In Mexico, there are some ingredients considered strange and exotic, even by locals. Some of these were eaten in pre-Hispanic times, while some have been created more recently. Nevertheless, they all are a part of the longstanding artform that is Mexican cuisine. Don’t be afraid to try these!

Chapulines

Grasshoppers are the most widely known of what could be considered “exotic” Mexican cuisine. There are many different types of edible chapulines found all around the country, but they’re traditionally associated with the state of Oaxaca. One of the most popular ways to eat them is on a traditional Oaxacan tlayuda. Although small, chapulines are high in vitamins and minerals. They’re acidic and crunchy, and delicious on their own.

Iguanas

If you’ve gone to a Mexican beach, there’s a high chance that you have seen an iguana trotting around. They are especially common in the southeast, the region that took to also eating them. Some people say it tastes like chicken.

Maguey Worms

If you’re a mezcal enthusiast, you’ve probably seen one of these little guys lying at the bottom of a bottle. Maybe you’ve even eaten it with your last shot! But you might not know that maguey worms are eaten outside of mezcal, too. 

There are actually two types of maguey worms. The red ones are moth larvae that infest magueys and eat them, while the white ones are butterfly caterpillars that grow onthe leaves and roots of magueys. They are expensive because you can only get three or four out of a maguey, which dies after the harvest. They are most commonly consumed in Hidalgo, but also eaten in other states like Tlaxcala. Eat them fried, with butter or olive oil, in a taco.

Escamoles

Some people call it the  Mexican caviar: ant eggs. Delicious and strange at the same time, escamoles have been eaten here all the way back to pre-Columbian times, which is why they can be easily found in areas closer to historic ruins, like Teotihuacán. The dish’s name actually comes from the Nahuatl words for “ant” and “stew.”

You can find escamoles in soups and tacos, or cooked with butter, onion and garlic. They’re packed with protein and are quite nutritious.

Huitlacoche

Once upon a time, France discovered moldy cheese was actually delicious. Mexicans realized the same thing about corn. Huitlacoche, known as corn smut to English speakers, is a very dark, greenish-blue fungus that grows on ears of corn infected with a pathogenic fungus. It is considered a “manjar” — a delicacy — and is most commonly eaten inside quesadillas or tacos.

Scorpions

Scorpions are found in many places in Mexico, especially areas that are hotter or more humid. This is especially true for Durango, a northern state that has become known for serving these somewhat terrifying arachnids. Although they’re not necessarily a traditional dish, Durango is the place to go for them. Scorpions can be served fried, inside a taco, or on a stick.

Chicatana ants

Chicatana Ants are another Oaxacan delicacy. These huge ants — they grow to between 1.8 and 3 centimeters — are toasted in hot pans and develop a crunchy consistency. Although they can be eaten straight after toasting, one of the most common ways to eat them is to grind them into a salsa. Like many of the other items on this list, they are high in vitamins and minerals. You can find them mainly in Oaxaca, but natives of Veracruz and Tabasco enjoy chicatanas as well.

Jumiles

These are a typical dish of the Pueblo Mágico of Taxco, in Guerrero. They are flying insects that are eaten either inside a sauce or with lime and salt, and — you guessed it — in tacos. Some say they taste like cinnamon, which could be because Jumiles eat the branches and sticks of oak trees. Either way, it’s a strong taste that you either love or you hate.

Collecting jumiles is quite difficult, as they live quite high in the canopy and are fast fliers. Apart from a delicacy, they are also considered sacred by some people in Taxco, as they are considered to be dead loved ones that fly in to visit.

Cuetlas

Another pre-Columbian meal, cuetlas — also known as chiancuetla and tepolchichic — are butterfly larvae. These larvae grow on a select few types of trees during the  rainy season. They are eaten mainly in Puebla, but you’ll also find them in Guerrero and Veracruz. Their taste is delicious and similar to that of chapulines. Plus, they are rich in protein, iron and vitamin B. 

The best way to enjoy cuetla is grilled and inside tacos with guacamole.

Of course, the list does not end here. With some names more eye-catching than others, things like eye tacos, rattlesnakes, pejelagarto fish, rat soup, lake shrimp and brains can also be found in different parts of the country. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a little trip around, do some research and try one — or all!

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

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During his 84 years of life, he positioned himself at the center of political, cultural and intellectual discourse during different historical events of social change for the world. Paz sought to pinpoint and describe the essential values of modern society, like democracy and peace. Most of all, his legacy leaves us a profound reflection of what it means to be an intellectual and an activist, and the importance that lies in combining them both. 

Early life and education

Octavio was born amid the Mexican Revolution, a war that took his father away from home. Octavio and his mother moved into his grandparents’ house in Mixcoac, then one of the municipalities that made up Mexico City. The area left a profound effect on him, and Paz is memorialized in the neighborhood’s metro station.

The young Octavio was raised mostly by his mother and grandfather. His grandfather Irineo had been a writer and had spent much of his life writing political manifestos against Santa Ana and Benito Juárez’s government. 

Political and intellectual discussions were common in Octavio’s house while growing up. As a result, he became involved in them from a very young age, inspired by his father and grandfather’s aspirations to make Mexico a better country and a better place to live. However, he also fell in love with his grandfather’s personal library and realized early on that his “destiny was not an active life, but one of words,” he told Canal Once in 1993. 

In 1930, he started high school at the prestigious San Ildefonso school, where he was introduced to an intellectual world that immediately resonated with him. Many celebrated poets and writers had studied there as well, some of whom became his teachers. There, Paz began to get involved in different publications and started writing poetry. 

In an interview with Canal Once in 1993, he said that a lot of his friends believed in fascism, and the majority in communism. “Although I was never part of the communist party, I was violently inclined towards the left,” he said. During those years, he became very involved in social and political activism, which landed him in jail multiple times. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, Octavio Paz started studying law after graduating from high school. There, he met his future wife Elena Garro. Garro, who later became a renowned writer and one of the voices of Mexican classical literature in her own right, was a dancer and choreographer at the time. They married when Paz was just 23 years old. In 1939, Elena gave birth to their only daughter, Elena Paz Garro. It is said Paz never had a good relationship with his daughter, possibly due to the nature of his own relationship with his father — quiet, absent, and cold. The couple split in 1959.

He abandoned his studies at law school just one class shy of graduating. 

Octavio Paz as a diplomat

Because his literary legacy was so impactful, many people forget that Paz was a diplomat for twenty-five years of his life. In 1943, when he received a Guggenheim scholarship and moved to the United States, he began working at the Mexican consulate in San Francisco. He lived there for two years, where he discovered some of the poets that most inspired his work, such as Robert Frost and E.E. Cummings. 

After San Francisco, he was relocated to Paris to serve as third Secretary of the Embassy in France. In Paris, he became part of a network of world-renowned philosophers that included the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. 

Paz also served as the Mexican Ambassador to both India and Japan, as well as consul for two countries that had no diplomatic relationship with Mexico before his arrival: Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. 

After the tragedy of the Tlatelolco Massacre in 1968, Paz’s disappointment in the government led him to resign as an Ambassador, an act which turned him into a political enemy and forced him to move to England. 

The Labyrinth of Solitude and what it means to be Mexican

Diplomats in Paz’s time were poorly paid, and so he lacked the financial freedom to visit Mexico. This, he told Canal Once, forced him to think about Mexico differently. “There were many perspectives to be had: Mexico was not only an everchanging and complex country, but there were also different ways to look at it. One of those was to look at it from afar.”

This reflection led to the coming together of his most important work. For many years, Paz had published essays on the nature of Mexican culture and “Mexicanism” in different literary magazines, which were the seed of what ultimately became the acclaimed Labyrinth of Solitude in 1950.

In that same interview, he mentioned that maybe one of the reasons why he became obsessed with Mexican identity was his time at school. He went to primary school partly in the United States — where they made fun of him for not speaking good English and being a foreigner — and partly in Mexico, where they teased him for being a “gringo.” 

After the political chaos caused by the Tlatelolco massacre, President Echeverria wished to normalize relations between the government and prominent Mexican intellectuals, who had largely dissented (although notably, these did not include ex-wife Elena Garro). He welcomed Paz back to the country, and made the Labyrinth of Solitude mandatory reading in public high schools, some twenty years after its publication. 

Octavio Paz’s Legacy

Apart from the Labyrinth of Solitude, Paz had an enormous body of work. Mostly poetry and essays, these paint a vivid picture of not only his personal life, but also the historical and cultural context that changed and affected the world while he was alive. Aside from an immense gift to Mexican literature, they provide us with insight on how to make sense of social and political change at the crossroads of revolution, intellect, and art. 

Finally, Paz attempted to describe the nature, culture, and characteristics of what it means to be Mexican in a tangible way. How effectively the resulting literature did that is subjective, but he gifted us with something priceless: the certainty that ours is an identity so special and complex that it deserves its own dictionary. 

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

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What is less known is that Querétaro is also a state with great cultural importance and an intrinsic part of the fascinating history of Mexico. The state offers an interesting blend of tradition and progress, making it a promising destination for young professionals and families alike. 

Querétaro’s historical significance

The history of Querétaro is long and storied. Santiago de Querétaro, the state capital, has flourished since the pre-Hispanic era when it was inhabited by indigenous groups including Otomís, Chichimecas and Aztecs. It officially became a city in July of 1531 by decree from San Fernando de Tapia Conín, an indigenous conqueror of Otomí origin who converted to catholicism under the Conquista. If you drive to Querétaro via the Mexico-Querétaro highway you will see a 70-meter statue of him — a sight as familiar to Queretanos as the Statue of Liberty is to any New Yorker. 

The state capital also played a role in the most important event in Mexico’s history. In the early 1800s, rebels conspiring to win independence used the city as a meeting point in a series of reunions that later became known as the Querétaro Conspiracy. This was where, in September of 1810, Miguel Hidalgo called for the start of the war that ultimately gave Mexico freedom from Spain eleven years later. 

A century later, President Venustiano Carranza signed the 1917 Mexican Constitution in the city of Querétaro, the first constitution and the pillar on which today’s legal system stands. Evidence, celebration, and remembrance of its rich history can be found all over the city, but especially in its historic downtown, one of the most beautiful in the country. Its colonial architecture, colorful buildings, and cobblestone streets warrant a visit all on their own. 

Pueblos Mágicos and Sierra Gorda

“Querétaro” means “place of large rocks,” which makes sense when considering the state is home to the Bernal peak, the third biggest monolith in the world. 

Outside of the capital city, Querétaro is home to seven wonderful pueblos mágicos that add to its charm and cultural value. From the cobblestone streets of Bernal to the colonial charm of Tequisquiapan, these are towns that captivate visitors with their timeless beauty. Amealco, Cadereyta, San Joaquín, Jalpan de Serra, and Pinal de Amoles are just as special. Whether exploring ancient architecture and history or indulging in local delicacies, each one of these places invites travelers to embark on a journey that will be unlike to any other. 

Querétaro is also home to the Sierra Gorda natural reserve, which encompasses an impressive 32% of its territory, extending into neighboring states Guanajuato, Hidalgo, and San Luis Potosí. The Sierra Gorda is a biodiverse region home to thousands of species, some endangered, and has so many natural wonders it takes several visits to see them all. From forests, waterfalls, rugged canyons with rivers, and mountains 3,000 meters above sea level, all a testament to the versatility of Querétaro’s ecosystems. 

Social and economic progress

Querétaro is one of the most industrialized states in the country, with industry producing 36% of the state’s GDP and over 400,000 jobs. Its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and growing workforce have been causes of its continuing social and economic growth, one that contributes significantly to the country’s GDP. This has attracted companies from a diverse range of industries to the state.

The automotive and aerospace sectors are both leading industries in Querétaro and a pillar of its economy, with major manufacturers like General Motors, Bombardier, and Continental Automotive Systems investing billions and creating thousands of jobs.

The social progress nonprofit México, ¿Cómo Vamos? identified that Querétaro was the state with the third most social and economic development in 2023, after Mexico City and Baja California. This is due not only to economic growth, but its index of poverty, unemployment rates, and general well-being and quality of life of its inhabitants. 

Out of 2,478 cities in the country, Querétaro has been frequently ranked in the top 5 with the best quality of life by news outlets and Mexican research institutions for years. Last year, newspaper El Universal ranked Querétaro #3 in Mexico, after Mérida and San Luis Potosí. 

Querétaro has something for everyone. Whether you’re coming for a couple of hours, a couple of days, or a couple of years, you will soon understand why it’s such an important and beautiful thread in Mexico’s tapestry. 

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

The post Querétaro: A cultural gem and an economic powerhouse appeared first on Mexico News Daily

With its strategic location and favorable climate, Cancún has quickly become a magnet for both leisure travelers and property investors alike. Additionally, situated close to the heart of the Riviera Maya, Cancún is no more than a couple hours away from other renowned destinations like Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mérida, further enhancing its allure as a prime location for real estate investment. As the demand for second homes, vacation rentals, and investment properties continues to rise, now is the moment to delve into the dynamic world of real estate in Cancun. 

Because of its high tourism influx, the investment in this region is constant and large. According to the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI), the real estate industry in Cancun registered an investment of 7.5 billion pesos (US $440 million) last year, with around 30 hotel projects underway. Capital gains have increased 30% in the last year and a half, and the return on investment ranges from 8% to 11%. Additionally, because Mexico is a country that remains in constant growth and has a stable economy, investing in real estate here is a safe bet and a great opportunity. Its laws also provide easy access and ensure safety and protection for investors. 

What are the best neighborhoods to invest in real estate in Cancun?

Zona Hotelera

Zona Hotelera is the most popular part of Cancún, as it’s located all along the beachfront. It’s where you will see the highest concentration of hotels and resorts, whose services make it a very attractive place for travelers. It’s also an area for a lot of entertainment and restaurants and with the most access to the turquoise blue beach that gives Cancún its allure. Departments and houses in this area range from US $210,000 to US $5 million. 

For example, at the very end of that range, you can find a luxury beachfront home, listed for US $5.8 million on Point2Homes. 

At the lower end of the range, you can find a two-bed, one-bath, 900-square-foot apartment on the south end of the Zona Hotelera for US $500,000. 

Zona Centro

This area is a combination of old and new and the city’s commercial and cultural hub. Downtown Cancún is very close to schools, banks and supermarkets, and has a mix of residential and commercial properties. This is an area that has more of a “real city” feel, as opposed to the resort and hotel vibe. Additionally, since it is older than most places in Cancún, you will find buildings with more history and a more traditional style. Because of all of this, investing in this area provides opportunities for rental income from not only tourists, but locals as well.  

Zona Sur

This is the new best area to be in Cancún. It’s like a small city in of itself, where everything you need is at your reach — parks, tourist attractions, bus stops, hospitals, etc. The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals have said that the Zona Sur is an area of high capital gains thanks to the construction of private condos surrounded by ample green areas. Because Zona Sur is still in its development stage, it’s just the right time to think about investing here. 

Real estate in this area varies from 1 million to 6 million pesos (US $60,000 to $360,000). 

Puerto Cancún

One of the most residential areas of Cancún. The main benefit of Puerto Cancún is that, similarly to the Zona Hotelera, it is located by the ocean, but with the added benefit of being in close proximity to the downtown. This is an area that has many private residential condos, golf courses and luxury apartments. It also has the biggest commercial mall in Cancún. 

For US $1.2 million, you can purchase a four-bedroom, four-bath condo with amenities including a pool, lounge, spa, business center and a dock. Other properties range from US $750,000 to US $1.5 million.

Other things to consider:

Some people find Cancún a bit overwhelming and maybe overly touristy. Because of the high influx of people and investors looking for good real estate opportunities, it might be more time consuming to find the perfect place for you. Given how many opportunities are available at any given time, however, there is sure to be something for almost every taste.  

Because of its size, Cancún is not the most walkable or easy-to-get-around place if you’re looking to vacation outside of the all-inclusive resort or hotel package. 

All in all, Cancún is about enjoying and making the most out of the beautiful Mexican Caribbean. If you find the ideal place for you to do that, make sure you understand the real estate process in Mexico for a foreigner before you invest.

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

The post The insider’s guide to investing in real estate in Cancún appeared first on Mexico News Daily

According to the federal tourism ministry, Sedetur, around 23 million people visited the Mexican Caribbean in 2019. Many of these visitors look for housing options outside of staying at a hotel, renting condos, or using apps like Airbnb. With 50 airlines and 100 international destinations, Playa del Carmen’s proximity to Cancún International Airport makes it an accessible destination, easy to fly to and from. Additionally, the Riviera Maya is amongst the 10 real estate markets with the most growth in the world, according to the Financial Times, growing 20% per year. 

Alongside Cancún and Tulum, Playa del Carmen real estate offers a return on investment (ROI) of 11.5%, an impressive number and one of the highest in the country. To put it in comparison, a similarly vibrant city with an equally high tourist influx, Miami, hovers around 5.1% ROI. 

And, because this Riviera Maya town remains in constant growth, capital gains on a property do as well. 

Now that you’ve seen the financial opportunity of investing in Playa del Carmen, let’s look at some specific neighborhoods that you could one day be a part of: 

What are the best neighborhoods to invest in real estate in Playa del Carmen?

Centro

Between the ferry dock to Cozumel and fashionable Constituyentes street, lies the lively downtown neighborhood of Centro. It’s the most vivid and colorful part of the famous Quinta Avenida, with the highest concentration of stores, restaurants and bars. Here, you can eat delicious meals, go shopping and have a good time with your friends in the same block, while being just an 8-minute walk from the beach.

Its bus station also provides easy access to transportation to and from the area.

You can find smaller, one-bedroom condos for US $170,000, or 2-bedroom properties from US $320,000 to $485,000. If you’re feeling fancy, penthouses can range from US $220,000 to $580,000. 

Playacar

Playacar is a more exclusive area next to Playa del Carmen with a number of luxury all-inclusive resorts. It’s a more relaxing place where you can make the most out of the beautiful beaches, but still no more than a few minutes from the vibrant heart of Playa del Carmen. 

There are plenty of investment opportunities in condos and apartments in Playacar. Because of its luxury level and exclusivity, it’s on the more expensive side of Playa.

This beachfront house listed by Remax Maya, with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, for example, is listed for US $2.5 million. 

However, non-beachfront condos with 2-3 bedrooms are more affordable, listed between US $400,000 and $1 million. 

Playa Mamitas:

Located a little north of downtown, Mamitas Beach is one of the most attractive and famous destinations in Playa del Carmen. Apart from easy access to the ocean, where the waves are gentle and inviting, this beach has countless bars and restaurants. This area is particularly alluring for people looking to be where things are always happening while keeping close to the Caribbean shores. 

Mayakoba:

Mayakoba is located north of Playa del Carmen and has a similar exclusivity to Playacar. It hasn’t yet experienced a boom in tourism though, one of its most appealing qualities. The most attractive feature of Mayakoba is that its real estate is relatively modern, but still maintains a respectful relationship with the surrounding natural environment. Thanks to its exclusivity and distance away from the noise and activity of bustling Playa del Carmen, this area is ideal for rest and relaxation.

Luxury condos, such as The Reserve at Mayakoba, offer 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments, ranging from US $1.2 to $4 million. While these are high in price, the development includes multiple amenities that are increasingly in demand as part of modern luxury complexes, with access to yoga rooms, gym, spas and food shops. 

Other properties in Mayakoba range from US $248,000 to $2.8 million. 

Other things to consider when investing

Playa del Carmen’s proximity to other attractive destinations in the Riviera Maya makes it an ideal midpoint. Additionally, tourism is the main pillar of the local economy, making it one of the 15 most popular destinations globally according to the Riviera Maya Hotel Association. Because of its high influx of tourists who rent as an alternative to staying at hotels or resorts, the real estate market offers some outstanding opportunities for investors.

One last note: If you are not a Mexican citizen, make sure you understand the real estate process in Mexico for a foreigner before you invest.

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

The post The insider’s guide to investing in real estate in Playa del Carmen appeared first on Mexico News Daily

You might recognize the name Benito Juárez from street names around the country, school history books, trendy colonia Juárez in Mexico City, Ciudad Juárez in the state of Chihuahua or the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, one of the biggest in the world. But, why is Benito Juárez so important?

Benito Juárez was Mexico’s first Indigenous president and 17th overall. He governed for 14 years, from 1857 to 1872, and was responsible for the two main reforms that shaped Mexico: Support for the Constitution of 1857, and a series of laws called the Laws of Reform. These laws secularized education, broke up large landholdings and limited the influence of the clergy in government affairs. With these moves, Juárez sought to transform Mexico into a more equitable and progressive society. 

Many historians believe Benito Juárez’s presidency was responsible for consolidating Mexico as a Republic and setting it on the path to becoming the country it is today.  

Early life and education

Benito Juárez was born on March 21, 1806, in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca (now called Guelatao de Juárez). Juárez was orphaned very early in his life, and the rest of his upbringing was highly influenced by religious education. Eventually, he moved to the town of Oaxaca, where he pursued an education in law at the Institute of Arts and Sciences of Oaxaca. He became the first ever person from the school to graduate as a lawyer. 

Fifteen years later, Juárez became governor of Oaxaca. In that role, he created roads, founded schools, reorganized the National Guard and left the Treasury in surplus. 

After governing Oaxaca for five years, Juárez was named Justice Minister under the government of President Juan Álvarez. As minister, he created the Juárez law, which eliminated “special courts” that judged members of the clergy and the army in civil trials, which gave more lenient punishments or in many cases, no punishments at all. 

This was the first law of many to come. 

Benito Juárez’s presidency

Benito Juárez became president only 36 years after Mexico gained independence from Spain, and nine years after the country lost half of its territory to the United States. It was a politically turbulent time in Mexico when the country faced foreign intervention and civil strife. The measures Juárez took to pacify and reform Mexico during his government became the basis for the prosperity that the country experienced over the following decades. 

“If we’re able to, as I hope, ensure permanent order and tranquility, I will have satisfied the biggest of all my wishes and will be buried with the conviction that our country will be grand and happy in the future,” he wrote.

Here are some of the things Benito Juárez did after becoming president

• He triumphed in the face of France’s intervention between 1862 and 1867 and preserved Mexican independence and sovereignty;
• His constitutional reform included strengthening and achieving balance between all three powers of the Republic and re-establishing the Senate;
• He made primary school obligatory;
• He established civil marriage, which took power away from religion and made marriage a civil contract with the State;
• The establishment of a Civil Registry, which was previously controlled by the church;
• Passed the “Cult Freedom Law”, which permitted anyone to choose and practice their own religious beliefs.  

Other facts about Juárez

• He was one of two presidents whose term ended due to their death. The other was Venustiano Carranza (1917-1920).
• He was 1 meter and 37 centimeters tall (4’6’’).
• He was of Zapotec descent. 
• In addition to Zapotec and Spanish, he could read and write in Latin, French and English.
• The city of Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua is named after him because in 1863 he moved his government there to protect himself from conservative and monarchist supporters who sought to overthrow his rule.
• He is responsible for one of the most celebrated phrases in Mexican history, and widely known by most Mexicans: ”Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.” (Entre los individuos como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz.)

Benito Juárez’s impact on Mexico cannot be overstated. His dedication to reform and democracy transformed Mexico into a modern republic and away from the imperialist and monarchical state that it had been before. Thanks to his unwavering commitment to democracy, social justice, Indigenous rights and national sovereignty, he remains an example and inspiration to the country as a whole.

As we continue to navigate the challenges of globalization and the modern era, let’s hope Juarez’s reforms continue to resonate with leaders striving for a better future. 

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

The post Who was Benito Juárez, the revolutionary hero who shaped Mexico? appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Aside from these iconic institutions, the city has many hidden gems that are worth a trip if you’re in the neighborhood. So, if you’re seeking unique cultural experiences off the beaten path, these quirky museums should be at the top of your itinerary. 

Mundo Chocolate Museo (MUCHO) (Chocolate World Museum): Unravel the secrets of everybody’s favorite guilty pleasure

Imagine a museum whose sole purpose is for you to smell dozens of chocolate bars on the wall. Or another where you can appreciate chocolate sculptures made by professional chefs. Expect this and more if you visit the MUCHO, located in the central colonia Juárez.

Don’t worry, you will get to eat chocolate here! But that’s not all: you can also reserve a group spot to make your own chocolate in a cooking class or attend a variety of affordable and fun workshops throughout the year — Visitors this April can decorate their own chocolate Easter eggs. 

Opening times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Entrance: 500 pesos

Museo Anahuacalli: Explore Diego Rivera’s impressive pre-Hispanic collection

Ever wanted to visit a museum whose structure was an art piece itself? Born out of muralist Diego Rivera’s desire to provide a unique space for his art collection, and as a planned (but ultimately unused) mausoleum for himself and Frida Kahlo, Anahuacalli’s design and architecture seek to recreate a teocalli, a pre-Hispanic temple. Made out of volcanic rock, its walls harbor 23 different rooms and a central patio. 

Located in the intellectual heart of the city, Coyoacán, this museum exhibits a permanent collection of pre-Hispanic art once owned by Rivera. These pieces are all representative of the cultures that flourished in Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish.

Also a cultural center, the Anahuacalli stages frequent theater performances and holds various cultural activities throughout the week, from choir practice to dance lessons, book clubs, and other workshops. 

Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrance: 100 pesos

Museo Kaluz: Discover the essence of Mexican culture and art through 5 centuries

A seemingly random art collection that seeks to define “what is Mexican” through four main themes: landscape, dead nature, portraits, and genre art.

Not actually random at all, however, this museum has a wide variety of Mexican and foreign art from the 17th to the 21st century, including a vast body of work from Spanish exiles who came to Mexico after their Civil War. 

Kaluz is only three years old and the soul of what once was the Hotel del Cortés, a hostel dating the year 1620 located in the streets of the historic center. Apart from galleries, the museum also has a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a rooftop from which you can appreciate the beautiful downtown and its surroundings.

Every month they hold workshops, talks, classes, and other cultural activities in line with Kaluz’s artistic mission.

Opening times: Wednesday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entrance: 60 pesos, free on Wednesdays

National Museum of Popular Cultures: Celebrating Mexico’s rich cultural heritage

This museum is a space that studies, preserves, and celebrates indigenous and popular culture. Its exhibitions are temporary and varying in size, but always look to spread awareness of popular and indigenous Mexican art. 

Located in Coyoacán’s bustling main square, the museum is an ideal addition to trips to Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, or Diego Rivera’s Anahuacalli.

The current exhibition, entitled “Zapata Lives!” runs until March 26 and is dedicated to one of the most important political and social movements in the last 40 years of Mexican history: the Zapatista movement. 

Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrance: 18 pesos, free for over 60s and under-13s. Free on Sundays.

Museo del Estanquillo: Mexico’s cultural tapestry through the lens of a literature trailblazer

Located in a beautifully grand corner building in the historical center of the city, this museum is made for lovers of literature, art, and Mexican history alike. It exhibits over ten thousand pieces of work that comprise the collection of contemporary Mexican writer Carlos Monosiváis. This includes engravings, manuscripts, sculptures, photographs, and historical documents. The collection features multiple other artists and writers and serves as a chronicle of Mexico’s social and political history. 

The current exhibition, “Cartoons and Revolution,” talks about the importance that satirical expression had before and during the revolution. A collection of drawings, prints, oil paintings, and photographs, among others, will be up until the end of April of this year. 

Opening times: Wednesday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrance: Free

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

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International Women’s Day, celebrated a day earlier, was marked by extra fervor that year: the march in Mexico City gathered over 80,000 people and lasted around 8 hours. There was collective anger in the air, targeted specifically at authorities’ lack of action concerning justice for victims of femicide. 

For Latin American feminists, International Women’s Day represents solidarity and resistance. It also goes by a shorter, simpler name: 8M, pronounced “ocho eme.” The month of March is all purple and green, and every day leading up to the 8th is a buzz of anticipation. The color purple has symbolized the feminist fight since the English suffragettes of the Women’s Social and Political Union used it in the 1900s, next to a green and white color scheme. In Latin America, green also represents the “marea verde” (green tide), a common name for the regional abortion-rights movement that originated in Argentina. In recent years, some feminists have added pink to signify solidarity with trans women. 

In Mexico, the strike of 2020 had an economic impact of 30 million pesos (US $1.8 million), despite the fact that only 10% of women participated in it. However, the social and psychological impact it had on women of all socioeconomic levels in Mexico was unprecedented.

For many, especially those from more conservative and privileged backgrounds, the strike was hard to understand. For them, a day like International Women’s Day is considered a celebration, rather than a politicized event. Why should they stop going to work? How come they had to give their female employees the day off? Why are feminists so upset, so incendiary, and why are they graffitiing national monuments? For some, it seemed like the first time they confronted the harsh reality that women in underserved and underprivileged communities face every single day. Some started to understand why we don’t “celebrate” 8M. Whether they participated in the 2020 strike or not, many later joined the march the following year, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The feminist movement has quickly become one of the most active political forces in Mexico. This means that political parties, corporations and special interest groups have taken it upon themselves to try and represent it. This is an impossible feat, of course, since the only people who can truly represent a movement like feminism are those who have nothing to gain from it but a better world and a more just society. 

Putting political and corporate interests aside, the strike of 2020 and the four 8Ms that followed since have undoubtedly paved the way for more inclusive, cooperative and community-oriented relationships between women. 

The Women’s Day marches of 2022 and 2023 in Mexico City had over 10,000 more attendees than the prior years, close to 90,000 people. Ateneas — female officers of the Mexico City police deployed at protests in the capital — wore purple vests instead of blue to honor the cause of the march. This March marks another year where women and allies will unite to form organized marching blocs to protest safely together. Social media is filled with listings for different marches, events and other opportunities allowing women and their allies to get together throughout the week, and the days after International Women’s Day.

Additionally, there has been an important material change in Mexico: for the first time ever, half of all federal ministries are governed by women, according to the Mexico City-based think tank IMCO. Moreover, the fact that both presidential candidates in the upcoming elections are women is undeniably linked to the efforts made by the feminist movement to shine the spotlight on women. 

Of course, the idea that having more women in positions of power immediately equals full parity is an illusion. As much as these appointments represent meaningful progress, they still have to deal with the wage gap, gender-based discrimination and unequal working conditions. 

For the past five years in Mexico, however, women have been striving for the same thing: and end to femicide and the end to impunity for men who kill women. The difference between 2020 and today is that more and more women are seeing the positive ramifications of fighting for justice in the purest form of the phrase. If the strike was organized today, I’m convinced of a couple of things. Firstly, the percentage of Mexican women participating would be much higher than the 10 percent seen in 2020, and secondly the politicians and corporations using gender equality as a marketing tool would start to consider it a real and necessary value.  

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

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Here is our list of must-read Mexican classics that everyone should have on their shelves. While you were in high school, reading The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Color Purple, Little Women, or Moby Dick, this is what Mexican students were reading. 

Whether you live in Mexico, are interested in Mexican culture, or simply want to add to your general knowledge, these books will give you a taste of Mexico’s greatest authors. If you’re looking for a more challenging read instead, why not browse through our list of Mexican authors that will take you out of your comfort zone? 

Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo

One of the best-known Mexican books, Pedro Páramo is considered by many to be one of the first works of Latin American magical realism. It was published in 1955 and is one of only two novels ever written by the father of Mexican literature, Juan Rulfo.

After his mother’s death, Juan Preciado decides to visit the ghost town of Comala and find his father, Pedro Páramo. The novel tells two stories: Juan’s journey to meet his father to denounce his and his mother’s abandonment, and Pedro’s own story of power and corruption during the Revolution. 

Why you need to read this: More than just a Mexican cultural staple, Pedro Páramo is a love poem to magical realism, mystique, and adventure. The book is like having a very vivid and complex dream that you’ll remember for years to come. 

There are over 30 translations of this work, however the amount of “Mexicanisms” it contains warrants a reading in Spanish (eventually!). 

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

In the 1980s, people thought magical realism had come to an end, but boy were they wrong. Laura Esquivel published Like Water for Chocolate in 1989, and it went on to become one of the most important works of Latin American literature ever created. 

This beautiful novel tells the story of Tita, the last daughter of the De la Garza family. Being the youngest and following family tradition, she’s destined to take care of her mother right until the day of her death, sacrificing love or a family of her own. 

Mirroring Tita’s devotion to cooking, every chapter of this novel starts with a recipe. Esquivel plays around with traditional dishes, flavors, feelings, and ingredients to envelop the story of a traditional family told through the eyes of a hopeless romantic culinarian who ends up falling in love. 

Why you should read this: If cooking is your love language, or you frequently think about the halfway point between food and love – this book is for you. 

The Memories of the Future by Elena Garro

The Memories of the Future is set in the fictitious town of Ixtepec during post-revolutionary Mexico. What makes this such a wonderful piece of work is its unconventional narrator: the town of Ixtepec itself. 

The town lives in a melancholy state of fear, experiencing both the trial and tribulations of military ruler Francisco Rosas, who has taken control of the town’s government and the life of the Moncada siblings. 

The Memories of the Future has been described novel that feels like a poem. 

Why you should read this: Elena Garro is sometimes known as “Octavio Paz’s wife,” a title that does her no justice. If feminism plays an important role in your media consumption, you need to read Garro’s work. 

Aura by Carlos Fuentes

The book tells the story of Felipe Montero, a young historian hired by Doña Consuelo to organize and write down her late husband’s memoirs. Felipe, who worked as a professor with a very low salary, will be paid a handsome sum by the old lady – under the condition that he lives in her house until the work is completed.

Set in Mexico City in 1962, this gothic-inspired novel is less than 100 pages long and considered one of Fuentes’s best works. 

Why you should read this: Aura is written completely in the second person point of view, making you, the reader, an intrinsic and exciting part of the story.

Confabulario and Other Inventions by Juan José Arreola

Arreola was one of the most prolific authors of his generation. He was deeply connected to Mexico and its cultural influences. He published Confabulario, his second work, in 1952. It consists of a collection and short stories that touch on the love, solitude, and frustration of modern humanity, told with a comedic, ordinary and sometimes absurdist touch.

Why you should read this: It’s considered a 20th-century Mexican literary masterpiece. If you like short stories that achieve more than some full-length books do, in less than 5 pages, Confabulario is for you. 

Balún Canán by Rosario Castellanos

Balún Canán was Rosario Castellanos’s first novel, published in 1957. It’s considered one of the pillars of the native “Indigenist” literature movement within Mexico – and an early example of Mexican feminist writing.

Castellano set her novel in Chiapas, where she was born and raised. It narrates the decline of Chiapan landowners, especially the Argüello family, triggered by agrarian reform laws during the Lázaro Cárdenas presidency of the 1930s. The story discusses the clash between white settlers and indigenous communities and the injustices that resulted. 

Why you should read this: If you want to learn more about racial and social issues in Mexico that are sometimes ignored in the modern era, this book is essential reading. Making it yet more intriguing, some consider this novel to be partly autobiographical, as Castellanos herself experienced some of what she narrates in her book.

The Labyrinth of Solitude by Octavio Paz

The Labyrinth of Solitude is a collection of 9 essays published in 1950. In it, Nobel Prize winner Paz sought to grasp and define the essence of the Mexican people – individually and collectively. He ponders through different historical events (going back as far as the Aztecs) that gifted, according to him, a certain quality of pessimism, alongside other characteristics, to Mexican society. 

Why you should read this: Paz provides an invaluable insight into the history, morals, and ideals that give Mexicans their identity. Although understanding the full essence of a foreign culture is quite impossible, reading this book will definitely leave you better than when you started, no matter your own identity or background.

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

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This concession, which forever changed the political, economic and social fate of North America, was stipulated in the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848. 

The ramifications of the Treaty

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo put an end to the Mexican-American War. In addition to the enormous land concessions, Mexico received around US $15 million and a pardon of $3.25 million dollars of debt owed to the United States government. 

It gave birth to the American West and determined the treatment of those who had been there for hundreds — and in the case of Native Americans, thousands — of years.

Nearly 80,000 Mexican citizens lived in what is now the United States, and the new treaty promised to protect them, at a time when slavery remained legal in the United States. 

The treaty stipulated that Mexicans who resided in the territories previously belonging to Mexico were free to stay in their homes or move south to the Mexican Republic if they so wished and could keep their property or sell it without “being subjected to any contribution, tax, or charge.”They were also free to retain their Mexican citizenship or acquire U.S. citizenship, but not both. They had to decide within one year of the treaty. 

Now let’s find out how we got there. 

It all started with Texas

When Mexico won independence from the Spanish in 1821, much of its northern territory was sparsely populated by a mixture of Mexicans and Native Americans. This land lacked major settlements or development. The Mexican government encouraged people from the United States and other foreigners to settle there, giving them incentives like exemptions from taxes. 

In return, the new settlers would become Mexican citizens and speak Spanish, convert to Catholicism, and keep no slaves (as Mexico had gradually abolished slavery after becoming independent). These were promises which many Protestant Anglo-American settlers did not take seriously.

Slavery in particular was a complicated issue, as many settlers were slaveholders who wanted to work around Mexico’s abolition of slavery. 

The clash of customs and opposing national interests in the state led to many political and military confrontations,and Anglo colonists revolted against the Mexican government, declaring the independent Republic of Texas. Mexico never recognized the province’s independence, and Texas joining the U.S. as the 28th state in 1845.

Mexican-American war

At the time, the President of the United States was James K. Polk. Polk was a firm believer in “manifest destiny,” an idea — which Hernán Cortés might describe as unoriginal — that the United States had a divinely ordained duty (ordained by God) to expand west across North America. He was determined to take more than Texas. 

Polk offered $30 million dollars for California and New Mexico, a proposal that offended Mexico and was rejected immediately. Needless to say, he didn’t handle the rejection well. 

Seeking war, Polk sent troops to occupy a disputed area in Texas, which resulted in a clash between Mexican and American troops. Provided with the perfect justification for an attempt to take Mexican land by force, Polk asked Congress for approval to declare war against Mexico, which he received in May of 1846. And so began the invasion known as the Mexican-American war. 

Spanning dozens of battles across Mexico, the war lasted 21 months and cost thousands of lives. Although fighting in Northern Mexico continued, the war itself ended when the United States seized Mexico City.

The United States Congress ultimately refused to comply with parts of the Treaty, breaking up land grants where Mexicans lived, resulting in many impoverished communities.

In Mexico, the conflict provided a national identity rooted in animosity towards its neighbor. It also gave birth to the legend of the Niños Héroes, teenage Mexican Army cadets who threw themselves from the walls of Chapultepec Castle clutching the Mexican flag, rather than have the symbol of their country defiled.

• Political figures from the United States like then-congressman Abraham Lincoln, former President John Quincy Adams, and Fredrick Douglass opposed the Mexican-American War. The treat is now seen as a major step toward the U.S. Civil War, some 15 years later. 
• The Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty gave way to what is known as “The Gadsen Purchase,” another treaty in which the United States paid Mexico $10 million dollars for a 30,000 square mile portion of land, which later became part of Arizona and New Mexico. This purchase attempted to resolve territorial conflicts that lingered after the war.

North America has been dealing with land disputes since Europe first arrived in the “New World” in the 1500s. While history is often disputed and told from conflicting viewpoints in books, classrooms, and at dinner tables, it is undeniable that its effects are profound. When thinking about the political, foreign, and diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico, it’s valuable to remember what happened 176 years ago today. 

The beginning of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo states the “sincere desire” for both nations to “establish upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship.” Hopefully, that desire can serve as a guidepost for the two countries almost 200 years later.

Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.

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