Mexico Now Requires 2026 Registration of All Phones
Posted on January 10, 2026 by yucalandia
The Rules Keep Changing:
Every cell phone line (physical SIM or eSIM) in Mexico must ~now~** be tied to a specific person or business. The purpose is to reduce the anonymity used for crimes like extortion, fraud, and identity theft.
Specifically, as of Jan. 9, Mexico has a new 2026 rule requiring all mobile phone lines, both prepaid and postpaid, to be registered with the user’s official ID … CURP/INE for citizens and passport for foreigners … RFC’s for businesses.
Overall, phones must be registered by mid-2026, with service suspension for non-compliant lines after the mid-year deadline. Unregistered lines will be suspended, blocking calls, texts, and data (except 911). Service is only restored once registration is completed.
Image courtesy of La Jornada.*
How to Register:
Contact your mobile operator (Telcel, AT&T, etc.) or visit their service centers.**
Specific Details:
~ Starting January 9, 2026, new lines must be registered immediately.
~ Existing users have a grace period (around 120 days) to link their numbers to their identity, or their service will be cut, only allowing emergency calls.
~ Tourists are EXEMPT if they are using foreign SIMs/roaming.
**Providers like Telcel, have begun describing the requirements and procedures for linking, unlinking and consulting lines. Cell phone & land-line users will be able to register remotely (with restrictions) or at branch offices across the country.
Phone service providers are also required to send an SMS to unlinked lines at least once a week, reminding them of the registration obligation.
More than 5,000 pothole reports addressed in Progreso Jan 3, 2026
Progresohoy
As a result of a strategy of constant and close attention to the citizens, promoted by Mayor Erik Rihani González, throughout the year an intensive pothole repair program was carried out in Progreso in different parts of the municipality, through which more than 5,000 reports related to damage to the asphalt surface were addressed, contributing directly to improving mobility and road safety.
These tasks were carried out by the Public Services Department, headed by Luis Estrada Alejandro, whose operational team performed ongoing repairs, prioritizing the most affected areas and those reported by residents. The effective coordination and planning of these actions allowed for close follow-up on each request and optimized use of available resources.
A key element in achieving these results was the use of the “Muni” service, a digital tool that facilitated the receipt, routing, and tracking of citizen reports. Through this platform, residents of Progreso were able to directly report road damage, allowing municipal authorities to act more quickly and effectively in addressing each case.
Mayor Erik Rihani González has reiterated that maintaining constant contact with the public is a priority for his administration. He has instructed staff to closely monitor received reports and ensure that repairs are carried out correctly and on time. This close collaboration has been essential to guaranteeing that the actions taken address the real needs of the community.
With these results, the Progreso City Council reaffirms its commitment to working in an organized, responsible and close manner, strengthening urban spaces and addressing citizen demands with a vision of continuous improvement for the benefit of the quality of life in the municipality.
January 2, 2026: the coldest day in Yucatán in 12 years
written by Yucatan Times January 2, 2026
Today is the coldest day in Yucatán so far this winter season.
MERIDA, YUCATAN – Today, Friday, January 2, 2026, northern Mérida experienced its coldest dawn in 12 years, reports the Institutional Committee for Attention to Extreme Meteorological Phenomena (CIAFEME) of the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY).
The weather station at the UADY Faculty of Engineering (FIUADY), located in northern Mérida, recorded a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature in 12 years, it specifies.
Almost 12 years ago, on January 19, 2014, the FIUADY station recorded 9.6 degrees, it adds.
Today, the lowest temperature recorded in Yucatán so far this 2025-2026 winter season was registered: 8.4°C in El Escondido, a village in the southern municipality of Tzucacab.
Meanwhile, the city of Peto awoke to a low of 8.6°C.
The low temperatures recorded at dawn today are due to the remnants of the cold air mass that accompanied frontal system number 25, according to Ciafeme, the Hydrometeorological Consulting Office of Yucatán (CHMDY), and the Climate Change Project in Yucatán (PCCY).
With improved facilities, El Corchito becomes one of the most visited attractions of the season
written by Yucatan Times January 2, 2026
As a result of maintenance work carried out at the tourist facilities by the Board of Trustees of Cultural and Tourist Service Units of the State of Yucatán (Cultur), the “El Corchito” Ecological Reserve welcomes December vacationers with a dock in optimal condition, as well as the attentive service of cooperative members who share the grandeur of this natural paradise located just 36 kilometers from the Yucatecan capital.
El Corchito maintains current promotions on catamaran tours, with special prices for Yucatán residents.
Among these, the tour around the reserve stands out at 87 pesos, applicable to children and adults who present official identification proving their residency in the state. Kayaking is offered at the same price, and admission remains free for people with disabilities.
During a supervisory visit to the Ecological Reserve, Xavier Enrique Alayola Rosado, acting head of the CULTUR Board, confirmed the progress of the rehabilitation work at this rest stop and explained that, in the first phase, the main palapa, the dock, and several palapas located within the reserve were renovated.
He added that, in the next phase, work will be done on the facade to provide a more complete and safer experience for visitors.
“We had a very busy period in November and December, with a high influx of local visitors, so we appreciate the opportunity to share information about ‘El Corchito’,” he explained.
The official explained that improvements were made to the palapas and cleaning work was carried out in the canals, which helped maintain the springs in clearer condition, as part of the ongoing maintenance performed by the Board, in coordination with the rest stop team. Furthermore, he specified that, as of the latest count, this tourist site has received 93,500 visitors.
The reserve, considered one of the most important on the Yucatán coast, is home to the springs known as “Helechos,” “Corchito,” and “Pájaros,” which serve as a natural refuge for fish, raccoons, and coatis. Much of the flora consists of cork trees, from which the place gets its name.
The biologist in charge of the reserve, William Uc Loeza, noted that American pelicans can be seen during this season and emphasized that the “El Corchito” Ecological Reserve is an ideal option for those seeking to explore and enjoy a tranquil environment.
He also urged visitors to maintain responsible contact with nature and to remember that this is a protected natural area, whose conservation is essential for its continued enjoyment in the future.
The El Corchito Tourist Stop is open Monday through Sunday, including holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is located on Boulevard Víctor Manuel Cervera Pacheco, in the municipality of Progreso.
Tourism Boosts Restaurants and Hotels in Progreso During Year-End
written by Yucatan Times January 2, 2026
The municipality of Progreso is preparing for a period of high tourism activity due to the end of the year and the start of 2026, generating positive expectations for the restaurant and hotel sectors, according to reports from local authorities and the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco-Servytur) of the port.
Traditionally, the Yucatecan port city is among the most popular destinations for celebrating New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and a flow of visitors equal to or greater than that seen during the recent December festivities is expected.
Representatives of the Canaco-Servytur (National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism) indicated that throughout 2025, affiliated businesses have shown positive performance, with increasing sales, confirming Progreso’s consolidation as an attractive destination for dining and consumption.
The organization emphasized that the diversity of establishments is one of the destination’s main attractions, offering options ranging from premium restaurants to more affordable alternatives, capable of serving local, national, and international tourists.
Regarding lodging, it was reported that between December 23 and 25, hotel occupancy reached levels between 90 and 100 percent. Similar percentages are anticipated for December 30 and 31, as well as January 1.
The Director of Tourism for Progreso, Áurea Elena Gómez Novelo, explained that the high demand for lodging is largely due to the fact that the celebrations coincide with weekends, which encourages longer stays.
She added that digital platforms have played a key role in making reservations, facilitating the rental of rooms in both hotels and private homes and apartments.
Although there is no exact record of the number of properties designated for temporary lodging, the official noted that during this period there is a noticeable increase in occupied homes, even those that are normally closed.
For his part, restaurant owner Esaú Velázquez commented that the holiday season represents a significant opportunity for the sector, thanks to the celebration of posadas (traditional Christmas parties) and the sale of special menus and packages for New Year’s celebrations.
He specified that the most requested dishes include leg of lamb and turkey, either baked or stuffed, with prices ranging from 500 to 1,200 pesos, depending on the number of diners, typically two to six. These services are in demand by both tourists and local and foreign residents.
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