Caves surrounding the archaeological site of Teotihuacán shoot down interesting beams of light during the right times of year. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der GrachtWoman in cave, light
This week we visit Teotihuacán, a massive classical-era archaeological site 50 miles northeast of Mexico City. But Teotihuacán is famous for than just its Necropolis or Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. As Jane Kadala explains, much of this site is still unexplored and in grave danger from treasure hunters and others who would destroy its ancient structures for personal gain.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht, PhD, is a journalist, photographer, and expedition leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway. Most recently, he earned a doctorate in Heritage Studies in 2026.
For generations, the orquesta jaranera — the brass-and-percussion ensemble that drives Yucatán’s beloved traditional music — has been almost exclusively a male domain. That changed on the night of April 15, when nine women took the stage at the Palacio de la Música in Mérida and performed as Piel de Barro, the first all-female jarana…
In the heart of Monterrey’s Parque Fundidora, a massive terracotta building houses the country’s most important tribute to baseball. The Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Mexicano (Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame) opened in 2019, offering a modern alternative to the static, velvet-rope museums that typically define sports history. Here, the exhibits are not just…
Fernando Delgadillo González emerged from the underground SEIMUS Collective in the late 1980s and built a career on his own terms, famously coining the term canción informal (Informal Song) to describe his refusal to conform to commercial record labels’ demands. For over three decades, Delgadillo has remained a significant figure in Latin American folk and…
Nearly four and a half-years after a fire devastated the Peón Contreras, Mérida’s most iconic venue continues to deteriorate. At the same time, officials have remained silent, and reopening dates keep being pushed back. A commission to restore the Peón Contreras was completed in 2023, but showed no tangible results. On Aug. 15, 2025, the…
Call yourself “American” in Mexico, and most people will know exactly what you mean. Do it in Bogotá or Buenos Aires, and you might get a raised eyebrow — or a gentle lecture. It’s one of those cultural friction points that tends to catch U.S. residents abroad off guard. The word “American,” perfectly ordinary back…