🌴 Puerto Aventuras Strives for a Sargassum Free 2026

🌴 Good morning Insiders! The newsletter (and my calendar) is jam packed this week so let’s jump right into it!

In today’s Riviera Maya Insider:

• Early-bird pricing for PAIFF 2026

• Discover the ruins of Ichkabal

• A primer on Las Posadas

• The Paamul Art Show wrap up

All this and more brought to you with support from 1440 Media, Google AdSense and PA-Stay Property Management.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Our beautiful Photo of the Week was taken by Samantha Richardson. You can find more photos of the marina, beaches and other beautiful sights in Puerto Aventuras by following Hacienda Paraiso 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.

🍸 Quintana Roo Gin Wins Gold on the World Stage
Solferino Native Dry Gin, produced in the Maya community of Solferino near Holbox, has been awarded Gold at the World Gin Awards 2025 and named Best Mexican Gin in London. Crafted without chemicals or preservatives and distilled by hand in Quintana Roo’s first gin distillery, the award-winning spirit is already exported to the U.S. and is setting its sights on Japan and Europe. A big win for local talent, sustainable production, and a town of just 800 residents.

🚨 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—many allegedly sold to tourists without prescriptions. The crackdown aims to protect visitors, residents, and the city’s tourism image. If you or your guests buy medications locally, this is an important reminder to stick to licensed pharmacies only.

📱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. New federal rules will require all users—including prepaid SIM cards—to verify their line with official ID. Unregistered numbers will only be able to make emergency calls. If you live in or spend time in Mexico, this affects you. Find out what’s required, who needs to register, and how to make sure your phone service keeps working.

🐢 20 Million Turtles — and Counting
Over the past 30 years, more than 20 million sea turtles have hatched along the Mexican Caribbean coast, most notably in Akumal and Tulum, thanks to one of Mexico’s most successful conservation programs. From nightly nest patrols to protected hatcheries, dedicated teams have helped green and loggerhead turtles return to the very beaches where they were born. It’s a powerful reminder that conservation can work, even in busy beach destinations.

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ICYMI

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

🛒 La Comer Opens 1st Qroo Location in Tulum
One of Mexico’s most recognized upscale supermarket brands has officially opened in Tulum—marking La Comer’s first expansion into the southeast and signaling a new phase of competition in the local grocery market…

⛸️ Playa del Carmen Opens the Largest Ice Rink in Quintana Roo
Playa del Carmen will be adding something magical to the holiday season: the largest ice skating rink in the entire state, opening December 12 at Plaza 28 de Julio…

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

🌴 Your Sneak Peek at this Beautiful Private Villa

Insiders are getting the inside scoop on an impeccably-maintained, fully furnished private home in Puerto Aventuras—before it officially hits the market. With a solid rental history and consistent occupancy, this property is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking for an elegant but comfortable vacation home that pays for itself, plus some.

The villa features a thoughtfully designed layout with multiple indoor and outdoor living spaces. The ensuite master includes a jacuzzi, walk-in shower, and double sinks, while the guest bedrooms offer ample space and flexibility. The kitchen is spacious and fully equipped, complete with a bar area for casual dining and entertaining. The open-plan lounge and dining room flow seamlessly to the covered patio and private pool area, where you’ll also find a grill/smoker, sun loungers, and plenty of outdoor seating—perfect for relaxing or hosting friends and family. A car and golf cart may also be included in the sale.

👉️ For full details and to set up a private showing, reply to this email. Serious inquiries only.

TRAVEL TALK POWERED BY PA-STAY

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.

🎬 PAIFF Returns for 2026

Mark your calendars — and start planning your trip. The Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF) is officially set for March 25–29, 2026, and tickets are already on sale.

PAIFF is quietly building a strong reputation as one of North America’s respected boutique film festivals, known for thoughtful programming, international submissions, and genuine access to filmmakers. The festival celebrates independent cinema, global storytelling, and cultural exchange, all set against the laid-back marina and beach backdrop of Puerto Aventuras. Screenings, special sessions, and events take place in walkable venues, creating an intimate, community-driven festival vibe that filmmakers and audiences love.

🎟️ Ticket options are available now, including a V.I.P. Festival Pass with guaranteed access to all screenings, special sessions, the red carpet awards ceremony, a post-awards reception, a commemorative poster, and food and beverage discounts at participating venues. For groups, the Entourage Patronage Pass offers full festival access for up to eight people, plus on-screen acknowledgments.

👉️ Act now and get $50 USD off each pass using coupon code: EARLYBIRD26

🐅 Ichkabal: Big, Wild, and Still Uncrowded

Hidden deep in the jungle just outside Bacalar, Ichkabal is one of the most important—and least visited—ancient Maya cities in the region. The site once served as a major political and ceremonial center in the southern Yucatán Peninsula and archaeologists believe it may be older than both Chichén Itzá and Uxmal.

Ichkabal covers more than 30 square kilometers, with massive pyramids rising straight out of the forest canopy. The tallest structure reaches about 46 meters, making it one of the highest Maya constructions in Quintana Roo. There are multiple architectural groups, broad plazas, causeways, and ancient aguadas (artificial water reservoirs) that supported a large population centuries before the Spanish arrived.

The name Ichkabal roughly translates to “between the bajos,” a nod to the low-lying wetlands that surround the site. Discovered in the 1990s, it remained closed for years simply because it was too vast to properly protect. Ongoing research has already uncovered remarkably early offerings—some of the oldest found in the region.

Why visit Ichbakal?

• This site has only recently been made accessible to the public, providing a chance to see a major Mayan city before it becomes overly touristy.

• Unlike more famous sites where climbing is banned, Ichkabal allows visitors to ascend the 140 steps of the Great Pyramid for spectacular vistas.

• Ichkabal is deep in the jungle, offering a raw, less-developed feel compared to other ruins, with sprawling plazas and temples.

• In case you needed one, Ichkabal gives you an excuse to plan a weekend trip to Bacalar—not that you really needed one.

👉️ You can also see Ichkabal and experience Bacalar on this tour.

If you’re craving a Maya site that feels raw, powerful, and refreshingly uncrowded, Ichkabal is absolutely worth the trip. If you visited and enjoyed Calakmul, this is going to blow you away. Just keep in mind—like Calakmul—it's a physically demanding experience, requiring good walking shoes and site map or a keen sense of direction. IYKYK. The site is not really suitable for those with mobility limitations.

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.

🌊 A Smarter Sargassum Strategy for Puerto Aventuras

If you've lived through even one sargassum season on the Riviera Maya, you know how crucial it is to protect our beaches, bays, and marine life. After months of research, community meetings, supplier interviews, and comparisons of past successes and failures in places like Puerto Morelos and Akumal, a local sargassum committee—made up of dedicated residents and business owners—has identified what they believe is a viable deflection system for Puerto Aventuras.

The committee chose a deflection barrier system by international engineering firm Okeanis, with local implementation by Inmar Caribe, a 100% Mexican company specializing in sargassum solutions. Designed to redirect rather than collect sargassum, the system has proven effective in other locations, even under extreme weather conditions.

No one is claiming it will be perfect. There are still concerns about sargassum being deflected into the marina entrances and affecting boat traffic. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s a solid start driven by community collaboration and real-world experience.

What’s at risk if we do nothing? Our marine life, our health, our tourism and our property values. This plan has the support of the developer, the fideicomiso, and the hotel properties and now it’s up to the community to decide. If a financial committment from the property owners can be secured, installation is targeted for early 2026.

👉️ Want to see the full presentation? Reply to this email and I’ll send you the deck.

🪅 Las Posadas Begin December 16. Are You Ready?

If this is your first December in Mexico, get ready: Las Posadas are about to take over the neighborhood. From December 16 to 24, communities across the country come together for nine evenings of music, candles, food, and one of the most heartfelt traditions of the season. Here’s what actually unfolds each night:

✨ The Procession
Neighbors walk through the streets singing the traditional Posada song. Someone leads with a candle or lantern, and the kids proudly carry a star-shaped piñata.

🏠 Asking for “Posada” (Shelter)
One group stays outside and sings the petition for shelter. Another group answers from inside. It’s a reenactment of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay—simple, beautiful, and surprisingly emotional.

🪅 The Piñata
Every night ends with breaking a seven-point star piñata. Each point symbolizes a deadly sin, and smashing it represents clearing out negativity before Christmas.

🍹 Ponche & Food
When the singing stops, the snacking begins: hot ponche, tamales, buñuelos, and all the traditional holiday sweets that make this celebration irresistible.

🎶 Music, Community & Pure Joy
Some Posadas are intimate gatherings. Others turn into full block parties—fireworks, music, kids running everywhere, and families celebrating late into the night. If you want to experience the real warmth of Mexico, Las Posadas are it.

👉️ Read more about Las Posadas

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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.

🎨 Paamul Art Show: Community and Creativity Coming Together

Despite the on-again, off-again weather, hundreds of people showed up on Saturday and Sunday making the inaugural Paamul Art Show a massive success. Guests got to wander between studios, homes, and pop-up galleries tucked into this quiet seaside community. Eighteen artists from Paamul and across the Riviera Maya filled the neighborhood with color, texture, and conversation. People came not just to look, but to connect with the artists and to find something truly special for their home.

I spent most of the weekend in Paamul—camera in hand, feet muddy, heart very full—and I can say without hesitation: the very first Paamul Art Show was something special. The art was remarkable, the artists were excited and the energy—despite a few downpours—was on point.

As a member of Seaside Rotary, it was especially meaningful to see the artists and the community directly supporting Rotary’s ongoing community projects. I heard the same thing all weekend from artists, organizers, volunteers, and guests alike: this felt good.

Artists told me the setup encouraged real conversations. Guests loved meeting the people behind the work and getting a sneak peak at some of the newly built homes in Paamul. Volunteers jumped in wherever needed. And yes—plenty of beautiful pieces found new homes.

There’s already talk of doing it again in February or March. If this weekend was any indication, Paamul just quietly launched a new tradition.

¿QUE PASA?  

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. 

Hekab Be Charity Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament
December 16 | Turtle Bay Cafe | Akumal | 12:30 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

National Maya Culture Day
December 21 | Centro Cultural | Playa del Carmen | Starts at 9 AM

Playa del Carmen Christmas Parade
December 21 | 5th Avenue | Playa del Carmen | 7 PM

Nirvana MTV Unplugged Tribute Concert
December 26 | Museo de la Isla | Cozumel | 7 PM

2026 Nations Cup Polo Tournament
January 17 | El Rey Polo Club | Puerto Morelos | 2 PM

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