Sinaloa's Secret Foodie Paradise Where Baseball is Religion

Welcome to The Mexicanist, your insider’s guide to the stories, scenes, and secrets of Mexico that don’t make the headlines. This week, we’re taking you off the beaten path to Guasave, Sinaloa—a coastal town where baseball, beaches, and bold flavors collide. We’ll also dive into the high-stakes world of Formula 1 as Sergio “Checo” Pérez makes a dramatic comeback, and we’ll tee up with Mexico’s golf queen, Gaby López, as she swings for the future. Plus, a blockbuster trade show is set to shake up Guadalajara, and a new industrial giant plants roots in Aguascalientes.

Sinaloa’s Best-Kept Secret

Why you should go now: While Mazatlán and Los Mochis hog the Sinaloa spotlight, Guasave—just a two-hour drive north of Culiacán—is where the magic happens without the crowds. This isn’t your typical beach town. It’s a place where the Pacific crashes into untouched shores, where the air smells of tilapia empapelada and fresh ceviche, and where the crack of a baseball bat is as common as the call of seagulls.

What’s new: Guasave is riding a wave of local pride and economic revival. The town’s back-to-school shopping boom has sent retail sales soaring by 60-70% this month, a sign that both locals and visitors are investing in the community’s future. And with Sinaloa welcoming over 3.3 million visitors so far this year—many of them flocking to Mazatlán’s packed hotels—Guasave offers a quieter, more authentic slice of the state’s famed hospitality.

Don’t miss:

• Baseball under the stars: The Algodoneros de Guasave, one of Mexico’s most storied teams, are gearing up for their 2025-2026 season. Catch a game at the iconic Kuroda Park, where the energy is electric and the beer is cold. Their home opener is October 15 against the Tomateros de Culiacán—mark your calendarsen.wikipedia.org.
• A foodie’s paradise: Guasave is the “Gastronomic Capital of Sinaloa,” and for good reason. Start your day with pan de mujer, a local sweet bread, then dive into zarandeado (spiced, wood-fired fish), chicharrones de pescado, and the freshest ceviche you’ll ever taste. Wash it down with tepache or a strong cup of café de olla.
• Nature’s playground: The Navachiste Bay is a maze of mangroves, lagoons, and virgin beaches, perfect for kayaking, birdwatching, or just getting lost in the wild. Keep an eye out for ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks by the Yoremes people.
• History in the making: Visit the ruins of Nío and Pueblo Viejo, where 17th-century Jesuit missions still stand as silent witnesses to the region’s past.

Pro tip: Time your visit for September, when the back-to-school rush subsides but the weather is still perfect. And if you’re a baseball fan, don’t leave without snagging an Algodoneros cap—it’s the ultimate Guasave souvenir.

Highway Robberies Down by 27%

In a blow to organized crime, the Mexican government has slashed highway robberies by more than a quarter—and on some key freight routes, by over half. The “Balam” strategy, spearheaded by the National Guard, has been deployed across 22 highway segments in 12 states since the start of the current administration. The results are staggering: a 55% reduction in cargo truck robberies on the México-Querétaro highway and a 50% drop on the México-Puebla route. Even tourists and locals driving the Mazatlán-Culiacán corridor can breathe easier—robberies of private vehicles there have plummeted by nearly 47%.

President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the operation, dubbed “Cero Robos” (Zero Robberies), as a cornerstone of her administration’s national security strategy. But it’s not just about patrols. Intelligence operations, coordination with state prosecutors, and high-tech surveillance have led to the recovery of 30 stolen vehicles, the foiling of 13 attempted assaults, and the arrest of 18 suspects. Authorities have also seized 71 firearms, nearly 3,000 rounds of ammunition, and 58 kilos of narcotics. For travelers and transporters alike, this isn’t just a statistic—it’s a game-changer.

The $950 Billion Shadow

Back in 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice estimated cartel profits at around $10 billion a year. Today? $950 billion over two decades. That’s not a typo. And Jalisco — home of the CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel) — is at the epicenter. But here’s what the official reports won’t tell you: the cartels aren’t just moving drugs. They’re moving everything.

• Avocados from Michoacán
• Lemons from Colima
• Tractor parts from Aguascalientes
• Electric buses from Guadalajara

One former DEA analyst, speaking off the record, put it bluntly: “They don’t just control the plazas. They control the supply chains.”And in a state where 14 major dams are below 10% capacity, water is the next frontier. “Who owns the irrigation rights?” he asked. “Follow the money. It leads back to the same names.”

Guadalajara’s Biggest Show

From November 12-14, Expo Guadalajara will host Expo Transporte 2025, the largest transportation and logistics event in the Americas. With 500 exhibitors, 60,000 attendees, and a staggering $960 million peso economic impact, this isn’t just a trade show—it’s a glimpse into the future of how Mexico (and the world) moves.

What’s on the agenda:

• Green machines: The push for electromobility and decarbonization is front and center, with new tech for cleaner, smarter fleets.
• Trade talks: With the USMCA (the updated NAFTA) looming large, expect heated discussions on cross-border commerce and supply chain innovation.
• Networking gold: From trucking tycoons to tech startups, this is where deals get done. Jalisco’s secretary of transport, Diego Monraz, calls it “a precedent for our industry.”

Why you should care: Whether you’re in logistics, tech, or just curious about the engines of global trade, Expo Transporte is the place to be. And with Guadalajara’s reputation as a hub for innovation, expect fireworks—both literal and figurative.

The New Industrial Powerhouse

India meets Mexico: This week, Aguascalientes rolled out the red carpet for TAFE, the world’s third-largest tractor manufacturer. The Indian giant’s new $15 million assembly plant will create 300 jobs and produce 2,000 tractors annually, marking a major leap for Mexico’s agro-industrial sector.

Why Aguascalientes? The state’s mix of peace, pro-business policies, and strategic location has made it a magnet for foreign investment. Governor Tere Jiménez boasts that Aguascalientes is “one of the five most competitive states in Mexico,” with exports hitting a record $33 billion this year.

The bigger picture: TAFE’s arrival is just the beginning. With Nissan, Toyota, and a burgeoning wine industry already thriving, Aguascalientes is fast becoming Mexico’s answer to the Midwest—a place where industry and innovation work.

The Phoenix of Formula 1

The comeback story of the year: After a brutal exit from Red Bull, Sergio “Checo” Pérez wasn’t ready to hang up his helmet. This week, Cadillac F1 Team announced that the Mexican driver will return to the grid in 2026 alongside Finnish veteran Valtteri Bottas. The move is a gamble for both Pérez and the American squad, but if anyone knows how to defy the odds, it’s Checo.

Why it matters: Cadillac’s entry as F1’s 11th team is a historic moment, and Pérez’s signing is a statement. With 16 Grand Prix wins and over 500 races between them, Pérez and Bottas bring a wealth of experience to a team that’s starting from scratch. “This is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career,” Pérez told the press. “I couldn’t afford to let my F1 story end like that”.

What to watch: Cadillac’s debut season will be a steep climb, but Pérez is no stranger to building something from nothing. His journey from Sauber to Red Bull—and now to Cadillac—mirrors his relentless drive. “We’re not here to just participate,” he said. “We’re here to compete.” The first race of the 2026 season in Australia will be his chance to prove it.

Fun fact: Pérez’s return means Mexico will have a driver on the F1 grid for the 15th consecutive year—a record for the country. Expect the stands in Melbourne to be packed with sombreros and Mexican flags.

Swinging for the Future

Mexico’s golf queen is paying it forward: Three-time LPGA winner Gaby López isn’t just teeing off—she’s building a legacy. From September 1-4, the Gaby López Open will bring together Latin America’s top junior golfers at the Club de Golf México in Mexico City. The tournament, part of the Junior Nations Golf League and AJGA International Pathway Series, is more than a competition; it’s a bridge to U.S. colleges and pro careers for young players.

Why it’s a big deal: López, who finished 23rd at the Tokyo Olympics, knows the power of opportunity. “I want to give these kids the same chances I had,” she said. The event offers clinics, mentorship, and a shot at international rankings—plus, the top finishers earn exemptions and scholarships.

Who to watch: Keep an eye on the 12-19 age divisions. These are the names you’ll see on the LPGA Tour in a few years, and López will be there every step of the way, offering advice and inspiration.

Don’t miss: The opening ceremony on September 1, where López will share her journey from Mexico City to the world stage. It’s a masterclass in grit—and a reminder that greatness starts somewhere.

“Ray” Gunned Down While Playing Video Games

The tranquil colonia of 5 de Mayo in Guadalajara was shattered Tuesday night when a man known locally as “Ray” was ambushed and shot multiple times while playing arcade games. Witnesses say two young men pulled up on a motorcycle. One, wearing a backpack with the logo of delivery giant Didi, walked calmly into the gaming hall and opened fire. Ray, 40, was hit in the abdomen, legs, and face before the assailants fled into the night. He remains in critical condition. No arrests have been made, and authorities are investigating possible ties to organized crime.

Also, four people linked to the investigation of a family massacre in Guadalajara’s Medrano neighborhood have disappeared. Two of them had been detained by Jalisco’s state prosecutor’s office last Friday during a raid near where the bodies of four family members were found. They were released Monday—only to be abducted hours later by armed men who intercepted their vehicle on Gobernador Curiel Avenue. Their whereabouts remain unknown. Families are protesting outside government offices, demanding answers and action.

Mexico’s Female Maestro

Not all music is loud. Take Gabriela Díaz Alatriste, the 42-year-old conductor who just led the “Temporada de Directoras” — a concert series dedicated entirely to female conductors. She’s been called “the new face of Mexican classical music.” In 2023, Forbes México named her one of the 100 Most Creative Mexicans in the World. And she’s doing it in a field where less than 10% of orchestral conductors in Latin America are women.

“This isn’t about gender,” she told Página 24. “It’s about sound. About precision. About who gets to lead.” Her next performance? A tribute to José Pablo Moncayo, the composer of Huapango, at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Get tickets. Or don’t. But know this: when the baton rises, history is being rewritten — one note at a time.

Venice Film Festival’s Mexican Flair

While the world watches the Venice Film Festival, keep an eye out for Mexican talent. David Pablos’s drama-thriller “On the Road” is making its world premiere in the Horizons section, a gritty tale of migration and survival that’s already turning heads. With Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” also in the lineup, Mexico’s cinematic voice is louder than ever on the global stage.

The Mexicanist’s Picks of the Week

• Head to Aguascalientes for the third concert of the “Temporada de Directoras” at the Teatro Aguascalientes. Gabriela Díaz Alatriste—the first woman to lead a major institutional orchestra in Mexico—will be conducting works by Beethoven, Kodaly, and Liszt. Friday, 8:30 PM. Tickets: 100 pesos.
• Coda’s legendary frontman, Xava Drago, may be gone, but his voice will echo through Salón La Maraka on September 25. The tribute concert, Eternamente Xava, isn’t just a nostalgia trip — it’s a lifeline for his daughters, Nicole (15) and Sofía (3 months). Tickets (400–700 pesos) fund their future.Expect a mosh pit of Mexico’s rock royalty: Salvador Moreno (La Castañeda), Cha (Fobia), and Kerigma. “This isn’t goodbye,” said Coda’s surviving members. “It’s keeping the flame alive.”
• Teens and young adults: the Casa del Adolescente in Aguascalientes is offering free workshops in everything from ballet and muralism to serigraphy. Registration is open now.
• Eat: Try the tilapia empapelada at any seaside palapa in Guasave. Most tourists hit Mazatlán for seafood. Smart ones detour to Guasave’s Mercado Municipal for birria de camarón — a fiery, soupy stew of shrimp, chiles, and smoked marlin. Pair it with tepache, and you’ll forget Cabo exists.
• Drink: A michelada with chamoy and tajín at a baseball game. Trust us.
• Do: Take a sandboarding lesson on the dunes of Playa Bellavista.
• Guadalajara: Street art tours in Colonia Americana (look for the Frida Kahlo mural made of bottle caps).
• Watch: The Algodoneros de Guasave in action—baseball in Sinaloa is a religious experience.
• Listen: To the stories of local fishermen in Navachiste Bay. Their tales are as rich as the seafood.

Until next time, The Mexicanist

P.S. If you’re planning a trip to Guasave, book your stay now—this secret won’t stay quiet for long.