🌴 Sargassum Boats Sidelined When We Need Them Most

🌴 Good morning, Insiders!

I hope you all have your mini-splits tuned up because this week is going to be a hot one. We will all be watching as Mexico plays Czechia tomorrow in Mexico City. Find us on Instagram later today for our list of “cool” places to watch the World Cup match!

In today’s email you will find:

All this, plus the Riviera Maya Events Calendar are brought to you with support from our Featured Sponsor Launa Brockman with Paradise Professional Services.

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

— Michele Kinnon

Most people assume that if they become seriously ill or injured while traveling, their health insurance will get them home. In many cases, it won't.

Traditional travel insurance and even some premium credit card memberships may arrange transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility. What they typically don't do is transport you back to the hospital of your choice in your home country if that’s where you want to be treated.

For expats, snowbirds, and frequent travelers, that distinction can be significant. Recovering near family, trusted doctors, and your established support network can make a difficult situation much easier, emotionally and financially.

Medical transport memberships are designed to bridge that gap. Depending on the plan, benefits can include air medical transport to your home country, hospital-to-hospital transfers, ground ambulance services, emergency medical cash assistance, and travel security support during certain crises.

Many people are surprised to learn that this type of protection can be more affordable than they expected. The challenge is that eligibility rules, enrollment requirements, age considerations, and coverage options can vary considerably.

Launa Brockman with Paradise Professional Services helps clients understand which options fit their situation and how to enroll properly. Contact Launa to review your medical transport and evacuation options: [email protected].

When you're dealing with a medical emergency, the last thing you want to worry about is how you're getting home—and how you will pay for it.

📸 Congratulations to everyone who guessed that last week’s photo was taken at La Cueva del Chango. Amy W. recognized it immediately and replied back fast!

Where am I today? Hint: It was recognized by Michelin with a Bib Gourmand. Reply back with your best guess. Be the first reader to guess correctly and look for your name in next week’s newsletter! If you are reading online, pop me a quick email!

🌊 Navy Sargassum Boats Sidelined During Heavy Season
Several of the Mexican Navy’s specialized shallow-water sargassum collection boats are currently out of service for maintenance in Chetumal, just as new seaweed waves are expected along the Quintana Roo coast. The Navy says more than 63,000 tons have already been collected this year, with more on the way. Barriers, larger vessels, smaller boats, and beach crews remain active, but losing nearshore collection capacity for up to a month is not ideal. In a season this intense, the timing could not be worse. Read more

🔐 Have you registered your Mexican cell phone line yet?
The new nationwide registration requirement could affect far more than your ability to make calls. Banks including BBVA and Banamex are warning that unregistered phone lines may interfere with app registrations, password resets, and other security features that rely on SMS verification. With the June 30 deadline looming, questions remain about enforcement, possible extensions, privacy concerns, and what happens if you do nothing. Learn more

🚗 YouTube Video Claims Mislead Older Adults in Mexico
An AI generated video claiming Mexico passed a new traffic law for senior drivers is causing unnecessary concern. The video warns older adults must carry special medical documents, disclose medications, take fitness exams, stop every two hours, and may face new driving restrictions. Official sources do not support those claims. Mexico does have road safety and licensing rules, and requirements vary by state, but there is no evidence of a new nationwide law targeting senior drivers. Learn more

⚽ How Criminal Groups Use the World Cup to Launder Money
With more than $50 billion in sports betting expected around the 2026 World Cup, organized crime groups may be looking for ways to turn wagers into clean money. A new analysis from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime warns that prediction markets, crypto-based betting platforms, and unregulated sportsbooks can make it harder to track who is really moving the money. Mexico has already seen betting casinos investigated over alleged links to drug trafficking, making this another World Cup storyline worth watching beyond the field. Learn more

🏘️ Could Playa Be Considered for “Barrios Mágicos”?
Quintana Roo may soon have a clearer path for creating new Barrio Mágico districts, thanks to a proposal being developed by the College of Architects of the Riviera Maya and state lawmakers. The idea is to give the designation a legal framework tied to zoning, public space, walkability, residential life, and local identity. Chetumal’s historic center was named Mexico’s first Barrio Mágico in 2022, and the model could help Playa del Carmen and other cities highlight culture, food, architecture, and neighborhood life beyond the beach, if it is backed by real planning. Read more

🐡 Lionfish Still Lurking in the Mexican Caribbean
Lionfish may not be as easy to spot on shallow reefs as they once were, but they have not disappeared from Quintana Roo waters. Local fishermen say juveniles are now being found at medium depths, while larger fish have moved deeper offshore, making them harder to catch. The invasive species still poses a threat to reef life by feeding on small fish and disrupting the food chain. In Akumal, weekly lionfish hunting efforts continue as divers work to keep populations under control and protect the reef. Read more

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Time for another edition of RMI Market Mystery!

Once you have made your guess, click CONTINUE and you'll be directed to the actual listing to see if you guessed correctly.

Would you like to feature your listing in Riviera Maya Insider? Let’s chat!

Doing laundry in Playa just got a lot more interesting.

Spin & Tonics started with a simple but very clever idea: what if a laundromat could be more than a place to wait for your clothes to dry? What if it could also be a comfortable neighborhood lounge where people could work, connect, grab a drink, catch a food pop-up, pay a bill, pick up a package, or just take a break from the heat?

That vision is now fully up and running. Spin & Tonics Laundry Service is officially open for business and ready to welcome its first laundry guests.

The space offers self-service laundry, wash and fold, pickup and delivery, hot water cycles, package drop-off and ordering services as well as bill payment services. There is also free WiFi, a nice coworking space and a lounge area with fresh juices, herbal infusions, coffee, cocktails, and mocktails.

This is not your average lavandería. It is practical, yes, but also comfortable, community-focused, and a little bit fun. Spin & Tonics is open daily from 10 AM until 7 PM. Drop off your laundry, bring your laptop, meet a friend, or stay for a drink while the machines do the work.

📍 Spin & Tonics Laundry Lounge is located on 10th Ave. & Calle 86 in Playa del Carmen. Whatsapp 984 167 5379 for more information.

The results are in for the 2026 Best of Puerto Morelos survey, organized annually by Ron Haugen and the True Friends and Expats of Puerto Morelos Facebook group. Hundreds of residents, part-time residents, and visitors weighed in, and the results offer a fun little snapshot of what people love most about this laid-back beach town.

The survey drew voters from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and beyond, with just over half identifying as full-time Puerto Morelos residents. Not surprisingly, food and drink categories brought out plenty of opinions.

La Sirena had a very strong showing, taking top honors for Best Lunch Portside, Best Dinner Portside, Best Place for a Drink, Best Restaurant with a View, Best Place for Live Music, and Best Place to Watch Sports. El Nicho was named Best Breakfast Portside, while Bodega Verde took Best Breakfast in La Colonia.

Other favorites included Pecao Fonda del Mar for lunch in La Colonia, La Cabaña for dinner in La Colonia, Panna y Cioccolato for dessert, and Ojo de Agua as Best Beach Club. Don Ernesto’s won Best Happy Hour by a wide margin.

For visitors, the community advice was simple and very Puerto Morelos: explore both sides of town, portside and la colonia, slow down, and enjoy the pace. Favorite activity? The beach, followed closely by snorkeling on the reef.

Congratulations to all the winners and to Puerto Morelos for keeping its small-town charm alive. Find all the survey results here.

June is one of the most exciting months for fishing in the Mexican Caribbean. As the water warms up, the offshore action around Puerto Aventuras and the Riviera Maya can include seasonal favorites like mahi-mahi, sailfish, white and blue marlin, and blackfin tuna.

Closer to the reef, barracuda, snapper, triggerfish, jacks, and other local species are also active, making this a good time of year for both deep-sea fishing and shorter reef-focused trips.

Puerto Aventuras is especially well positioned for fishing charters, with quick marina access and rich fishing waters just offshore. Whether you are looking for a serious day on the water or a fun outing with family and friends, the area offers options for different experience levels.

Fishing Riviera Maya offers fully equipped fishing charters with professional gear, licensed captians, experienced crew, and comfortable boats. Perfect for exploring one of the most beautiful fishing destinations in the Mexican Caribbean with stunning coastal views, warm breezes, and the chance for plenty of action offshore.

📍 Puerto Aventuras | Riviera Maya | Mexican Caribbean
📩 Contact us today to book your fishing adventure!

Puerto Aventuras felt especially lively this past weekend as the first TASTE Puerto Aventuras brought residents, visitors, and curious food lovers out to stroll the marina, explore the plazas, and sample bites from some of the community’s favorite restaurants.

The idea was simple and smart: participating restaurants offered special tasting portions priced at 100 pesos or less, giving people an easy excuse to wander from stop to stop, try something new, and rediscover what Puerto Aventuras has to offer.

Some of Puerto Aventuras’ most popular eateries participated, including Aventura Gelato, Café Ole, Dos Chiles, La Caleta, Lara & Luca, Latitude 20, Makito, Nauti Burro, O Sole Mío, Paparazzi, The Pub among others. The variety was part of the fun, with everything from tacos to sushi, pizza to paella, risotto to gelato, and even specialty cocktails.

For many people, the weekend was a reminder that Puerto Aventuras has become a very enjoyable place to dine. It is the mix of upscale eateries, casual spots, long-time favorites, newer arrivals, waterfront atmosphere, and the easy walkability that makes an event like this work.

The only complaint I heard was a common lament. Entry at the main gate was not guarenteed. Despite special instructions for the weekend, access was inconsistent leaving some guests unable to attend.

For a first-time event, TASTE Puerto Aventuras had the right ingredients: good food, accessible prices, participation from local businesses, and a community that was clearly happy to have a reason to get out and explore.

Here’s hoping the access issues get sorted out and TASTE becomes a Puerto Aventuras tradition that everyone can enjoy.

In Yucatán, Sunday morning has a very specific smell: achiote, sour orange, slow-cooked pork, warm tortillas, pickled red onion and just enough habanero to make you question your confidence.

Cochinita pibil is one of the region’s most beloved dishes, but the Sunday tradition has practical roots. During the colonial period, pigs were often slaughtered on Saturday afternoons. Before refrigeration, the meat needed to be cooked and eaten quickly. Families would marinate the pork in recado rojo, wrap it in banana leaves and cook it slowly overnight in a pib, the traditional Maya underground oven.

By Sunday morning, breakfast was ready.

Today, not every vendor uses an underground pit, but the tradition remains strong. People line up early at markets, loncherías and street stands for tacos, tortas or cochinita by the kilo to take home for family breakfast or lunch.

The dish itself tells a very Yucatecan story: Maya cooking techniques, pork introduced by the Spanish, local sour orange, achiote and banana leaves all coming together in one messy, delicious bite.

Today, you can find cochinita on menus any day of the week, but Sunday is when it feels most like Yucatán. Go early, follow the line, don’t pass up the pickled onions and respect the habanero salsa.

At 5 years old, Odin is the perfect mix of maturity, confidence, and affection. He’s great on a leash, loves meeting people, and has the kind of easygoing personality that makes him a wonderful companion. Whether it’s joining you for a walk, relaxing at home, or simply being part of the family, Odin is happiest when he’s by your side.

Odin is neutered, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all his monthly preventatives, so he’s healthy and ready for his forever home.

If you’re looking for a loyal, loving dog who’s ready to fit right into your life, Odin may be your perfect match. Contact [email protected] for more info.

Below are a few standout events coming up soon that are worth planning for. Some may even require tickets in advance. This is just a small selection curated from the full calendar. Browse the complete list by clicking HERE. Don’t forget, you can add your own events for free.

• June 9: Bingo Supporting Cause4Paws at Tulipan, Puerto Morelos
• June 24: Bohemian Nights at Off The Vine Playacar, Playa del Carmen
• June 25: Marc Anthony Tribute at La Vagabunda de la 38, PDC
• June 27: Festival Danza Española & Flamenco at Teatro de la Ciudad, Cancún ($)
• June 27: PA Golf Open 2026 at Puerto Aventuras Golf & Racquet Club ($)
• June 28: Coppelia's Ballet: Don Quijote at Teatro de la Ciudad, PDC($)
• June 28: Diversity March at Poliforum, Playa del Carmen
• June 29: Happy Hour Lotería at Latitude 20°, Puerto Aventuras ($)
• June 30: Wine & Tapas for a Cause at Off the Vine, Playa del Carmen ($)
• July 6: St. Florian Boys' Choir from Austria at Teatro de la Ciudad, PDC ($)
• July 10 - 11: La Diosa del Mar Fishing Tournament at Puerto Morelos
• July 10 - 12: Cozumel Vivo Fest 2026 at Hotel B Cozumel & island venues ($)
• July 18 - 19: Nuestra Señora del Carmen Fishing Tournament In PDC

📆 Did you know you can also submit your own event to appear on the calendar? Give it a try! The more people who use it, the better it gets.

To access the full list of Riviera Maya events and happenings for this week and beyond, click on the link below!

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