🌴 Changes Are Coming to Riviera Maya Insider!

🌴 Good morning, Insiders! A small scheduling note this week: I’m publishing today and taking Thursday off to spend some quality time with family and friends. A little reset never hurts — and it’s led to a change I think you’re really going to like.

Going forward, I’ll be rolling everything you’ve come to expect into one expanded weekly newsletter. That means fewer emails in your inbox and more great content in one place.

The fun part? The ¿Que Pasa? Events Calendar is getting a serious upgrade, with even more of the best local events and happenings across the Riviera Maya. The Live Music Lineup will now be updated on Tuesdays, giving you a clear snapshot of the week ahead. Trivia and our always-popular Adoptable Dog will rotate on alternate weeks, so they still get their moment to shine.

This shift also supports a bigger goal: better integration between the newsletter and the Riviera Maya Insider website, which I’ll be building out gradually over the coming months. The once-weekly edition will be a bit longer so use the “read online” option for the best experience. Thanks, as always, for being part of this community and Happy Holidays to you all!

In today’s Riviera Maya Insider you will find:

• 2 Last-Minute Vacation Rentals

• Viva Aerobus and Volaris join forces

• Fire meets flavor at Asador Colonia

All this and more brought to you with support from Morning Brew, 1440, PA-Stay Property Management and our featured sponsor Timeless Beauty.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Our beautiful Photo of the Week was taken by adventurer and tour guide, Diego Arestre. You can find more photos of Akumal and all it’s wonders, above and under the sea, by following @diegoarestre on Instagram.

📸 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 last week

🐬 Dolphins Rescued in Cancún Inspection
State and federal authorities have stepped in after reports surfaced that nine dolphins were being kept in abandonment at a former water park in Cancún’s hotel zone. Following a joint inspection by SEMA and Profepa, the dolphins were evaluated by veterinarians and placed under official supervision while an ongoing legal process unfolds. The case highlights the growing impact of Mexico’s “Mincho Law,” which bans dolphin shows and commercial use nationwide.

✈️ Mayor Gives Up FITUR Seat to Local Content Creator
In a move that’s already sparking conversation, Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado announced she won’t attend FITUR 2026 in Spain. Instead, her seat will go to a local content creator—no, it’s not me—who can tell Playa’s story with authenticity, creativity, and heart. The official delegation will still include tourism, culture, and business leaders, but this shift puts the spotlight squarely on local voices.

🌴 Tulum’s High Season Surprise: Hotels Win, Rentals Struggle
As Tulum heads into peak season, a clear shift is emerging in where visitors choose to stay. Hotels are roaring back, with occupancy nearing 90 percent, while vacation rentals lag far behind. Oversupply, power outages, and reliability concerns are reshaping traveler behavior, and the gap between hotels and short-term rentals is widening fast. What does this mean for visitors, hosts, and investors heading into 2026? This high-season rebound says a lot about where Tulum is headed next.

🔬 What’s Inside El Castillo? Scientists Are About to Find Out
Scientists are about to peer inside El Castillo at Chichén Itzá without lifting a single stone! Using muon tomography—subatomic particles created by cosmic rays—Mexican and U.S. researchers will scan the pyramid’s interior to map hidden chambers and construction phases. The six-month project, approved by INAH, brings high-tech archaeology to one of the world’s most iconic Maya sites—and it may rewrite what we know about Chichén Itzá from the inside out.

✨ Fifth Avenue Sparkles with Holiday Cheer
Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue turned into a full-blown holiday wonderland this weekend as thousands gathered for the Grand Christmas Parade—one of the highlights of Navidad Magico 2025. From colorful floats and live performances to Santa sightings and smiling kids everywhere, the energy was contagious. With free events running through the end of December, Playa’s Christmas season is in full swing and it’s drawing locals and visitors alike into the celebration.

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ICYMI

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

📱Unregistered Cell Phone Lines Face Suspension in Mexico
Starting January 9, 2026, mobile phone lines in Mexico that aren’t registered to a person or business could be suspended…

🚨 Pharmacies Closed on Fifth Avenue After Drug Raids
Five pharmacies along Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue were shut down last week after authorities uncovered the illegal sale of psychotropic drugs and counterfeit medications…

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

📆 Last Minute Vacation Rentals in Puerto Aventuras

🏖️ If you were hoping to book a relaxing week in paradise but thinking that all the good spots are already taken—you might just be in luck! This bright and cheerful condo is the highly desirable Chac Hal Al complex has got one week open in the calendar and it’s waiting just for you! This spacious one-bedroom (sleeps 4) has spectacular ocean views and is in one of the only complexes in Puerto Aventuras with direct beach access. So, don’t think about it too long! The rate is $150 USD per night. Contact Amy Hughes for more information using promo code #CHAC101.

⛵️ If you are looking for an affordable last-minute winter getway spot for you and your family, this might be just what you are looking for. This 2-bedroom 2-bath marina front condo is in a quiet, family-friendly building just a few minutes walking from the main marina and the beach access to Fatima Bay. This unit is brand new to the rental market and is professionally managed and maintained by PA-Stay. Available from now until January 27 and then again February 27 through March. The introductory rate is 120 USD per night or 840 USD per week. Contact Amy Hughes for more information using promo code #MTC2C.

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✈️ Travel Talk: Big Changes Coming to Domestic Flights in Mexico

If you travel around Mexico with any regularity, this is news worth noting. Viva Aerobus and Volaris, two of the country’s largest ultra-low-cost airlines, have announced plans to form a new Mexican airline group, pending regulatory and shareholder approval. While not a full merger, the alliance could reshape domestic air travel. For passengers, the promise is more routes, better fares, and improved connectivity, all while maintaining the budget-friendly model that has made flying more accessible across Mexico over the past 19 years.

Nothing is changing immediately. You’ll continue booking directly with Viva or Volaris. Brands remain separate, operating certificates stay independent, and existing reservations are unaffected. Loyalty programs—Altitude and Doters—also remain unchanged, with points, status, and benefits fully preserved.

Looking ahead, the alliance aims to strengthen hubs like Cancún, Guadalajara, Tijuana, and the Bajío, while opening new bases in cities with limited air service. That could mean more direct routes and fewer connections. For frequent domestic travelers, this partnership could eventually translate into more options, greater flexibility, and more competitive fares across Mexico.

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!

🥩 Asador Colonia: Where Fire and Flavor Meet

For weeks we have been trying to get into Playa to check out Asador Colonia, and the Nutcracker Ballet at Teatro de la Ciudad gave us the perfect excuse. The restaurant opened just about two months ago Pizca de Sal space on Av. 115, and it already feels like it’s finding its rhythm.

We started with the hummus, drizzled with smoked chili oil and served with warm, pillowy pita—simple, comforting, and gone faster than expected. My friend ordered the burger and declared it the best she’s had in Mexico. High praise, but justified. I went for the ribeye. It was a little under-seasoned, but cooked beautifully—tender, juicy, and carrying that unmistakable slow-fire flavor.

Asador Colonia isn’t trying to be fancy. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and built around honest food, a handful of carefully chosen wines, and the kind of atmosphere that encourages you to linger. Think wood-fired cooking, familiar flavors done right, and a place you’d happily return to with friends. Playa could use more spots like this—and this one’s off to a solid start.

👀 Two popular local eateries in Puerto Aventuras are changing hands. I’ve heard the unofficial news on the coconut phone but I’ve yet to confirm with either owner. So, for now that’s all I’m sharing. More news to follow…

Still no update on when or if the old Pelican Point location will be redeemed and brought back to life with a new tenant. Same holds true for the still shuttered Osteria Casa Sofia and the space that once most recently housed Brasa Nova. It’s not been an easy year for restaurateurs.

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ADOPTABLE DOG OF THE WEEK

Riviera Maya Insider is working together with 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 Gaia, the world’s happiest doggo and proud owner of the most magnificent oversized ears you’ve ever seen. She’s just over a year old, endlessly joyful, and quite possibly capable of improving your TV reception (results not guaranteed 😄). What is guaranteed? Smiles, laughs, and a whole lot of love.

Gaia is sweet to her core—affectionate, gentle, and always ready to make friends. She loves her walkies, soaking up the world with those radar-perfect ears, and when the adventure’s over, she transforms into a world-class cuddler. She’s the kind of dog who fits right into family life and makes every day feel lighter.

Gaia is spayed, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all her monthly preventatives, so she’s healthy, happy, and ready for her forever home. If you’re looking for a joyful companion with a big personality (and even bigger ears), Gaia might just be your girl. To learn more or meet her, email [email protected].

¿QUE PASA?  

Are you looking for the events calendar? Click the link below to see the newly expanded list of Riviera Maya events and happenings!

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