MND Local: Xochimilco neighborhoods go dry in September

Planning a trip to Mexico City through the end of September? Take note: Several neighborhoods in Xochimilco will observe ley seca, or dry law, temporarily curbing alcohol sales.

The local mayor’s office announced earlier this month that six neighborhoods across Xochimilco — an area infamous for tequila-fueled boat rides — will restrict alcohol sales as residents and visitors gather for Independence Day celebrations and patron saint festivals.

While some neighborhoods observed ley seca throughout the first half of September, San Mateo Xalpa will go dry from Sept. 17-24, while Colonia San Jerónimo will follow suit from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.

For the uninitiated, ley seca is a temporary prohibition on alcohol sales that Mexico City authorities invoke intermittently, including during elections and large festivities. The restrictions generally apply to grocery stores, abarrotes and other convenience stores, though restaurants can typically continue serving alcohol with food.

Businesses caught selling alcohol during the restrictions can face fines running into the thousands of pesos, while their inventory may also be confiscated. Individuals can face fines of more than 3,000 pesos, as well as potential arrest and mandatory community service.

Why are there two Basílicas to Our Lady of Guadalupe?

Jubilee Year declared for the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

From partying to penance: Mexico City’s Catholic faithful are getting a yearlong reason to celebrate.

Pope Leo XIV has officially designated October 2026 through October 2027 as a Jubilee Year in Mexico City, honoring the 50th anniversary of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in the sprawling Catholic complex roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the city’s Historic Center.

Mexico City’s archdiocese, Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, announced Sept. 9 that the festivities will be inaugurated Oct. 12 and run through Oct. 12, 2027. The designation marks 50 years since the basilica was founded, and 131 years since the pontifical coronation of the Virgin of Guadalupe by Pope Leo XIII.

According to Catholic media outlet The Tablet, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe attracts roughly 20 million visitors annually, making it Catholicism’s most popular Marian shrine. Church doctrine holds that visions of Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego at the site in 1531. Today, it hosts several churches and sanctuaries.

While Jubilee years traditionally take place every 25 years, a sitting pope can call for one in special circumstances. The designation is intended as a time of grace, forgiveness and renewal. 

“May Holy Mary of Guadalupe, Mother of the True God for whom we live, help us make fruitful use of this Jubilee and accompany us on this journey of spiritual renewal and conversion,” Aguiar said in a statement.

Hyde Hotels makes its Latin America debut

If you’re visiting the city throughout Jubilee Year and need a place to stay, Hyde just opened its new boutique hotel, mere steps away from the Ángel de la Independencia in Colonia Juárez. 

Hyde Mexico City Reforma boasts 106 rooms, some with views of the famed monument, as well as a sushi restaurant dubbed Enzu, and a café-turned-cocktail lounge, Sun & Moon. 

According to Hyde Hotels, the brand is all about “that feeling when the right music, people and places come together to create a sense of belonging.” The Ennismore-owned brand leans into “bohemian design and global flavors,” paired with wellness offerings and what it calls a signature “festival spirit.”

Hyde Mexico City Reforma marks the boutique hotel brand’s entry into the Latin American market. In a news release, Ennismore noted that the new location is “Housed within two towers constructed during the era of Mexican modernism, breath(ing) new life into the existing architecture through adaptive reuse that preserves the building’s original facade and infrastructure.”

Ennismore also acquired “Vulcano,” a sculpture by Mexican architect Javier Senosiain, which takes center stage in the hotel’s atrium, while its furniture “echoes the geometry of the city’s urban grid, softened by floral arrangements and natural materials.”

That atmosphere, however, comes at a cost. Rooms start at around 2,930 pesos (US $170) per night, while a “Headliner King Suite With City View” tops out at 7,234 pesos, or roughly US $422. However, the company is currently offering a grand opening deal. Book a room by Sept. 30 for any dates between now and Dec. 28, and you can save up to 25%, plus free breakfast. 

The best boutique hotels in Mexico City, according to hoteliers

Smart Fit to end 2026 with 70 new gyms

Lastly, Brazilian fitness chain Smart Fit said it will wrap up 2026 with a combined 70 new locations across Mexico, totalling 1.5 billion pesos (US $88 million) in investment throughout the country.

The company plans to open an additional 40 outposts through the second half of 2026, culminating in a 20% year-on-year growth. While exact locations haven’t been revealed, some are expected to open in Mexico City, Milenio reported.  

According to Mexico Business News, Smart Fit Mexico General Director Darío Coronado said the company is “entering a new phase of acceleration in Mexico that does not respond to short-term trends but is based on data intelligence, automation, real estate efficiency and a deep understanding of the consumer.”

He added, “With this, we reaffirm our confidence in the country to continue investing, generating jobs, and democratizing access to high-quality health and well-being.”

Smart Fit said the real estate development and construction phase will create more than 1,000 jobs, with another 900 direct and indirect positions expected once the facilities are operational.

The company currently operates more than 500 locations across Mexico, serving more than 1.3 million members.

Drew Pittock serves as Mexico News Daily’s features director. He is based in Mexico City. Have an idea for a feature story or unique event in CDMX? Send an email to drew.pittock@mexiconewsdaily.com.