🎷 The Playa del Carmen Jazz Festival Begins This Week!

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🌞 Good morning Insiders!

Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest 2025 is here. From now through October 5, our friends at Explayarte are turning the city into a jazz hub with headline concerts, intimate “silent” sets, and hands-on workshops. The warm-up week starts now, with pop-up performances and social dance nights scattered at cool and unusual venues across town. Expect big talent, a packed calendar, and plenty of reasons to get out and about. Full schedule and tickets: playadelcarmenjazzfest.org.

Negroni Week is already in full swing in Playa del Carmen, and bars across the city are rolling out special menus, riffs, flights, and a few guest-bartender pop-ups. Expect specials at your favorite cocktail dens, lounges, and wine bars, with events staggered through the week. We’ll share standout events on the Riviera Maya Insider socials as they drop. Hint: Our friends at La Perla Pixan are taking this celebration to a whole new level!

TRIVIA TIME

🍹 Trivia Time – Negroni Edition

The Negroni is one of the world’s most iconic cocktails, but do you know how it got its name? The Negroni cocktail was first created in Florence, Italy in 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni asked a bartender to strengthen his Americano cocktail by adding gin.

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

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: 90 🌡️ 80 | ⛅ | ~1% | 💨 E 7 mph (6 knots)

Saturday: 90 🌡️ 80 | ☁️ | ~0% | 💨 E 8 mph (7 knots)

Sunday: 90 🌡️ 79 | 🌤️ | ~0% | 💨 SE 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = ~85.5ºF

Summary: Hot and humid across the Riviera Maya this weekend with light easterly breezes and only minimal chances of rain.

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FIVE FUN THINGS

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

🎶 Jagtronica: From Austin to Playa del Carmen

Playense, get ready! Something fresh and unpredictable is about to land. Straight out of Austin, Texas, Jagtronica is hitting town for three nights of music that’s never the same twice.

This isn’t your typical band. Every beat, groove, and jam is 100% improvised, created live on the spot. The result? A hypnotic blend of funk, trance, electro, and hip-hop that keeps the dance floor moving and the energy electric. No two shows will ever sound alike—what you hear is unique to that moment, never to be repeated.

Jagtronica will take over three of Playa’s favorite venues, with a wave of music lovers flying in from the States to join the party. Expect packed dance floors, wild rhythms, and a community of people who just can’t stop moving. Three nights. Three venues. Endless grooves. If you’re looking for a weekend that’s more than just another night out, this is it.

Thursday Sept. 25 – Fah Bar
Friday Sept. 26 – Fragata Beach Club
Saturday Sept. 27 – Zenzi Beach Bar

🎤 Playa Comedy – Open Mic Night

Right as hurricane season kicks in, Iguana Comedy brings open mic night back to Playa—and the timing couldn’t be funnier. Expect the unexpected: sharp jokes, weird moments, and the occasional train wreck (because that’s the beauty of an open mic).

This round takes place at Civil Sin Project on Avenida 40 and Calle 32 Nte. Tickets are extremely limited and a sell-out is guaranteed. The best part? If you’re brave enough to grab the mic and deliver five minutes, your ticket is free, and so is a celebratory beer.

📍 Civil Sin Project | Av. 40 & Calle 32 Nte | Playa del Carmen
📅 Thursday, September 25 | 7:30 PM
🎟️ Limited tickets—book now online!

New venue, new comedians, new jokes. Come laugh, cringe, and cheer—it’s all part of the fun.

🎷 Swing Dance Night at The Warehouse PDC

Part of the 2025 Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest presented by Explayarte, this Friday night social brings swing dance and jazz to The Warehouse PDC with New Crazy Company playing live on stage and the dance company Swingcronía setting the floor in motion. Come to dance, celebrate, and connect—whether you’re a seasoned swing dancer or just in it for the throwback energy.

Expect a friendly, high-energy night with classic swing rhythms, partner dancing, and plenty of room to move. Bring your crew, your comfy shoes, and your best spins.

📍 The Warehouse PDC | Av. 20 between Calles 4 & 6 | Playa del Carmen
📆 Thursday, September 26 | 🕗 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission

🐎 9th Annual Copa de Verano Polo Tournament

This Saturday, El Rey Polo Country Club hosts the championship match of the Copa de Verano, a full afternoon of fast chukkers, boho-chic style, and easy Riviera Maya vibes. Gates open from 2 PM with plenty to do between matches: a foodie zone, fashion show, DJ set, kids’ club, artisan bazaar, the traditional divot stomp, and a hat contest that rewards the best “Boho Chic Sombrero.” Come for the fast paced play, stay for the scene at what is historically one of Puerto Morelos’ most photogenic days out.

📍 El Rey Polo Country Club | Ruta de Cenotes | Puerto Morelos
📅 Saturday, Sept 27, 2025 | From 2 PM
🎟️ Tickets: In advance online or Whatsapp 998 660 1930

🔥 Tulum Parrillero Fest

Tulum is firing up the grill for a two-day celebration of flavor and culture at the Tulum Parrillero Fest, set for September 27 & 28 at the Explanada del Palacio Municipal. From 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the air will be filled with the aromas of grilled specialties, local creativity, and plenty of community spirit.

The program brings more than food: enjoy folkloric ballet, Aztec dance performances, and live music, along with comedy from regional talents Ricardo del Río “Taco de Ojo” and Pierre David. Dance the night away with groups like Coco Son and close the evenings with DJs keeping the energy alive.

✨ Admission is free—making it the perfect chance to discover new flavors, support local vendors, and gather with friends and family in the heart of Tulum.

📍 Explanada del Palacio Municipal | Tulum
📅 September 27 & 28, 2025 | 4 PM – 10 PM
🎟️ Free Entry - Food & Drink available for purchase

🎧 Silent Jazz Nights at Casa Sofía

Presented by Explayarte as part of Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest 2025, Casa Sofía Playacar turns into an intimate jazz club for two “Silent Concert” evenings. Wireless headphones put the mix right in your ears, so every note lands clean and close. We guarantee you’ve never been to a jazz night quite like this!

Meen Green takes the stage on Friday, followed by Oasis Jazz Collective on Saturday. Grab dinner, settle in, and let the sets wash over you—no chatter, just music.

📍 Casa Sofía Playacar | Airport Access Road | Playa del Carmen
📅 Friday Sept. 27 – Meen Green | 8 PM
📆 Saturday Sept. 28 – Oasis Jazz Collective | 8 PM
🎟️ Tickets: playadelcarmenjazzfest.org

🎣 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.

DOGS 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 (or in this case two) who is ready for adoption and eager to join your family.

🐾 Curtis and his brother Fraser are 18-month-old sweethearts who split their time between brisk walkies and couch cuddles. Both boys are already neutered, up to date on vaccinations, parasite-free, and on monthly preventatives, so you can focus on the fun stuff—training, play, and settling in. They’re friendly, easy to love, and ready for their first real family. Interested in Curtis, Fraser, or both? Send an email to [email protected] to learn more or schedule a meet-and-greet.

💵 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of opportunities to support these good boys 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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