Trump’s return to the White House, the Mexico-U.S. relationship and local fiscal policies are expected to impact the Mexican peso in 2025. (Shutterstock)
UBS Global Wealth Management managing director Alejo Czerwonko believes the Mexican peso will gain 4% on the US dollar in 2025, despite the currency weakening by 19% throughout 2024.
His reasoning? An improvement — not a worsening — of bilateral relations between Mexico and the United States.
Alejo Czerwonko is a United States-based analyst with UBS Global Wealth Management and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2023. (WEF)
Rejecting the prevailing pessimism about future relations between North American neighbors, Czerwonko told the newspaper Milenio that the mutually beneficial bilateral relationship is very strong and can’t be overlooked when predicting the future of the peso.
“Of course, Mexico benefits from the United States, but the reverse is also true,” Czerwonko said. “If Washington really wants to reduce its economic dependence on China, the relationship [with Mexico] is part of the solution.”
Czerwonko predicted that the peso — which opened Monday at 20.31 to the US dollar — will trade at 19.50 to the US dollar by the end of 2025. This is stronger than most projections, but still weaker than the 18.70 exchange rate that Mexico’s Finance Ministry (SHCP) anticipates in 2025.
The peso’s tumultuous year in review
The 19% hit the peso took this year was its worst since 2016 though the decline in international oil prices was primarily to blame then, according to Milenio.
The Mexican peso has taken a wild ride since mid-year, returning to its pre-2023 exchange rate of 20 to the dollar. (Shutterstock)
In April, the peso reached a nine-year high of 16.30 to the dollar. Shortly after, the currency started to slip, grazing an exchange rate of 18 by June 3. President Sheinbaum’s election on June 2 created nervousness about a perceived upward trend in absolutism, sending the peso on a downfall that was made worse by the Morena party’s passage of a controversial judicial reform in September.
In recent months, the peso has hovered around 20 to the dollar, with December producing a depreciation of 0.46%.
The exchange rate winds shifted dramatically this month as both the Mexican and U.S. central banks lowered their benchmark interest rates, inflation decelerated in Mexico and U.S. political news ahead of Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration emphasized potential conflicts.
Contrary to UBS, the news magazine Expansión cited analysts who see Mexico’s currency weakening to as much as 21 pesos to the US dollar.
Trump’s return to the White House, the uncertainty of the Mexico-U.S. relationship, broad geopolitical concerns and local fiscal policies are all expected to impact the peso in 2025, Expansión reported.
In contrast to SHCP’s bullish stance, Mexico’s central bank sees the peso finishing 2025 at 20.53 to the dollar. Other institutions surveyed by Expansión offered projections ranging from 18.5 by Banco Base to 21 by Monex Financial Group.
Citibank Mexico (20.5), Finamex Casa de Bolsa (20.9) and Rankia Investment Group (20.5) also foresee a slight weakening in the peso next year.
Banco Base analyst Gabriela Siller hedged on the bank’s positive projection, telling Expansión that if Trump does carry out his threat to slap tariffs on Mexican imports to the United States, the situation would become less certain.
Chiapas authorities arrested four people and seized weapons, vehicles and drugs during a state government security operation that led to the discovery of a clandestine grave in La Concordia. (FGE Chiapas/X)
Authorities have discovered 17 bodies in clandestine graves in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico.
The Chiapas Attorney General’s Office and the state Security Ministry said Sunday that 15 bodies were found in the municipality of La Concordia in recent days, while two additional bodies were located in Palenque. All 17 bodies belonged to men.
The bodies of 15 men were found in clandestine graves in La Concordia, Chiapas. An additional two bodies were uncovered in Palenque, near the border with Campeche. (Google)
La Concordia is located in southern Chiapas near the border region where the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel are engaged in a long-running turf war.
Chiapas Attorney General Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca told a press conference on Sunday that the 15 bodies discovered in La Concordia were found in 11 clandestine graves on two properties. Ten of the bodies were “mutilated,” he said, explaining that the victims had been “tortured” before they were killed.
“They have cuts in different parts of their bodies. They’re dismembered,” he said.
Authorities are continuing to search for clandestine graves in Chiapas, with the municipality of Catazajá, which borders Palenque, a current focus. (@ramirezlalo_/X)
Chiapas Governor Eduardo Ramírez said on social media on Saturday that in addition to the discovery of 15 bodies in the Frailesca region, of which La Concordia is part, four people were arrested and weapons, vehicles and drugs were seized during a state government security operation.
“We will continue with the operation. … We’re reestablishing tranquility and social peace in the region. We won’t take a backward step!” he wrote.
The two bodies discovered in Palenque were in two clandestine graves in the locality of Nueva Esperanza.
All 17 bodies found in Chiapas were taken to morgues to undergo testing aimed at determining the identities of the deceased, the cause of their deaths and how long they have been dead.
Authorities in southern Mexico are continuing to search for clandestine graves in Chiapas, with the municipality of Catazajá, which borders Palenque, a current focus.
Llaven said that authorities are searching for people who have been forcibly abducted or “disappeared.”
He said that the Chiapas Attorney General’s Office had received 124 reports of cases of enforced disappearance this year but acknowledged that many cases go unreported due to families’ fear of reprisal.
The discovery of the 17 bodies in La Concordia and Palenque came after human remains were found earlier this month in Emiliano Zapata, a municipality near Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas. Authorities have not yet determined how many people the charred remains belonged to. They were specifically searching for seven people who were abducted in November, among whom was a 12-year-old boy.
‘Possibly human’ remains found in municipality that borders US
The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office (FGE) said last Thursday that “bone remains” of 12 “indeterminate skeletons” had been found in 11 clandestine graves in the municipality of Ascensión, which borders New Mexico.
The discovery of the remains occurred during search operations carried out on Dec. 18, 19 and 20, the FGE said in a statement.
Skeletal remains were also discovered in Ascensión, a town near the border with New Mexico. (Google)
The exhumation of the “possibly human” remains was carried out by forensic anthropologists and other experts, the Attorney General’s Office said. The experts collected spent cartridge cases from the graves, the FGE said.
“The indeterminate skeletons and evidence found were transported to the laboratories of the Forensic Medical Service in Ciudad Juárez for analysis and investigations to determine identities and the cause and time of death,” the FGE said.
The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office has not yet announced the results of the testing.
Chihuahua, which borders both New Mexico and Texas, is one of Mexico’s most violent states.
Once considered a luxury in the United States, the Ambrosia Salad is back... and now 100% more Mexican thanks to the ingenuity of Deb McCoy. (Canva)
When you think food and the holidays, you think rich and heavy especially when it comes to desserts. But what about a dessert that’s equally rich and pleasing to the palate but a little lighter? The perfect accompaniment to a New Year’s celebration, or a fab cocktail party. That’s where our Mexican Ambrosia Salad enters the picture.
It’s not really a salad but instead a delightful concoction of fruits, nuts, coconut, cream and marshmallows, a very simple recipe from humble beginnings that has evolved over the past centuries in the U.S. to something more complex. But when it first came into being it was a very different concept.
A classic ambrosia salad, once a luxurious treat for American households. (Allrecipes)
The term “ambrosia” derives from Greek and Roman mythology, where it was considered food for the gods, granting immortality to those lucky enough to consume it. In the U.S., the earliest documented ambrosia recipe is found in the 1867 cookbook, “Dixie Cookery.” It consisted of two ingredients: oranges sweetened with sugar, layered with coconut — and it was a luxury!
Once again, Mexico influenced this recipe since coconut wasn’t introduced to American kitchens until trade routes were established during Spanish colonial rule. But by the 1930s, Ambrosia Salad was a traditional Southern holiday dish, especially for Easter and Christmas.
The current American version utilizes canned fruits, sweetened coconut, mini-marshmallows, sour cream and Cool Whip. Heaven forbid to all but the mandarin oranges and marshmallows! And that’s the reason we’re going to make this Mexican, with wonderful fresh fruits of all kinds, and crema, nuts and unsweetened coconut!
This is the perfect holiday dessert to serve alongside pumpkin or pecan pie or trifle. It is refreshing, rich and maybe, just a little lighter on the calories!
½ Cup (85 g) unsweetened, shredded coconut. (coco rallado sin azúcar)
OPTIONAL: Chopped pecans (nueces pecanas) or walnuts (nueces) to taste, for crunch.
Fold nuts into salad before serving to avoid them getting soggy.
Dressing:
½ Cup (120 g) whipping cream. (crema para batir)
1 Cup (230 g) crema. (crema)
½ Cup (153 g) sweetened condensed milk. (leche condensada azucarada)
1 tsp. (4.2 g) vanilla extract. (extracto de vainilla)
Mexican brands noted for their intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla.
Instructions:
Drain mandarin oranges thoroughly.
In a mixing bowl, combine crema, whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and blended.
In a large bowl, add fruits, mini-marshmallows, and shredded coconut.
Gently fold in the cream mixture until fruits, etc. are evenly coated.
Refrigerate for a least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to blend. Refrigerate overnight for best results
Fold in nuts (to taste) before serving, if desired.
Disfruta!
Deborah McCoy is the one-time author of mainstream, bridal-reference books who has turned her attention to food, particularly sweets, desserts and fruits. She is the founder of CakeChatter™ on FaceBook and X (Twitter), and the author of four baking books for “Dough Punchers” via CakeChatter (available @amazon.com). She is also the president of The American Academy of Wedding Professionals™ (aa-wp.com).
Echoing spirits and an astonishing dinosaur-era underground system can be found in Aktun Chen, an unmissable cave walk in the Riviera Maya. (Bel Woodhouse)
As you probably all know by now I’m a huge nature lover — above and below the ground. Whether zip-lining through treetops or spelunking in a five million year old cave system, I’m happy. And spelunking is a special kind of happiness for me. So, when I found out that Aktun Chen Eco Park had one of the world’s top underground walks, my friend and I were on the next ferry, ready for an adventure at the private park near Akumal, 40 minutes south of Playa del Carmen.
Now if you’ve never been spelunking before, it’s just dawdling around exploring caves. I’ve been spelunking all over the world. So far, my favorites were bat caves in Cambodia and Slovenia’s huge Škocjan Caves Park. But this one, at Aktun Chen right here in the Riviera Maya, tops my list! National Geographic has listed it as #3 on their Top Underground Walks of the World.
Bel (right) excited and ready to explore this sprawling cave system. (Bel Woodhouse)
A living museum
I love the tranquil peace of a cave system — especially one this old. Five million years is a long time, but not that long in the evolution of this planet. Whatever created this system, I’m thankful to experience it. Exploring the creamish-white caves is stunning. The ancient stalactites formed over thousands of years are amazing. The sparkle of the gemstones and mineral deposits in the stalactites is breathtaking. It’s a beautiful world rarely seen, which, to my eyes, makes it a little bit of magic here on Earth.
Plus, my inner child likes to pretend I’m in a Lord of the Rings movie on an epic quest, slowly moving deeper into the earth, listening to underground rivers and seeing a whole new world as your eyes adjust to the low light. But we didn’t need to on this walk.
Ancient stalactites hanging from the ceiling formed over millions of years, a testament to the age of the caves. (Bel Woodhouse)
The walk inside Aktun Chen, the cave system in the Riviera Maya
The caves aren’t that deep. A few meters under the surface, it’s well-lit and well-ventilated as you follow the guide. An easy 650-yard (0.36 mile, or 594 meters) walk. There are plenty of stops along the way as they explain about the cave system and its formation.
Geeking out on geological formations is a given in such an amazing place. Formations that fascinated me. Stalactites hang from the cave roof. Stalagmites grow from the ground up and the columns form as they grow large enough to meet. This takes thousands of years, forming from mineral deposits left from water dripping down. Occasionally, thick braids of tree roots hang from the ceiling, creating a living column through the cavern before disappearing into the earth again. The natural structure supports huge trees above, in the lush jungle. These caves support all sorts of life.
Life in the cave
The cave feels ancient — and maybe even supernatural. (Bel Woodhouse)
In ancient times people lived in caves, using them for shelter. This makes them historically and geologically interesting, as well as geologically interesting. But the thing that I loved was the local legends.
Echos are natural in any confined space like a cave. But in certain places, the acoustics make it sound like other people are there. So, the Maya used to think there were spirits and revered the caves. Now, I didn’t hear any spirits, but I would like to go back and try to. Our tour group was chatty, removing any spookiness that may be heard on a quiet day. I’d love a chance to talk with the spirits to see if they answer back. Imagine if they did?
Okay, I just gave myself goosebumps so let’s move on. I want to share my favorite part of the cave.
The underground river
In the depths of Aktun Chen, you can see the reflection of the stalactites hanging from the ceiling in the clear waters. (Bel Woodhouse)
Some moments in life concrete into treasured lifelong memories. For me, standing on the boardwalk crossing the underground river is one of them. Honestly, it is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I have ever seen.
So much so, that I didn’t want to leave. My tour group moved on yet I remained to enjoy a moment of peace in the tranquility of the cavern. Pure, crystal clear water showed every underwater formation below my feet. Above, hung the honey and pale mustard of the stalactites, mixed with dusky pinks and pure whites of other formations. I could have spent hours in there marveling at the pristine beauty.
This area was my favorite. It’s easy to see why National Geographic has named it one of the top underground walks in the world. And it will remain that way. There is no swimming in the river so it remains protected. And you know what? Knowing that makes my nature-loving heart smile.
Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.
From Pro golf to stunning new hotels and airports, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area is set for a huge 2025. (PGA Tour)
Puerto Vallarta is the perennial darling of sunseekers, nature lovers and the margarita aficionado. But if you think you’ve seen all this slice of paradise has to offer, think again. 2025 is shaping up to be a year of new additions to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, giving even the most veteran traveler new reasons to visit. Here’s what’s on tap for the Bay of Banderas area, from Puerto Vallarta up to Riviera Nayarit, as we head into the new year.
The Hotel scene
Puerto Vallarta’s UNICO 20°87° has set the new standard for what all-inclusive trips to the Bay of Banderas should be. (All Inclusive Outlet)
When UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya opened in 2017 it turned the all-inclusive, adults-only resort model on its head. It was one of the first resorts to open in Mexico under the luxury all-inclusive concept. Now the brand is making its debut on Mexico’s Pacific coast. In 2025, sister resort UNICO 20°105° Puerto Vallarta will make its debut in Nuevo Nayarit. With Bay of Banderas and Sierra Madre views, this Pacific adults-only retreat promises to deliver the same service and contemporary design that made its Riviera Maya counterpart a success. Expect a rooftop pool touted as the best in town, gourmet restaurants and curated experiences that dive into Vallarta’s culture.
Over in Riviera Nayarit, Milaroca is preparing to open in April as an eco-friendly five-star resort. Spread across 105 acres of beachfront and jungle, the property promises farm-to-table dining, immersive activities like cooking classes and archaeological tours and sustainable design elements like low-density construction, natural cross-ventilation and energy-efficient lighting.
April 2025 will also bring the debut of Breathless Puerto Vallarta. This adults-only all-inclusive resort will have 450 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, five bars and four pools and will be 10 minutes from the airport.
The new Puerto Vallarta offering from One&Only looks set to continue the high standards guests have come to expect from the chain. (One&Only Mandarina)
For those drawn to Sayulita’s bohemian vibes, the debut of Zen Sayulita by Melia will bring a new style of resort to this surfer town. Think 125 rooms, villas, a rooftop bar, a beach club and a spa. Alongside Zel Sayulita, Meliá Hotels International will also open a ME by Melia in Sayulita. Located along the beach, the new resort will boast 125 rooms and villas, as well as three restaurants, a spa, pool, gym and rooftop bar with a separate pool.
Don’t sleep on Tryst Puerto Vallarta, which quietly opened in the Fall of 2024. Already making waves for its inclusive vibe, stylish design and beachfront access, it’s a newbie to consider when visiting town.
Getting there just got easier
Puerto Vallarta’s infamously inundated international airport welcomes more than six million passengers each year and has been working on expanding in order to accommodate the increasing number of annual visitors. Its long-anticipated Terminal 2 is officially slated to open in 2025. The LEED-certified terminal will, according to the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, be the first Net-Zero-certified terminal in Latin America, and the two-story building will increase airport capacity by 125 percent.
Tepic’s airport, now rebranded the Riviera Nayarit International Airport, has received a significant US $250 million upgrade. The expansion includes a new terminal, more than 33,000 square feet of retail and dining, a runway extension and a new car rental center. The airport is expected to receive international flights beginning in 2025.
The new Riviera Nayarit International Airport in Tepic is projeted to start receiving international flights in early 2025, connecting Punta Mita and Sayulita with more visitors from across the world. (Soy de Tepic/X)
The coming year is also set to bring expanded air connectivity that will make hopping over a breeze. Sunwing Airlines has launched a weekly service from Bagotville, Quebec, catering to the snowbirds escaping Canada’s icy grip. Alaska Airlines isn’t playing around either, with new weekly flights from Sacramento, Kansas City and St. Louis starting in January, plus four weekly flights from New York. Not to be outdone, Southwest Airlines joins the mix with weekly Sacramento flights kicking off in March.
And let’s not forget the game-changing highway that now connects Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. A quick jaunt through Jalisco’s tequila-soaked countryside allows travelers to pair PV beaches with Guadalajara’s historic streets.
The events
Whale watching – December to March
Like much of the Pacific coast, the Bay of Banderas plays host to scores of young whales throughout the winter period. (Adolfo Vladimir/Cuartoscuro)
From December to March, the Bay of Banderas becomes a nursery for humpback whales. Tour operators like Ecotours Vallarta and Vallarta Adventures lead excursions that feature hydrophones so you can hear the whales’ melodic songs — a true bucket-list experience.
Mexico Open at Vidanta – Feb. 17-23
Golf enthusiasts, this one’s for you. The PGA Tour returns to Vidanta Vallarta. Beyond the greens, the Par Tee Deck offers food, VIP lounges, and merchandise for fans.
Puerto Vallarta Marathon – April 6
The annual Puerto Vallarta marathon is back and bigger than ever in 2025. (Vallarta Nayarit Blog)
Runners return for the revamped Puerto Vallarta Marathon, with distances ranging from a 5K to a Boston Marathon-qualifying 42K.
Vallarta Pride – May 17-25
Puerto Vallarta has long been a top LGBTQ+ destination, and 2025’s Vallarta Pride promises to outdo itself. The theme, “Revolution: The Future Has No Gender,” underscores the event’s commitment to inclusivity. Expect parades, beach parties, art exhibitions and more.
Why Puerto Vallarta in 2025
For those who think they’ve “been there, done that,” 2025 proves there are always new reasons to come back to Puerto Vallarta, from new hotels to the spectacles of nature and parties and events year-round.
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
2024 was a great year for Mexican TV. Here are some of the best shows and where to stream them. (Apple TV+)
Every year seems to bring an avalanche of new shows to the small screen, and it is simply impossible to keep up with the volume of new releases. To help you work out what’s worth your time and what isn’t, we’ve selected the best Mexican shows released in 2024.
From medical dramas and crime thrillers to contemporary adventures and historical melodramas, it’s been an exceptionally interesting year for Mexican television. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are the best Mexican shows of 2024 and where to watch them.
Adapted from the 1989 novel of the same name written by Laura Esquivel, the miniseries tells the story of Tita de la Garza and her forbidden romance with Pedro Múzquiz, her childhood sweetheart. Unfortunately, although the young lovers dream of making a life together, Tita’s destiny is doomed by an overbearing family tradition, which requires her to remain single to care for her mother until she passes away. As in the novel, Max’s reinterpretation is a story of love and rebellion, of duty and destiny, and of social tensions in the times of the Mexican Revolution.
Emotionally rooted, visually dazzling and worthy of the legacy of the original, “Como Agua para Chocolate” has been renewed for a second and final season.
Who doesn’t like an action-adventure series about a high stakes search for a legendary treasure?
With seven exciting episodes, “Bandidos” follows a daring and thrilling archeological adventure in the Mexican Caribbean and a thrilling underwater heist. Directed by Adrián Grünberg and Javier Ruiz Caldera, it tells the story of Miguel, Lilí and an eclectic crew of bounty hunters who risk everything to recover a priceless Mayan relic lost in the Gulf of Mexico.
After its premiere in March, it became one of Netflix’s most watched Latin American series and secured a Top 10 spot in more than 65 countries. Luckily, the second season is on its way.
The plot is loosely inspired by true events and set in conservative Mexico in the early 1970s. “Las Azules” (Women in Blue) examines the founding of Mexico City’s first female police squad, and their intense fight against a serial killer dubbed the “Tlalpan Undresser.” This slick thriller tells the story of four intrepid recruits: Maria, Gabina, Angeles and Valentina, as they strive to redefine the entrenched patriarchal culture within law enforcement.
With intricate period details, a well-crafted plot, and witty characters, Pablo Aramendi and Fernando Rovzar’s lavish series does not disappoint.
After sharing credits in popular films such as “Y tu mamá también” (2001), “Rudo y Cursi” (2008), and “Casa de mi padre” (2012), longtime friends Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna have reunited on screen, this time for Hulu’s first Spanish-language production, “La Máquina” (The Machine), a tribute to Mexico’s glorious boxing history.
This vibrant miniseries follows Esteban Osuna (García Bernal), nicknamed “La Máquina”, a legendary boxer who is nearing the end of his career. His eccentric friend and agent Andy Lujan (Luna), assures him one last chance in the ring in hopes of reviving his golden days. However, almost as quickly as Esteban scores a victory that returns them to the pinnacle of boxing, both are threatened by an omnipotent criminal organization, which puts their lives and those of their loved ones, in danger.
After arriving on Netflix in August, “The Accident” quickly became one of the most controversial and popular Mexican series of the year. The suspenseful family drama centers on a tragic accident in which a bouncy castle causes the untimely death of three children and the harrowing disappearance of another. Naturally, the grief of the families spreads like wildfire, and everything becomes even more complicated when evidence emerges that, perhaps, it was not just an act of God.
Created by Leonardo Padrón and directed by Gracia Querejeta and Klych López, “Accidente” is a raw and intriguing drama, even as it veers into telenovela territory.
Familia de medianoche — Tráiler oficial | Apple TV+
Sometimes a great documentary is just the beginning of the story. Such is the case with Apple TV+’s medical drama, “Midnight Family.” The series is inspired by Luke Lorentzen’s influential, award-winning documentary of the same name.
Refusing to shy away from gory details, the reimagining of “Midnight Family” follows the lives and adventures of the Tamayos, a family of hardened paramedics, as they respond to emergency calls in Mexico City. Like the source material, Gibrán Portela and Julio Rojas’ television fiction harshly questions the efficacy of the Mexican capital’s healthcare system and explores the underworld of private ambulances. The ten-part series is humane, involving and hugely satisfying.
If there is any justice in this world, there will be another installment.
Any of the other best Mexican shows that we’ve missed from this year? Let us know in the comments!
Carolina Alvarado is a Venezuelan journalist and has devoted much of her career to creative writing, university teaching and social work. She has been published in Lady Science, Latina Media, Global Comment, Psiquide, Cinetopic, Get me Giddy and Reader’s Digest, among others.
Why does a Gulf city see burning pensioners run around the city to celebrate New Year? Well, it's a long story... (Mexico Desconocido)
There’s nothing more distinctly representative of the holidays in Veracruz than spotting your first “old man” wandering the streets — sometimes on fire. To the uninitiated it may sound odd, if not violently eerie. But it’s a reference to a century-old celebration known as “El Viejo de Año Nuevo,” in which “Jarochos” (Veracruz natives) throughout the coastal state end every year within a festive spectacle. And it’s worth seeing the uniquely Veracruzano custom.
The state’s upbeat reputation is on full display as hordes of participants spread joy in the form of dance and music while dressed up old men and occasionally old women (characterized by fake white hairs, a disheveled beard for the men, a cane, and often a Jarocho outfit of white guayabera shirt and pants, with a matching white hat or traditional dress for the ladies). In many indigenous communities, the “old man” is represented with traditional masks and songs. Whatever the appearance, “El Viejo de Año Nuevo” is one of the state’s proudest traditions, bringing together participants of various ages for the annual, intergenerational affair.
“El Viejo” isn’t just for men either. While rarer, old women can be spotted on the street as well. (Alberto Roa/Cuartoscuro)
It begins on Christmas Day, which in Mexico is predominantly celebrated as Nochebuena on Christmas Eve and ends on January 1. There are variations of the celebration, too. In some places, there is “la quema del viejo.” In this case, effigies of old men get burned at midnight to reset the calendar and ward off negative spirits. These effigies are dressed up to appear as elders, and are customarily stuffed with dried banana leaves. The burning of these “old men” dates back centuries to traditions brought over from the Spaniards. And not every community partakes in the pyres, either.
For my parents and family members who grew up in Veracruz’s capital, Xalapa, each año nuevo began afresh with “El Viejo,” something as customary for them as it is to eat tamales and pambazos. My dad recounts his memories as a child and adolescent in Xalapa. In his retelling, he and his friends would go around Xalapa and watch people of all ages dressed as old men as they played music, asked for money, and sang the age-old lyrics (which has since been modernized into various remixes) past midnight.
The celebratory procession is said to have started as a labor protest in 1875 in the port city of Veracruz. As the legend goes, a group of dock workers didn’t receive their annual “aguinaldo,” or Christmas bonus, and began to demand their dues by gathering in the streets. Another version of the story differs in that the workers were demanding to take home unclaimed shipments at the end of the year, as was customary, but were forcefully denied by the port’s managers.
In response to not receiving the end-of-year rewards, a man who is simply known by his last name, Bovril, took charge and began to make noise outside of the port managers’ homes, until crowds of more workers gathered, with the intent to collect money and goods. The next year, the dock workers repeated their actions but dressed up as old men, or “viejos.” It’s unclear exactly how the costume became popularized.
El Viejo de Veracruz
In a vastly different telling, multiple sources have also cited a Korean immigrant who brought over the custom while wearing a mask in the streets of Veracruz until children started to follow him around, dancing and singing. Whatever the origin, it’s stronger than ever in Veracruz, where the current Governor, Rocío Nahle García, is currently pushing a campaign to celebrate the custom with tourists and locals alike with the tagline “¡Veracruz está de la moda!”. But for many, it doesn’t need any marketing, since it’s a practice that has been passed down over generations.
“It’s a culture that is preserved in every pueblo,” said a participant in an interview with Cronica de Xalapa. “We maintain the musical aspect. That’s what keeps the tradition fresh. We add rhythm and it keeps us united by bringing more joy to homes.”
To be sure, every region throughout Veracruz — including Cordoba, Veracruz-Boca del Río, Xalapa, Orizaba and many others — will host their own version of a parade. The state’s main event will take place at Parque Zamora in Veracruz beginning at 1 p.m. In the evening, a fireworks display will occur at nearby la Plaza del Migrante Libanés, Villa del Mar, Asta Bandera, Hotel Lois y Plaza de los Valores.
Alan Chazaro is the author of This Is Not a Frank Ocean Cover Album , Piñata Theory and Notes From the Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge (Ghost City Press, 2021). He is a graduate of June Jordan’s Poetry for the People program at UC Berkeley and a former Lawrence Ferlinghetti Fellow at the University of San Francisco. His writing can be found in GQ, NPR, The Guardian, L.A. Times and more. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he is currently based in Veracruz.
How did 2024 play out for Mexico versus your expectations? What predictions did you make that were correct or incorrect? (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
Making predictions is a dangerous business, but as I said at the beginning of the year when I made them, I was going to take the risk and go out on a limb to make them. I guess how I did depends on if you are a fan of baseball or basketball. If I am measured in terms of baseball hitting percentages, I did pretty well. If I am measured in terms of basketball free throw percentages, I would be benched!
With that said, the following is a scorecard of my predictions versus the actual results:
Prediction: The nearshoring boom will continue to accelerate and Mexico will receive a record amount of foreign direct investment
Result: CORRECT!
Mexico is on track to receive a record amount of foreign direct investment, but the rate did not grow as fast as many hoped and the vast majority of the investment was not new money coming into the country but rather reinvestment. Definitely something to keep an eye on in 2025. Read more below:
Prediction: One, if not two, Chinese auto companies will announce massive plant investments in Mexico.
Result: INCORRECT!
Multiple large Chinese companies, including BYD and others, announced that announcements of plants would be coming, but they have not yet happened. Trump’s recent presidential victory seems likely to have stalled these plans indefinitely.
Prediction: Increased discussion and tension will arise among USMCA partners (United States, Canada, Mexico) over the rapidly increasing Chinese investment and imports into Mexico.
Result: CORRECT!
Both Canada and the United States have been piling on the threats to Mexico over Chinese investments and imports, with several Canadian provincial ministers even going so far as to say that the USMCA should be updated and Mexico should be cut out of the agreement. To try to bring some sanity and facts to the discussion, Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard and President Sheinbaum both presented actual data on Chinese investment and imports into Mexico to try to lower tensions.
Prediction: The NBA will confirm that an expansion team will come to Mexico City.
The result: INCORRECT!
The NBA has not yet confirmed a team in Mexico City, but has continued to express interest in the possibility. It will likely happen at some point, but will take time to come to fruition.
Prediction: Claudia Sheinbaum will win the presidential election in a landslide.
Prediction: The Mexican peso will not move significantly in reaction to the election results (as it often does).
The result: INCORRECT!
The peso has weakened by nearly 20% since the election and is now back where it was several years ago. Compared to previous elections, this was actually not a large move (especially given the huge appreciation of the peso in the year leading up to the election), but the move was significant nonetheless.
Prediction: The Maya Train project will be more positively viewed by the end of the year and increasingly be recognized as a strategically important investment for the region.
Result: I think it is still too early to tell on this one.
The entire train network was just completed a few weeks ago, and emotions are still high on both sides. 2025 will be a key year to answer this question.
Prediction: The Tulum airport will receive a surprisingly high number of new flights and become a major flight destination.
Prediction: The Interoceanic Train crossing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec will get increased interest and attention due to continued problems with the Panama Canal.
The result: This is another one that seems to be in the “too early to tell” category.
Trump’s recent suggestion that the U.S. take over the Panama Canal again could help or hurt Mexico’s cause…
Prediction: Mexico will become an increasingly important topic in the upcoming U.S. elections. Issues like immigration, fentanyl and drug cartels will cause some candidates to threaten significant actions against the country.
The result: CORRECT!
A significant part of Trump’s winning message was focused on what he would do on immigration, drug cartels and migrants from Mexico.
Prediction: Despite the campaign rhetoric, Mexico will increase its lead and share as the largest trading partner of the United States.
The result: CORRECT!
Mexico increased its exports to the U.S. and increased its share as the largest trading partner to now nearly 16% — ahead of Canada and with China now in third place.
Prediction: Tesla will accelerate its plant investment in Monterrey.
The result: INCORRECT!
Tesla, blaming an uncertain electric vehicle market and the threat of tariffs, put an indefinite pause on the project to the dismay of many in the region.
Prediction: The number of U.S. and Canadian citizens moving to Mexico will continue to accelerate.
The result: Too early to tell.
I have not yet seen actual figures, but all anecdotal evidence I see and hear tells me that the numbers continue to increase.
Prediction: A record number of international tourists will come to Mexico.
The result: CORRECT!
Mexico has seen record numbers of international tourists and tourist spending this year.
Prediction: The Bank of Mexico will finally begin to lower interest rates in the first quarter of the year, which should weaken the peso gradually.
The result: CORRECT!
Rates were cut in March and for a total of five times this year, putting the current rate at 10%. The peso has weakened (albeit not gradually).
Prediction: The Mexican peso will end the year above 18 to the US dollar.
The result: CORRECT!
Although it seems like a no-brainer prediction now, let’s remember that it was at 16.3 not too long ago. The current rate is near 20.
Prediction: Mexico will end 2024 as the 10th largest economy in the world (moving up 2 places from 2023 and 4 places from 2022).
The result: Too early to tell, but I am confident in giving myself an INCORRECT on this one due to Mexico’s low GDP growth this year.
The economy underperformed its potential growth rate yet again, and next year’s forecasts are being revised downward by just about everyone.
So in summary, I had 9 correct predictions, 5 incorrect and 3 that are still too early to tell. Given that 2024 had increased volatility due to being an election year in the United States and Canada, I think I did okay, but with definite room for improvement.
How did 2024 play out for Mexico versus your expectations? What predictions did you make that were correct or incorrect?
Please share your thoughts and comments in the comments section and stay tuned for my Mexico Predictions for 2025 in my first column of the new year.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO ofMexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
New Year in Mexico comes with some interesting traditions. Try them and see if they bring you luck in 2025! (Shutterstock)
Grapes, underwear, burning dolls. If it’s time for strange traditions, it must be New Year’s Eve in Mexico.
Be aware that New Year’s Eve is a time that Mexican families like to spend with each other. You’ll surely be able to find some fun activities and parties, but don’t be put off if your Mexican besties have plans already, probably with their families.
Like everything in Mexico, New Year is a bit of a party! (Players of Life)
For Mexicans, the stroke of midnight is a time to hug and kiss your loved ones. If you’ve got any down here with you, get ready for some squeezes! If you don’t, that’s okay. There’s still plenty of fun to be had!
So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of Mexico’s favorite New Year traditions.
Colored underwear
This is something that took me a while to figure out. Why on Earth was I always seeing so much red and yellow underwear on sale at this time of year? Do people really like McDonald’s colors?
Surely, this will bring luck, health, love and riches in 2025. I’m hedging my bets. (Amazon)
Actually, the colors are for luck. While there are more — green is for health, for example — red and yellow are the main ones. Wearing red underwear means you’ll attract love in the coming year, and yellow means that you’ll attract money. Unfortunately, my 2024 yellow underwear seems to have been defective. Well, we’ll try again, I guess!
Eating 12 grapes at midnight
There are some people who feel they have to eat all 12 grapes right away, at the same time. I’d advise against this, since, you know, choking hazard. But if you go nice and slow, or someone in your party knows the Heimlich maneuver, go for it! Each of the 12 grapes represents a wish for the coming year. That’s quite a few wishes, so don’t be afraid to jot them down in advance!
Eat grapes for luck. Just have a CPR expert on hand to be safe. (Jerry Wang/Unsplash)
Fireworks and other things to send you to the hospital
Mexico is a country that loves, loves, loves its fireworks, and New Year celebrations are no exception! While there’s not comprehensive data on how many people are injured by rockets every Dec. 31, my guess is a lot. Be careful out there!
Representing the old and new year
More fire! In Mexico, many people have the tradition of creating a kind of life-size scarecrow to represent the old year. And most actually burn it! If you’re going this route, I’d recommend doing it with someone with experience.
I guess if 2024 wasn’t kind to you, you could try burning it? (Mladen Borisov/Unsplash)
And here’s something you might see during the day on New Year’s Eve: bands of merry revelers dancing and clanging their ways up and down the streets. In this party, there will inevitably be a grown man hilariously dressed as a baby — the new year. They might be chasing or otherwise terrorizing the older-looking old year!
Cleaning for the new year
While we often talk about spring cleaning, in Mexico the new year is a great time for it. Why? Symbolism, baby, symbolism. It’s a literal “out with the old and in with the new” activity meant to purify and refresh your life. I’m 100 percent on board with this one, as cleaning and organizing is basically witchcraft as far as I’m concerned. Time to get rid of those things that are just taking up space!
Eating at midnight
This tradition, I’ll admit, is not my favorite. Plus, didn’t we just have to wait until midnight to eat on Christmas? What’s a gal supposed to do until then?
The answer, I guess, is a sandwich or something to hold you over, and in my case, a nap.
If this is your first New Year celebration spent in Mexico, then enjoy yourself! Get your underwear ready and your grapes prepared. Take a good nap, and try not to wind up in the hospital with sparkler burns.
Los Cabos is home to 13 of the 157 restaurants with Michelin stars in Mexico. Here are some of the best in town! (Zachary DeBottis:Pexels)
The world famous Michelin Guide recognized 157 restaurants in Mexico during its initial 2024 selection, announced last May. This promotion proved very beneficial for the restaurants that earned stars. It has also proved a boon for travelers, since Michelin not only explains its quality criteria but divides selections into several handy categories, including its coveted stars, which signifies the restaurant is not only one of the best in the region but in the world; Bib Gourmand, which denotes high quality at value pricing; the Green Stars given to restaurants boasting great food with sustainable practices; and Recommended, meaning Michelin vouches for its a quality dining spot.
Of the 157 restaurants in Mexico honored by Michelin in Mexico, 13 are located in Los Cabos. However, these aren’t exactly spread out evenly around the municipality.
Michelin stars signify that the restaurant is not only one of the best in the region, but in the entire world. (Ramo/Pexels)
Cabo San Lucas
The Land’s End city has a terrific taco scene and a few great restaurants. But it’s no coincidence most of the Los Cabos restaurants that received Michelin Guide recognition are found in the Tourist Corridor — (home to many luxury resorts and their signature eateries —) and San José del Cabo, the showplace for the region’s superb farm-to-table dining.
Los Tres Gallos
Michel Zermeño and Fabiola Sánchez founded this downtown gem in 2010. It’s named after a trio of movie stars from Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema: (Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, and Javier Solís, collectively Los Tres Gallos). It’s the premier local stop for traditional Mexican cuisine. A second restaurant has since opened in the Gallery District of San José del Cabo.
Michelin Status: Recommended Leona Vicario esquina 20 de Noviembre
San José del Cabo
Rodrigo Esponda, director general of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, recently noted via Travel Pulse Canada: “We are the number one region in Mexico that produces organic vegetables and fruit. Everything is for local consumption; we don’t export. We have sustainable fishing and farming, so the combination and innovation of the chefs really make our culinary scene unparalleled.”
Nowhere is that fact more evident than in San José del Cabo. The region’s acclaimed farm-to-table dining style was pioneered at restaurants just outside the city, like Flora’s Field Kitchen and Acre in Ánimas Bajas. It continues to be spotlighted in the popular downtown Gallery District, home to great art galleries and many of the area’s best restaurants.
Acre
A farm-to-table gem that’s as remarkable as the treehouse accommodations set on the property. The cuisine, contemporary Mexican with some global influences, is crafted from ingredients grown sustainably on the farm or bought from local fishermen or other local farmers.
Acre is well-known for its treehouse accomodations, that frame wonderful farm-to-table meals. (Acre)
Michelin Status: Green Star, Recommended Ánimas Bajas
Flora’s Field Kitchen
With an outdoor dining area overlooking the 25-acre farm from which so many ingredients are sourced (meat comes from a nearby ranch), Flora’s Field Kitchen is the most iconic of the region’s farm-to-table restaurants and perennially the most popular. This place is always packed and with good reason.
Michelin Status: Green Star, Bib Gourmand Ánimas Bajas
Lumbre
Chef César Pita’s Lumbre is one of several contemporary restaurants in San José del Cabo’s downtown Gallery District where the region’s incredible diversity of fresh seafood and organic produce is displayed. “It’s a Mexican and live fire concept,” notes the Michelin Guide, “with global influences where creativity and originality reign supreme.”
Michelin Status: Recommended Calle José María Morelos 162
Omakai
The history of Japanese cuisine made from Mexican ingredients in Los Cabos dates back to 1994 when Nick-san invented it. However, per the Michelin Guide, Omakai is now the foremost proponent of this style, thanks to its flawless execution and superb fresh local seafood.
Picture Japan meets Mexico — but better: that’s Nicksan in Los Cabos for you. (Nicksan)
Ruba’s backs up its pastries with more substantial bistro fare like the chef’s creative tasting menu prepared during the Gallery District’s weekly Art Walk.
Michelin Status: Recommended José María Morelos 8
Tourist Corridor
It shouldn’t be surprising that many of Los Cabos’ best restaurants are found on the premises of in luxury resorts. That’s where all the celebrated chefs come from. The first big names like Larbi Dahrouch and Charlie Trotter were brought in 20 years ago by One&Only Palmilla.
More recently, it has been superstar chefs like Enrique Olvera and Sidney Schutte, two chefs with Michelin Guide credentials, who that have helped elevate the overall quality of Los Cabos cuisine at resorts like The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, and Grand Velas, respectively.
Árbol
Las Ventanas al Paraíso was the first of the modern luxury resorts in Los Cabos and it remains a benchmark for elegance and exceptional food and drink. Árbol doesn’t stint on the elegance, with Beluga caviar and Maine lobster among many luxury items on the menu. But it’s also one of the area’s most cosmopolitan eateries, thanks to Indian curries and other Asian culinary specialties.
Michelin Status: Recommended Las Ventanas al Paraíso, Carretera Transpeninsular Km 19.5
Carbón Cabrón
The name itself is reason enough to visit. A grill aficionado’s idea of heaven, with wood-fired specialties from chef Poncho Cadena. These include the expected meat and seafood cuts, plus exquisitely grilled vegetables.
Service is available with prior reservation only with at least 4 days of anticipation. (Carbón Cabrón)
Michelin Status: Recommended El Merkado, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 24.5
Cocina de Autor
Eight to 10-course tasting menus highlight the experience at Cocina de Autor, Dutch master chef Sidney Schutte’s signature restaurant at Grand Velas, and the only restaurant in Los Cabos granted a coveted Michelin star.
Naturally, it’s hard to interpret giving the only star to a European chef as anything but a backhanded compliment to the region’s cuisine.
Michelin Status: One Star Grand Velas, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 17
Comal
Stylish decor, Sea of Cortezés views, and first-class cuisine courtesy of chef Yvan Mucharraz — formerly of Capella Pedregal — headline the attractions at this picturesque seaside restaurant at the luxurious Chileno Bay Resort & Residences.
Michelin Status: Recommended Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Caretera Transpeninsular Km. 15
Manta
Enrique Olvera, whose Pujol in Mexico City was one of only two restaurants in Mexico to receive two stars, opened this signature eatery at The Cape, A Thompson Hotel in 2015. The focus is on local ingredients, but with a pan-Pacific outlook.
As the chef told me when the restaurant had its grand opening: “Baja has a Pacific influence, so that’s why we’re playing around with Peruvian and Japanese flavors; because a sashimi, a tiradito, and a Mexican ceviche have a common language.”
Michelin Status: Recommended The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 5.5
Metate
In the vicinity of Cabo San Lucas, this place serves Mexican specialties with a distinctive touch. (Metate Cabo/Guide Michelin)
A Bib Gourmand selection due to its combination of quality and value, Metate is “welcoming and attractive,” per Michelin, serving up Mexican specialties in a charming outdoor setting just outside Cabo San Lucas.
Michelin Status: Bib Gourmand Avenida Crispin Ceseña S/N, El Tezal
Nao
Alex Branch is one of the most talented and well-traveled chefs in Los Cabos having worked with Enrique Olvera at Manta and helmed Acre — two other Michelin-recognized restaurants — before opening the Mediterranean-style Nao.
Michelin Status: Recommended El Merkado, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 24.5
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.
