🌴 Four Women. One Ocean. History Made.

IYKYK. 🥶

🌴 Happy Tuesday, Insiders!

If you have come down here to escape the cold weather up north, I hope you are not too shocked by this arctic blast that’s blowing through. Personally, I’m enjoying this great sleeping weather but I’m a little concerned about what I am wearing out on the Catamaya this afternoon!

Congratulations to all the readers who correctly guessed where last week’s photo was taken. All the readers who replied back knew that this was taken in the lagoons of Muyil (Sian Ka’an). But, the first person to get it right was Annette S. Well done!

In today’s email you will find:

Plus the Live Music Line Up for this week and our updated Events Calendar. All this and more brought to you with support from Intrepid Travel. If you are a local business owner would like to see your goods or services promoted in the Riviera Maya Insider, reply to this email and let’s see how we can work together.

For the very best newsletter experience, choose the option above to Read Online.

— Michele Kinnon

📸 Check out the photo below. Do you know where I am? Reply back with your best guess. The first reader to guess correctly will get a shout-out in next week’s newsletter! If you are reading online, pop me a quick email!

🛑 Mexico Faces One of Its Largest Data Breaches on Record
A hacker group calling itself Chronus claims to have exposed personal data tied to more than 36 million people across Mexico, in what cybersecurity experts are calling one of the country’s most serious digital security incidents to date. According to independent analysts, leaked files—already circulating online—may include tax records, health system databases, voter rolls, and sensitive personal identifiers. Federal authorities, however, are pushing back, saying no central government systems were breached and much of the data had surfaced before. So what actually happened? Read more

🐟 The Grouper Ban Begins: Why the Veda Matters for Yucatán and Quintana Roo
As strong northerly winds push fishing boats back into port, the annual grouper fishing ban (veda) is getting underway across Yucatán and Quintana Roo. The two-month closure isn’t just a calendar formality, it’s a critical pause designed to protect grouper during their spawning season. For fishing communities, it also brings real economic strain, with rising costs, low catches, and boats sitting idle. What happens if the ban isn’t respected? What’s at stake for marine life, coastal economies, and future seasons? Read more

♻️ From Kitchen Scraps to Community Support in Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos is quietly making progress on sustainability, and this time it’s happening behind the scenes of a major resort. The municipal government and El Cid Resorts have renewed their Organic Bio-Waste Program, an initiative that diverts up to 2.5 tons of organic waste per day away from landfills. Food waste from hotel kitchens is carefully separated and reused to support local farmers and animal care facilities, cutting costs, reducing waste, and strengthening the circular economy. Read more

🚣‍♀️ Inclusive Paddling Meets Tradition at the Rumba Regatta
This Valentine’s Day, the waters of Puerto Aventuras will host the Rumba Regatta 2026, and one team is already making waves. The Ori Canoe Team will compete with an all-women crew, half of whom are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Led by founder Oriana Moya, the team blends competitive training with deep respect for Mayan canoe traditions, viewing rowing as both sport and renewal. With a demanding 10–12 km course and strong competition from across the Riviera Maya, this race promises intensity, purpose, and heart. Read more

🌿 40 Years of Sian Ka’an: Where Culture and Conservation Meet
This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, one of Mexico’s most important protected natural areas. To commemorate the milestone, students and faculty from the Autonomous University of the State of Quintana Roo gathered deep inside the reserve with poetry readings and pre-Hispanic music, reminding us that conservation isn’t just about science, but culture, memory, and connection to place. Home to jaguars, manatees, mangroves, and an intricate system of underground rivers, Sian Ka’an plays a vital role in protecting biodiversity along the Caribbean coast. Read more

Felicidades and congratulations are in order for the incredible women of Oceanida — Eugenia Méndez, Ana Lucía Valencia, Andrea Gutiérrez, and Lucila Muriel — who have officially rowed their way into history.

After 45 days at sea, nearly 4,800 kilometers, towering waves, brutal winds, night shifts on the oars, and even a marlin punching a hole straight through their boat (yes, really), these four guerreras crossed the Atlantic under their own power as part of the World’s Toughest Row. No engines. No shortcuts. Just four years of training, teamwork, and an unbelievable amount of resolve.

A huge local shoutout goes to Andrea Gutiérrez, who calls Playa del Carmen home. Andrea is a Travesía Sagrada Maya veteran, an event I was lucky enough to participate in back in 2018 (and no, I will never stop talking about it). If you’ve ever taken part, you know the respect the sea demands. Now imagine that challenge stretched across an entire ocean over 45 days.

Beyond the athletic feat, Oceanida rowed with purpose, raising funds and awareness for marine conservation and organizations supporting women, including Fondo Guadalupe Musalem, Sirenas de Natividad, and Big Plastic Pledge.

From the Riviera Maya and a community that understands the power of the sea, we celebrate these four warriors. If you would like to see their dramatic arrival into Antigua you can watch it here on YouTube.

Trusted specialty outdoor retailer, REI Co-op, has teamed up with the world’s largest adventure travel company, Intrepid Travel, to create a collection of active trips. From farm stays in Costa Rica to sunrise summits on Kilimanjaro, each trip is led by a local expert with small group sizes capped at 16.

Find your next adventure

_{For T&Cs and to view the full collection of trips in 85+ destinations, visit rei.com/travel.}

Good news for locals and visitors alike! In the coming days, four new public beach access points are set to open, expanding free, legal access to the Caribbean and reinforcing what Mexican law has always said: beaches are public.

These new entrances will be located inside Parque del Jaguar and are meant to connect visitors not just to the shoreline, but also to shared amenities like walking paths, nature trails, and recreational corridors without requiring a hotel reservation or massive beach club tab.

Tulum already has seven recently enabled access points, but rapid development has long made beach access confusing, inconsistent, or quietly restricted. Clearer signage is a big part of this new rollout, aimed at removing the guesswork for both residents and visitors.

The federal government is also continuing talks with beachfront hotels to open additional rights-of-way where access remains limited, using existing legal frameworks that require passage when public access is insufficient. These changes make getting to the beach in Tulum be easier for locals and travelers alike.

If sportfishing is on your Riviera Maya bucket list, this is an experience I confidently recommend. Riviera Maya Fishing runs private charters with licensed captains, experienced crews, and top-tier boats—so all you have to do is reel, relax, and enjoy.

All trips include gear, snorkeling, drinks, fresh snacks, and ceviche made from your catch. Interested? Reply back for more detailed info or email me your dates and how many people are in your party!

This weekend was a tough one for the Puerto Aventuras community. Colegio Puerto Aventuras was vandalized, leaving staff and families shaken and saddened. The school was broken into, the library door destroyed, shelving tipped over, picnic tables and benches around the campus were overturned, along with other acts of damage.

School leadership described the situation as heartbreaking, especially given that the colegio exists to care for and support our local families. Local security and municipal police were called in, and the incidents were captured on the school’s security cameras. Identification of those responsible is reportedly close although I suspect they already know who was involved.

What’s raising eyebrows across the community is the suggestion that some of the youths involved may have come from outside the gates, prompting some uncomfortable but necessary questions. Who allowed (or invited) them in? How did they move through PA? How solid is our security right now and what will the consequences be for those found to be involved?

Residents are asking for a full report once the vandals are identified, along with clarity on how this happened and how it can be prevented moving forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward so this can be handled responsibly.

Next Monday, February 9, the Paamul Service to Others Committee (PSOC) is hosting their annual Valentine’s Day Bake Sale fundraiser and this year they need your suppport more than ever.

For years PSOC has been supporting the children and families in the remote village of Santa Clara. Early this week, the family-owned carpentry shop that built the doors and windows for the new community building suffered a devastating fire. In one morning, the Catsen family lost their livelihood, and the doors and windows that PSOC had spent a year fundraising for, scheduled to be installed this week, were completely destroyed. Once again, the unfinished building must be secured, and the family supported.

That’s where this bake sale comes in.

Stopping by to buy a “Sweetie for Your Sweetie” is a simple way to make a real, immediate impact. They already have over 20 bakers so you are sure to find something delicious! Alongside the baked goods, there will be a dedicated donation basket for doors and windows, with all proceeds going directly toward rebuilding and securing the community center.

If you can make it to Paamul on Monday, the bake sale will be set up in the community center from 11 AM until 1 PM. This is an easy way to do help do some good, pick up a treat, and be part of a community that shows up when it counts.

🐾 Meet Beatrice, a pretty little sweetheart with a soft soul and a heart full of love. She came to us as a young mother with her baby Ivy, and she’s been nothing but gentle and devoted from day one. Now that her mama duties are behind her, it’s Beatrice’s turn to be cared for and cherished.

At three years old, Beatrice has a calm, sweet-tempered nature that makes her an absolute joy to be around. She’s leash trained and enjoys quiet walks, but her favorite thing is cuddling—curling up close and soaking up affection. She’s the kind of dog who brings a sense of peace to a home just by being there.

Beatrice is spayed, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all monthly preventatives, so she’s healthy and ready to settle into family life. If you’re looking for a gentle companion with a loving heart, Beatrice could be your perfect match.

For more information or to meet Beatrice, please email [email protected]. She’s ready for her happily-ever-after.

Here are just handful of upcoming events that you will not want to miss and might need to plan and purchase tickets for in advance. This is just just a small selection, curated from our main list, which you can access by clicking HERE or on the link below.

Today – February 8 | Valladolid Expo Fair 2026 (Valladolid)
One of Yucatán’s biggest annual celebrations returns to Valladolid in honor of the Virgin of Candelaria. Expect live music, traditional food, cultural events, rides, and exhibitions showcasing local agriculture, crafts, and commerce. Highlights include the Candelaria Athletic Race and a Battle of the Bands. More info here

February 5 | Open Mic for the Reef (Puerto Morelos)
A relaxed, community open mic night at Live Music Hall supporting Reef Rescue School and local reef conservation. Sing, speak, play, or just enjoy the show with 2-for-1 margaritas and drink specials. Family-friendly. More info here

February 5 – 8 | Cancún Piano Festival 4th Edition (Cancun)
A four-day celebration of the piano featuring concerts, masterclasses, and educational sessions for musicians, students, and the public. Highlights include the opening concert Noche de Maestros at the Teatro de la Ciudad Cancún, plus talks, didactic recitals, and masterclasses across multiple venues.

February 6 | Tim “Ripper” Owens Live (Playa del Carmen)
Former Judas Priest vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens brings high-voltage heavy metal to McCarthy’s Playa del Carmen, backed by Masters & Sinners. More info 55 2 711 8504.

February 7 | Booze Your Own Adventure (Puerto Morelos)
Interactive stand-up comedy with a twist of lime hits El Pirata as Marc Hallworth takes the stage, with special guest Fernanda Gutierrez. Expect audience-driven laughs, drinks, and a fun, unpredictable show. Starts at 5 PM. More info here

February 8 | “Corre Con tu Familia” Race (Playa del Carmen)
IT Tepeyac-Xcaret will host the 13th annual “Run with your Family” 1K, 5K, & 10K race for runners of all ages and abilities. More info here

February 8 – 17 | Carnaval Playa del Carmen 2026 (Playa del Carmen)
Playa del Carmen turns into a citywide party with parades, comparsas, colorful floats, live music, and cultural events celebrating Carnival season. Expect dancing, costumes, coronations, and family-friendly festivities filling streets and public spaces for ten days of nonstop color and rhythm. More info to come.

February 9 | Pre-Valentine Bake Sale for Charity (Paamul)
Support a community in need at this Pre-Valentine bake sale benefiting Paamul Service to Others. Enjoy homemade treats while helping raise funds to rebuild after a devastating fire destroyed a family business in the Santa Clara community. Takes place at the Paamul Church / Community Center from 11 AM – 1 PM.

To access the full list of Riviera Maya events and happenings and the Live Music Lineup for this week, click on the links below!

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