🎁 Are You Getting a Real Deal or Ripped Off During Buen Fin

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In today’s Riviera Maya Insider:

• Buen Fin is ramping up. Are you ready?

• To Uber or not to Uber? Aparently not.

• Tulum highway bypass cancelled

• Tour the navy vessel Cuauhtémoc in Cozumel

• New catastral rates approved for Playa del Carmen

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Our beautiful Photo of the Week was sent to me by Ronnie in Paamul. This glorious sunrise reminds us how lucky we are to call the Riviera Maya home.

📸 If you would like to see your photo featured here, follow and tag @rivieramayainsidermx on Instagram or send it to [email protected].

IN THE NEWS

News from the Riviera Maya and beyond. You don’t have to know everything—but you should know something. Here are a few stories that caught my eye in the news last week.

🚗 Uber “Victory” Sparks Confusion Over Airport Rules
A recent court ruling has left travelers scratching their heads — does Uber now operate legally at Mexican airports or not? The short answer: No. While a federal judge granted Uber protection against arbitrary detentions, the decision doesn’t authorize pickups at airports like Cancún International. The government reaffirmed that only licensed taxis, shuttles, and authorized transport providers can legally collect passengers. The ruling may have changed the tone of enforcement, but not the rules.

🚧 Tulum Bypass Project Withdrawn — Indefinitely on Hold
After years of delays, Mexico’s Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) has officially withdrawn its environmental authorization request for the long-planned Tulum bypass highway. The 26-kilometer project—intended to reroute traffic around the Pueblo Mágico but with rising costs, stalled permits, and growing environmental scrutiny, the billion-peso project has been quietly shelved.

⛵ Visit the Mexican Navy’s Training Ship Cuauhtémoc 
The Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc, Mexico’s legendary naval training vessel, returned safely to the Mexican Caribbean and docked in Cozumel on Sunday. This remarkable ship, often called “The Ambassador of the Seas” will be open for public tours at the Punta Langosta pier until November 7 offering visitors a chance to explore a living piece of maritime history and honor the crew who continue its proud tradition.

🏘️ Playa del Carmen Approves 2026 Property Value Update
Good news for Playa del Carmen owners. The City Council has approved new Unit Property Tax Values for 2026, but officials insist the update won’t mean steep increases for families or small hotels. The change, the first major adjustment since 2012, focuses mainly on large commercial and hotel properties to better reflect current market conditions. Owners should still keep an eye on updated cadastral values and early-payment discount programs.

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ICYMI

These were the most popular new stories from last week’s newsletter.

🛒 Costco Confirms Playa del Carmen Expansion
It’s official—Costco is coming to Playa del Carmen! The retail giant has confirmed plans to open a new warehouse in the Riviera Maya as part of its expansion across Mexico…

🐒 Puerto Aventuras Declared “Red Zone” After Wildlife Deaths
PROFEPA has tagged Puerto Aventuras as a “Red Zone” following a disturbing rise in wildlife electrocutions and road deaths…

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

🌿 Villa Toh – Light, Luxury & Lush Design

If you're looking for a home that feels more like a private resort, Villa Toh is one you need to see. Tucked into the tropical foliage in the Playacar gated community, this elegant 6-bedroom, 6.5-bath estate blends striking architectural details with warm, welcoming design and resort-style amenities—ideal as a private residence, vacation retreat, or high-end rental investment.

Step inside and you’re greeted by soaring vaulted ceilings, arched walkways, and a distinctive glass-panel foyer that offers a peek into the brickwork below. Sunlight pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows, creating seamless indoor-outdoor flow to the covered patio, swimming pool, and tranquil garden with a lily pond and outdoor dining lounge.

This three-level home is full of surprises: a home theater, bar, game room, and a reflection room below; multiple balconies and jungle-view terraces above. The master suite is a private escape with a home theater, steam room, jacuzzi, and handcrafted wood tub on the terrace.

Every bedroom has its own style and luxurious touches—from lofts and private patios to entertainment systems. The private rooftop terrace among the treetops is ideal for entertaining, relaxing, or rinsing off under the outdoor shower.

Click here to see the full listing and schedule your private tour of this one-of-a-kind sanctuary.

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NOTES ON NAPKINS

Fun for foodies of all kinds! Here are some of the delicious gastronomic offerings that caught our eye and tempted our palate this week!

🥩 Asador Colonia: Where Fire, Flavor, and Friendship Meet

There’s a new spot heating up Playa del Carmen’s dining scene—Asador Colonia by Pizca de Sal, a laid-back grillhouse that celebrates honest cooking and the art of slow fire.

Asador Colonia brings together everything locals love: wood-fired flavor, good wine, and a welcoming atmosphere that invites you to stay a while. The menu highlights premium cuts, pescado a la talla, traditional jerk chicken, and handmade tortillas, all cooked over glowing embers for that unmistakable smoky touch.

It’s not a fancy spot. It’s a gathering place for friends who appreciate real food and unpretentious hospitality. You’ll find the same simple promise you have come to expect from Picza de Sal: local ingredients, fair prices, and food made with patience and heart. Come hungry and bring friends. Playa’s newest neighborhood grill is ready to welcome you.

Stop in for weekday lunch or dinner (Wednesday to Friday, 2–10 PM) or linger over weekend brunch (Saturday 9 AM–10 PM, Sunday 9 AM–6 PM).

📍 Asador Colonia is located on Avenida 115 near 28 de Julio in Playa del Carmen.

🍣 10-Course Omakase Experience at Maki Mori

On Thursday, November 20 at 8:00 PM, Maki Mori invites guests to an exclusive 10-course omakase dinner with premium wine pairing—an intimate evening designed for all the senses. A night for true food lovers — elegant, immersive, and unrepeatable.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the art of Japanese dining in its purest form, this one’s for you. Omakase—meaning “I’ll leave it up to you”—is a culinary journey where the chef takes creative control, guiding you through a curated tasting menu prepared right before your eyes. Each course is crafted to highlight seasonal ingredients, texture, and balance, while the sommelier’s wine pairings elevate every bite.

The cost is 2300 MNX per person. Expect ten exquisite dishes, each one a surprise, each one perfectly matched with a thoughtful pour. Seating limited is so reserve well in advance via WhatsApp: 984 449 6495

📍 Maki Mori is located on 5th Ave. between Calles 38 & 40 in Playa del Carmen.

🍽️ An Ultra-Exclusive Culinary Affair at Secrets Moxché

Get ready for one of the Riviera Maya’s most anticipated culinary experiences. The 5th aneditio of 5 of 50 Gastronomic Festival by Food & Travel returns to Impression Moxché by Secrets, November 5–10. Limited to just 50 guests, this event gathers world-renowned chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers for five days of decadent dinners, rare tastings, and sensory indulgence.

This year’s lineup features acclaimed chefs from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Michelin Guide — including Pablo Bonilla (Sikwa, Costa Rica), Maycoll Calderón (Acre, Los Cabos / Cuna, NYC), and Leopoldo Elefante (Piano Nel Cielo, Amalfi). Each night, they’ll join the resort’s resident chefs to craft one-of-a-kind menus paired with exceptional wines curated by award-winning sommelier Sandra Fernández.

Expect standout moments like a Latin-inspired cocktail takeover by Medellín’s Bar Carmen (named among The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025), a Casa Madero vintage wine library tasting, and premium sessions featuring caviar, truffles, and bluefin tuna.

Held in one of the Riviera Maya’s most luxurious beachfront settings, this festival blends haute cuisine with intimate hospitality — a celebration of flavor, artistry, and the joy of dining well.

EXPAT LIVING

Sharing local insights, practical tips, and community stories to help you feel at home in Mexico, no matter how long you’ve been here.

🎁 Buen Fin 2025 — How to Spot Real Deals From the Fakes

If you’ve lived in Mexico for a while, you know Buen Fin can be equal parts excitement and chaos. The promise of deep discounts is tempting—but not every “sale” is what it seems. That’s why it pays (literally) to start tracking prices now. Check what big-ticket items—like that new fridge or smart TV—cost today so when Buen Fin starts on November 13, you’ll know if you’re looking at a real deal or marketing smoke and mirrors.

Many major retailers—Liverpool, Walmart, Chedraui, and even Amazon Mexico—start dropping early offers, but local boutiques, furniture stores, and electronics shops also join in quietly. Ask your favorite local merchants if they’re participating; smaller businesses often skip official registration but still run great in-store promotions.

If you’re shopping for travel, check airline and hotel sites directly—many run short-window flash sales during Buen Fin.

Bottom line: do your homework now so you can shop confidently when the weekend hits. The best Buen Fin deals go fast, but the real win is knowing you didn’t just fall for a fake markdown.

👉️ Read more about Buen Fin here.

¿QUE PASA?

Your go-to roundup of local events, festivals, and happenings—so you’ll always know what’s going on and where to be in the Riviera Maya.

The Nightmare Before Christmas - Movie & Live Orchestra (Spanish)
November 5 | Teatro de la Ciudad ‘Xaman Ha’ | Playa del Carmen

Riviera Blues Night
November 5 | Caché Boutique Hotel | Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM

5 de 50 Gastronomic Festival by Food & Travel
November 5 - 10 | Impression Moxché by Secrets | Playa del Carmen

National Theatre Showcase
November 6 - 15 | Various Venues in Cancun | Program

Tulum Pizza & Pasta Festival
November 8 & 9 | Explanada de Palacio Municipal | Tulum | 4 PM - 11 PM

6th Cocos Animal Rescue Spay & Neuter Clinic
November 8 -10 | ICAT Playa del Carmen | Registration 7 AM

Buen Fin 2025
November 13 - 17 | Locations Nationwide and Online

Expomoto Motocycle Expo
November 14 & 15 | Wyndham Garden Hotel | Playa del Carmen

2nd Sustainability Forum for Quintana Roo
November 19 | Moon Palace Resort | Cancun | 8:30 AM - 4 PM

The Addams Family - The Musical (Spanish)
November 22 & 23 | Teatro de la Ciudad ‘Xaman Ha’ | Playa del Carmen

Ch’i’bal Soundfest 2025 ft. Lila Downs
November 28 & 29 | Parque Fundadores | Playa del Carmen

Paamul Art Show & Sale Benefitting Seaside Rotary
December 13 & 14 | Locations TBA | 12 PM - 5 PM | Info to come

The Nutcracker Ballet
December 20 | Teatro de la Ciudad ‘Xaman Ha’ | Playa del Carmen

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.

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