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- 🕯️Time to Eat, Drink & Be Scary! Are You Ready?
🕯️Time to Eat, Drink & Be Scary! Are You Ready?
Plus: A Calavera for Puerto Aventuras, the live music lineup, Five Fun Things for Día de Muertos, Janal Pixan and Halloween and more
TOGETHER WITH
💀 A Calavera for Puerto Aventuras
To the moonlit shores of Fatima Bay,
The spirits return for their holiday.
Skeleton surfers ride waves of foam,
as souls of the Maya wander home.
Beneath the palms the warm winds sigh,
the veil grows thin, the spirits draw nigh.
Candles flicker, their soft light gleams,
guiding the souls through the night of dreams.
The sea hums low, an eternal song,
for those who’ve left, but not for long.
Their laughter drifts on the salt-sweet air,
as memories bloom in offerings there.
La Catrina arrived with a grin so wide,
“Death’s just a journey, not the end,” she cried.
“You have no reason to fear the dead!
They’ve only come back to be wined and fed.”
 She sipped her mezcal and joined the band,
as skeletons swayed across the sand.
Kids in costumes ran through the night,
while the spirits danced in soft moonlight.
— Anonymous (submitted by a reader)
Before we jump into the newsletter, here’s a little taste of what’s coming up this week! Local siren, Carmen Goett, will be performing at El Gran Altar in Puerto Aventuras on Saturday November 1st. Here’s a sneak preview to get you in the spooky mood…
ICYMI—here’s another chance to read Tuesday’s newsletter:
⚽️ Did the 2026 World Cup Open the Door for Uber in Mexico?
Want to jump right to the Live Music Lineup? Click here.
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TRIVIA TIME POWERED BY 1440
💀 Trivia Time – Janal Pixan
Across Mexico, families honor their departed loved ones with altars (ofrendas) filled with food, candles, flowers, and photos—but in the Yucatán Peninsula, the Maya celebration of Janal Pixan includes a few distinctive touches.
| Which of the following items is traditionally found on Janal Pixan altars of the Yucatan but not typically seen on altars in central Mexico? | 
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!
Daily News for Curious Minds
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.
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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: 83 🌡️ 71 | ☀️ | 6% | 💨 NE 11 mph (~10 knots)
Saturday: 84 🌡️ 74 | 🌤️ (a chance of shower) | ~12% | 💨 NE 10 mph (~9 knots)
Sunday: 87 🌡️ 73 | 🌥️ (clouds and sun) | ~10% | 💨 NE 8 mph (~7 knots)
💧🌡️ Water temperature ≈ 85 ºF.
Summary: Sunshine reigns with just a sprinkle of drama — the Riviera Maya is serving blue skies, warm breezes, and a token chance of rain to keep things interesting. Perfect weather for attending all those Día de Muertos celebrations and Halloween parties.

FIVE FUN THINGS POWERED BY CANCUN AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
🎭️ Venture Between Two Worlds at La Sirena

 For five nights only, the rooftop at La Sirena will transform for Between Two Worlds—an immersive Día de Muertos performance that blends live music, ritual choreography, expressive costumes, and storytelling into a moving tribute to memory, myth, and celebration. Start with a welcome drink, settle in with panoramic views, and enjoy the full dinner and bar menu à la carte. Capacity will be limited to keep it intimate. This is an all-weather event (we’ll move indoors if needed). Seating is first-come, first-served: doors open 30 minutes early—please arrive at least 15 minutes before showtime.
📍 La Sirena Rooftop | Puerto Morelos
📆 October 29 – November 2 | 7 PM sharp
🎟️ Tickets must be purchased in advance ONLINE
💲 Adults 800 MXN (includes welcome drink) • Children 12 & under 600 MXN
🎃 La Sirena’s legendary Halloween Costume Party on October 31 will be presented as a separate event. 
💀 El Gran Altar in Puerto Aventuras

Get ready for one of the most meaningful cultural events of the year — El Gran Altar Puerto Aventuras, a night dedicated to honoring life, memory, and tradition. Everyone is welcome to join the PA community on Friday, November 1 at La Lomita for a beautiful evening filled with art, music, and heartfelt remembrance.
🌺 Program Highlights:
- 4:45 PM – Opening Ceremony with a symbolic lighting of the fire, local food stalls, and artisan market. 
- 6:00 PM – Altars by women of the community and Fundación Itze Nah, celebrating traditions from Oaxaca, Yucatán, Puebla, Chiapas, and beyond. 
- 7:00 PM – Camino de la Luz paddleboard ritual uniting water, fire, and community. 
- 8:00 PM – Live concert with Carmen Goett, a celebrated singer blending lyrical artistry with modern Mexican sounds. 
- 9:00 PM – Paseo de Ánimas, a moving tribute to ancestors filled with light and love. 
- 9:30 PM–Midnight – Fiesta de Todos featuring live mariachi and a regional DJ set. 
🌼 Bring photos, candles, and stories of your loved ones to add to the community altar. Enjoy delicious food, handmade crafts, and the vibrant spirit that makes Puerto Aventuras shine. Come dressed as your favorite Catrina or Catrín and be part of this unforgettable celebration of life, art, and culture. There will be Catrina facepainting available at the event.
🕯️ The 7th Puerto Morelos Altar Route

Every November, the streets of Puerto Morelos come alive with light, color, and memory. What began twenty years ago in Mexico City as “Una Cuadra, Una Tradición” has grown into one of the region’s most heartfelt celebrations — the Altar Route of Puerto Morelos, now in its seventh edition.
Each altar tells a story — of family, remembrance, and the eternal bond between the living and the departed. Following both Maya and Mexican tradition, locals fill their ofrendas with marigolds, candles, copal, and favorite foods to welcome loved ones back home.
This year, the tradition takes a new turn with the MuertoBus, a community shuttle that will guide visitors along the illuminated route, ensuring every altar shines bright. You can hop on the bus, follow by bike or car, or stroll through the streets as the night fills with music, incense, and stories.
 📅 November 1 & 2
🕕 Departures: 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM & 8:30 PM (weather permitting)
📍 Starting Point: Parque de la Colonia | Puerto Morelos
🎟 Free Cultural Experience – Reservations via WhatsApp: 998 414 1275
🗺️ Get the high-definition route map HERE
✨ Don’t miss this moving community tradition — an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of Puerto Morelos.
💀 Hanal Pixán at Cenote Puerta al Cielo

This Día de Muertos, honor life and memory in a truly sacred setting — the stunning Cenote Puerta al Cielo in Jacinto Pat. On Sunday, November 2, guests are invited to experience Janal Pixán, the traditional Maya celebration that welcomes the souls of loved ones through food, ritual, and reflection.
🕯️ Ceremonies will be held every two hours at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM, led by a local Maya spiritual guide. Participants are encouraged to bring a personal object or small offering to place on the altar as part of the ceremony’s intention.
Entry fee includes a traditional mucbipollo tamal and your choice of agua de horchata or jamaica. Guests may also swim in the cenote before or after the ceremony.
Come celebrate Janal Pixán in the heart of nature, where light, water, and memory meet in a peaceful tribute to those who came before us.
 📍 Cenote Puerta al Cielo | Jacinto Pat
📆 Sunday, November 2 | 🕐️ Ceremonies at 1 PM, 3 PM & 5 PM 
🫔 Admission: 450 MXN 
🎃 The Nightmare Before Christmas Live Symphonic Experience!

Get ready, Playa del Carmen! On Tuesday, November 5, the Teatro de la Ciudad Solidaridad will come alive with El Extraño Mundo de Jack (The Nightmare Before Christmas) in a spectacular live symphonic performance that brings Tim Burton’s classic film to life like never before.
Experience every scene and song reimagined through the magic of a 30-piece live orchestra — the incredible Duck Tales Orchestra — performing Danny Elfman’s hauntingly beautiful score in sync with the film.
Step into Jack Skellington’s gothic, whimsical world and feel the music come to life all around you in this immersive, one-night-only event.
 📍 Teatro de la Ciudad ‘Xaman Ha’ | Playa del Carmen
📅 Wednesday, November 5 | 🕖️ 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available online at TusBoletos.mx and at the theater box office. 

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 Mayito, a little dog with a big personality! This small but mighty boy was rescued from a construction site in Cancún along with his family, and from day one, he’s been full of energy, charm, and spunk. Don’t let his size fool you—Mayito is a bundle of fun who’s always ready to play, explore, and make new friends. He’s curious about everything, loves attention, and has a way of making people smile wherever he goes.
Mayito is neutered, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and current on all his monthly preventatives, so he’s healthy and ready to find his forever home. His transformation from a scruffy little pup on the day of rescue to the handsome, happy dog he is now says it all—this boy is a survivor with a heart full of love.
If you’d like to see just how much joy Mayito can bring into your life, send an email to [email protected]. He’s proof that the best things really do come in small packages.
💵 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of opportunities to support Mayito 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. 
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. 
Daily News for Curious Minds
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Trivia Answer: Mucbil Pollo (Píib)
Unique to the Maya celebration of Janal Pixan, mucbil pollo—sometimes called píib—is a large tamal made with masa, chicken or pork, spices, and recado, all wrapped in banana leaves and baked underground. The name means “buried chicken,” referring to the traditional cooking method in a pit lined with hot stones.
This hearty dish takes center stage on Yucatec altars as an offering to nourish returning spirits, symbolizing the earth that connects the living and the dead. While Día de Muertos altars elsewhere in Mexico might feature pan de muerto or sugar skulls, the mucbil pollo embodies the deep-rooted Maya connection to food, fire, and family.
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