👻 Ghost Hunting in Leona Vicario & Riding the Muerto Bus

TOGETHER WITH

🧙‍♀️ Good morning Insiders! Today’s newsletter is going to break from tradition a little bit. Because we are quickly approaching what is one of the most anticipated holiday seasons of the year on the Riviera Maya—Día de los Muertos, Janal Pixan and Halloween—several of this week’s Five Fun Things are events in the future that you should register and prepare for NOW.

🎃 As we head into high season, the number of events is going to ramp up considerably. So much so that I cannot possibly include them all in the newsletter. Be sure you are following us on Facebook and Instagram to see even more FUN things to do.

TRIVIA TIME POWERED BY 1440

💀 Trivia Time – Día de los Muertos Edition

As we move into October, the Riviera Maya begins to prepare for Día de los Muertos and its Maya counterpart, Janal Pixan—a deeply rooted tradition still observed across the Yucatán Peninsula. But do you know what Janal Pixan actually means in the Maya language?

You will find the answer at the end of this email! Did you get it right? We will have another brain-teaser for you next Thursday. Share this newsletter with all your Trivia-loving friends!

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WEEKEND WEATHER

The weekend forecast is projected for Playa del Carmen. The Riviera Maya is notorious for its microclimates. If you are in another part of the region, your weather may vary.

🌤️ Weekend Weather Outlook

Friday: 89 🌡️ 73 | ⛅ | ~70% | 💨 E 8 mph (7 knots)

Saturday: 87 🌡️ 72 | 🌤️ | ~60% | 💨 SE 9 mph (8 knots)

Sunday: 88 🌡️ 75 | 🌤️ | ~50% | 💨 SE 7 mph (6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature ≈ 84 °F

Summary: Blazing heat meets surprise showers — perfect Riviera Maya dramatics. Expect stormy curtains to drop right at golden-hour taco time.

FIVE FUN THINGS POWERED BY FISHING BOOKER

Here are my picks for Five Fun Things—sometimes more—you might want to check out! As always, links to ticketing information and the locations are included in each description.

🎨 Arte & Copa at Off the Vine

Enjoy a night where creativity and good wine flow together beautifully. Tonight, Off the Vine invites you to an evening designed to awaken your creativity and your senses. In this month’s Arte & Copa session, you’ll paint your own masterpiece “Sandías a lo Tamayo” inspired by the vibrant, expressive style of Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo.

Guided by Yolanda Galván, this hands-on workshop combines art, wine, and great company in a relaxed and inspiring setting.

Your ticket includes:
🍷 Two glasses of wine
🍽️ One appetizer per guest
🎨 All materials
🖼️ Your own canvas to take home

📍 Off the Vine Playacar | Playa del Carmen
📅 Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 7 PM
💳 800 pesos per person | Spots are limited. Reserve yours at offthevine.mx/detalles-y-registro/arte-copa

🧵 Embroidery Workshops with Ignacia Jullian

Discover the beauty of traditional and modern embroidery techniques in a series of hands-on workshops at Kapalai Interiors, Puerto Aventuras. Led by artist Ignacia Jullian, each class explores a unique style—perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

3D Floral Embroidery
Wednesday, October 22 | 6:00 PM

 Tulle Embroidery
Thursday, October 23 | 10:30 AM

 Bead Embroidery (Chaquiras)
Thursday, October 23 | 6:00 PM

The cost is 1200 MXN for 1 class, 2200 MXN for 2 classes and 3000 MXN for all three. Come learn, create, and bring home your own embroidered masterpiece. This would be a very fun activity for a group of friends to do together.

Spaces are very limited! Reserve your spot today with Carola ‪+52 984 165 8570‬ on whatsapp.

🍺 OktoberFives at The Fives Downtown

Raise your stein at Playa’s most iconic rooftop! The Fives Downtown Hotel brings back its signature Oktoberfest celebration on Monday, October 20 at 6 PM. Enjoy craft beers, delicious food stations, and live beats from the DJ—all with stunning rooftop views in the heart of Playa.

📍 The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences | Playa del Carmen
📅 Monday, October 20, 2025 | 6 PM
💲 1099 MXN per person (10% discount for locals with ID)
☎️ Reservations: 984-242-0293 | Seats are limited—book early and join the party!

💀 Register for the 2025 ‘Muerto Morelos’ Altar Route

20 years ago, in Mexico City, the cultural movement “Una Cuadra, Una Tradición” began as a neighborhood effort to illuminate the streets with altars during Día de Muertos. Inspired by that spirit, Puerto Morelos adopted the idea of the Altar Walk, and for the past seven years, the community has turned it into a living, breathing tradition.

Each altar tells a story — of ancestors, memories, lives lived. The tradition, rooted in both Maya and Mexican cultures, hold that on November 1–2, the boundary between the living and spirit worlds becomes thin, and loved ones return. Altars, or ofrendas, are laid out with pan de muerto, marigolds, candles, food, photos, and personal items—helping guide souls home.

After six years as a walking tour, the Altar Route of Puerto Morelos is stepping up with the Muerto Bus — a small vehicle that will carry visitors to every registered altar, ensuring no corner of our town is left in darkness. The streets will glow with marigolds, candles, and the scent of copal as the bus winds its way through the route. (Yes, you can still walk too if you prefer.)

Are you living in Puerto Morelos? You are invited be part of this beloved event. Register your altar, open your home to the light, and join the Muerto Morelos family in a celebration of memory, culture, and community.

How to participate:
Send a WhatsApp with your family name, altar name, place of origin, and full address to +52 998 414 1275. Every registered altar will appear on the official route map — so visitors, locals, and the Muerto Bus itself will come to you. There will be also prizes, including hotel stays, restaurant gift cards, and surprise treats from local sponsors.

🐾 4th Annual Halloween Yappy Hour Costume Contest 

The Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside is rolling out the red carpet for our furry friends! Bring your pups (and the whole family) to Central Park Plaza in Puerto Aventuras on Sunday, October 26 at 3 PM for an afternoon of fun, costumes, and community, all in support of a great cause.

This year’s Halloween Yappy Hour Dog Parade & Costume Contest has categories for every canine character. Registration is 200 pesos per dog per category, handled on-site by Seaside Rotary volunteers. Enter your pup in as many categories as you like! Local judges will award prizes donated by community businesses.

And don’t miss the highlight—“Top Yapper 2025”. Audience members can vote for their favorite pup (50 pesos per vote, no limit). The winning dog earns the coveted ribbon and bragging rights, while their handler takes home the Grand Prize.

All proceeds go to support End Polio Now. For details and updates, follow Rotary Playa del Carmen Seaside on Facebook.

🎃 Puerto Aventuras Halloween Golf Cart Parade

Get ready for one of Puerto Aventuras’ most beloved community traditions! The Halloween Golf Cart Parade returns this year — bigger, brighter, and spookier than ever! What began as a small neighborhood event has grown into a full-scale Riviera Maya celebration, drawing families from Paamul, Akumal, Playa del Carmen, and even Tulum. With nearly 300 decorated carts expected to roll out this year, it’s officially become a must-see Halloween event on the coast.

Families go all out for this event with themed golf carts, matching costumes, and creative displays that transform the streets into a moving Halloween carnival. Whether you’re participating or just watching, it’s a sight to remember!

📍 Starting Point: PA Driving Range (Golf Park)
📆 Date: Friday October 31, 2025
🕞️ 3:30 PM: Arrival & lineup of golf carts
🕟️ 4:30 PM: Parade Begins
🕕️ 6:00 PM: Parade Ends at Colegio Puerto Aventuras 
🎟️ Cost: 200 pesos per child (all funds go directly to the event)

Registration can be made at the Fideicomiso cashier’s office on Punta Celis. Payments are cash only. Upon payment, you’ll receive one wristband per child and your registration will be confirmed. Spots are limited so register early before tickets sell out!

👉️ The route map with stations will be shared soon — so stay tuned and start planning your cart decorations now. Your creativity, costumes, and community spirit make this parade one of the most unforgettable nights of the year!

👻 A Supernatural Adventure for a Good Cause

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 18! Laura Labrie the founder of Maya Harmony is taking a small group of brave souls to Leona Vicario for a one-of-a-kind ghost-hunting adventure with Sue Mazur of Dos Brujas Co.. This special event raises funds for The Harmony Project Fish Farm Restoration in the same community.

Twenty years ago, a hurricane destroyed the fish farm belonging to a local Maya woman, María Eugenia. After years of loss, the Harmony Project has spent the past seven months helping her rebuild. Just last week, 700 baby fish were returned to the ponds. There’s still work to be done, and your participation in this excursion will help make that dream a sustainable reality.

🕯️ The Adventure: The ghost hunt will take place inside an abandoned, half-finished house built over a water-filled cave—a place locals say is haunted by both spirits and ancient Mayan beings. With Sue’s professional ghost-hunting equipment, we’ll explore the site, listen to stories from the townspeople, and maybe even make contact with “the other side.”

🍽️ After the Hunt: The day ends up at María Eugenia’s home, where she’ll prepare a traditional Mayan lunch for the group featuring fish from her own farm—the perfect way to experience the spirit of Yucatán hospitality.

🚌 Details: The cost is 900 MXN and includes transportation from Puerto Morelos, the spooktacular tour and lunch. This is a day trip from Puerto Morelos. Departure is at 10 AM, returning before dark. Seats are limited, so reserve early. To claim your spot, send an email to [email protected].

🎣 Get Your FISH ON With Fishing Booker

🎣 Are you looking for something fun and active to do while you are here on the Riviera Maya? Whether you are a seasoned fisherman or just starting out, FishingBooker will connect you with the best boats and the most experienced licensed Captains in the region. Spend a morning or afternoon trolling the blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean reeling in Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo, Bonito and other exciting species.

Find the best reef spots and catch delicious Grouper and Red Snapper. Click here to see their entire inventory of locally owned and operated Fishing Charters.

ADOPTABLE DOG OF THE WEEK

Riviera Maya Insider is working together with PAR - Playa Animal Rescue to help amazing dogs find forever homes. Each week, we will feature a pup who is ready for adoption and eager to join your family.

🐾 Don’t let his compact size fool you—Pax is packed with personality and endless love to give. This cheerful, affectionate boy connects deeply with people and wins hearts wherever he goes. He’s the kind of dog who’s just as happy curled up by your side as he is playing with his canine buddies—because yes, Pax gets along wonderfully with other dogs, too.

Pax has all his bases covered: he’s neutered, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on his monthly preventatives, so he’s healthy, happy, and ready to meet his forever family. With his friendly energy and loving nature, Pax would be the perfect fit for anyone looking for a loyal companion who’ll make every day brighter. If you’d like to meet Pax or learn more about him, send an email to [email protected]. He’s ready to find his person—maybe that’s you.

💵 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of opportunities to support Pax and other pets awaiting their forever home. PAR also needs sponsors and volunteers to help with dog walking and charm school. Find out how you can help!

RMI LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

We do our best to get the most up to date information from the venues and bands. However, we are fully into low season and bookings may change at the last minute. We will do our best to keep the list up to date. Use the button below to see the updated list.

If you are performing in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras or Akumal and would like to see your live music, karaoke or open mic night included in the RMI weekly newsletter, please submit your information for the lineup.

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