⚖️ Mexico Honors Benito Juárez and Welcomes Spring 🌺

☘️ It’s Tuesday March 18 and I hope you all enjoyed a lovely long weekend and a little Irish cheer on St. Patricks Day. Nothing can beat the parties that Tony and Cherie used to throw in Playa at the now-long-gone Luna Blue Hotel but I did see a few places advertising corned beef and cabbage dinners and green beer. Sláinte!

🇲🇽 In case you were wondering why all the kids were out of school yesterday (and I’m not talking about the teachers’ strike) this year, St. Patty’s Day happens to fall on the same day that Mexico celebrates the life and legacy of Benito Juárez. I’ve included a bit of information about Mexico’s 26th president in the UN POCO DE TODO section below!

❤️ And before we carry on, I’d like to send heartfelt thanks to INSIDERS Nell Graham and Maureen Meno for contributing to the Seaside Rotary Club’s Tiny Hearts, Big Needs fundraising campaign! Your generosity means everything!

— Michele

*This newsletter may be clipped for length in your email. 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

📸 Our stunning Photo of the Week was taken in Akumal by Craig Fulker and you can find more of his great shots here @craigfulker. 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’s what caught my eye in the news this week.

🔓 A significant cyberattack has compromised the personal information of Cancun tourists, exposing data such as names, contact details, and travel itineraries. The breach raises concerns about cybersecurity measures in popular tourist destinations and the potential risks travelers face regarding identity theft and fraud.

🏞️ Already, more than 1,000 foreign residents in Tulum have secured residency letters for free access to the newly regulated Parque Jaguar, as authorities enforce new entry rules for the protected area. Find out what this means for visitors and locals as well as the current fees for access.

🌮 Playa del Carmen is gearing up for its inaugural Taco Festival! Scheduled for March 30-31, from 5pm to 10pm at Plaza 28 de Julio, this event promises a taco lover's paradise. Attendees can indulge in a variety of tacos, enjoy live music, and experience local culture.

🌿 Bacalar residents are pushing back against a proposal to declare the area a Protected Natural Area, fearing it could limit land use and impact local businesses. While conservationists support the move, locals worry about their livelihoods. Read more about the debate here.

🎣 Organizers have announced the 54th edition of the International Billfish Tournament will take place in Cozumel, May 16-18, 2025. This prestigious event attracts anglers worldwide to compete in catch-and-release sport fishing, promoting marine conservation and boosting local tourism.

🐬 Mexico's Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) is set to inspect all 17 dolphinariums in Quintana Roo following recent incidents, including the suspension of aquatic shows at the Barceló Maya Grand Resort due to permit issues and dolphin injuries.

🌊 Over 450 km of coastline, from Punta Nizuc to Xcalak, are now covered in sargassum, affecting beaches and resort areas along the Riviera and Costa Maya and including Cozumel and Isla Mujeres. The influx is already impacting tourism, with cleanup efforts struggling to keep up.

UN POCO DE TODO

🇲🇽 Benito Juárez: A Leader Who Reformed a Nation

Each year, on the third Monday in March, Mexico celebrates the legacy of Benito Juárez, the country’s first Indigenous president and a champion of democracy. Born in 1806 in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca, Juárez overcame poverty and discrimination to lead Mexico through its most transformative period, implementing crucial reforms that reshaped the nation.

His “La Reforma” movement established a secular government, limited the power of the Catholic Church, and introduced land reforms, laying the foundation for modern Mexico. His leadership during the Reform War and the French Intervention proved his unwavering commitment to sovereignty and justice.

Juárez’s famous words, “El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz” (“Respect for the rights of others is peace”), remain a guiding principle in Mexican politics. Curious about how Mexico celebrates its 26th president and why Juárez’s influence endures? Read more here.

🌞 The Magic of the Spring Equinox at Chichén Itzá

Every year, as the sun crosses the celestial equator, something extraordinary happens at Chichén Itzá. The great pyramid of Kukulcán, also known as El Castillo, transforms into a living calendar, showcasing the Maya’s astronomical genius. In the late afternoon light, shadows form along the pyramid’s staircase, creating the illusion of a massive serpent slithering down to the base—an homage to Kukulcán, the feathered serpent god.

This spectacle isn’t limited to a single day. While the official equinox falls on March 20, the serpent’s descent can be seen for several days, typically from March 19 to 21, as the sun’s angle shifts. Thousands gather to witness the phenomenon, soaking in the energy of this ancient wonder. In the days leading up to the equinox, Chichén Itzá hosts Maya ceremonies, music, and cultural performances, making it an immersive experience beyond just the solar alignment.

The Maya were master astronomers, and El Castillo is their calendar in stone. Its 365 steps mirror the days of the solar year, and its design ensures that the equinox spectacle happens with striking accuracy. The serpent’s descent symbolizes renewal, fertility, and the balance of light and dark—an awe-inspiring reminder of the deep connection between ancient cultures and the rhythms of the Earth.

Even if you have explored Chichén Itzá before, on a tour or on your own, the equinox takes it to a whole other level. If you're in the Yucatán or the Riviera Maya, it’s a “bucket list” experience that is easy to accomplish and one of Mexico’s most mesmerizing cultural events. If you are super nerdy (like me) and fascinated by Maya culture and history (also like me), check out this in-depth article I found about Chichén Itzá—it’s worth a read.

📚️ Celebrating World Poetry Day

Because March 21st is World Poetry Day and March is Women’s History Month, I am recognizing both through the work of Mexican poet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651–1695). Born Juana Inés de Asbaje y Ramírez in San Miguel Nepantla, near Mexico City, she learned to read and write Latin by age three, mastered basic accounting by age five, and composed her first poem at age eight.

Limited by societal norms, she was a self-taught scholar, philosopher, composer, and accomplished poet of the Baroque school. Well ahead of her time, Sor Juana is one of the most renowned poets in Mexico and has been called the first feminist of the New World.

Her poem “Hombres necios que acusáis” (You Foolish Men), written in Mexico in the 17th century, is one of the earliest feminist critiques of male hypocrisy, sharply skewering the double standards placed on women. Despite the patriarchal society and eventual backlash from the Church, Sor Juana used her writing to advocate for women's education and intellectual rights.

Hombres necios que acusáis (You Foolish Men)

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651–1695)

¿QUE PASA?

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

March 17 - 23 | International Theatre Festival of Playa del Carmen in various locations including the Centro Cultural and the Teatro de la Ciudad. Info via IMCAS.

March 20 - 23 | ‘Yucatan Challenge’ Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 2025 at the Port of Progreso Yucatan. Info.

March 20 - 23 | 11th Annual Ekinoxio Festival of Performing Arts in various locations in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Admission is by donation. Info.

March 21 | Puerto Fest at the Puerto Aventuras Golf Club practice range from 5:30PM - 11:30PM. Info & Tickets.

March 22 | Jesse & Joy “El Despecho” Tour at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun. Showtime 8PM. Tickets.

March 22 & 23 | Festival of Beer & Wine hosted by The Lions Club in Merida YUC. 10AM - 8PM. Free admission.

March 22 & 23 | 10th Annual Feria de Coco at the Parque de los Caimanes in the city of Chetumal.

March 26 - 30 | ‘Elite 16’ Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 2025 at Playa Fundadores in Playa del Carmen. Info.

March 28 - April 5 | Rally Maya Mexico 2025 - various locations across the Yucatan peninsula including Tulum Country Club. Info.

March 28 | The Russian State Ballet Mari El will present Swan Lake at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Curtain time 8PM. Tickets.

March 29 | Festival Parrillero del Caribe Mexicano at the Cenote La Cueva del Jaguar on the Ruta de Cenotes in Puerto Morelos. 2PM - 7PM. Info & Tickets.

March 29 | The Russian State Ballet Mari El presents Romeo & Juliet at the Teatro de Cancun. Performances at 6PM and 9PM. Tickets.

March 30 & 31 | Playa del Carmen Taco Festival in the Parque 28 de Julio from 5PM - 10PM. Free admission.

April 2 - 6 | 2nd Annual Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival - various locations and times. Info.

April 3 - 6 | International Book and Literacy Fair at the Parque 28 de Julio in Playa del Carmen. Info.

April 4 | The Ballet of Kiev presents Swan Lake at the Teatro de Cancun. Performance at 8PM. Tickets.

April 4 - 6 | 12th Annual Tequila & Mezcal Expo in the Parque los Fundadores in Playa del Carmen from 3PM - 11PM. Free Admission.

April 10 | Saladdin - A hilarious parody (in Spanish) of the show Aladdin at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Shows at 7PM and 9:30PM. Tickets.

April 12 | Coco Animal Welfare’s 16th Anniverary Party at Perla 28 in Playa del Carmen. 7PM - 12AM. Info

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

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].

🎣 Are you looking for something fun to do while you are here on the Riviera Maya? FishingBooker will connect you with the best boats and the most experienced licensed Captain in the region. Click through to see their entire inventory of locally owned and operated Fishing Charters.

*Riviera Maya Insider is an affiliate of FishingBooker.

NOTES ON NAPKINS

🍝 A Sicilian Pop-Up Feast You Can’t Miss!

Foodie friends, mark your calendars! If you love authentic Italian flavors, you won’t want to miss this Sicilian pop-up dinner in Puerto Morelos. The first night sold out so fast that Chef Umberto has added a second date to his calendar! The theme? MAFIA FOOD!

📅 Wednesday, March 19
📍 KI Restaurant, Ojo de Agua Beach Club
⏰ 6 PM (Doors Open) | 7 PM (Dinner Served)
💰 $700 pesos

🇮🇹 Get ready for a flavor-packed menu straight from Sicily, featuring crispy arancini, rich eggplant parmigiana, a refreshing panzanella salad, and a standout penne with shrimp and pistachio pesto. The braciole Siciliane (slow-cooked pork rolls) and Messina-style fish fillet promise bold, authentic flavors, all wrapped up with a heavenly ricotta cheesecake.

This is the kind of dinner that lingers in your memory long after the last bite. The first date sold out fast! Don’t miss out—grab your spot before it’s gone! To reserve, send a PM to Chef Umberto Pala via Facebook.

🥬 Fermentation Fun at CASA in Puerto Aventuras!

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own gut-healthy, flavor-packed ferments, now’s your chance! Our friends at CASA Restaurant are hosting a hands-on fermentation workshop where you’ll learn to create traditional sauerkraut, probiotic-rich beet kvass and homemade kefir—so you’ll never have to buy it again!

📅 Thursday, March 27
📍 CASA Restaurant, Puerto Aventuras
⏰ 11AM - 1PM
💰 $600 pesos

Everything you need—organic ingredients, sterilized jars, utensils, and expert step-by-step guidance—will be provided, and you’ll get to take home your own delicious ferments. Plus, you’ll get a chance to taste some ready-made creations to inspire your fermentation journey.

Spots are very limited for this interactive workshop, so don’t wait! Reserve now via WhatsApp at +48 51 894 4493 and get ready to bring health, tradition, and bold flavors into your kitchen! Don’t forget to ask for your QR code if you are coming in from outside the gated community.

DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA

🎨 Bringing Color & Creativity to the Kids in El Cuyo 🧒 👧 

Arts and crafts….you know….colored pencils, crayons, markers, coloring books and construction paper. All the simple things we enjoyed as kids and gave to our kids to speark their creativity or just keep them busy for an hour or so. They were all so cheap and easy to find, it’s almost impossible to think of a place in which they do not exist. But here on the Yucatan peninsula such places DO exist and one of them is the village of El Cuyo.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico about two and a half hours from Playa del Carmen, El Cuyo is a tiny fishing village with under 2000 inhabitants. About 700 are full-time fishermen and over half of the residents work in the fishing and seafood industry. Visitors from the outside word come mainly for the world-class kite surfing or to simply disconnect from the stresses of the modern world.

On El Día del Niño, celebrated in Mexico on April 30th, 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 Children’s Day a little brighter and a lot more colorful Won’t you help?

Donations of all kinds of supplies will be collected at La Vagabunda 38 in Playa del Carmen and at the Colegio in Puerto Aventuras. If neither of those locations work for you, let me know by replying to this email and I’ll arrange to come to you personally. We will be taking donations until April 26th. Please help if you can!

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