After hosting the World Cup in 1970 and advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time in its history, Mexico established itself as a respected football country on a global stage. It was the first World Cup televised in color, which ended with Pelé winning his last trophy for Brazil, who was carried from Mexico’s famous Azteca Stadium. 

Mexico’s reputation continued to grow, becoming a powerhouse in the North American CONCACAF region and consistently qualifying for World Cups. The country also hosted another tournament in 1986, best remembered for the audacious piece of cheating that was Diego Maradonna’s infamous “Hand of God.” Mexico’s second quarter-final appearance was a highlight for home fans. 

But with Mexico’s solidified football reputation came invitations to participate in other tournaments, like South America’s prestigious Copa América. 

Although it’s been eight years since Mexico last participated in this competition, performing well at the Copa América this summer could be the boost El Tri needs leading into the 2026 World Cup.

Mexico’s history in the Copa América

Since 1993, Mexico has been regularly invited to participate in the Copa América. In that time, they’ve gone head-to-head with some of the best players in history, including Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ronaldinho, and Diego Forlán.

But Mexico held its own. They even made the finals against Argentina in their first ever Copa América appearance. El Tri collected another second-place result in 2001, and a handful of third-place finishes in 1997, 1999, and 2007. 

The 1990s and early 2000s were a notable era in Mexican football. It featured legendary players like Luis Hernández, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Hugo Sánchez, and Rafa Marquez. Naturally, playing against stellar football nations like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, helped Mexico climb the world rankings. 

Six months prior to competing in the 1993 Copa América, FIFA ranked El Tri as the 25th-best team. However, by May 2006, Mexico reached an impressive 4th place ranking going into that summer’s World Cup. They were even positioned ahead of European powerhouses Italy, France, and Germany. 

Notable Mexican players and teams

After Mexico’s success in the 1990s and early 2000s came what many consider Mexico’s golden generation. With star players like Carlos Vela, Giovani dos Santos, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, and Guillermo Ochoa, El Tri maintained its reputation as a top 15 footballing nation. 

Mexico enjoyed some memorable moments, including a handful of Gold Cup trophies and consistent round-of-16 finishes at the World Cup. The squad even won an Olympic gold medal at London 2012. Several players from Mexico’s golden generation also played at major European clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Manchester United. 

Despite the great talent Mexico had they have failed to advance to the semi-finals of the Copa America since 2007. 

With that in mind, Mexico sent the strongest possible team to the 2016 Copa America. Though they made the quarter-finals, they were eliminated 7-0 by Chile. It is still regarded as their worst major tournament defeat in history.

What has happened since Mexico last entered the Copa América?

For those who follow Mexican soccer, it’s evident El Tri has underperformed lately.

Mexico did have one shining moment in the 2018 World Cup when they defeated reigning champions Germany 1-0 in the group stage of that tournament. Success has since been thin on the ground, however.

With the U.S. and Canada catching up to Mexico in the last twenty years, they’re no longer the kings of CONCACAF. Mexico hasn’t beaten the United States since 2019 — something inconceivable for Mexican fans just ten years ago. 

Eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup for the first time since 1986, Mexico are struggling. But the country has young talent that could turn things around in the coming years with young stars like Edson Álvarez, Jorge Sanchez, and Luis Chavez.

Rising stars like Santiago Giménez, bring more hope to Mexican fans. Giménez scored the last-minute goal to win Mexico the 2023 Gold Cup, and is having a great season for club Feyenoord in the Netherlands. There are also rumors he might sign for either Tottenham Hotspurs or AC Milan. 

Hopefully, Mexico’s new golden generation will mature this decade. A strong team going into this year’s Copa America would be a great step forward.

Predictions for the 2024 Copa América

Mexico has been drawn in Group B in this year’s Copa América, where they’ll face Ecuador, Venezuela, and dark horses Jamaica in a round-robin stage. If El Tri finish second in their group, they could face Lionel Messi and Argentina in the quarter-finals. 

With the Copa América kicking off this June, Mexico is in with a fair chance of securing first place. Jimmy Lozano, Mexico’s current team manager, just announced his final squad for the tournament — leaving out Hirving Lozano, Raul Jiménez, and Guillermo Ochoa to make room for younger players. It indicates that Mexico is serious about performing well and is willing to take risks to give new talent opportunities to grow on a major tournament stage. 

If the team can top Group B, they will avoid a potentially tricky meeting with Argentina in the next round. But with countries like the United States, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay also in the tournament, we’ll see how Mexico rises to the challenge. 

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 Will Mexico win the Copa América 2024? appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Whether you’ve come to Playa Del Carmen for a quick getaway or want to dance all night, there is something for everyone. If you’re willing to explore this once sleepy fishing village of Quintana Roo beyond its resorts, here’s your guide to get started. 

Chez Celin

France is well-known for its café society, and you see that influence take shape at Chez Celine from the ambiance to the quality of the cuisine. With most of its tables situated outside, it also encourages you to socialize with friends and watch the world go by. 

This French styled bakery, café, and restaurant is a popular hotspot for breakfast in Playa Del Carmen. If you don’t make a reservation or arrive early in the morning, you could be waiting in line for hours until you can be seated. 

Highly ranked on Tripadvisor with thousands of positive reviews, you can find Chez Celine on 5th Avenue along Calle 34. From their smoothies, scrambled eggs, and sandwiches, you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. 

Ah Cacao Chocolaté Café

A trendy café found in the heart of Playa Del Carmen’s bustling 5th Avenue, Ah Cacao offers your traditional Mexican coffee fix at a fair price. It’s also the perfect spot to try Mayan chocolate in a beverage form, along with other drinks and pastries. 

If you care about supporting local farmers and understanding where ingredients come from, you’ll also be happy to know that’s a big part of this café’s mission statement. 

There are four locations overall in Playa. Three are between Calle 30 and 40 near plenty of resorts and beaches, while the fourth is on Calle 2—a short walk from the Cozumel ferry and the outdoor mall where the 5th Avenue strip begins. 

Café Italia

Located a short walk outside of Calle 4, you’ll find this gem along a path where there are other incredible restaurants you won’t find on 5th Avenue. 

It’s a locally run business with delicious food and coffee. It’s never too crowded during the day, which makes it perfect for digital nomads, and it’s also a great spot to find other expats if you just moved to Playa and want to meet new friends. 

But on my recent stay in Playa last February, I explored their menu deeper instead of sticking to my usual. After having their empanadas, avocado toast, and a few of their pastries, I can say with confidence this is a phenomenal café and that everyone should try it at least once. 

Sabrina Pizzeria

If you want to teleport to Italy while you’re in Mexico, this is the place to go! Located outside 5th Avenue between Avenues 10 and 15, you’ll be happy to enjoy an authentic Italian dinner here for a better price than you’ll find anywhere else in Playa. 

There’s a present Italian and Argentinian expat community in Playa Del Carmen and not only can you see that influence in their menu, but also in their regular clientele. From their pizzas, pasta dishes, desserts, and coffee, Sabrina Pizzeria might be the most hidden gem on this list. Based on the reviews, most people who have been lucky enough to stumble upon this restaurant agree.

Marley Coffee

For those who love Bob Marley and Rastafarian culture, this is an essential café to experience. 

Marley’s Coffee is all about honoring the life and career of the legendary musician by spreading love, closeness, unity, and sustainability in everything it sells. You also see it in the number of paintings there are of Bob Marley at this café, as well as in the quality of its beverages and overall ambiance. 

From their frappés, smoothies, and coffee, you can’t go wrong with what you order. Better yet, the reviews speak for themselves!

 Excited about your next trip to Playa del Carmen?

No matter what you’re craving, Playa Del Carmen has a restaurant, café, bakery, or market that is ready to meet those needs. From Italian, French, Argentinian, Middle Eastern, Kosher, Thai, Cuban, French-Canadian, and, of course, Mexican, there are so many different cuisines to explore in this part of Quintana Roo. 

So, do your research and enjoy being spoiled for choice! 

Not only will you contribute to the Mexican economy, but you’ll also be supporting the locals who make Playa what we all know and love. 

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. 

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Most famous as the home of mezcal, this beautiful part of Mexico offers so much more than the simple getaways popular in beachside resort towns. From Day of the Dead festivities in November, to historical sites like Monte Albán, to exploring the local markets and dining at fantastic restaurants, you won’t run out of things to do for at least a week or two. 

But the city is also a great starting point for day trip adventures. I took a road trip with friends around Oaxaca back in 2023 and covered plenty of ground. We hiked, saw mountains, learned about history, and took endless photos to capture the memories we were creating. 

So, are you planning your itinerary for Oaxaca or hope to in the future? If that’s the case, here are some of the best day trips you can take from Mexico’s cultural capital! 

How to travel within Oaxaca

If you are a solo traveler or a couple looking to spend the day in Hierve el Agua, then it’s cheaper and more efficient to take a camioneta for around 50-100 pesos. It’s also possible to take a public bus for roughly 8-10 pesos, though these often take longer. 

If you’re a small group and want to see multiple sites in a day, it’s better to rent a car. If you feel too intimidated to drive in Mexican traffic (and I don’t blame you!), there are also numerous guided tours that include transportation as part of the price. 

As part of a group of friends, we decided to rent a car together during our visit. We wanted to have control of our schedule. Between us, we paid roughly 900 pesos for the day, the average price for a vehicle that seats up to five people. Split four ways, it was a fair deal for everyone.

Hierve el Agua

From scenic mountains, frozen waterfalls, and rock formations, it’s no surprise Hierve el Agua is one of the most popular day trips from Oaxaca city. An hour and a half outside of town, this nature preserve is ideal for those who like hiking, the great outdoors, and relaxing in the most unique swimming pools I’ve ever seen. Created thanks to the rock formations you’ll see everywhere here, the pools are at the edge of mountain tops and the views are spectacular. Trust me, the pictures you take will never do them enough justice!

If you want to hike in this nature reserve, I’d recommend finding a local guide or booking a tour since it’s easy to get lost. Hierve el Agua’s most common hiking trail is over an hour long and some of the others are longer still.  

My friends and I got lost quickly when we ventured into one of the hiking trails in search of the frozen waterfalls. We even followed a group tour at the start of our journey before going in a separate direction. I can’t imagine how lost we might have been if we entered a trail completely blind. So, keep this in mind unless you’re a human compass.

Tule Tree

Known as Mexico’s most famous tree, the Tule Tree is a marvelous force of nature that is over 2,000 years old. There’s also a holiday to celebrate its presence in Oaxacan culture on the second Monday of October. 

Less than an hour outside Oaxaca, this is probably the most convenient day trip on this list. The tree is worth seeing for its stature alone. The tree’s enormous trunk hides various shapes, such as the image of an elephant, a lion’s head, a deer, a pineapple, and many others. This makes it a fun day trip for the whole family. You can take photos for your social media pages and cross off a worthy bucket list item. Talk about a win-win situation! 

Mitla

If you enjoyed visiting Monte Albán, then you’ll also love exploring Mitla. Considered the second most important archaeological site in the state of Oaxaca, you understand why once you get there. At its height, this is where the ancient Zapotec people conducted most of their religious and political matters.  

There’s also a little flea market on site with lots of souvenir options, a few restaurants, and some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. 

Since Mitla isn’t as photogenic or popular as Monte Albán, there weren’t any crowds the day we went. That made our guided tour more relaxing since we were able to take our time to see and learn everything there was to know. 

Rey De Matatlán Mezcaleria 

Oaxaca is the most famous mezcal producing region of Mexico, so it only makes sense to visit a place like Rey De Matatlán Mezcaleria to get the full Oaxacan experience. 

If you go on a guided tour, you’ll learn about how mezcal is made. You’ll also get to sample different flavors, meet local farmers, and be able to buy souvenirs (including the extremely impressive array of mezcal liqueurs). If you aren’t visiting as part of a package tour, entry will cost you 250 pesos.

Mezcal is an acquired taste. It can burn your throat if you don’t consume it properly, and it takes getting used to even if you drink alcoholic beverages all the time. But it’s a “welcome to Oaxaca” moment if there ever was one! 

Do you feel the Oaxacan magic?

Oaxaca is a wonderful part of Mexico that deserves a lot of praise. Whether you like food, hiking, sightseeing, history, culture, taking photos, or all the above, it’s not hard to find something that appeals to your interests here.  

But if you like a good balance of travel adventures and a relaxing vacation, Oaxaca also has some great beach options in Huatulco and Puerto Escondido. All you have to do is book your flight and experience the Oaxacan magic!

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 Discover Mexico’s coolest state with these day trips from Oaxaca appeared first on Mexico News Daily

I can’t say I’m ready for the big waves at places like Zicatela Beach after one week of surf school. But there are enough beaches in this part of Oaxaca that perfect for beginners looking to learn how to surf for the very first time. 

In my experience, you’ll also have a great time while developing your new skills and confidence in this sport. That’s what counts the most at the end of the day, right? 

Surfing isn’t easy. From basic techniques and safety rules to reading waves, and knowing which beaches to practice on, it can be overwhelming at first. But considering Puerto Escondido’s history, there’s no better place to learn in Mexico. 

Where to take classes & potential costs

Puerto Escondido has been a popular surf town for decades, and that means there are endless surf schools and instructors to choose from when shopping for lessons. 

There was a moment during my third class when I saw a young father and his newborn son going far out into the water of Playa Carrizalillo. Noticing how surprised I looked, my surf coach smiled and told me matter-of-factly: “In Puerto Escondido, you learn to surf before you can walk.” 

The company that helped me go from beginner to surfing small to medium-sized waves within five days was Chingon Surf Lessons. But if you walk along the path towards La Punta Beach, you’ll find a plethora of options that may be right for you.

Expect to pay anywhere between $800-900 pesos per lesson. Typically, they last about two hours, which includes the use of a surfboard and a certified instructor assigned to be your guide for the morning or afternoon.  

How long does it take to learn the art of surfing?

From the way you position yourself on the board to knowing when to dive under the water to avoid getting injured by the rough waves you’ll find in Puerto Escondido, there’s a lot to understand. 

Granted, the technical aspects of surfing and basic safety rules are things your coaches will go over with you before getting into the ocean. But there’s a difference between knowing in theory and real-world practice.

If your footwork isn’t fundamentally sound on the board, you’re going to fall off when trying to catch a wave. If you don’t position your hands in a push-up position or get up on the board too late or too early, you’ll also dive straight into the water. There are also unexpected things you need to know once you’re practicing this sport. 

Preserving your energy between waves is a big one. 

Swimming against the current for two hours or for however long your session is can be exhausting. Battling aggressive waves coming your way as you swim, shredding water, and handling your board, can result in increasing physical and mental fatigue. 

I learned the hard way in my second lesson, in particular, when the waves at La Punta Beach weren’t giving me a break. Let’s just say, I took plenty of falls and hits that day. 

But once I took my time to swim back into the surf lineup, as well as resting on my board when the tide was calm, I found myself paddling less and having the strength to handle more waves and grow my confidence.  

All-in-all, a week of consistent lessons is enough to learn the art of surfing. It’ll take more time to become a seasoned pro if those are your goals, but you’ll at least have a good foundation and be able to go out on small to medium-sized waves. 

Beginner-friendly beaches to practice your new sport 

Puerto Escondido is best known for its powerful waves at Playa Zicatela, but if you’ve done a week of intensive surf lessons like I have and feel confident to practice on your own, there are two solid options: La Punta Beach and Playa Carazalillo. 

Even though it’s hard to predict how the waves will be on any given day, these beaches are welcoming to all levels. You see plenty of surf students like myself and their coaches there almost daily, which is reassuring. 

If I had to pick one, however, I’d say Playa Carazalillo is the most beginner-friendly beach to surf in Puerto Escondido. It’s also a beautiful place to hang out after your surf session is done. 

There is a good balance of small to medium-sized waves that come your way here, and it’s easy to avoid falling on rocks since the water is so clear. 

La Punta Beach is another good choice. The only difference is there are slightly more people in the surf lineup and sometimes big waves that appear out of nowhere. But if you’re aware of this beforehand, you’ll be more than okay. 

Ready to start your surfing journey? 

If anyone tells you surfing is easy, they’re lying — even if that person happens to be Laird Hamilton. But if you learn the technical aspects of the sport and practice enough, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy days out on the waves sometime in the future. 

My surf coach once told me there’s not much to do in Puerto Escondido other than to go surfing in the morning and relax in the evening. Even though I slightly disagree — it’s a popular checkpoint for young backpackers and spiritual types who have no interest in surfing —  there is some truth to the coach’s words. Having spent over a week in this Oaxacan paradise, there’s no activity I’d recommend more. 

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. 

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