🌴 Iguana Comedy, Roots Reggae & BBQ in Bacalar

🎄 Good morning Insiders! This might be my favorite time of year on the Riviera Maya. All the holiday decorations are up and best of all, our beloved friends from the north are all migrating south for the winter! Welcome back everyone!

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TRIVIA TIME

🎉 Trivia Time – Las Posadas Are Here!

Las Posadas will be starting soon all across Mexico, bringing music, candles, and nightly celebrations to neighborhoods everywhere—including here in the Riviera Maya. One of the most iconic parts of any posada is the piñata, and its traditional form has a meaning that surprises many people.

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!

FIVE FUN THINGS

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.

🇯🇲 Reggae Night at Roots Jamaican Kitchen

Kick off the weekend island-style at Roots Jamaican Kitchen with a night full of reggae, rum punch, and real Jamaican flavor. From 8 PM to midnight this Friday, the restaurant transforms into a warm, lively celebration of Caribbean culture—perfect for anyone who loves great music, great food, and good vibes.

Expect live performances from Glade Reggae Band that’ll keep you moving, plus a menu loaded with favorites like oxtail, jerk chicken, curry chicken, and escovitch snapper—all the classics that make Roots a Playa del Carmen favorite.

Sip a rum punch or classic margarita, chill with friends, and soak up the rhythm. Wear your brightest colors, bring your best energy, and get ready for a night that feels like a mini vacation. Good food. Good music. Good vibes.

📍 Roots Jamaican Kitchen | Av. 1 Nte. | Playa del Carmen
📆 Friday, December 12 | 7 PM – 12 AM

🎨 Paamul Art Show by the Sea

Spend a fall afternoon wandering a seaside “village gallery” at the first-ever Paamul Art Show, where more than 20 artists from Paamul and across the Riviera Maya will open their doors to the public. For two days, this quiet coastal community turns into a walkable art route, with work on display in private homes and a series of beautiful newly-built houses transformed into pop-up exhibition spaces.

You’ll have the chance to meet the artists, hear the stories behind the work, and take home something truly original. A portion of all sales will be donated to the Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside, supporting community programs throughout the Riviera Maya, so every purchase also gives back.

Make a day of it with the Paamul Art Show Special at Paamul Beach Club. Show your event bracelet and enjoy 20% off food and drinks during show hours. Childcare will also be offered. Ocean views, tasty food, and original art…not a bad way to spend the weekend.

📍 Paamul (various homes & Paamul Beach Club)
📅 Saturday & Sunday, December 13–14 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ FREE Admission

👉️ See the full list of participating artists here.

🥩 A Smokin’ Hot Grill Fest in Bacalar

If your idea of a perfect Saturday involves sunshine, smoky flavors, and a little culinary exploring 🙋‍♀️, then Bacalar has just handed us a golden invitation. The very first Bacalar Grill Fest is happening Saturday, December 13 at the beautiful Blú Beach Club and it’s already looking like a must-eat event.

Brought to you by the Quintana Roo Chefs Association and CANIRAC, this new festival gathers an impressive lineup of chefs, grill masters, and charcoal pros from Bacalar and Chetumal for a full Caribbean-style cookout beside the lagoon. Think 16 food stations, local producers showcasing their best ingredients, live music on the sand, artisan pop-ups, and a truly laid-back, pet-friendly atmosphere. Add in those views over the lagoon of seven colors, and you’ve got a perfect day in the making.

Bacalar’s food scene has been growing in exciting ways, and this festival feels like the next big step—spotlighting regional flavors, supporting small businesses, and even including nautical tour operators who can drop guests straight at Blú Beach Club to join the fun.

📍 Blú Beach Club | Bacalar km 353
📅 Saturday, December 13 | 4 PM – 11 PM
🎟 250 MXN adults | 100 MXN for kids 10+
🍖 Food and Beverages available for purchase
📲. Reservations: 983 123 05 35 

🤪 New Tour, New Cities—Same Iguana-level Chaos

Iguana Comedy closes out 2025 with “Runnin’ Outta Time”, a mini-tour featuring comedian, inventor, and self-proclaimed “recovering runaholic” Oumer Isha—a man who has performed stand-up on every continent and still somehow can’t sit still.

Oumer spends his days building high-tech ideas and his nights rolling them into razor-sharp, worldly, and hilariously relatable comedy. If you’ve ever booked a trip, missed a flight, or tried to reinvent yourself on the road, you’ll love the way this guy thinks.

Oumer takes the mic with a rotating Iguana lineup—fresh faces, returning favorites, and a few surprises. Hosted by Iguana Comedy co-founder Andrew Jonch, who’ll warm up the room with his signature “How did we get here?” storytelling, the tour hits three cities across the Riviera Maya from December 19–21, each night with a slightly different lineup as we roll into the new year.

📍 Ophelia Speakeasy | Cancun
📆 Friday, December 19 | 7:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets

📍 Live Music Hall | Puerto Morelos
📆 Saturday, December 20 | 7:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets  

📍 Zitla Playa | Playa del Carmen
📆 Sunday, December 21 | 8 PM
🎟️ Tickets  

If you’re craving a night out, a laugh that resets your whole week, or a break from holiday chaos, this is your sign. These shows always sell out fast—don’t wait until you’re actually “runnin’ outta time.”

🎄 Experience The Nutcracker Ballet

Get ready for a magical night of Christmas tradition as the Russian State Ballet Mari El, under the direction of Konstantin Ivanov, brings The Nutcracker to life at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. I have seen this production in years past and can tell you, this is one performance you won’t want to miss.

This beloved holiday masterpiece arrives with all the grace, charm, and visual splendor of an authentic Russian ballet production. Expect exquisite costumes, dazzling stage design, and world-class dancers performing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score — from the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies to the battle with the Mouse King. This performance is a beautiful way to welcome the holiday season, perfect for families, ballet lovers, and anyone craving a festive night out in Playa del Carmen.

📍 Teatro de la Ciudad "Xaman Ha" | Playa del Carmen
📆 Saturday, December 20 | Curtain Time: 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available here

WEEKEND WEATHER

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.

⛅ Weekend Weather Outlook

Thursday (Dec 11)
84 🌡️ 74 | 🌤️ → 🌦️ (isolated afternoon showers) | ~25% | 💨 E 7 mph (6 knots)

Friday (Dec 12)
85 🌡️ 74 | ☀️ → 🌤️ (mostly sunny with brief clouds) | ~15% | 💨 ESE 8 mph (7 knots)

Saturday (Dec 13)
86 🌡️ 75 | 🌤️ with a light sun–cloud mix | ~10% | 💨 SE 7 mph (6 knots)

Sunday (Dec 14)
84 🌡️ 74 | ⛅ → 🌦️ (spotty showers possible late) | ~20% | 💨 E 6 mph (5 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature ≈ 84 °F (≈29 °C) — warm, comfortable, and perfect for swimming.

Summary: A classic December stretch — warm days, light breezes, and just enough tropical flair to keep things interesting. Expect sunshine to dominate, with a few polite showers popping in late on Thursday and Sunday. Ideal beach weather all around… just keep a towel handy in case the sky gets frisky.

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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 Billy, an almost–one-year-old sweetheart who has grown into a beautiful, affectionate little girl with a whole lot of love to offer. She’s bright, gentle, and always happy to be part of whatever you’re doing—whether that’s a walk, playtime, or just relaxing at home. Billy has that easygoing, lovable personality that makes her a joy to be around.

She is spayed, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all monthly preventatives, so she’s healthy and ready to start her new life with a family who’ll adore her. If you’d like to learn more about Billy or meet her, send an email to [email protected]. She might be the perfect match you’ve been looking for.

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

RMI LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

We do our best to get the most up to date information from the venues and bands. Most of the venues have transitioned into high season mode and have lots of great live music going on! Most of the slots look like they are filled but gigs and bookings may still 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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