Rafael Zaga and Michelle Catarata welcome the Michelin-recognized Alexa Mejía of Austin’s Emmer & Rye for an exclusive six-course collaboration that promises to tantalize even the most discerning palates.
Drawing inspiration from Arca Tierra’s fresh bounty of produce, the menu interweaves Galea’s delicate approach with Emmer & Rye’s cutting-edge sustainability practices and fermentation techniques. The chance to experience this level of innovation on a plate is fleeting, so make your reservations today.
Dates: May 29 and 30 Location:Sinaloa 67, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc Cost: Tickets start at $2,650 MXN per person
Natalia Lafourcade at Teatro Metropólitan
(Ticketmaster)
Mexico’s musical treasure and Latin Grammy queen — she’s the most decorated female artist in Latin Grammy history with 18 awards — Natalia Lafourcade takes the stage at the Teatro Metropólitan. The Mexico City native was raised in Veracruz and basically has music in her DNA. Her father is a Chilean musician and her mother a pianist, known for developing the Macarsi Method that helped young Natalia recover from a childhood head injury through musical therapy.
From her mariachi beginnings at age 10 to her current status as Mexican folk-pop royalty, Lafourcade’s blend of traditional sounds with contemporary melodies has captivated audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this chance to experience her enchanting vocals in one of CDMX’s most beautiful venues.
Dates: May 2 at 8:30 p.m. Location:Teatro Metropólitan, Independencia 90, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc Cost: Tickets range from 650 to 2,875 pesos per person
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.
There's a major event in Rosarito this week, alongside plenty of other news to catch up on. (A World To Travel)
What’s the news in Baja California this week? The state dwarfs Baja California Sur in tourism, despite always popular Los Cabos in the latter. Border proximity is a notable factor, as is the presence of numerous attractive destinations, including Tijuana, Ensenada, and the wine country of Valle de Guadalupe. Tijuana alone received more than eight million visitors in 2023 (more than double the total of Los Cabos), and Baja California welcomed about 30 million statewide.
Here are the stories you might have missed:
Rosarito to host Tianguis Turístico Mexico in 2025
(Tianguis Turistico/Instagram)
As a reflection of its tourism bona fides and its border proximity, Baja California has been chosen to host the 49th edition of Tianguis Turístico Mexico (TTM), Latin America’s largest tourism-related fair.
The event dates back to 1975, with the first 36 iterations of the TTM held in Acapulco. That city still hosts biennially (most recently in 2022 and 2024), but since 2012, other destinations have also been chosen to host as the TTM has grown in size and scope.
For example, in 2023, Mexico City welcomed 1,328 exhibiting companies (including hotel and airline representatives and tourism offices from all 32 Mexican states) and over 2,000 buyers from 90 countries worldwide.
This year, Tijuana takes over hosting duties from April 28 to May 1. Billed as the first binational edition, some activities will happen in the U.S. (in San Diego), and 45% of buyers attending will be from the U.S. and Canada. Buyers in this context means travel agents, tour operators, and the like.
“I firmly believe that tourism is the only bridge that unites everything,” Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, head of Mexico’s Secretaría de Turismo (Sectur), told La Jornada. She’s bullish that despite the constant news of tariffs and deportations (over 40,000 people were deported to BC in 2024), the number of visitors to Mexico from the U.S. will increase, as it does nearly every year. Upwards of 14 million and a half million are expected in 2025.
That would indeed be an uptick. In 2024, Mexico received 45 million foreign visitors, 12.7 million of whom were from the U.S. The total figure made Mexico the seventh most popular nationwide tourist destination in the world last year, trailing only France, Spain, the U.S., China, Italy, and Turkey.
Baja California recognizes animals as sentient life forms with legal rights
(Gobierno Edomex)
Many long-held assumptions about animals are being overturned. Recent studies, for example, have shown that the songs of humpback whales are structured similarly to human language. Despite this breakthrough, many researchers remain hesitant to term how whales communicate as language. However, this reticence seems less like scientific rigor than an ingrained arrogance that assumes only humans have the capacity for certain varieties of intelligence and feeling.
This is not by everyone, naturally. Many people are convinced that animals deserve and should be guaranteed respectful treatment. In some cases, this idea is taking on the force of law. Baja California, for instance, just became the latest governmental body to enact legislation recognizing animals as sentient beings with inherent rights.
On April 2, 2025, the 25th Legislature of the Baja California Congress passed a reform formally enshrining this recognition in the state constitution. This initiative, approved by Governar Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, provides the state with a legal framework to make policy changes or enact regulatory protections for the well-being of animals, who are now legally “sentient,” a word defined as “able to perceive or feel things.”
By doing so, Baja California joins a growing list of nations and states. Over 30 countries have now enacted animal welfare or sentience-related legislation. Many of these, it must be noted, are in Europe. France’s designation of animals as sentient beings dates back to 1976. Belgium has canonized this belief in its constitution. In 2022, the U.K. established an Animal Sentience Committee with input into animal-related policies.
CDMX and two other Mexican states, Michoacán and Nuevo León, have also recognized that animals are sentient, joining the movement to drive social awareness of the issue. However, what those recognitions mean for laws and enforcement policies is sometimes murky. BC’s governor, by contrast, notes per UnoTV that it will become “the first state animal protection system in Mexico.”
What does this mean? Three new announced offices will be added to the state bureaucracy: an animal welfare directorate, an environmental prosecutor’s office, and a state-run animal health facility. BC is thus backing up the legal protections for animals amended in the state constitution with a practical framework to enforce them.
The 39-year-old is the first female governor of Baja California and, according to a December approval rating survey, the most popular governor in Mexico.
Major bypass from Tijuana to Ensenada planned
(Pinterest)
Studies are underway for a major new road project slated to begin construction in 2026: a 24-kilometer, two-lane bypass that will streamline traffic between Tijuana and Ensenada, with connections to Rosarito, Tecate, and Valle de Guadalupe. The project is expected to take four years to complete, at a cost of 3.5 billion pesos, per La Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT).
It’s one spoke on a much larger wheel, Claudia Sheinbaum’s 250 billion investment in federal highways as part of the National Road Infrastructure Program scheduled during her six-year term as president. At least nine federal highways and nine bridges will be affected. Thirty-five billion is earmarked for the program in 2025.
Not only is the Tijuana to Ensenada bypass meant to provide enhanced accessibility to area destinations, but it will also offer an estimated ten thousand plus jobs to regional residents.
Solar panels approved for Mexicali
(Nuno Marques/Unsplash)
President Sheinbaum has also greenlit 5,500 photovoltaic solar panels, which will be installed in Mexicali as part of the Sol del Norte program and should help to lower electricity bills locally.
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.
Though it is often known as "The battle of the tigers," the ritual involves people dressed up as jaguars who engage in mock battles using ropes soaked in mezcal as weapons. (Bernandino Hernández/Cuartoscuro)
Across Mexico, you can still find annual traditional rituals to ensure that crops will have rain. One of the most famous of these rituals takes place in Zitlala, a small community in the southern state of Guerrero, where residents annually perform a centuries-old ceremonial battle in jaguar costumes in exchange for rain.
Called either Pelea de Tigres or Pelea de Jaguares(Fight of the Tigers or Fight of the Jaguars), the ritual is believed to be hundreds of years old.
The Guerrero community of Zitlala, where the mock battle for rain famously takes place. It is rooted in Nahua precolonial tradition. (File photo)
Rooted in pre-Columbian practices and then fused with Catholic influences, the ceremony is yet another example of the religious syncretism that took place in Mexico during Spanish colonization, which also explains why the ritual today is often referred to as the fight of the tigers: jaguars, endemic to Latin America, were not familiar to the Spanish colonists.
“Every year we ask God for help in bringing enough water for our crops,” one of the participants says in this video. “Some participants fight, and some others don’t fight. Some fight until their bodies can’t stand it anymore.”
The ceremony, which takes place every year between May 2 and 5, sees participants dress up as jaguars, wearing a yellow suit with black polka dots and a mask. With a rope that is bathed in mezcal to make it hard, participants whip their opponents, whose spilled blood serves as an offering to Tláloc, the Mexica god of rain.
The jaguar has always played a significant role in just about all prehistoric civilizations in Mesoamerica, appearing as an important figure in the reliefs and sculptures of temples and palaces.
With music and dance, participants and attendees walk through the town’s streets until they reach the battle site.
Contenders fight fiercely for five to 15 minutes, following a Nahuatl proverb of the region that says, “The more blood the tigers shed, the more rain there will be for the germination of the seeds.”
This video examines the annual “tiger” battle ritual for rain in Zitlala, Guerrero.
After the battle ends, winners and losers remove their masks to identify themselves to their opponent.
“At the end of the fight, we’re still friends as always. It’s an offering to the god Tlaloc, so that he gives us good rain, and we do it with that purpose, not out of resentment or hatred,” Arnulfo, one of the participants, points out.
To engage in battle, participants must follow some strict rules, to compete effectively. These include preparing for a month in advance, visiting their ancestors, speaking to the masks to embody the spirit of a jaguar and purifying their souls with mezcal.
From Dec. 18 to Jan. 6, American Airlines will offer two daily flights to Puerto Vallarta. (Visit Puerto Vallarta/Instagram)
Living in Puerto Vallarta, you mark the changes in the year by different ebbs and flows — tourists and temperatures. Winter months are electric and full of life, while summers are sleepy, slow, rain-soaked and quiet. There are festivals that light up the streets, and days when it feels like the whole city belongs to you. Over time, I’ve learned to love every version of Vallarta — even the sweaty, stormy ones.
If you’re wondering when is the best month to visit Puerto Vallarta, the truth is, there’s no bad time. It just depends on the kind of experience you’re after. Here’s a local’s take on what each month feels like in Puerto Vallarta.
January
The resort city of Puerto Vallarta is located on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Jalisco, which means beaches and heavenly sunsets. (María Ruiz)
January in Puerto Vallarta is the sweet spot — that golden time of year when the skies are impossibly blue, the ocean breeze is crisp, and the whole city feels like it’s waking up in technicolor. The days are warm but not sweltering (hovering around 82°F), and the nights are cool enough for a light sweater on the Malecón.
It’s definitely high season—considered by many the best month to visit—so, yes, the beaches are buzzing and you’ll want to make dinner reservations — but there’s also an electric energy that makes the city feel alive in the best way.
This is prime time for whale watching, too. Humpbacks are everywhere in Banderas Bay, and seeing one breach just offshore never gets old.
Whether you’re sipping a margarita at sunset or strolling the Zona Romantica, January in Vallarta is pure magic.
Puerto Vallarta’s botanical gardens make for a low-key fun activity year round, but it’s an especially nice visit in the post-holiday month of February.
February in Puerto Vallarta feels like the city is exhaling. The weather is still dreamy — sunny days, low humidity and temperatures that sit comfortably in the low 80s. The holiday crowds have thinned just enough, giving the beaches and cobblestone streets a more relaxed, easygoing vibe.
It’s the perfect month for long lunches by the water, sunset cruises with someone special, or lazy afternoons wandering the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, which are in full bloom this time of year.
There’s romance in the air — literally, with Valentine’s Day drawing in couples from all over — but it’s also a great time for solo travelers and groups who want that ideal blend of buzz and breathing room.
Bonus: The whales are still hanging around, so book that boat ride if you missed it in January.
March
Whether you love to party or relax in solitude, you can find a Puerto Vallarta beach club that’s your little slice of heaven. (Mantamar)
March in Puerto Vallarta is when things start to rev up. The weather is still on its best behavior — think bright, sunny days in the mid-80s and barely a drop of rain — but the energy gets kicked up a notch.
Spring breakers start rolling into town, especially in mid-month. They bring their beach parties, bar crawls and an extra dose of nightlife to the city. If you’re into the scene, it’s a blast.
If not, there are still plenty of pockets of peace — early mornings on the Malecón, quiet hikes up to the Mirador de la Cruz or boat rides to Yelapa before the crowds wake up. Weekly ArtWalks continue downtown, and there’s always something unexpected happening in the plazas.
April
Every aspect of the week-long pageantry in Puerto Vallarta in April is handled with careful deliberation and takes into account tradition: Jesus’ crown of thorns for Holy Week celebrations is made by the same family every year and has been for generations. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro)
April in Puerto Vallarta is an underrated month. The weather is still near perfect — warm days, cooler nights and barely a hint of humidity — but the crowds start to thin out, especially after Semana Santa (Holy Week), when Mexican families head back home and the beaches get their breathing room back.
It’s a sweet spot for travelers who want to experience Vallarta in a more relaxed, everyday rhythm. You can snag a great table without a reservation, chat with bartenders who aren’t swamped and stretch out on the sand without jockeying for space.
The ocean’s warming up, sunsets are still epic, and prices start to come down. For many locals, April is one of the best months to be in Puerto Vallarta.
May
As always, Puerto Vallarta plays host to some of Mexico’s best vibes, parties and events. (Visit Vallarta)
May in Vallarta turns up the heat — both literally and figuratively. The temperatures start to climb into the high 80s and low 90s, and you’ll feel the shift toward summer. But with the rising temps comes a noticeable dip in crowds, making it one of the best months for scoring deals on hotels and enjoying a more local vibe.
It’s also one of the most vibrant months culturally: Vallarta Pride takes over the city with parades, beach parties and rainbow everything, while the city celebrates its anniversary with fireworks and concerts.
The sunsets get especially fiery this time of year, and you’ll find fewer people on the beaches to share them with. Pack light, stay hydrated, and prepare to fall in love with Vallarta’s steamy, spirited side.
June
If you like outdoor activities in PV in June, get them done early in the a.m. to avoid the month’s afternoon thunderstorms. (Hiking Vallarta/Facebook)
June in Puerto Vallarta is when the city starts to feel a little more wild and tropical. With average highs around 90°F (32°C) and lows near 75°F (24°C), the rainy season begins to tiptoe in, usually with dramatic afternoon or evening storms that roll in like clockwork.
But don’t worry — mornings are often clear and gorgeous, perfect for beach strolls or early hikes. The surrounding mountains burst into green, and there’s a fresh, earthy scent in the air that locals know and love.
It’s also mango season, so expect juicy fruit stands on every corner. Tourism quiets down big time, which means hotel deals are sweet and the beaches are blissfully uncrowded.
June is a great month for travelers who don’t mind a little humidity and want to see Puerto Vallarta in its more intimate, untamed state.
July
Like it hot and humid? Come to Vallarta in July. (Vallarta Botanical Garden/Facebook)(Vallarta Botanical Garden/Facebook)
July in Puerto Vallarta is hot, humid, and wonderfully alive. With average temperatures hovering around 91°F (33°C) during the day and 76°F (24°C) at night, this is the heart of the rainy season — but don’t let that scare you off.
The thunderstorms are theatrical, often sweeping in after sunset and cooling off the air with a dramatic flair. The jungle is in full bloom, the rivers are flowing, and the whole region feels like it’s humming with energy.
It’s also one of the quietest months tourism-wise, which means fewer people and better prices on everything from boutique hotels to beachfront massages.
If you’re into nature, lush landscapes, and don’t mind a little (or a lot of) sweat, July shows you a locals-only side of Vallarta.
August in Puerto Vallarta is steamy and quiet. With average highs around 91°F (33°C) and balmy lows near 75°F (24°C), it’s definitely hot — and the humidity doesn’t hold back. But if you can lean into the tropical vibes, you’ll find a quieter, slower-paced version of the city.
The rain usually comes in dramatic bursts in the late afternoon or evening, leaving behind cooler breezes and glowing sunsets that light up the mountains. Tourism hits its summer lull, so you’ll have more of the beaches, spas, and restaurants to yourself — and for a fraction of the cost.
It’s the perfect time to unplug, recharge, and enjoy a much more subdued version of the city.
September
(Visit Puerto Vallarta)
September in Puerto Vallarta is all about local life, lots of rain, and national pride.
It’s the rainiest month of the year, with average highs around 90°F (32°C) and lows near 74°F (23°C), and, yes — it’s humid.
Tropical downpours leave the mountains covered in every shade of green. The ocean is warm (though sometimes you have to check the water quality, as the rivers from the mountains can carry a lot of waste into the Bay). The city is quiet, except for September 15 and 16, when the streets erupt to celebrate El Grito de Dolores (Mexico’s Independence Day). Then you’ll find fireworks, mariachi, and tequila-fueled fiestas spilling into the streets.
Other than that, you won’t find crowds or long lines in September. It’s a great time to visit for travel deals if you can withstand the temperatures and humidity.
October
If you’re looking for “untouched beaches and wild, windswept nature spark joy”, as Travel & Leisure describes it, Costalegre might be the destination for you. (Gobierno de Jalisco)
October in Puerto Vallarta is a month of transition — everything’s verdant, quiet and a little bit on edge. The rains start to taper off, the humidity begins to ease, and average temps hover around 89°F (32°C) during the day and 73°F (23°C) at night. But ask any local, and they’ll tell you: the first half of October is also when we keep one eye on the sky and the other on the hurricane forecast.
Ever since Hurricane Patricia in 2015 — which miraculously spared Vallarta but slammed the Costalegre coastline just south — there’s a lingering sense of caution in the air. Most years, it’s nothing but passing storms and dramatic sunsets, but that tension is still there.
By mid-month, things shift: the weather calms, the city wakes back up, restaurants reopen and locals begin prepping for Day of the Dead. It’s a shoulder season gem with a moody, magical vibe — and if you’re into offbeat travel, it might just be your favorite time to visit.
November
Day of the Dead is celebrated all over Mexico, but no one does it quite like Puerto Vallarta. (Visit Puerto Vallarta/Instagram)
November kicks off high season when the city starts to hit its stride. The rains are gone, the skies are blue, and the air is fresh — all with daytime highs around 87°F (31°C) and cool, comfortable lows near 68°F (20°C). Restaurants reopen, galleries pop with new exhibits and the energy starts to wake up without crossing into overwhelming.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) kicks off the month with altars, parades and marigolds carpeting the plazas — a deeply beautiful time to witness Mexican culture in full bloom.
Later, the International Gourmet Festival brings world-class chefs to town for tastings and collaborations at some of Vallarta’s finest restaurants. It’s the perfect reawakening before the December holiday slam.
December in Puerto Vallarta is the most festive and busiest time of the year. With daytime highs around 84°F (29°C) and cooler evenings dipping to 63°F (17°C), you can spend all day at the beach and still reach for a sweater in the evening.
The month kicks off with the Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Dec. 1–12), when nightly processions wind through downtown, blending fireworks, indigenous dances and heartfelt devotion.
The city feels electric — and then comes Christmas, when families gather for tamales and ponche and the Malecón glows with lights. New Year’s Eve is next-level here, with fireworks over Banderas Bay and parties that spill from rooftops to the sand.
Hotel rates and flight prices are at their highest, but December is one of the biggest parties in Puerto Vallarta that visitors wait for all year.
Are you a PV veteran? When do you like to be in Puerto Vallarta? Let us know in the comments.
Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.
The Mexican wolf is making a return, but political and practical barriers stand between them and a resurgence in the wild. (Especial/Cuartoscuro)
For more than 40,000 years the Beringian wolf hunted across a frozen North America. Hunting in packs, this magnificent beast was strong enough to take down horses, bison and even mammoths. As the climate warmed, however, its prey disappeared and the predator slipped into extinction. The gap the Beringian wolf’s extinction left in the continent’s ecosystem was filled by the smaller grey wolf.
One of the earliest branches of this species is generally believed to have moved south to settle across southern California, Baja California, western Texas, Sonora and Chihuahua. In this territory, the grey wolf became isolated from its cousins further north. As their genes no longer mixed, the Mexican wolf diverged into a subspecies that was smaller than its northern relations, with a narrower skull and darker, more variable fur.
The Mexican wolf is now back from the brink of extinction. (María José Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
The Mexican wolf, Canis lupus baileyi, prospered for thousands of years. The Mexica (Aztecs) associated them with Huitzilopochtli, god of war and the sun, and hundreds of wolf remains have been found in excavations of the sacred precinct of Tenochtitlan. Mexican wolves ranged from northern Mexico to as far south as Oaxaca until the early years of the 20th century when human settlers moved into remote areas in ever-increasing numbers. Now the wolves were hunted for sport, out of fear or to protect livestock. By the early 1970s the Mexican wolf was extinct in the United States and only a handful survived in Mexico.
Conservation begins for the Mexican wolf
In 1973 the U.S. government enacted the Endangered Species Act and wolves were among the first species to be placed under its protection. Not only would further killings be outlawed, but efforts would be made to return wolves to their old range. Between 1977 and 1980 five Mexican wolves — four males and one pregnant female — were captured in Mexico and brought to the U.S. to start a captive breeding program. At this point the wolf was probably extinct in the world. The species was kept alive in captivity, and in 1998, captive born wolves were returned to the wild. On the surface this program has been a magnificent success: there are now an estimated 257 Mexican wolves living wild in the United States, 45 living wild in Mexico and 380 living in captivity in both countries.
Yet serious challenges remain. One concern is that at its most critical moment, the species was down to a handful of individuals, which may have left the genetic pool compromised. One approach to this problem has been cross-fostering: the introduction of captive-born cubs, selected for their gene diversity, into new litters born in the wild. If they survive and breed, these animals will help to expand the Mexican wolf’s gene pool. This process requires locating a den with a newborn litter and rushing a captive-born cub to the area. When the mother goes hunting, a researcher can crawl into the narrow den and place the cub among its new siblings. It is an expensive process and around 50% of all wild-born wolf pups die in their first year of life, so the possibility of an introduced cub eventually reproducing is far from guaranteed. However, there is evidence that the program is working, with 20 litters being identified as coming from cross-fostered wolves.
There are other problems. In the U.S., Interstate 40 has been designated as the northern limit of the Mexican wolf’s permitted range. The wolves, of course, are unaware of this, and in 2021 two wolves moved north, most likely looking for mates. A wolf known as Asha became a regular trespasser and was finally relocated to a conservation center in New Mexico. A male wolf known as Anubis was not so lucky: he was illegally shot near Flagstaff.
A transnational conservation effort
In a time of a changing climate the Mexican wolf’s natural prey might be drifting ever further north, increasingly drawing wolves out of the areas humans have designated for them. The long-term survival plan centers on establishing several separate sanctuaries, an insurance if one area should be decimated by disease or other disaster. However, a five-year evaluation released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in December 2024 expressed concerns about the Mexican population.
The Endangered Species Act has real teeth; if caught, the hunters who shot Anubis face a 100,000 dollar fine and significant jail time. In Mexico, a combination of less environmental education and less resources has meant that wolves are not offered the same protection. 39 wolf deaths between 2011 and 2023 were classified as human-caused, with poison being the biggest killer. A combination of high mortality and smaller than hoped for release numbers means the Mexican target of 100 wolves living in the wild has not been met.
There are around 50 wild Mexican wolves in the country. (SEDEMA/Cuartoscuro)
The wild Mexican wolf population in Mexico itself is optimistically numbered at just under 50, but that number is disputed. As Greta Anderson, deputy director of the non-profit Western Watersheds Project explains, “There are no collared animals alive in Mexico, so any remaining population is total speculation. It’s hard to imagine that there are many animals there— the death rate for collared wolves is so high that it’s hard to imagine uncollared animals are somehow escaping persecution.” There are no immediate plans to change an approach that seems to be working well north of the border. Instead, hope is still placed in continuing to educate local communities and implementing a compensation plan to reimburse farmers for livestock lost to wolves.
Mexican wolves don’t escape politics
Mexico’s wolf problems are shared by the United States. In 2020, the first Trump administration removed most gray wolves from the U.S. endangered species list. Though that decision was vacated by a U.S. District Court in 2022, the Biden administration generally continued the trend of removing protections for wolves. In the coming years the complaints of farmers losing livestock may well expect to receive more favorable hearings. Neither has the success that has been achieved so far come cheaply, and future funding is in doubt.
“I fear we’ll see many attacks on the Endangered Species Act in general, and widespread defunding of programs that address the parallel biodiversity and climate crises,” Greta Anderson told Mexico News Daily. That the Mexican wolf is still with us, and their numbers increasing, is wonderful news, but the battle to save them is far from won.
Bob Pateman is a Mexico-based historian, librarian and a life term hasher. He is editor of On On Magazine, the international history magazine of hashing.
