📣 Big Announcement for Riviera Maya Music Lovers

✨ It’s Tuesday January 7. Yesterday was Día de Reyes in Mexico. I hope you all took a little time out to celebrate with family and friends to enjoy some traditional rosca de reyes. Did you find the baby in your slice? If so, you will want to read on to find out what comes next!

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

• 🎶 A Big Annoucement for Riviera Maya music lovers

• 📝 Results of the Puerto Aventuras community poll

• 👀 Tips for avoiding rental scams

•  📣 A new DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA campaign for January 2025

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RIVIERA MAYA ROUNDUP

WITH FISHINGBOOKER

🗿 An ancient Maya tunnel system has been unearthed deep in the forests of Quintana Roo, offering new insights into the engineering and rituals of this fascinating civilization and further revealing the Maya’s complex relationship with water and the underworld.

🍴 CANIRAC Riviera Maya to launch “The Gastronomic Route”, a new initiative celebrating the region’s vibrant culinary scene. Highlighting local chefs, traditional dishes, and innovative flavors, this app promotes Playa del Carmen as a must-visit destination for food lovers.

🐂 The 2025 “Corrida Blanca”, scheduled for January 25 at the Plaza de Toros in Merida, features a stellar lineup of matadors however, the tournament continues to stir controversy, as animal rights advocates voice opposition to these events.

🌊 Playa del Carmen is teaming up with Thrasos3D to launch an innovative coral regeneration project. Using cutting-edge 3D printing technology and sargassum, this partnership aims to restore damaged reefs and support marine biodiversity along the Riviera Maya’s stunning coastline.

🚭 Quintana Roo has begun enforcing Mexico’s national vape ban, cracking down on the sale and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The move aligns with federal efforts to address health concerns but has sparked debates among businesses and users about personal choice and public health.

🎣 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.

EXPAT LIVING

WITH BEBBIA

Last week, we conducted a casual poll in the newsletter to guage communiy reaction to the new “Good People, Good Puerto” campaign. These are the results of the poll.

Half of the people who participated in the poll like the campaign just as it is, 25% of respondents think it should be in Spanish and 20% of you would like to see it reworded. A small percentage of voters don’t like the campaign at all.

The results of this poll do not necesarily represent the opinions of Riviera Maya Insider or Puerto Aventuras Living (or me for that matter).

😎 Tips for Booking A Vacation Rental and Avoiding Scammers
Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again…lots of people looking for last minute accommodations at a time when inventory is low. The perfect time for scammers to prey on the desperation of people scrambling for a rental during high season.

We have already received several reports of people arriving only to find that the place that they reserved and PAID for does not exist and the “agent” they booked through is in the wind. What can you do to avoid this? Read our 10 tips for safely booking your vacation rental and avoiding scammers.

UN POCO DE TODO

🫔 Día de Candelária: More than Just Tamales
Yesterday was Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day) in Mexico. If you were invited to a party to celebrate with friends or co-workers you should feel quite honored. If your piece of the Rosca de Reyes was the one with the baby Jesus hidden in it, you are in for a big surprise! It’s your turn to host the party for Día de la Candelária and tamales are on the menu!

Día de Candelária marks the end of the Christmas season in Mexico but there is lot more to it than that. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this important day from its origens to the unique ways it is celebrated in different communities across Mexico. Read the full article here.

🌎 Understanding Cultural Differences Makes All the Difference!
This insightful article by author and longtime expat Brian Overcast reveals a few of the subtle yet impactful cultural differences between Mexico and countries like the U.S., recanting from personal experience how these contrasts can create misunderstandings in daily interactions. From the importance of insistence when offering help to the nuanced art of accepting or declining invitations, the piece highlights how social norms vary dramatically across cultures.

For anyone living outside their home country (in Mexico or elsewhere) or interacting in culturally diverse settings, Brian’s article is a must-read for building stronger connections and avoiding common metida de pata (faux pas). Read the full article.

NOTES ON NAPKINS

🍣 Attention sushi lovers! Get yourself down to Akumal and check out the new place in the Plaza Ukana, just below La Taverna. This ‘yet to be named’ but ‘sure to be hot spot’ sushi restaurant is open Monday - Saturday 3PM - 10PM. See you there!

🐄 Bendita Costilla, fans now have two locations to choose from! The popular Argentinean restaurant in Playa del Carmen has opened up a new location in Puerto Aventuras between The Pub and Del Prado. Let me know if you want the menu.

🦪 Oyster lovers, rejoice! Tentempié in Puerto Morelos has an interactive Happy Hour special just for you. Every Friday from 3PM - 6PM they are offering all the oysters you can OPEN in 5 minutes for 200 pesos. Could be fun…could be dangerous! 🤣 

🐟 Looking for some delicious beachfront dining? Try the new Mantaray on Soliman Bay. Located in the MantaRay Boutique Hotel, the beachfront dining room is open to the public with reservations. Will they give Pandano some competition for foodies on the bay?

👨🏼‍🍳 Viaje de Sabores is preparing to move into their new location in Playa del Carmen and offering a fun promotion! I’m not going to give away too much…Head over to their IG account to find all the details!

🍽️ CANIRAC Riviera Maya has developed a new app created promote the best that the Playa del Carmen culinary scene has to offer. The Ruta Gastronomica app will be revealed this month at the Feria Internacional de Turismo in Madrid. We are very interested to see which restaurants are being featured and discover what the criteria was for inclusion.

Pro Tip: Dinner drama doesn’t have to be a thing.

Order Tovala instead, and enjoy zero stress with every meal. Tovala’s menu changes every week so there’s always something new—and their at-home delivery makes grocery shopping virtually non-existent. Savor freshly-cooked flavors in every meal—with just 1-minute of prep.

Get started now and ditch the dinner drama.

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

Golf Course Villa in Puerto Aventuras Under 500K!!

🏡 It’s no secret that the real estate market in Puerto Aventuras is on fire. Inventory is low and prices are at an all time high. Great news for sellers. Not so great if you are looking to make your home in this desirable marina community. If you think you can’t afford a house in Puerto Aventuras, you will want to take a look at this one. Priced at under 500K this golf course property is waiting for the right buyer to come and realize its full potential.

Is it perfect? No. But it is the best priced single-family home inside the gated community. It’s a blank slate for you to reimagine and turn into a stylish and comfortable home. If you are looking for a turnkey property, this is not the place for you. But for the right person with some imagination this 4-bedroom house has amazing potential. Schedule a showing and go in with an open mind. Marieke can connect you with interior designers and reputable contrators who can give you an idea what it will cost to turn this empty canvas into your masterpiece. Photos and listing details here.

¿QUE PASA RIVIERA MAYA?

🎶 A Big Annoucement for Riviera Maya Music Lovers
Beginning this week, Riviera Maya Insider will be publishing twice weekly. You asked for live music to be included in ¿QUE PASA RIVIERA MAYA? but there was no way to accommodate all the acts and venues. So, in addition to the regular Tuesday newsletter, you will also receive the RMI Live Music Lineup every Thursday.

We will be covering the live music scene from Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal. The Live Music Lineup will be updated weekly. If you are a musician, band member or have a live music venue, we want to hear from you!

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

December 31 - Jan. 11 - Lostnights Music Festival in Tulum (multiple events & locations)

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

January 11 - Day Zero Music Festival in Tulum. Tickets

January 12 - Chicago, The Musical at the new Teatro de la Ciudad in Cancun. Curtain time 7PM.

January 14 - David Guetta - Zamna Festival in Tulum.

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 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 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.

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

📚 Thanks to your all your referals and donations, December’s DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA campaign has collected and purchased over 60 children’s books for Leyendo’s next library installation.

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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