🌴 Shark Attacks Ray on Tulum Beach [VIDEO]

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🌴 Happy Tuesday, Insiders!

I hope you are enjoying this nice cool weather as much as I am!

As promised—shout out to the readers who correctly guessed where last week’s photo of the week was taken. A lot of your knew that the photo was taken at Punta Esmeralda in Playa del Carmen but the first 5 to respond were Jorge P., Lester W., Ron B., Shane L., and Marc P. Well-spotted, gents!

Common ladies—you are going to have to step up this week!

In today’s email you will find:

• The new REC requirement

• Poll reveals the best Tulum beach club

• Sport fishing on the Riviera Maya

• Our adoptable dog of the week

Plus the Live Music Line Up and our updated Events Calendar. All this and more brought to you with support from AG1, Intrepid Travel, and 1440.

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

— Michele Kinnon

One Habit You’ll Keep

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WHERE AM I?

📸 This stunning sunrise was captured somewhere along the Riviera Maya. Do you know where? You don’t have to guess the specific hotel, just where it is. Reply back fast! If you are reading online, pop me a quick email!

The first 5 readers to get it right will get a shout-out in next week’s newsletter!

📸 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

🏨 Tulum’s Hotel Sector Sounds Alarm Over Massive Events
As Tulum’s popularity as a festival destination soars, local hotel leaders are urging caution. David Ortiz Mena, president of the Tulum Hotel Association, warns that mega-events—while good for short-term occupancy—can overwhelm the town’s fragile infrastructure, from roads to hospitals, and damage its long-term image. Recent festivals have drawn crowds of 20,000+, exposing gaps in policing, emergency response, and venue preparedness. Read more

🦝 Wildlife Rescues Rise in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen’s environmental authorities assisted 768 wild animals in 2025, responding to more than 650 citizen reports across the municipality. Most rescues involved mammals—particularly opossums, raccoons, and coatis—while birds, reptiles, and even a blue crab were also assisted. Officials remind us that community reporting and rapid response play an important growing role in protecting local wildlife as urban development continues to expand. Read more

⚽ Uruguay Eyes Playa del Carmen for World Cup 2026 Base
Playa del Carmen may soon be hosting some very elite company. Uruguay’s national football team has selected the city as its preferred training base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing ideal conditions for performance, recovery, logistics, and player well-being. The decision follows an evaluation of five possible locations across Mexico and the U.S., with Playa emerging as the only site to meet all requirements. Final approval now rests with FIFA, but if confirmed, it would place Playa del Carmen firmly on the global football map ahead of the world’s biggest sporting event. Read more

🎤 Gloria Trevi Kicks Off Cozumel Carnival 2026
Cozumel Carnival 2026 is starting with a bang—and a powerhouse performance. Gloria Trevi headlined the official kickoff concert on Saturday night, launching one of Quintana Roo’s most beloved and long-running celebrations. The show marked the opening of the Carnival season on the island, setting the tone for weeks of parades, music, costumes, and community events. Read more

🌊 Experts Looks Offshore to Stop Sargassum Before It Hits the Beach
Quintana Roo is exploring a bold new strategy to tackle sargassum at its source: installing large offshore barriers near Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro to divert the seaweed before it reaches the coast. State officials say early arrivals this season and shifting ocean currents have raised concerns for beaches, marine ecosystems, public health, and tourism across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Read more

🦈 Shark–Ray Encounter Caught on Camera Near Tulum
A dramatic video filmed off Playa Santa Fe in Tulum is making the rounds after capturing a shark attacking a ray in very shallow water, just steps from the beach. The footage, recorded inside Parque del Jaguar, has sparked plenty of questions—and some concern—about shark activity along the Quintana Roo coast. Experts stress this wasn’t a threat to people, but a natural predation event in a healthy marine ecosystem.

👉️ Watch the video by clicking here or on the image below!

Daily News for Curious Minds

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TRAVEL TALK

🏖️ Gitano Beach Named Tulum’s Favorite Beach Club

The people have spoken—Gitano Beach has won The Tulum Times People’s Choice Award for Best Beach Club in Tulum, taking home 43% of the vote. In a strong second was Delek with 22%, followed by Ahau with 15%.

Located in the heart of the Tulum Beach Zone, Gitano Beach blends barefoot luxury with a bohemian soul. This chic, jungle-meets-sea hideaway offers elevated Mexican cuisine, creative cocktails, a swanky beach setup, and a rotating lineup of live music and DJs, making it a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Think palm-fringed lounges, mezcal under the stars, and an effortlessly cool vibe that defines modern Tulum.

Gitano Beach is part of the larger Gitano family (which includes the jungle restaurant Gitano Tulum and Gitano Mezzanine), known for design-forward spaces and a strong sense of place. The beachfront outpost captures all of that with stunning ocean views and an elevated party atmosphere that still feels grounded in nature.

Comments from voters described it as “the best in Tulum,” “lovely,” and praised its “service and quality.” One fan summed it up perfectly: “Best food and location in Tulum.”

I’m curious? What’s you favorite beach club in Tulum? Does anyone remember Om? I sure do miss those days….

Adventure outside the ordinary

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.}

🎣 Fish On in the Riviera Maya

If getting out on the water is on your Riviera Maya bucket list, this is one experience I’m happy to recommend! Riviera Maya Fishing offers private sportfishing charters with licensed captains, experienced crews, quality boats, and everything handled so you can focus on the fun (and the fight on the line).

You’ve got three solid boat options, depending on your group size and vibe:
• 32’ Blackfin – perfect for small groups up to 5 guests
• 38’ Luhrs Express – great balance of comfort and performance for up to 12
• 45’ Viking Express – big, fast, and ideal for groups up to 14

All charters are private and include crew, fishing gear, snorkeling, ice, drinks, fresh fruit, guacamole, and ceviche made from your catch. Longer trips also include sandwiches so you can keep up your strength. Round-trip transportation and upgraded food and drink packages are also available.

You and your friends can be out on the water fast, lines in, shouting “Fish On” for as little as $100 USD per person, depending on group size and length of tour.

👉 Interested? Reply back for more detailed info or email me your dates and how many people are in your party! Reading online? Email [email protected].

EXPAT LIVING

🚗 What Exactly Is the REC and Should You Care?

With all the confusion surrounding this year’s vehicle registration and license plate replacement, one question keeps coming up in my inbox: What exactly is the REC?

REC stands for Registro Estatal de Contribuyentes — Quintana Roo’s State Taxpayer Registry, managed by SATQ (the state tax authority). In simple terms, it’s a digital system the state uses to link residents and businesses to certain obligations, including vehicle-related paperwork.

As of this year, you must be registered in the REC before doing certain vehicle transactions like the plate exchange, renewals, ownership transfers, or provisional permits. The idea is to modernize systems, centralize records, and create a single digital “Expediente” so you don’t have to carry piles of paper every time you visit a government office. Wouldn’t that be an improvement!

Originally the process for the REC required a federal RFC and an updated “Constancia de Situacíon Fiscal” from SAT. After considerable confusion and push-back, the state recently simplified it so you can register with just your CURP. This has removed a major barrier for many people, including foreign residents. Crisis averted.

For most of us living here with a vehicle, the REC won’t change daily life, but it is now a necessary step if you want to stay compliant with local vehicle registration requirements.

NOTES ON NAPKINS

🔪 Kokoro Tulum: Where Craft Meets Ceremony

To mark their 5th anniversary, Kokoro Tulum is hosting a rare and immersive culinary experience centered around the ancient Japanese tradition of ronqueo—the ceremonial breakdown of a whole bluefin tuna. Ronqueo is a precise, almost meditative process where each cut honors the fish and showcases the skill of the chef. It’s a practice rooted in respect, craftsmanship, and zero waste, and it’s not something you see often outside of Japan.

This exclusive event is planned Friday February 23 and will feature a traditional tuna cutting ceremony, followed by a curated tasting of bluefin tuna presented across multiple styles and cuts, highlighting the depth of flavor and texture that makes this fish so revered. Each course will be paired with selected sake and wine, designed to complement the richness and nuance of the tuna rather than overpower it. The cost is 1200 MXN per person. Reservations are required +52 984 804 1205.

This anniversary ronqueo is a celebration of Kokoro’s commitment to technique, sourcing, and elevated simplicity—an experience meant to be savored slowly and intentionally. Seating is limited, and reservations are essential for what promises to be one of the most distinctive food events of the season in Tulum.

📍 Kokoro is located on Calle Ixchel at Av Juanek in Aldea Zamá, Tulum

ADOPTABLE DOG OF THE WEEK

Travis is living proof that looks aren’t everything…though let’s be honest, he clearly has those too. What really sets Travis apart is his heart. He’s the kind of dog who wants to be near you, be part of your day, and make you laugh without even trying. Sweet, steady, and endlessly lovable, Travis truly is the very best boy.

At almost one year old and about 19 kg, Travis is that perfect in-between size—big enough for real adventures, but just right for couch time, too. He’s confident, affectionate, and eager to please, making him a wonderful candidate for family life.

Travis is neutered, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all monthly preventatives, so he’s healthy and ready to start his next chapter. What he’s missing now is a home where he can grow, thrive, and be someone’s loyal companion. If you think Travis might be the perfect addition to your family, send an email to [email protected] to learn more or arrange a meet-and-greet.

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

¿QUE PASA?  

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

January 20 – Tapas & Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting (Playa del Carmen)
Enjoy a curated tasting of Valle de Guadalupe wines paired with tapas at Off the Vine 5th Avenue. All proceeds support KKIS scholarships for low-income students. $500 MXN per person. Reservations required.

January 20 | Name That Tune (Puerto Morelos)
A fun, fast-paced music trivia night where teams compete for prizes and bragging rights while supporting a good cause. Hosted every Tuesday at La Sirena, entry is 50 MXN per person (includes a raffle ticket), with bonus tickets for bringing pet supplies. Proceeds support Cause4Paws. More info here

January 22–25 | Third Winter Book Fair (Cancún)
A free, family-friendly book fair at Urban Center Plaza featuring books fromover ten publishing houses, author talks, workshops and children’s activities. Peru is the guest country, with a strong focus on local and Mayan-language writers.

January 22 – Fundraiser for Leyendo (Playa del Carmen)
Join us at Buzo’s in Playa del Carmen and support literacy and local libraries at this community fundraiser featuring a silent auction, live auction, live music, and a 50/50 raffle. More info to come.

January 23 | Hughes Family Charity Curry Night (Puerto Aventuras)
Curry lovers gather at Restaurant Latitude 20° to enjoy a range of flavors prepared by local chefs and raise money for charity. Tickets 400 MXN. Proceeds support Itzé Nah. More info here

January 24 – Basic First Aid Course in English (Puerto Aventuras)
A hands-on basic first aid course hosted by Colegio Puerto Aventuras and taught by the Mexican Red Cross, covering emergency response and immediate care. Meets Protección Civil requirements. 850 MXN per person. Sign up via whatsapp 984 801 0015.

January 25 | The Pirates of Jazz Live (Playa del Carmen)
An international jazz collective led by guitarist Andre Krengel brings an energetic, genre-blending show to Buzo’s Restaurant, featuring musicians from five countries and special guests Camille Gomez-Vaëz and Alex Torre. Advance reservations recommended +52 984 175 0294.

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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Thanks for reading Riviera Maya Insider! Let’s chat again next Tuesday!

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