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🤩 It’s Tuesday April 15 and this week families from all over Mexico are flocking to the Riviera Maya for the much anticipated semana santa break. And really—who can blame them!

While semana santa here is all about the beach, if you are looking for a more authentic Holy Week experience, you can find elaborate, emotional and sometimes disturbing celebrations in cities across Mexico. Learn more about where to find them!

Chag Pesach Sameach and Happy Easter to all who celebrate !

— 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 stunning sunrise is our Photo of the Week and was captured by Patrick Butler from the balcony of his home in Puerto Aventuras. Thank you for sharing this with us!

📸 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.

🇲🇽 Tourists arriving in Cancún continue to report detentions, extortion, and aggressive treatment by immigration officers. Complaints are rising fast—and the government’s response isn’t easing concerns.

🚄 The Tren Maya has launched its first express service between Cancún and Mérida, offering a faster connection between these major cities. This new route aims to enhance regional mobility and boost tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula.

🌿 The Mexican government has acknowledged environmental damage caused by the Maya Train project and has pledged remediation efforts, including reforestation and the creation of protected areas. Specific timelines and budgets remain unspecified.

🌴 Tulum is bracing for a semana santa boom, with hotel bookings already near capacity and expanded transport and security plans in place. But as crowds grow, so do concerns about sustainability and overdevelopment.

🌌 A cenote in Homún, Yucatán, has been transformed into an immersive art experience through innovative video mapping. This fusion of natural beauty and digital artistry offers visitors a unique journey into Mayan mythology and the region's history.

💧 In Bacalar, scientists, officials, and locals met to address threats to the lagoon’s ecosystem. Presentations highlighted the lagoon’s ancient stromatolites and introduced a new Community Water Laboratory to promote sustainable practices.

🚗 Mexico's new electric vehicle, Olinia, starts at 90,000 pesos ($4,500 USD), aiming to offer affordable urban mobility. Will this EV “for the people” mean competition for established brands like Tesla and Nissan?

🚆 Despite government promotions, Tren Maya holiday tourist packages are attracting fewer than two travelers per day, far below expectations. Critics cite planning flaws and limited connectivity as contributing factors.

A News Source That Brings Everyone to the Table

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EXPAT LIVING

🚑 What Happens If You're in an Accident in Mexico?

Were you one of the Insiders who joined the first free seminar exposing International Health Insurance Nightmares in Mexico? I got a lot of great feedback from readers and it certainly was eye-opening—even for those of us who’ve lived here for years.

Now, it’s time to build on that knowledge. The next free workshop in the series—Managing Accidents in Mexico—covers what actually happens when you're injured here, how the system works, and how to avoid costly missteps.

Even if you have good insurance, an accident can quickly turn into a bureaucratic and financial mess if you don’t know how to navigate Mexico’s protocols. This 60-minute session will cover:

• What to do if you’re in a car accident or injured in public

• When a police report is required—and how to get one properly filed

• Why insurers deny claims after accidents (and how to avoid that)

• Common mistakes that delay care or trigger out-of-pocket payments

As someone who’s spent over 20 years in Mexico, I can tell you this kind of practical, real-world info is hard to come by unless you've already lived through it—and by then, it’s too late.

The workshop happens tomorrow Wednesday, April 16 at 7 PM Central Time. If you live in Mexico or spend time here regularly, this is one you don’t want to miss. Sign up here for free.

TRAVEL TALK

📚 Books to Inspire Your Riviera Maya Travels

Whether you're living here, planning a trip, or just dreaming from a distance, these books offer a deeper look at the people, places, and wild stories that shape the Riviera Maya.

One of my favorites is Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road—written by my friend Tony Head, former owner of Playa del Carmen’s Luna Blue Hotel. It’s a gritty, funny, and touching look at expats chasing new lives on the Caribbean coast.

Wheels Up and Tulum Takedown written by my friend and fellow Maya-holic Jeanine Kitchel deliver fast-paced thrillers grounded in the realities of Mexico’s modern underworld—think cartel drama with a local’s eye.

And The Lost World of Quintana Roo by Michel Peissel is a jaw-dropping real-life account of trekking this coastline in 1958—through jungle, along deserted beaches, and into undiscovered Maya ruins.

These are just a few of the books I’ve hand-picked for this list—some fiction, some memoir, some rooted in ancient Maya myth. 👉 Click here to see the full list and maybe find your next great read. Let me know if I missed one of your favorites!

🚗 NEW - QRoo Tourist Mobility Pass 🚨 

If you’re planning to rent a car during your stay in the Riviera Maya, here’s something new that could make your trip smoother: Quintana Roo’s Tourist Mobility Pass 2025 is now available.

This free digital pass helps protect tourists from being fined for minor infractions like expired license plates or missing vehicle registration papers—issues that often fall outside the renter’s control. Instead of a fine, you’ll receive a warning and time to resolve the problem, without having your driver’s license or documents held.

But it’s not a free pass for everything.

❌ It does not cover serious offenses like speeding, driving under the influence, parking in handicapped zones or causing an accidents with damage.

How to Register:
Before you hit the road, you’ll need to download the Guest Assist app from the App Store. Navigate to Guest Mobility Pass and the fill out a simple form with your personal info and rental car details.

To be clear—the Tourist Mobility Pass is not for residents of Quintana Roo driving their own personal vehicles. This is meant for tourists only who plan to rent a vehicle while vacationing in the state.

Government officials hope this new pass will offer safer, less stressful travel and support the local tourism industry. As someone who’s driven all over this region for decades, I can say—this is a smart move. I just hope it is respected by the local and state law enforcement.

NOTES ON NAPKINS

 🍷 Two Great Events for Wine Lovers 🌟

On Saturday, April 19, the rooftop at The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences will transform into a Hollywood-worthy wine party for the third edition of Wine Route. From 6:00 to 11:00 PM., you’ll sip your way through 32 curated wine labels from celebrated vineyards around the world, while enjoying panoramic views of Playa del Carmen.

The theme this year? Hollywood and the Oscars—and yes, you’re the star. Think upscale vibes, live music, immersive performances, and four chef-designed culinary stations serving up bold flavors to match every pour.

🎟️ Tickets: Adults $1,800 MXN | Kids 4–11: 50% off | Under 3: Free Tickets are available for sale here.

It’s one of Playa’s most elegant nights out—and a perfect excuse to dress up, indulge, and enjoy a magical evening under the stars. Reserve your spot now. For more info: 984-242-0293.

On Friday, April 25, Bahia Principe Resort’s Hacienda Doña Isabel will be hosting Savour Wine Fest 2025. This is the place to be if you love wine, incredible food, and vibrant culture. This event brings together renowned international chefs, premium wines, and live entertainment for an evening that’s truly made for the senses.

Expect everything from traditional Argentine asado and Peruvian ceviche to Spanish paella and authentic Yucatecan cochinita pibil. You’ll have a chance to discover boutique Mexican wines and learn more about their connection to regional cuisine—all while grooving to live jazz, dance performances, and DJ sets under the stars.

The event runs from 6:00 PM to 10:45 PM, and with a capacity of just 700 people, it’s going to feel exclusive and intimate. If you’re looking for a night that celebrates good taste, great company, and the magic of Mexico, this is it. Get your tickets in advance here.

¿QUE PASA?

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

April 12 - 20 | The Barley Circus 50th Anniversary Tour in Playa del Carmen in the Centro Maya parking lot. Shows at 6PM and 8:30PM. Tickets Online or at the Box Office.

April 15 | Seaside Rotary invites you to meet local author Bernard “Chalky” White and hear excerpts from his new memoire “Keep Chewing Granite” now available for sale on Amazon. The reading will be today at La Vagabunda on Calle 38 at 12:30PM during our regular weekly meeting.

April 19 | The 3rd Annual Wine Route - Wines of the New World on the rooftop of The Fives Downtown in Playa del Carmen from 6PM - 11PM. For more information, whatsapp 984-242-0293. Tickets.

April 19 & 20 | Punta Allen Beach Festival. Free Admission. Info.

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 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 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!

Until April 25th, 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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