The Guadalajara Reporter
Guadalajara's Largest English Newspaper
The Guadalajara Reporter
Guadalajara's Largest English Newspaper
The heart of Guadalajara is now beating with the vibrant pulse of the season as the 2025 Ilusionante Festival, the metropolitan area’s most joyful holiday celebration, is off...
Actor and activist Richard Gere, one of the most anticipated guests of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), captivated audiences with a message centered on compassion, en...
What gives with the sporadic rains and chilly temperatures going on this week in the Lake Chapala region and elsewhere in Jalisco?
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and there should be plenty of that going around at lakeside over the next couple of weeks. Pack away your cares and worries to get into the local...
The largest space dedicated exclusively to calisthenics in the state of Jalisco ...
From electric vehicles and auto parts on factory floors to electronics in homes,...
UK spirits giant Diageo will invest $US500 million to expand its tequila product...
The Jocotepec government has announced the first edition of the Los 3 Pueblos Tr...
Puerto Vallarta is a vibrant destination teeming with activity and excitement. H...
Donato Guzmán Aguayo, founder of Chapala’s San Francisco funeral ho...
The deadline for replacing old Jalisco license plates is quickly approaching. Un...
Recent headlines from major U.S. media outlets point to a crisis of morale withi...
The troubled return of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández to his b...
“Gratitude” may be the theme of Thanksgiving, but for many of us, ou...
“The Michael Hogan Reader” by Michael Hogan. US$14.95. San Dieg...
The Centro Educativo Jaltepec’s new tequila tour to benefit its students i...
As Guadalajara and Jalisco enter into their warm season, typically between April...
It is increasingly difficult to find a Mexican restaurant in Guadalajara that is...
December 12 marks one of Mexico’s most fervent religious holidays—ce...
The American Society (AMSOC) Speaker Series on Wednesday, December 10 will welco...
Open Circle
Dr. Daniel Acuff presents “Uncovering your Purpose in Life&rd...
Bocce Ball Tournament
A few weeks after hosting an elegant dinner dance in late...
Dragon dance
Sunday, January 26, experience the Chinese New Year with a present...
Recently, the Puerto Vallarta community lost an extraordinary soul. Many have ca...
In the Bahia de Navidad everyone is doing their part to stay safe and help each ...
Chapala’s American Legion Post, a popular spot for social gatherings, is h...
Spring has a special vibe around Banderas Bay. This time of year, I live in deni...
Officials in Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta, in the face of Covid-19, are hoping fo...
The opening gong for the age of international trade was struck in 1522 when Juan...
U.S. President Donald Trump touts himself as a champion of peace, a man dedicate...
Well, like all things human, there’s a time to come and a time to toddle a...
December 12, in the rural villages throughout Jalisco — and Mexico —...
I had planned on writing a nice, lengthy, last column worthy of the place I&rsqu...
There is a certain body of water I have swum in, sailed on, and flown over at va...
It has been an extraordinary week for my cherished amigos Tony and Gwen Burton, ...
The 2025 edition of the International Book Fair (FIL) in Guadalajara is set to t...
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Anyone can survive five nights. This time, ther...
There’s no people like show people! When a cast member fell ill, her under...
Theater
• The Redes y Cantos de Chapala Chorus and the comunitario Revolut...
The 2025 edition of the International Book Fair (FIL) in Guadalajara is set to transform Expo Guadalajara into a vibrant nightly cultural hub. Running from November 29 to December 7, the Foro FIL will showcase a diverse mix of alternative pop, Catalan voices, smooth electronic beats, folk music and ...
Murphy’s Law, right? Just after this newspaper celebrated the cultural significance of Guadalajara’s Centro Cultural Breton (GR edition October 15, 2025), its owner regretfully announced that the beloved venue will be closing next month after two decades of operation.
There’s no people like show people! When a cast member fell ill, her understudy took over. Then, the understudy got injured, unable to perform. Out of actors and time, The BRAVO! was forced to cancel “Sylvia,” its upcoming show. What then to offer its audience in December?
Lakeside Little Theatre’s production of Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” is an entertaining romp, if you are in the mood for something like that. And who isn’t? Directed by Monnie King and the late Peter King, the show features a combination of LLT veterans and newcom...
Theater
• The Redes y Cantos de Chapala Chorus and the comunitario Revolutosas theater group will present a version of “Sganarelle, or, the Self-Deceived Husband (Cornudo Imaginario, in Spanish)” by Molière, Tuesday, December 16, at the Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de ...
Holiday art and crafts
• The Lake Chapala Society invites the entire Lakeside community to celebrate the magic of the holiday season at its annual Christmas Market on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, from 11 to 5 p.m. Over 80 vendors will display their unique gifts, handicrafts, hand-cra...
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Anyone can survive five nights. This time, there will be no second chances. Director: Emma Tammi. Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio. Rated: PG-13. Time: 1:44.
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Ethan Hunt and the IMF team continue their search for the terrifying AI known as the Entity - which has infiltrated intelligence networks all over the globe - with the world’s governments and a mysterious ghost from Ethan’s past on their trail.
The opening gong for the age of international trade was struck in 1522 when Juan Sebastián Elcano succeeded in sailing around the world. Elcano’s coat of arms bears a talking globe which says, in Latin, “you were the first to encircle me.”
Trekking is a popular activity worldwide, with some trails, like the Pacific Crest Trail in the United States, attracting nearly a million visitors annually. While Mexico boasts countless long-distance trails, very few have been developed specifically for sport tourism.
December 12, in the rural villages throughout Jalisco — and Mexico — early-morning prayers, hymns and celebration began long before daylight, honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Queen of Mexico.
On a recent chilly morning, I stopped at a nearby public market for some hard-crusted bolillos. It was an unseasonably squally January day-a brief drizzle, a slice of sun, then clouds and more chilling drizzle. On the muddy steps of the mercado municipal, I ran into Altagracia Mendez, dueña o...
There is a certain body of water I have swum in, sailed on, and flown over at various points in my life. For centuries, since 1550, everyone has referred to it as the Gulf of Mexico.
As we reflect on the tech news of the past 12 months, stories have ranged from virtual reality games to foldable smartphones. Yet, the topic dominating much of the conversation this year has been artificial intelligence (AI), particularly ChatGPT.
U.S. President Donald Trump touts himself as a champion of peace, a man dedicated to ending wars and conflicts worldwide. But is that really the case?
Last week’s U.S. military strike on a drug boat allegedly tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel was no routine operation. It marked a sharp escalation by President Donald Trump in his war on the cartels — a fight he says is about protecting Americans from deadly drugs and chaos...
I had planned on writing a nice, lengthy, last column worthy of the place I’ve had the pleasure of living in for the past two years.
The wool coat looks worse for the non-wear. It is wrinkled from being unworn and crammed in the back of a closet for two years; dotted with dust and dog hair from a dog that departed the family a year ago; in need of a lint brush that can’t be found in the pile of things to be thrown away, don...
It has been an extraordinary week for my cherished amigos Tony and Gwen Burton, visiting lakeside from their home in Canada for the first time in quite a few years. They have been welcomed here with open arms and warm hearts by long-time friends and strangers alike, experiencing multiple triumphs an...
As Día de Muertos approaches, I reflect on how the holiday’s customs have evolved from generation to generation. Until a few decades ago, there were no public festivals to commemorate the occasion—no Altar de Muertos exhibitions, contest or Catrina figurines lining the streets. No...
Well, like all things human, there’s a time to come and a time to toddle along. Especially in these “toddle along” years when the emotional energy wears out and a job starts to feel overwhelming, and lacking the visceral push one needs to create something new and worthy over a...
Anger is a trouble-maker. It’s a question that should have been studied ages ago. We’ve made arrangements to talk to one of psychology’s foremost authorities on this subject, as well as the man most respected in Europe for preserving jams and jellies. Dr. Emmett Soldi of Catania Un...
The American Society (AMSOC) Speaker Series on Wednesday, December 10 will welcome Dr. Andres Campos Mendez, speaking on stem cell therapy for joint pain relief.
St. Mark’s garden committee has renewed the church’s peace garden by removing the tall bushes and planting white-blooming flowers.
Dragon dance
Sunday, January 26, experience the Chinese New Year with a presentation of the dragon dance, and other rituals, by the students and professors of Kung-Fu Dragón Inmortal, one of the most acclaimed Kung Fu schools in Guadalajara. The Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, January 25...
American School race
Think green – the sixth annual Eco Race and Green Market are scheduled for Sunday, March 31 at Guadalajara’s American School Foundation. Everyone is welcomed to this event meant to raise awareness about conserving the planet’s resources. Expect to learn a lot ...
Chapala’s American Legion Post, a popular spot for social gatherings, is hosting two special events this month.
Chapala’s Los Güeros Motorcycle Club and American Legion Post 7 are co-sponsors of this year’s Christmas Toy Run, which will distribute gifts to children ages 10 to 14 at the Poco a Poco Community Center in San Pedro Itzicán on December 20.
Open Circle
Dr. Daniel Acuff presents “Uncovering your Purpose in Life” at the Open Circle meeting, Sunday, December 14, 10:15 a.m., at the Lake Chapala Society.
Ink and drink event
The Alibi Room, Guadalupe Victoria 45 in Ajijic, has invited Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos tattoo artist Tania, a winner of Ribera de Chapala tattoo festivals, to give five-centimeter tattoos Saturday, December 6, 3 to 6 p.m. The 500-peso entrance fee includes a special cocktail...
Recently, the Puerto Vallarta community lost an extraordinary soul. Many have called him an icon, but he was more than that. Paco Ojeda was a bridge. He was a guiding light that brought comfort to so many who felt confused, powerless, and alone in uncertain times. His gentle presence and unwavering ...
Lakeside artist Efren González celebrated his 20th Meet the Artist reception at Galería La Manzanilla on Friday, January 17.
Spring has a special vibe around Banderas Bay. This time of year, I live in denial, as others speak of the season ending, I dig in my heals, “NO”!
Sometimes living in paradise feels like a fairytale and other times it feels like magic.
Bocce Ball Tournament
A few weeks after hosting an elegant dinner dance in late January, the Bocce Ball Committee and aficionados of the sport donned shorts and t-shirts to face off in the 6th annual Bocce Ball Tournament on February 15.
Otra Vez
Last November, a little thrift store named Otra Vez opened its doors to the residents of La Manzanilla and became an instant hit with both the Mexican and expat communities. Operating solely with donations and dedicated volunteers, it is now in its second year with no signs of slowin...
In the Bahia de Navidad everyone is doing their part to stay safe and help each other. As some businesses close down, others stay open to keep the community safe and supplied with basic essentials and information regarding Covid-19.
Four years ago, a small team of big-hearted Canadian and Americans decided they wanted to give something substantial back to the community.
Officials in Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta, in the face of Covid-19, are hoping for a little-quieter-than-normal Semana Santa, but that doesn’t mean Tapatios will resist the lure of the beaches of the Bay of Banderas.
Races
To celebrate the Día de Amor y Amistad (Valentine’s Day), two races, sponsored by the Municipal Sports Advisory Committee (Comude), will be held on Sunday, February 14 along two areas: the Malecon and the Rio Pitillal linear parkway.
“Gratitude” may be the theme of Thanksgiving, but for many of us, our ways of expressing it in Spanish are often limited to one word: “gracias.” As we celebrate a holiday centered around giving thanks, it’s the perfect time to discover how our neighbors in Mexico expres...
Mexico’s Days of the Dead coincide with the Christian All Souls and All Saints Day, November 1 and November 2.
The Centro Educativo Jaltepec’s new tequila tour to benefit its students is far and away something beyond the typical tours to the agave regions.
The Mexican Senate has approved reforms to the General Law of National Assets, increasing the fines for establishments or individuals that restrict access to Mexico’s beaches, to more than one million pesos.
It is increasingly difficult to find a Mexican restaurant in Guadalajara that isn’t trying too hard to be “cutting edge” and innovative, or, on the other hand, that resorts to being very casual, loud, with television screens on every wall (looking at you, Casa Dolores), and frankly...
If you’d prefer to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast without the hassle of cooking and cleaning, various Lakeside venues have you covered:
“The Michael Hogan Reader” by Michael Hogan. US$14.95. San Diego: Egret Books.
Reviewed by ColinCarberry
It is not always easy to find an alternative take on historical events that is also wise.
As Guadalajara and Jalisco enter into their warm season, typically between April and June of each year, residents and seasonal visitors should take precautions to avoid heat stress. What’s more, the University of Guadalajara’s Institute of Astronomy and Meteorology reports that eve...
Returning snowbirds should not be fooled by the warmer winter weather in this region. Big swings in temperature can play havoc with a person’s health and bring on cold symptoms in a flash.
The largest space dedicated exclusively to calisthenics in the state of Jalisco has opened in Zapopan’s Parque Metropolitano.
The seventh Cocoa and Chocolate Fair returns to the Club de Leones in Zapopan on Friday, December 5, through Sunday, December 7.
The Jocotepec government has announced the first edition of the Los 3 Pueblos Trail Running competition, which will take place on Sunday, December 14, along pathways marked through Lake Chapala’s south shore mountain range.
December will be a busy month in the Chapala region, with festivities running from start to finish.
The deadline for replacing old Jalisco license plates is quickly approaching. Under the “3x1 Package,” vehicles still displaying the old “Maguey,” “Minerva” and “Gota” designs, including cars, motorcycles, pickup trucks, trailers, public transportation...
Palace damage
The Jalisco Government Palace in the Guadalajara Centro, vandalized by a small group during protests on November 15, will require 6.8 million pesos (US$370,000) in repairs.
From electric vehicles and auto parts on factory floors to electronics in homes, Chinese goods are now ubiquitous in Mexico. This trend has accelerated as China increasingly views Mexico as its strategic hub for North America, a perception shared by 78 percent of Chinese companies, according to a U....
Millions of people worldwide tuned in on December 5 for the elaborate and often awkward draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Washington D.C., attended by the leaders of the three host nations: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark C...
Puerto Vallarta is a vibrant destination teeming with activity and excitement. However, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in some events that offer a more local feel, here are my three top recommendations for next week, each guaranteed to provide fun and a deeper connection with the cultur...
The new VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta resort is finally ready to unveil many of its highly anticipated attractions.
Recent headlines from major U.S. media outlets point to a crisis of morale within the country’s diplomatic corps:
“U.S. Diplomats Are Hating Their Jobs Under Trump” — The Daily Beast
“U.S. Diplomats Report Broken Morale and Abandoned Careers” ...
With the U.S. government shutdown now in its second month, some American expat residents of Guadalajara, Lakeside and Puerto Vallarta are facing a growing dilemma. Despite their love of Mexico, returning home at Thanksgiving to gather with family is a cherished tradition for many. However, thi...
UK spirits giant Diageo will invest $US500 million to expand its tequila production center located in the Jalisco municipality of Atotonilco El Alto and build one new distillery in La Barca, generating more than 1,000 direct jobs for Jalisco, company executives and Governor Enrique Alfaro announced ...
It’s been 75 years since the arrival in Mexico of the British Council, a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization that promotes a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English language, while encouraging cultural, scientific, technological and educational understanding and co-ope...
Donato Guzmán Aguayo, founder of Chapala’s San Francisco funeral home, passed away on Monday, December 7, at the age of 95.
Dean Lee Kelley
Long-time Ajijic resident Dean Lee Kelley passed away peacefully at his Rancho del Oro home on Thursday, September 4, following a lengthy illness. He was 76 years old.
The troubled return of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández to his boyhood soccer team, the Guadalajara Chivas, took another turn for the worse this week.
Kenyan athletes claimed victory in both the men’s and women’s categories at the 2025 Guadalajara International Marathon, held on Sunday, November 30. The 41st edition of the race saw 7,400 runners take to the streets of Guadalajara, with African athletes sweeping the podiums in both even...
