🌡️ Things are Heating Up on The Riviera Maya. Are You Ready?

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🥵 It’s Tuesday May 13 and things are really heating on the Riviera Maya and all across Central and Southern Mexico! This is the time of year I usually take a break from the heat and travel to more a moderate climate. And so it is this year.

Jim and I are enjoying some cooler temperatures and taking a break from our usual hectic schedules. The newsletter is a bit shorter this week but I’ve still got some good stuff to share with you all!

In this week’s newsletter you will find:

• How to stay safe in an extreme heat wave

• Navigating the potential pitfalls of international health insurance

• Learn all about the Travesia Sagrada Maya

• Sting is playing in Tulum! Do you have your tickets?

— Michele Kinnon

*This newsletter may be (will 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 beautiful sunrise was captured by my friend and Maya advocate, Michael A. Maurus in Puerto Morelos. We are pleased to feature it as our Photo of the Week. You can find Michael on Instagram @capturebymichael and on the Maya Hinterland website.

📸 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.

🚢 Cozumel residents are pushing back against plans for a fourth cruise ship dock, citing environmental risks to the Villablanca Reef and concerns over losing public beach access at La Marina Fonatur. President Sheinbaum addressed the protests, confirming no formal approval has been granted and that a full environmental review is required.

⚕️ Quintana Roo’s medical tourism sector is booming, with patients reportedly saving 40–70% on procedures while enjoying the Mexican Caribbean. Clinics in Cancún and Playa del Carmen report rapid growth, with bundled vacation-treatment packages fueling demand. Read more.

🏠 Quintana Roo has blacklisted 13 unauthorized real estate projects in Cancún for lacking permits and basic services. SEDETUS warns buyers of potential legal risks and offers free legal guidance. Full details and the list of developments here.

🧀 Yucatán faces a “queso de bola crisis” as prices of the beloved Edam cheese have doubled due to U.S. tariffs and supply chain issues. Restaurants and families across the peninsula are scrambling to adapt. Find the full story at Yucatán Magazine.

🏝️ Cozumel will invest 200 million pesos to upgrade tourism infrastructure, including the Malecón and central district streets, and strengthen its Pueblo Mágico status. The plan also aims to regulate short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb abd VRBO for safety and tax compliance.

🌊 The Mexican government has filed a lawsuit against Google for renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” on U.S. maps, following an executive order by President Trump. The controversial move has sparked international backlash.

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ICYMI

In case you missed it, these are the most popular news stories from last week.

🌮 Valladolid, Yucatán, has been named Mexico’s top culinary destination at the 2025 Tianguis Turístico, beating out 78 other towns in the Pueblos Mágicos contest. The award highlights the city’s rich gastronomy and dedication to preserving traditional regional dishes like cochinita pibil and poc chuc among others.

🏖️ In response to public pressure, the Puerto Aventuras Hotel & Beach Club has rolled out a structured membership program with monthly, six-month, and annual options now available. Big questions about beach access and public use still linger. Colonos is stepping in to help, and signs point to progress.

🏛️ After years of planning and a $211M investment, the new U.S. Consulate in Mérida is ready to open its doors. The striking new facility blends cutting-edge design with deep Yucatecan roots—and promises faster visa processing, stronger regional ties, and a major boost to cultural exchange.

EXPAT LIVING

🚑 Expat Health Insurance Survival Workshop – Back by Popular Demand! 💥

I received a lot of great feedback after last month’s “7 International Health Insurance Nightmares” workshop. So, by popular demand, my friends Michelle and Barbara at Expat Health Pulse are offering it again—for FREE—with TWO convenient time slots.

For foreigners living in Mexico or for anyone preparing to make the move, this is essential information. International health insurance coverage can be full of unpleasant surprises such as:

• Why you might not be allowed to leave the hospital (even WITH insurance)

• The ONE paperwork mistake that can void your entire claim

• Why "pre-certification" can still leave you paying thousands out-of-pocket

To help our expat community avoid these pitfalls, Michelle and Barbara will be hosting this FREE 60-minute workshop, tonight Tuesday, May 13, including a live Q&A session to answer participant questions.

All attendees will also receive the Medical Crisis Checklist, a practical guide to have ready before a medical emergency.

👉 Click here to reserve your spot.

🥵 Riviera Maya Heat Alert: Protect Yourself During the Hot Spells

The Dirección General de Protección Civil recently issued an urgent warning: temperatures across central and southern Mexico are soaring between 35°C and 46°C (95°F to 115°F). This intense heat is attributed to a combination of meteorological phenomena, notably the Föhn effect and a dominant anticyclone.​

🔍 What’s Causing This Heat Surge?

• Föhn Effect: This occurs when moist air ascends mountainous regions, cools, and loses moisture. As it descends on the leeward side, the air warms rapidly, leading to sudden temperature spikes. ​

• Anticyclone: A high-pressure system that suppresses cloud formation, resulting in clear skies and prolonged heat. ​

Together, these factors have led to record-breaking temperatures as high as 46°C (114.8°F). This extreme heat poses a risk to all of us but particurily older adults, children, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, pregnant women, and those who work or exercise outdoors.

💧 Take Care of Yourself and Your Home

• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated

• Stay indoors or in the shade between 10 AM and 3 PM

• Avoid using water heaters—cold showers are your friend

• Keep gas cylinders out of direct sunlight

• Don’t overload electrical outlets and only run air conditioning in occupied rooms to avoid overheating circuits

• The heat drives creatures like scorpions and snakes out of hiding in search of cooler spots. Be extra cautious around gardens, patios, farms, and even inside your home.

• Make sure your pets have plenty of water and walk them during the early morning and evening hours. Be careful of hot pavement!

🚗 Car Safety Tips

Extreme heat can turn your car into an oven—and a ticking time bomb if you’re not careful.
Do not leave these items inside your vehicle:

• Gas canisters or aerosols

• Lighters

• Carbonated drinks

• Perfumes or cologne

• Electronic devices or batteries

Other important precautions:

• Keep windows slightly open to allow airflow

• Never overfill your gas tank (fill in the late afternoon instead)

• Avoid driving in the hottest part of the day

• Don’t overinflate your tires, especially before road trips

📢 Help Spread the Word

These heat waves are serious. Not everyone knows how to prepare. Share this information with friends, neighbors, and family to keep everyone safe.

UN POCO DE TODO

🛶 The Travesía Sagrada Maya – A Journey Like No Other

Each Spring, the Travesía Sagrada Maya revives an ancient Mayan pilgrimage across the Caribbean Sea. Over 350 paddlers journey from Xcaret to Cozumel in handcrafted canoes, honoring Ixchel, the goddess of the moon and fertility. This spiritual voyage blends ritual, endurance, and cultural pride, offering a rare glimpse into the living legacy of the Maya.

If there’s one cultural event in the Riviera Maya that truly moves me, it’s the Travesía Sagrada Maya. I had the great honor of participating as a canoera (rower) back in 2018, and I can tell you—there’s nothing else like it.

This year’s event takes place May 16 & 17, starting with a powerful pre-dawn send-off at Xcaret Park. The brave participants will set off in hand-carved canoes across open sea to honor the goddess Ixchel. It’s a ceremony of fire, drums, and community—and witnessing it gives you chills (in the best way).

The next day, they return from Cozumel to Xcaret, completing a journey once made by Maya traders and priests over 1,000 years ago. It’s not just a show. It’s history brought to life—and I promise, it’s something you’ll remember for a long time.

If you’ve never experienced it, go. And if you’re a Quintana Roo resident, don’t forget you get a discount at Xcaret—just bring valid ID (INE, temporary or permanent resident card with QRoo address). You’ll need to go to the park’s taquilla (ticket booth) to get the local rate.

🎟️ Full schedule and tickets are available at travesiasagrada.com. Learn more about the event here.

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

🌴 Jungle Views + Resort Perks = Stunning Condo at Grand Sirenis! 🏖️

This one is special, and even Andy’s awesome photos don’t do it justice. If you’re craving indoor-outdoor living with full resort perks, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo in TAO Reserva could be your perfect escape. It’s bright, airy, and designed for total relaxation, with a sun-filled living space, a modern kitchen with island, and a private screened-in balcony where you can sip your morning coffee surrounded by jungle views that you don’t have to share with mosquitos!

The smart lock-off bedroom with kitchenette adds flexibility for hosting guests or bringing in rental income. Plus, this one comes fully furnished and move-in ready, complete with AC, ceiling fans, and a washer/dryer.

The building itself offers a rooftop infinity pool, grill area, and panoramic jungle views. As an owner, you also get beach access, discounts at the TAO Wellness Center and and preferential resort Day Pass rates at Grand Sirenis.

If you’ve been waiting for the right combo of investment + vacation home, this is it. Click here to see the full listing and schedule a showing before it’s snapped up!

¿QUE PASA?

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

May 15 | Art exhibition "Somagraphies: Maternal Totem of Movement and Memory" by Lía Viridiana Domínguez. The inauguration is ( PM at the Museo de la Isla on Cozumel. Free Admission.

May 16 & 17 | 17th annual Travesia Sagrada Maya Canoeros will be making the crossing from Xcaret to Chankanaab Park on May 16, returning May 17. Info.

May 16 - 18 | 54th annual Rodeo de Lanchas Mexicanas Fishing Tournament on Cozumel. Info. To register 987 112 4335 / 999 360 7724.

May 17 | Mexican Caribbean Music Fest featuring Sting at Zamna in Tulum. Admission is FREE but passes must be reserved in advance. Tickets.

🎶 Sting to Headline Mexican Caribbean Music Festival in Tulum!

This weekend, legendary artist Sting brings his 3.0 Tour to the stunning jungle setting of Zamna Tulum for the inaugural Mexican Caribbean Music Festival (MCMF). With a career spanning over four decades and 17 Grammy wins, Sting will perform his greatest hits in a once-in-a-lifetime, open-air experience under the stars.

Joined by guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas, this promises to be an unforgettable night of music, energy, and connection that you won’t want to miss!

This is the inaugural event for MCMF. Organizers aim to blend world-class music with the natural beauty and cultural spirit of the Riviera Maya, expanding the region’s global reputation beyond beaches to creativity and artistic exchange.

The best part? It’s free! Tickets must be reserved in advance (limit four per person). Gates open at 7 p.m.; Sting takes the stage at 9 PM. Reserve your spot now at fullpass-ticket.com.

May 22 | Instituto Tepeyac presents “Carmen, Porque Todos Somos” at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Show time 6PM. Tickets 200 MXN at the door.

May 22 - 25 | Riviera Maya Open LPGA Tournament at Mayakoba. Info and Tickets.

May 23 & 24 | “This is Me” presented by Colegio Puerto Aventuras at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Showtime 7PM. Tickets 300 MXN at the door.

May 23 - 25 | 20th Annual Isla Mujeres International Fishing Tournament. Info

May 30 & 31 | “La Fabrica de Chocolate” presented by Comunidad Educativa El Papalote at the Teatro de La Ciudad in PDC. Showtime 6PM. Tickets at the door.

May 30 - June 1 | Roll Over Cancun Roller Dancing event at the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancún. Info & Tickets.

June 7 | “Les Miserables” (Student Edition) presented by Academia Play at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Show times 4PM and 8PM. Tickets at the door.

June 13 & 14 | ”The Divine Comedy, the Musical” presented at the Teatro de la Ciudad as part of the VII Italian Cultural Festival in Playa del Carmen. Showtime 7PM. Tickets.

June 19 - 29 | Festival PAAX-GNP 2025 at Hotel Xcaret Arte in Playa del Carmen. Program, tickets and packages.

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].

If you have any suggestions about how I can make the Riviera Maya Insider newsletter more interesting and helpful or even more entertaining, please let me know by replying to this email.

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