🔥 Are Playa del Carmen Officials Lying about Fyre Fest 2? 😎

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🤩 It’s Tuesday April 8 and this newsletter is packed tighter than a colectivo during semana santa.

Thank you to everyone who attended the online seminar “7 International Health Insurance Nightmares Nobody Warns You About”. I certainly learned a lot and I feel much better prepared to make a successful claim should the need arise

The next seminar will be on Wednesday, April 16 covering emergency preparedness and what to do in a medical crisis. As soon as I have the registration into I will send it out to all of you in a dedicated email.

Have a great week everyone!

— Michele Kinnon

*This newsletter may be clipped for length by your email provider. For the best reading experience, scroll up and select the option to READ ONLINE. It’s a better reading experience. Trust me. 😄 

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Our stunning Photo of the Week was taken in Puerto Aventuras by Marc Andrews. You can find more of his fantastic photos here @marc.msajokerswild and @funinthesunweddings

📸 If you would like to see your photo featured here, follow and tag @rivieramayainsidermx on Instagram.

RIVIERA MAYA ROUNDUP

You don’t have to know everything….but you should know something. Here’s what caught my eye in the news this week.

🎟️ I can’t believe we are still talking about this but….Playa del Carmen's government is under scrutiny for conflicting statements about Fyre Festival 2. After officials participated in a press conference with organizers and expressed support on social media, they later denied involvement, prompting organizers to release permits and communications as evidence. #dumpsterfyre

🚓 Playa del Carmen's security forces have received a significant boost with the addition of 334 new police vehicles, a helicopter, and specialized equipment. This $70 million investment aims to enhance public safety amid rising crime concerns, demonstrating the government's commitment to protecting residents and tourists.

🏗️ Tulum's real estate surge has led to numerous fraud cases, with developers abandoning projects and selling properties on disputed or even stolen land. Authorities are investigating, but buyers have been left angry and out of pocket with no clear legal recourse.

🏖️ On April 14, Tulum is set to open a new public beach access point. The access will offer amenities like restrooms, shaded areas, and facilities for individuals with disabilities. This initiative addresses community concerns over limited beach access following the establishment of Parque Jaguar and the high fees to enter the National Park.

🎬 The 2nd Annual Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF) concluded with a magical closing night, celebrating independent cinema from around the globe. Attendees praised the event's organization, the quality of films presented, and the vibrant cultural exchange it facilitated. Find the award winning films here.

🐢 Help is needed for the 2025 Sea Turtle Volunteering Program in Tulum. The season runs from from May to October. Participants will participate in night patrols, nest relocations, and hatchling releases, contributing to marine preservation. It’s a great hands-on opportunity to help protect nesting turtles and hatchlings.

🎉 Cozumel's historic El Cedral Festival returns for its 177th year from April 28 to May 3. This vibrant celebration features everything from religious ceremonies to traditional dances to horse racing and charlotadas. Experience the rich cultural heritage of Cozumel at this very traditional festival.

🛫 Paul and Christy Akeo have been released after spending 32 days in a Mexican prison following a timeshare dispute with Cancún's Palace Resorts. A settlement was reached, involving the donation of the disputed funds to Mexican charities, facilitating their release.

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TRAVEL TALK

Are you planning a trip to the Riviera Maya? You might be interested in some of the interesting questions and conversations I saw this week across our various social media channels and groups.

✈️ Do You Still Get an FMM Form Coming into Cancun?

Q. We haven’t visited Playa del Carmen since before COVID. When we went through the Cancun sirport, we did not get that form to fill out for immigration. Will we need that when we leave? Did I miss it? Help!

A. Not anymore. Mexico has phased out the paper FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) at major international airports including Cancun, Tulum, and Cozumel. Instead, immigration just stamps your passport and writes in the number of days you're allowed to stay—usually 180, but not always. It’s important to check that number before you leave the immigration area.

If you're flying into Cancun, you might be directed to an automated immigration kiosk instead of a traditional line. These kiosks are available in Terminals 3 and 4 and can be used by travelers over 18 from eligible countries (including the U.S., Canada, and most of Europe) with a biometric passport. You’ll scan your passport, take a photo, and get a printed receipt with a QR code.

That QR code is important—it links to your digital FMM and will be needed when you leave the country. Without it, you could face delays or extra steps at departure. If you’re given a kiosk receipt, don’t lose it.

While the process is now mostly digital, it’s still your responsibility to know how many days you’ve been granted and to keep any documents you’re given. Anecdotal evidence suggest that the kiosks default to 180 days but don’t quote me on that! And yes, if you’re entering by land or through a smaller airport, you might still get a paper FMM.

Bottom line: no more filling out forms on the plane, but keep an eye on that stamp, don’t toss that QR code—and have fun!

💵 Travel Insurance: Are you Covered?

Last week, we ran a little poll to see how many of you purchase travel insurance when you visit Mexico or anywhere else in the world. Here are the results!

I have to admit, as a fairly fit young(ish) person with no medical issues, for many years I never gave much thought to travel insurance. So, I was really pleasantly surprised to see that 50% of the people who responded to the poll DO purchase insurance when traveling outside their home country. Good for you!

Of course, most people immediately think about medical emergencies when it comes to travel insurance, and that’s a big part of it. If you injure yourself or fall ill and end up in a private hospital—as a tourist without insurance—believe me when I tell you, those bills will add up fast.

But there are other situations that catch people off guard and out of pocket. I’ve seen travelers stuck without their luggage for days, stranded due to canceled flights, or even needing to return home early due to a family emergency. Travel insurance can cover all of that and more.

One couple I met recently had their rental car broken into at a cenote parking lot. Their passports, phones, and credit cards were stolen. Thankfully, I was able to help them obtain emergency passports and they had travel insurance coverage that reimbursed the cost to replace their stolen items and documents.

That’s why I recommend checking out Auras for your travel insurance needs. They offer customizable plans that can cover everything from medical emergencies to lost luggage, trip delays, and even unexpected cancellations. Their policies are designed for travelers of all nationalities, ages 1 to 100, and are valid worldwide.

They also extend a 100% money-back guarantee within 14 days of purchase in case your travel plans change. You can get a free quote online in minutes, so it’s fast and easy. As an INSIDER, you can use the promo code: WRTY100103 for a 10% discount.

**Riviera Maya Insider is an affiliate of Auras Insurance. That means if you purchase your travel insurance through Auras, you are helping to support this newsletter. So, thank you!

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

🌴 A NEW LISTING with Jungle Views & Resort Vibes 🏖️

If you’ve been looking for an affordable, low-maintenance condo with big vacation energy, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath beauty in TAO Residential inside the exclusive Tulum Country Club resort community might be your perfect match. It’s got a modern open layout, sleek kitchen with premium appliances, and a balcony that opens up to lush jungle views—the kind of spot that makes your morning coffee taste better.

The community itself feels like a resort. You’ve got two gorgeous pools, membership access to a gym in the TAO Wellness Center, plus two beach clubs, tennis courts, basketball and even a 27-hole golf course right at your fingertips.

This condo is being sold fully furnished and equipped for immediate occupany. Whether you’re looking for peaceful place to retire or a stylish vacation home, this place checks all the boxes.

I have loads of friends who have retired to the Riviera Maya and are living full-time in TAO. They all rave about the sense of community and the calm jungle vibe. Want to see more? Click here for the full listing and to schedule a private tour with Marieke.

NOTES ON NAPKINS

The PA Hotel & Beach Club reopened this week in Puerto Aventuras to wildly mixed reviews. Responses to the new facilities and the pricing scheme for entry ranged from supportive to disappointed to downright furious.

After a self-imposed 6-year hiatus, I visited the rewly reimagined beach club to have lunch with some friends and see what had changed since my last visit. I was eager to see the renovations and additions that had caused them to delay the reopening almost 4 months past the target date. Here’s what I found.

The only dining space open as of this publishing date is the beachfront deck and bar. We found the menu to be unfortunately limited and erratically priced. The sushi rolls are decent and on the mark at 180 MXN each whilst a basic Greek salad will run you 375 MXN.

The Peruvian-style ceviche looked divine on the menu but at 415 MXN, I just wasn’t sure. My friend had the Mixed Yakimeshi at 295 MXN and received a very sizable portion—enough to take home leftovers. They understood her request to make it Gluten-free but did not have GF soy sauce so it was pretty bland.

If you are looking for bar food or anything kid-friendly, you’d best look elsewhere. Quesdaillas (3) at 245 MXN and Guacamole for 220 MXN are not going to make anyone happy. There are no friench fries, nachos, chicken fingers or anything you might expect at a casual beach venue.

Past that our drinks were fine and served promptly. My 210 MXN Aperol Spritz was actually made with Prosecco, priced appropriately for the view that came with it. Beers are 80 MXN but they had very few brands to choose from. Hopefully that will change. My friend received a very small glass of Prosecco for 190 MXN.

So, what’s to come? Despite rumors of a(nother) Italian restaurant, I have now heard they will be featuring Peruvian cuisine. The enclosed dining room has been transformed into a smart looking Teppanyaki space which seems like a nichy choice for a very small hotel property in a very small community. I have not seen ANY menus other than the beach club, so we shall see. The hotel was very always very popular for their breakfast on the terrrace. Let’s hope that returns and stays excellent.

The details: To walk in the door—even just to dine—the minimum spend is 350 MXN. You pay at reception and receive the appropriate bracelet. All of this goes toward your consumption and you are free to enjoy the swim-up bar and the pool but NOT any of the loungers or umbrellas. For that privilege you pay another 500 MXN for 2 loungers and 1 umbrella on the pool deck or 1000 MXN for a palapa and 2 loungers (for up to 4 people) on the beach. None of that goes toward your consumption.

I’m not ready to cast final judgement on the newly reimagined beach club experience. There has been a lot of heated discussion about it in the Puerto Aventuras Living FB group and you are welcome to read the threads there.

For now, I’m going to sit back and see if any adjustments are made based on the commentary from the community and guests of the hotel. I’ll be back to try the new dining spaces as they become available but it’s unlikley that you will run into me lounging on the beach.

Have you been to the new PA Beach Club since it has reopened? Reply to this email with your comments and maybe I will print a few of them in next week’s newsletter!

¿QUE PASA?

Check out the events and happenings we found for the next month or so on the Riviera Maya and beyond.

April 8 & 9 | 4th Annual Ibero-Americas Cities Forum at the Cancun Center in Cancun. The public can find more information and register to attend here.

April 10 | Saladdin - A hilarious parody (in Spanish) of the show Aladdin at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Shows at 7PM and 9:30PM. Tickets.

April 12 | Coco Animal Welfare’s 16th Anniverary Party at Perla 28 in Playa del Carmen. 7PM - 12AM. Info.

April 12 | 1st night of the Barley Circus 50th Anniversary Tour in Playa del Carmen in the Centro Maya parking lot. Shows at 6:00PM and 8:30PM.

April 13 | Art Show & Sale Fundraiser for Leyendo 1PM - 4PM at at Buzo’s in Playa del Carmen.

April 13 | Trendy Market Easter Edition in Puerto Aventuras 5PM - 9PM in the green space by the bandstand.

April 15 | Seaside Rotary invites you to meet local author Bernard “Chalky” White and hear excerpts from his new memoire “Keep Chewing Granite” now available for sale on Amazon. The reading will be at La Vagabunda on Calle 38 at 12:30PM.

April 25 | Savour Wine Festival IV Edition at the Hacienda Doña Isabel at Bahia Principe Resort in Tulum. The event is open to the public. 6PM - 11PM. Tickets.

April 28 - May 3 | 177th El Cedral Festival in the villge of El Cedral on Cozumel. Free admission. Info.

April 28 - May 4 | Korn Ferry Tour PGA Golf Tournament at Tulum Country Club. Info.

May 11 | 13th Annual Family Race in Puerto Aventuras. 400m, 1K, 5K & 10K races. Register here before April 30.

May 17 | Mexican Caribbean Music Fest featuring Sting in at Zamna in Tulum. Free Admission.

May 22 - 25 | Riviera Maya Open LPGA Tournament at Mayakoba. Info.

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

🎨 Bringing Color & Creativity to the Kids in El Cuyo 🧒 👧 

At the end of April, a group of Seaside Rotarians will be making a trip to El Cuyo to bring a delivery of arts and crafts supplies to the children of the village. These simple items, ubiquitous in our children’s lives, are impossible to find up there. So—we are going to make their Día del Niño a little brighter and a lot more colorful.

Our friend Goyo is going to be teaching the children how to make Ojos de Dios so what we are looking for now is popsicles sticks or wooden dowels and and yarn—lots of yarn in all different colors!

Over the next few weeks, we will be taking donations at La Vagabunda 38 in Playa del Carmen at the Colegio in Puerto Aventuras and Restaurant Latitude 20°. If these locations are not convenient for you, let me know by replying to this email and I’ll arrange to come to you personally. We will be taking donations until April 25th. Please help if you can!

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