Tacos de barbacoa at El Mexiquense in Mexico City

I’m a sucker for tacos de barbacoa and this place in CDMX (in Narvarte, Roma and other locations) has great ones. Try the tacos dorados as well! —Peter Davies, chief staff writer

Tacos de guisado at Los Burritos in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Nopales, meat, eggs in red sauce, mole, chicharrón, beans… are some of the dishes you can enjoy in your ‘burritaco’ prepared on the spot in delicious flour tortillas. They are located on Hidalgo Street, in downtown San Miguel de Allende. —María Ruiz, assistant editor

Pellizcada de asada at the Mercado Garmendia in Culiacán, Sinaloa

Thicker than a tortilla but thinner than a sope, Culiacán’s pellizcadas offer just the right dose of chewy tamal goodness. The cooked masa is spread with savory pan drippings, melted cheese and a thick layer of carne asada then served with a wide variety of salsas. —Rose Egelhoff, senior news editor

Tacos de asada at Lila Taquería in Dubai

I had tacos de carne asada and agua de Jamaica on Day of the Dead. The tacos tasted just like any taco in Mexico. Later we learned all ingredients in this restaurant are shipped from Mexico. —Gaby Solís, news writer

Tacos al pastor at Orinoco in Mexico City

The crispy tortilla topping that Orinoco adds really takes this taco al pastor to the next level. —Caitlin Cooper, senior news editor

Tacos de carne asada con queso in Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí

Lots of pico de gallo, fresh tortillas, grilled green onions, amazing salsas — served on plastic tables and chairs on the street. —Travis Bembenek, Mexico News Daily CEO

Tacos al pastor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The chances of stumbling upon a taco al pastor in the dusty street of the Cambodian capital were low. The chances of it being lovingly prepared by a Oaxacan chef were even lower. It was a tiny slice of heaven. —Chris Havler-Barrett, features editor

Tacos de carne asada in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

The salsas are amazing! —Tamanna Bembenek, Mexico News Daily co-owner and product manager

Tacos de barbacoa at Mayahuel in Querétaro city

This local family-run chain of barbacoa restaurants scattered in and around the city of Querétaro consistently makes the best traditional barbacoa de borrego tacos I’ve ever tasted. Their dining setup may look unassuming — some locations are a bunch of wooden tables set up outdoors under a massive tent — but Mayahuel takes the art of barbacoa seriously, with the meat wrapped in maguey leaves and braised for hours in a traditional mesquite-fired barbecue pit. They also provide plenty of the traditional simmering consomé or mole de olla and all the classic fixings. No wonder queretanos pack this place on weekends. —Michelle Aguilar, news editor

Tacos de carne asada and pastor at El Nuevo Poblano in Tijuana

Giant tacos with so much guacamole — very indulgent and very northern. —Felicity Bradstock, news writer

For more recommendations, don’t forget to check out our staff picks for best books, movies and music of 2024.

Mexico News Daily

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In 2023, Time Out magazine named Colonia Americana the best neighborhood in the world, and just recently, the Ministry of Tourism recognized Colonia Americana as the city’s first Barrio Mágico (Magical Neighborhood). 

I’m very fond of this neighborhood as my mom grew up there in the 1970s when it was exclusively a residential area. Today, many of the 19th century facades house some of the city’s — and even the world’s — best bars, restaurants and a diverse range of nightlife entertainment. 

So as a Tapatía native, here is my guide to the Best Bars in Colonia Americana. 

Bar Américas

 

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Bar Américas is a classic spot in Guadalajara for electro-music lovers. My friends and I used to go there in our university years when we wanted an alternative to the trendy nightclubs in the city. Unlike many other nightclubs which have disappeared, Bar Américas continues to thrive as a popular spot. 

Known for exclusively playing electronic music, Bar Américas is one of the few bars in the area that remains open until 5 am. National and international DJs frequently perform there, and it’s widely recognized as the best club in Guadalajara — probably even in Mexico. 

Where? Av. Chapultepec Sur 507.

El Gallo Altanero

 

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Coming in at No. 48 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, El Gallo Altanero is a tribute to the agave culture of Jalisco. The bar’s cocktail menu boasts agave spirits exclusively, combining commercial brands and a large selection of independent producers. 

Adapting to seasonal fruits and focusing on regional pairings, the menu changes every two months. Some of its current seasonal drinks include the Negroni No. 14, Mango Viejo and Chabacano Jaibol. 

Each month, the bar’s owners invite guest bartenders from Europe, the United States or Latin America to go to Guadalajara and take over the bar.

Where? Calle Marsella 126

Matilde Mi Amor

 

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Despite only having four years under its belt, Matilde Mi Amor has become a favorite spot amongst Tapatíos. Its casual dining menu features Mexican spirits, fine cocktails, tapas and pizzas. 

The bar’s interiors are designed with lively green tones, evoking a tropical ambience. Additionally, its terrace offers panoramic views and is pet friendly. 

Old favorites include the “Amiga Date Cuenta” cocktail and the signature “Matilde Mi Amor.”

Where? Calle Colonias 221. 

Farmacia Rita Pérez

 

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Another entry in the World’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list, Farmacia Rita Pérez is a metaphor for overcoming a sickness after buying medicine at a pharmacy. As a nod to the bar’s name, its cocktail menu highlights the region’s agave spirits using various traditional herbs and spices that have been historically used medicinally. 

The 50 Best described it as “the perfect place to drink as a local.” In the afternoon, the bar’s pace is easy and relaxed. At nightfall, the pace quickens at the beat of everything from cumbia to norteño to Queen.    

The food menu includes aguachile in the afternoon and tacos at night.  

Where? Calle Colonias, 79. 

Pare de Sufrir

 

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A bar that promises to stop suffering — what more of an invitation do you need to stop by? Its full name is “Pare de Sufrir… Tome Mezcal,” or “Stop Suffering… Drink Mezcal,” which probably needs no further explanation.

Pare de Sufrir has won itself a place in the heart of Guadalajarans due to its wide selection of agave spirits and other traditional Mexican drinks. More than a bar, it describes itself as a “cultural center for music, mezcal and drinks.” 

The bar’s interiors are bright with murals, string lights, and a live DJ catering to every taste. 

Where? Calle Argentina 66 

De La O Cantina

 

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This is yet another entry on the World’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list. The fact that this keeps happening should probably be an indicator of the quality of nightlife in Colonia Americana.

With a white brick wall decorated with framed images of the Mexican revolution, De la O Cantina draws inspiration from Mexico’s traditional cantinas, serving cocktails made up from traditional drinks like tepache, a fermented pineapple drink, and pulque, fermented sap from the agave plant which was a popular pre-Hispanic alcoholic beverage. 

The bar’s namesake is Mexican revolutionary Genovevo de la O, to whom a section of the cocktail menu is devoted. 

Besides drinks, the place offers a small selection of food too. 

Where? Calle Argentina 70.

El Habanero Negro

 

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Offering a tropical vibe year-round inspired by Yucatán Península, El Habanero Negro is more than just a bar. With a food menu that includes small plates — of tacos of cochinita pibil, plátano, pepita hummus and pork belly — this place satisfies those craving a light meal paired with good drinks. 

Its drink menu includes original drinks like the chejuino, which combines tejuino – a traditional drink in Jalisco made of fermented corn – and beer (also dubbed chela), gin tonics and carajillos. But the house’s staple is the fruity Bagaloo cocktail. 

Where? Calle Manuel López Cotilla 1228A.

Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.

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Fighters like Rubén ‘El Púas’ Olivares, Salvador Sánchez and Julio César Chávez have enchanted generations of fans worldwide. These men have jabbed, slipped and often bludgeoned their way into the pantheon of boxing deities. Only the United States has produced more world champions than Mexico throughout the entire history of professional boxing.

The impact is conspicuous. The dates of Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day are indelibly etched into the boxing calendar, thanks first to Chávez, who began marking their concomitant weekends with ritual violence in the 1990s, and subsequently to Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez — the man currently recognized by most fans, pundits and even fellow fighters as the ‘Face of Boxing’ — who has since made the holidays his own.

And while the 34-year-old edges toward the end of a storied career, Mexican boxing is enjoying its ascendancy on the world stage. The tale of Mexican fighters traveling to the U.S. to achieve glory — and earn their fortunes — is one that dates back to the first professional bouts. But high level matchups are not the preserve of the U.S., and the past 18 months have seen an influx of prominent events within Mexico itself.

In terms of prestige, the most significant of these fights came from Canelo; in the summer of 2023, he took a break from his 16-fight Vegas residency to defend the world title in his hometown of Guadalajara. The fiery-haired wrecking ball left millions of dollars on the table to bring the fight for divisional supremacy to Jalisco, where he sold out the 46,000-seater Estadio Akron on his way to comfortably beating British opponent John Ryder and retaining his standing as undisputed king of the super middleweights.

But the domestic boxing scene can do more than bask in Canelo’s successes. Elsewhere, renowned British promoters Matchroom Boxing have signed an array of Mexican prospects and begun hosting their own fight nights across the country. The super featherweight world title fight between O’Shaquie Foster and Eduardo “Rocky” Hernández in Cancún produced the most theatrical end to any contest in 2023, albeit not the finish Mexican fans were hoping for, as Foster dramatically rescued a losing position by knocking Hernández out in the dying seconds of the final round.

Hernández sees this heightened activity as the key to his redemption. Once more, the Mexico City fighter is touted for a shot at the title and a chance to become the next Mexican world champion. Significantly, all of these events have been televised worldwide on the DAZN channel, before the eyes of a global audience. Hernández is one of many Mexican fighters hoping to benefit from this exposure and Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn has promised more to come in 2025.

Mexican boxers knocking out the global scene

Beyond Mexico itself, Mexican boxers continue to impress audiences abroad. November’s shambolic contest between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was partially salvaged by an undercard containing the WBC welterweight championship fight between the Mexican-Americans Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos. Barrios retained the title after an action-packed draw that contained good moments for both fighters. The competitive, 12-round affair was conducted before an attendance narrowly shy of the US record for an indoor boxing event — the 72,300 spectators in AT&T Stadium falling just short of the 73,126 who witnessed Canelo’s victory over Billy Joe Saunders in the same Texas arena in May 2021.

The night after Netflix’s questionable foray into combat sports, more appealing viewing could be found at the inaugural Riyadh Season Latino Night in Saudi Arabia. An evening of high-quality, well-matched fights was a perfect salve for the anticlimactic finale that had dogged the previous night. In stark contrast to the Paul-Tyson farce, Latino Night was topped by a career-best performance from Mexico’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, who comprehensively battered British opponent Chris Billam-Smith on the way to winning a unanimous decision and the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles.

The following month, legendary U.S. promoters Top Rank closed out their 2024 schedule with an all-Mexican affair, as Emanuel Navarrete defended his WBO junior lightweight title with a decisive sixth-round knockout of Óscar Valdez. The enraptured crowd in Phoenix, Arizona witnessed little caution from either fighter as both men unrelentingly sought to out-land each other. Ultimately, Navarrete proved too much for his opponent, knocking Valdez down three times on the way to an impressive victory.

The future of a recent Canelo opponent, however, is more uncertain. After losing a shot at Canelo’s belts on Cinco de Mayo weekend, Tijuana’s Jaime Munguía was admirably active, bouncing back with an assured knockout win over Erik Bazinyan before taking his own homecoming fight to close out the year. 

Munguía headlined Tijuana’s Estadio Caliente, less than three miles from the music hall where he made his debut as a 16-year-old. The comeback was on, right up until the moment that he dropped his guard and was knocked out in the dying seconds of the sixth round. Besides delighting the bookmakers, the powerful straight-right transformed winner Bruno Surace’s life in seconds but left Munguía with a long journey back to title contention.

But, while it was an occasion to forget for one of Mexico’s most prominent fighters, there remains some symbolic importance to that mid-December night in Tijuana; Munguía’s determination to fight again, before the pressure of a hometown crowd, and just months after losing on the biggest stage of his career, is reflective of the spirit so prized in Mexican boxers; and the staging of the fight, south of the desert frontier across which the sport first entered this country, is a recognition that Mexico — a nation of boxing fanatics — is not just here to create boxing’s biggest stars, but to give them a platform upon which to shine.

Munguía will return. And, whether to witness redemption or verify the death of his career, fans will watch with interest.

2025 Should be a fascinating year for Mexican boxing. The world waits in anticipation.

Ajay Smith is a freelance journalist and ghostwriter from Manchester, England, now based in Mexico City. His areas of specialization include boxing, soccer, political history, and current affairs. Samples of his work can be found at ajaysmith.com/portfolio.

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Podcasts

The rise of the Aztec empire: Ed Barnhart and Lex Fridman

Ed Barnhart, an archeologist and explorer specializing in ancient civilizations of the Americas, guest stars on the Lex Fridman Podcast. —Tamanna Bembenek, Mexico News Daily co-owner and product manager

The Sounds of Mexico City

While not exactly a podcast, this audio story delivers you from wherever you are to the bustling, boisterous streets of Mexico City. Very innovative! —Peter Davies, chief staff writer

Radiolab’s Border Trilogy

Though this series first aired in 2018, Radiolab released an updated version last year. In the aftermath of U.S. President Biden’s crackdown on asylum seekers, it’s more relevant than ever. —Rose Egelhoff, senior news editor

Music

The Warning

I recently discovered The Warning, a rock band formed by three sisters from Monterrey. They started playing Metallica covers together when they were little. Now, they have achieved so much success that they fill the Auditorio Nacional. If you are a rock lover I highly recommend this super girl band! —María Ruiz, assistant editor

Peso Pluma

Mexican regional musician Peso Pluma’s chart-topping hits have helped bring the genre of corridos tumbados to the ears of listeners around the world. His ties to narco-culture make this artist controversial, especially in his home country — but you’re still likely to hear these earworms playing around town almost anywhere in Mexico. Check out his songs “Rubicon” and “Nueva Vida” for an irresistible introduction to modern-day corridos. —Tamanna Bembenek, Mexico News Daily co-owner and product manager

Kittyponeo by Bellakath

Mexico City’s alternative reggaetonera Bellakath first went viral in 2022 with her hit single “Gatita.” Her first studio album, “Kittyponeo,” came out in 2023 and the top song, “Reggaeton Champagne,” continued to chart globally into early 2024. —Felicity Bradstock, news writer

KEVIN PÓRTATE BIEN by Robot95

Mexicali rapper Kevin Gutiérrez, aka Robot95, has won fans over with R&B-influenced “smooth, West Coast hip hop,” according to Remezcla. His most recent album, “Kevin pórtate bien” (“Kevin, behave yourself”) came out in 2024. —Bethany Platanella, features writer

Mexico News Daily

The post Staff picks 2024: Best listens of the year appeared first on Mexico News Daily

As we have done since MND was founded more than 10 years ago, we also reported numerous stories that made us laugh, brought a smile to our faces, warmed our hearts, and even left us scratching our heads in bewilderment.

We took on Mexico’s spiciest burger and lost

Now, as we approach the end of the year, it’s time to look back at the amusing, uplifting, inspirational, heartening, gratifying, strange, surreal and “only in Mexico” stories MND published this year.

We conclude our “México Mágico” series today with a compilation of articles we published between October and December.

Read our compilations for the first three quarters of the year at the following links:

Q1: The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2024: Part 1

Q2: The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2024: Part 2

Q3: The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2024: Part 3

México Mágico: A look back at MND’s weird and wonderful stories in the fourth quarter of 2024  

We’ve made it to the final quarter of the year — time to celebrate with a drink, so why not make it the world’s best tequila? The judges at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition determined that that accolade goes to Don Fulano Fuerte (100 Proof Blanco). ¡Salud! 

Another (long-departed yet omnipresent) Mexican icon was in the news in October. Researchers at the Guttmann Institute in Barcelona posthumously diagnosed the medical condition that artist Frida Kahlo suffered from. Read our report here.

Researchers have a new diagnosis for Frida Kahlo, 70 years after her death

President Claudia Sheinbaum, in contrast, was looking to the future, offering more details on the government’s plans to manufacture its very own electric vehicles. Could “Olinia,” as the car will be called, become another Mexican icon?

Just before Day of the Dead, we reported that the use of mortuary services for deceased pets was on the rise in Mexico, while in early November our curiosity was piqued by a large ensemble of mariachi musicians who sought to break the Guinness World Record for the most mariachis playing simultaneously.

Over 1,000 mariachis gather in Mexico City to break world record

Also in November, a strange scandal in Puebla came into sharp national focus. Marilyn Cote presented herself as an esteemed psychiatrist with eye-popping credentials, but it turns out that she is in fact a medical impostor. Read our report here.

Lucha libre wresters, or luchadores, also assume different identities, although their subterfuge — with their faces hidden by colorful masks — is celebrated rather than scorned. In late November, we reported on an initiative in Mexico City that seeks to attract a new generation of luchadores.

The search for the next Lucha Libre star kicks off in Mexico City

Narcocorridos — ballads that tell the stories of Mexico’s notorious drug traffickers — are another undeniable aspect of Mexican culture, albeit one that the federal government would like to change. Sheinbaum last month announced a national contest that seeks to draw groups that sing corridos to explore broader themes and move away from glorifying crime, violence and misogyny. Instead, she wants corridos to promote values ​​and culture.

Dolphins are not known for being mentioned in narcocorridos, but they conceivably could be after researchers detected traces of fentanyl inside bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. A potential source of the contamination is the fentanyl being trafficked by Mexican drug cartels via the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to read MND’s report on this strange — and disturbing — development.

In the final quarter of 2024, we also published a story about three men’s attempts to eat “Mexico’s spiciest burger” in just three minutes.

We hope you enjoyed reading our quirkier stories this year, and perhaps found a few here that you missed. We’re already looking forward to another year of weird, wonderful and distinctively Mexican stories in 2025!

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

The post The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2024: Part 4 appeared first on Mexico News Daily

But in the last two weeks of each year, my mother would take me and my brother to see my grandmother in Mexico City. There, I’d be met with a different set of house rules and cultural norms I didn’t get from my Canadian side. 

Here’s what I learned about the differences between Mexican and Canadian families:

Family is everywhere

Whenever I land in Mexico, I get a call from my grandmother asking when I’d be at the house. Once I knock on the door, there’s always an uncle, aunt, or cousin who just “happened to be in the area” ready to greet me, catch up, and then take me out for tacos somewhere. 

Mexicans seem to have an almost permanent open door policy when it comes to family members, close friends and neighbors, which makes it nearly impossible to get any privacy if you’re an ambivert like myself who sometimes needs to recharge his social batteries. 

Want to check out a new taqueria? Your cousins have probably gone before and are happy to take you there. Want to watch something on TV? Your grandmother, parents, and some aunts and uncles will ask you what show and sit next to you on the couch. 

If I decide to write an article by myself at a café in Roma Norte, somehow a family member will find out and ask why I didn’t invite anyone to tag along. 

On the other hand, I usually don’t see most of my extended Canadian family often unless it’s a holiday period. During the normal mundane days of the year, Canadians will focus their attention on work responsibilities and feel comfortable watching Netflix alone or sitting in a café with a laptop and headphones. 

Chances are, not many relatives from my Canadian side will know exactly what I did throughout the year unless I posted constantly on social media and went viral. 

The difference between what I experienced in Mexico is stark. But Mexicans also love chisme, so I like to joke that it’s one reason why they’re a lot closer than Canadians. What’s the point of having an uncle who got ripped off at a flea market or a second cousin who got engaged if you can’t find out and go over every little detail, right? 

Gatherings over food are more sacred 

It’s not uncommon in my Canadian household and in many others that I’ve encountered to find everyone in the family dynamic eating in separate rooms. Maybe the mother eats in the kitchen with her phone open, the father eats in front of the television because there’s a hockey or football game and the children eat in their bedrooms. 

Different work schedules and fast food options also tend to affect the lost family tradition of gathering around the dinner table. I’ve had days when I’d finish work at 5:00 p.m. but get a quick poutine at a nearby restaurant because I knew I wouldn’t be home until around 8:00 p.m. due to rush hour traffic in the metro and highway. 

If you are around Montreal on a weekday, you’ll see restaurants filled with people having an early dinner with colleagues or by themselves. You’ll rarely see them with their immediate or extended families. 

But with my Mexican family, I’ve noticed there’s more importance on making time for good food, conversation and quality time with loved ones. You can’t get away with taking a plate into your room to eat and watch YouTube videos alone on your bed. 

In Mexico, making someone a meal and sharing food is how we show and express gratitude. It’s how we foster strong connections that go beyond the culinary delights. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday in particular, my Mexican side has made it an obligation to make time for family dinners no matter what’s happening in our lives. As I’ve travelled and befriended other Mexicans, I’ve noticed the heart of their family is also at the dinner table. It’s wholesome, universal, and something I wish we had more of in Canada. 

Never miss a wedding or holiday event without a good excuse

Mexican people work hard. But we do so in order to live — we don’t live to work like in Canada. If you’re with family at a wedding, a ten-year-old’s birthday party, or celebrating a religious holiday or family milestone, your family expects you to be present for those special occasions, not thinking about replying to an email or your Monday workload. 

If I can’t make it to a cousin’s wedding in Canada, all I have to do is explain why and wish them the best. If we’re really close, I promise to make up for it with a nice dinner, and often that’s more than enough. 

But when I couldn’t attend my Mexican cousin María’s wedding five years ago, the questions I got were relentless and almost dramatic. 

“What are you doing that’s more important?” my aunt texted me on WhatsApp. “You grew up together. She loves you, and so do we. Please, come! Explain to your boss.”

I can go on, but you get the idea. Other than the dinner table, life events within a Mexican family are crucial to nourish relationships. When I went to another Mexican family wedding two years ago, we partied literally all night, took lots of photos, and danced nonstop — quite the difference from Canadian events. It’s another way to show love in Mexican culture. Keeping up appearances matters because it demonstrates that you care. 

Are you ready to meet the family?

It’s fair to say Mexican families are full of personalities, core values, little dramas, and endless affection for those they love. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

If my thoughts on Mexican and Canadian families struck a chord with you, or if you have a similar bicultural experience, why not let us know in the comments?

Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.

The post What growing up Mexican-Canadian taught me about family appeared first on Mexico News Daily

As we have done since MND was founded more than 10 years ago, we also reported numerous stories that made us laugh, brought a smile to our faces, warmed our hearts and even left us scratching our heads in bewilderment.

Maya priests join investigation after tree falls in ‘center of the world’

Now, as we approach the end of the year, it’s time to look back at the amusing, uplifting, inspirational, heartening, gratifying, strange, surreal and “only in Mexico” stories MND published this year.

We continue today with a compilation of articles we published between July and September.

Click here to read our Q1 compilation, and here to read our Q2 compilation.

Look out for our “México Magico” compendium for the final quarter of the year tomorrow!

México Mágico: A look back at MND’s weird and wonderful stories in the third quarter of 2024  

Early in the third quarter of the year, we reported on another strange political story — eight men were accused of “identity theft” after they won municipal positions at elections in Michoacán. Why? They posed as trans women to flout gender parity laws.

Also in the news in early July was a statue of Poseidon in the surf just off the coast of Progreso, Yucatán. It was a bizarre story indeed: Check out our reports here and here.

Police deployed to protect Poseidon statue that ‘angered’ a Maya god in Yucatán

Another intriguing story was that of the skeletons of 112 prehistoric humans that were found in México state during the construction of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport. The National Institute of Anthropology and History said in July that some of the skeletons may have belonged to ancient female warriors.

We’ve always got an eye on Mexicans doing interesting and impressive things abroad so in late July our gaze turned toward France, where a women’s archery team won Mexico’s first medal — a bronze — at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Mexico ended up winning five medals at the Games: three silvers and two bronze medals.

This women’s team won Mexico’s first medal at the Paris Olympics

If there was an Olympics for tacos, Mexico would undoubtedly come out on top. In August, the state of Tlaxcala set a new Guinness World Record when more than 150 taqueros from Tlaxcala served the greatest variety of tacos de canasta (basket tacos) in one place.

Later the same month, a 30-meter-high ceiba tree fell into a cenote in Xocén, Yucatán, triggering an investigation by Maya priests and Mexican officials because certain Maya cosmologies consider Xocén to be “the center of the world.”

Taco triumph in Tlaxcala! State wins Guinness World Record for greatest variety of tacos

In late August, another delegation of Mexican athletes headed to Paris to compete in this year’s Paralympic Games. They came home with a total of 17 medals including three golds!

Our focus returned to Europe in late September as the 35-year-old wife of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, Emma Coronel Aispuro, sashayed down the catwalk as a model during Milan Fashion Week.

Emma Coronel, wife of ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, to model at Milan Fashion Week

Back in Mexico, two baby crocodiles made a splash when they were spotted in separate stations of the Mexico City metro system, while a priest in Veracruz attracted attention for blessing with holy water a stretch of highway where two fatal accidents had occurred.

In the third quarter of the year, MND writer Gabriela Solis also gave us this interesting piece on Mexican stereotypes. So are you a chairo, a godínez or a fifí?

We hope you enjoyed reading our quirkier stories this year, and perhaps found a few here that you missed. We’re already looking forward to another year of weird, wonderful and distinctively Mexican stories in 2025!

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

The post The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2024: Part 3 appeared first on Mexico News Daily

As we have done since MND was founded more than 10 years ago, we also reported numerous stories that made us laugh, brought a smile to our faces, warmed our hearts and even left us scratching our heads in bewilderment.

Got 1 min? Croc spotted taking a dip in Zihuatanejo pool

Now, as we approach the end of the year, it’s time to look back at the amusing, uplifting, inspirational, heartening, gratifying, strange, surreal and “only in Mexico” stories MND published this year.

We continue today with a compilation of articles we published between April and June.

Click here to read our Q1 compilation, and look out for our “México Magico” compendiums for the last two quarters of the year in the coming days!

México Mágico: A look back at MND’s weird and wonderful stories in the second quarter of 2024  

Early in the second quarter of 2025, millions of people in Mexico (and the United States and Canada) were mesmerized when a total solar eclipse caused skies to darken in various parts of the country on April 8. We published this photo essay of the captivating event.

First look: Total solar eclipse mesmerizes Mexico

Later in the month, we reported on a recently divorced couple who decided to celebrate their divorce in an unusual way — by having a few drinks, not apart, but TOGETHER in a cantina in Mérida.

Just as they were celebrating their newfound freedom (or divorced togetherness), a scary (or is that scaly?) situation was unfolding in a pool at a beachfront development in Zihuatanejo — a two-meter-long had crocodile dived in to cool off. Civil Protection had to be called to coax the croc out of the pool.

Got 1 min? Animals beat the heat with paletas in Mérida zoo

The croc in Zihua wasn’t the only animal trying to beat the April heat. In Mérida, animals at the city zoo were chowing down on popsicles, with different flavors on offer for different species.

In early May, we took a virtual trip to México state, where an unusual burro (donkey) festival takes place every year in the municipality of Otumba. This year, 14 donkeys dressed up in elaborate costumes (Santa Claus donkey, Shakira donkey etc.) and participated in different activities.

Burro festival celebrates 59th year in Otumba, México state

I once ate donkey hotpot in China (a whole other story), but I’d much prefer a taco from Mexico City taquería El Califa de León, which was awarded a coveted Michelin Star in May, becoming the first Mexican taquería to receive the honor from the legendary international dining guide.

Tacos were also in the news in the United States in May when a judge in Indiana ruled that “tacos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches,” a decision that allowed a taco restaurant to open in a Fort Wayne shopping plaza.

Mexico City Jedi schools teach chilangos the art of the lightsaber

Later in the second quarter of the year, we published yet more out-of-the-ordinary stories, including ones about:

• Fishermen catching a three-meter-long oarfish in the Gulf of California.
• Tesla mezcal — perhaps a good drink for those seeking to drown their sorrows due to the possibility that Elon Musk’s company won’t go ahead with plans to build a gigafactory in Mexico.
• The discovery in México state of a 10,500-year-old human skull.
• Mexico City’s Jedi Knight Academy.

In the second quarter of the year, MND also published feature stories about the crazy world of Mexico City’s Red Bull Soap Box derby and Mexicans’ love affair with singer Luis Miguel.

We hope you enjoyed reading our quirkier stories this year, and perhaps found a few here that you missed. We’re already looking forward to another year of weird, wonderful and distinctively Mexican stories in 2025!

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

The post The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2024: Part 2 appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Y tu mamá también (And Your Mother Too)

In this 2001 classic from director Alfonso Cuarón, the lives of Julio and Tenoch, like those of 17-year-old boys everywhere, are ruled by raging hormones and intense friendships as they rush headlong into adulthood. —Andrea Fischer, copy editor

Love is Blind: Mexico (2024) on Netflix

It starts out slow but then you’re hooked. Plus friends of friends know some of the gang, so I got post-production chisme as a bonus. —Bethany Plantanella, features writer

Oh my God, what a car crash of stereotypes, love triangles and trash TV. —Chris Havler-Barrett, chief features editor

La Cocina (The Kitchen)

If you loved “Güeros,” you will find the same black-and-white cinematic charm in “La Cocina.” This 2024 masterpiece from director Alonso Ruizpalacios dissects the layers of capitalism and racism that sour the experience of immigrants in the United States — and serves it all on a stunning plate. Fans of “The Bear,” this one is for you. —Caitlin Cooper, senior news editor

Taste of Mexico with María Meléndez

Learn Mexican recipes and hear about traditional Mexican ingredients from María Meléndez, a young Chilanga, in one of Mexico News Daily’s new video series. —Tamanna Bembenek, Mexico News Daily co-owner and product manager

Cada minuto cuenta (Every Minute Counts)

This new series tells the human stories of the devastating 1985 earthquake in Mexico City. Find it on Prime Video. —Peter Davies, chief staff writer

A Walk in the Clouds

If you love romantic movies as much as I do… you probably already know this one! This Mexican-American movie tells the story of two young people who meet by chance and fall in love. Period. What I love so much about this movie is the cinematography, the music, the quality cast and the setting. When I watch it, it makes me want to live in a vineyard in California and find true love, just like Victoria did. —María Ruiz, assistant editor

Pastorela (Nativity Play)

Chucho is very attached to his yearly role as Satan in his town’s Nativity play, so chaos ensues when a new pastor has other casting ideas. This raunchy 2011 Christmas comedy might be called “Pastorela,” but it’s nothing like the Nativity plays of my Midwestern U.S. childhood. —Rose Egelhoff, senior news editor

For more sensory entertainment, keep an eye out for upcoming staff recommendations for podcasts, music and too-good-to-miss tacos.

Mexico News Daily

The post Staff picks 2024: Our favorite Mexican movies and series this year appeared first on Mexico News Daily

As we have done since MND was founded more than 10 years ago, we also reported numerous stories that made us laugh, brought a smile to our faces, warmed our hearts and even left us scratching our heads in bewilderment.

Got 1 min? Hundreds take a mass ‘siesta’ in Mexico City

Now, as we approach the end of the year, it’s time to look back at the amusing, uplifting, inspirational, heartening, gratifying, strange, surreal and “only in Mexico” stories that MND published this year.

We start today with a compilation of articles we published between January and March.

Look out for our “México Magico” compendiums for the other three quarters of the year in the coming days.

México Mágico: A look back at MND’s weird and wonderful stories in the first quarter of 2024  

During the first days of 2024 we reported on two different creatures — albeit both foreign in origin — unexpectedly wandering the streets of Mexico.

The first specimen was a lion cub, which was eventually rescued by firefighters and Civil Protection personnel in a México state municipality northeast of Toluca.

The second creature on the loose in Mexico was a political animal — former United States president Bill Clinton. He was spotted walking through the streets of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, on Jan. 3.

Got 1 min? Bill and Hillary Clinton visit San Miguel de Allende

Later in January, we had some good news — a “citizens’ victory” in fact — when Benito the giraffe was transferred from unsafe living conditions at a public park in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, to a spacious safari park in Puebla.

Being an election year, there was always going to be some weird and wonderful political stories in 2024. In the first month of the year, the then Morena party candidate for president Claudia Sheinbaum made a strange campaign move by promoting a kind of pyramid scheme to the very citizens she hoped would vote for her later in the year — NOT! The video in which she purportedly appeared was, in fact, a deepfake.

Got 1 min? Bees busted in Sinaloa drug seizure

In early February, bees hit the headlines when federal agents encountered a large swarm of the insects when making a drug bust in Sinaloa. The incident gave a new meaning to the term “sting operation.”

“Honey, I love you” was the message that more than 20 lovey-dovey twosomes sent to each other later in February when they participated in a Valentine’s Day “Besotón,” or “Kiss-a-thon,” in Mexico City. One very amorous couple locked lips for a mind-boggling — and tongue-twisting — four hours and 40 minutes to win the top prize. They celebrated their victory with — would you believe it — a kiss.

Got 1 min? Mariachi frogs stolen from Acapulco found hundreds of kilometers away

In early March, a ribbiting and infuriating heist occurred when Acapulco’s famous “mariachi frogs” were stolen. Fortunately there was a hoppy ending.

Later in March, a woman gave birth on a flight between Mexico City and Ciudad Juárez; a Tesla car was crushed by a colossal Olmec head in Mexico City; more than 300 people took an outdoor nap in the middle of the capital; and there were some unusual animal sightings in the urban jungle sometimes called chilangolandia.

Got 1 min? Unusual animal sightings in Mexico City this week

In the first quarter of the year, MND writer Gabriela Solis also introduced us to a very particular — and privileged — demographic in Mexico: whitexicans.

In addition, she gave us the lowdown on Mexico City’s famous (or infamous) quesadillas — without cheese!

We hope you enjoyed reading our quirkier stories this year, and perhaps found a few here that you missed. We’re already looking forward to another year of weird, wonderful and distinctively Mexican stories in 2025!

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

The post The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2024: Part 1 appeared first on Mexico News Daily