🏖️ What Do New Beach Access Reforms Mean for the Riviera Maya?

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⚡️ Good morning, Insiders! It’s been a soggy couple of days on the Riviera Maya with not much relief in sight. But the weather isn’t the only thing dominating the news.

We are also talking about:

• Expansion plans for the Cozumel airport

• Conservationists slam the Tren Maya wildlife crossings

• Beach access reform and what it means for the Riviera Maya

• CFE subsidies ending in November

• KKiS Restaurant Week in Playa del Carmen

• A stunningly beautiful villa for sale in Puerto Aventuras

All this and more….

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Our beautiful Photo of the Week was taken by my friend Lydia from her home in Puerto Aventuras. You can find more on @manitoinmexico.

📸 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.

🌧️ Heavy rains have battered Quintana Roo in recent weeks, causing flash floods, road closures, and traffic chaos, especially in and around Cancún. All along Highway 307 and in low-lying neighborhoods of Playa del Carmen, water has pooled rapidly, forcing drivers to slow or detour and pushing travel times upward. The downpours have also disrupted aviation operations. At Cancun International Airport, flights have been delayed due to storms and reduced visibility. Airlines and airport staff have occasionally had to pause or reroute operations while drainage crews clear flooded runways and taxiways.

🛫 While Tulum’s brand-new airport is losing flights and struggling to attract steady demand, Cozumel is quietly gearing up for takeoff. A 330 million peso expansion is underway at Cozumel International Airport, adding a new commercial platform and expanded terminal space to handle larger aircraft and more routes. The island currently averages 3–5 flights a day, but by high season that could climb to as many as 17 daily. Is Cozumel is positioning itself to be the Riviera Maya’s rising air traffic hub?

🐆 Tren Maya officials may boast “571 wildlife crossings,” but conservationists say the reality looks very different. Environmental groups argue many of the structures are nothing more than drainage culverts that act as “death traps” instead of safe passages for jaguars, tapirs, deer and monkeys. Critics warn the railway is fragmenting habitats, isolating species, and cutting off vital biological corridors across the Yucatán jungle. Six months after officials admitted to environmental damage, key corridors remain blocked. Experts say the megaproject poses lasting risks to Mexico’s biodiversity.

🐢 Turtle Conservation in Cancún?
When you think of turtle conservation in the Mexican Caribbean, Cancún is probably not the first destination that pops to mind. So, you might be surprised to hear about the conservation success in this tourist hotspot. According to the Benito Juárez Ecology Department, more than one million sea turtle eggs were protected this season across 51 beach corrals in Cancún. The effort safeguarded 9,111 nests and resulted in the release of over 502,000 hatchlings.

🐟 Puerto Morelos Pier Shines—But No Fishing Allowed
This year, Puerto Morelos unveiled a beautifully renovated Muelle de Pescadores, a 113.5 m pier intended to serve both residents and visitors. But controversy is brewing: authorities have prohibited anyone from fishing off the pier, which lies within the protected boundaries of the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park. In a community built on fishing, and many families still rely on subsistence catches, the ban has hit a nerve. While environmental protection within the park is essential, local voices argue the blanket prohibition fails to balance conservation with livelihoods.

🚲 Playa del Carmen Unveils 9 New Tourism Routes
Playa del Carmen is rolling out a fresh approach to tourism that goes well beyond the beach. Nine themed routes are in the works that highlight everything from wellness and pet-friendly travel to honey production and fishing, and even a full cenote corridor stretching toward Yucatán. These routes are designed to spread visitors across the region, support local communities, and showcase the cultural and natural treasures that often get overlooked.

ICYMI

These were the most popular new stories from last week’s newsletter.

Blackout Sparks Outrage and Questions
A technical failure in a transmission line plunged much of the Yucatán Peninsula into darkness, shutting down nine power plants and affecting millions across three states.

Free Beach Access Expands in Tulum
After years of complaints about blocked entry, Tulum has struck a landmark deal with 15 hotels and beach clubs to guarantee free public access to the beach—no cover charges, no minimum consumption.

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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.

🏖️ Beach Access in Quintana Roo: What’s Changing

Mexico’s Constitution makes all beaches public, yet in Quintana Roo many entry points are blocked by hotels, beach clubs, or private landowners charging fees. A new federal reform under review would strengthen the law by requiring municipalities to provide clear, signposted access routes and by banning entrance fees or mandatory consumption.

For expats, the changes could be significant. In Xpu-Há, visitors still pay just to cross private land to the shore—charges that may soon be illegal. In Tulum, more than a dozen hotels and beach clubs recently agreed to open their doors for free access, a major shift after years of restrictions tied to Jaguar Park.

👉 Read about Mexico’s beach access reform and what it means for you.

⚡ Subsidy Ending: What It Means for Your CFE Bill

If you live anywhere along the Riviera Maya, here’s something you’ll want to keep in mind before your next electricity bill arrives. On November 1, 2025, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is ending the special subsidy that’s been helping lower summer power bills across the whole Yucatán Peninsula.

The subsidy was designed to take the edge off when the heat is brutal and A/Cs are working overtime. Even though the summer officially ended in September, CFE extended the discount into October. Now, that extension is running out—and bills will reflect it.

Most of us here fall under tariff 1B, which covers areas with an average annual temperature between 25 and 28 °C. Under this tariff, you get the lowest rate for the first 400 kWh every two months. Go over that and you slide into higher “intermediate” and “excess” categories. With the subsidy, those higher tiers were discounted. Without it, expect bills to rise by 10–25%, depending on how much electricity you use.

For both renters and homeowners, this is the time to check your habits:

• Service your A/C units so they cool efficiently.

• Switch out older bulbs for LEDs.

• Use natural airflow when the evenings cool down.

• Unplug devices when not in use.

We installed solar panels last year and it has made a huge difference in our CFE bills. The cost of the systems have come down dramatically in the past five years so if you are solar-curious, now if the time to check it out. Even if you live in a condo building, like we do, you may be able to work it out.

👉️ If you would like the contact of a good reliable solar company, let me know and I’ll send you a contact.

✈️ Are Residents Back in the Fast Lane?

Recent reports on social media and local expat forums say that foreign travelers holding temporary or permanent Mexican residency cards are again being allowed to use the immigration line reserved for Mexican nationals at Cancún International Airport. This follows months of residents (including me) being turned away from that line and sent to the standard tourist queue.

The apparent reinstatement seems tied to shifting enforcement practices—residents now report showing their residency card and being directed to the “Mexicans/Residents” lane without pushback. Still, there’s no formal announcement, and experiences may vary by terminal or a staff member’s mood that day.

If you’re returning through Cancún, carry your physical card and politely ask, “¿Residente?” to the airport offical manning the INM lines. Have you traveled internationally recently?

👉️ I’d love to hear your experience—just reply to this email!

Does your car insurance cover what really matters?

Not all car insurance is created equal. Minimum liability coverage may keep you legal on the road, but it often won’t be enough to cover the full cost of an accident. Without proper limits, you could be left paying thousands out of pocket. The right policy ensures you and your finances are protected. Check out Money’s car insurance tool to get the coverage you actually need.

COMPARE COVERAGE

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!

🍴 KKIS Restaurant Week: October 13 - 18

Some of your favorite Playa del Carmen restaurants are coming together to support education! Each night between October 13–19, several local restaurants will offer special menus (dinner or lunch) as part of KKIS Restaurant Week. When you dine, a portion of proceeds helps fund education in our community. So, you get to try delicious food in good company and feel great doing it.

What is KKIS?
KKIS (Keeping Kids in School) is a local nonprofit dedicated to removing financial barriers to education, through scholarships, school supplies, mentorship, and English conversation programs. In the Riviera Maya, public high school still carries significant costs—uniforms, exams, books—and many promising students risk dropping out. KKIS helps ensure they stay in school and graduate.

Here are just a few of the participating restaurants and events:

• Mon. Oct 13 – India Jones (Dinner)

• Tue. Oct 14 – The Lost Tiki (Dinner)

• Wed. Oct 15 – La Perla Pixan (Dinner)

• Wed. Oct 15 – Marmorata (Tasting Room)

• Thu. Oct 16 – The Admiral – Thursday Night Football

• Thu. Oct 16 – Muelle 115 (Dinner)

• Fri. Oct 17 – Ola ‘Ola Tiki Bar (Cocktails Night)

• Sat. Oct 18 – Mezcla (Dinner)

Tell your friends, invite your family and let’s all eat for a great cause next week.

Spots are limited, and tables will fill fast. Find the full list of participating restaurants and make your reservations at: kkisproject.org/restaurantweek

REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP

💎 Is This Gem The House of Your Dreams?

Have you have been looking at real estate on the Riviera Maya and getting frustrated because it all feels kind of the same? Everything these days is “Tulum-esque” this and “boho chic” that… If this resonates, you might want to take a peak at this exquisite new listing in Puerto Aventuras.

I could go on and on all day about this property—the layout, the design, the furnishings—but I’m going to let the photos do all the talking.

I know at 1,295,000 USD it’s not going to be in everyone’s price range. But it never hurts to look and even day dream…. See the full listing here. You’re welcome.

¿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.

Fiesta Tradicional de la Cancha Maya
October 6 - 16 | Cancha Maya Plaza | Tulum | Starting at 6 PM

Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament to Support Hekab Be
October 10 | Latitude 20° | Puerto Aventuras | Register in advance +1 (678) 471-9572

The Jam Band in Concert Led Zeppelin Tribute
October 11 | Teatro de la Ciudad ‘Xaman Ha’ | Playa del Carmen | Show times at 3 PM and 8 PM

KKiS Restaurant Week
October 13 - 18 | Various Restaurants in Playa del Carmen | Info and Reservations

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

Cozumel’s 17th Annual Island Bird Festival
October 22 - 26 | Cozumel | More Info

23rd Annual Marina Turtle Festival
October 24 - 26 | Various Locations in Akumal & Tulum | More Info

4th Annual Festival Parrillero del Caribe
October 25 & 26 | La Ventana del Mar | Puerto Morelos | 2 PM - 10 PM | Tickets

4th Annual Seaside Rotary Halloween Dog Parade
October 26 | Central Park Plaza | Puerto Aventuras | Starts at 3 PM

Latitude 20° “Boos and Booze” Halloween Party
October 30 | Restaurant Latitude 20° | Puerto Aventuras | 6 PM

19th Festival de Tradiciones de Vida y Muerte
October 30 - November 2 | Xcaret Park | Playa del Carmen

Halloween Golf Cart Parade and Party
October 31 | Colegio Puerto Aventuras | More Info soon

Gran Altar Puerto Aventuras
November 1 | La Lomita | Puerto Aventuras | More Info soon

Inframundo 5K - 10K Race
November 2 | Mario Villanueva Stadium | Playa del Carmen | 7 AM Start

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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