Tomatoes contributed the most to containing inflation, with a bi-weekly price reduction of 13.18%,(Victoria Valtierra / Cuartoscuro.com)
Inflation in Mexico moderated again during the first half of July — the eighth consecutive 15-day period in which the rate declined — settling close to the Bank of Mexico’s target.
The national statistics institute INEGI on Thursday reported that the National Consumer Price Index rose 0.07% compared to the second half of June, bringing the annual headline inflation rate to 3.10%. This is the lowest for any quincena, as the half-month period is known, since the second half of December 2020.
The graphic from Mexico’s national statistics institute, titled Variation of the National Consumer Price Index, shows how much inflation rose during the first two weeks of July for each of the last 10 years. (INEGI)
The data reflected a slowdown compared to the 3.37% annual rate recorded for the month of June. It also compared favorably on an annual basis. During the first quincena of July 2025, the bi-weekly inflation rate was 0.15% and the annual rate was 3.55%.
INEGI found that the smaller price increase in early July was mainly related to the behavior of the non-core component, which includes volatile prices such as agricultural products, energy and government-regulated tariffs.
This index decreased by 0.23% during the quincena and registered a growth of just 0.21% compared to the same period last year.
Prices for agricultural products fell 0.57% biweekly and accumulated a year-on-year drop of 3.53%. Within this group, fruits and vegetables decreased 1.50% compared to the second half of June.
Tomatoes contributed the most to containing inflation, with a bi-weekly price reduction of 13.18%, while serrano peppers (5.17%), tomatillos (3.24%) and avocados (2.59%) also saw price decreases.
Core inflation, which excludes the most volatile food and fuel prices and is closely monitored by the central bank as a better indicator of the medium-term price trajectory, rose slightly to 3.95% year-on-year, up from 3.94% in June.
Within this component — which increased by 0.16% during the first half of July — goods prices rose by 3.52% annually, while services became 4.36% more expensive.
Processed foods, beverages and tobacco registered an annual inflation of 4.89%; tuition fees increased 5.95%, while the remaining services (restaurants, medical consultations, telephone and tourist activities) increased by 4.83%.
With this latest reading, consumer prices have moderated for eight consecutive fortnights, including four quincenas that hit the central bank’s inflation target of between 3 and 4%.
After its June 24-25 monetary policy meeting, in which it left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.50%, the central bank indicated that it will await clearer signs that inflation is converging steadily toward the target.
Mexico has filed 20 complaints over the deaths of citizens in ICE custody or during ICE operations. (Shutterstock)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) reported on Wednesday that the Mexican government last week filed a total of 20 complaints with prosecutor’s offices in the U.S. regarding the deaths of Mexican citizens in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or during ICE operations.
The federal government first announced on July 9 that it would file criminal complaints in connection with the deaths of 17 Mexicans, 14 of whom died in ICE detention centers since May 2025 and three of whom died during ICE operations.
The Mexican government announced its intention to take legal action after the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on July 7. (LULAC Institute via GoFundMe)
President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday, July 13, that the complaints would be filed that day. Her administration is seeking thorough investigations into the deaths of all Mexicans who have died under ICE custody or in ICE operations.
In an “information note” published on Wednesday, the SRE said that on July 13, Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States, Roberto Lazzeri, filed 20 complaints “in the jurisdictions where the deaths occurred,” namely Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas.
The ministry said that eight complaints were filed with state prosecutors’ offices and 12 were filed with county prosecutors’ offices.
The SRE also said that on July 14, “the Mexican Embassy in the United States forwarded to the Department of Justice, through the Department of State, the complaint submitted by the Attorney General of Mexico regarding the 17 cases, along with a formal request to open the corresponding investigations and to provide an update on their progress.”
The deaths of Mexicans in ICE custody and ICE operations — including that of an 18th Mexican who was hit by a truck in Florida last week while running away from ICE officers — have occurred as the Trump administration pursues an aggressive deportation agenda. On numerous occasions, Sheinbaum has expressed her opposition to that agenda, and last week she said she disagreed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for continued immigration traffic stops.
“If there is a person who committed a crime, he or she must be pursued. But migration in itself shouldn’t be criminalized,” Sheinbaum said last Thursday.
Lazzeri meets with DHS and ICE officials
In its release on Wednesday, the SRE also reported that in meetings with officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE last week, Lazzeri “conveyed the Mexican government’s concerns about conditions in … [ICE] detention centers, including those operated by private companies.”
The ambassador, who only recently began his appointment in the U.S., also “requested clarification on each case” of deaths of Mexicans in the detention centers, the SRE said.
After the death of Alejandro Cabrera Clemente in an ICE detention center in April, Sheinbaum said she had instructed staff in Mexican consulates in the U.S. to visit ICE detention centers on a daily basis to check on the welfare of detained Mexicans.
“They were visiting them once a week, but now I asked them to visit every day,” she said.
The Mexican government has asserted that poor conditions in detention centers in the United States and a lack of medical care for people in ICE custody have caused or at least contributed to the deaths of Mexicans.
Lazzeri also met last week with Michael Kozak, a senior official with the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, a division of the U.S. Department of State.
Western Hemisphere Affairs Senior Bureau Official Michael Kozak met Mexican Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri today in Washington. SBO Kozak returned Mexico’s letters that purport to direct the actions of U.S. Government personnel operating in U.S. sovereign territory. SBO Kozak also…
— Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (@WHAAsstSecty) July 17, 2026
After the July 17 meeting, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said on social media that “Kozak returned Mexico’s letters that purport to direct the actions of U.S. Government personnel operating in U.S. sovereign territory.”
“SBO Kozak also recommended Mexico share its concerns [regarding the deaths of Mexicans in the U.S.] via diplomatic channels as is customary,” the post added.
Mexico seeks assistance from UN high commissioner for human rights
The SRE said that on July 14, Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Velasco sent a letter to U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk “informing him of the events” — i.e., the deaths of Mexicans under ICE custody and in ICE operations.
In the letter, Velasco asked Türk to “consider gathering information through requests for clarification from the United States, analyze their compatibility with international human rights instruments, and make technical recommendations to help prevent incidents of this kind.”
In late June, the high commissioner “urged prompt action to prevent further loss of life in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and called for independent investigations into all deaths under ICE custody,” according to a UN press release.
The newest phase of passenger railway development will build on recently completed routes like the Buenavista-AIFA Interurban Train, pictured. (SICT)
The Mexican government has launched the second construction phase of its ambitious passenger rail program, a phase that will connect central Mexico via high-speed trains to Saltillo to the north and to the Pacific coast to the west, as well as advance connections between El Bajío cities such as Querétaro, San Luis Potosi and San Miguel de Allende.
Speaking at the 25th National Meeting on Highway Engineering in Morelia, Michoacán, Efraín Deschamps Gutiérrez de Velasco, head of works at the Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transportation (Attrapi), explained that the engineering and demand studies necessary for the next stage have been completed.
“We want to consolidate a modern rail system,” Deschamps said.
The second phase includes work on the Irapuato-León and León-Guadalajara sections, which will be built by the Felipe Ángeles Engineering Group – the same group responsible for the Felipe Ángeles International Airport near Mexico City.
Attrapi has also launched the international tender process needed to inject cost-saving competition into the selection of a contractor for the first section of the Querétaro-San Luis Potosí route, which includes the 68-kilometer stretch between Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende.
Construction for this section is expected to begin on Sept. 24, according to business intelligence platform Bnamericas.
Meanwhile, bidding for the northbound San Luis Potosí-Saltillo section will take place in stages between June and September, while the Mazatlán-Los Mochis section remains in the pre-investment study phase with no authorized start date for construction.
Finally, the Querétaro-San Luis Potosí route is part of the eventual Mexico City-Nuevo Laredo corridor planned for completion in future phases.
A third phase will expand high-speed rail service along 1,100 kilometers of the Pacific corridor, with routes linking Guadalajara, Tepic, Mazatlán, Los Mochis, Guaymas and Hermosillo. Plans also include a potential fourth-phase project extending this western network north to Nogales on the United States border.
According to Attrapi, the new rail lines are expected to operate at speeds of between 160 and 200 kilometers per hour and will be dedicated exclusively to passenger service, with no level crossings or interaction with freight trains.
Oxxo operates 24,455 stores across Mexico and serves more than 13 million customers every day. (Shutterstock)
“A la vuelta de tu vida.”
Loosely translated, this phrase — the slogan of Mexican convenience store chain Oxxo — means “On the corner of your life.”
That is not much of an exaggeration: Oxxo stores are truly ubiquitous in Mexico.
For good or for bad, I live directly opposite one in Mexico City. There is another Oxxo store about two minutes’ walk from my front door if I want a little more exercise before I open my packet of chips or caguama.
As a news outlet focused on Mexico, Mexico News Daily has naturally reported quite extensively on Oxxo.
Over the years, Oxxo’s convenience store franchises have become ubiquitous across Mexico. (Shutterstock)
The list goes on.
In this “Mexico in Numbers” article, we’ll take a look at some key Oxxo numbers, including one that is the answer to a question you may have asked yourself or someone else: Exactly how many Oxxos are there in Mexico?
The first Oxxo store — created by the Cuauhtémoc Brewery — opened in the northern city of Monterrey, Nuevo León, in 1978. Therefore, Oxxo celebrates its 48th birthday this year.
There will no doubt be significant celebrations (and promotions) when Oxxo reaches the half-century milestone in 2028.
How many Oxxo stores are there?
As of March 31, 2026, Oxxo had 24,455 stores in Mexico, an annual increase of 3.8%.
Oxxo has stores in all 32 federal entities in Mexico. In addition, there are Oxxo stores in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and the United States.
The chain has expanded rapidly this century. In 2000, there were fewer than 2,000 Oxxo stores, according to the website Latinometrics.
Four other states had more than 1,000 Oxxo stores at the end of last year:
Mexico City: 2,074
México state: 1,325
Baja California: 1,144
Jalisco: 1,075
On average, how many new Oxxo stores open per day?
The number of Oxxo stores in Mexico increased by 888 in the 12 months to March 31, 2026.
Therefore, the number of Oxxo stores in Mexico increased by 2.43 per day in the period. This accounts for both the opening of new stores and any closures.
How many products are available in an Oxxo store?
Oxxo sells “more than 2,500 products in all stores, ranging from chewing gum to cell phones,” according to the chain.
What is the gender makeup of the Oxxo workforce?
Have you noticed more women than men working in Oxxo stores?
According to the chain, six of every 10 Oxxo workers are women.
Oxxo said in 2023 that more than 2,800 of its employees were seniors, 900 had a disability and over 600 were refugees or immigrants.
How many people go to Oxxo on a daily basis?
Every day, Oxxo serves more than 13 million customers, according to the chain. In addition to buying snacks, beverages and household items, Oxxo customers can access services such as the withdrawal of cash and payment of bills.
On average, a customer spent 61.2 (US $3.50) pesos during a visit to Oxxo in the first quarter of 2026, an annual increase of 6.6%.
How much money does Oxxo make?
In the first quarter of 2026, Oxxo México had total revenue of 74.24 billion pesos (US $4.27 billion), an annual increase of 8.3%.
Profits in the same period were just under 5.63 billion pesos ($323.27 million), an annual increase of 20.9%.
How close is too close?
You’ve probably seen Oxxo stores in close proximity to each other.
But did you know that in the northern border city of Tijuana, one Oxxo store sits right on top of another?
According to Oxxo, each store serves a different residential area of Tijuana.
The numbers here? Two-in-one.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
President Sheinbaum announced the seven U.S.-based semi-finalists of the singing competition México canta at her Thursday press conference. (Presidencia)
Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds
📍Mañanera focuses on México canta: President Sheinbaum’s Thursday press conference centered on the second edition of México canta, a binational singing competition promoting peace and rejecting the glorification of cartel violence in music.
🎤 16,000+ auditioned for second edition: Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza said more than 16,000 young people — 10,528 from Mexico and 5,761 from the U.S. — took part in initial auditions, calling the response “extraordinary.”
🌟 14 semi-finalists selected: The Mexican Music Council picked seven U.S.-based and seven Mexico-based semi-finalists. The seven U.S. artists, from California, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Oregon and Illinois, performed at today’s mañanera; the Mexican finalists will be announced next week.
🏆 Semi-finals set for L.A. and Mazatlán: Curiel announced the semi-finals will be held Aug. 23 at the Million Dollar Theater in Los Angeles and Aug. 31 at the Ángela Peralta Theater in Mazatlán, with three winners ultimately earning recording contracts via public vote.
🤝 Sheinbaum cuts mañanera short for Greer meeting: Sheinbaum ended her press conference early to prepare for a 10 a.m. meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, coming three weeks after Greer said Washington would not renew the USMCA in its current form.
💭 Sheinbaum on México canta’s impact: Asked to quantify the competition’s effect on youth violence, Sheinbaum said it’s hard to measure but described a “virtuous circle” where participants influence friends and family, adding: “If we only influenced one person, it would be worth it.”
Why today’s mañanera matters
Today’s mañanera focused on the México canta (Mexico Sings) binational music competition, whose second edition is underway.
Sponsored by the federal government, the competition aims to promote peace, combat addiction and foster a culture that rejects the glorification of violence.
Rosalba Valdez of Chicago, one of seven U.S. semi-finalists, performs at Thursday’s presidential press conference. (Presidencia)
The competition, which is open to young Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, has one overriding rule: Songs that glorify the lives of cartels, violence or drug trafficking are not allowed.
On Thursday morning, President Claudia Sheinbaum was accompanied at her press conference by Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza, seven México canta participants from the United States and the Mexican singer and rapper known as El Bogueto (real name Armando Antonio Toledo Rosas).
The mañanera was important as it underscored the government’s commitment to steering young people away from a life of crime and violence. The México canta competition is, in effect, part of the government’s strategy to address the root causes of crime.
The main element of the strategy is the provision of work and education opportunities for young people, especially those who may be vulnerable to recruitment by criminal organizations.
More than 16,000 participants in second edition of México canta
Curiel told reporters that more than 16,000 young people — 10,528 from Mexico and 5,761 from the U.S. — participated in the initial auditions for the second edition of México canta.
The culture minister described the response to the call to participate in the competition as “extraordinary.”
Curiel announced that 14 semi-finalists had been selected by the Mexican Music Council — seven from the United States and seven from Mexico. The seven U.S.-based artists were present at today’s mañanera, while the seven Mexican semi-finalists are to be announced next week.
President Sheinbaum announced the seven U.S.-based semi-finalists on Thursday, with the Mexico-based participants set to be announced next week. (Presidencia)
The seven U.S.-based semi-finalists include four women and three men from six different states: California, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Oregon and Illinois.
Curiel announced that the semi-finals of México canta will be held at the Million Dollar Theater in Los Angeles on Aug. 23 and at the Ángela Peralta Theater in Mazatlán on Aug. 31. Six finalists will subsequently perform live during four television transmissions. Via a public vote, three winners will be selected and they will receive recording contracts as prizes.
The seven U.S.-based semifinalists got a chance to show off their talents at today’s mañanera ahead of their performances in L.A. next month. El Bogueto, who hails from Nezahualcóyotl, México state, also performed, singing his song “Mi barrio” (My ‘hood).
Silencio en la mañanera por el asesinato del periodista Alejandro Leyva
Tampoco hubo una palabra por el homicidio del alcalde Valentín Lavín en el palacio municipal de Temoac
— Manuel Lopez San Martin (@MLopezSanMartin) July 23, 2026
Sheinbaum holds mañanera ahead of meeting with Greer
After the update on the second edition of the México canta competition, Sheinbaum told reporters that her mañanera would be ending early at 9 a.m. as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was scheduled to arrive at the National Palace at 10 a.m.
“We’re going to welcome him and we’re going to have a wide-ranging meeting with Economy Ministry colleagues and guests from the United States,” she said.
Sheinbaum: México canta creates a ‘virtuous circle’
Asked what impact México canta has had on young people in terms of steering them away from violence, Sheinbaum responded that “it’s very difficult to measure the impact in numbers.”
She noted that it’s just the second edition of México canta that is underway and highlighted that some 16,500 young people participated in the auditions for the competition.
Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza. (Presidencia)
Those 16,500 people — who are presumably opposed to the glorification of violence in music and other forms of cultural expression — “influence their friends and influence their family,” Sheinbaum said.
“In other words, it’s a virtuous circle and that keeps growing,” she said.
“If we only influenced one person, it would be worth it,” Sheinbaum said. “But of course we want the influence to be massive.”
Sheinbaum also reiterated her view that “music mustn’t glorify violence.”
Treehouse accommodations are one of many attractions at Acre in San José del Cabo. (Acre Resort)
Acre Resort, Restaurant and Cocktail Bar offers, as its name suggests, a diverse vacation experience. Not simply a lodging known for its rustic yet elegant treehouses, or as a benchmark purveyor of farm-to-table food in Los Cabos, sourced from its 25-acre organic farm and prepared to sustainable standards that no less an authority than the Michelin Guide has approved of via the awarding of its coveted Green Star … it’s also the site of some of the area’s best cooking and mixology classes, home to a wellness spa, a dog rescue and adoption program, beekeeping and much more.
On the occasion of Acre’s 10th anniversary in San José del Cabo, I recently spoke to Emilio González, the resort’s accommodation director, who has been with Acre since he was a 21-year-old concierge, about the brand’s history and evolution, and what comes next.
The history
During his five years at Acre, Emilio González has risen from the position of concierge to become the resort’s accommodations director. (Acre Resort)
What led to the founding of Acre, and when did it first open? Who were the founders, and did they have a previous history with the area?
Our founders, Cameron Watt and Stuart McPherson, two Canadian hospitality entrepreneurs, came to Los Cabos for what was supposed to be a short vacation. Like so many people who visit the region, they fell in love with the destination and decided to stay. While exploring the area, they discovered a 25-acre parcel tucked into the foothills of San José del Cabo, where towering palms created a natural oasis. They immediately saw the potential and set out to create something entirely different from the traditional resort experience in Mexico. Acre Restaurant and Cocktail Bar officially opened in 2016, and this year we’re proud to be celebrating our 10th anniversary.
That was the foundation for the vision Cameron and Stuart had for the property, a place where incredible food, hospitality and the surrounding natural landscape came together to create a one-of-a-kind destination. Over the past decade, that original concept has grown into a luxury resort with acclaimed restaurants, event venues and real estate.
How was the property acquired, and was there a history of farming there?
Cameron and Stuart were drawn to the property’s natural beauty, particularly its lush palm groves and unique setting within the estuary’s natural footprint in the foothills of San José del Cabo. Originally a mango orchard with 102 trees cared for by a local family, they recognized the opportunity to unlock the land’s full potential while preserving its natural character. Today, that connection to nature remains at the heart of Acre.
The accommodations
What was the origin of the treehouses?
The 13 treehouse accommodations at Acre all feature king-sized beds and private terraces, but no televisions. (Acre Resort)
The treehouses were inspired by our founders’ childhood dream of having a treehouse of their own. They wanted to capture that sense of wonder while creating a peaceful, adults-only retreat immersed in nature.
How many treehouses are there now and how difficult are they to build? What are the coolest amenities for those staying in them?
Acre currently has 13 treehouses, each thoughtfully designed to immerse guests in the surrounding palm canopy while offering all the comforts of a luxury stay. Perched above the property, they provide a truly unique overnight experience with sweeping views. Each treehouse features a king-size bed, an en suite bathroom, a private terrace with an open-air shower and a private balcony, creating a seamless connection between indoor comfort and the natural environment. One of my favorite details is that the treehouses intentionally don’t include televisions, encouraging guests to fully unplug and enjoy a true off-the-grid experience without sacrificing luxury. They have become especially popular with couples and solo travelers seeking a peaceful, memorable escape.
How many haciendas and villas do you have now, and are more planned?
Acre currently offers 10 haciendas and six jungle villas, all designed for families and groups looking for the comforts of home with the elevated experience of a luxury resort.
Food and drinks
Los Cabos is famous for its farm-to-table restaurants, the most emblematic of which are Acre and Flora’s Field Kitchen. Besides quality, what are the differences and similarities, in your opinion, between these two iconic local businesses?
Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs for Acre’s Michelin Guide-recognized restaurant are sourced from its 25-acre farm. (Acre Resort)
Both restaurants have helped shape Los Cabos’ farm-to-table dining scene by celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients and a deep connection to the land. At Acre, we bring that philosophy to life through globally inspired cuisine, produce harvested from our on-site farm and responsibly sourced meat and seafood from across Mexico. What also sets Acre apart is that the restaurant is part of a larger, immersive resort experience, where guests can pair exceptional dining with boutique accommodations, wellness offerings, art and culinary workshops and the property’s unique animal sanctuary.
What crops are grown on the 25-acre farm? Are they all organic?
Our working farm is truly the heart of Acre and supplies our kitchen with more than 60 varieties of organic produce. We grow everything from mangoes and citrus to tomatoes, peppers, root vegetables and fresh herbs, which inspire our seasonal menus throughout the year.
How do you source meat and fish?
We work with trusted producers and sustainable meat, fish, seafood and vegetable farms throughout Mexico, including Santo Mar, Santa Maria and Pat LaFrieda, to ensure we’re bringing the best ingredients to the table while supporting responsible sourcing practices.
Who is your current chef and how has the menu evolved?
Acre grows its own organic crops and harvests its own honey, but sources seafood and meat from environmentally responsible producers. (Acre Resort)
Our culinary program is led by chefs David Fajardo and Maycoll Calderon, whose approach reflects Acre’s long-standing philosophy of creating globally inspired, locally sourced and seasonally driven cuisine. Over the past decade, while the menu has continued to evolve through the creativity and influence of many talented chefs, the foundation has remained the same.
Today, the culinary team continues to refine the menu with an emphasis on creativity and consistency while advancing responsible sourcing and waste-reduction efforts. We’ve also continued to expand what we grow on-site, including produce from our expanded farm, honey from our active beehives and mangoes from more than 150 trees across the property. These ingredients continue to inspire seasonal dishes that reflect Acre’s unique sense of place and commitment to sustainability. New experiences like Rústico also allow us to further explore culinary collaborations, including connections with chefs and hospitality professionals from Mexico and beyond.
Has Michelin Green Star recognition changed the way you’re perceived, or boosted reservations?
Receiving our first Michelin Green Star in 2024, and each subsequent year, has been an incredible honor because it recognizes something that has always been central to Acre: our commitment to sustainability. It has certainly reinforced our reputation as a destination for thoughtful, farm-to-table dining and highlighted the care that goes into everything from our on-site biodynamic garden and beehives to our responsible sourcing practices. For our guests, sustainable practices are just as crucial to them when deciding where to dine and stay as they are to us.
What makes mixology at Acre special?
Every cocktail begins with the land itself. Inspired by Baja culture and shaped by our on-site biodynamic garden, the cocktail program uses freshly harvested herbs, fruits, roots and vegetables to create drinks that are seasonal, expressive and deeply connected to their surroundings.
Mixology is a specialty at Acre’s bar, with offerings that include a 10th anniversary Perfect Ten cocktail. (Acre Resort)
Rather than relying on imported syrups or pre-made ingredients, our bar team lets what’s growing on the property guide the menu, so it naturally evolves throughout the year. Through our “Sips from the Orchard” program, we also embrace zero-waste techniques like fermentations, clarified juices, shrubs and repurposing fruit peels and leaves, giving ingredients a second life while creating cocktails that are both innovative and rooted in a true sense of place.
What’s the one thing that everyone who visits Acre should try?
If there’s one thing everyone should try during a visit to Acre this year, it’s The Perfect Ten cocktail. Created to celebrate our 10th anniversary, it captures everything that makes Acre special by showcasing ingredients grown and produced right here on the property. The cocktail features our limited-edition La Tierra de Acre mango mezcal, made with mangoes from our orchard, alongside on-site honey, a honey and turmeric shrub, and a touch of bubbles. It’s fresh, vibrant and reflects the connection between our farm, our bar and the land that has shaped Acre over the past decade.
Classes and special events
What are some of the coolest experiences or classes being offered right now?
There’s always something new happening at Acre, but one of the things that makes the property so unique is the variety of hands-on experiences available through Acre Academy. Guests and locals can enjoy everything from jewelry, candle, pottery and painting workshops to Huichol art, textile painting, organic cosmetics and incense-making classes. We also offer cooking classes with our chefs and mixology experiences led by our expert bartenders. Recently, we introduced monthly wellness days that invite guests to slow down and reconnect with nature through a full day of restorative experiences, including yoga, a cold plunge, massages, brunch at Acre Restaurant and Cocktail Bar and access to the property.
In addition to its popular cooking classes, Acre offers classes in a range of activities, from jewelry making to painting. (Acre Resort)
This summer, we’ve introduced several seasonal offerings, including a new eight-course Baja-inspired brunch with live music and craft cocktails, the return of our popular Taco Tuesdays with bottomless tacos, and a special mango-inspired menu in August celebrating fruit from our on-site mango trees. Guests can also enjoy a limited-time mango mezcal cocktail and our special-edition 10th anniversary mango mezcal.
How did the animal collection and dog adoption efforts come about?
Acre’s animal collection began in a very organic way, thanks to co-founder Cameron Watt’s daughter, Rachael. She started bringing in lost, abandoned and sometimes injured animals, and her ability to rehabilitate them quickly became known among the community. As the animals began to thrive, they became an important part of the Acre family and helped shape the unique spirit of the property.
This passion for animal care evolved into Acre Dogs, the on-site rescue and adoption program operated in partnership with Acre Animal Rescue. Since 2017, the initiative has rescued hundreds of dogs from the streets of Los Cabos and helped connect them with adopters across North America. Guests can spend time with adoptable dogs, take them on walks around the property and help socialize them during their stay.
What are the long-term plans for Acre and are there any new features or services in development?
Acre is always evolving, but the long-term vision remains focused on creating thoughtful, immersive experiences that connect guests with the property’s natural surroundings. This summer, we’re excited to introduce Tranquilo Spa, a new wellness offering featuring four treatment cabins, a signature wet room and an expanded menu of massages, body wraps, scrubs and beauty treatments. Many treatments will incorporate local ingredients from the on-site orchard, including the Nopal Detox, a two-hour ritual featuring organic Nopal cactus. We’ll also soon introduce Nido, a new intimate dining space for couples and small groups of up to six guests, featuring a special five-course tasting menu.
Are there any upcoming events or things which our readers might be interested in?
Acre is a sanctuary for lost, abandoned and injured animals, including several agile goats. (Acre Resort)
There are several exciting experiences on the horizon that we think readers would enjoy. In August, we’re celebrating National Dog Month with a special dog-friendly “Farm Dog Taco” on our popular Taco Tuesday menu, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Acre Dogs, our on-site rescue and adoption program.
This fall, we’ll also host a Halloween Dog Costume Contest on Oct. 31, featuring festive food, photo opportunities and plenty of fun for dogs and their owners. The following evening, on Nov. 1, guests can experience one of Acre’s most anticipated annual traditions: Día de Muertos, when the property is transformed with traditional altars, marigolds, papel picado, themed cocktails and other authentic celebrations of the holiday.
We’re also looking forward to welcoming guests back to Rústico when it reopens for the season in November. Located in the heart of our circular garden, it offers an intimate farm-to-table dining experience with a prix-fixe menu and cocktails inspired by ingredients grown just steps away. Rústico also serves as an authentic gathering space for private dining and events, which include a rotating series of various chef and winemaker pop-ups.
Chris Sands is a writer and editor for Mexico News Daily, and the former Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best and writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook. He has also contributed to numerous other websites and publications, including The San Diego Union-Tribune, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise and Travel, and Cabo Living.
While it's always nice to welcome visitors, the increasing trend toward more arrivals who spend less per capita than before is worrying analysts, given the tourism sector´s key role in the Mexican economy. (Cuartoscuro)
Although Mexico continues to receive a growing number of international visitors, tourists are spending less during their stay.
Confirming the higher volume-lower value trend, the consulting firm Gemes Consultores reported that international tourist arrivals increased by 5.3% between January and May compared with the same period of 2025, but tourism revenue fell 0.4% as average spending per visitor fell 4.9%.
Acapulco is a favorite getaway for Mexico residents but it’s also the type of beach destination that is popular with the higher-spending visitors who tend to arrive in the country by air. Current data indicates, however, that it’s precisely those air arrivals that are decreasing in number in favor of thriftier border-crossers by land. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal / Cuartoscuro.com)
The firm cautioned that Mexico is increasingly becoming a mass tourism destination, rather than one focused on higher-spending visitors.
Another data source, the International Travelers Survey (EVI) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), broadly reflects the same trend. Mexico received 8.36 million international travelers in May, but total visitor spending fell 0.6%, while average spending per tourist slipped 4.9%, from US $626 to US $596.
“We are receiving a relatively larger number of low-spending tourists and, in relative terms, fewer high-spending tourists,” Gemes Consultores told news outlet Imagen Radio.
Gemes Consultores attributed the change to the increase in border tourism which has taken ground away from air arrivals.
Air tourism — the highest spending sector at US $1,310.70 per person — accounted for 47.9% of visitors between January and May, down 58.1% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, border tourism — which spends significantly less at US $117 — increased its share from 39.5% to 44.8%.
In May alone, international air arrivals declined by 9.0%, driven largely by a U.S. market contraction of 12.4%, which Gemes identifies as the main driver behind the decline.
“This contraction is the primary factor explaining the overall performance of air arrivals during the first five months, with a 4.5% drop,” the company said.
This downward trend aligns with other recent indicators in the sector. Tourist hotspots like Los Cabos, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta are facing a decline in high-spending tourism, amid reduced air connectivity, shifts in travel preferences and increased competition from destinations in Europe and Asia.
The decline in international air arrivals has also generated concerns among airlines and industry analysts, since travelers arriving by air typically spend more than border visitors.
“It is urgent to reverse this situation and implement effective strategies to reactivate the arrival of tourists by air,” Gemes Consultores concluded.
The two checks, or filters, will seek to detect any criminal links potential candidates may have as well as determine whether they have committed any crimes, such as violence against women. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)
Morena, Mexico’s ruling party, will use a “double filter” to ensure that its candidates in the 2027 elections have no criminal links and have not committed any other offenses.
Morena President Ariadna Montiel announced the measure at a press conference on Tuesday, explaining that one check on potential candidates will be conducted by the party itself while another is set to be carried out by the federal government’s Security Cabinet, if it agrees to do so.
Montiel said that everyone vying to represent Morena at federal, state and municipal elections in 2027 will have to pass both checks in order to be ratified as candidates. That includes people seeking the office of governor, federal deputy, state deputy, mayor and other municipal positions, she said.
“Each and everyone” will have to pass the filters, Montiel said.
“We’re talking about just over 20,000 primary and substitute candidates,” she said.
The two checks, or filters, will seek to detect any criminal links potential candidates may have as well as determine whether they have committed any crimes, such as violence against women.
Montiel said that people selected as candidates by Morena will also be subjected to criminal checks undertaken by the National Electoral Institute (INE). For Morena candidates, that check will serve as a third filter. The Federal Attorney General’s Office and the Finance Ministry’s Financial Intelligence Unit will assist the INE in its review process. All political parties have the option of asking the INE to conduct checks on their potential candidates, in addition to carrying out their own internal processes.
Morena’s decision to use a double filter to assess the propriety of political aspirants comes almost three months after the unsealing of an indictment in which U.S. prosecutors accuse several Morena party politicians, including Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and Senator Enrique Inzunza, of drug trafficking in league with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Morena senator Enrique Inzunza Cazarez is accused of drug trafficking. (morena.senado.gob.mx)
How will Morena’s ‘double filter’ work?
Montiel said that Morena will first use “open sources” to check whether potential candidates have engaged in criminal conduct or any other unbecoming behavior including “frivolities” that are incongruent with the party’s “principles.”
Those open sources include social media accounts of potential candidates.
“In open sources you can have access to … a good part of all of our lives,” Montiel said.
Morena officials will also examine letters that land on the desk of Montiel, who became national leader of the party founded by ex-president Andrés Manuel López Obrador in May.
“People send me little letters and one finds out about things that one probably wouldn’t find out about otherwise,” the Morena president said.
Regarding the second filter, Montiel said that Morena would ask the Security Cabinet, a group of top federal security officials, to “support us with the review.”
She said that review would be conducted “within the framework” of the Security Cabinet’s “powers” and in accordance with the law.
Montiel noted that there is an online “platform” with information on “everyone” who has been arrested and convicted of committing a crime.
She said that potential Morena candidates “already know” that their past and present conduct will be thoroughly examined. Any political aspirants considered unsuitable “won’t be candidates,” Montiel said.
If someone has done “improper things, he or she won’t be allowed to contest an election as a Morena candidate, she said.
Morena — which is Mexico’s dominant political party, governing at the federal level and in 23 of the 32 federal entities — and the federal Security Cabinet will have to carry out their checks of political aspirants relatively quickly as the formal “electoral process” for the June 2027 elections will commence in September.
The opening day presentation of the statewide Guelaguetza festival featured performances from communities including Ciudad Ixtepec, San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec and Santiago Pinotepa Nacional. (gob.mx)
The first Monday on the Hill kicked off what is widely considered Latin America’s largest ethnic celebration, with 13 delegations from across the state presenting dances, music and regional customs.
The opening Monday on the Hill show took place in the specially built outdoor amphitheater inaugurated in the 1970s and renovated 2008-2010. There will be another Monday on the Hill on July 27. (gob.mx)
The festivities took place in the Guelaguetza Auditorium, an open-air amphitheater built in the 1970s on the slope of Cerro del Fortín above Oaxaca’s historic center.
Modernized and renovated from 2008 to 2010, the facility will also host a second Lunes del Cerro (Monday on the Hill) on July 27 — part of the closing stretch of the festival, even as side fairs and events continue.
As in 2025 and years past, the opening show focused on the traditions and music of Oaxaca’s 16 Indigenous peoples and Afro-Mexican communities.
Enid Azucena Torres Agustiniano — a nursing student, cyclist and activist for Afro-Mexican rights — was chosen by the state’s Ministry of Culture and Arts as the festival’s official ambassador, Goddess Centéotl.
“Being Afro-Mexican is not something to hide,” Torres told the audience. “It is something to honor and live with dignity.”
Opening day featured performances from communities including Ciudad Ixtepec, San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec and Santiago Pinotepa Nacional. Signature moments included a sing-along of “Dios Nunca Muere” and closing dances that drew standing ovations.
“Oaxaca is a melting pot of our country’s cultures,” Federal Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez Zamora said in a press release. “Here, our history, our traditions and the pride of our people come alive.”
In the Zapotec language, “Guelaguetza” refers to reciprocal offerings — a tradition of giving and sharing within the community.
Officials said the current festivities, running throughout the month of July, include more than 140 events statewide, from fairs and parades to gastronomic and artisanal exhibitions.
Tourism officials said they expect about 149,000 visitors, an economic impact exceeding 668 million pesos (US $38.4 million) and average hotel occupancy of 83%.
The 80% discount eliminates all charges for the supplying of water. The other 20% is for services such as sewage and drainage.
(Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash)
Guadalajara households are eligible for an 80% discount on their water bills once they’re verified as having been affected by the contaminated water problem plaguing the state capital.
The discount, approved Monday by the Jalisco state Congress, will apply until December 15 to approximately 600 neighborhoods and as many as 750,000 beneficiaries supplied by the Intermunicipal System of Potable Water and Sewerage Services (SIAPA).
Congress will consult with the state Human Rights Commission to determine which neighborhoods have been affected, according to the president of the Finance Commission, Congresswoman Gabriela Cárdenas Rodríguez.
The Human Rights Commission will report the neighborhoods from which it has received complaints during 2026, with areas being added to the list throughout the year upon their request and with the approval of the SIAPA governing board.
The decision came after Guadalajara Morena party Councilman José María Martínez delivered a citizen petition to the local Congress on July 13, signed by 31,508 people and titled “If there is no clean water, no payment.” The measure aimed to support families who have not been provided with the water quality and hygiene standards they are entitled to by law.
The discount has been set at 80% because the remaining 20% of the user fee to SIAPA contributes to the operation of non-water services, such as drainage, sewage and other sanitary infrastructure.
To receive the discount, users must meet the following conditions:
Live in a neighborhood included in the list of affected areas.
Have been receiving poor-quality or cloudy water.
Have a monthly consumption of up to 25 cubic meters.
Be a residential or small business user.
Not belong to the industrial sector or be a large consumer.
During the same session, the Finance Committee approved another initiative to eliminate 100% of the late fees generated by outstanding water bills.
Also, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro has outlined an investment of 100 million pesos (US $5.7 million) for the use of portable water treatment plants, which will rotate across different areas of the city to provide clean drinking water to affected neighborhoods.
