🚆 Trains Derail, Condos Fall & Turtles Thrive

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☀️ Good morning! This week’s newsletter brings a mix of wins, warnings, and watershed moments across the Riviera Maya. A Tren Maya car derails in Izamal raising new safety questions and federal judge orders the demolition of a condo building in Tulum. Conservationists celebrate a strong turtle nesting season and Intercam clients get some reassuring news.

We are also covering:

• Tulum’s escalating beach access battle

• Yucatán honey pushing for Designation of Origin

• Nopal leather making waves in global fashion

• Scientists racing to save Mexico’s iconic axolotl

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PEOPLE ARE TALKING

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Our beautiful Photo of the Week was submitted by Ronnie Smith in Paamul. If you look carefully, you will see dozens of turtle nests and tracts dimpling the surface of Paamul’s south beach. What a gift for neighbors to welcome them back year after year!

📸 If you would like to see your photo featured here, follow and tag @rivieramayainsidermx on Instagram or send it to [email protected].

IN THE NEWS

News from the Riviera Maya and beyond. 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.

Maya Train Mishap in Izamal
On August 19, a railway car of the Maya Train partially derailed while entering Izamal station, scraping a stationary unit on the platform. No passengers were injured, but the incident—which has been blamed on a faulty track switch—has reignited safety concerns. Investigators are probing design flaws, supplier quality, and ties to prior ballast scandals concerning segment 3 of the railway.

Tulum’s Beach Access Battle Heats Up
Locals were promised free entry to Jaguar Park, but Mayor Diego Castañón says Grupo Mundo Maya hasn’t kept its word. Now he’s pushing for a national law requiring free access to all protected areas one day each weekend. Locals claim too little to late. It’s the latest flashpoint in Mexico’s ongoing fight over public beach rights.

Sweet News for Yucatán Honey
Following in the footsteps of tequila from Jalisco and vanilla from Veracruz, honey from the Yucatán Peninsula may soon receive a Designation of Origin—a recognition that protects its unique flavor, cultural roots, and Maya beekeeping traditions. If approved, it will give local producers stronger footing in international markets while helping preserve both Melipona stingless bees and Apis bees for generations to come.

Tulum Condo Faces Demolition
A federal judge has ordered the demolition of Adamar, a beachfront condominium development on Soliman Bay in Tulum after finding Profepa failed to enforce restoration measures near the Xcacel-Xcacelito turtle sanctuary. The ruling also forces authorities to collect fines, restore dunes, and pursue environmental crimes—setting a precedent that could reshape how development projects are held accountable.

Turtle Nesting Season Exceeds Expectations
From Tulum’s Xcacel-Xcacelito sanctuary to the beaches of Cozumel, sea turtle nesting is in full swing. Volunteers and conservationists are protecting hundreds of nests while hatchlings begin their journey to the sea. Despite threats from poachers, predators, sargassum and development, this year is shaping up to be a strong season for green turtles, loggerheads and even a few endangered hawksbills.

Medical Services Improve for Puerto Aventuras
The Playa del Carmen municipal government has confirmed that an ambulance will now be designated to handle medical emergencies for residents in Puerto Aventuras including the gated community. In addition, La Joya Hospital is preparing to open a new clinic within the development. The exact location, available services, and pricing details have not yet been announced.

ICYMI

In case you missed it, these were the most popular news stories featured in last week’s newsletter.

Transito to Take Back Licensing in Playa del Carmen
It looks like Playa del Carmen residents will once again obtain and renew their driver’s licenses directly through the Municipal Traffic Department. The city council has authorized Mayor Estefanía Mercado to sign an agreement with Imoveqroo, that would restore licensing services to Transito but the ink is far from dry on this deal.

Xcaret’s Founder Pitches Interoceanic Canal for Mexico
Xcaret founder Miguel Quintana Pali has unveiled a jaw-dropping $218 billion plan to carve a 240-kilometer waterway through Oaxaca and Veracruz, linking the Pacific and Atlantic. If built, the “Interoceanic Canal of Mexico” could handle four times more ships than Panama and cut U.S. shipping routes by two days. A bold vision, a political gamble — and possibly the “project of the century.”

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UN POCO DE TODO

Un poco de todo = A little bit of everything. You never know what you might find here!

 🌵 Nopal Leather: From Cactus to Couture

Did you know that Mexico’s nopal (prickly-pear cactus) is being transformed into a stylish, eco-conscious leather alternative? This leather is made by harvesting mature cactus leaves, cleaning and sun-drying them, extracting fibers, and blending them into a bio-resin that’s coated onto a fabric backing. This innovative material was developed in Mexico by Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez and is now produced by their company Desserto and sold worldwide.

Why it matters: Nopal leather isn’t just stylish, it’s environmentally smart. The cactus thrives on land where other crops fail and needs no irrigation beyond rainwater. Only mature leaves are harvested, leaving the plants intact, and the sun naturally dries them, eliminating energy-intensive processes. Nopal plantations absorb significant CO₂—up to 8,100 tons annually from just 14 acres—while also acting as water and carbon reserves in semi-arid climates. They grow without chemicals, resist pests naturally, and the resulting material is partially biodegradable, making it a far lighter alternative to animal or plastic-based leathers.

Where to find it: You can find sneakers made with cactus leather at SAYE and VEGTUS. You can also look for products made from Desserto® leather by popular brands like Adidas, H&M, Fossil, Michael Kors, Karl Lagerfeld, BMW, and more. Want to create your own product? You can buy the leather online here.

🦎 Race to Save the Axolotl

Once abundant in the canals of Xochimilco, Mexico’s iconic axolotl is now on the brink of vanishing from the wild. In 1998, there were 6,000 per square kilometer—by 2014, only 36 were found. Today, researchers at UNAM are using nets and cutting-edge environmental DNA testing to determine if any still survive in their natural habitat.

What is an axolotl? Known locally as the ajolote, this rare salamander is found only in Mexico and has long been tied to Aztec mythology, where it symbolized the god Xólotl. Unlike most amphibians, it never undergoes full metamorphosis, retaining its “youthful” gilled form for life. Scientists prize axolotls for their ability to regenerate entire limbs, spinal cords, and even parts of the heart and brain, making them a global research model for regenerative medicine.

Beloved in science labs, pet tanks, and even pop culture—your kids will know them from Minecraft—axolotls remain critically endangered in the wild. Invasive fish, pollution, and urban sprawl are suffocating their ecosystem. To fight back, scientists are partnering with traditional farmers to build “axolotl shelters” that exclude invasive species and allow captive-bred populations to be reintroduced.

Fun Fact: The Axolotl featured on the Mexican 50 peso bill is a girl. Her name is "Gorda" and she lives in a museum called Axolotitlán, dedicated to the preservation of axolotls.

EXPAT LIVING

Sharing local insights, practical tips, and community stories to help you feel at home in Mexico, no matter how long you’ve been here.

🏦 What’s Next for Intercam Clients?

If you bank with Intercam, you’ve probably heard the news. On August 19, Mexico’s Ministry of Finance confirmed that Kapital Bank will acquire a significant portion of Intercam Grupo Financiero, including its bank, brokerage, and investment fund arms. This follows months of scrutiny after Intercam (and CIBanco) came under temporary regulatory intervention due to alleged links to money laundering.

What does this mean for you?
According to the official notice, all Intercam accounts, services, and products will remain active and uninterrupted, but now under Kapital Bank. That means your deposits, trusts, and investments are still protected and will gradually transition. Authorities emphasize the move is designed to stabilize the system, safeguard savers’ rights, and ensure a transparent process.

For expats who have worried about the future of their accounts, this transition is meant to be reassuring: Intercam’s 238,000+ clients are expected to keep full access to their funds and services, with stronger oversight and backing. Customer service will continue through existing Intercam channels while the transition unfolds. As always, keeping your contact information current and monitoring official updates from Kapital Bank and Intercam will ensure you stay informed.

NOTES ON NAPKINS

Fun for foodies of all kinds! Here are some of the delicious gastronomic offerings that caught our eye and tempted our palate this week!

🌶️ Chiles en Nogada Masterclass at Anafre

This August, Anafre Cocina a Leña y Vino is hosting a hands-on masterclass dedicated to Mexico’s most patriotic dish—chiles en nogada. Learn one of the closest-to-original recipes for this 19th-century creation, elevated with Anafre’s signature woodfire touch.

Each participant will prepare two chiles, paired with Monte Xanic rosé, grenache, and Tequila Reserva de la Familia. After the class, enjoy your masterpiece with a friend at Anafre or take it home to share. It’s an immersive experience that blends history, technique, and flavor into an unforgettable afternoon.

More than just a delicious seasonal favorite, chiles en nogada were first created in Puebla in 1821 to celebrate Mexico’s independence. The dish reflects the colors of the national flag—green from the chile, white from the walnut sauce, and red from the pomegranate seeds—making it a culinary symbol of patriotism and pride. Every August and September, this dish takes center stage across Mexico as part of the Independence season.

📍 Anafre Cocina a Leña y Vino | Playa del Carmen
📅 August 26 & 29 | Start Time 4 PM
🎟️ 900 MXN per person | Limited to 10 spots per date
📲 Reservations via WhatsApp: 984 133 0233

🍷 Skylights Presents Tradición en Cada Bocado

On Friday, August 29, Skylights Restaurant at the Hotel Platinum Yucatan Princess invites you to an unforgettable evening where tradition meets innovation in every bite. “Tradición en Cada Bocado” brings together two culinary masters—Chef Alejandro López, known for his expertise in classic Mexican gastronomy, and Chef Agustín Puc, a Riviera Maya talent celebrated for blending regional flavors with contemporary flair.

Together, they’ve crafted a six-course menu that tells a story—from the heart of Mexico’s highlands to the vibrant Caribbean, with refined touches inspired by Europe. It’s a cultural experience, a meeting of heritage and artistry, plated with care and accompanied by wine pairings that highlight every nuance.

📍 Restaurante Skylights – Hotel Platinum Yucatan Princess
📅 Friday, August 29 | First Seating: 6 PM
💳 Pre-sale: 1,800 MXN | Day of event: 2,100 MXN
📲 Reservations: 984 113 1524 | Limited seating

¿QUE PASA?

Your go-to roundup of local events, festivals, and happenings—so you’ll always know what’s going on and where to be in the Riviera Maya.

2025 Apapaxoa Gastocultural Festival
August 26 - 31 | Hotel Xcaret Arte | Playa del Carmen

Festival del Arrecife
August 29 - 31 | Parque de los Lápices & Parque Benito Juarez | Cozumel

Oasis Tour Live ‘25
September 12 & 13 | GNP Stadium | Mexico City

Feria Trendy Independence Day Artisans Market
September 13 | Puerto Aventuras | 6 PM - 10 PM

Chile en Nogada Gastronomic Festival
September 14 - 16 | Hotel Aldea Kuká | Isla Holbox

Texas Hold ´Em Fundraiser for Hekab Be
September 17 | Turtle Bay Cafe | Akumal | 12:30 PM | Register in advance via whatsapp +1 678 471 9572

2nd Annual Xcaret Folk Art Fair
September 25 - 28 | Xcaret Park | Playa del Carmen

Texas Hold ´Em Fundraiser for Hekab Be
September 25 | Latitude 20° | Puerto Aventuras | 12:30 PM | Register in advance via whatsapp +1 678 471 9572

Playa del Carmen Jazz Festival 2025
October 3 - 5 | Teatro de la Ciudad, Xaman Ha | Playa del Carmen

Caifanes in Concert
October 18 | Plaza de Toros | Cancun | 9 PM

4th Annual Festival Parrillero del Caribe
October 25 & 26 | Town Center, Portside | Puerto Morelos | Time TBA

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.

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