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.
When it comes to Mexican cuisine, Oaxaca enjoys a reputation as the very best of them all. What do people eat here? (Chef Denise)
Oaxaca and it’s extraordinary culinary heritage is evident not only in its wealth of traditional food markets but also in the many signature Mexican dishes it has produced. For example, no less than seven varieties of mole, the crown jewel of Mexican gastronomy, hail from Oaxaca. Tlayuda and queso Oaxaca are also regional inventions, of course, and although mezcal may or may not be, Oaxaca is certainly the ancestral homeland of this iconic Mexican spirit.
The seven moles of Oaxaca
Moles are considered the crown jewels of Oaxacan cuisine and diligently incorporate an astounding number of ingredients. (Robby McCullough/Unsplashed)
Moles in Oaxaca don’t have an individual originator like Andrea de la Asunción of mole poblano fame. Instead, the state’s seven sacred moles—mole negro, mole rojo, mole verde, mole amarillo, mole colaradito, mole chichilo, and mole manchamanteles—seem to have evolved naturally following the fusion of Spanish ingredients like cinnamon, black pepper, and anise with traditional pre-Hispanic ones like chocolate, chiles, tomatoes, tomatillos, and herbs such as hoja santa.
Mole negro, the most emblematic and widely celebrated of Oaxaca’s moles, is also the most complex, boasting on average about 30 ingredients, including four chilies—chilhuacle negro y rojo, and chiles mulato and pasilla oaxaqueña. Three of these are almost exclusively regional, a distinguishing feature in all Oaxacan moles, as chilies like chilhuacle, pasilla oaxaqueña, chile de agua, chilcostle, tuxta, and costeño are little grown outside of the state.
Mole rojo and amarillo are generally considered the spiciest of these moles, thanks to a higher proportion of spicy chilies such as chilhuacle amarillo, costeño, and chile de árbol. Meanwhile, mole negro is noted for its sweeter, more chocolate-forward flavors, and the others for the inclusion of distinctive ingredients. Mole verde, for instance, is made with pumpkin seeds, tomatillo, cilantro, and jalapeño; manchamanteles often includes chorizo and fruits such as pineapple and peach; and chichilo boasts homemade beef stock and texture-thickening masa.
Tlayuda, the Mexican pizza
Tlayuda isn’t exactly like pizza, but it is delicious. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)
If Italy didn’t develop pizza until after the importation of Mexican tomatoes (true story) in the 16th century, why didn’t Mexico invent it first? The answer is that it did (kinda), although it’s called tlayuda (evolved from the Nahuatl words tlao-li, meaning husked corn, and uda, for abundance), and features a 16-inch toasted version of a tortilla standing in for bread dough.
No, there’s no pepperoni and sausage, but meaty toppings like tasajo, cecina, and chorizo are popularly added, as are cheesy quesillo (more on this later), asiento, and refried beans. So too are tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, and cilantro.
Served in markets and on street corners, tlayuda is an Oaxacan street food fixture that was voted the best street food in Latin America in a 2020 Netflix poll. In some areas of Oaxaca, the dish includes ingredients such as ants and grasshoppers. Chapulines, of course, are an Oaxacan specialty, too, and often sourced from alfalfa and cornfields around the fertile valleys of Oaxaca (city, not state).
Originally generated from Oaxaca’s Zapotec and Mixtec cultures, using nixtamalized tortillas toasted on clay comals, tlayudas began to include more ingredients once the Spanish arrived in Mexico. Today, asiento (unrefined pork lard) and refried beans provide the base (like tomato sauce on pizza), followed by cheese (sometimes melted), chorizo, avocado and tomato slices, and other regional specialty items.
Since 2010, it has been one of the Oaxacan dishes designated by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The creation of queso Oaxaca
A ball of delicious, fresh Oaxaca cheese. (Ingredienta)
Leobarda Castellanos García was only 14 years old when she accidentally invented distinctive queso Oaxaca in Reyes Etla during the 19th century. Amazingly, she’s not the youngest culinary inventor of note during that century: Armando Martínez Centurión reportedly invented the torta in Mexico City in 1892 when he was only 11.
According to local legend, she allowed the milk to overcurdle and then tried to correct her mistake by adding hot water. The resultant pasta filata (or stretched curd) cheese, which Leobarda called quesillo, was stringy, stretchy, chewy, and delicious. Its fame quickly spread to Puebla, where it acquired the name queso Oaxaca to designate its place of origin.
Reyes Etla remains the ancestral home of queso Oaxaca, an exquisitely melty cheese distinguished by the strands wrapped to achieve its ball-of-yarn-like appearance. As many as 50 families still make cheese there traditionally, although the popularity of queso Oaxaca nationwide has since spawned a host of imitators.
Interestingly, queso Oaxaca is the only pasta filata cheese of note in Mexico, but there are several worldwide, including from Italy, mozzarella, provolone, and burrata. However, the Greeks made the first example circa 500 BCE.
The ancestral homeland of mezcal
Mezcal is perhaps even more popular than tequila in 2025, and the very best comes from Oaxaca. (Tianguis Mezcalero)
Oaxaca may not have been the first state in Mexico to produce mezcal, but it has certainly established itself as the best and most prolific. Today, nine states are legally allowed to make mezcal under its denomination of origin, but Oaxaca alone distills over 90% of the country’s total.
The history of the fermented agave drink pulque dates back well over 1000 years, but distillation techniques likely weren’t introduced until after the Spanish colonization of Mexico in the early 16th century. However, researchers at the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) have hypothesized that Indigenous inhabitants of Mexico may have distilled mezcal with kilns as far back as 400 BCE.
The documented history of mezcal production in Oaxaca comes from tax records and begins about the middle of the 18th century, although the spirit has probably been produced locally for far longer. Certainly, time-honored methods are still used to make mezcal in Oaxaca, notably in artisanal expressions.
As Graciela Ángeles Carreño of the artisanal Oaxacan brand Real Minero recently told National Geographic: “We are constantly being told what mezcal should or could be by outsiders, but what people need to understand is that mezcal isn’t just a trend or something to be sold—it’s part of who we are. We make mezcal in clay pots and bury it underground not because it makes us more money (it doesn’t) or because it’s easy (it’s not), but because it’s how our fathers and grandfathers did it, and how we want our children to do it.”
Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.
Breakfast eggs are a global classic, so why should it be any different in Mexico? (Baby Cocina)
One of the most common things I hear from foreign friends visiting Mexico is how plentiful our breakfasts are. I often explain a local saying: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” This reflects how some people still organize their meals throughout the day. My grandparents and parents strictly adhere to this advice, even today.
Like so much of Mexico, the timing, format, and order of our meals are closely connected to our history and the everyday practices of our society.
Huevos Charros (Restaurante Catedral/Instagram)
Mexican Breakfast
Modern life and urban living have significantly altered our habits over the past century. In earlier times, waking up at 5 a.m. wasn’t driven by productivity trends like reading five books, running 20 miles, meditating, drinking matcha tea, and launching multiple businesses before 9 a.m. Instead, people needed substantial energy to work the land, tend to livestock, and make the most of daylight. As a result, meals were hearty and designed to sustain a long day of physical labor.
Breakfast or Almuerzo?
For many parents and grandparents, and still in rural areas, breakfast typically consists of just a cup of coffee and a piece of bread at 6 A.M. or as soon as they wake up. This is why almuerzo — the mid-morning meal —usually includes eggs, beans, salsa, and tortillas. While the combination of these four ingredients can vary by region, they are almost always present in a Mexican almuerzo.
Even now, when I tell my elders that I’m having just a bowl of oatmeal with berries for breakfast oralmuerzo, they insist that it’s bird food, and instead serve me a plate of huevos a la mexicana.
Since the arrival of the Spanish 500 years ago, eggs have become a staple source of protein in Mexico. Affordable and widely available, Mexico led the world in per capita egg consumption until 2022, with each Mexican consuming an average of 350 eggs per year.
It’s no surprise that over 200 dishes featuring eggs as the main ingredient have been created, each paired with local ingredients in every region. In the north, huevos con machaca is a classic. In the Yucatán Peninsula, huevos con chaya is a popular choice. In central Mexico chilaquiles with two huevitos estrellados is my personal favorite. I also lovehuevos divorciados with their tortilla below and the fried beans on the side. In Oaxaca, huevos zapaterosaren’t just a meal; but also a remedy for colds and hangovers.
Modern Life vs. Almuerzo and Eggs
In urban centers, the traditional breakfast and almuerzo combination has evolved, especially since many employers aren’t too excited about their employees leaving the office twice in the morning to get a substantial meal. Additionally, sitting at a desk all day doesn’t require hearty plates to remain strong and productive.
However, on weekends, almuerzo takes the spotlight during breakfast hours and serves as the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family.
Huevos Encamisados
Huevos Encamisados. (Descubre en México)
One of my all-time favorite dishes (Mexican eggs or not) is huevos encamisados, a tortilla filled with a huevito and bathed in salsa roja. While the recipe is simple, I highly recommend that if you’re not already in Yucatán, book yourself a trip, and try huevos encamisados as soon as you arrive.
If you’d like to make them at home, here’s the recipe:
Ingredients (serves 6):
6 fresh tortillas or 250g of corn masa for tortillas
6 eggs
Red salsa 😊 or make your own:
2 red tomatoes
2 or 3 serrano chiles
1 garlic clove
1/4 onion
Refried black beans (as a side dish)
Fresh cheese or grated cheese (for sprinkling on top)
Lard or cooking oil
Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Buy or make the salsa:Roast the tomatoes, chiles, garlic, and onion until charred. Peel the tomatoes and blend everything together with salt until smooth. Set aside.
2. Buy or fry the beans:Heat a bit of lard or oil in a pan, add the beans, and fry them until thick and pulling away from the pan. Keep warm.
3. Buy or Prepare the tortillas:Take a golf ball-sized portion of masa and flatten it gently by hand or with a tortilla press, but be careful not to make it too thin.
Cook the tortilla on a hot comal for a couple of minutes on each side. Press the center lightly to help it puff upso you can stuff it—if it doesn’t, carefully slice it open.
Once you’ve made several tortillas, cut a small opening on the side of each one using a knife or scissors.
4. Stuff the tortilla with eggs:First, crack an egg into a small bowl, then pour it into the opening of the tortilla. Add a pinch of salt and close the tortilla by folding or pressing the edges shut.
5. Cook the huevos encamisados:Place the stuffed tortilla back on a skillet with a bit of lard or oil. Cook over medium-low heat for 1–2 minutes per side, depending on how runny you like your yolk. You can also choose to fry them if you prefer that method.
6. Serve: Place the huevos encamisados over a base of warm salsa, serve with refried beans, and sprinkle cheese on top.
Amigos, follow what our abuelitas say: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper.” This will help you stay slim regardless of how many tortillas you eat each day and will aid in sleeping beautifully.
Are Mexicans the only ones eating breakfast like we’re preparing to hibernate? What do you have for breakfast? Is there a Mexican egg dish that’s your favorite?
María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.
Hundreds of San Miguel residents gathered on Good Friday to recreate Christ's funeral, one of the community's many deep-rooted traditions. (Courtesy of Travis Bembenek)
Growing up a kid in Wisconsin, my family had lots of traditions around the holidays. Not having been exposed much to other cultures, I happily participated and for the most part enjoyed them year after year. I have many special memories of Christmas Eve midnight mass at church, or dressing up for Easter morning mass, or making Christmas cookies with my sisters. We were fortunate to have an extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all living nearby. It wasn’t until I met my wife in my late 20s that I first began to take more note of some of our traditions.
My wife, who was born and raised in India until she was 18 years old, would often question many of our family traditions. Seen through the light of many of the spiritual/religious/seasonal traditions she was used to, she found many of my traditions quite puzzling.
She was not in any way criticizing or putting them down, but rather asking about the origin, meaning and significance of some of them. Why did we go to Walmart at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to try to score a 60-inch television for $199, or binge eat while watching back to back-to-back NFL football games on Thanksgiving Day? Why watch four NBA games on Christmas Day, or look for a basket full of chocolate candy on Easter morning? Traditions they certainly were, but the significance or meaning of many of them was not easy for me to explain.
As I reflected on many of my traditions, I realized that over the years, they did seem to become much less about the Chistmas Eve midnight mass or the Easter morning mass and more about eating a lot, buying a lot, and watching a lot of sports on TV.
Commercialization seemed to have increasingly crept in. I would defend them by saying that it didn’t matter what we were doing; the fact was that we were together, as a family, and enjoying what we were doing. That seemed like a good answer to me, and my wife thankfully went along with that for years. Traditions were maintained and a good time was had by all.
That said, when I moved to Mexico I found myself starting to look at my holiday traditions in a very different light. After spending time in Mexico during Día de Muertos and seeing the exceptionally rich traditions that families have to stay connected with their deceased loved ones, it’s hard to look at American-style Halloween the same.
In another Holy Week tradition, San Miguel families visit seven local churches to see the intricately decorated altars in each house of prayer. (Travis Bembenek)
I remember last year visiting some friends in Chicago in October and feeling like every other house was competing to have the most giant Costco skeleton in their yard. Don’t get me wrong, I have had many fun (often times drunken) Halloween nights in the U.S. over the years, but once you experience Día de Muertos in Mexico, the holiday takes on a whole different meaning.
Spending these past two weeks leading up to Easter in my adopted hometown of San Miguel de Allende was another eye-opener. We have been here during other Easter periods, but this year it hit us very differently. We were out and about almost every evening and were floored by the sense of family and community of the traditions on a nightly basis. Entire neighborhoods gathered to decorate the homes on their street with flowers, or lay down flower petals in beautiful patterns on the street. Almost all were a multi-generational events, with young kids learning the meaning and significance and importance of each tradition from the elders. It was deeply touching.
Night after night we were moved by the sense of community, the family bonding, the active participation of all ages of people, and the smiles and laughter accompanying nearly every minute. One night, the community decorated the streets with flower petals all night long for several kilometers to greet thousands of religious pilgrims arriving before sunrise. Another night, we witnessed a tradition symbolizing the tears of the Virgin Mary, in which families give away free juice or water or ice cream to anyway who stops by. Yet another night was the tradition of going with family to see the beautifully decorated alters of seven different churches in the center of town.
And finally came the evening of Good Friday. Somehow I had missed it in previous years. In a 90-minute procession, hundreds and hundreds of people recreated the funeral of Christ. I am still at a loss of words to describe the event. There was absolute silence. Total reverence for the moment. No kids crying or playing. No cell phone conversations. No talking whatsoever as we watched the procession of women and men, young and old, quietly and solemnly walk though town. Every woman formally dressed in their best jewelry, black veils, high heels and black dresses. Every man formally dressed in black suits and ties. Every child smartly dressed with flowers in their hair. Children singing. A full orchestra playing quiet music perfect for the moment.
As evening fell on Good Friday, the San Miguel community gathered to witness the procession of “mourners” reenacting Christ’s funeral. (Travis Bembenek)
It was mind-blowing. It was impactful. It was humbling. And more than any other time in my life, I felt the power of such deep, meaningful and significant traditions. It was absolutely magical.
My point in today’s column is not in any way to criticize the traditions I had growing up as a kid. They in part helped shape me into the person I am today. I have no regrets. But I do very, very strongly encourage you to come to Mexico for Día de Muertos, Christmas season, or Easter/Holy Week. I can guarantee it to be an experience that will impact you, inspire you, and give you a very different perspective. Seeing the “reason for the season” through the eyes of Mexican families and communities is truly a fascinating experience.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO ofMexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
From prehistoric figures to modern highways, what are the numbers that help make up Los Cabos today? (Lalarebelo)
You can say many things about Los Cabos, but one you can’t is that it’s like anywhere else on Earth. It’s unique, a one-of-a-kind marvel, thanks to its three distinct terrains — mountain, desert and ocean — and the meeting of two significant bodies of water: the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific Ocean.
It’s also the fastest-growing place in Mexico and one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. With that in mind, these are some of the numbers that reflect what’s most remarkable about Los Cabos, from its geography to its foremost tourist attractions.
1: The number of the federal highway that connects the Baja California peninsula
(DINO/Facebook)
The idea of a federal highway connecting the entirety of the peninsula, from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas, spurring connectivity and economic growth, dates back to the 1934-1940 presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas. However, the size and scope of the project were such that it took several more decades before it was complete. Opened in 1973, the 1,711-kilometer (1,063-mile) Carretera Transpeninsula was pivotal for tourism growth in Los Cabos. The kilometer zero marker in Cabo San Lucas signifies the end of the road.
18: The number of golf courses open in Los Cabos
The Jack Nicklaus-designed El Dorado Golf Club is exclusively private and for members only. (El Dorado Beach Club)
If you asked any fan of professional golf who the best player ever was, the answer would likely be Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods. Both have been iconic figures in Los Cabos, too.
Nicklaus put the area on the map as a golf destination in the early 1990s and has designed six of Los Cabos’ 18 currently operating golf courses. More are under construction, including the Legacy Club course from Tiger, joining El Cardonal — host of the annual World Wide Technology Championship, the only PGA Event in Los Cabos — and his 12-hole Oasis short course.
23.43601 North: The latitude of the Tropic of Cancer where it crosses Los Cabos
The Tropic of Cancer Monument in Los Cabos is located between Santiago and Miraflores. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
Most of Los Cabos lies below the Tropic of Cancer, the northernmost circle of latitude where the sun can be seen directly overhead on the summer solstice. This iconic latitudinal line is memorialized in two locations regionally. However, only one is in Los Cabos, as the sign marking where it crosses between Pescadero and Todos Santos is actually in the La Paz municipality. Los Cabos’ monument, a globe-like sculpture denoting the geographical landmark, is at Km 81.5 on Highway 1 between Miraflores and Santiago.
25: The number of Blue Flag beaches in Los Cabos
Playa El Chileno, a Blue Flag beach beloved by locals. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
Los Cabos has hundreds of beautiful beaches across 125 miles of coastline. However, its best-known beaches, aside from Playa del Amor, fly the Blue Flag, which means they have been certified for cleanliness, services, and sustainability by the Foundation for Environmental Education. That’s more Blue Flag beaches than any other municipality in Mexico.
33: The kilometers of road on the Scenic Route that connects the cape cities
(Viator)
Los Cabos gets its name from its two cape cities, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. The two are far from the only notable parts of a municipality that spans 1,448 square miles. However, these cities are the heart of the tourism complex and are divided by a coastal corridor, or Scenic Route, that is 33 kilometers —just over 20 miles — in length.
508: The average nightly hotel rate in dollars in Los Cabos in 2025
Los Cabos is now Mexico’s most expensive vacation destination. (TripAdvisor)
Consciously rebranded as a luxury destination in recent decades, Los Cabos is the most expensive vacation destination in the nation, with an average nightly hotel rate of US A$508 as of January 2025. That doesn’t mean budget-friendly hotels don’t exist. They do. However, what sets Los Cabos apart, hospitality-wise, is its wealth of world-class options.
It also bears noting that visitors have a variety of places to stay. Cabo San Lucas has the most hotel rooms, while San José del Cabo boasts excellent resorts along its Playa Hotelera. Meanwhile, the 20-mile Scenic Route that connects the cape cities offers the greatest concentration of luxury resorts, and the East Cape has some of the best boutique accommodations.
351,111: The population of Los Cabos as of the last census
The population in Los Cabos is skyrocketing. (Shutterstock)
The skyrocketing growth of Los Cabos has been well-documented, but to put it in perspective, the population grew from 43,920 in 1990 to 351,111 in 2020 and is expected to reach 700,000 by 2040.
3,930,000: The number of people who visited Los Cabos in 2024
Los Cabos received nearly four million visitors in 2024, a new record. (Jeat1993/Wikimedia Commons)
Like its population numbers, Los Cabos has seen a spike in visitors over the last 35 years. From 1990 to 2000, annual visitors climbed from just over 200,000 to nearly half a million. By 2010, it saw almost a million annually, and in 2019, it logged 2.3 million domestic and international visitors. The numbers continue to rise, with new records set virtually every year. The most recent was achieved by the 3.93 million visitors in 2024.
5,000,000: The age of the Gulf of California
A NASA image of the Gulf of California. (NASA)
The San Andreas Fault is known for causing large, destructive earthquakes. However, it’s also responsible for forming the Gulf of California, known locally as the Sea of Cortés. Until 10 million years ago, the Baja California peninsula was part of the Mexican mainland, with Los Cabos attached to Jalisco. Then, due to shifting tectonic plates along the plate boundary — a.k.a. the San Andreas Fault System — the newly formed peninsula began to move away, making way for a new sea.
The Gulf of Californiathus came into being sometime between five and 10 million years ago. The peninsula is still moving away slowly from the mainland and may eventually break off and become an island. Don’t worry about that affecting your vacation plans, though. We’ll all be long gone by then.
84,000,000: The age of El Arco and the oldest granite monuments at Land’s End
The evocative granite monuments at Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas are both beautiful and unfathomably old. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)
Cabo San Lucas’ half-mile headland, Land’s End, frames its bay and serves as a locus for water-based activities. It’s home to a handful of beaches — most notably, Playa del Amor— and several spectacular granite monuments, the most famous of which is El Arco (the Arch).
Geological estimates for the oldest granitic monuments at Land’s End suggest a mind-blowing antiquity. According to “The Atlas of Coastal Ecosystems in the Western Gulf of California,” the Cretaceous Period granite that forms El Arco is equivalent in age to that found at subsurface volcanic sites at Las Tres Virgenes in the municipality of Mulegé: approximately 84 million years old.
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.
A group of American teenagers, inspired while on vacation in San Miguel de Allende, raised well over $20,000, more than enough money to pay for a home for a family living in extreme poverty. In early April, they returned to San Miguel to help build the house alongside the recipient family, working with the nonprofit Casita Linda. (All photos by Casita Linda)
We’ve all experienced the surreal magic of having people from different eras of our life converge — when you see your friends from elementary school dancing with college friends at your wedding, for example. That just happened to me in the coolest way possible.
Three college friends of mine came to San Miguel de Allende on vacation. They’d heard me talk over the years about an incredible nonprofit organization I work with,Casita Linda, which has built more than 160 homes for families living in extreme poverty. So, during that visit, they painted a Casita Linda house and their teenagers volunteered alongside my sons as camp counselors at a bare-bones summer camp for Casita Linda kids in a rural indigenous community near San Miguel—and they brought suitcases full of enough art supplies to run the camp and stock the local primary school, too, with the leftovers.
The students present two plaques, one honoring Kathryn Wanlass Shahani, the house’s namesake, to Sra. Hermelinda Ramírez Pastor, who will soon move into the home with her three children.
Teens motivated by Casita Linda’s mission: “Building Hope One House at a Time”
At that point, the teens really dove in. Then and there, the kids committed to raise enough money in their communities of San Diego and Northern Virginia, to pay for an entire Casita Linda home, and, once they had the money, to return to Mexico to help build the house.
One of them, Sonia Whittle, filmed interviews on that visit with Casita Linda staff as well as prior recipients of houses. Afterward, at home in San Diego, she and her twin brother Sameer used the footage to create two powerful documentary films which formed the foundation of their online social media and fundraising campaign.
Another student, Andrew Drake, immediately began recruiting friends across several Northern Virginia schools to work for the cause. This group of teens included Will Harrison, Harry Patrick and Shiloh Hicks at South County High School, Rhesa Hicks at Thomas Jefferson High School, and Alexis White at The Trinity School. Naming their group Juntos 4 Casita Linda, these students planned a performing arts gala. This was an entirely student-driven fundraiser; they managed the event’s marketing, planning, set design, and choreography. Alexis even recruited additional youth from the Metropolitan School of the Arts to dance, sing, and play music, thereby utilizing others’ talents as well as their own to inspire donations for Casita Linda.
“Growing up in Virginia, I’ve always had what I needed and lived a life of comfort — something I now understand is a privilege,” explained Will Harrison. “Volunteering with Casita Linda opened my eyes. It’s been humbling to see how much hope and joy a safe home can bring. I hope others get the chance to experience something like this, because it has the power to change lives—both for those being helped and those helping.”
An inspiring life story that leads from India to the US to Mexico
Sonia Whittle places the last block as her father Michael looks on. “I’m glad I was a part of something that helped change a family’s life,” said Sonia. “Two days of our time building can’t even compare to a lifetime of change for this family.”
Meanwhile, in San Diego, the Whittle siblings — Sameer, Sonia and Jayen, who attend Canyon Crest Academy and Torrey Pines — so inspired their Great Uncle Vishnoo Shahani with their commitment to the cause that he provided a very substantial donation, putting the kids well over their goal of US $20,000, the cost of constructing an entire three-bedroom Casita Linda home. The group decided to name the house Casa Kathy in honor of Shahani’s late wife, who throughout her life was both a patron of the arts and a strong believer in the power of community service.
Shahani explained that he came from very humble beginnings in India. “Along with my two brothers, we had to move twice to restart our lives, first from Sindh to Bombay right before Partition and then to Ahmedabad for work, and later we settled in the United States. I am now delighted to support my niece and nephews in their efforts to help another family that is struggling and working hard for a better life in Mexico.”
Building the entire walls of a Casita Linda house in two days
With the money raised, during the Spring Break of the teens’ senior year of high school, they converged on San Miguel de Allende last week to help build the house that they had paid for and to meet the family whose lives they are changing: mother Hermelinda Ramírez Pastor and her three children, Guadalupe, Christian, and Ramiro.
“To meet them,” said student Rhesa Hicks, “and see the impact of my work on others’ lives was a blessing. I hope more people see this organization and are encouraged to help in any way they can.”
“I liked being part of a group where everyone wanted to help,” noted Jayen Whittle, “even the family who was receiving the house. Whatever needed to be done, everyone pitched in.”
How it’s possible for volunteers to help build Casita Linda homes
The team hard at work, coached by Casita Linda’s professional construction workers.
Volunteers are able to construct the walls of Casita Linda homes thanks to the use ofArmados Omega interlocking concrete blocks, which fit together almost like Lego and are the ingenious, eco-friendly invention of a husband-and-wife team of architects from Puebla, Jorge Capistrán and Sylvia Zambrano.
“As the granddaughter of two Latin American immigrants to the US, I have witnessed the struggles and sacrifices my family made to build a better life. Casita Linda gave me the opportunity to serve families like mine, and to help bridge communities internationally. It is my hope that others feel encouraged to do the same,” said Alexis White.
“On our first visit, we painted a Casita Linda house — purple, which seemed an interesting choice,” mused Sameer Whittle. “But when the mom told us she had always dreamed of living in a purple house, I realized it was the perfect color and just how important every step of the Casita Linda process is. That experience inspired us to fundraise. When we arrived at the building site this time, I could see the excitement in the family’s eyes, how much they wanted this opportunity to live more securely and improve their quality of life, which inspired us to work harder.”
These teens worked very hard, and I never heard a complaint from them about the heat, the dust — or where else they might have spent their final high school Spring Break. If that doesn’t give you hope for the next generation, what would?
And they aren’t the first teens to do this. Previously, Karina Knizek, the daughter of other Stanford friends of mine and a high school senior at the time, led a group of students from Holton-Arms School and St. Albans School in Washington, DC, who also raised the entire amount needed to build a “casita linda” and traveled to Mexico to help construct the home. And Colin Kitzman, son of former Casita Linda volunteer coordinator Tracey Kitzman, will bring his third team from the Loyola School in New York City to San Miguel this summer!
“As parents,” noted Annik Whittle, “you look for opportunities to raise awareness in your children and instill a sense of civic duty as a global citizen. This was one of those special opportunities where we received as much, if not more, than we gave. My kids learned that fundraising takes time and a strong connection to the people or cause, I learned how my kids think about social media and online fundraising, and together we achieved our goals. The experience we had building, in the community and with the community, brought everything together. We left with full hearts and vivid memories.”
Similarly, companies such as Momentum Factor of Austin, TX, have also donated the cost of a house and brought their employees to San Miguel to build as part of an executive team-building retreat. If you are interested in supporting Casita Linda in this way or would like more information, visitcasitalinda.org.
Based in San Miguel de Allende, Ann Marie Jackson is a writer and NGO leader who previously worked for the U.S. Department of State. Her award-winning novel “The Broken Hummingbird,” which is set in San Miguel de Allende, came out in October 2023. Ann Marie can be reached through her website, annmariejacksonauthor.com.
Mexico's economy beat the odds to acheive 1% month-over-month growth in February. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico experienced economic growth of 1% in February compared to January, according to data released by national statistics agency INEGI, ending two months of negative growth that contributed to fears of recession.
INEGI’s data indicates a mixed performance for Mexico’s economy, with month-on-month growth — led by 2.9% increase in industrial production — offset by year-on-year contraction.
Surpassing analysts’ expectations of 0.6% growth, INEGI’s global economic activity index (IGAE) indicated 1% month-on-month growth. However, compared to the same month last year the Mexican economy shrank 0.7% in real terms, IGAE data showed.
Still, the 1% growth compared to January was Mexico’s best month-on-month performance since April 2023 when INEGI reported 1.7% growth.
While construction (2.8%) and manufacturing (2.9%) grew month-on-month, growth was less positive year-on-year — construction up just 0.5%; manufacturing up 1.8%.
As tariffs took effect in February, Mexican exports fell. (Shutterstock)
The impact can be seen in the three-month moving average of exports, an indicator that calculates the average value of exports over a specific period. It helps smooth out short-term fluctuations and highlight underlying trends.
Mexico’s three-month moving average of total exports fell 0.8% in February, according to data compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The manufacturing sector, which accounts for a large share of exports, declined 0.6%, and oil exports fell 5.7%.
At the same time, the three-month moving average of Mexico’s industrial production, which includes oil and gas extraction in addition to construction and manufacturing, ticked up a mere 0.1% in February after contracting 0.7% in January.
INEGI reported that primary activities including fishing, stock-raising and agriculture advanced 1% month-on-month, but were down 4.3% year-on-year.
Tertiary activities, or the service sector, experienced 0.6% growth as compared to January 2025 and was up 1% over February 2024, led by recreational, cultural and sporting activities which grew by 5.4%. Professional, scientific and technical services climbed 4.1%.
The hospital is scheduled to be completed in early 2028. (Christus Muguerza/Facebook)
Christus Health broke ground Tuesday on its 2 billion-peso (US $100 million) Christus Muguerza hospital in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, which it expects to be operational in the first half of 2028.
Christus Health is an international not-for-profit health system based in Texas. Christus Muguerza was established in Mexico in 2001 following the merger of Christus Health and Muguerza Hospital, from Monterrey.
“We are thrilled to expand our presence in Mexico and provide world-class health care services to Cabo San Lucas, a region that attracts nearly 4 million visitors a year,” Christus Health president and CEO Ernie Sadau said in a statement.
“We will invest more than US $100 million in this hospital, which will contribute to the region’s health services with healthcare professionals capable of treating highly complex cases.”
The 23,671-square-meter hospital will initially have 72 beds, 44 medical offices, four emergency rooms and three operating rooms.
It will house almost 30 medical specialties including cardiology, oncology, gynecology, emergency care, family medicine, pediatrics and neurosurgery, as well as specialized clinics such as a breast clinic. Christus Health expects to employ 250 clinicians, specialists and other staff at the facility.
Christus Muguerza Los Cabos will serve the region’s more than 350,000 inhabitants, including 23,000 U.S. citizens who live in the area, as well as tourists.
“The patient and their family are always at the center of our approach and our work,” said Horacio Garza Ghio, the CEO of Christus Muguerza. “We provide humanized services, emphasizing compassionate care, seeking not only physical health but also emotional and spiritual health.”
The Fernando Romero Enterprise firm, which is led by architect Fernando Romero — son-in-law of Mexican businessman Carlos Slim — designed the hospital.
“In collaboration with the health system, in recent months we have been working on the development of the layout to ensure it is the best hospital in the state, with the best technology, without sacrificing efficiency and functionality to provide the best service to the community,” Romero said.
The company plans to incorporate advanced technologies into the hospital, including a virtual assistant for obstetric nursing, algorithms for post-surgical pain prediction and control, and artificial intelligence for chest and breast imaging analysis, according to Christus Health.
