The Dark Side of Maya Magic: Understanding the Ajpuul Yaaj
Within Maya cosmology, spiritual practitioners have always walked a fine line between healing and harm. While many know about the jmeen — traditional Maya healers who perform agricultural ceremonies and cure illnesses — fewer understand their shadowy counterparts: the ajpuul…
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FEATURED
Spectators Become Directors at Yucatán Otoño Cultural
A local theater company dissolved the traditional boundaries between stage and spectator at an experimental performance this week, inviting audience members to direct the…
Mérida Gen Z March Demands Justice and Reform in Mexico
Hundreds of people marched down Paseo de Montejo Saturday morning as part of a youth-led movement that swept across Mexico. The demonstration in Mérida…
With 2025 Collection, Emmiknit’s Founder Steps Out for the Evening
Crochet corsets adorned with freshwater pearls, wide-leg pants inspired by mariachi uniforms, and one-shoulder tops shimmering in silk and rayon—these are the pieces that…
If You Aren’t Already, ‘Debo, Puedo y Quiero’ Will Turn You into a Juan Gabriel Fan
Over the past couple of weeks, the Netflix documentary series “Juan Gabriel: Debo, puedo y quiero” (“I Must, I Can, and I Want To”)…
Destruction Of Archaeological Site in Kinchil Linked To Poultry GiantBulldozers have damaged or destroyed building foundations and burial sites
Ancient structures at the archaeological site of Tzemé are being destroyed to make way for the expansion of a poultry farm, residents of Kinchil…
The Big Clash Over a Plan to ‘Fix’ Paseo de Montejo Design
The future of Paseo de Montejo’s controversial flower beds remains unclear as government officials, business leaders and cycling advocates debate what should happen to…
113,000 Pack Xmatkuil Fair as Matute Delivers Rescheduled Show
More than 113,000 people flooded through the gates of Xmatkuil Fair — the state fair — on Saturday, transforming the fairgrounds into a celebration…
Hollywood Returns to Mérida for Cuban Refugee Drama ‘Pedro Pan’
Mérida transformed into 1960s Havana as cameras rolled on “Pedro Pan,” a historical thriller about one of the largest child rescue operations in modern…
The Dark Side of Maya Magic: Understanding the Ajpuul Yaaj
Within Maya cosmology, spiritual practitioners have always walked a fine line between healing and harm. While many know about the jmeen — traditional Maya…
Spectators Become Directors at Yucatán Otoño Cultural
A local theater company dissolved the traditional boundaries between stage and spectator at an experimental performance this week, inviting audience members to direct the…
Mérida Gen Z March Demands Justice and Reform in Mexico
Hundreds of people marched down Paseo de Montejo Saturday morning as part of a youth-led movement that swept across Mexico. The demonstration in Mérida…
With 2025 Collection, Emmiknit’s Founder Steps Out for the Evening
Crochet corsets adorned with freshwater pearls, wide-leg pants inspired by mariachi uniforms, and one-shoulder tops shimmering in silk and rayon—these are the pieces that…
Cool Cats: Young Artists from Otoch Will Shine at Hennessy’s Exhibition
Young painters from Casa Otoch will showcase their artwork at an annual exhibition on Nov. 18 at Hennessy’s Irish Pub on Paseo de Montejo. The event allows student artists to see their work displayed and meet the people who buy…
NEWS
New Colonial-Era Film Production Seeks 200 Extras in Yucatán
An international film production is coming to Yucatán, and local residents have a chance to…
Modern Maya Renaissance Flowers at Los Pinos FestivalMore than 70 artisans brought traditional crafts, food, and music to Mexico City’s former presidential complex in CDMX
Yucatecan hammock weavers, traditional cooks, and Maya musicians transformed Mexico’s former presidential residence into a…
Are Expats in Mexico Taxed on Foreign Income? What to Know
Picture this: you’ve made the move to beautiful Yucatán, you’re sipping your morning coffee overlooking…
Visa Costs to Double, Targeting Digital Nomads in Mexico
Mexico plans to double the cost of temporary and permanent residency visas starting in 2026,…
Yucatán Tourism Growth Posts Record as International Visitors Surge 25%
Yucatán has emerged as one of Mexico’s strongest performing tourism destinations, with the state recording…
Foreigners Face Prison After Passport Fraud Attempts in CancúnMexico shows it is tough and sophisticated in cracking down on fake documents
Two foreign nationals are facing serious criminal charges after attempting to obtain Mexican passports using…
Yucatán Court Suspends Biometric CURP Over Private Data ConcernsCourts across Mexico are halting the government’s ambitious biometric identification program as privacy advocates challenge the mandatory collection of fingerprints and iris scans
A federal tribunal in Yucatán has suspended the Mexican government’s requirement that citizens provide biometric…
The Art of the Teotihuacán’s Mesmerizing Hidden Palaces
The ruins of the ancient city of Teotihuacán are among the largest and most impressive…
Lifestyle
Yucatan in Frame: Putting That New Smartphone To Good Use!
Yucatán is chock-full of wonderful opportunities to take great photographs. While there is no denying…
Cyclists Defend Controversial Bike Lane Planters on the Paseo
Cyclists rallied at the Monument to the Homeland Saturday to oppose a proposal that would…
Snowbirds in Yucatán Again as Toronto Flight Touches DownThere’s good news for West Coast travelers as well: Direct flights to LA
Yucatán’s winter tourism season officially began Monday when a WestJet flight from Toronto landed at…
Uber in Mexico Wins Legal Battle to Operate at Over 70 Airports
A federal judge has granted Uber in Mexico the right to operate at airports across…
50 Moments in History that Defined the Yucatán Peninsula We Know and LoveWhile ancient Maya civilization laid the foundation, the 20th century truly shaped the modern Peninsula
While ancient Maya civilization laid the foundation, the 20th century truly shaped the modern Peninsula.
HISTORY
The Last Maya King: Jacinto Canek’s Rebellion of 1761How a convent-educated baker became the leader of Yucatan’s most legendary Indigenous uprising
The year 1761 was supposed to be like any other in colonial Yucatan. Spanish rule…
How the Mexican Revolution Still Shapes the Country Today
The Mexican Revolution may have ended in 1920, but its transformation of the country continues…
Maya Museum Celebrates Indigenous Heritage with Traditional Games and ArtsMérida’s Gran Museo del Mundo Maya hosts week-long celebration of International Day of Indigenous Peoples
The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya in Mérida kicked off a week-long celebration of International…
Korea-Mexico Friendship Hospital: A Symbol of Unity for 20 years
Twenty years after it opened, the Korea-Mexico Friendship Hospital treats children today while building connections…
Culture
If You Aren’t Already, ‘Debo, Puedo y Quiero’ Will Turn You into a Juan Gabriel Fan
Over the past couple of weeks, the Netflix documentary series “Juan Gabriel: Debo, puedo y…
113,000 Pack Xmatkuil Fair as Matute Delivers Rescheduled Show
More than 113,000 people flooded through the gates of Xmatkuil Fair — the state fair…
Hollywood Returns to Mérida for Cuban Refugee Drama ‘Pedro Pan’
Mérida transformed into 1960s Havana as cameras rolled on “Pedro Pan,” a historical thriller about…
The Cuauhtémoc to Dock in Progreso: How to See It Up Close
The Mexican Navy’s sail training ship Cuauhtémoc will dock at the port of Progreso from…
The Maya Arch: A Feat Of Imagination, Artistry, and Function
One of the most immediately identifiable features of Maya architecture is the corbel arch. Corbel arches are not exclusive to the Maya or even to Mesoamerica; they can also be found in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Hellenistic…
Archaeology
4,000-Year-Old Maya Sculpture Unearthed North of MéridaINAH reveals discoveries in Sierra Papacal, during the salvage works on the Mérida-Progreso section of the Maya Train
Archaeologists working on the Maya Train project have discovered a limestone Maya sculpture that could…
The Maya Arch: A Feat Of Imagination, Artistry, and Function
One of the most immediately identifiable features of Maya architecture is the corbel arch. Corbel…
José del Mogote — The Powerful First Chapter in the History of the Zapotec
In the outskirts of Oaxaca’s capital city, lies San José del Mogote, an archaeological site…
New Wooden Stairway Lets Visitors Still Climb Cobá’s Largest Pyramid
INAH has installed a new wooden stairway to conserve Cobá’s largest structure while still allowing…
Archaeology
José del Mogote — The Powerful First Chapter in the History of the Zapotec
In the outskirts of Oaxaca’s capital city, lies San José del Mogote, an archaeological site…
New Wooden Stairway Lets Visitors Still Climb Cobá’s Largest Pyramid
INAH has installed a new wooden stairway to conserve Cobá’s largest structure while still allowing…
The Secrets Within Dzibilchaltún’s Structure 36
Located near the north of Mérida’s Municipal limits, Dzibilchaltún is best known for its famous…
A Look at the Colima Culture, Beyond Cute Dog Ceramics
Colima’s culture thrived in what today is the Mexican state of the same name, and…
Baby Jaguar, Born in Captivity at Oaxaca Sanctuary, Offers Hope
The birth of Yazu, the baby jaguar born at the Yagul Sanctuary in Oaxaca, will lift the spirits of anyone concerned about the species’ long-term survival in Mexico. According to the latest National Jaguar Conservation Alliance census, 5,300 jaguars were…
Nature
Santa Maria Parrot Refuge Survives Flood Thanks to Elevated Aviaries
Heavy rains across Yucatán left a wildlife sanctuary underwater, but the birds remained safe due…
Yucatán’s ‘Bat Sweep’ Called Illegal and Dangerous‘They have no idea of the damage to the environment and human well-being they are going to cause’
Conservation organizations are demanding the immediate halt of a program by Yucatán’s state government that…
The Cave Guardian: What Drives Roberto Rojo UndergroundSpeleologist documents the world beneath Yucatán—and fights to protect it from destruction
Roberto Rojo was 30 meters underground when the drilling started. Stalactites that had formed over…
Ceiba Tree Celebrated as Mérida Moves Forward with ReforestationAncient reverence meets modern conservation as Yucatán’s capital celebrates a milestone in urban forest protection
After planting 100 new trees in the Mulsay neighborhood, Mérida reached an environmental milestone this…
Nature
Mexico Creates 4 New Fishing Refuges, Including 2 in Yucatán
Mexico’s National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries established four new fishing refuge zones this fall,…
Baby Jaguar, Born in Captivity at Oaxaca Sanctuary, Offers Hope
The birth of Yazu, the baby jaguar born at the Yagul Sanctuary in Oaxaca, will…
Santa Maria Parrot Refuge Survives Flood Thanks to Elevated Aviaries
Heavy rains across Yucatán left a wildlife sanctuary underwater, but the birds remained safe due…
Yucatán’s ‘Bat Sweep’ Called Illegal and Dangerous‘They have no idea of the damage to the environment and human well-being they are going to cause’
Conservation organizations are demanding the immediate halt of a program by Yucatán’s state government that…
Dr. Eddie Salazar Gamboa, 79, Revealed Chichén Itzá Mysteries
The scientific community of Yucatán mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars. Dr. Eddie Salazar Gamboa passed away on Thursday following a brief illness. He was 79. His death marks the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to…
People
Gabriel Ramírez Aznar, Pillar of Yucatán Art, Dies at 87
Renowned painter and writer Gabriel Ramírez Aznar died today, leaving behind a lasting legacy as…
Dr. Eddie Salazar Gamboa, 79, Revealed Chichén Itzá Mysteries
The scientific community of Yucatán mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars. Dr…
Expat Interview: Annie and Murdoch Thread the NeedleAfter leaving London and raising a family in New York, two lifelong travelers find their happy place under the Yucatecan sun
With Murdoch Morrison and Annie Walwyn-Jones, stories unfold as naturally as a conversation over tea…
Mexico’s President and the Vibrant Jewish Community She RepresentsClaudia Sheinbaum’s historic presidency spotlights a thriving but insular Jewish population of 40,000 that has found remarkable success in Mexico
When she assumed office in October 2024, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, made history on multiple…
People
Expat Interview: Annie and Murdoch Thread the NeedleAfter leaving London and raising a family in New York, two lifelong travelers find their happy place under the Yucatecan sun
With Murdoch Morrison and Annie Walwyn-Jones, stories unfold as naturally as a conversation over tea…
Mexico’s President and the Vibrant Jewish Community She RepresentsClaudia Sheinbaum’s historic presidency spotlights a thriving but insular Jewish population of 40,000 that has found remarkable success in Mexico
When she assumed office in October 2024, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, made history on multiple…
Why 2025 Has Been Rommel Pacheco’s Most Transformative Year
Former Olympic diver and current Sports Commission director of Mexico’s National Sports Commission, Rommel Pacheco,…
The Cave Guardian: What Drives Roberto Rojo UndergroundSpeleologist documents the world beneath Yucatán—and fights to protect it from destruction
Roberto Rojo was 30 meters underground when the drilling started. Stalactites that had formed over…
Colonial Palace: Mérida home for sale turns heads up, down and around
A highlight of the most recent Mérida Showcase of Homes was this stunning Colonial Palace on Calle 66 in the Santa Ana neighborhood. Now this soaring, luxurious masterpiece is on the market, turning home buyers’ heads right, left, up and down. …
REAL ESTATE
Casa Serena: An Architect’s Personal Vision On the Market at Cabo Norte
A contemporary residence represents something rare in luxury real estate: a home designed by an…
Opinion: Mérida Housing Boom Must Spread to the SouthYucatán is Mexico’s hottest real estate destination, but it can’t keep growing unless we expand our focus beyond the north, expert says
Mérida’s booming real estate market needs to break free from its northern focus, according to…
Residential development would transform Tepakán, a tiny village in rural Yucatán
A significant residential development project is under consideration for the small municipality of Tepakán, Yucatan,…
Airbnb advice: 5 things hosts removed from their rentals
Previously, we asked people for some expert Airbnb advice. The question was about income-property essentials…
REAL ESTATE
Annual Progreso Home Tour Allows a Look at Beach Life in Yucatán
I’ve learned a lot about living in Yucatán’s coastal communities thanks to the annual Progreso…
How Yucatán’s Iconic Pasta Tiles Are Made
Pasta tile floors, practical in a hot and humid climate like Yucatán’s, started emulating decorative…
Showcase of Homes 2024: 6 Fabulous New Private Spaces
Get out your comfortable shoes and prepare to be invited into six luxurious private homes…
Casa Ocea: A View With a Few Rooms
This Chuburná beach home is a testament to the power of collaboration, a love for…
Luxury & Elegance at the Best 5-Star Hotels in Mérida
Whether you prefer colonial mansions or something altogether newer and more modern, the best 5-star hotels in Mérida have got you covered.
LODGING
Decu Downtown Mérida — Luxury with Local Flare
Located in Mérida’s historic downtown, Decu Downtown is a unique hotel that seamlessly combines luxury…
The Most Unique Places To Stay in Mérida
Fancy a litle fun with your next fancy getaway? These unique places to stay in Mérida are…
18 Hot Spots to Visit in Mérida to Hang Out
Nothing beats spending time where the locals like to hang out. Check out this list…
The AKEN Mind Mérida Hotel: Modern Oasis with Local Roots
AKEN Hotels & Resorts has unveiled the relaunch of its second property in Mexico, the…
LODGING
Decu Downtown Mérida — Luxury with Local Flare
Located in Mérida’s historic downtown, Decu Downtown is a unique hotel that seamlessly combines luxury…
The Most Unique Places To Stay in Mérida
Fancy a litle fun with your next fancy getaway? These unique places to stay in Mérida are…
18 Hot Spots to Visit in Mérida to Hang Out
Nothing beats spending time where the locals like to hang out. Check out this list…
The AKEN Mind Mérida Hotel: Modern Oasis with Local Roots
AKEN Hotels & Resorts has unveiled the relaunch of its second property in Mexico, the…