🔥 Welcoming in the New Aztec Year! What Will '13 Calli' Mean For You?🌞

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☀️ It’s Tuesday March 11 and tomorrow we welcome in the New Aztec Year, 13 Calli. Find out what that means plus, learn about the threat of screw-worm disease on the Yucatan peninsula, landowners still unpaid for lands appropriated for the Tren Maya, U.S.- Mexico tensions rise over Calica, and find out where I find unbiassed International news.

This newsletter may be clipped for length in your email. 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

📸 Our glorious Photo of the Week was taken in Akumal by our friends at @akumaldivecenter. If exploring the Mesoamerican Reef is on your bucketlist, talk to the experienced dive team at Akumal Dive Center.

📸 If you would like to see your photo featured here, follow and tag @rivieramayainsidermx on Instagram.

EXPAT LIVING

One of the pain points I am trying to relieve for readers of the Riviera Maya Insider newsletter is spending hours of your precious time—vacation time or otherwise— trying to find the information you want and need from the multitude of sources online. You can spend all day on Facebook and still not know about a great festival planned for the weekend unless the organizer has paid the META God’s for visibility.

Most local news sources (in Spanish and English) are pretty terrible and you have to really dig to find anything of interest. Let’s not even go into whether the articles are accurate or even timely. I do it so you don’t have to and every week I link out to a handful of news stories that I found compelling in some way.

But what about International News? I feel the same way about that. Most of it is (at best) editorialized garbage or worse, political propaganda and chicanery disguised as “news”. So—as a newsletter publisher—who do I trust to curate my international news for me? Where so I find unbiased news and well-researched journalism? Let me introduce you to 1440.

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

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UN POCO DE TODO

🌞 The Aztec New Year: Welcoming 13 Calli, A Year of Wisdom and Stability

Every March 12, Mexico quietly ushers in the Aztec New Year (Yancuic Xīhuitl), an ancient tradition still honored in parts of the country. Rooted in the Mexica calendar system, this celebration marks the transition into a new cycle—one of renewal, gratitude, and deep connection to the rhythms of time and nature.

This year, we enter Matlactli ihuan Yei (13) Calli (House), a time symbolizing wisdom, integration, and stability. In Mexica thought, 13 is a sacred number—the number of universal wisdom, tied to the teachings of Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcóatl, who shaped the world before the time of Cuauhtémoc.

It is also connected to human life itself. It takes 13 cycles of 20 days plus 13 additional days (a total of 273 days, or nine months) for a child to be born. Because of this, 13 represents growth, transformation, and fulfillment.

The Calli (House) sign speaks to protection, structure, and long-term planning. It is a year for building strong foundations—whether in our homes, communities, or personal ambitions. Those born under this sign are known for creativity, discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility, qualities that shape the energy of the year ahead. Just as a well-built house provides shelter for generations, the choices and commitments we make in this year can bring stability and peace for the future.

Across Mexico, the Aztec New Year is honored with ceremonial dances, copal offerings, and the lighting of the “new fire” in places like Mexico City, Puebla, and Veracruz. These traditions remind us that time is cyclical, and each new year is a chance to grow, reflect, and build something lasting. What will you create in this year of 13 Calli?

RIVIERA MAYA ROUNDUP

You don’t have to know everything….but you should know something. Here’s what caught my eye in the news this week.

🌿 Get ready for Mexico’s top sustainability fair as the 3rd annual Bioferia takes place in Tulum! This eco-conscious event showcases green innovations, sustainable brands, and workshops promoting a greener future. It’s an interesting opportunity to connect with environmental leaders!

🦠 A woman in Campeche has been diagnosed with Mexico’s first human case of screw-worm infection, a rare but serious condition where fly larvae infest living tissue. This follows a recent outbreak in local cattle, raising concerns about its spread.

🇺🇸 🇲🇽 Diplomatic tensions rise as the U.S. pressures Mexico over the Calica dispute, a long-standing environmental and trade conflict. With legal battles and international negotiations intensifying, the stakes are high for both sides. How will this affect delicate U.S.- Mexico relations?

🗳️ Quintana Roo’s 2027 political race is already in the news! With five potential candidates eyeing the governorship, the upcoming elections promise to be competitive. As parties position their contenders, voters are watching closely to see who will shape the state’s future.

✈️ February brought a significant decline in passenger traffic at Cancún International Airport, raising concerns for the tourism sector. With fewer arrivals than expected, industry experts are analyzing the reasons behind the slump and its potential impact. What’s causing the slowdown?

🚰 Environmentalists warn that unchecked development is putting Yucatán’s mangroves and ancient Maya salt mines at risk. These are critical ecosystems yet the state government remains silent on engforcing restrictions and regulations.

🎥 A new documentary reveals the harsh reality behind the Maya Train project, exposing how ejido lands have been taken from local communities. As development pushes forward, affected residents share their struggles and fight for justice. Will their voices be heard? [VIDEO]

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

⚓ Sunrise & Sunset Views in Puerto Aventuras ☀️ 

If you've been dreaming of a penthouse with marina views in one of the Riviera Maya’s most exclusive gated communities, this modern-coastal gem at Secret Waters is calling your name! With 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, an open-concept layout, and a private rooftop terrace offering stunning ocean views, this place is perfect for unwinding or entertaining under the stars.

This stunning condo comes with a parking space and the building has elevator access. Secret Waters is known for having the largest pool in Puerto Aventuras—ideal for swimming laps or spending lazy afternoons in the sun.

Living here means having it all—golf, tennis, pickelball, snorkeling, and more just steps from your door. Puerto Aventuras is known for its tranquil, family-friendly vibe with 24/7 security, peaceful streets, and a charming marina filled with waterfront restaurants and boutique shops. Whether you’re looking for a retirement home, a vacation retreat or a rock-solid rental investment, this penthouse is a rare find.

Click here to check out the full listing and schedule a private showing with Marieke ASAP. The market in Puerto Aventuras is on fire. This one is 100% turnkey and ready to go. It won’t last long!

¿QUE PASA?

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

March 8 - 16 | 3rd Annual BioFeria Sustainability Fair at the Municipal Esplanade in Tulum.

March 10 | Brent Parkin & The Rockin’ Squids LIVE at ALIVE in Playa del Carmen. Doors open at 3PM. The show starts at 4PM. Free Admission.

March 10 - 11 | Premier Padel Tour 2025 at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Costa Mujeres Cancun. Info.

March 14 | Across the Universe a Multimedia Tribute to The Beatles with the band Quarzo. The show is 7PM - 8PM at SAYAB Planetarium in Playa del Carmen. Tickets.

March 14 | Rockumal will perform a one-time-only show at Lol Ha Restaurant in Akumal. Music from 6PM - 8PM. Reservations recommended 📞 984 806 6206.

March 15 | Caballo-Fest at El Rey Polo Club in Puerto Morelos. Polo match and family fun from 3PM - 8PM. Tickets via Whatsapp 990 201 7120.

March 21 | Puerto Fest 2025 on the Puerto Aventuras Golf Course practice range. Bands, DJs, food and fun from 5:30PM - 11:30PM. Tickets.

March 20 - 23 | ‘Yucatan Challenge’ Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 2025 at the Port of Progreso Yucatan. Info.

March 22 & 23 | Festival of Beer & Wine hosted by The Lions Club in Merida YUC. 10AM - 8PM. Free admission.

March 22 & 23 | 10th Annual Feria de Coco at the Parque de los Caimanes in the city of Chetumal.

March 26 - 30 | ‘Elite 16’ Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 2025 at Playa Fundadores in Playa del Carmen.

March 28 - April 5 | Rally Maya Mexico 2025 - various locations across the Yucatan peninsula including Tulum Country Club. Info.

March 28 | The Russian State Ballet Mari El will present Swan Lake at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Curtain time 8PM. Tickets.

March 29 | Festival Parrillero del Caribe Mexicano at the Cenote La Cueva del Jaguar on the Ruta de Cenotes in Puerto Morelos. 2PM - 7PM. Info & Tickets.

March 29 | The Russian State Ballet Mari El presents Romeo & Juliet at the Teatro de Cancun. Performances at 6PM and 9PM. Tickets.

April 2 - 6 | 2nd Annual Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival - various locations and times. Info.

April 3 - 6 | International Book Fair at the Parque 28 de Julio in Playa del Carmen. Info.

April 4 | The Ballet of Kiev presents Swan Lake at the Teatro de Cancun. Performance at 8PM. Tickets.

April 10 | Saladdin - A hilarious parody (in Spanish) of the show Aladdin at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. Shows at 7PM and 9:30PM. Tickets.

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].

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DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA

🎨 Bringing Color & Creativity to Kids in El Cuyo

Arts and crafts….you know….colored pencils, crayons, markers, coloring books and construction paper. All the simple things we enjoyed as kids and gave to our kids to speark their creativity or just keep them busy for an hour or so. They were all so cheap and easy to find, it’s almost impossible to think of a place in which they do not exist. But here on the Yucatan peninsula such places DO exist and one of them is the village of El Cuyo.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico about two and a half hours from Playa del Carmen, El Cuyo is a tiny fishing village with under 2000 inhabitants. About 700 are full-time fishermen and over half of the residents work in the fishing and seafood industry. Visitors from the outside word come mainly for the world-class kite surfing or to simply disconnect from the stresses of the modern world.

On El Día del Niño, celebrated in Mexico on April 30th, a group of Seaside Rotarians will be making a trip to El Cuyo to bring a delivery of arts and crafts supplies to the children of the village. These simple items, ubiquitous in our children’s lives, are impossible to find up there. So—we are going to make their Children’s Day a little brighter and a lot more colorful Won’t you help?

Donations of all kinds of supplies will be collected at La Vagabunda 38 in Playa del Carmen and at the Colegio in Puerto Aventuras. If neither of those locations work for you, let me know by replying to this email and I’ll arrange to come to you personally. We will be taking donations until April 26th. Please help if you can!

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