2024 was likely a record year for remittances to Mexico. (File photo)
Last year was most likely a record year for remittances to Mexico, with more than US $59 billion flowing into the country in the first 11 months of 2024.
The Bank of Mexico (Banxico) reported that Mexico received $59.518 billion in remittances between January and November 2024, a 2.9% increase to the same period of 2023.
The amount of money Mexicans living and working abroad have been sending to Mexico on an annual basis has been on the rise for more than a decade. While a new remittances record was almost certainly set in 2024, the pace of growth slowed after a 7.6% year-over-year increase in 2023.
The vast majority of remittances to Mexico are sent from the United States, where millions of Mexicans live and work. In 2023, 96% of remittances to Mexico came from the United States, “the majority from California and Texas,” according to the bank BBVA. Some of the money is the proceeds of drug trafficking, according to a 2023 report by a Mexican think tank.
The long-running increase in annual remittances totals could conceivably be broken in 2025 if United States President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his promise to carry out “the largest deportation operation in American history.”
Millions of Mexican immigrant live and work in the U.S., and many people send money to support family in Mexico. (Wikimedia Commons)
Average remittance amount increases more than 20% in 5 years
Banxico reported that almost 151 million individual remittances were sent to Mexico between January and November 2024. Just over 99% of that number were sent electronically.
The average remittance amount in the first 11 months of 2024 was US $395, a 21.5% increase compared to 2019.
A significant depreciation in the value of the Mexican peso in the second half of 2024 meant that recipients of remittances ended up with more pesos in their pockets.
Prior to Mexico’s 2024 general elections, the peso was trading at about 17 to the US dollar, meaning that a $395 remittance was worth 6,715 pesos. At the current USD:MXN exchange rate (around 20.4), that same remittance is worth 8,058 pesos.
Remittances surge 10% annually in November
Mexico had its best ever November for remittances, receiving a total of $5.43 billion.
That figure represented a 10.6% increase compared to November 2023, but a 5% decline compared to the previous month.
The average remittance sent to Mexico in November was $397, slightly higher than the average in the first 11 months of 2024.
Remittances sent from Mexico on the rise as well
Banxico said that remittances totaling US $1.19 billion were sent out of Mexico in the first 11 months of last year. That figure was 25% higher than the $957 million total recorded between January and November 2023.
An increasing number of foreigners are working in Mexico instead of — or before — attempting to migrate, legally or illegally, to the United States, a factor that helps explain the increase in outgoing remittances.
CORRECTION: The original version of this article said that almost 151,000 individual remittances were sent to Mexico between January and November 2024. In fact, almost 151 million separate remittances were sent.
"Emilia Pérez" has accumulated 62 awards and 151 nominations to date. (Emilia Pérez Film/X)
The Netflix production “Emilia Pérez” won in four categories at Sunday’s Golden Globe awards, including Best Film (Comedy or Musical), Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language), Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña) and Best Song (“El Mal”).
The musical crime comedy about a Mexican drug trafficker who transitions to womanhood and starts a new life was the most-nominated film at the U.S. awards ceremony, with 10 nominations.
Emilia Pérez Wins Best Picture – Musical/Comedy | 82nd Annual Golden Globes
“In these troubled times, I hope that ‘Emilia Pérez’ will be a beacon of light for those of us not lucky enough to count among their friends a woman as powerful and passionate as Karla Sofía Gascón,” French director Jacques Audiard said during his acceptance speech.
“Emilia Pérez” was inspired by a chapter in Boris Rason’s novel “Écoute.” It features the Mexican cartel boss Manitas, played by Spanish transgender actress Karla Sofía Gascón, on his journey to becoming a woman. To avoid detection in the criminal underworld, he kidnaps a lawyer, Rita (Zoé Saldaña), who is tasked with finding the right doctor to perform the surgeries needed for his transition.
How many prizes has “Emilia Pérez” won this awards season?
The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Jury Prize, and its four leads, including Mexican actress Adriana Paz, received a combined best actress award.
“Emilia Pérez” is also currently leading the Oscar shortlists in several categories including twice in Music (Original Song), International Feature Film, Sound, Makeup and Hairstyling and Original Score.
Several policy proposals made by President-elect Donald Trump — who takes office on Jan. 20 — could significantly roil the U.S.-Mexico relationship this year. (Canva)
The Belgium-based think tank International Crisis Group named a potential Mexico-United States clash one of its 10 Global Conflicts to Watch in 2025.
Joining Syria, Israel-Palestine, Ukraine and European security, Mexico and the U.S. could see serious conflict in 2025 over issues ranging from immigration, tariffs and drug cartels, according to the think tank.
Trump could use all the relationships and connections he built during his first term as president to help him achieve his goals of conducting mass deportations of immigrants and waging war on cartel leaders. (File photo/Andrea Hanks for the White House)
Although President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured Mexicans that bilateral relations with the United States will remain strong, several policy proposals made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump — who takes office on Jan. 20 — could significantly roil the relationship this year.
The issue that the Crisis Group has identified as the biggest potential source of conflict is the cross-border production and trafficking of the drug fentanyl, which is now the leading cause of death in the United States for people ages 18-45.
The incoming president’s candidate for national security advisor, Mike Waltz, previously supported legislation authorizing the use of force against these criminal organizations, saying “It’s time to go on offense. Not only are these paramilitary transnational criminal organizations responsible for killing an unprecedented number of Americans, but are actively undermining our sovereignty by destabilizing our border and waging war against U.S. law enforcement and the Mexican military.”
The issue that the Crisis Group has identified as the biggest potential source of conflict is the cross-border production and trafficking of the drug fentanyl. (FGR/Cuartoscuro)
The Crisis Group also cites growing support among members of the U.S. Republican party, which maintains a slim majority in both houses of Congress, “for unilateral military action — whether through airstrikes on fentanyl labs or special forces operations — to kill [cartel] leaders.”
It says that unilateral military action against cartels would almost certainly backfire, likely setting off turf wars. Instead of eliminating the cartels, fragmentation would occur, new leaders would emerge, and drug production would continue because fentanyl labs are low-tech and easily rebuilt.
Among other sources of conflict is a mass deportation program proposed by Trump that, if carried out, could see four million undocumented Mexicans returned to their home country. The Crisis Group says “This could trigger upheaval in parts of Mexico as poorer states struggle to assimilate returns.”
Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said in November that if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump makes good on a threat of a 25% tariff on Mexico, 400,000 U.S. jobs would be lost in the auto industry alone. (PX Media/Shutterstock)
Such a trade war could become an economic disaster and “[tank] relations between two countries interconnected by trade, investment and family ties,” the Crisis Group says, spelling disaster for both countries.
If the bilateral relationship becomes adversarial, “expect a bumpy ride,” the Crisis Group writes.
President Sheinbaum takes a selfie with supporters after delivering government pension cards to retirees in Hidalgo. (Presidencia)
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approval rating in December hit its highest level since she took office on Oct. 1, according to the results of an El Financiero newspaper poll.
Of 800 Mexican adults polled by El Financiero in mid- and late December, 78% said they approved of Sheinbaum’s performance as president.
The newspaper’s October and November polls detected approval ratings for Mexico’s first female president of 70% and 69%, respectively.
The increase in the president’s popularity in December coincided with a rise in the number of poll respondents who opined that the federal government is doing a good job managing the economy, combating corruption, addressing security problems and providing support for citizens (see below).
It also coincided with an increase in the number of those polled who rated Sheinbaum positively for her honesty, leadership and capacity to achieve results (also see below).
The percentage of El Financiero poll respondents who said they disapproved of Sheinbaum’s performance as president declined to 18% in December from 23% in November and 24% in October.
Since her inauguration on Oct. 1, President Sheinbaum’s approval rating started high and has continued to climb. (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)
The publication of the poll results on Monday comes ahead of Sheinbaum’s 100th day in office this Thursday, and two weeks before Donald Trump is sworn in as the United States’ 47th president.
Sheinbaum’s capacity to effectively manage Mexico’s relationship with the United States, and stand up for the country’s interests in the face of pressure that will likely be exerted by Trump, will no doubt have an impact on Mexicans’ perceptions of her performance as president this year.
More than one-third of Mexicans pleasantly surprised by Sheinbaum’s presidency
Just over four in 10 poll respondents — 42% — described the federal government under Sheinbaum’s leadership as “just as they expected,” while 36% said it had been “better than expected.”
Only 16% of those polled said that the government had been “worse than they expected.”
Sheinbaum an honest and capable leader, according to a strong majority
Exactly three-quarters of respondents rated Sheinbaum positively for her “honesty,” while 74% offered a “very good” or “good” assessment of her leadership. Two-thirds of those polled — 67% — rated her “capacity to achieve results” highly.
All of those percentages increased compared to both November and October.
Welfare programs a key to government’s popularity
Almost four in five respondents — 79% — said the government is doing a “very good” or “good” job in providing “social support” to Mexican citizens.
The Sheinbaum administration has continued all of the previous government’s popular welfare programs, and created new ones — a scholarship scheme for public school students and a pension program for women aged 60-64.
The percentage of poll respondents who viewed the government’s provision of social support in a positive light is nine points above the level recorded in both October and November.
Two-thirds of Mexicans happy with the government’s management of the economy
Although economic growth in Mexico slowed in 2024, 66% of poll respondents said that the federal government is doing a “very good” or “good” job managing the economy.
That figure was up 10 points compared to November and 22 points compared to October.
A key aim — and oft-repeated maxim — of the federal government is “shared prosperity,” i.e. an economy in which wealth is shared more equitably.
A minority of Mexicans satisfied with government’s efforts to combat insecurity and corruption
While the percentage of El Financiero poll respondents who said that the government is doing a “very good” or “good” job in reducing corruption, responding to public security challenges and combating organized crime increased in December compared to previous months, it remains low.
Three in 10 of those polled — exactly 30% — rated the government’s anti-corruption efforts positively, up from 21% in October and 28% in November. However, 55% of the 800 respondents said that the government is doing a “very bad” or “bad” job in tackling the scourge that has plagued Mexico for decades.
Sheinbaum has argued that the election of judges later this year will reduce corruption in Mexico’s judiciary. She has also portrayed the elimination of seven autonomous government agencies as an anti-corruption measure. However, many citizens evidently believe that more needs to be done to reduce corruption in Mexico.
However, violence remains a major problem in various parts of Mexico, and combating it will be a major challenge for the Sheinbaum administration in 2025.
Opinion on the government’s management of public security was split, with 42% of respondents approving and 42% disapproving. (SEMAR)
Just 23% of those polled by El Financiero in December said that the government is doing a “very good” or “good” job at combating organized crime in Mexico, an illicit — and lucrative — sector dominated by organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
While that figure is up from 16% in October and 19% in November, it is well below the 64% of poll respondents who said in December that the government is doing a “very bad” or “bad” job at combating organized crime.
Mexico’s biggest problem is …?
Almost seven in 10 of those polled — 68% — said that insecurity is Mexico’s “main problem.” El Financiero noted that that percentage is the highest in the past two years.
Corruption was identified as the country’s biggest problem by 10% of respondents, while the same percentage said that the economy and unemployment was the primary concern in Mexico.
El Financiero also asked respondents to offer an opinion on Sheinbaum’s morning press conference, known as mañaneras. Just over six in 10 of those polled — 62% — had a positive opinion of the weekday pressers, while 15% expressed dislike for them and 11% were neutral, saying they were “neither good nor bad.”
Twelve states will see temperatures drop below zero this week as a new cold front moves in from the Gulf of Mexico. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
Varied weather conditions are forecast across Mexico this week, ranging from temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius in the north to torrential rains in the southeast.
Starting Monday, cold front No. 21 will move inland from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing rain and lower temperatures to the eastern, central and southeastern regions of the country. In addition, a “Norte” event will cause high winds and waves along Mexico’s Gulf coast and peninsula, particularly the states of Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
🚨| Llega al país el nuevo frente frío y no llega solo ❄️🥶
Entra la segunda tormenta invernal🌨️, y junto con el frente frío 21, congelarán más de la mitad del territorio nacional ❄️.
Se esperan heladas, lluvias fuertes 🌧️con granizo y temperaturas bajo cero 🌡️. Afectando… pic.twitter.com/xoDBRRwAo9
The National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) and the National Meteorological Service (SMN) have warned residents in these areas to take preventive measures, especially in regions where severe conditions such as frost, heavy rain, strong winds and extreme heat are expected.
Weather forecast by region for Monday
Which regions of Mexico can expect to see the lowest temperatures?
Between -15 and -10 degrees Celsius: Mountainous areas of Chihuahua and Durango.
Between -10 and -5 degrees Celsius: Mountainous areas of Baja California, Sonora and Coahuila.
Between -5 and 0 degrees Celsius: Mountainous areas of Nuevo León, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Hidalgo, México state, Tlaxcala and Puebla.
Which states can expect to see the highest temperatures?
Between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius: Sinaloa, Michoacán, the coasts of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas.
Between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius: Nayarit, Jalisco, Morelos, Puebla (southwest), Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
A “Norte” event will cause high winds and waves along Mexico’s Gulf coast and peninsula this week. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
Which states can expect to see rainfall?
Heavy rainfall (50-75 millimeters): Puebla, Veracruz and Oaxaca.
Moderate rainfall (25-50 millimeters): Chiapas and Tabasco.
Weather authorities warn that rain may be accompanied by lightning and hail due to the “Norte” event impacting the Gulf.
Which states will see strong winds?
Gusts of 80 to 100 kilometers per hour: Tamaulipas, Veracruz and throughout the Isthmus and Gulf of Tehuantepec.
Gusts of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour: Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Durango, Zacatecas and Puebla, as well as Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo
The SMN predicts strong winds and rain to continue throughout Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico and Yucatán Peninsula.
Mexican coffee is some of the best in the world. Here are 10 regional offerings that are begging coffee lovers to take a sip. (Canva)
Mexico’s coffee is a reflection of its land. Each growing region — Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and beyond — brings its own character to the cup. High-altitude mountains, rich volcanic soil, and distinct climates create flavors that range from bright and floral to deep and chocolatey. The myriad types of Mexican coffee offer equally diverse flavors for connoisseurs to enjoy in every cup.
These coffees aren’t just beverages; they’re expressions of place, shaped by the people who grow and brew them. Here’s a look at some of the most iconic coffee traditions rooted in Mexico’s diverse regions.
1. Café de Olla (Nationwide)
(Canva)
Description: Café de Olla isn’t just coffee; it’s a potion of patience and practicality. Brewed in clay pots with piloncillo, unrefined cane sugar that smells like the holidays, and cinnamon that bites as gently as time.
Why It’s Popular: This isn’t a coffee for rushing. It forces you to slow down, to taste every note of the soil and sun where it grew. It’s the liquid equivalent of sitting on your grandmother’s porch, letting the world spin itself apart while you cling to the warmth of familiarity.
2. Lechero (Veracruz)
Description: The Lechero is theater masquerading as a drink. It starts with a modest splash of strong coffee in your glass. Then comes the milk, poured from a height that seems both absurd and elegant. The milk crashes into the coffee, creating the perfect foam.
Why It’s Popular: This one is my personal favorite. The ritual is half the charm. You don’t just drink a Lechero; you witness it, participate in it. It’s Veracruz in a cup — loud, dramatic, and impossibly smooth once you let it settle.
3. Café Pluma (Oaxaca)
(Canva)
Description: Café Pluma is grown at altitude. The beans come from the Sierra Sur region of Oaxaca, where clouds hover low and the coffee grows high. The resulting brew is smooth, nutty, and just acidic enough to remind you it’s alive.
Why It’s Popular: This is coffee for purists. No piloncillo, no milk, no distractions — just the unadulterated essence of what coffee is meant to be. It’s the taste of Oaxaca, complex and grounding, like the mountains it calls home.
4. Café Chiapaneco (Chiapas)
Description: Café Chiapaneco is like drinking sunlight filtered through leaves. Its beans, grown in the highlands of Chiapas, carry notes of fruit and flowers, a kind of sweetness that feels accidental yet deliberate.
Why It’s Popular: Chiapas is coffee royalty, and this brew proves why. It’s a favorite for those who believe coffee should taste like where it’s from, unapologetically and unmistakably. Every sip is a postcard from the mountains.
5. Café Turco (Puebla)
(Animal Gourmand)
Description: Café Turco is bold and unapologetic, much like the Lebanese immigrants who brought it to Puebla. Brewed in tiny pots with ground beans so fine they’re almost dust, it’s rich, spiced, and as thick as a good story.
Why It’s Popular: This isn’t coffee for the faint of heart. It’s strong enough to wake the dead or, at the very least, keep you up through the stories that only come out after midnight. It’s Puebla’s tribute to its multicultural soul.
6. Café con Piloncillo (Central Mexico)
Description: Café con Piloncillo is coffee’s answer to a hug. It’s brewed with unrefined sugar that tastes like molasses and smoke and sometimes hints of citrus. A touch of vanilla or cinnamon might sneak in, but only to accentuate, never to overpower.
Why It’s Popular: It’s the perfect balance of bitter and sweet, a drink that feels less like a choice and more like an inevitability. This coffee is comfort, plain and simple, meant to be savored on mornings when the world feels just a little too sharp.
7. Café Tabasqueño (Tabasco)
(Canva)
Description: Café Tabasqueño marries coffee and chocolate in a way that feels inevitable, like they were always meant to be together. It uses cacao grown in the same region, turning the drink into a rich, velvety celebration of Tabasco’s finest exports.
Why It’s Popular: It’s the kind of drink that makes you wonder why you ever drank coffee without chocolate. The bitterness of the coffee meets the sweetness of the cacao, creating a harmony that’s impossible to ignore. It’s Tabasco in a cup: bold, sweet, and unmistakably rich.
8. Café Potosino (San Luis Potosí)
Description: Café Potosino adds a twist of orange zest, giving the drink a brightness that feels unexpected yet welcome. Sometimes a splash of brandy sneaks in, like a wink you weren’t sure you saw.
Why It’s Popular: This is coffee for evenings, for conversations that stretch longer than they should. It’s the perfect blend of bitter and citrus, a drink that feels like a secret you’re let in on every time you take a sip.
Why It’s Popular: It’s impossible not to love. Sweet without being cloying, rich without being heavy — it’s the kind of coffee that feels like a treat but works as a bribe to get through the day.
Why It’s Popular: It’s not for everyone, and that’s part of the appeal. It’s coffee for adventurers, for people who don’t mind a little risk in their cup. It’s Chiapas at its boldest, daring you to take another sip.
StephenRandall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean. His recipes can also be found on YouTube.
Busy Chinatown, wine dinners and tarot nights are on Mexico City in January 2025. (Eneas/Wikimedia Commons)
After what seems like a lifetime of holiday festivities, even the city itself seems ready for a bit of calm. January in CDMX offers a handful of low-key events, like art installations and classic movies with a twist, for the first couple of weeks. As inhabitants regain their energy, so does the events calendar, and visitors can expect to end the month with a bang attending festivals celebrating the Lunar New Year and Frida Kahlo’s colorful life.
Mojigangas: Gigantes de la tradición
Mojigangas are towering, traditional puppets made of papier-mache. (Nettie Atkisson/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Pop down to charming Coyoacan’s National Museum of Popular Cultures and immerse into one of Mexico’s most creative traditions. The latest exhibit showcases mojigangas, towering puppets made of papier-mache which reach heights of 6 to 18 feet. The colorful artisanal creations hail from various Mexican states, and are constructed to reflect historical, religious and contemporary themes. Usually found in weddings or festivals, some believe mojigangas possess the power to attract good fortune and ward off negative energies. Is there a better way to start the new year?
This fascinating exhibition features six sound installations by French artist Félix Blume, exploring natural and urban murmurs, a sensory experience that encourages visitors to pause and listen. Blume has worked in various corners of Latin America, including Mexico, where he recorded “Los Gritos de Mexico.” This delightful and recognizable Mexico City soundscape won Blume the Pierre Schaffer Prize in 2015.
Dates: Now through Feb. 16 Location: Laboratorio Arte Alameda, Historic Center, Cuauhtémoc Cost:45 pesos per person
Titanic Sinfónico
If your heart goes on and on for Jack and Rose of James Cameron’s wildly successful box office smash “Titanic” you’re in luck. You’ve got four opportunities to relive this cinema classic, this time with a unique twist. The City Symphony Orchestra will intensify this emotional drama with live music performances that coincide with the unforgettable story.
On January 2025, Mexico City will light up with the Wood Snake Chinese New Year festival at Cenart, the National Center for the Arts (Centro Nacional de las Artes)
Dive into the year of the Wood Snake at 2025’s Chinese New Year festival at the National Center for the Arts (Cenart). The Wood Snake is all about making plans, solving problems and acting strategically, and there’s no better way to get started than with traditional Chinese dance, music and shadow theater performances. Alongside kung fu demonstrations will be cosplay presentations, authentic Chinese cuisine and workshops that highlight cultural insights.
Dates: Jan. 25, 2025 Location: Centro Nacional de las Artes, Churubusco Country Club, Coyoacán Cost: Free to enter
Frida Kahlo: La Vida de un Ícono
After an international journey and over 3 million spectators, this immersive 90-minute experience can be enjoyed in January in Mexico City. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Frida Kahlo’s life has captivated art lovers and Mexiphiles for generations. Finally, after an international journey and over 3 million spectators, this immersive 90-minute experience can be enjoyed in Mexico City. Immersive projections, digital photo compositions, original films and unique music blend to showcase her life’s most vivid moments.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a steaming, fragrant tamale, bursting with flavor — and it’s 100% plant-based. Welcome to the 10th annual Feria del Tamal Vegano, where tradition meets innovation in the heart of Mexico City! The event will feature over 50 exhibitors, offering a wide variety of vegan tamales, atoles and other corn-derived products. Visitors can expect to enjoy live music, workshops and activities related to the history of corn during this three-day festival.
Dates: Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 Location: Historic Center, Cuauhtémoc (exact location TBD) Cost: Free to enter
Wine, Whispers and Tarot Wonders: A Vinofy Tasting
(Vinofy)
Are you currently in the midst of a formidable search for an event that combines networking, fortune-telling and alcohol? Then you’d better secure your spot at Y Casita de Yayem’s enchanting evening of mysticism, socialization and relaxation. Enjoy three exquisite wines while a tarot reader unveils your destiny. This is a great chance to network in a casual setting, whether you’re looking for clients or friends, or perhaps a romantic date. Vinofy members get an extra swig.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.
Discover what was on point, what missed the mark, and what’s still too soon to call. In this episode of our subscriber-exclusive podcast, we’ll highlight the key trends shaping Mexico’s future and reflect on the lessons learned.
This podcast was produced using AI tools. All information collected and discussed in this episode was investigated, written and edited by human journalists. Compiled from a Mexico News Daily article by Travis Bembenek. Edited by Rose Eglhoff. Podcast produced by Chris Havler-Barrett.
As always, Puerto Vallarta sees in the new year with a smorgasbord of diverse events and parties. (David Ríos/Pexels)
New Year’s Eve is the ultimate party in Puerto Vallarta. But even after the calendar shifts and the confetti clears, PV is still buzzing with plenty to do throughout the month of January.
For those in the know, the real star of the month is Bear Week, an annual celebration of inclusivity, parties and fun that roars into town at the end of the month. But before the bears descend, the lively city offers a smorgasbord of events that keep locals and visitors entertained all month. From chocolate workshops to Broadway-style cabarets, here’s your insider’s guide to everything happening this January in PV.
January 4
(Chocomuseo)
Kick off the year with some hands-on indulgence at the Bean to Bar Workshop at the ChocoMuseo. This isn’t your average chocolate factory tour: this interactive class lets you dive into the alchemy of cacao, creating your own chocolate bar and sipping on Mexican chocolate drinks.
For those looking to spice things up with a little sass, head to Hedda Lettuce’s World Famous Bingo at La Catrina Cantina. This Saturday afternoon extravaganza combines campy humor, unlimited bingo games for just 300 pesos and a generous dash of philanthropy, as part of the proceeds go to RISE Puerto Vallarta. Expect laughs, a lively crowd and double entendres.
If you’re feeling artsy, swing by the Museo de Arte VallARTa for First Saturdays at the Museo. Free entry, local wine and beer for sale and a chance to soak in Puerto Vallarta’s creative scene — it’s a fun evening all around.
January 5
(La Catrina Cantina)
Sunday in PV means one thing: Sunday Funday with Karma La Perra at La Catrina Cantina. Think drag performances, sultry strippers and a live saxophone show. Pair the entertainment with their infamous Taco Burger, and you’ve got a party that buzzes into Monday.
For those with a flair for Broadway, Evita Loca’s Broadway Bender at The Palm Cabaret is the must-see show of the evening. This queen’s powerhouse vocals and pitch-perfect impersonations of Broadway’s leading ladies will have you belting along and wishing for an encore.
January 7
(Jen Theodore/Unsplash)
Tuesdays take on a mystical twist at Tarot and Tea in the Living Room Bookstore. Whether you’re searching for clarity, curious about your future or just need a cozy spot to sip tea while chatting about fate, this is the perfect midweek escape.
January 10-11
In the Festival of Cacao and Vanilla at the Botanical Gardens, visitors can sample artisanal chocolates and vanilla-infused treats. (Tripadvisor)
To Adele: The Tribute at Teatro Vallarta promises an evening of goosebumps and sing-alongs. Gloria Fiona channels the British queen of ballads with breathtaking vocals and an 11-piece band. From the intimate vibe of “Someone Like You” to the powerhouse anthem “Rolling in the Deep,” it’s a night Adele fans won’t want to miss.
The next day, immerse yourself in the Festival of Cacao and Vanilla at the Botanical Gardens. Sample artisanal chocolates and vanilla-infused treats, watch cooking demonstrations and enjoy live music amid lush greenery.
Also on Jan. 11, dance your way into the evening with Free Salsa Lessons at La Catrina Cantina. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or have two left feet, this lively class is the perfect way to add some Latin flair to your night.
January 14-15
If you’re looking to enhance your Spanish skills, do not hesitate to join the basic classes in Zona Romántica. (Zeroslashed/Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)
Comedic dynamo Gouda Gabor takes center stage at Nacho Daddy for Come Blow Your Horn, an open mic night brimming with laughter and surprises. Whether you’re a performer or just in it for the fun, it’s a Vallarta spectacle not to be missed.
On the 15, settle in for a deep dive into Puerto Vallarta life at the Orientation to Vallarta Life hosted by the International Friendship Club. Led by Madeline Milne and special guests, this interactive session covers everything from real estate and visas to dining and, yes, Botox. It’s a crash course in becoming a local insider.
Looking to brush up on your Spanish? Join the Basic Spanish Classes at the American English Tree in Zona Romántica. With sessions focused on conversation, pronunciation and cultural tips, these classes are perfect for anyone wanting to connect with locals and explore PV on a deeper level. Bonus points: the air-conditioned classroom is a refreshing escape from the afternoon heat. Meet new people, learn useful phrases and gain insider knowledge about Vallarta’s culture.
One of Versalles’ favorite watering holes, The Office, hosts Complimentary Wine Tasting on January 22. Come sample the best house wines while indulging in 2-for-1 deals and discounted bottles. Pair your vino with a charcuterie board.
January 28-February 3
(Beef Dip)
The grand finale of January is, of course, Bear Week. This weeklong extravaganza attracts visitors from around the globe for a series of events, parties and celebrations that embrace inclusivity and joy. From beachside gatherings to late-night dance parties, the city transforms into a buzzy, burly hub of camaraderie and costumes. If you’re in PV at the end of the month, Bear Week is a can’t-miss, mostly because you literally can’t miss it. The celebrations will be everywhere in Zona Romantica.
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
An order of nuns created several of Mexico's most famous food and drinks during the 17th century. (Canva)
The history of rompope begins with Jesus. Nuns and sisters of the religious orders of the Catholic Church commit their lives to the service of God. Good works are a consequence of this commitment, and through the centuries, nuns have made incalculable contributions in the areas of education, health and self-improvement. The largest private school system in the United States was founded by nuns, for instance, as were many hospitals around the world.
These women have also made indelible contributions to culture. That’s particularly true in Mexico, where no less than three of the country’s iconic culinary options were created by nuns. Remarkably, all three were invented in one city: Puebla.
A bottle of regional rompope made in Mexico. (Rubalca1990/Wikimedia Commons)
Eduviges & the birth of rompope
Rompope, the rum-based Mexican eggnog, was created sometime during the 17th century — no one knows exactly when — by sisters of the Orden de las Hermanas Pobre de Santa Clara, better known in English as the Poor Clares. This historic Franciscan order dates to the year 1212, when it was founded in Italy by St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi.
The Franciscans arrived in Mexico in 1524 and helped foster a culture of preparing food and drink, since they often hosted dinners for important personages. Thus, despite the austerity of the Poor Clares, select nuns were assigned by their bishops to taste the alcoholic beverages that were prepared. At the convent of Santa Clara, this task was allowed only to the mestiza Eduviges, the nun credited the birth not just of a drink that has remained a holiday favorite for centuries afterward but has entered Mexican culture as a flavor for ice cream, raspados and other treats.
The history of rompope
Eduviges’ collection of artfully prepared ingredients proved so delicious that she eventually convinced the bishop to relax standards so that everyone at the convent could enjoy an occasional glass. After all, she argued, “a glass a day does not harm anyone.”
The Parroquia de Santa Clara, near the convent in Puebla where rompope was first made. (Diego Delso/Wikimedia Commons)
Rompope would eventually be sold too, adding money to church coffers and helping to spread its fame far and wide, beyond even the borders of Mexico. Eduviges’ recipe was not the first for an eggnog-style drink.
For instance, it was almost certainly influenced by the Spanish ponche de huevo. This drink evolved from an earlier one called posset, made in Europe since the 13th century pairing wine or ale with milk. By the 15th century, the beverage was growing decidedly sweeter and more textured thanks to the addition of cream, sugar and egg yolks. It had become a nog.
The ingredients of rompope
Eduviges built on this existing knowledge base but added rum, corn starch, vanilla and a secret ingredient that, according to legend, she never revealed. The rum that gives the drink its potency was distilled in abundance in Mexico during the 17th century, so much so that King Felipe V had banned its production circa 1700, citing drunkenness and debauchery. However, its thriving popularity in Spain, where it was taking market share from disgruntled Spanish wine and brandy merchants, was likely the real reason.
Mexican rum of the era was either of the aguardiente de caña or chiringuito variety, with the latter shipped in barrels that formerly held raisin wine bound for Mexico. Vanilla was also homegrown and had been since the 12th century by the Totonacs, an Indigenous people whose roots are in the modern-day states of Veracruz, Hidalgo and yes, Puebla.
The ever-growing influence of rompope
Even after the age of Eduviges, nuns from Puebla continued to spread the gospel of rompope. For instance, a congregation sent to Morelos in 1890 taught the making of the drink to help optimize sales of local dairy products. The Morelos version replaced vanilla with cinnamon, one of many regional substitutions that arose as the drink spread beyond Puebla to other Mexican states and Latin American countries, notably throughout Central America.
Of course, by then, nuns from Puebla’s nuns had become famous for creating amazing food in addition to the iconic holiday sipper that has since been widely commercialized, including the Santa Clara brand named after the convent where it all began and which still exists in Puebla.
Mole Poblano is today considered a Mexican classic. (Bombera Oakland/Facebook)
Andrea de la Asunción and the birth of mole poblano
Mole, Mexico’s magical salsa, dates back to the pre-Columbian era when it was known as molli and made from tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, chilis and other ingredients. However, perhaps the most iconic regional variation, mole poblano, owes its creation to a nun: Andrea de la Asunción, a member of the Dominican order at the Convento de Santa Rosa.
Her original recipe was said to have contained over 100 ingredients, including chili varieties such as ancho, chipotle, mulato and pasilla, all contributing to the sauce’s dark color, and spices like fried cinnamon, clove, coriander, pepper and sesame seeds, which helped create its sophisticated flavor profile. However, it was the inspired inclusion of chocolate that elevated this variation above all others that had come before and ensured her name would live forever in Mexican culinary circles.
As with the Franciscans and Eduviges, it’s possible this exquisite sauce was first served to an important visitor at the convent: in this case, Viceroy Tomás Antonio de la Cerda y Aragón during a dinner in his honor in 1680.
Chile en nogada, which like rompope and mole poblano, was invented by nuns in Puebla. (Aceites de Oliva de España)
Patriotism, religion and the invention of chile en nogada
The invention of chile en nogada is also attributable to nuns and occurred contemporaneously with Mexico achieving independence from Spain during the early decades of the 19th century. A popular origin story for the dish has Agustín de Itubide en route to Córdoba, Veracruz to sign the treaty for independence when he stops at Puebla for a meal made by nuns of the Order of Agustinian Recollects at Convento de Santa Mónica in August 1821.
The special occasion dish was said to feature poblano chilis stuffed with picadillo — including beef and pork — and fresh fruits. Like today’s version, it was topped with creamy walnut sauce and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and oregano.
Chile en nogada is one of several patriotic dishes whose colors mimic those of the Mexican flag. It’s now traditionally served on Sept. 15, on the eve of Independence Day. Like rompope, it has entered into the history books as a uniquely Mexican creation.
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.
