🌴 Comedy Nights, Clandestine Dinners, Classical Music & More!

🇲🇽 Good morning Insiders and Happy Revolution Day! If you are in Playa del Carmen and reading this newsletter, the parades have already passed through the streets during a very early “desfile” through centro. 7000 people were expected to take part in the festivities which was scheduled for 6 AM. In proper Playa fashion, the parade kicked off at 7:30! 🤣 I hope you got to catch some of the action!

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Today, November 20, Mexico commemorates the start of one of the most important movements in the nation’s history: the Mexican Revolution. It marked the end of a long dictatorship and reshaped the country’s political and social landscape.

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!

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.

Thursday: 82 🌡️ 76 | ☀️-ish with a low chance of a shower or storm | ~40% | 💨 E ~7 mph (~6 knots)

Friday: 84 🌡️ 75 | ☀️ turning to broken clouds; chance of late showers | ~43% | 💨 ESE ~7 mph (~6 knots)

Saturday: 83 🌡️ 71 | 🌤️ chance of showers late in the day | ~24% | 💨 E ~7 mph (~6 knots)

Sunday: 84 🌡️ 71 | 🌤️ mostly clear skies; some late shower possibility | ~21% | 💨 ENE ~7 mph (~6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water Temperature ≈ 84 ºF

Summary: Warm and mostly sunny — the Riviera Maya serving sunshine with just a hint of suspense. Expect a few stray clouds or late-day showers, perfect excuse for one more cocktail by the beach.

Here are my picks for Five Fun Things you might want to check out! Some are coming up soon. Others you will want to reserve and plan for well in advance. As always, links to ticketing information and the locations are included in each description.

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Experience an unforgettable evening of world-class music as internationally acclaimed guitar virtuoso André Krengel takes the stage at Buzo’s Restaurant & Bar in Playa del Carmen — joined by the extraordinary Sofía Lych, classical violinist and Latin Grammy Award winner.

Lych, known for her collaborations with icons like Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, and Pepe de Lucía, brings her remarkable talent and elegance to the Riviera Maya for one special night. Together, she and Krengel will perform an inspiring new repertoire that blends classical finesse with passionate improvisation—a performance that promises to move and mesmerize. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to enjoy two world-class musicians up close in an intimate setting

📍 Buzo’s Restaurant | Calle 26 | Playa del Carmen
📅 Friday, November 21, 2025 | 8 PM
📞 Reservations: 984 175 0294

Three nights, three cities, and one very funny man who may or may not know where he’s going next. The Matt MacLean Mini-Tour hits Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel November 21–23, and with seats already about 75% sold, this is the moment to lock yours in.

Matt MacLean has performed around the world (and slept in just as many parking lots), earning a cult following for his sharp, silly, wonderfully offbeat comedy. Whether he’s riffing on travel misadventures or life inside his van, Matt delivers the kind of laughs that sneak up on you and stay all weekend.

He won’t be rolling into town alone—Íguana Comedy is bringing three of its strongest acts along for the ride:

🎤 Andrew Jonch – The multilingual Íguana Comedy showrunner who turns cultural confusion into comedic gold.
🎤 Charlie Albarrán – A Mexican-American up-and-comer with a fearless edge and delightfully twisted timing.
🎤 Liam Slater – Dry, British, and deeply confused by everything he sees. A guaranteed crowd favorite.

If you need a night out, a belly laugh, or an excuse to avoid cooking dinner, this is your sign. These final seats won’t last, so grab your tickets, rally your friends, and come help Matt figure out where the hell he parked the van this time.

November 21 - Cozumel | Señor and the Queen | 7 PM
November 22 - Cancun | Teatro Xbalamque | 8 PM
November 23 - Playa Del Carmen | Zitla on 12th | 7 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Available now at iguanacomedy.com
📧 Info: [email protected] | +52 1 998 937 0209

If you’re heading to Río Lagartos for the 4th Annual Octopus Festival “Sabor, Naturaleza y Tradición”, make sure your Saturday night plans are locked in—the festival’s official night party is about to make a splash.

On Saturday night, Hotel Macumba hosts the festival’s signature Under the Sea Party, a tropical, late-night celebration right on the waterfront. Expect ocean-inspired vibes, great music, and the relaxed, welcoming energy that Río Lagartos is known for.

📍 Hotel Macumba | Rio Lagartos
📆 Saturday, November 22 | 10 PM
👗 Dress Code: Ocean Colors
🎟 Free Entry | Drinks available for purchase

The party is just one highlight of this two-day coastal celebration (Nov 21–22), where food lovers and nature enthusiasts come together to honor Yucatán’s culinary heritage, biodiversity, and fishing traditions. Throughout the festival you’ll find sustainable fishing talks, live music, cultural events, and a bustling gastromarket featuring regional dishes from local chefs and more than 40 artisans and producers.

And don’t forget to grab your Gastronomic Passport, a fun new way to visit participating restaurants, share your experience, and win prizes.

Follow the Festival del Pulpo Río Lagartos page for the full schedule — and get ready for a weekend of flavor, culture, and ocean-inspired fun.

Peccato is bringing back its intimate pop-up dinner series with Cena Clandestina Vol. II, a one-night experience set high above Playa del Carmen on the IT Beach rooftop. On Friday, November 28, diners are invited into a warm, casually elegant environment where the ocean breeze mixes with the aromas of a four-course, chef-driven menu. This edition brings together guest chefs Bithya Rivera and Pedro Arias, who will collaborate on a tasting menu that blends technique, creativity, and seasonal inspiration.

There’s nothing rushed or routine about this dinner. It’s the kind of evening where the setting becomes part of the meal—soft conversations, the clink of wine glasses, and dishes that feel crafted just for this moment. Seating is deliberately limited to keep the experience intinate, making it ideal for anyone who loves gastronomic experiences that won’t be replicated again.

Cena Clandestina is priced at 850 MXN per person and begins at 7 PM on the IT Beach Rooftop. Reservations are essential, and spots tend to disappear quickly. Contact 984 179 8471 to reserve your spot.

The spirit of Mexico’s vineyards meets the heart of the Yucatán jungle at La Vid y la Ceiba, a one-of-a-kind festival for wine lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Set his event combines fine wines, regional gastronomy, and cultural tradition in a stunning natural setting surrounded by ceiba trees and cenotes.

Created to celebrate vino y buena mesa, La Vid y la Ceiba brings together some of Mexico’s best wineries — from Guanajuato’s Tres Raíces, Viñedo San Miguel, Bodegas Guanamé, Tierra de Luz, Los Arcángeles, Vino Urbano, Viña Gamar, and Dos Búhos, to Aguascalientes’ Santa Elena, Pozo de Luna, and Renacimiento, to Zacatecas’ Vinos Tierra Adentro, and Baja California’s Barón Balché from the Valle de Guadalupe.

With its blend of wine, culture, and Yucatecan tradition, La Vid y la Ceiba is a sensorial journey that connects land, flavor, and heritage. Beyond the tastings, the festival offers a full cultural and gastronomic program including:

🍷 Guided tastings and pairing sessions
🔥 Cooking demonstrations and Yucatecan cuisine
🧵 Handicrafts and local artisan products
🐝 Educational tours about the care of the sacred melipona bee
🎶 Live music and artistic performances

The event will be hosted by Selva Maya Adventure Park in Valladolid on Saturday, November 29 from 2 PM until 10 PM. Tickets are 560 MXN per person purchased in advance online or 685 MXN the day of the event.

Come taste, toast, and celebrate Mexico’s winemaking excellence in the heart of the Maya world.

If you’ve ever wondered what bluefin tastes like at its freshest moment, this is your chance. Kokoro Tulum is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a traditional ronqueo — the ancient Japanese art of breaking down a whole bluefin tuna. On Friday, December 5, the team will bring in a 70-kilo bluefin, expertly slice it in front of guests, and serve each cut at peak freshness.

This is more than a chef demo. It’s a culinary ritual rarely seen outside Japan, where every cut tells a story of craft, respect, and technique. And yes — you get to taste it all.

Your experience includes front-row access to the full cutting ceremony, a guided bluefin tasting and curated sake and wine pairings. If you’re a true foodie, this is one you don’t want to miss.

📍 Kokoro Nigiri Bar Experience | Aldea Zamá | Tulum
📅 Friday, December 5, 2025 | 7:00 PM
💵 1,200 MXN per person
📞 Reservations: +52 984 804 1205
🌐 kokorotulum.com

Reserve early — this exclusive event sells out every year.

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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 Pancho, a handsome gentleman who lights up the shelter every time visitors arrive—especially if it means his favorite thing: walkies. An adult male with a calm confidence, Pancho is affectionate, playful, and eager to be part of a family’s everyday routine. He loves stretching his legs, checking out all the good sniffs, and then settling in for pets and people time.

Pancho is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, parasite-free, and on monthly preventatives, so he’s healthy and ready for home life. With his friendly nature and steady temperament, he’d make a wonderful companion for anyone looking for a loyal buddy to share walks, lazy afternoons, and a lifetime of love. Email [email protected]. He’s ready to leash up and head home with you.

💵 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of opportunities to support Pancho 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!

We do our best to get the most up to date information from the venues and bands. However, we are now slowly easing back into high season with more and more of our lovely snowbirds arriving every day! Gigs and bookings may be added 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.

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