✨ Happy New Year from Riviera Maya Insider! 🥂

✨ It’s Tuesday December 31 and this is the last Riviera Maya Insider of 2024. Happy New Year to you all! I’m not one to make resolutions but I definitely have some exciting plans on the drawing board for 2025. 😎 

📨 Did you know that most newsletters never make it past the second edition? Well … here we are 11 weeks in and growing steadily thanks to your contributions and referrals! I’m pretty encouraged by all the interest and positive feedback so keep it coming!

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

• 💰️ Property tax discounts announced for homeowners in Solidaridad

• 🦸‍♂️ A neighborhood campaign sparks controvery in Puerto Aventuras

• 🪂 Skydivers make emergency landing on Playa del Carmen beach

• 🍧 Mexican Snacks for Dummies: What to order at Yummi Yum!

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📣 Just a quick reminder that Riviera Maya Insider is FREE for readers. Please support our sponsors, affiliate partners and advertisers so we can keep bringing the best of the Riviera Maya to you!

RIVIERA MAYA ROUNDUP

WITH FISHINGBOOKER

🪂 A novice skydiver making a tandem jump in Playa del Carmen was forced to make an emergency beach landing after a terrifying parachute malfunction. The Jump Master’s quick-thinking and training helped the duo avoid serious injury, leaving onlookers stunned by the close call.

🚆 The Tren Maya, is facing significant financial challenges. Since its launch, operational expenses have far exceeded revenues, with daily ridership averaging only 1,160 passengers—well below expectations. These financial strains raise concerns about the project's sustainability and its impact on the region's development.

💰 It’s predial time and this year residents of Solidaridad can look forward to property tax discounts of up to 50% in 2025. This initiative aims to ease financial burdens and encourage timely payments, benefiting local homeowners and businesses alike. The specific discounts, dates and payment locations are listed.

🤼‍♂️ Lucha Libre has been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Quintana Roo. Find out what this means for this beloved sport and art form in Quintana Roo and across Mexico.

🐝 Yucatan beekeepers are sounding the alarm over the devastating effects of deforestation, agrochemical use, and climate change on the native melipona bee population—a species crucial to the ecological and cultural fabric of the region.

🎣 Looking for something fun to do while your family is town for the holidays? FishingBooker will connect you with the best boats and the most experienced, licensed 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

💪🏼 Sometimes, when you are not happy with the way things are going you need to take measures into your own hands. That’s exactly what happened in the marina community of Puerto Aventuras. Fed up with people not respecting the rules of the village (and polite society in general) an anonymous local resident launched the “Good People, Good Puerto” campaign. Signs have been placed throughout the village (with the blessing of COLONOS) as a gentle reminder to us all that WE are responsible for the community we live in.

As no good deed goes unpunished, already there is controversy about what constitutes a “good” person, who decides and even why the slogan is in English rather than Spanish. What do you think? I would like to hear your opinions on this new initiative.

I’ll publish the results in next week’s newsletter and share them in the Puerto Aventuras Living Facebook Group.

🚰 Are you frustrated with the inconsistent service from your water delivery company? Are you tired of lugging around huge water jugs and cases of bottled water? That’s exactly where we were a few months ago. Then a friend showed me their undersink reverse-osmosis water filtration system. Bebbia by Rotoplas lets you ditch your garrafones for good.

For our household, the system rental cost was less monthly than what we were paying for bottled water. Plus, the installation and maintenance including filter replacement are free. This system really has been a game-changer for us. If you have been curious about installing a water filtration system but worried (like me) about maintenance and filter changes, check out Bebbia. It might be the change that frees you up from bottled water for good!

*Riviera Maya Insider is an affilate of Bebbia. (But we really do love our Bebbia system!)

NOTES ON NAPKINS

🍭 Yummi Yum: My Adventure Into Mexican Snacks
At Yummi Yum in Puerto Aventuras, I took a crash course in some of the Mexican snacks that locals seem to know and love. From elotes coated in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to refreshing raspados topped with spicy chamoy, the menu was a mix of familiar favorites and exciting new flavors.

Yummi Yum is a must-try for anyone looking to explore Mexico’s unique snack culture. Whether you are already an adventurous eater or just starting your Mexican food journey, this guide will help you step out of your comfort zone and embrace the sweet and savory delights of Mexico’s snack culture. Don’t miss this delicious read!

🍣 Attention sushi lovers! Get yourself down to Akumal and check out the new place (name to be announced) in the Plaza Ukana. Early reports from trusted foodie sources are very positive. No socials to link out to just yet but if you want the menu, reply back to this email and I’ll shoot it out to you!

¿QUE PASA RIVIERA MAYA?

Here is a selection of fun and interesting events coming up soon along the Riviera Maya and beyond!

December 31 - Christmas Artisans Market at the Tulum Municipal Plaza, 2PM - 10PM.

December 31 - Black & White NYE Party at The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, 6:30PM - 2AM. Tickets

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 3 & 4 - Por Que No Tulum Festival - Art Walk and Artisan Market at Vesica Tulum, 11AM - 11PM. Tickets

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

January 6 - Stories from the Maya Hinterland - A Photography Exhibition from Michael A. Maurus will open at the Cultural Center and Museum of Puerto Morelos. Time TBA.

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 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 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. 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

This month our featured community organization is LEYENDO.

📚️ Leyendo (which means “reading” in Spanish) The group focuses on establishing libraries in public schools throughout the community, providing students with access to a diverse range of books and educational resources.

Thanks to your all your referals and donations, Riviera Maya Insider has collected and purchased over 60 children’s books for Leyendo’s next library installation. I am looking forward to delivering them to Janet Lowe this week!

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