What's Happening in Mexico Right Now?

Laura Bronner | Eternal Expat via n.convertkit.com	9:00 AM (14 hours ago)
to me

Hi Mexico-loving friends,

I hope this email finds you well.

This week all but one state in Mexico has gone green. It's looking up for tourism and businesses across the country as things begin to return to some sense of normalcy.

Traffic Light Changes

For those that are new around here, last year Mexico's federal government created a traffic light system to help businesses and people understand the risks of Covid-19 in each state around Mexico. It was then up to the state governments to decide how to interpret these traffic light colors.

Currently, red means the highest risk of covid and that hospitals are near capacity. It means that capacity at restaurants and hotels is lowered. In some places, it will mean that you will not be able to sit inside a restaurant at all, but only place an order for take-out (unless they have outdoor seating available). For the next two weeks, there will continue to be no states in the high-risk "red" category.

Orange is a level below red status and means that there is still a high risk of covid-19 and many restrictions are still in place. The federal government have given control over to the state governments to decide how they implement these colors and what restrictions should be in place. These are the states that will remain in orange with a risk of possibly moving into the red because of continued increases in severe cases and hospitals becoming overrun. There is only one state in the orange for the next two weeks and that is Baja California.

Yellow means lower risk level and most places are allowed to have up to 50% capacity. States in yellow are allowed to have fans at sporting events and bars are allowed to be open (in some states clubs are also open in Yellow). Museums and other tourist attractions can be back open with restrictions. The majority of the states in the country are now yellow. There are currently no states in the yellow.

Green means that there is a very low risk of Covid, that many places can have more than 75% capacity and almost all services can resume. Precautions like masks and temperature checks are still being taken, especially when going indoors. There are now four states currently in the green. All Mexican states except Baja California are now in the green.

You can view the full map on the government website here.

Just know that "green" looks different in every state and even within every city and small town that you may want to visit in Mexico. Please check below for my list of friends and fellow content creators who live in different parts of Mexico. The best way to know what restrictions are still in place is to get in touch with someone who actually lives in the city or town in which you plan to visit.

It also seems that for now, the traffic light system will remain in place. There'

Recent Mexico Content

I've been busy catching up with content about the beautiful state of Baja California Sur. Many of you know that I spent the first half of this year living in a few different towns there as well as traveling as extensively as I possibly could around the state.

While the Baja California Sur guidebook was my priority this past summer, I also want to make sure that there is always some free content accessible for everyone. So I have been writing up a storm all about Loreto and Mulegé and I hope it will be helpful for anyone planning a trip to this region of Mexico soon!

I recently put together a Baja California road trip guide which many of you have been asking for. You can read that guide here. I hope that you find it helpful as you plan your travels around the state.

I have a guide for Baja California here which includes stops through Tijuana and Ensenada if you are planning to do the entire peninsula this winter.

Mexico Immigration News

If you are in any of the Mexico expat or foreigner groups around Facebook, you may already be aware of this, but Mexican immigration have really begun to crack down on those that are over-staying their 180-permits. There are random checks taking place at bus stations and airports to check your FMM. If you have been to Mexico recently and are returning after a quick trip back home, you may not even receive a full 180-days anymore.

This article on Mexico News Daily gathers information from those that have been coming into and out of the country recently (although it just reads as an extended version of what is being said on Facebook, to be honest).

This video from Alex of Backpacking Brunette is a great resource. She recently spoke to an immigration lawyer about the changes and gives clear information about what you need to know about entering Mexico and ensuring you don't run into any issues with immigration officials.

Two Mexico Expats explain in this video a few things that have been happening to their subscribers and friends who have been visiting Mexico in the last month or so and what you can do to ensure you get the amount of time you need when visiting. I think Paul is quite clear about what problems people are experiencing if they are "perpetual tourists." It's actually the best explanation I've heard since this whole thing started.

The general consensus is not to panic as long as you continue to follow the rules by not overstaying your FMM and have proof of return flights and hotel stays.

I would also suggest that if you do have real concerns about this, Facebook groups are not the best place to get your immigration questions answered, immigration lawyers and your local Mexican consulate are who you should seek out.

What's happening in other parts of Mexico

As always with Mexico, I highly recommend seeking out people who are currently living in the places that you want to visit. With Covid rules changing constantly and safety issues cropping up every now and again, only people who are on the ground there living it every day can share with you what's really happening.

For updates about Mexico City, as always I recommend following Ubish Yaren on Instagram. You can also follow Anais of The Curious Mexican for updates on the restaurant and food scene in Mexico City and what is back open.

For information about what's going on in and around Puerto Vallarta, be sure to follow along with the Kinetic Kennons on YouTube.

For updates about what's going on in Oaxaca, Susan of Brooklyn Tropicali has been sharing her updates of what's going on around the city and state of Oaxaca.

For regular updates about life in Merida and around the Yucatan, check out Mexico Cassie who has also recently written a fantastic guide about Traveling Yucatan with Kids.

Shelley of Travel Mexico Solo also shares her experiences in Merida and around the Yucatan. Her Instagram is a particularly good resource for what she's seeing at the moment.

The Yucatan Times is the local English newspaper in Merida that shares local updates and news reports.

To keep up with what's going on in and around Querétaro, follow Alex of the Backpacking Brunette.

Vallarta Daily is the local English news there where you can learn about any changes in the situation in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding Nayarit beach towns as well.

Janine Around the World is traveling around the Riviera Maya at the moment sharing her experiences on her blog and Instagram.

Riviera Maya News is the local English newspaper there where you can keep up with changes.

The Mexican government's Coronavirus website is a huge resource for those that are currently living in Mexico and want to know more about what's happening in their state.

As always, a great place to keep up to date with news about what's happening all over Mexico in English is Mexico News Daily.

Visiting Mexico Soon?

If you are planning a trip to Mexico soon, I hope you'll have a browse of the different locations on my blog or have a search through my YouTube videos to help you plan your trip!

I also have FOUR extensive guidebooks available for Baja California Sur (brand new and published in July 2021!), Mexico City (updated this year with tons of new content!), Merida, and Guanajuato!

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to email me by simply hitting reply on this email.

Speak soon and safe travels,

Laura

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Muy Rico Cafe!

Excellent Coffee

Today I was lucky and gotbto try some of this delicious coffee. Jose said he will try and return this afternoon.

I said maybe I will bring my paintings and jewelry..let's have a little coffee party!!

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Why This Oaxacan Beach Town Is High On LGBTQ+ Travellers' Lists Travel + Leisure India Zipolite, a remote Oaxacan beach, is very quickly rising as a popular destination among LGBTQ+ travellers in the know.

Why This Remote Oaxacan Beach Town Is High On LGBTQ+ Travellers’ Lists Right Now

BY KYLE A. VALENTA

19 Nov 2021 10:49 AM

For years, queer travellers visiting Mexico have been beelined to Puerto Vallarta, lured by its packed nightclubs, lively terrace bars, and LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere. Lately, though, a tiny Oaxacan beach town called Zipolite has drawn more and more travellers, in part because of its departure from Mexico’s more polished destinations. By Kyle A. Valenta

“What drew me to Zipolite was the openness and freedom to be who you are or want to become,” Vincente, the owner of ChiZme (Zipolite’s first official queer bar), told Travel + Leisure. “It was a refreshing change from the overdone, overpolished, glitzier places…The rawness and the freedom were and are the enchantment of this place. The icing on the cake was that it was gay-friendly.”

That freedom comes from many sources. For starters, Zipolite is Mexico‘s only official nude beach. It’s also relatively isolated, with just two small airports around an hour away over twisting, turning, and deeply rutted roads. But Zipolite’s countercultural roots go back deeper in history. Fishermen were the only residents here until Gloria’s Shambhala opened its doors in the 1970s. This hammocks-and-huts spot on the rugged western end of the beach quickly drew intrepid hippies and backpackers looking to escape it all. The neon sunsets, breaching whales, and long crest of golden sand only sweetened the deal.

Credit: Lily Tousignant/Getty Images

Despite its gay-friendly reputation, there were no explicitly queer destinations in town until 2018, when Vincente opened ChiZme. “I originally wanted to open as a small queer coffee shop to provide the LGBT community with a small, safe gathering space to call our own (since Zipolite had no such place),” he said. “But in this heat, who wants coffee? So a bar it quickly became.”

ChiZme recently moved into a larger space, and the town’s official LGBTQ-friendly offerings now also include Demetria, located right on the Oaxacan beach. Even more recently, DJs from Mexico City’s queer club scene — including Traición and Pervert — have been throwing parties at beachfront venues and on Playa del Amor (Zipolite’s de facto queer nude beach, and one of its prettiest).

While Zipolite’s hippie hedonism is definitely a traveller magnet, the town’s holistic side is equally alive. Hugo Valton, chef and owner of Les Délices, moved to Zipolite two years ago after a seven-year stint as a marketing manager in Mexico City. “Zipolite was the perfect spot for me,” he told T+L. “It’s an oasis for mindfulness and offers health for the body and spirit: great fruits and vegetables, luxurious vegetation, medicinal plants, handcrafted products, yoga and meditation classes, great air quality, and tranquillity.”

That led him to plant deeper roots in Zipolite. “I always wanted to live on the beach and in a quiet place,” he said. “I first ran a guest house to finally make my dream come true and opened my French restaurant, Les Délices, in December 2020.” Of course, with the town’s bohemian atmosphere drawing more and more visitors (and more big-money development), Zipolite could easily turn into an overtouristed destination. And that’s not lost on residents.

Credit: Getty Images

“Zipolite has always attracted a very cosmopolitan alternative crowd,” Vincente said. “Not a day goes by where I don’t hear at least four or five languages.” However, bigger, influencer-ready hotels have already planted beachside roots and loud beach clubs are becoming more common. “We have alternative tourists that can deal with less-than-ideal comforts, but little by little, they want more things that will take away from what makes Zipolite special,” he continued. “Once upon a time a hippie haven, the current renaissance is a bit less raw, a bit less rustic.”

For now, though, Zipolite is an under-the-radar dream for queer travellers who don’t mind being a bit unplugged. Literally. “Fortunately we have lousy internet and cell phone service, so that will limit some of the tourists we get,” Vincente said.

Read on for a quick cheat sheet on this Oaxacan beach town’s greatest hits.

Where to stay

Luxe comforts aren’t Zipolite’s strong suit — few hotels offer air-conditioning, and stable Wi-Fi is a pipe dream. El Alquimista is one of the higher-end offerings in town and has a secluded spot at the west end of the beach. Rooms range from beachfront bungalows to hillside suites, and the beachfront here can feel like a queer bar on busy days. But if a pool and air-conditioning are a must, check out Villa Aikia, which faces west on a rocky slope with stellar views of Playa Camaron and incredible sunsets. Casa Nudista — near ChiZme in town — also makes for a great queer-friendly option.

Where to eat

Start your day off by tucking into breakfast with a view at Gula Gula, where handmade breads and pastries pair well with fresh tropical juices. Healthier, but equally awesome, breakfasts are on offer at Valton’s restaurant, Les Délices, which is right in the middle of town (though he also whips up excellent sweets and pastries for the more indulgent foodie).

For lunch, flag down one of the vendors that ply Zipolite’s beach. Tacos dorados — filled with potatoes or fish and slathered with intensely spicy guacamole, lettuce, and queso fresco — are standard, though everything from chilli-garlic roasted peanuts to tamales are on offer as well.

For dinner, La Providencia is one of the most romantic spots in town and has great seafood, while Entropia is a phenomenal choice that uses local Oaxacan ingredients and sits right on Zipolite’s main drag. Perhaps surprisingly, the best food in town might come from the wood-burning oven of two Italian expats at La Fenice. Their pizza Napoletana, perfectly singed and chewy, pairs well with a cold beer after a day in Zipolite’s intense sun.

Where to drink

Just off the Adoquín (Zipolite’s main drag and town centre), Vincente’s ChiZme is the go-to for drinks in good company. Plus, as the first queer bar in Zipolite, it’s a part of history. Alternatively, Demetria sits right on the beach and slings cocktails with a side of reggaeton. It’s also worth checking out Lyoban guest house, which has excellent sunset views and has recently been known to host queer-friendly dance parties right on the sand.

Related: 10 Places In Mexico Where The Locals Love To Go