Can growth and sustainability coexist in Puerto Vallarta?

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August 17, 2025

Men working on a construction site — Puerto Vallarta continues to expand at a prodigious pace. Can it stay sustainable in the process, or does it risk damaging it's delicate surroundings? (Ryan Donner)

On a calm morning in Puerto Vallarta, fishermen still cast their nets along the Bay of Banderas as humpback whales breach offshore. But behind the postcard views, cranes loom over new condominium towers and bulldozers reshape once-fertile farmland. The city’s rapid growth is undeniable, and with the airport’s expansion well underway and ready for opening in 2026, there are no signs of slowing down. The questions about whether or not Puerto Vallarta’s beauty can be sustained without losing what makes the region extraordinary is top of mind for local environmentalists and residents.

“Puerto Vallarta remains a remarkable destination with the mountains and ocean,” says Astrid Frisch Jordan, operations manager at Ecotours Vallarta. “But over the past decade, growth has accelerated dramatically. Without regulations to preserve certain areas, it will become increasingly difficult to protect the environment and peoples’ way of life.”

Monkey Mountain summit — Looking out over the Bay of Banderas, it might seem strange to think the region is at risk from poor infrastructure and rapid development. (Nuevo Vallarta Tours)

For Frisch and her partner, Karel Beets, founder of Ecotours Vallarta, the challenge lies not only in the pace of development but in how evenly the city’s infrastructure has kept up.

“Cities don’t always expand in step with critical services such as water supply, electricity, and sewage treatment,” Beets notes.

The surge in vacation rentals, new residents, and seasonal tourism places unpredictable pressure on those systems.

“Much of the growth is driven by a floating population,” Frisch says. “At certain times of the year we are at capacity, while others it’s less intense.”

Puerto Vallarta’s leaders are aware of the stakes. This month, local business leaders from the Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas Business Association met with municipal officials to review the city’s new Territorial Planning Plan, a guiding document designed to manage urban growth and safeguard the city’s appeal as a top tourist destination.

The meeting addressed many of the concerns raised by Frisch and Beets: ensuring reliable water supplies, upgrading sewage and drainage systems, expanding recycling and waste collection, and aligning development with river drainage patterns to protect coastal waters. Officials also presented proposals for green corridors, tree-planting initiatives, and pollution monitoring.

The challenges aren’t just anecdotal. A 2023 study, “Towards a Smart Tourist Destination: Improving Quality of Life in Puerto Vallarta” in the International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, found that the Puerto Vallarta Metropolitan Zone, spanning two states and three municipalities, remains at a basic level in several areas critical to sustainable tourism.

A new development overlook the city. (Wonderlane/Flickr)

The research, which surveyed residents, tourists, and government representatives, revealed that governance and inclusion are the most significant weaknesses. Locals reported poor coordination between government, businesses, and society, as well as limited participation in decision-making. Tourists noted the lack of integration of local communities into tourism activities and the presence of segregated areas.

The research emphasized that sustainable development is a pressing need, particularly in managing environmental limitations and natural resources responsibly. The ICT (Information and Communication Technology) infrastructure for tourism information is underdeveloped, limiting both visitor experiences and community engagement.

The study recommended strengthening governance frameworks, improving ICT access, ensuring inclusive tourism benefits, adopting sustainable territorial planning, and prioritizing environmental preservation.

Beyond urban planning, Ecotours Vallarta sees the environmental impact firsthand. More people on the beaches, in the ocean, and the surrounding mountains means more pressure on the wildlife that draws visitors in the first place.

“We are at a critical moment in terms of protecting this place,” Frisch says. “Wildlife is one of our greatest assets, but it is under increasing pressure. Development is outpacing infrastructure and regulation, yet we, along with the government and the community, are working to keep up, because people want this destination to remain sustainable.”

Ecotours incorporates conservation into its business model by offering small-group tours led by biologists and partnering with organizations such as the Boca de Tomates Turtle Camp and Ecologia y Conservacion de Ballenas. Guests contribute directly through donations and activities, from releasing turtle hatchlings to assisting in whale research.

For Frisch and Beets, sustainability is not solely the responsibility of the city. Travelers themselves play a decisive role.

Tourists flock to Puerto Vallarta for it’s nature, including whale watching. (Explora Vallarta)

“Visitors have more influence than they may realize,” said Frisch. “Mexicans are naturally welcoming, and we aim to make people happy. Sometimes operators will bend the rules to please guests, but it can work in the opposite direction, too. If a tourist says, ‘I’d prefer not to use a plastic straw,’ or during whale watching, ‘We seem to be too close to the animals,’ that feedback has real impact.”

They encourage travelers to seek out operators who follow environmental regulations, research local rules before booking activities, and choose experiences that prioritize ecological integrity over convenience.

“Avoiding single-use plastics is an important step, but it’s equally important to understand why,” said Beets.

Astrid shares an anecdote about requests for jet ski operators to decorate their vehicles with balloons for guests for celebratory events like proposals or birthdays. “It looks good for the photo, but few people realize that balloons can be fatal to marine life.”

In 2024, Luis Ernesto Munguía González was elected mayor under the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico, signaling official recognition that unchecked development must be mitigated. His administration has emphasized environmental priorities, but reception has been mixed. Supporters praise his commitment to sustainability on paper, while critics question the effectiveness and enforcement of his policies amid relentless construction and tourism growth.

The Territorial Planning Plan, currently under discussion, along with calls from academics, conservationists, and business leaders, offers an opportunity to guide Puerto Vallarta toward a more sustainable future. The challenge is coordinating across multiple jurisdictions to set clear regulations, invest in infrastructure, and educate both residents and visitors.

For Ecotours Vallarta, the way forward depends on preserving the bay’s natural treasures. “We are at our limit,” Frisch warns. “We could lose the very qualities that make this place special. Achieving balance is the only way to ensure that this bay remains the paradise it is.”

And while the cranes continue to swing and the tides continue to roll in, the central question remains: can Puerto Vallarta continue to grow without eroding its essence? For now, the answer will depend on the collective choices of policymakers, business leaders, residents, and travelers, all of whom hold a stake in protecting the bay.

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 Inquisition in Mexico was cruel, but misunderstood

By

Bob Pateman

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August 17, 2025

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In 1478, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella welcomed a group of officials to Seville. These were the first inquisidores, appointed by Pope Sixtus IV and entrusted with saving the soul of Spain. The Inquisition was an organised body, led by a bishop, with a written code and the belief that God was on its side. The physical battle, the expulsion of Muslims who had occupied much of the country for seven hundred years, had been more or less won by this point, and the church could now concentrate on saving souls. To put it simply, the Spanish Inquisition was an institution for promoting religious conformity. By identifying and removing non-believers, it would both save misguided individuals from hell and the country from ruin. The inquisition was, from the beginning, an anti-Semitic body, for its original target was Jews who had converted to Christianity under financial and political pressure, but who were believed to follow their old religion in secrecy.

The Inquisition began approximately 15 years before Columbus reached the Americas and forty years before the first Spanish ships landed in Mexico. Once he had established himself in Mexico City, Hernán Cortés had no desire to be burdened with high-ranking church officials. The need, as he saw it, was for priests who could convert the native population, not arrogant bishops to interfere with the running of this immense land. Without high church officials, there could be no inquisition, but there was still sin to be rooted out, and as early as 1522, church officials tried a native man for keeping concubines.

The Palace of the Inquisition still stands in Mexico City today. (Leigh Thelmadatter)

How the Inquisition started in Mexico

As the years passed, officials in Spain started to worry about the growing number of their countrymen and women living 9,000 kilometers from the careful eye of the Catholic Church. Might Catholics fleeing heretic crimes in Spain take refuge in the colony? Could those who came out to America as good Catholics be corrupted by local customs, including, it was feared, taking on elements of voodoo from the African community? As trade between the Americas and Spain increased, the focus returned to the Jewish community. Many Jewish people in Spain had taken exile in Portugal. Generally, those who fled had both sufficient funds to relocate and sufficient devotion to continue following their religion. While their new Portuguese home was initially welcoming, they were still cut off from careers in the army or government, so many turned to trade, which was increasingly focused on the Americas.

As the colony in Mexico expanded, the Franciscan missionary Martín de Valencia was the first person to be given limited inquisitional powers. This was in 1524, and the original Conquistadors were still powerful men. Valencia appears to have upset some of them, likely by interfering in civil and criminal matters. He did not have the office, the staff, or the full blessing of Spain and was removed from office. In 1528, the role fell to Fray Vicente de Santa Maria. Having already made a brief visit to Mexico, Santa Maria returned with the title Vicar General, but he was removed from office in 1528. The burning of a blacksmith and a trader, both men accused of worshipping Judaism in secret, was seen as too fanatical. Additionally, the arrival of Juan de Zumárraga as the first Bishop of Mexico had made his position redundant.

In 1536, the Inquisitor General in Seville formally named the Mexican Bishop as Apostolic Inquisitor. Zumárraga was well qualified for his new responsibilities, having been one of the judges who had hunted down witches in the Basque province. He recruited staff, located a jail, and arranged a parade through the streets of Mexico City to celebrate the establishment of a formal, Spanish-blessed Inquisition. This was not universally popular, and two musicians who refused to play at the event received fines.

The Inquisition and Mexico’s Indigenous peoples

History records a few of the cases that the new body dealt with. There was the punishment of a fraudulent priest and, most notoriously, the trial of the Indigenous leader Don Carlos of Texcoco. Don Carlos was descended from the legendary pre-Hispanic leaders of Texcoco, and although he was accused of bigamy and idolatry, his burning at the stake in 1539 might well have had the political motive of crushing native opposition. Indeed, this was one of a series of 16 inquisitional trials conducted by Juan de Zumárraga that involved Indigenous leaders.

One case from this period is particularly well documented. In 2016, a London auction house offered a manuscript at an estimated price of US $1,500. The item in question was identified as a replica of the diary kept by Luis de Carvajal, a victim of the Inquisition who had kept a secret journal while imprisoned between 1595 and 1596. The original manuscript had vanished from Mexico’s National Archives in 1932 and was believed to have been stolen. Experts were called in for inspection, and the diary in the hands of the auction house was declared original. Historians, who usually worked with dull court documents, now had a personal account of the Inquisition’s work.

Carvajal came to Mexico in 1580 as a child. His family made money from slavery, and his uncle was the governor of Nuevo León. Both Carvajals, elder and younger, made enemies and were denounced. The younger Carvajal was first arrested in 1589 and was tortured until he revealed the names of over a hundred fellow Jewish people, including his mother. Written in tiny handwriting, his diary recalls how he fell to his knees upon hearing his mother’s tortured screams from the cell next door, where she was being pulled on the rack.

The arrival of the Inquisitor General

The Spanish presence in Mexico was expanding, with churches and monasteries being established around the country. As a result, many minor officials in the regions claimed the authority of an Inquisitor, albeit without training, supervision or any understanding of the Inquisition’s ways. For example, during the 1560s, church officials in Oaxaca and the Yucatán were quick to resort to torturing natives. In Toluca, there was a high-profile case when Francisco de Tejera was accused of practising Judaism. He was given 300 lashes and had his tongue mutilated. Protesters against such treatment boycotted Mexico City and sent petitions directly to Spain’s Royal Court. So in 1569, Philip II bowed to pressure and sent Inquisitor Generals to both Peru and Mexico.

Pedro Moya de Contreras was the first man to take the high title of Inquisitor General of Mexico. He had experience, having held a similar position in the Spanish city of Murcia, and he traveled with a staff that included a deputy, a fiscal, and a notary. The Inquisition in Mexico had transformed from a court that operated with the blessing of Spain, but recruited locally, to a Spanish-trained and appointed bureaucracy, backed by the full authority of church and monarchy. The Inquisitors arrived in Mexico in November 1571.

Once there, they worked quickly. A mass was called in the Cathedral, with all Spaniards living in Mexico City ordered to attend. Here, they were instructed to support the Inquisition’s work. The Inquisition was not a secret society, but worked publicly. Campaigns always began with an Edict of Grace, a period during which people could confess to whatever sins they thought they might have committed in return for a lighter punishment. In Spain, this period of grace was usually 30 or 40 days. Pedro Moya de Contreras gave the people of Mexico City just six days to confess their sins.

How the Inquisition in Mexico operated

The Inquisition was open to hearing denunciations, and it was a crime not to report offences of which you were aware. The Inquisition would then work to build a case, which might be followed by arrest and seizure of property. Arrest was by no means a certainty, and many cases were dismissed due to lack of evidence. Within eight days, a general interview would be held, mainly to gauge the accused’s character. A second trial followed, during which the charges were read.

The Inquisition believed in saving souls and, therefore, a confession was seen as all-important. There were generally two routes to this. A second prisoner might be inserted into the prison cell to befriend the suspect and get them to confess. In serious cases, where the defendant was proving stubborn, torture might be used. The rack or water torture, for instance, or a rope placed around the entire arm and slowly tightened. Now came the first sentencing. This was always harsh, in the hope it would finally bring a confession. If a confession was made, it might, even at this stage, be rewarded with a lesser sentence. However, any serious crime could still be punished by a lengthy term in prison, exile, fines, or banishment to a galley.

Capital punishment was generally reserved for those accused of the most serious crimes, but who were unrepentant. Death was usually by public burning at the stake, a ceremony known as the auto de fe. These executions were grand and ceremonial occasions, watched, as was the case with public hangings in Europe, by a large crowd. It was an opportunity for the church and the political powers to express their authority, and nobles, often including the Viceroy himself, would be in the decorated stands to witness the event. Staged on a Sunday, the accused were brought into the public square for a mass and a public reading of the charges. There was a last chance to repent, and although that would probably not save an accused’s life, they might be spared the flames and strangled instead.

The Mexican Inquisition changed over the years. Taking its lead from Spain, it expanded its role to cover not only heresy, but also Christian morals. These challenges were different in Mexico, where a far higher percentage of cases involved sexual offenses such as bigamy or homosexuality. Whether that was due to the crimes or the priority given to them by judges is uncertain. In Spain, there might be an occasional purge against witches, but the authorities slowly started to consider witchcraft as a superstition, rather than a serious threat to the church. In Mexico, witchcraft and sorcery thrived from the fusion of native, Spanish, and African traditions, and the Inquisition continued to take such charges seriously. The Inquisition in Mexico also cracked down on drugs, something not generally considered a problem in Spain. However, in Mexico, the use of hallucinogenic plants was linked to divination rituals and considered a form of heresy.

How the Inquisition in Mexico was misunderstood

Recent scholarship has argued that the Inquisition was no more brutal than any other court of that age. Torture was widely used in civil courts, and the Inquisition’s regulations imposed limits on the treatment of prisoners. Unlike in civil courts, torture was not permitted to “maim, mutilate, draw blood or cause any sort of permanent damage.” Instead, when possible, a doctor was present. By the standards of the age, these were quite remarkable concessions.

Indeed, as we have seen, people in Mexico had petitioned for a formal Inquisition to be established, as it was seen as a professional body guided and limited by its written laws. While there were no doubt elements of corruption, many of the Inquisition’s officials sincerely believed they were saving souls and wanted to achieve a confession by the quickest and easiest route. Torture was not undertaken lightly, and capital punishment even less so. While nobody would suggest the Inquisition was an enlightened body, it was probably more controlled and disciplined than other courts of the day.

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.

Taste of Mexico: Nance

By

María Meléndez

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August 16, 2025

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Nanche or nance fruit — A small powerful fruit with a strange smell? It must be time for our weekly Taste of Mexico masterclass. (Gamin Traveler)

In Mexican Spanish, “pelusear” is a colloquial gem that doesn’t translate neatly into English. It means “to look down on” or “to dismiss,” but always with a dash of mockery. You might use it after taking a nice bottle of wine to a friend’s dinner party, only to see their face twist in faint disappointment. “Me pelusearon mi vino,” you’d say — they ‘peluseared’ my wine.

Today’s subject is a fruit that inspires both devotion and derision. The nance — beloved by some, peluseado by others — is a small, yellow, cherry-sized fruit that could be mistaken for a miniature yellow plum. But its defining trait isn’t its appearance; it’s the pungent scent that precedes it. When nance season arrives, in markets across Guerrero, Morelos, Yucatán, and Oaxaca, you can follow your nose to the vendor’s stall long before you spot the fruit.

Mexican nance fruit — Meet the strange little fruit with a… powerful taste. (Veliya)

Nantzin Xocotl: The fruit of the gods

Native to Mexico, the nance once grew abundantly across the country and was a staple in the pre-Hispanic diet. In ancient myths and sacred texts — like the Popol Vuh, the Mayan book of creation — it appears alongside guava, tejocote, zapote, and capulín. For the them, it was quite literally food for the gods.

Among the Mexica (Aztecs), its Nahuatl name, nantzin xocotl, is thought to link it to the goddess Tonantzin — the Mother Goddess, associated with fertility, maternity, and protection.

Nance had a different name in every pre-hispanic culture: nanche, nance, huizaa, chi, mami-ñhaand changunga. This might seem trivial, but linguists will tell you that cultures tend to name only what matters to them.

The superfruit of the Conquista

Spanish chroniclers recorded that the nance was eaten for both pleasure and medicine. To pre-Hispanic folks, it cured fevers and digestive troubles: diarrhea, stomach aches and indigestion. Pregnant women took it to prevent miscarriages and ease labor. Women in general were advised to eat it to stave off infections and inflammation in the reproductive system.

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Modern science confirms much of this ancient knowledge. Nance is rich in compounds that help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. It’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and fever-reducing. And thanks to its dietary fiber, it’s a digestive powerhouse.

Then, why the peluseo?

Its smell. I used to think it was like a green olive on steroids—sharp and briny—until a friend casually mentioned it reminded him of cheese. Mature cheese. Now I can’t unthink it. The aroma starts out bitter, with a faint astringency, then slides into sweetness.

From May through late September, you’ll see piles of nance tucked among the mangoes and guavas at fruit stands. If you’ve never tasted one, ask your fruit seller for a single berry. And here’s the twist that will blow your mind and senses: the smell doesn’t always match the taste. Some nances lean toward that cheese note, others bloom into a peach-like sweetness.

Eating a nance is, without question, an experience. I still don’t know why there’s no popular saying like “Don’t judge a nance by its cheese smell.”

Ways to eat it

A jar of fruit compote — Curious to try some nance? Try making your own fruit compote! (Heavenly Home Cooking)

If you can handle bold aromas and flavors, eat nance raw for the full nutritional punch — heat diminishes its vitamin C and antioxidant content. In the south, where it’s common, people turn it into traditional sweets that mellow its scent and amplify its sugar.

One of my favorite preparations is nance compote: less sweet than jam, less cloying than candy, still wonderfully distinctive.

Sugar-free nance compote

Ingredients

• 1 kg ripe nance (deep yellow)

• 1 cup (250 ml) water

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2 cloves (optional)

• Natural sweetener to taste (stevia, honey, monk fruit)

Instructions

1. Wash and pit. Rinse thoroughly, remove impurities. Using gloves or a paper towel, press each fruit to extract the pulp and discard the seeds.

2. Initial cooking. In a medium pot, combine water, nance pulp, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.

3. Simmer. Reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pulp will release juice and thicken.

4. Add lemon and sweetener. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice (for brightness and as a natural preservative). Add sweetener gradually, tasting as you go.

5. Adjust consistency. For a thicker compote, return to low heat for another 5 minutes. It will set further as it cools.

6. Cool and store. Rest for 10 minutes, then transfer to sterilized glass jars. Seal and refrigerate.

Storage & Use

• Keeps up to 10 days in the fridge.

• Perfect with yogurt, whole-grain bread, or as a crepe filling. The flavor might even be perfect for glazing your favourite meat.

Friends, this is a fruit that resists easy love — its flavor is intense, its smell unforgettable — but I beg you, no pelusear al nanche. As my mother would say: how can you know if you like something if you’ve never tried it?

And if you have tried it — did it smell more like olives or cheese to you? I’m taking notes.

María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.

Mincho’s Law and dolphin experiences in Los Cabos

By

Chris Sands

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August 16, 2025

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A dolphin and it's trainer in a Los Cabos dolphinarium — After new legislation limited dolphin shows in Mexico, how is Los Cabos adapting marine displays? (Cabo Adventures)

On November 28, 2020, a then-30-year-old dolphin named Mincho was badly injured while performing for tourists at the Barceló Maya Grand Resort on the Riviera Maya. He leapt high into the air during a dolphinarium show but missed his landing spot in the pool, crashing headlong onto a concrete platform.

Mincho had been plagued by vision problems in one eye, which was a likely factor in the accident. Two days later, despite a veterinarian’s counsel for rest, Mincho was performing again. Five years later, in February 2025, a video of the incident finally leaked and quickly went viral, contributing to a groundswell of support for animal rights, in particular, wild animals forced into captivity to perform tricks for the amusement of people.

Mincho delfin del hotel Barcelo Riviera Maya

Watch this video on YouTube

By June, both Mexico’s Senate and its Chamber of Deputies had unanimously passed new legislation to tighten protections for captured marine mammals, and President Sheinbaum had helped prioritize its swift enactment into law on July 17. Known as Mincho’s Law, it contains several provisions, including bans on capturing more marine mammals for entertainment purposes or the captive breeding of those already in dolphinariums. Acrobatic demonstrations as part of commercial entertainment shows, such as the one in which Mincho was injured, are now illegal.

What have the effects of the law been so far in Los Cabos?

What remains to be seen is the long-term impact of this law on the estimated 30 dolphinariums still open in the country, and their 350 captive dolphins. As a resident of Los Cabos, I’ve been particularly interested in how the law is enforced here, given that dolphin experiences have long been one of the most popular local activities for visiting tourists.

For starters, there was a connection between the Mincho incident and Los Cabos. The dolphinarium closed due to Mincho’s injury (and the failure to report it) was owned by The Dolphin Company, which also owned Dolphin Discovery in Los Cabos before that business closed and the company behind it declared bankruptcy (perhaps not coincidentally, the same month video of Mincho’s accident went viral). Open for over a decade locally in San José del Cabo, Dolphin Discovery welcomed over 200,000 visitors.

That means the only dolphinariums of note still open in Los Cabos are owned by Cabo Adventures, which continues to offer experiences in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo (although no longer under its former Cabo Dolphins branding). On July 18, the day after Mincho’s Law went into effect, Cabo Adventures announced to its partners that it complied with the new law in all respects.

A dolphin being stroked by a handler in a los cabos dolphinarium — Currently, the number of dolphin shows in Baja California Sur has been limited by the new legislation. (Cabo Adventures)

How has Mincho’s Law changed dolphin experiences in Los Cabos?

The company that owns Cabo Adventures, The Adventures Group, also owns Vallarta Adventures and Cancun Adventures. On July 21, it released a statement on social media, noting that, due to the recent law, it would be making important adjustments to its dolphin experiences. “In place of the previous activities,” the release said in part, “you will now enjoy extended interaction time, more direct contact, and unique moments that will allow you to emotionally connect with these incredible creatures in a way that is both enriching and respectful.”

What does this mean in terms of available activities? The emphasis on one-on-one time with dolphins, rather than any of the dolphin acrobatics now prohibited, is a focus of the revised slate of activities at Cabo Adventures, which includes dolphin swims, experiences, and encounters. Educational briefings and sessions with experts on these marine mammals are also included in all tours. The company is also certified for the treatment and well-being of its dolphins by the American Humane Society, a certification received in 2019, before the enactment of Mincho’s Law.

What’s next based on the law’s compliance provisions?

Despite current compliance, there are still hurdles to clear for dolphinariums in Los Cabos and elsewhere in Mexico based on transition period provisions in the new law. For example, by 90 days from the implementation of Mincho’s Law on July 17, all dolphinariums must provide inventories to Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Included in these inventories are not only the age and sex of all the dolphins or other marine mammals they possess, but also microchip identification numbers, veterinary health histories of each dolphin, and information on their housing conditions.

Speaking of the latter, by 18 months after the law’s enactment, concrete pools must be removed and the dolphins relocated to sea pens. However, there is an alternative for dolphinariums where such a move is not technically feasible, which, by the way, must be demonstrated via engineering assessments. In these cases, the pumping in of circulated seawater may be permissible.

Meeting a dolphin. — It is hoped that the new measures introduced to protect dolphins in capitivity will result in better conditions for the animals. (Maya Kay)

This is to say that Mincho’s Law does have teeth. Dolphinariums that fail to meet these benchmarks may be subject to progressively increasing fines or have their licenses revoked and be permanently closed. However, for those who wanted to see these captive dolphins liberated, at least in cases where they might be successfully reintroduced into the wild, that seems unlikely, at least in dolphinariums committed to remaining in compliance with the new law.

Mincho’s Law is part of a larger movement

What is clear, though, is that there is a sea change taking place in Mexico regarding the exploitation of animals. In April, Baja California joined Michoacán and Nuevo León among states in Mexico that have legally recognized animals as sentient beings, with all the protections that implies. That followed a historic win for animal rights activists in March, when a law banning violence in bullfights was passed in Mexico City.

The law against using captive dolphins for entertainment rather than education or scientific purposes is just the latest example of this movement towards better treatment for animals. The closure of the dolphin facility where Mincho was injured and the 7.5 million peso fine against its operators were a step in the right direction, and the agency responsible for these actions, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), is planning to make regular inspections of all the nation’s dolphinariums in the future.

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.

We’re all hypocrites now: An opinionated look at the culture of celebrity and politics in Mexico

By

Sarah DeVries

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August 16, 2025

7

ben-stein-dT9aDwmRvso-unsplash (1) — Society has been pretty judgy lately. It's no different in Mexico's political arena. (Ben Stein/Unsplash)

Anyone can become famous these days, but the devastating part is that you don’t necessarily get to choose the reason why it happens. Cameras are everywhere and can be wielded by literally anyone. The internet and social media can amplify and spread stories like wildfire. These days, AI can even be used to create very convincing audio and video clips if someone’s motivated enough. It almost seems as if it doesn’t even matter if something really happened. It only matters if people believe it happened.

We humans are great at accusing and exposing each other, and really terrible at nuance and context. This is how we’ve always been, I’m pretty sure. But the tools we have available now ensure that we’re able to inflict maximum public humiliation. Which means everyone can have an opinion about your questionable behavior. This, I believe, is most people’s greatest fear. Not only being exposed, but also not being believed and misunderstood.

Former President López Obrador’s sons have not been immune from scandal. (Gobierno de Mexico)

A look at some recent scandals

My only comfort personally is that there are always more scandals on the horizon. Eventually (one hopes) our own sins will be forgotten.

Consider this context for the “scandal” around former President López Obrador’s sons. There’s the most recent case of Andrés Jr., of course, and a recent expensive trip to Japan. You might also remember a story a few years ago about another son, José Ramón, living in a million dollar house in Houston.

Well. I’ll admit, it’s not fantastic optics for a former president who prided himself on practicing austerity and obliging the rest of the government to do the same. I can only imagine his embarrassment at his sons being perceived as the “fifís” he so often jabbed at.

Perhaps it would have landed better if it hadn’t been Ricardo Anaya doing the accusing. I mean, shouldn’t the PAN be excited about people succeeding in business and earning money? Isn’t “fifí life” what they love? (Okay, I jest … sort of).

At least find something that’s illegal to accuse him of, and provide real evidence. Having money apart from your monthly salary is not illegal, nor is vacationing abroad. From what I could tell from a very basic search, this guy started a business before he was in politics, and is a partner in another. All in all, the accusation just seemed kind of pathetic, an attempt to win points that can’t otherwise be scored.

Now, I’m not saying that Morena is completely innocent. While many of its ideologies do indeed align with my own ethical views, I have few illusions about the institution of politics in Mexico. As well-intentioned as many people might be, “unpoisoning the water” is no overnight task. While I believe (and hope) that corruption and graft have been reduced, I’m not so naïve as to think it’s vanished just because a different party’s in charge.

PRI rally — Mexico’s opposition parties have been quick to seize on perceived scandal. (Instagram)

For example, many of the career PRI politicians simply switched parties when they saw which way the wind was blowing. Do I think they had a “come to Jesus” moment, immediately abandoning their former corrupt ways? I do not.

Do I think there’s been an improvement with the new “true believers” of the cause? I do. Letting perfect be the enemy of good is a waste of time.

A few suggestions for the way politics ought to be

All this said, I do have what I believe are some excellent ideas for governments both here and around to world to both prove their lack of corruption and improve services for their country.

First, let’s institute the following norm for all government officials: “What’s good enough for the country is good enough for me and my family.” This might keep folks like Anaya, for example, from having their own families live in the U.S.

What does this look like? It means using public services available to the average citizen instead of private ones, even if the latter are better. Got kids? Great! Show your faith in the public education system by sending them to public schools.

Need your appendix taken out? Head on over to your local public hospital. Need to get somewhere? Hop on a bus or the metro, my friend.

Baja California Sur bus — The world would be a better place if a few more politicians took public transportation. (File photo)

If nothing else, just imagine how dramatically and quickly these services would improve if politicians themselves had no choice but to utilize them. I mean, there really is no better way to show one’s integrity than by setting an example.

A call for transparency

Second, show your tax returns. This sort of transparency used to be popular in the U.S. But let’s take things a step further and make bank accounts public, too! Transparency is what builds trust, after all.

I mean, it’s nothing I would want to do. But I’m not trying to be in charge of a country.

Back to the issue at hand. We all behave badly sometimes. We are all hypocrites sometimes. There’s not a one of us who could have a video camera on us at all times and be viewed by the public as a good person all the time. That’s just human nature.

Who will cast the first stone?

Politicians are a different case, I know. It’s their job to be our public servants, and we don’t like to suspect them of making off with the metaphorical “good china.” But my goodness, I’d be happy if, instead of dismantling the institution of journalism on both sides of the border, we dedicated ourselves to supporting it in a way that meant the professionals could keep an eye out for these things. You know, so we don’t have to.

Besides, if we’re busy spying on Andy having breakfast at a fancy Tokyo hotel, when will we have time to gawk at Brittney’s Instagram account?

More importantly, how will we defend ourselves when the camera is inevitably turned on us?

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

The secret sauce that makes San Miguel special: A perspective from our CEO

By

Travis Bembenek

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August 16, 2025

27

The San Miguel de Allende skyline visible behind a green park full of trees — San Miguel de Allende has repeatedly won Best City in the World from Travel + Leisure, among other accolades. (Travis Bembenek)

People not from San Miguel de Allende tend to roll their eyes when they hear about the city winning yet another award for best place to live. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say, “Someone once again paid off the Travel + Leisure team.” Countless others shrug the city off with a “lots of old gringos, no thanks, not for me” type generalization. These kinds of reactions frustrate me as they are both misplaced and incorrect.

To begin with, less than 10% of the San Miguel population is foreign born. For some perspective, the entire United States is 16% foreign born and Canada is 22%. I recently wrote about how the actual foreign-born population in Mexico is still exceptionally small. Another trend here is a lot more families — both foreign and Mexican — with young kids. Mexicans from across the country and from across the economic spectrum are moving to SMA and the city is frequently packed with Mexican tourists.

Vendors in the streets of downtown San Miguel de Allende — Despite San Miguel’s reputation as a haven for retired foreigners, the town is often full of Mexican tourists and increasingly welcomes families of all backgrounds. (Jezael Melgoza/Unsplash)

To those that roll their eyes or assume nefarious actions each time the city wins another award, I challenge you — why not try to seek to understand what it is about SMA that is attracting so much praise and attention? Why not, instead of being so cynical, spend that energy trying to understand what might be the secret to SMA’s success? There might just be something that you are overlooking. Let me share my perspective on it.

After traveling to SMA for more than 20 years and now living here full time for 5-plus years, I think that I am increasingly figuring out the secret ingredient. It can be summed up in one simple sentence. I first heard this sentence from a fellow Argentine expat living here. He was providing counsel to a gringo friend who was complaining about things that needed attention in our neighborhood and in the city in general. After listening to his rant for a while, my Argentinian friend finally stopped him and said, “Amigo, I have an idea. Every time you are feeling frustrated about these things, why don’t you just say the following to yourself: “Ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community.”

It’s a very powerful statement and one that I am increasingly certain is the secret to what makes SMA so truly special. This town is filled with people who embrace exactly that mindset. It attracts people with that way of thinking and ultimately kicks out those that don’t. Another person here once told me, “SMA is a unique place. It pulls in a certain type of person very strongly and repels those that ‘don’t belong,’ with the latter quickly leaving.” Perhaps that is true of any place, but it feels to be the case even more so here. Let me give you just a few examples of what one finds everywhere here.

1. A local Mexican bakery chain here, Panio, donates their unused bread at the end of each day to the city’s street sweepers. I have never seen them advertise this, they don’t make a big deal out of it, they just do it. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do and the people they do it for are unsung heroes in the community.

2. An expat builder friend of mine from the United States is planning a large development outside of town. Before even breaking ground on the project, he began to make a significant positive impact in the community. Him and his wife quietly — I have never heard them promote this publically — started donating to a variety of local charities. One that helped fund water reuse and recycle projects for locals in the area. Another one that helps ensure that older people in the community are eating properly. Another that helps build small homes for families in need in rural areas. And yet another one that helps fund art projects created by locals with disabilities. Most of these donations are done very discreetly. I have asked him why they have been so active in giving here. His reply: “Because San Miguel is a very special place.”

3. A Mexican family — a neighbor of ours — that each week pays for someone to clean, trim, water the trees and generally beautify the arroyo (river) running through our neighborhood. They have never made a big deal about it, never asked anyone else to help pay for it, never even told anyone that they do it. I only found out because one day I asked the man doing the work, “Who pays you?!” and he explained to me. This family, who doesn’t even live full time in SMA, could easily sit back and complain that it is the municipality’s job to do it, but instead, they choose to just quietly get it done.

4. An American woman who has volunteered for years as president of the local library. A thankless job with no pay and long hours, but one that has helped allow local families to have access to books and classes on topics like computers, language and art. The library is also the hub of the expat community here. She obviously gets no pay, no stock options, no end of the year bonus, no fancy recognition — she just does it out of an understanding and passion for the importance of the library to the community.

5. An American expat friend who quietly supported a local bakery owner and his wife. The owners, upon experiencing initial success in their two-table establishment, decided to upgrade to a larger location. Given that the rent was much higher, they did not yet have the money to buy an automatic bread slicer. My friend, upon hearing this, gave them an interest-free loan that allowed him to get the slicer and begin offering this to their customers. They are paying my friend back little by little with credits, one purchase at a time, as he and his family make their usual purchases from the bakery.

6. The teamwork, commitment and dedication that I have observed from expat and local doctors working together to donate their skills and time to provide free medical care to those in the community in need. A truly beautiful display of selflessness with an incalculable impact on each patient and family. And they do their work diligently, professionally and quietly.

7. A Mexican colleague at MND whose family each year goes out to the local junkyard (the dump) during the holiday season and gives gifts to the children of the families that live and work there. Families that are in extremely difficult economic conditions, mostly unseen and unheard of, quietly working hard to get by. Yet another example of those who have the means unceremoniously helping those in need.

Americans making a positive impact in Mexico: Our CEO talks with Dr. Billy Andrews of Kids First Orthopaedics

I could go on and on with literally hundreds of examples. I am not saying that other communities don’t have this kind of spirit — of course most do. But there is something special about the people that choose to live in San Miguel. I am increasingly convinced that many of those that come here are wired to ask how they can make the community better instead of constantly complaining about what is not perfect. It is that active engagement, commitment, respect for each other and common sense of purpose that unites the entire community and makes it so special to those that live here. And best of all, it’s a contagious spirit that infects most everyone living here.

If you are already living in Mexico or considering coming here to live, I highly recommend embracing the words of wisdom of my Argentine neighbor: “Ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community.” I am certain that doing so will greatly enhance your experience living here, make an impact in your community and make you feel welcome by the locals.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

MND Tutor | Korean immigrants

By

MND Plus

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August 16, 2025

0

Welcome to MND Tutor! This interactive learning tool is designed to help you improve your Spanish by exploring real news articles from Mexico News Daily. Instead of just memorizing vocabulary lists or grammar rules, you’ll dive into authentic stories about Mexican culture, current events, and daily life… What better way to learn Spanish?

Mexico City is a melting pot of cultures, on a par with London, New York or Singapore. It’s no suprise then, that the capital has a thriving Korean community. In 1905, over 1,000 Koreans migrated to Mexico for farm work, facing harsh labor and broken promises. Blending with Maya communities, their traditions faded over generations. Known as Aenikkaeng, descendants are now reviving Korean heritage and identity, while the story of this unique diaspora slowly gains attention in modern Mexico

Learn about their story and history in Mexico, as you take this week’s subscriber-exclusive Spanish lesson.

To get started, choose your level of Spanish:

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Let us know how you did!

Gas stations run dry in several states as Pemex struggles with distribution

By

MND Staff

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August 15, 2025

4

pemex station at night — Whether it's due to an overall shortage or to distribution problems, motorists in several states, including Mexico City are finding it harder to find a gas station that can fill up their tanks. (Isabel Mateos/Cuartoscuro.com)

As Mexican motorists in several regions struggle to find gas stations able to fill up their tanks, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that the problem is distribution, not supply.

“There is not a shortage; we have gasoline,” Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference. “The issue is with transportation and we are resolving it.”

gasoline truck — Part of the supply problem may be traceable to a shortage of tanker trucks, due to maintenance issues that have sidelined a number of delivery vehicles. (Cuartoscuro.com)

The newspaper El Financiero reported that station owners in Mexico City, México state, the northern state of Nuevo León and the southern state of Chiapas have reported supply issues.

The state-owned oil company Pemex admitted that it was experiencing a shortage of tanker trucks, in part due to maintenance issues that have sidelined a number of delivery vehicles.

“Some of the deliveries were still being managed by the Defense Ministry and responsibility is being transferred to Pemex,” Sheinbaum said, adding that contracts with additional transport companies were still being finalized.

Retailers affiliated with Onexpo, the national confederation of gas station owners, told El Financiero that there appeared to be sufficient quantities of gas at Pemex’s storage and distribution terminals.

Onexpo vice president Fernando González described the logistical issues as “a temporary irregularity in delivery procedures.” He also said that roughly 5% of stations in the Valley of Mexico — comprising the greater Mexico City metropolitan area, México state and part of the state of Hidalgo — have been affected.

El Financiero said at least 42 stations in the industrial state of Nuevo León were without gasoline — about 5.6% of the total — and 27 stations in Chiapas are experiencing the same fate. More than 40 stations in the southern state had reported supply issues at the beginning of the week.

Residents of Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo León, complained about the inconvenience, with several posting on social media that at least five stations were closed — one for more than a week. The closures were forcing them to adjust routines — and use more gas — while looking for alternatives.

The situation in Chiapas was complicated by the midweek takeover of a distribution terminal by retired Pemex workers who complained that the company had money to buy more tanker trucks, but had failed to fulfill a promise to provide health care services to the retirees.

In a Thursday statement posted on social media, Pemex said it had taken steps to reinforce its delivery capabilities in the Valley of Mexico, while guaranteeing “a safe, efficient and continuous supply for customers.”

With reports from Proceso, Milenio and El Financiero

Quintana Roo fights crime and seaweed: Friday’s mañanera recapped

By

MND Staff

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August 15, 2025

2

Sheinbaum at the podium of her press conference — President Sheinbaum headed south for her last conference of the week, where she highlighted government efforts to reduce crime and manage sargassum seaweed along the Caribbean coast. (Presidencia)

President Claudia Sheinbaum held her Friday morning press conference in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, prior to traveling to Guatemala to meet with President Bernardo Arévalo.

“It will be a brief conference with a lot of information from Quintana Roo, because from here we’re going to Guatemala,” Sheinbaum told reporters.

“… And later, in the afternoon, we’ll return to Campeche, to Calakmul, because we’re going to have a trilateral meeting with the prime minister of Belize, the president of Guatemala and myself,” she said.

Homicides down in Quintana Roo since Sheinbaum took office

Marcela Figueroa Franco, head of the National Public Security System, presented data that showed that homicides in Quintana Roo have trended down since Sheinbaum took office last October.

She highlighted that there was an average of 0.77 homicides per day in the Caribbean coast state in July, a 61.3% reduction compared to last September, the final month of the six-year term of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Figueroa also highlighted that the murder rate in Quintana Roo in July was the lowest for that month of the year since 2017.

She presented data that showed that homicides have declined in Benito Juárez, the municipality that includes Cancún — the largest city in Quintana Roo and the state’s top tourism drawcard.

There was an average of 0.32 homicides per day in Benito Juárez last month, a reduction of 70.6% compared to July 2024.

More than 3,000 arrests in Quintana Roo since October

Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch began his presentation by thanking Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama for her “close coordination” on security issues.

He told reporters that 1,300 kilograms of illegal drugs have been seized in Quintana Roo since Sheinbaum was sworn in on Oct. 1.

In the same period, García Harfuch reported that authorities have arrested 3,258 people in Quintana Roo for high-impact crimes such as murder, extortion and kidnapping. He also said that almost 1,300 firearms have been seized.

The security minister noted that members of organized crime groups and over 200 extortionists are among the people who have been arrested in Quintana Roo in the past 10 months.

Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch smiles behind a podium as Sheinbaum and other politicians look on — Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said more than 3,000 people have been arrested for high-impact crimes in Quintana Roo since last October. (Presidencia)

“These results are possible thanks to the coordination between the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of the Navy, the National Guard, the Federal Attorney General’s Office, the state Attorney General’s Office, the government of Quintana Roo and its authorities,” García Harfuch said.

Governor says more than 8,000 new hotel rooms to open in Quintana Roo by 2027

Governor Lezama said that 19 “new accommodation centers” (hotels, resorts and the like) with 6,339 rooms opened in Quintana Roo in 2024 and the first half of 2025.

She said that between now and the end of 2027, 23 new “accommodation centers” with 8,353 rooms are projected to open.

Eleven hotels with more than 5,000 rooms will open before the end of 2025, Lezama said.

60,000 tonnes of sargassum removed from Caribbean Sea this year

Lezama noted that a fleet of more than 30 boats works to remove sargassum from the Caribbean Sea before it reaches the beaches of Quintana Roo.

“This capacity has allowed us to collect and dispose of more than 60,000 tonnes [of sargassum] so far this year,” she said.

Gone fishing for sargassum: Mexico’s agriculture ministry declares the seaweed a national resource

Lezama also said that state officials have met with businesspeople to “evaluate and develop up to 140 products derived from sargassum.”

Sargassum has already been used to make a variety of products including building materials, shoes and fertilizers.

The Mexican government recently declared declared sargassum a national fishing resource, and there are projects to transform the seaweed into biofuel.

Sheinbaum: ‘There is no fuel shortage’

During her Q&A session with reporters, Sheinbaum was asked about fuel shortages that have been reported this week in Mexico City and states including Nuevo León and Chiapas.

In fact, the president asserted, there is no shortage of fuel in the country.

“There is fuel,” she said, explaining that the problem is related to the transport of same to gas stations.

Sheinbaum said that the issue is being resolved.

‘The beaches belong to the people’

A reporter from Cozumel complained that the Caribbean island is “losing its public beaches” because access to them is being closed off. She asked the president whether her government would address the issue.

“We’re doing it in Nayarit, in Baja California Sur and we’ll be happy to work on it in Cozumel,” Sheinbaum said.

A white sand beach with turquoise water and condo towers in the Riviera Maya — Mexican law prohibits resorts and other coastal developments from privatizing beaches, but enforcement is spotty. (Fabio Fistarol/Unsplash)

“The beaches belong to the people, they’re national [assets] and there has to be access to the beaches for the people of Mexico. They can’t be privatized,” she said.

“In places where there is no [public] access to the beach, public access has to be opened up,” Sheinbaum said.

“And that is what we’re doing in different places and we’ll happily look [at the issue] in Cozumel,” she said.

Sheinbaum: ‘Mexico is in vogue and Quintana Roo is as well’

Asked again about the United States government’s new terrorism warnings for Mexico and the impact they could have on tourism, Sheinbaum highlighted that tourist numbers have increased this year, “despite any alert.”

The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Mexico on Tuesday, warning for the first time ever of the risk of terrorism south of the border. It remains to be seen whether the new advice will result in a drop in the number of U.S. tourists visiting Mexico.

Sheinbaum didn’t express any concern.

“Mexico is in vogue and Quintana Roo is as well,” she said.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

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How the Inquisition started in Mexico

The Inquisition and Mexico’s Indigenous peoples

The arrival of the Inquisitor General

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Nantzin Xocotl: The fruit of the gods

The superfruit of the Conquista

Then, why the peluseo?

Ways to eat it

Sugar-free nance compote

Ingredients

Instructions

Storage & Use

What have the effects of the law been so far in Los Cabos?

How has Mincho’s Law changed dolphin experiences in Los Cabos?

What’s next based on the law’s compliance provisions?

Mincho’s Law is part of a larger movement

A look at some recent scandals

A few suggestions for the way politics ought to be

A call for transparency

To get started, choose your level of Spanish:

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Homicides down in Quintana Roo since Sheinbaum took office

More than 3,000 arrests in Quintana Roo since October

Governor says more than 8,000 new hotel rooms to open in Quintana Roo by 2027

60,000 tonnes of sargassum removed from Caribbean Sea this year

Sheinbaum: ‘There is no fuel shortage’

‘The beaches belong to the people’

Sheinbaum: ‘Mexico is in vogue and Quintana Roo is as well’

🌵 Choose your level of Spanish