🌴A New Members Only Beach Club in Playa del Carmen?

Plus: Reef closures for Cozumel, dates and location announced for the Gastronomic Festival del Caribe, the magical migration of the monarch butterflies to Mexico and more.

✨ It’s Tuesday January 14 and this week’s newsletter is packed tighter than the lines for the last Cozumel ferry back to Playa!

In this edition of Riviera Maya Insider you will find…..

  • 🌴 New oceanfront condos being built in Puerto Aventuras

  • 🌮 4th annual Gastronomic Festival del Caribe in Bacalar

  • 🦋 The migration of the monarch butterflies to Mexico

  • 🪸 Reef closures announced for Cozumel

  • 🕶️ A members-only beachclub opening in Playa del Carmen

This email newsletter may be clipped. To read the full version, scroll up and use the option to READ ONLINE.

If you have clicked through and are reading online, don’t miss the stunning photo of the sun rising over Fatima Bay. Many thanks and photo credit to @gigglinggabriella_ for this week’s beautiful cover art.

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RIVIERA MAYA ROUNDUP

WITH FISHINGBOOKER

✈️ Expansion plans for Cancun and Cozumel airports are in motion to accommodate increasing passenger demand and boost tourism in the Riviera Maya. The upgrades aim to improve infrastructure, enhance traveler experience, and support the region’s growing popularity as a global destination.

🍽️ The 4th annual Mexican Caribbean Gastronomic Festival will take place in Bacalar on March 8 and 9, 2025, showcasing traditional Mayan cuisine, local crafts, and live music. Set against the stunning Laguna de Siete Colores, the event celebrates the region’s culinary heritage and is free to attend.

🛝 Puerto Aventuras has inaugurated a new Civic Plaza, enhancing daily life for its 22,000 residents. Municipal President Estefanía Mercado emphasized the plaza's role in fostering social integration and community pride. The new plaza features amenities like a multifunctional stage, children's playground, and areas for local vendors.

🍽️ The "Let's Playa" initiative aims to elevate Playa del Carmen as a top culinary destination by promoting local restaurants, sustainable gastronomy, and Quintana Roo’s traditional recipes. Launching at Fitur 2025 in Madrid, the project seeks to showcase the region’s unique flavors on an international stage.

🛩️ Puerto Aventuras Aerodrome is set to open in 2025 replacing the airstrip inPlaya del Carmen’s which is scheduled to be decommissioned. The project, funded through a public-private partnership, aims to meet the needs of private aviation and shift air traffic away from downtown Playa.

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🎸 Riviera Maya Insider is now covering the live music scene from Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal. The RMI Live Music Lineup will be updated weekly and delivered to your inbox every Thursday. If you are a musician, band member or have a live music venue, we want to hear from you!

🐾 The Thursday newsletter will also be working together with PAR - Playa Animal Rescue to help their dogs find forever homes. Each week, we will feature a pup who is ready for adoption and eager to join your family here on the Riviera Maya, in the USA or Canada! If you already have a housefull or are not in a position to adopt, you can sponsor dogs until they find their forever home. Find out how!

🎣 Looking for something fun to do while your family is town for the holidays? FishingBooker will connect you with the best boats and the best Captains on the Riviera Maya. Click through to see their entire inventory of locally owned and operated Fishing Charters!

Riviera Maya Insider is an affiliate of FishingBooker.

UN POCO DE TODO

🦋 The Magical Migration of Mexico’s Monarch Butterflies
Every year, millions of monarch butterflies embark on an incredible journey to Mexico’s forests, where they spend the winter months in a breathtaking natural spectacle. These delicate creatures travel up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the U.S. to the high-altitude oyamel fir forests in Michoacán and the State of Mexico. The sanctuaries offer visitors a chance to witness this awe-inspiring migration while learning about the vital role these butterflies play in the ecosystem.

This article highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these habitats, which are under threat from climate change and deforestation. It also provides tips for visiting the sanctuaries, including the best times to go and what to expect. Read more here.

🪸 Cozumel Reef Closures in 2025: What You Need to Know
Every year, Cozumel's iconic reefs are closed temporarily as part of a conservation effort to preserve their delicate ecosystems. These closures aim to combat the effects of over-tourism and environmental stressors, ensuring the reefs remain a vibrant habitat for marine life and a top diving destination for generations to come. While some popular areas will be off-limits, the article outlines alternative diving and snorkeling spots that remain open, showcasing Cozumel's commitment to sustainable tourism.

If Cozumel’s underwater treasures are on your bucket list, find out what these changes mean and how to plan your visit and avoid disapointment. Find the dates for the closures here.

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NOTES ON NAPKINS

Photo Credit: Andrea Ruiz

🕶️ Why is there a picture of a beach club in NOTES ON NAPKINS?
When my friend and fellow foodie, Andy Ruiz, tips me off and says that this new beach club has a menu that goes above and beyond to satisfy the discerning taste of their future guests. The Reef Resorts has purchased the old Canibal Royal and completely reimagined and redesigned the facilities to serve their guests.

This sexy new beach club, Fragata, will also be the first beach club in Playa to offer a membership plan. The beach club is currently open to Reef hotel guests and official inauguration of the new club is scheduled for February. We will link out to Andy’s full article with all the details soon!

🍴 Caribbean Flavors Shine at the Festival Gastronómico del Caribe
The Festival Gastronómico del Caribe is an annual celebration of the region’s rich culinary heritage, bringing together local chefs, traditional recipes, and innovative dishes. Held in varying destinations in the state of Quintana Roo, the festival showcases the unique flavors of the Mexican Caribbean, from fresh seafood and tropical fruits to classic Maya ingredients. Attendees can explore vibrant food stalls, participate in cooking demonstrations, and enjoy cultural performances that celebrate the fusion of flavors and traditions.

The 4th annual event, scheduled for March 8 & 9 in Bacalar, promises an unforgettable experience for food lovers, highlighting the importance of sustainable gastronomy and locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re a foodie or simply curious about the region’s cuisine, the Festival Gastronómico del Caribe is an opportunity to indulge in the flavors of paradise. Check out our experience at last year’s festival in Puerto Morelos.

🍽️ Let Your Voice be Heard in the “Playenses Choice” Restaurant Awards!
The Playa del Carmen Tourism Board recently launched the “Playenses Choice” restaurant awards! They want to know which restaurants you think are the BEST in Playa del Carmen. There are 20 categories and you may only mention a restaurant once. To participate, follow the LetsPlaya Instagram account and click on the link to the survey in the bio. The questionnaire is in Spanish but it’s pretty straightforward. Submit your votes today to be aure your foodie favorites get the attention they deserve!

🥬 The Lost Tiki Goes GREEN!
On Monday, January 20, join Chef Juan and his crew for a “Lost Tiki Takeover” at Corozon Contento! Enjoy a special 4-course, plant-based dinner pairing like you have never experienced before! The cost of the event is 650 pesos per person. Seats are limited so please reserve in advance via messenger on The Lost Tiki Facebook page. Corozon Contento is located on Calle 22 between Avenidas 30 & 25 in Playa del Carmen.

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

🏗️ NEW Listing! Oceanfront Residences in Puerto Aventuras
Soon to be built on the last remaining oceanfront condo lot in Puerto Aventuras, this new development delivers exclusivity, comfort, and coastal beauty. Choose from 1, 2, or 3-bedroom layouts with spacious open floor plans, blending luxury living with thoughtfully selected natural materials and finishes. Large windows fill each home with natural light and private terraces boast breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, allowing you to embrace indoor-outdoor living in style. Full ocean views. Dedicated parking. Pet friendly building. Find out more.

Would you like to see YOUR property promoted here?

¿QUE PASA RIVIERA MAYA?

December 31 - Jan. 18 - Zamna Festival in Tulum (multiple events & locations) Tickets

January 5 - 26 - Merida Fest 2025 (multiple events & locations) Info

January 9 - 30 - Public Exhibition of the Art of Marcelo Jiménez at the Palacio Municipal (Centro) in Playa del Carmen.

January 14 - David Guetta - Zamna Festival in Tulum. Tickets

January 18 & 19 - Charity Pickleball Tournament in Puerto Aventuras. Register

January 18 - Feria Trendy Artisans Bazaar - 5PM - 9PM in Puerto Aventuras

January 18 - Nations Cup Polo Tournament at El Rey Polo Club in Puerto Morelos. Tickets

January 19 - The Jam’s Band Woodstock Revival Tour at Parque las Palapas, 6PM. Free Admission.

January 23 - 25 - Seussical The Musical presented by Explayarte at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Curtain times: Jan. 23 & 24 at 6PM, January 25 at 4PM.

January 24 & 25 - Coffee Fest Riviera Maya in the Plaza 28 de Julio, Playa del Carmen, 5PM - 10PM.

January 26 - 2025 Corrida Blanca Bullfight - Plaza de Toros in Merida, 4:30PM.

January 30 - Fundraiser for Leyendo at Buzo’s in Playa del Carmen, 4PM - 7PM.

February 12 - 15 - Island Time Fishing Tournament & Music Fest on Isla Mujeres. Info

February 15 - Moulin Rouge, The Musical at the new Teatro de la Ciudad in Cancun. Curtain time 8PM.

February 19 - 14th Annual KKiS Project Fundraising Gala at The Grand Hyatt in Playa del Carmen. Dinner and live auction 6PM - 10PM. Ticketing information detailed below.

March 8 & 9 - 4th Annual Gastronomic Festival del Caribe in Bacalar.

Do you have information about an upcoming event that you would like to see shared on Riviera Maya Insider? Let us know by replying to this email or sending it to [email protected].

DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA

This month our featured community organization is The KKiS Project and specifically, their upcoming Gala Fundraiser. This is the biggest fundraising effort of the year for KKiS - Keeping Kids in School and essential to the success of their programs.

🎉 The KKIS Gala 2025: Funding Futures, One Student at a Time! 🎉

Get ready for an unforgettable night at the annual KKIS Gala – the Riviera Maya’s most anticipated charity event of the year!

✨ Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
✨ Location: Grand Hyatt, Playa del Carmen
✨ Theme: ‘Funding a Future’
✨ Dress Code: Wear your best white attire for this special evening!
✨ Ticket Price: $125 per person

🌟 Why Attend?

  • Make a Difference: Every ticket you buy helps us bring education, opportunities, and a brighter future to the incredible students of Playa del Carmen.

  • Dine in Style: Savor a gourmet buffet dinner prepared by top chefs at the Grand Hyatt.

  • Open Bar: Unlimited drinks available for all attendees.

  • Auction Extravaganza: Bid on unique, high-value auction items, including once-in-a-lifetime experiences, local treasures, and more.

Let’s come together to celebrate community, give back, and change lives – all while enjoying an extraordinary night with friends, family, and fellow changemakers. We have our seats reserved and hope to see you there!

🎟️ Reserve your tickets here: bit.ly/kkis-gala-tickets

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