🌞 Is the Riviera Maya Right for Your Retirement? 🌴

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🥵 It’s Tuesday April 29. The semana santa crowds have disappeared and it’s starting to really heat up on the Riviera Maya. I’m looking forward to putting our new shiny new solar panels and minisplits to the test during what is sure to be another long hot summer!

In this week’s newsletter you will find:

• 10 Essential questions to answer before retiring in Mexico

• Handling International Insurance Claims in Mexico

• Expat woman found murdered in Yucatan

• Beach access tensions rise in Puerto Aventuras

• Price REDUCED on a gorgeous villa in Akumal

• Seaside Rotary Celebrates El Día del Niño in El Cuyo

— Michele Kinnon

*This newsletter may be (will 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 colorful sunset over the marina in Puerto Aventuras is our Photo of the Week and was captured by Ruby Mouradian who you can find on Instagram @rubym.now.

📸 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.

🌮 Telenovela star-turned-entrepreneur Roberto Palazuelos brings luxury to tacos with his new Tulum hotspot, Tacos Papi. With live mariachi, lush jungle vibes, and the “Diamante Negro” taco, this isn’t your average taquería. Curious? Here’s what to expect from Palazuelos’ latest high-profile venture.

🏖️ Tensions are escalating in Puerto Aventuras as locals and visitors report being denied unrestricted beach access by the Puerto Aventuras Hotel & Beach Club, allegedly violating Mexican law that guarantees public beach entry.

🦇 Headed to a cenote or cave this season? A Yucatán doctor is raising alarms about a spike in histoplasmosis—a dangerous fungal infection linked to bat and bird droppings. Before you dive in, find out how to protect yourself while still enjoying these incredible natural wonders.

🕊️ A gruesome murder rocks the village of Chicxulub Puerto: U.S. veteran Linda Louise Johnston was found dead after missing for several days. Her son is the prime suspect. Authorities continue to investigate as her community demands justice.

🏺 Hidden deep in a cave near Playa del Carmen, archaeologists have uncovered a Maya pot dating back 800 years—possibly part of a sacred ritual. Found in the Jaguar Paw cave system, this discovery reveals new clues about ancient life beneath the surface.

🌊 A viral video of an eagle ray incident in Puerto Aventuras sparked outrage in the news and on social media—until authorities clarified what really happened. Still, the uproar reignited concerns over marine protection laws statewide.

🐊 Scientists just discovered two new species of crocodiles off the coast of Mexico—and they’re already at risk. Found in Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro, these hidden reptiles are shaking up what we thought we knew about the American crocodile.

ICYMI

In case you missed it, these are the most popular news stories from last 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.

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EXPAT LIVING

🗳️ What’s Holding You Back from Retiring to Mexico?

If you’ve been dreaming about a life of sunshine, tacos, and relaxed living, what’s stopping you from making the leap? I’d like to know…

Retiring in the Riviera Maya can seem like a dream come true in paradise—and for many it is! But this paradise also comes with paperwork, cultural shifts, and more than a few surprises. Before you sell the farm and start shopping for a penthouse in Playa, it’s worth hitting pause and asking the right questions.

Are you okay being far from the grandkids (or your favorite grocery store)? Can you roll with sudden power outages, slow-moving bureaucracy and a different sense of “urgency”? What about the little things—like not finding your favorite peanut butter or trying to tame your suddenly unmanageable hair?

If you’ve ever caught yourself scrolling through beachfront real estate listings and wondering if this could actually work—stop and think. Is this really for ME?

Before you book that one-way flight to Cancun, ask yourself these 10 essential questions —the real ones that can help you figure out if life here is your next great adventure… or not quite for you.

If you have already made the leap and are living the Margaritaville lifestyle—happily retired in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos or Akumal—you already know what challenges await—and we will want to know about your Mexico retirement and relocation experience in a future poll.

📝 Ready to Master Your Insurance Claims in Mexico?

If you joined the first two free seminars from my friends at Expat Health Pulse, you already know how valuable these sessions are—real, practical advice you can actually use. And if you're just hearing about this series now, trust me: you’re going to want to jump in.

The next workshop, Handle International Health Insurance Claims with Confidence, is happening Tuesday, April 29 at 6 PM Central Time (CT), and it's designed to help you finally take the stress and mystery out of filing insurance claims in Mexico. (Replay included if you can’t attend live!)

After 20+ years living here, I can tell you—you are 100% responsible for managing your claims. Your insurance company won't do it for you. Your doctor won't gather your paperwork. If you are missing one small document, it could cost you thousands.

This 60-minute session will walk you through exactly what documents you need (in English and Spanish), how to organize and submit them correctly, and even how to track your deductible like a pro. Plus, you’ll get a printable Claims Checklist to have handy when the time comes.

The cost of this seminar is $19.97 USD — a small price for peace of mind when your health and finances are on the line.

👉 Sign up here and reserve your spot today!

If you can’t attend the workshop live, a reply will be provided to everyone who registers. Even if you've been lucky so far, it's better to be prepared before you need it. Hope to see you there!

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

☀️ Luxury Villa with Private Pool in Puerto Aventuras 🌴

If you've been holding out for the perfect luxury home in Puerto Aventuras, you need to see this gorgeous 4-bedroom, 3-bath villa. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back with friends by your private pool, grill up dinner under the stars, and have room for everyone to stay the night in total comfort.

Inside, you'll find a bright, airy layout with soaring cathedral ceilings, an open-concept kitchen and living space, and a screened-in patio that feels like an extension of the home. The primary suite is a total retreat with its own balcony, a walk-in closet, and a spa-like bath. Plus, the whole property is fully walled-in for extra privacy and peace of mind. Solar panels, a lush garden, and an office nook are just a few of the smart extras that make this villa stand out.

Click here to check out the full listing and book a private tour—you’re going to love it!

🔥 Price Drop! Beachside Beauty in Akumal Now $450K 🌴

If you’ve been eyeing this gorgeous house on Jade Bay in Akumal — good news: the price has been REDUCED to $450,000 USD! 🎉 The price change is so fresh, the listing hasn’t even been updated yet!

This is a rare chance to scoop up a fully furnished 3-bedroom, 3-bath home just steps from the beach in the exclusive Tao Ocean community. The house has everything you’d want for easy Caribbean living: soaring ceilings, a bright open kitchen, a lush private patio, a rooftop terrace with ocean breezes, and even solar panels to keep things eco-friendly.

You’ll also have easy access to Jungle Fish Beach Club, with comfortable loungers, a beachfront pool, and discounts at the restaurant and bar. Plus you are just a short stroll from Akumal’s dive shops, cafes, and live music spots.

Whether you’re looking for a dreamy full-time retirement home or a vacation rental with killer ROI, this one checks all the boxes—and at this new price—snap it up while you can!

Click here to see the full listing and book a private showing with Marieke!

¿QUE PASA?

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

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 9-11 | Cancun Open Beach Tennis tournament at Playa Langosta in Cancun. Matches start at 8AM. Registration.

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 16 - 18 | 54th annual Rodeo de Lanchas Mexicanas Fishing Tournament on Cozumel. Info. To register 987 112 4335 / 999 360 7724.

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 | Instituto Tepeyac presents “Carmen, Porque Todos Somos” at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Show time 6PM. Tickets 200 MXN at the door.

May 22 - 25 | Riviera Maya Open LPGA Tournament at Mayakoba. Info and Tickets.

May 23 & 24 | “This is Me” presented by Colegio Puerto Aventuras at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Showtime 7PM. Tickets 300 MXN at the door.

May 23 - 25 | 20th Annual Isla Mujeres International Fishing Tournament. Info

May 30 & 31 | La Fabrica de Chocolate presented by Comunidad Educativa El Papalote at the Teatro de La Ciudad in PDC. Showtime 6PM. Tickets at the door.

May 30 - June 1 | Roll Over Cancun Roller Dancing event at the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancún. Info & Tickets.

June 13 & 14 | ”The Divine Comedy, the Musical” presented at the Teatro de la Ciudad as part of the VII Italian Cultural Festival in Playa del Carmen. Showtime 7PM. Tickets.

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

This past weekend, a group of Seaside Rotarians—yours truly included—made a trip to El Cuyo to make a Kicks4Kids sneaker delivery and to bring a load of toys, arts and crafts and dental care supplies to the children of the village.

Seaside Rotary is so pleased to be able to work with community leaders, like Goyo and Pilar, to make Día del Niño and every day a little brighter and a lot more colorful for children who might otherwise go without.

We just returned from our distribution last night—exhausted and covered in sand—so stay tuned for a full report from our excursion!

Thank you to all the INSIDERS who donated materials or funds or helped us to get supplies from the U.S. down to Mexico. Without your help, we would never be able to accomplish what we do to help the children and families in the region.

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