“My father would take us out into nature, and that’s where I fell in love with animals,” Prieto told Mexico News Daily. As a result, I studied veterinary medicine and zootechnology, but then along came a course in photography in the Colegio de Fotografía del Occidente. And I found my niche.”

Confluences is a hard-backed, large-format book of 208 pages published by Artes de México, 2024. It has 65 color photos, all taken by Alejandro Prieto, with seven chapters of text written by various naturalists.

Photographing jaguars in the wild

Prieto’s extraordinary skill at taking photos both on land and underwater brought him into projects that might have discouraged many another photographer.

One of these is the work he carries out for Alianza Jaguar, an organization that needed quality photos of jaguars in their natural habitats, to promote their projects to protect and ensure them a future in Mexico. To get those pictures, endless hours of effort and patience were the order of the day. Later, when Prieto got involved with photographing certain elusive species of the Mexican axolotl, which live in the remote mountains of Michoacán, the problem was surviving ice-cold temperatures underwater.

The roadrunner and the border wall

One of Prieto’s more recent projects, photographing animals whose habitat has been cut in two by the border fence separating the USA from Mexico, brought a new sort of problem.

“It’s a dangerous place,” the photographer confided. “On one hand, you’ve got border patrols that will grab you and take you out of there, and on the other, you’ve got drug runners who will do something even worse if they catch you… and on top of that, you have to put up with both extreme heat and extreme cold.”

Nevertheless, from that hostile environment came Prieto’s unforgettable photo of a roadrunner eyeballing an insurmountable wall wrapped in great coils of razor wire: winner of the 2020 World Press Photo Award for Nature.

That’s just one of 53 International awards that Alejandro Prieto has received so far, an assurance that Confluences is just the sort of book you’ll want to leave lying on your coffee table accidentally.

Canyons, forests, deserts and swamps

Why is this book entitled Confluences?

University of Wisconsin Professor Eduardo Santana makes this clear in the first chapter. West Mexico, he says, “does not have a monolithic identity… What defines its essence is the confluence of dissimilarities.”

Santana is referring to the astounding variety of natural wonders lying in wait for anyone who wanders about West Mexico.

These include smoldering volcanoes, 500-meter-deep canyons, mangrove swamps, tropical jungles, grasslands, hot springs, oak and coniferous forests, desert scrub lands, and much more.  Each environment has its own flora and fauna, not to mention the long-distance migrants: flying creatures of all sorts from hawks and pelicans to bats and butterflies. Put all these together in a relatively small space, and you have geodiversity and biodiversity in abundance.

And, of course, wherever two or more systems come together, you have confluences.

A jungle on a mountain top

Academic studies are not required to appreciate what happens in the many places where ecosystems merge. An excellent example was given to me by another Santana named Aldo, a member of the Cuzalapa people living in the heart of the picturesque Manantlán Biosphere Reserve, located along the state line dividing Jalisco from Colima:

“The Sierra de Manantlán is unique!” exclaims Aldo Santana. “In it, you will find things that are normally seen only in Chiapas, or you’ll find other things typical of Sonora. So, it is mega-diverse! It is as if you were seeing all the ecosystems together in one place. And if you are here during the rainy season, you will find everything green, a jungle. It’s a tropical jungle on a mountain top!” 

Underwater in the Gulf of California

The photographs in Confluences take us on a tour of West Mexico’s extraordinary geo and biodiversity, whether on land, in the air or, underwater.

We are introduced to marine life in the Sea of Cortés, home to an enormous array of environments, from deep basins to some of the largest tidal zones in the world. Thanks to Prieto’s skills as a diver and underwater photographer, we are introduced to silky sharks, dolphins, sea lions, surgeon fish, needle fish… as well as the marine birds flying overhead.

Among the many delightful creatures we find photographed in this book, three fascinating species stand out: jaguars, axolotls, and “flying white sheep,” otherwise known as American pelicans to those of us with less imagination than the Mexicans living on the shores of Lake Chapala.

Friends of the jaguars

An entire chapter is dedicated to this emblematic feline. Award-winning journalist Agustín del Castillo dives into the story of why and how the Jaguar Alliance came into being, and what they are doing today to transform hostile ranchers into friends of the big cats. We also follow Alex Prieto in his quest to photograph these magnificent animals in their natural surroundings: no easy task!

Flying sheep and walking fish

Del Castillo devotes two additional chapters to axolotls and American pelicans.

Axolotls — incorrectly known as “Mexican walking fish” — are among the strangest creatures on the planet. These photogenic amphibians are famed for their ability to regenerate just about every part of their bodies, including their brains and hearts. Once abundant in Mexico, their numbers are now dwindling due to the ever-increasing pollution of the country’s lakes, ponds, and rivers.

The American pelicans, on the other hand, seem to be doing better than ever. These huge birds live in Canada and along the northern US border. Every year around September, they begin their 4000-kilometer migration to warmer climes, in particular to Lake Chapala.

By chance, there is a successful fish-filleting operation on the tiny island of Petatán, Michoacán, at the southeast end of the lake, and here the pelicans gather by the thousands to enjoy the scraps. Among the many visitors to Petatán — fascinated by the site and sound of ten thousand “flying white sheep”  taking off and landing — was photographer Alejandro Prieto, and thanks to him, owners of Confluences can vicariously enjoy the show. 

To get your own copy of this extraordinary book — whether in English or in Spanish, you are asked to donate to the Jaguar Alliance. For full information, send an email to alianzajaguar@gmail.com.

John Pint has lived near Guadalajara, Jalisco, for more than 30 years and is the author of “A Guide to West Mexico’s Guachimontones and Surrounding Area” and co-author of “Outdoors in Western Mexico.” More of his writing can be found on his website.

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A stoppage-time own-goal by Panamanian defender Richard Peralta was all El Tri was able to muster, taking some of the sting out of 90 minutes of frustration.

“México”

Porque venció por 1-0 a Panamá en un amistoso falopa que se jugó en este mes. Decían que llegaban mal al Mundial y acá tienen la prueba de que no, ganaron con el equipo C. Imaginen con los titulares. Alta putita Panamá.
pic.twitter.com/y7pdpaeKXX

— Tendencias en Deportes (@TendenciaDepor) January 23, 2026

Mexico dominated possession (72%), but managed only nine shots, just three of which were on target (not including the winning goal, which was the result of a deflected centering pass) in what can best be described as an insipid display of attacking football. 

As this is not an official FIFA break, club teams are not required to release their players to the national team, so El Tri was playing with a lot of new faces. Aguirre took advantage to look at prospects — including the two former U.S. players whose switch to Mexico was approved this week. 

The two converts — Richard Ledezma and Brian Gutiérrez — both started and both impressed. 

Ledezma, a right back, should earn an extended look in upcoming training camps as he showed tremendous two-way talent while playing the entire match. 

Gutiérrez, a lanky midfielder, looked sharp in winning back possession and nearly curled in a free kick from 26 meters, but had trouble connecting with the attack. 

Aguirre is using Thursday’s game and Sunday’s friendly in Bolivia to evaluate players as he continues to shape his 26-man roster for the upcoming World Cup. Mexico’s opener against South Africa is just 140 days away.

Of interest to Mexico fans was the performance of striker Armando González, who looked dangerous during his 23 minutes on the pitch. González — the reigning Liga MX scoring champ at just 22 years of age — gave Panama defenders fits, nearly scoring in minute 90 with an acrobatic header.

Two minutes later, González drifted wide left of the goalie box, then slipped a pass between two defenders to Alexis Gutiérrez at the top of the box. Gutiérrez one-timed a through ball into the box to Jesús Gallardo and Gallardo’s cross for Charlie Rodríguez ricocheted off the unfortunate Peralta’s leg and into the net.

Two other newcomers — midfielder Obed Vargas and defender Eduardo Águila — showed promise. Vargas, like Ledezma and Gutiérrez, switched allegiance from the U.S. back in 2024 and this was his third appearance wearing a Mexico shirt. For Águila, Thursday’s match was his first game for El Tri.

With reports from ESPN, Record and Milenio

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The interactive showcase — which has been extremely popular in previous stops from Madrid to Melbourne to Buenos Aires — will make its Latin American return in Mexico City, the ninth host city worldwide, according to Formula1.com.

The exhibition will be at Yama Punta Museo, an automobile-themed museum on the third floor of an upscale residential/retail complex in the southern Mexico City borough of Coyoacán.

“Since Formula 1 Exhibition’s debut in Madrid in 2023, the show has gone from strength to strength to attract over 1 million visitors,” said Emily Prazer, Formula 1’s chief commercial officer. “Mexico City is a vibrant cultural hub with a true passion for motorsport, so it made perfect sense for it to be the next stop on the Latin American tour.”

The city has embraced Formula 1 as one of its biggest annual spectacles.

Held each fall at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the Mexico City Grand Prix has sold out every year since rejoining the calendar in 2015. Attendance is roughly 400,000 across the full race weekend, with around 150,000 on race day.

Last year’s race was won by McLaren team driver Lando Norris, ahead of Charles Leclerc in second and Max Verstappen in third.

This year’s race on Sunday, Nov. 1 — with three free practice sessions plus qualifying on Oct. 30-31 — will see local favorite Sergio Pérez compete with F1’s newest team, Cadillac.

The exhibition at the museum 10 kilometers away will feature six immersive galleries across 2,000 square meters, including Pit Wall, a cinematic look at F1’s most unforgettable moments; Design Lab, an insider’s view into race car engineering; and Drivers & Duels, chronicling the sport’s historic rivalries.

A special room will honor Mexico’s racing legacy and pay homage to Pérez, a Guadalajara native who started in Formula 1 in 2011 and drove for Red Bull Racing from 2021 to 2024.

Artifacts will include historic cars, rare photos and the remains of French-Swiss driver Romain Grosjean’s fiery 2020 Bahrain crash — when his car was engulfed in flames for half a minute after hitting a barrier at high speed, yet he escaped alive.

The exhibit debuted in Madrid, where it became Spain’s top-selling temporary exhibit of 2023; the next year in London, it won a prize for being the city’s best visitor experience of the year.

Tickets in Mexico City start at 295 pesos (about US $17), with early-access registration open before public sales launch Jan. 28. There will be no ticket sales on site. The exhibit will run daily from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

No closing date has been provided; past versions have run anywhere from five to nine months, with extensions due to strong ticket sales.

For more information, visit F1exhibition.com.

With reports from Formula 1.com, Infobae and Mediotiempo

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Minor misunderstandings flare into full-blown arguments. Longtime residents clash with newcomers. Local pride rubs up against foreign expectations. And before long, the original purpose of connection is buried beneath sarcasm, gatekeeping and thinly veiled frustration. Which is why, when something genuinely different comes along, people notice.

Humble beginnings

Puerto Vallarta Experience Share on Facebook has quietly become one of those rare online spaces that feels, dare we say, nice. 

It’s helpful without being patronizing and positive without being naive. It’s a place where newcomers feel welcome, and longtime residents don’t feel worn down by answering the same questions for the hundredth time. 

In a digital landscape where tension often feels inevitable, this page has somehow sidestepped it. And in doing so, it’s become a firm Vallarta favorite.

Page founder and Canadian expat Melanie Henderson started the group as a simple way of sharing her and her husband Travis’s experiences.

“My family, friends and the many customers I had where I used to work all wanted to know what we were into when we retired,” she said. “I began the page as a way of keeping them informed, and the next thing I knew, it unexpectedly grew. There was no moment when I thought it was needed; I just started it for fun and [as] a way to communicate with people.”

What’s striking is that the page — which has just shy of 94,000 followers — doesn’t position itself as an authority. There’s no sense of “we know better because we’ve been here longer.” Instead, it feels like a conversation happening at eye level. 

If someone asks a question about buses, they get three thoughtful answers instead of a lecture. Someone shares a small joy — a sunset, a meal, a chance encounter — and it’s met with warmth rather than one-upmanship.

At its heart, Puerto Vallarta Experience Share seems less interested in being right and more interested in being useful.

“This is a group to share, discover and celebrate everything about Puerto Vallarta,” Henderson said. “Whether it’s photos, experiences, restaurant reviews, hotel tips, events or travel questions, our community is here to help each other enjoy the best the area has to offer. I want people to experience the culture [and] the beautiful people and make meaningful memories. In a nutshell, I want the group to add happiness to everyone who’s on it. Knowing it was doing that would make me very happy.”

That sense of positive emotional aftertaste, how people feel when they log off, is perhaps the page’s quiet superpower.  And that doesn’t happen by accident.

Maintaining a positive tone in an expat group isn’t simply about deleting negativity. It’s about modelling behavior. It’s in the way questions are answered, disagreements are softened rather than sharpened, and humor is used to defuse rather than divide.

“We aim to post or make comments with kindness, respect, and positivity, so that others will follow suit,” Henderson said. “Our group has so many role models that inspire me, and they’ve helped me see the joy in everything. The group is very important to all of us, so we try to treat each other like family.”

There’s also a noticeable respect in the group for Puerto Vallarta itself. Not just as a backdrop for expat life, but as a living, breathing place with its own rhythms, people and history.

Posts regularly highlight local businesses, traditions and everyday moments that remind members they’re guests here, not just consumers of sunshine and scenery, and that respect feels genuine rather than performative. It’s woven quietly into the tone of the group, shaping how people speak about the city and, just as importantly, about one another. 

There’s an understanding that loving a place means listening to it, learning from it, and allowing oneself to be changed by it. That affection for Vallarta, and for the people who make it what it is, shines through in almost every interaction.

“I love the sense of community. There’s such a noticeable feeling of togetherness here,” Henderson said. “I’m grateful every day that my husband and I have been welcomed, and I want everyone to experience the joy we have in Vallarta.”

For many members, Puerto Vallarta Experience Share becomes something more than a practical resource. It’s a touchstone, a reminder of why they chose Vallarta in the first place, or why they’re considering it now. For those newly arrived, still finding their footing, it offers reassurance that uncertainty is all part of the process of being a migrant to a new country and that questions are welcome. 

For those who’ve been here longer, it gently rekindles a sense of appreciation that can sometimes fade with familiarity.

In that way, Puerto Vallarta Experience Share bridges a quiet but important gap: It allows different stages of expat life to coexist without competing. There’s room for the excitement of discovery alongside the steadiness of experience. There’s room for curiosity without judgment. And, above all, there’s room for kindness.

Looking ahead, the future of the page feels less about expansion and more about intention.

“As the group grows, I’m hoping it’ll continue to be a space we can all enjoy and share together,” Henderson said. “Each time someone reaches out to someone with a post or comment, it connects us. I think the dream is that those connections remain meaningful.”

In a digital world that often rewards outrage and scorn, Puerto Vallarta Experience Share has chosen a different path, valuing curiosity over righteousness, generosity over ego and connection over noise. 

That may not sound revolutionary, but in practice it is. Not because the group promises perfection but because it offers something far more sustaining: a reminder that community, when nurtured with care, can still be a source of comfort, joy and belonging.

In a city shaped by arrivals and departures, reinvention and return, Puerto Vallarta Experience Share reflects the best of what expat life can be: open, respectful and grounded in gratitude. A place where sharing experiences doesn’t mean competing for them and where being part of something never requires being someone you’re not.

In the end, that quiet sense of welcome may be its greatest success of all.

Charlotte Smith is a writer and journalist based in Mexico. Her work focuses on travel, politics and community.

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Now, as a PhD candidate at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Garza is pushing artificial intelligence to an entirely new frontier: the micro-world of chips, sensors, and embedded devices. Forget massive server clusters or data centers sucking up megawatts of power. His vision is of an AI that can think locally — and he is creating miniature, energy-efficient systems that learn and adapt on the fly without ever calling home to the cloud.

That bold idea has earned him a Google PhD Fellowship for 2025, a prestigious award reserved for the most promising young scientists redefining how computing will look in the next decade.

When Big AI gets too big

Most of today’s AI depends on immense computational infrastructure. This is like brainpower outsourced to enormous digital “cathedrals” — endless racks of GPUs chewing through terabytes of data. It’s powerful but also unsustainable.

“Today’s large AI models have an enormous environmental footprint,” Garza says. “We want to show that intelligence doesn’t have to mean excess — that it’s possible to build systems that are just as capable, but far more sustainable and accessible.”

Enter Tiny Reinforcement Learning, or TinyRL — Garza’s minimalist twist on machine learning. In essence, he’s teaching microsystems to be smart. TinyRL combines reinforcement learning (where machines learn by trial and error) with math inspired by the Kolmogorov-Arnold theorem, letting embedded devices optimize themselves in real time. The most incredible part of this process is that no supercomputers are required, unlike the large-scale machine learning systems that are currently popular.

A robot that learns by failing

In the university’s robotics lab, Garza and his team are testing a small ground robot that starts out totally clueless. It doesn’t know where it is, how its wheels move, or what its sensors are for. But through thousands of tiny experiments — bumping into walls, pivoting, adjusting — it begins to figure it out.

After a few hours of digital trial and error, that chaos turns into coordination. “You can literally see intelligence emerging from scratch,” Garza explains. The robot goes from jittery improvisation to purposeful navigation, all without any pre-programmed instructions or cloud-based training.

Soon, these algorithms will evolve to run on multi-microcontroller architectures, where multiple miniature agents learn together and share discoveries, creating a sort of ecosystem of networked intelligences.

The human-centered future of Industry 5.0

The work anchors Tec de Monterrey’s “Research Group for Industry 5.0,” a collaborative effort to design technology that’s smaller, smarter, and friendlier to both people and the planet.

Garza imagines factories where robots learn new tasks on the job, homes where assistive devices adapt to their users, and wearable health monitors that predict problems before they surface. “Imagine a smartwatch that doesn’t just track your pulse,” he says. “It anticipates changes in your health and warns you before something happens.”

For Google, his selection as a 2025 fellow places him among 255 doctoral candidates worldwide tackling pressing computing challenges. The program provides mentorship, funding, and a global research network. For Garza Elizondo, it’s an affirmation that big thinking doesn’t have to live in big machines.

“When people think about AI, they imagine huge systems behind screens,” he says. “But what excites me is the idea that intelligence can live anywhere — even in the tiniest corner of a chip.”

This story was written by a Mexico News Daily staff editor with the assistance of Perplexity, then revised and fact-checked before publication.

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Merida Fest 2026

Merida Fest is huge, celebrating the founding of Merida! Two weeks of fun activities for the whole family. It takes place throughout Merida city. In parks, along the street like Paseo Montejo, in the Cultural Center, and the Municipal Palace, so be sure to check the program. There’s musical groups, folkloric groups, International artists, concerts spread out in 39 venues, with more than 165 shows and 600 artists of dance, literature, visual arts, theater, and music.

Date: January 5-18

Location: Merida

Cost: Free, though some events may charge. See the full program here.

Tai Chi in the park

I’m tempted to catch the ferry across to Playa del Carmen for this. Tai Chi is a wonderful way to relax, move your body, and revitalize your mind. Healthful for every age, body type, and fitness level, enjoy the almost meditation experience, breathing, and gentle movement for your body in a natural setting. 

Date: 7 January, 9 a.m.

Location: Parque La Ceiba, Playa del Carmen

Cost: Free

Out of the Blue Music Festival

Out of the Blue attracts hundreds of music lovers who come back year after year. So much so, they offer discounts for returning visitors. More than just music, this festival is full of amazing food, pool parties, fun in the sun, water activities. There’s even a cooking class! Friendships are formed and great music serenades you al day and night.  

Date: 8-11 January

Location: Riviera Cancun, Cancun

Cost: Depending on package

Fire – K’AAK Vitality Ritual

Whether you choose the singles massage using traditional Mexican wellness practices. Or the couples massage experience with a reconnecting love ceremony, I love that they are using traditional methods handed down from generation to generation. With herbs to help heal your body in an oceanside treatment deck, so you can relax to the sound of the waves. Choose your 90-minute or 120-minute option when booking. 

Date: 8 January

Location: AZULIK Tulum

Cost: 333 pesos for singles, 889 pesos for couples

Clay Rebirth Ritual

If you’re like me and would prefer smaller, private healing ceremonies (up to 6 people), then this one is for you. Start your new year with a healing ritual of clay, sound and dance. Inspired by the turtle, guardian of the Maya, it helps shed what no longer serves, cleanse both body and spirit, reconnect with the earth and be reborn. 

Date: 10 January

Location: Tulum 

Cost: 5,000 pesos

Annual shoe giveaway

Here’s something different, and a fun event to volunteer at. Isla Mujeres has an annual shoe giveaway, supplying shoes to over 600 children. If you’d like to join in and feel your heart swell surrounded by little smiling faces, then head to Isla Mujeres for a day trip or stay a night or two and enjoy the island. 

Date: 10 January, 12 p.m.

Location: Isla Mujeres

Cost: Free

Movies in the park

Is there anything better than free movies in the park? I love to pack a picnic and sit under the stars watching movies. Especially in the Riviera Maya with their mild nights and clear skies. So come join us, relax and don’t forget your blanket and picnic basket! 

Date: 14 January

Location: Parque La Ceiba, Playa del Carmen

Cost: Free

Candlelight tribute to José José

If I weren’t traveling, I’d have front row seats to this one. Imagine the magic of musicians surrounded by a sea of candles. Add in the romance of the violin and cellos, and I’m in music lovers’ heaven. Just give me a glass of wine (or two), and this is my perfect night. Be sure to get there early to get the best seats, as it’s first come, first served. 

Wheelchair access is only available to the ground floor. The venue has its own parking lot for an additional fee.

Date: 16 January, 9 p.m.

Location: Stoa Auditorium, Cancun

Cost: From 350 pesos

Quebecean Blues and Rock

Calling all Canadians and blues lovers. Quebec is coming to Playa del Carmen for a night of chill blues under the Caribbean stars. Join Hugo Lapointe, Carl Tremblay, and Ritchy Lemay for an authentic, vibrant show under the stars which boasts 100% Quebec vibes. 

Date: 20 January, 8 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Location: Hotel Boutique Caché Rooftop – Playa del Carmen

Cost: 500 pesos

Hip Hop boat party

For an epic Cancun memory, join Rock Star Crawls for their party boat, voted #1 for eight years running. A day of top DJs, sweet Hip Hop and R&B beats, dancing, swimming, snorkelling, water activities, an open bar, and snacks, all while cruising through the Mexican Caribbean. There’s even a champagne shower!  You’ll receive fun photos of the day too. 

Date: 27 January, 12-3 p.m.

Location: Caribbean Carnival, Cancun.

Cost: US $102

Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now, she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.

The post What’s on in the Riviera Maya in January appeared first on Mexico News Daily

December sunlight spills across the bay, and poinsettias stack in brilliant towers at every market stall. Palm trees shimmer with strings of Christmas lights. ‘Tis the season when people from colder countries flood in, chasing warmth they can’t find at home.

Holiday blues travel, even to Puerto Vallarta

But this warmth isn’t just the kind that heats your skin. It’s the holiday spirit. It’s the laughter spilling from crowded plazas, children singing carols and fireworks painting the night sky. Yet amidst this vibrant celebration, a different warmth entirely seeps into your bones. It reminds you of what you might be missing, making the heaviness you carry feel even heavier.

If you suffer from depression, it doesn’t stay behind; it travels with you. I know this because I live with it, and I admit it openly, even when societal expectations suggest I shouldn’t. It’s crossed borders with me more times than I can count.

People assume that moving to Mexico means sadness evaporates. Friends back home have asked, “What do you have to be depressed about there?” as if palm trees and sunshine can shield me from my own mind.

But depression doesn’t check your environment before settling in. It doesn’t care that others think you should be happier than you are. When I moved here, I hoped the sun would soften my depression, and sometimes it does, but more often, it simply adapts. You can relocate your body, but your mind always comes with you.

Beauty isn’t always a balm

Sharing my struggles can sometimes be met with disbelief, as if the beauty surrounding me should act as a balm for my sorrow.

At times, the beauty feels almost mocking. The world around me is too bright for the heaviness I carry. I’ve watched sunsets that should evoke something deep within me, yet I felt numb, walking the waterfront in search of relief, only to return home with the same weight tightening my chest.

The hardest part is explaining this to friends who believe I won some emotional lottery by living by the ocean. Sometimes, it’s easier to say, “I’m good,” than to delve into why I still struggle, even with palm trees swaying outside my window.

My depression sharpens around the holidays. The joy of the Christmas season bursts forth in a cascade of lights, music and laughter. There are posadas, parades and so many displays of life. Yet none of that cancels out the ache of distance for those of us who grew up with cold-weather Decembers and shared rituals.

Missing winter weather

When winter is stripped away, the emotional rhythm your body remembers feels lost. The familiarity of snowy rooftops and the scent of pine is replaced by palm trees draped in lights and sun-soaked mornings. While Santa in board shorts is adorable, I sometimes miss the magic of snow falling quietly outside my window.

According to an American Psychological Association study, a significant percentage of people with depression see symptoms increase during the holiday season, even without traditional winter darkness. For expats, the feeling of holiday loneliness can also increase. The sun doesn’t eliminate these feelings; it sharpens them against the vivid backdrop of celebration.

Beyond individual struggles, this winter feels more emotionally strained. Fewer people are travelling or making big moves, and it isn’t just because of flight prices or global events; we’re all carrying more than usual. 

Mexico doesn’t cure depression, but it does alter one’s experience of it

Mexico’s upcoming 2026 residency requirement changes add another layer of stress altogether, with higher financial thresholds and stricter processes. The anxiety surrounding depression doesn’t motivate action; it freezes it.

Living in Mexico hasn’t cured my depression, but it has altered my relationship with it. The pace is slower, the light lingers longer and there’s something grounding about buying fruit from the same vendor every morning or watching fishermen pull in their nets at sunrise. 

Small rituals have become my lifeline. A slow walk to the market before the heat settles in, a drive to a nearby town where life feels simpler, and days spent listening to waves instead of my swirling thoughts. These rituals may not heal me, but they hold me and sometimes that’s enough.

When I tell the truth about how I feel, when I allow myself to say, “I’m not okay today,” I find relief in vulnerability. It isn’t weakness; it’s a way to lighten the load I carry.

How light returns

If you’ve ever spent a winter in a landscape that seems like paradise but you still felt hollow, you’re not alone. If you stayed home this winter because planning a trip felt overwhelming, you haven’t failed. If the idea of moving abroad suddenly feels too heavy, you’re not weak. If the holidays make your chest tighten, you’re not broken. You’re just balancing memory, expectation and rhythm all at once, and that weight deserves acknowledgement, not judgment.

Depression doesn’t ask for permission, and it doesn’t disappear at the turn of a calendar just because your surroundings improve. Seasonal or not, it craves gentleness, a slower rhythm, softer mornings and permission to simply exist without the pressure to be happy all the time.

And healing doesn’t require something grand or dramatic. It can be as simple as a morning when the fog lifts just a little, an afternoon when a laugh bubbles up without effort, or an evening when you feel a flicker of hope again. That’s how light returns: gradually, unexpectedly and softly.

Personal experience and Puerto Vallarta

I’m not a doctor. I can’t prescribe solutions. But I can share my experiences. 

I live with depression, and I speak it aloud. It’s okay to feel heavy in a place that seems perfect.

This winter, wherever you find yourself, give yourself permission to recognize your struggles without shame. Allow the light around you to coexist with the darkness within. Slow your mornings, immerse yourself in the sounds of the waves or the whispers of the wind, and let pauses be enough.

I don’t have all the answers. I only know that living with depression, especially in a beautiful place like Puerto Vallarta, has taught me that it’s possible to keep showing up for yourself, even when it feels impossible. That’s my offering: my own experience and the quiet reminder that you don’t have to carry this alone.

Hold your struggles close, and know that gentleness is a gift you can give yourself, especially amidst a vibrant holiday season.

Charlotte Smith is a writer and journalist based in Mexico. Her work focuses on travel, politics, and community. You can follow along with her travel stories at www.salsaandserendipity.com.

The post Seasonal shadows amidst holiday cheer in Puerto Vallarta appeared first on Mexico News Daily

If you’re looking for the best of things to do in town during the December but also fancy taking a bite of Vallarta’s vibrant social scene, why not consider one of these activities? 

December 16: Cirque du Soleil LUDO at VidantaWorld

Step into something completely new for the area, the debut of Cirque du Soleil LUDÕ. Opening December 16 and running through 2026, this immersive experience blends acrobatics, underwater visuals, gourmet dining, and a storyline that pulls you right into its world. It’s unlike anything Banderas Bay has seen, and it’s a perfect way to break from the ordinary. 

Ticket options are listed on the official LUDÕ website.

December 20: VRBAN Vallarta 2025 starting on the Malecón

Channel your festive season energy into VRBAN Vallarta, a 10 km urban race that zigzags through sand, pavement, stairs, narrow streets, and some of PV’s most iconic spots. It’s like a real-life obstacle course through the city. 

Register via Facebook (Vallarta Sobre Ruedas), at Xisco Bikes (Av. Los Tules 168, Local 8-A, Fluvial Vallarta), or by calling 322.172.1154.

December 21: A Country Christmas at Casa Karma

A Country Christmas | Honky‑Tonk Holidays in Puerto Vallarta

If a rootin’-tootin’ good time is what you’re looking for, look no further than A Country Christmas presented by ACT2PV! Join Bobbi Goddard and her merry band of friends for an unforgettable evening filled with jingle-twangy tunes, side-splitting laughter, and holiday spirit that’ll have you two-stepping in your boots.  More than a show, it’s a “Hard Candy Christmas!”! 

Tickets are available at act2pv.com/shows.

December 29: Night Divine at Teatro Vallarta

Night Divine | World‑Class Holiday Voices at Teatro Vallarta

Effie Passero and Branden & James will light up the beautiful Teatro Vallarta in Centro for a special “Night Divine.” Hosted by Sutton Lee Seymour, the event is a mix of beloved holiday classics and songs from Coldplay, Moulin Rouge, Snow Patrol, The Eagles, Adele, Rent, and more. 

This trio is a favourite in this neck of the woods, so get your tickets now through the Teatro Vallarta website.

December 31: New Year’s Eve in Puerto Vallarta

Wrap up the year, with a huge celebration along the Malecón. Puerto Vallarta turns into one big street party, packed with live music, dancing, and fireworks that light up the bay at midnight. After a month of concerts, creativity, and cardio, there’s no better way to welcome 2026 than right here in Puerto Vallarta.

Whether you’re captivated by the magic of Cirque du Soleil, participating in the exciting VRBAN race, or enjoying a festive night filled with music and laughter, each event is a step towards a memorable celebration. As we bid farewell to 2025 and count down to a new year, may the remainder of this month fill your heart with joy and set the stage for a wonderful 2026 ahead!

Charlotte Smith is a writer and journalist based in Mexico. Her work focuses on travel, politics, and community. You can follow along with her travel stories at www.salsaandserendipity.com.

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The project Aketzalli is talking about will connect the Pacific Crest Trail with the new National Trail of Baja California, “empowering the region’s most iconic mountain ranges and its native communities,” she says.

To create the trail, Aketzalli has been bushwhacking since October, starting from Tecate, visiting remote mountains, valleys, and canyons and plotting routes that will be interesting, challenging, and satisfying to future generations of long-distance hikers.

Although aligning the trail with Mexico’s historic Camino Real had been considered, Aketzalli’s chosen route follows mountain paths, avoiding highways while bringing hikers closer to Indigenous communities that can offer food, shelter and guidance.

Bushwhacking in BC

When she began her odyssey on October 19, she got a big send-off in Tecate by Baja California community leaders. Since then, she has been hard at work designing the trail.

“I spend a few days planning my strategy for the next section of the route, most nights camping in the mountains,” said Aketzalli. “And then I spend a few more days meeting and talking with the people in the nearby pueblitos and ranchos. This has become my new routine. It’s a different and deeply enriching way to experience thru-hiking.”

Simultaneously, Quetzal — her trail name — is recording footage for a feature-length documentary film on her creation of the Baja California trail.

“When people see what I’ve filmed,” she said, “they’re convinced I must have a camera operator marching along behind me, but I don’t. I’ve worked out techniques for getting the shot I need, which means I sometimes have to go up and down the same mountain five times.” 

Aketzalli is by profession an engineer and for years has applied her talents to the construction and maintenance of hiking trails, including the technically challenging Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Crisscrossing the US… on foot

Aketzalli hails from Mexico City, where she first took up long-distance mountain biking. In 2017, however, she decided to have a go as a hiker on the 4,270-kilometer U.S. Pacific Crest Trail. 

This, she realized immediately, was what she was meant to do. 

She went on to hike the Appalachian Trail (3,531 km) and the Continental Divide Trail (4,844 km), becoming the first — and so far only — Mexican to achieve the Triple Crown of U.S. hiking.

Today, Aketzalli offers courses in thru-hiking — meaning doing an entire trail in one go — and is fully committed to making long-distance trails a reality in Mexico. She estimates that her present trail reconnaissance will take at least another four months to complete.

Film festival winner

At the end of November, Aketzalli interrupted her Baja trek and flew to Guadalajara to attend a special short-film festival hosted by Cineforo UDG. Among the participants was the documentary “Zelzin, Huellas que Inspiran” (“Zelzin, Footprints that Inspire”). 

The film was shot on the Iztaccíhuatl volcano and its surrounding central Mexico landscapes. The documentary intertwines Aketzalli’s personal journey — growing up in a violent neighborhood in Mexico City — with her achievements in the natural world, to tell a story about resilience and empowerment.

“We won!” said Zelzin. “There were so many excellent entries in this festival… but we won! Making this cortometraje (short film) was difficult because at the same time, I was the protagonist, the producer and the director. For me, this film must be out there for all to see, just as the Baja Trail Project is getting underway.”

Aketzalli is now applying the experience she gained from producing her prize-winning short to filming her groundbreaking trek through the wilds of Baja California.

“It will be a full-length documentary on this most amazing peninsula,” she said, “but I’m definitely paying a heavy price for it. A thru-hiker’s backpack is usually very light, mostly containing food and water. Here in Baja, instead, I’m carrying all sorts of things you need to produce good cinema. I can’t believe I’m actually toting a tripod!”

What can future trekkers hope to see while following Aketzalli’s route through Baja California? For sure, they will be fascinated by the boojum tree, found almost exclusively in Baja’s Valle de los Cirios (Valley of the Candles).

Early 20th-century botanist Joseph Nelson Rose noted the boojum’s “grotesque, columnar form, rising improbably from the rocky soil,” and he compared its silhouette to a giant inverted carrot, highlighting its eccentricity among desert plants. For another botanist, Townsend Branegee, the boojum looks more like a candle (cirio), “unlike any other in the desert.”

According to the international nonprofit organization Wildcoast, Valle de los Cirios is globally unique. 

“There may be no other place that embodies the wild Pacific coastal landscapes of the Baja California peninsula,” it says on its website. “With some luck and a lot of patience, a visitor can catch glimpses of mule deer, kit foxes, bobcats, and stealthy mountain lions that wander among the giant cardon cactus and fantastical cirios, or boojum, trees.”

Gigantic rock-art murals

For geologist Carlos Lazcano, the 120-kilometer stretch between the missions of San Ignacio and Santa Gertrudis is particularly impressive.  

“The canyons are spectacular, and the Sierra de San Francisco shelters ancient rock-art sites with gigantic murals, some over 10 meters wide.”

Another region on the planned trail recommended by Lazcano is Cataviña, a geological and ecological marvel which features “dramatic canyons of white granite hiding turquoise pools of water.”

Irresistible sands

And then there’s the Baja beach. It is so enticing that British schoolteacher Graham Mackintosh couldn’t stop following it. He stepped onto the beach in the 1980s, fell in love with it and then kept on walking — for 4,800 kilometers. To really appreciate those Baja sands, I suggest you read his book, “Into a Desert Place.”

To follow Zelzín Aketzalli’s progress down the Baja California peninsula, occasionally check her on Instagram at @zelzin_aketzalli.

John Pint has lived near Guadalajara, Jalisco, for more than 30 years and is the author of “A Guide to West Mexico’s Guachimontones and Surrounding Area” and co-author of “Outdoors in Western Mexico.” More of his writing can be found on his website.

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The announcement, made in Amsterdam last week, marks a new stage in Tommy Hilfiger’s relationship with Formula 1, continuing a legacy that has included world-class sporting figures such as Lewis Hamilton, Rafael Nadal and Thierry Henry.

“We have long championed drivers’ freedom to express themselves through style and, as Formula 1 continues to embrace fashion and entertainment, its stars have become truly global figures,” Tommy Hilfiger said. 

The brand described Pérez as a global icon who embodies a relaxed, timeless and confident style, capable of inspiring new generations through his talent and authentic personality. 

Being a global menswear ambassador means that Checo becomes one of Tommy Hilfiger’s main male faces worldwide, starring in campaigns, public appearances and digital content associated with Tommy Hilfiger menswear. The collaboration includes sophisticated menswear collections, F1-inspired fanwear, refined designer watches, as well as the Mexican driver’s participation in global campaigns, digital content and exclusive brand events.

For Pérez, this new collaboration reinforces Tommy Hilfiger’s relevance beyond the track. 

 

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A post shared by Tommy Hilfiger (@tommyhilfiger)

“Tommy brought style to the paddock and gave drivers the confidence to show who they are away from the track. He has always been at the center of the action,” Pérez said.

Pérez returned to headlines after Cadillac’s Formula 1 Team announced the signing of Pérez and Valtteri Bottas to lead the team during its debut season in 2026, following his sudden firing from Red Bull Racing in 2024.

The Guadalajara-born driver said joining Cadillac is an “incredibly exciting new chapter” in his career. 

As a new Tommy Hilfiger ambassador, Pérez described his return to competition with the brand as an exciting new phase that he welcomes with enthusiasm and commitment, in line with his preparations for the upcoming sporting season.

Pérez, 35, started to kart competitively at age six. At just 21 years old, Pérez signed for the midfield Sauber team, making him the first Mexican to drive in F1 since Hector Rebaque, some 20 years earlier.

Organizers of the Mexican Grand Prix have pointed out that Checo is “very popular with Mexican fans,” with some 88% of Mexicans knowing who he is. He is also credited with reviving interest in Formula 1 among Mexicans.

With reports from Fashion Network and Carreras en Vivo

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