🌴 It's Nearly Aguinaldo Time. Are You Ready?

🌴 Good morning Insiders! I can believe it’s December already! The holiday events are starting to roll in so be sure to check out the ¿Que Pasa? events listings below so you don’t miss out on any of the fun and festivities!

In today’s Riviera Maya Insider:

• More bad news for vapers in Mexico

• Horseless carriages in Cozumel

• A hot new restaurant in Puerto Morelos

• A book that gives back for Giving Tuesday

• Your annual aguinaldo reminder

All this and more brought to you with support from Money.com, LiveLong Media, Josephine’s and our featured local business Timeless Beauty.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY TIMELESS BEAUTY

Good news! Timeless Beauty with Dr. Luigi Palermo is coming to Puerto Aventuras. Beginning this month, Dr. Luigi, one of the Riviera Maya’s most respected aesthetic physicians, will be seeing patients every Monday at VRODA Beauty Studio, bringing his most-requested treatments right to the Central Marina.

An internationally recognized aesthetic physician and Allergan Medical Institute speaker, Dr. Luigi specializes in advanced, non-surgical rejuvenation techniques such as The Natural Lift Signature. With more than 15 years of experience, he’s known for enhancing natural beauty, never altering it. His local and international patients value his artistry, integrity, and commitment to results that look refined and authentic.

With weekly clinic hours in Puerto Aventuras, it’s now easier than ever to experience his expertise—whether you’re a longtime client, a returning patient, or a visitor curious about world-class aesthetic care during your Riviera Maya stay. Dr. Luigi will offer a full menu of treatments, including Botox, fillers, lip enhancement, facial harmonization, skin boosters, biostimulation, Morpheus8, Ultherapy, jawline and under-eye treatments, masseter Botox, neck rejuvenation, BHRT, stem cells, exosomes, and Dermapen microneedling and more.

When it comes to your face and body, skill and honesty matter. At Timeless Beauty, Every procedure is fully personalized to your anatomy, comfort, and goals for results that look effortless and authentic. Appointments are filling up quickly.

👉️ Book your consultation today online or via whatsapp: +52 984 140 9337.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Our beautiful Photo of the Week is a quiet, everyday moment captured by my friend, photographer, and now, published author Michael A. Maurus. His beautiful new book of photographs and poetry is featured further on in today’s newsletter. Make sure you check it out!

📸 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.

🏨 Profeco vs. Diamante K: What Really Happened in Tulum?
A routine consumer-protection inspection in Tulum turned into a headline-maker after federal agency Profeco announced that the boutique hotel Diamante K had been “suspended.” Hotelier Roberto Palazuelos fired back immediately, insisting no suspension occurred and that inspectors found only minor issues—no hidden charges or extortionate rates. The clash has stirred debate among Riviera Maya hoteliers who worry that unclear enforcement messaging can hurt tourism in a destination already under intense scrutiny.

🚭 Mexico Moves Toward Strict Vape Penalties
Mexico’s Health Commission has advanced a major reform that would impose 1–8 years in prison for producing, selling, or distributing vapes and electronic cigarettes. But a single word in the draft—“acquisition”—has triggered immediate backlash. As written, the law would technically criminalize anyone who buys a vape, a point even ruling-party lawmakers say must be fixed. The proposal now heads to the full Chamber of Deputies, where legislators are expected to revise the wording before a final vote.

🏠 Big Changes Coming to Playa del Carmen’s Property Taxes
Playa del Carmen is preparing a major overhaul of its cadastral values for 2026, the first update in 12 years. Under the proposal, land values in key tourist, commercial, and residential zones would climb to nearly double those in Cancún, which means property taxes in affected areas could double or even triple. Hotels, condos, and high-value residential areas will likely see substantial increases and critics warn the move could worsen gentrification and raise costs across the city.

🎤 Shakira Is Coming to Mérida!
Shakira has officially added Mérida to the final Mexico dates of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, and Yucatán is buzzing. The global superstar will perform on February 24, 2026, at the Carlos Iturralde Rivero Stadium — her first return to the city since her unforgettable 2011 show at La Plancha. Mayor Cecilia Patrón confirmed that presale tickets open December 1 and a full house is expected. The concert is projected to give Mérida a major cultural and economic boost as fans from across the southeast travel in for one unforgettable night.

🪸 Xcaret Earns Major Certification for Coral Conservation
Grupo Xcaret just received official ALPZA certification for its Coral Conservation Program — placing it among the most advanced marine restoration efforts in Latin America. The coral lab inside Parque Xcaret is using cutting-edge assisted reproduction techniques to restore threatened species like Acropora palmata, a key reef-building coral in the Mexican Caribbean. This new certification highlights Xcaret’s growing role in protecting the region’s marine ecosystems and promoting hands-on conservation through science, education, and community engagement.

🌊 Mexico Moves to Protect the Yucatán’s Entire Underground River System
Mexico is preparing a landmark conservation move: declaring all cenotes and underground rivers of the Yucatán Peninsula a subterranean geo-reserve—the first of its kind in the world. The proposal covers more than 3 million hectares, including the vast cave systems that supply drinking water to nearly every community in the region. With rapid growth across the Riviera Maya, this could become one of the most important environmental protections in Mexico’s history.

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ICYMI

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

⚠️ Profeco Cracks Down on Pricing Abuses in Tulum
Profeco inspectors issued a sharp warning to Tulum’s tourism sector this week after uncovering serious pricing violations across hotels, restaurants, and even supermarkets…

🐆 Jaguar Trafficking Reaches Mexico
Researchers are sounding the alarm as Mexico confirms its first cases of jaguar poaching linked to the illegal Chinese wildlife trade. Fangs, bones, and skins, worth up to $15,000 USD, are now being trafficked from the Lacandon Jungle, threatening one of the country’s most vulnerable species.

DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA

Looking for a way to give back or get involved in your community? There is always some GOOD to do! Let us connect you with reputable non-profit organizations and charities working in the Riviera Maya.

📚 Whispers from Mother Nature by Michael A. Maurus

If you’re looking for a meaningful gift this season, or something special for your own coffee table, my friend Michael A. Maurus has just published a book you’ll want in your home.

Whispers from Mother Nature: Echoes of What We Used to Know is Michael’s love letter to the Yucatán jungle, the Maya hinterland, and the quiet truths most of us rush past. What began as a simple life in a small hut off the Ruta de los Cenotes turned into a decades-long practice of observing light, weather, trees, cenotes, woodsmoke, and the slow rhythm of life that still shapes this region.

The book pairs Michael’s breathtaking photography with short reflections—moments gathered along jungle paths, inside Maya communities, and deep in the stillness most of us only glimpse. It’s an invitation to pause, look closer, and remember how old and wise this land really is.

Purchasing this book directly supports the Maya Hinterland Project, Michael’s long-running effort to help the Maya communities between Puerto Morelos and Leona Vicario. Every copy contributes to food, clothing, school uniforms and toy deliveries for local families; support for Maya beekeepers and the sale of their honey; the operation of the Maya Library and the Maya Theater, where children learn their own history; educational trips to Maya archaeological sites; and the creation of a Sanctuary within the nature reserve to promote environmental awareness in the community.

Michael has spent more than twenty years living and working alongside these families—planting trees, supporting beekeepers, and building community projects from the ground up. This book is part art, part storytelling, and part quiet activism. It’s beautiful. It’s meaningful. And it belongs in every Riviera Maya home. If you can, please support Michael and the communities he serves by picking up a copy.

👉️ Purchase Whispers from Mother Nature on Amazon.com

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.

🎁 Understanding El Aguinaldo: Who Pays What and to Whom

The Aguinaldo is a protected tradition in Mexico, providing workers with a mandatory year-end bonus equivalent to at least 15 days of pay. This practice, rooted in labor law, is a significant financial relief for many employees and a crucial part of holiday celebrations. Beyond its legal implications, the aguinaldo reflects Mexico's commitment to supporting its workforce during the festive season. For employers (yes, that could be you), understanding and planning for this obligation is essential to ensure compliance and maintain goodwill. For workers, it’s a time to balance holiday spending with long-term financial planning.

👉️ Read our detailed article and use our Aguinaldo Calculator to make sure you fall on the right side of the law and your employees hearts this holiday season.

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TRAVEL TALK

Planning a trip to the Riviera Maya? We will give you the information you need to take your trip to the next level and elevate you from a tourist to a traveler.

🐴 Cozumel’s Carriages Are Changing

If you’ve walked the waterfront in Cozumel, you’ve seen the island’s traditional horse-drawn calesas rolling along the Malecón. They’ve been part of local tourism for generations, long before Cozumel became a major cruise destination. For many visitors, they’re a nostalgic symbol of the island. But behind the charming appearance, the reality of these carriages is troubling.

In response to ongoing concerns about horse welfare—heat exposure, long workdays, and several public incidents that sparked outcry—in 2022 the municipality approved a law banning horse-drawn carriages for tourism. To replace them, Cozumel introduced electric, horseless carriages designed to mimic the vintage look and slow pace of the originals. They’re quiet, cute, and offer the same scenic ride without involving an animal.

However, the transition hasn’t been straightforward. A group of carriage operators filed for and won an amparo, a legal injunction that allows them to continue using horses despite the municipal ban. That’s why, even in 2025, you’ll still see horse-drawn carriages operating alongside the newer electric versions. It’s a hybrid moment: part tradition, part modern update, with activists pushing for full implementation of the law and animal-free tourism.

For visitors, this means you now have a choice. If you want the nostalgic experience without contributing to the controversy, the horseless carriages are the more humane and forward-thinking option. They maintain the charm, the slow pace, and the breezy Malecón views, without depending on animals to work in tropical conditions.

Cozumel is in the middle of a slow cultural shift, and traveler choices genuinely matter. Opting for the electric carriages supports the island’s move toward responsible, ethical tourism, while still giving you that classic carriage-ride moment. A small decision, but an impactful one. Do you have an opinion about this? I’d like to hear it. Hit reply and let me know.

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!

🍽️ New Restaurant Alert: BUBA - Mediterranean Cuisine

Good news foodies! There’s a hot new spot to check out portside in Puerto Morelos. BUBA-Mediterranean Cuisine is now open on the upper level in the northwest corner of the square, right across from the museum. If you remember the old second space for [email protected], that’s the spot and it’s been completely transformed. The team has worked hard reimagining the space, and it shows.

Buba comes from the same culinary minds behind Punta Corcho, the Michelin-recognized darling as well as our other top picks, Muelle Once and Fisherman´s Speakeasy. The restaurant is named in honor of chef Daniel Ovadia’s grandmother, and the menu reflects that sense of heritage, Mediterranean flavors blended with touches of the Mexican Caribbean. It’s thoughtful, modern, and very much in line with the elevated dining this seaside village is becoming known for.

They’re open from 2 PM to 11 PM, closed on Tuesdays. If you get there before I do, let me know what you try—I’m already eyeing the braised lamb in pomegranate jus! Want a sneak peak at the menu? Click here and I’ll get it right out to you!

📍BUBA is located on the corner of Jose Maria Morelos and Javier Rojo Gomez in Puerto Morelos, above the Soda Gourmet Market.

¿QUE PASA? SPONSORED BY JOSEPHINE’S

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. 

4th Annual Playa Food for Families Fundraiser
December 3 | Buzo’s Restaurant | Playa del Carmen | 6 - 8 PM

Cancun International Boat Show & Marine Expo 2025
December 5 - 7 | La Isla | Cancun | Tickets

Southern Zone Regional Motorcross Championships
December 6 & 7 | José Quíam Chan Track | Playa del Carmen | 10 AM

Feria Trendy Artisans Market
December 6 | PA Bandstand | Puerto Aventuras | 5 - 9 PM

Puerto Aventuras Tree Lighting & Christmas Choir
December 6 | PA Bandstand | Puerto Aventuras | 7 PM

Tulum Half-Marathon 2025
December 7 | Explanada del Palacio Municipal | Tulum

Intl. Philharmonic Orchestra - Tribute to Williams & Zimmer
December 10 | Teatro de la Cuidad ‘Xaman Ha’ | Playa del Carmen | 7PM, 9PM

Paamul Art Show & Sale 
December 13 & 14 | Artist Open House | 12 - 5 PM

Puerto Aventuras Christmas Fest
December 17 | Central Park Plaza | 5 - 10 PM

Puerto Aventuras Traditional Christmas Posada
December 19 | PA Bandstand | Puerto Aventuras | 6 PM

The Nutcracker Ballet
December 20 | Teatro de la Ciudad ‘Xaman Ha’ | Playa del Carmen

Feria Trendy Artisans Market Christmas Edition
December 20 & 21 | PA Bandstand | Puerto Aventuras | 5 - 9 PM

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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