🍻 The Beat Goes On: Jazz, Salsa & Oktoberfest in the Riviera Maya

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🍻 Good morning, Insiders!
Low season? You wouldn’t know it from looking at this week’s calendar. Playa del Carmen is wrapping up Jazz Fest with big performances from Jazz masters, Puerto Morelos is debuting its first-ever Caribe Ritmo Fest, and Oktoberfest is bubbling up with not one but two big celebrations. Add in art openings, concerts, and plenty of live music, and suddenly the “quiet season” feels anything but. The only hard part? Deciding where to be first.

TRIVIA TIME

🎤 Trivia Time – Mexican Music Icons

In the Tuesday RMI newsletter, we revealed that a beloved Mexican singer will bring her El Beso Tour 2025 to Playa del Carmen on November 29. Known worldwide for blending indigenous languages, traditional sounds, and modern influences, she’s a true cultural ambassador. But do you know who she is?

You will find the answer at the end of this email! Did you get it right? We will have another brain-teaser for you next Thursday. Share this newsletter with all your Trivia-loving friends!

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WEEKEND WEATHER

The weekend forecast is projected for Playa del Carmen. The Riviera Maya is notorious for its microclimates. If you are in another part of the region, your weather may vary.

🌤️ Weekend Weather Outlook

Friday: 87 🌡️ 74 | ⛅ | 60% | 💨 ENE 7 mph (6 knots)

Saturday: 86 🌡️ 74 | 🌩️ | 60% | 💨 E 7 mph (6 knots)

Sunday: 87 🌡️ 74 | ⛅ | 60% | 💨 E 7 mph (6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature ≈ 85.3 ºF

Summary: Warm, muggy, and stormy — Mother Nature’s weekend special with a side of frizz. Expect afternoon showers that pop up just when you’ve settled into your beach chair.

FIVE FUN THINGS POWERED BY FISHING BOOKER

Here are my picks for Five Fun Things—sometimes more—you might want to check out! As always, links to ticketing information and the locations are included in each description.

🎷 Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest - Final Events

This weekend, the heartbeat of the Playa del Carmen Jazz Festival 2025 will pulse through the Teatro de la Ciudad, where renowned masters and rising stars unite to showcase the depth and diversity of jazz. Over three nights, the stage will host unforgettable performances that blend virtuosity, emotion, and innovation. This is the grand finale weekend and if you are a jazz lover, you won’t want to miss it!

✨ Featured Artists

• Joan Chamorro (Spain) – Founder of the Sant Andreu Jazz Band, Chamorro is celebrated worldwide for shaping a new generation of jazz musicians. His performance will combine swing, sensitivity, and living pedagogy.

• Diego Maroto Quartet (Mexico) – A powerhouse lineup with Pancho Lelo de Larrea (guitar), Luri Molina (bass), Juan Ale Sáenz (drums), and Diego Maroto (sax). Four pillars of Mexican jazz, one extraordinary ensemble.

• Karen Souza (Argentina) – With her iconic voice, Souza reimagines jazz classics in a style that is sultry, elegant, and deeply emotive.

• Zoar Miranda (Mexico) – A bold and intimate exploration of new textures within vocal jazz.

• Obed Orozco Trio (Mexico) – From Veracruz, this piano-led trio blends jazz tradition with harmonic freshness and innovation.

🎟 Individual pre-sale tickets, purchased online are 950 MXN—1250 MXN at the door. If you are a jazz lover and planning to attend all three nights (October 3, 4 & 5), the Full Pass is the way to go for 1950 MXN purchased in advance online.

💃 Caribe Ritmo Fest Heats Up Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is about to turn up the heat with the very first Caribe Ritmo Fest, a three-day celebration of Caribbean music, dance, and culture. From October 3–5, Parque Fundadores (in front of Ventana al Mar) will be filled with workshops, socials, competitions, and live shows designed for dancers of all levels and families alike.

The highlight of the festival is Saturday, October 4. By day, take part in salsa and bachata workshops with top instructors like Yan Lopez, Pamela Pérez, Ale Méndez, and Rodrigo de Cabrera. By night, it all comes together with the salsa and bachata couples competition, a big social dance, and general performances—making this the can’t-miss evening if you only choose one.

On Friday, October 3, the fun kicks off with registration, a social dance class, and shows at La Sirena Rooftop. On Sunday, October 5, the festival winds down with cenote tours, more workshops, and a final chance to dance and connect before closing.

📍 Parque Fundadores | Portside | Puerto Morelos
📅 October 3–5, 2025
📱 For more information ‪+52 998 537 2240‬

📸 El Desierto de la Soledad: A Photographic Journey

On Saturday, October 4, the Art Gallery in Playa del Carmen opens its doors to El Desierto de la Soledad: tiempos en una selva sin tiempo, the latest exhibition by acclaimed photographer Jorge Silva.

Known for his striking ability to capture the interplay between nature and human memory, Silva brings together 64 evocative images that transport viewers into a timeless jungle. Each frame reflects both the resilience and fragility of these living landscapes, reminding us of the urgent need to protect them.

Silva, celebrated for his explorations of Latin American identity and environment, has exhibited widely in Mexico and abroad. His work often blends documentary precision with poetic vision inviting reflection as much as admiration. Step into the lens of Jorge Silva and experience a jungle that breathes, resists, and endures.

📍 Municipal Plaza Art Gallery | 20 Ave. between Calles 8 & 10 | Playa del Carmen
📅 Saturday, October 4 | Inauguration at 6 PM
🎟️ Free Admission

🍻 Viking Smoke Master’s 4th Anniversary Oktoberfest

This Friday, October 4, Viking Smoke Master invites you to raise a stein to celebrate four years in Playa with an Oktoberfest-style bash. Starting at 4 PM, dig into a feast of German sausage, potato salad, pretzel, brisket, and ribs, washed down with local craft brews from Cerveza Xpu-Ha and fresh draft beer on tap.

The night kicks up a notch with live rock with Zona Zero from 6–9 PM, plus giveaways and surprises to keep the party rolling. Whether you come hungry for BBQ, thirsty for beer, or just ready to raise a toast, this is Oktoberfest done Playa-style. Lederhosen optional—but highly encouraged if you want to drink like you’re in Munich!

📍 Viking Smoke Master | Av. Chemuyil & Av. Solidaridad | Playa del Carmen
📅 Friday, October 4 | From 4 PM
🎶 Live Music: Zona Zero, 6 PM – 9 PM

🍺 Oktoberfest at INTI Beach

Prost, Playa del Carmen! Oktoberfest is coming to the beach, and INTI is hosting two unforgettable days of music, beer, and good times. On October 4 & 5, the beachfront spot transforms into a Bavarian-style celebration, complete with live DJs spinning from 2 PM and plenty of cold brews to go around.

Your cover includes a beer tasting experience and tasty German food making it the perfect way to soak up the sun, dance by the sea, and raise a glass with friends. Expect a lively mix of international and local flavors, plenty of pretzels and sausages, and that signature Oktoberfest energy—just with sand between your toes.

📍 INTI Beach | Beachfront between Calles 4 & 6 | Playa del Carmen
📅 October 4 & 5 | 2 PM – 10 PM
🎟️ Cover: 990 MXN (includes beer tasting)
📞 RSVP required: 984 169 8394

🌴 Corpusklan Brings the Caribbean Beat to Cancún

Mark your calendars and get ready for a night of rhythm, energy, and Caribbean flair as Corpusklan takes the stage in Cancún on their Del Caribe Tour. This powerhouse band blends tropical grooves, Latin rhythms, and urban edge into a live show that’s pure fiesta from start to finish.

The concert happens at the Teatro de la Ciudad in the Centro Cultural de las Artes, with the curtain rising at 9 PM on Friday, October 17. Expect big sound, irresistible beats, and a crowd moving as one to the pulse of the Caribbean.

📍 Teatro de la Ciudad | Cancún
📅 Friday, October 17 | 9 PM
🎟️ Tickets are available now at mistickets.com.mx

🎣 Get Your FISH ON With Fishing Booker!

🎣 Are you looking for something fun and active to do while you are here on the Riviera Maya? Whether you are a seasoned fisherman or just starting out, FishingBooker will connect you with the best boats and the most experienced licensed Captains in the region. Spend a morning or afternoon trolling the blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean reeling in Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo, Bonito and other exciting species.

Find the best reef spots and catch delicious Grouper and Red Snapper. Click here to see their entire inventory of locally owned and operated Fishing Charters.

ADOPTABLE DOG OF THE WEEK

Riviera Maya Insider is working together with PAR - Playa Animal Rescue to help amazing dogs find forever homes. Each week, we will feature a pup who is ready for adoption and eager to join your family.

🐾 Meet Portia, our pretty little black-and-white sweetheart who’s ready for her forever home! Portia came to us as a baby and has grown into a happy, affectionate pup who loves nothing more than being around people. She’s playful, curious, and always eager for attention—whether that means joining you for a walk, snuggling up for quiet time, or simply following you around to be part of whatever you’re doing.

Portia is spayed, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all her monthly preventatives, so she’s healthy and ready to go. What she really needs now is a family to call her own—someone who will give her the love, care, and companionship she’s been waiting for. If you’d like to learn more about Portia or meet her in person, send an email to [email protected]. She’s ready to shine in a home of her very own—maybe yours!

💵 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of opportunities to support Portia and other pets awaiting their forever home. PAR also needs sponsors and volunteers to help with dog walking and charm school. Find out how you can help!

RMI LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

We do our best to get the most up to date information from the venues and bands. However, we are fully into low season and bookings may change at the last minute. We will do our best to keep the list up to date. Use the button below to see the updated list for September 25 - October 1 , 2025.

If you are performing in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras or Akumal and would like to see your live music, karaoke or open mic night included in the RMI weekly newsletter, please submit your information for the lineup.

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