🚘️ How to Avoid Buying a Stolen Car in Mexico 🤯

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🤩 It’s Tuesday April 22. I hope you all had a joyous Easter and a peaceful Passover surrounded by family and loved ones. I was lucky enough to have both of my kids here which is really all a mom can ask for.

In this week’s newsletter you will find:

• Tips for avoiding buying a stolen car in Mexico

• Is your real estate agent is helping or hurting your sale?

• News about the privitization of Mamitas Beach

• A new budget-friendly real estate listing in Chemuyil

• A gourmet vegan dining experience in the jungle of Tulum

— 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

📸 This sunrise over Fatima Bay is the Photo of the Week and was captured by yours truly on a beach walk in 2023. It’s one of my favorites and it makes me feel calm whenever I see it.

📸 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 are a few stories that caught my eye in the news this week.

🏖️ Playa del Carmen officials have confirmed that Mamitas Beach will remain public, dismissing rumors of privatization and promising continued free access for locals and visitors despite the planned construcion of condos to replace the iconic beach club.

⛔️ The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has expanded the prohibited zone surrounding El Castillo at the Chichén Itzá archaeological site, in an effort to protect one of Mexico’s most iconic cultural treasures.

🐾 Playa del Carmen is preparing to open its first free veterinary clinic under the leadership of Estefanía Mercado, offering essential care for pets in need. The project marks a major milestone for animal welfare.

✝️ In Cancún, the Passion of Christ was reenacted against the stunning backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Every year, this event draws more and more locals and tourists to participate in the Via Crucis on Playa Delfines.

🚢 882 million pesos will be invested in the Cozumel International Cruise Terminal, a major expansion to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships. This move aims to secure the island’s position as a top Caribbean cruise destination.

☀️ Cozumel residents recently gathered at Punta Sur Ecotourism Park to witness a rare solar alignment at the ancient Mayan structure El Caracol, celebrating the rich astronomical knowledge of the Maya. Learn more about this exciting event.

🐆 Mexico's jaguar population is declining due to deforestation, urban expansion, and infrastructure projects like the Tren Maya. Conservationists emphasize the need for biological corridors to protect these apex predators. Read more here.

🎭 ‘Distrito Cancún’ is promoting over 100 cultural events, accessible via QR codes displayed throughout the city. This initiative aims to enhance community engagement by providing easy access to a diverse range of artistic and cultural activities.

☄️ Scientists have discovered a unique marine environment in Yucatán, shaped by the Chicxulub asteroid impact. This rare ecosystem could offer new insights into how life recovers after mass extinction events.

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EXPAT LIVING

🛻 How to Avoid Buying a Stolen Vehicle in Mexico

Are you thinking about buying a used car in Mexico? In my 20 years here on the Riviera Maya, I have bought 6 used vehicles from private owners—some from Mexican nationals, some from expats leaving to go back home.

I have never had an issue but looking back, I think a bit of luck may have been involved. I have heard horror stories from friends who excitedly purchased a used car at a great price—only to find out the hard way 🚨 that the vehicle was stolen.

While scammers seem to get more and more clever every day, I’ve put together a checklist of tips to help you avoid buying a stolen car in Mexico.

• Check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). You’ll find it on the dashboard, driver’s side door, and engine. It should match the number on the tarjeta de circulación (registration card), factura (original invoice), and any other paperwork.

• Consult the government database, REPUVE (repuve.gob.mx), to check if the car is reported as stolen. If it says “Con reporte de robo”, the car has been flagged as stolen.

• Always ask for the factura original — the car’s "birth certificate" in Mexico. Copies or refacturas (resale invoices) can be legit but require more caution.

• Make sure the seller’s name matches the factura or that they have clear paperwork showing the transfer of ownership…..

Want to learn more? 👉 Find our complete list here PLUS a handly checklist you can save and share with anyone you know who is thinking about buying a used car in Mexico!

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

🏡 Are you selling a property in the Riviera Maya? Before you sign a listing agreement, it’s important to know what you should expect from a professional real estate agent and what warning signs to look out for that could cost you time and money—or worse.

The reality is that many individuals offering real estate services in Quintana Roo are not licensed. Working with an unlicensed or inexperienced agent can lead to invalid contracts, poor marketing, and even legal issues.

Based on my 20 years of experience as a developer, marketer and owner of a real estate brokerage, I’ve created a detailed guide to help sellers like you understand what separates a qualified Riviera Maya real estate agent from someone who could put your investment at risk.

Inside you’ll find:

✔️ How to confirm your agent’s licensing and SEDETUS registration
✔️ What a complete marketing strategy should include (and what’s often missing)
✔️ How "pocket listings" quietly hurt your chances of selling
✔️ What real communication and accountability from your agent should look like

If you're serious about selling your property safely and successfully, 👉 Read the full article before you list your property for sale.

NEW LISTING

🌺 Colorful Coastal Living in Chan Chemuyil – Affordable & Adorable! 🌴

🏡 If you’ve been dreaming of an affordable spot near a gorgeous beach, this cute single-story home in Chan Chemuyil might be exactly what you’re looking for. Set in a friendly, colorful community just minutes from the coast, this 2-bedroom, 1-bath home has the easygoing vibe that makes life in the Riviera Maya so special—without the hefty price tag.

The home has a bright, open living and dining area, a cozy kitchen, and private outdoor spaces in both the front and back, perfect for morning coffee or casual hangouts. Plus, the walled-in back garden gives you privacy for relaxing or entertaining, and there’s even a dedicated parking spot.

It’s ideal for a couple, a small family, or anyone craving that laid-back Caribbean lifestyle in a welcoming expat community. Want more room? This home can easily be expanded upward to create more living space, additional bedrooms or even an income generating apartment.

👉️ Click here to see the full listing and set up a showing with Marieke—properties in this area at this price don’t stay available for long!

NOTES ON NAPKINS

🌿 Are you a vegan or following a healthy plant-based diet? When was the last time you had a truly special dinner that aligned with your diet? On Saturday May 3rd, come to Zenote in Tulum for an unforgettable night: a Gourmet Vegan Dinner set in a hidden cenote, surrounded by the jungle, crystal-clear waters, and the sacred energy of nature.

Whether you follow a plant-based lifestyle or simply love exceptional cuisine and new experiences, this evening is for you. Enjoy a menu of traditional Mexican dishes, reimagined with creativity and crafted entirely free of animal products, without compromising on flavor, richness, or identity.

You'll also get to taste the latest innovations in plant-based proteins—flavors and textures that are redefining the future of food. A dinner to awaken your senses, nourish your body, and reconnect with the earth. Tulum is calling—and this time, with a feast aligned with your values. Seats are very limited. For more information about the mneu and reservations WhatsApp +52 984 216 0788.

¿QUE PASA?

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

April 19 - 27 | Earth Festival in Playa del Carmen at the Jaguar Negro Art Center and various locations.

April 24, 25 & 27 | Pink Floyd at Pompeii in Cinepolis Plaza las Americas in Playa del Carmen. Showings at 7:30 PM. Tickets.

🎸 Pink Floyd at Pompeii Hits Theaters This Weekend

The legendary 1972 concert film Pink Floyd at Pompeii is back on the big screen! Restored from original negatives and featuring a newly mixed soundtrack, this iconic performance—filmed in a deserted Roman amphitheater in 1971—captures the band just before The Dark Side of the Moon launched them into superstardom.

Catch it at Cinepolis Plaza Las Americas in Playa del Carmen, with showtimes at 7:30 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Grab your tickets online before they sell out!

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 26 & 27 | Playa Fest 2025 on Playa Centro of Isla Mujeres from 12 PM until 6 PM. Free admission.

April 27 | 2025 Banorte Cancun Half-Marathon 5K, 10K & 21K races starting at the Cancun City Hall Esplanade at 6:30 AM. Info and Registration.

April 28 - May 3 | The 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 1 & 2 | Feria Akumal 2025 in the Akumal pueblo. Free Admission for all events. Info.

May 4 | King Simba at the Toltecayotl Cultural Center in Cancun. Curtain time: 12 PM. Tickets are 350 MXN and available at the Box Office.

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

May 16 & 17 | Travesia Sagrada Maya making the crossing from Xcaret to Chankanaab Park, Cozumel on May 16 and returning to Xcaret on May 17.

May 17 | Mexican Caribbean Music Fest featuring Sting in at Zamna in Tulum. Admission is FREE but passes must be reserved in advance. Tickets.

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 (pictured above) so what we are looking for now is popsicles sticks or wooden dowels and and yarn—lots of yarn in all different colors!

Thursday of this week, 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. Please help if you can!

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