☀️ Is Yucatan Switching Time Zones?

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning! We’ve got big news and big finds this week! From luxury brands shaking up the Riviera Maya real estate scene to a prehistoric surprise pulled from a cenote, there’s plenty to talk about. We’ve also got reef closures in Cozumel, a possible time change in Yucatán, and a seaweed story that might just change how you see those piles on the beach.

Also in the news:

• Recycling Woes in Puerto Aventuras

• Yucatan’s Maya Sanctuary Tourism

• An Exclusive Gasto-Cultural Event at Xcaret

• How You Can Help Keep Kids in School

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 The Photo of the Week was taken on North Beach on Isla Mujeres. When they say the sunsets there are other-wordly—this is what they mean.

📸 If you would like to see your photo featured here, follow and tag @rivieramayainsidermx on Instagram or send it to [email protected].

IN THE NEWS

News from the Riviera Maya and beyond. 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.

Yucatán Considers Time Zone Shift
Yucatán may move its clocks forward an hour to match Quintana Roo, giving travelers more daylight and simpler scheduling with Cancun and the Caribbean coast. Supporters see tourism and business gains but some are still skeptical.

Luxury Brands Redefine Riviera Maya Living
Six high-profile hotel brands are entering the residential real estate market bringing 416 ultra-luxury homes—priced from 15M pesos—along the Cancún–Riviera Maya corridor. Backed by booming tourism and new infrastructure, these projects could push high-end property values even higher.

Megalodon in a Cenote
Twenty-eight meters beneath Puerto Morelos, divers found two fossilized megalodon teeth—the first confirmed in Quintana Roo. Dating back up to 23 million years, one tooth belonged to a juvenile, hinting the region may have been a prehistoric shark nursery. Now on display in Tulum, they reveal the Yucatán’s ancient ocean past.

Cozumel Reefs Take a Breather
Through September, six of Cozumel’s top reef sites are closed for their annual “rest” to help fragile corals recover from tourism stress. Learn which sites are off limits and which areas are still open for divers to enjoy.

Turning Seaweed Into a Sustainable Success Story.
Once a beach-clogging nuisance, sargassum has been officially classified as a fishery resource—unlocking new rules, funding, and industries from biofuels to eco-bricks. The change could mean cleaner Riviera Maya beaches, new jobs, and a booming green economy.

ICYMI

In case you missed it, these were the most popular news stories featured in last week’s newsletter.

INM Scandal: Appointments for Sale in Playa?
Playa del Carmen’s immigration office is under investigation for allegedly allowing third parties to sell appointment slots—some for as much as 3,000 pesos. With reports of fraud and fake QR codes, officials say reforms are coming. Get the story here.

Tulum’s Breaking Point
Once the crown jewel of barefoot luxury, Tulum is facing its worst tourist season in over a decade. With hotel occupancy plummeting and beaches choked by sargassum—and red tape—locals are sounding the alarm. Can cultural festivals save the town, or is it too late to revive its fading magic? Read the full story.

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RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

Take a look at our featured Listing of the Week submitted by a member of our curated network of trusted Riviera Maya real estate brokers and agents.

Move in Ready Villa with Private Pool & Solar

If you're looking for a move-in ready home with personality, privacy, and proven ROI this charming 4-bedroom, 3-bath villa in Puerto Aventuras deserves your attention. Set on a generous 480 m² lot, this two-level home blends Mexican flair with modern comfort, all within the secure gated resort community.

The ground floor has everything for easy living: a spacious living and dining area, a fully equipped kitchen with pantry, a large laundry room, and a guest bedroom. Additional living space has been created with a furnished lanai opening up to the tropical yard and private pool. Upstairs, you’ll find two bedrooms with a Jack-and-Jill bath, plus the spacious primary suite with walk-in closet and en suite bathroom.

The home is fully equipped with central AC, ceiling fans, hurricane shutters and 28 solar panels. There is off-street parking for two vehicles. It’s being sold fully furnished and has an excellent vacation rental history.

The sellers are asking $750,000 USD. This gorgeous villa belongs to a lovely family who are friends of mine—and avid RMI newsletter readers. I have been inside many times and I can tell you—someone will be very lucky to snap up this move-in-ready home that has been so thoughfully designed and immaculately maintained. Whatsapp 984 151 9763 for more info and to arrange a private showing.

EXPAT LIVING

Sharing local insights, practical tips, and community stories to help you feel at home in Mexico, no matter how long you’ve been here.

Recycling Realities in Puerto Aventuras

If you are an owner of a home or business in Puerto Aventuras, you may—or may not—have noticed a change in the community recycling program. In June, with many property owners gone for the summer holiday, the collection of household recycling was quietly discontinued. With only one Municipal recycling drive per month, residents and businesses have been left wondering how to manage their recyclable waste.

The good news is that Colonos has announced that there will now be two recycling days each month, both conducted at the skatepark. This will be helpful for those of us who live here full-time, have room to store our recycling for 2 weeks and can avail ourselves on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month.

If you are unable to bring your recycling to the collection point, the only other option is to dispose of it with your regular household trash. This applies to all previously recyclable material including cardboard. If you have large boxes, they will need to be broken down small enough to be bagged and put in your garbage bins. Any trash that is not bagged appropriately will not be picked up.

If you live in Puerto Aventuras, we would like to hear from you? What do you think of the new recycling options? Reply to this email and let us know.

Looking For Reliable, Affordable Airport Transportation?

Arrive stress-free with Cancun Airport Transportation, your safe, reliable, and affordable choice for travel across Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and beyond. Enjoy punctual pickups, professional drivers, clean vehicles, and competitive rates with no hidden fees. From private transfers to group rides, book ahead and travel in comfort—your driver will be waiting when you land.

NOTES ON NAPKINS

Fun for foodies of all kinds! Here are some of the delicious gastronomic offerings that caught our eye and tempted our palate this week!

Apapaxoa GastroCultural Festival Xcaret 2025

From August 26–31, Hotel Xcaret Arte will host the Apapaxoa GastroCultural Festival, a six-day culinary celebration blending flavors, art, and culture in the heart of the Riviera Maya. This exclusive annual event gathers more than 30 chefs, sommeliers, and industry leaders from Mexico and around the world for a multisensory journey that goes far beyond the plate.

Guests can expect collaborative dinners, rooftop mixology sessions, intimate talks, and workshops ranging from bioluminescent fishing to cave tastings. The festival opens with a special dinner led by Martha Ortiz alongside Xcaret’s fantastic women chefs and includes a gala honoring Enrique Olvera. Cultural performances, art exhibitions, book signings, and storytelling weave the region’s heritage into every bite.

Ticket options range from the Apapaxo Total (full six-day access) to single-day passes, with flexible choices like the Gran Apapaxo (any three days) or Apapaxo All Day (full-day pass with paired dinner). Pricing for all levels is available on the website. Events are 18+ and held across Hotel Xcaret Arte, Hotel Xcaret México, La Casa de la Playa, and select Xcaret parks.

TRAVEL TALK

Ready to explore? Travel Talk is where we share inspiring destinations, cultural finds, and travel tips to spark your next adventure—near or far.

Yucatán Invites You to the Maya Sanctuary

If you’ve been to Chichén Itzá, you’ve only scratched the surface of Yucatán. The state’s new Santuario Maya tourism campaign is all about drawing visitors deeper into the state’s culture, landscapes, and traditions while encouraging longer stays.

Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena calls it “a vision, a way of feeling and living Yucatán,” with an emphasis on community, cuisine, language, and ancestral heritage. Picture wandering through the rose-hued ruins of Chacmultún, dining in a 200-year-old hacienda, or hearing Maya spoken in the bustling markets of Valladolid. Swim in hidden cenotes, explore Yucatan’s lesser-known pueblos magicos like Espita or Mani, and taste traditional dishes prepared from recipes passed down through generations.

Backed by over 11 billion pesos in private investment, Yucatán is offering everything from boutique hacienda hotels and wellness retreats to luxury yacht charters. Expanded connectivity via the Maya Train and new air routes makes accessing destinations like Mérida, Izamal, Valladolid, and Pisté easier than ever.

With its mix of sustainable tourism, modern amenities, and authentic Maya culture, Yucatán hopes to establish itself as the go-to destination where discerning visitors can, as officials put it, “close a business deal in the morning and relax in a cenote in the afternoon.”

DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA

Looking for a way to help the local Riviera Maya community? Let Riviera Maya Insider connect you with reputable charitable initiatives that are making a meaningful change in the region.

Help Pack the Future with KKIS

We’ve got a mission, and we need your hands! Join KKIS (Keeping Kids in School) for their annual Build a Bag event and help pack school supplies for over 2,000 students in Playa del Carmen. Just one hour of your time can change the course of a student’s school year—setting them up with the tools they need to succeed.

KKIS is a local nonprofit dedicated to reducing dropout rates by providing school supplies, scholarships, and mentorship to students in need. Since 2011, they’ve helped thousands of children stay in school and build brighter futures through education. By volunteering, you’ll be directly supporting their mission and making a real impact in our community. Learn more about KKiS.

📍 Location TBA | Playa del Carmen
📅 Wednesday, August 20 | 7 PM – 8:30 PM

👉️ Sign up here and join KKiS in making a positive impact on children’s lives.

¿QUE PASA?

Your go-to roundup of local events, festivals, and happenings—so you’ll always know what’s going on and where to be in the Riviera Maya.

Art Exhibit "Between Jungles, Mangroves, Corals, and Paintbrushes"
August 1 - 30 | Puerto Morelos Cultural Center and Museum | Tues - Sun 10 AM - 6 PM.

ATP Challenger Tour Europcar Cancún Country Open
August 12 - 17 | Cancun Country Club |

Reggae on the Rooftop
Thursday, August 14 | Presented by Run Away Realty at La Sirena Rooftop in Puerto Morelos | 6:30 - 11:30 PM

Aura Music Festival
August 14 - 17 | Parque de Museo de la Cultura Maya in Tulum | Various vendors, activities and concerts | Free Admission

Tulum Lobster Festival 2025
Friday, August 15 | Explanada of the Tulum Municipal Plaza | For more info: 984 116 8511.

Punta Allen Lobster Festival 2025
August 16 & 17 | Various events taking place in Punta Allen | For more info: 984 116 8511.

Xul Ha Summer Fest 2025
August 15 - 17 | Various sporting competitions and artistic events in the village of Xul Ha south of Bacalar.

Trendy Market Artisans Fair
Saturday, August 16 | Puerto Aventuras | 6PM - 10PM | Free Admission | Vendors welcome | Whatsapp 984 188 3492 for more info.

7th China Paper Balloon Festival
August 23 & 24 | Tahmek, Yucatan | Activities begin at 6 PM

2025 Apapaxoa Gastocultural Festival
August 26 - 31 | Hotel Xcaret Arte in Playa del Carmen.

Oasis Tour Live ‘25
September 12 & 13 | GNP Stadium in Mexico City.

2nd Annual Xcaret Folk Art Fair
September 25 - 28 | Xcaret Park | Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Jazz Festival 2025
October 3 - 5 | Teatro de la Ciudad, Xaman Ha in Playa del Carmen

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.

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