🌴 The Elephant in the Room

🌴 Good morning, Insiders!

We are welcoming a lot of new readers today and considering the events of the past few days, I am not surprised. While I generally try to keep this platform drama-free, it would be remiss of me not to address the current state of unrest.

Today, I’ll be writing to you not only as a long-time resident of Mexico but also as a CLV for the U.S. Consulate in Merida. I am the “warden” covering the Puerto Aventuras-Paamul-Playa del Carmen area so it’s very important that I get this right—not just for my readers from the U.S. but for everyone.

I’ve shortened this week’s curated news list so we can focus on cutting through the rumors, misinformation, and AI-generated imagery and stick to what we actually know. My goal is to keep this grounded in verified facts and what they mean for those of us living, working, and vacationing here in the Riviera Maya. You’ll find this in the Expat Living section.

In today’s email you will also find:

Plus the Live Music Line Up for this week and our updated Events Calendar. All this and more brought to you with support from Paradise Professional Services, Masterworks and our Featured Sponsor Timeless Beauty.

If you are a local business owner would like to promote your goods or services to Riviera Maya Insider readers, reply to this email and let’s see how we can work together.

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

— Michele Kinnon

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📸 Congratulations to all the readers who correctly guessed that last week’s photo was taken on the marina in Puerto Aventuras. Lots of you spotted it correctly, but the first person to get it right was Richard J. reading all the way from Ottawa, Canada. Richard and his wife and have been vacationing in PA every year since 2004 so he knows that view well!

Where am I today? 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!

✈️🏁 Planes and NASCAR Headed for Tulum
Tulum is gearing up for one of the most ambitious events ever staged in the Mexican Caribbean. From April 23–26, 2026, the Tulum Air Show will bring military and civilian aircraft exhibitions to the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, alongside a historic NASCAR México Series race held inside the airport complex. The weekend will culminate with aerial demonstrations over Parque del Jaguar and near the archaeological zone. Read more

☕ Tim Hortons Is Coming to Mérida
Canada’s iconic coffee-and-donut chain Tim Hortons is setting up shop in the former Café Inédito location near Xcanatún, marking another international brand arrival in the city’s fast-growing north. Mérida’s rapid growth, rising property values, expanding medical corridor, and strong workforce numbers have made the area a magnet for global franchises. No opening date has been announced but the red banner says it’s coming. Read more

🦈 Rare Shark Bite Reported in Tulum
Mexican singer Jorge D’Alessio has spoken out after his young son was bitten by a shark while playing in shallow water at a Tulum beach. The family says the child is recovering well, and doctors confirmed the injury was consistent with a shark bite. While incidents like this are extremely rare along the Riviera Maya, the episode has sparked renewed conversation about marine safety, especially the assumption that shallow waters are risk-free. Read more

On Sunday, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was captured and killed during a federal operation. In the immediate aftermath, incidents were reported in several states, including here in Quintana Roo. If you’ve been scrolling social media, you’ve likely seen a lot of dramatic headlines and unsettling images.

First, please keep in mind that the most dramatic events being reported in the news have taken place in the state of Jalisco, which is located more than 2,000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles) from Quintana Roo. I know that headlines can feel alarming, especially when viewed from abroad, so I want to be clear about what has actually happened here locally. Here’s what’s been confirmed.

• 3 vehicles burned on highway 307 between Puerto Morelos and Cancún
• 7 vehicles set on fire in Playa del Carmen
• 5 vehicles and 1 business were burned in Tulum
• A grocery store was set on fire in Cozumel

Governor Mara Lezama responded firmly by deploying more than 10,000 federal, state, and municipal personnel across the state, including the Army, National Guard, and Navy. The U.S. State Department responded by raising the state’s Travel Risk assessment from 2 (Exercise increased caution) to 3 (Reconsider travel).

As of this writing, nine suspects have been arrested. No civilian injuries have been reported. Officials say the situation is under control and agencies remain in close coordination.

Airports in Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel, and Chetumal are operating normally. No flights have been canceled due to security concerns. ADO buses and the Tren Maya are running. Schools, banks, and government offices are all open.

There have been no riots, no looting, no curfews, and no targeted violence toward residents or visitors.

Yes, some malls and grocery stores closed early on Sunday. That was precaution, not panic. Even here in Puerto Aventuras we canceled the Sunday jazz band so they wouldn’t have to drive back to Playa after dark. Not an overreaction, just common sense.

Yesterday, the U.S. State Department lowered the travel risk level for Quintana Roo from 3 to 2. Shops are open, kids are in school, and traffic is moving. I’ve been up and down the highway from PA into Playa and toward the airport without issue. There is increased police and military presence, especially near the airport, exactly what you would expect to see in a moment like this. We are all breathing a little easier.

Many of you have emailed, messaged, and even called to check on me. I’m more than okay and truly grateful for the concern.

I’ve also heard from readers with upcoming trips who want my honest, boots-on-the-ground take. I understand the nerves. The headlines are dramatic. Social media moves fast. And when you’re far away, it’s hard to separate noise from reality. I want you to know that I think your fears are understandable and I hear them.

On the ground, things feel calm and routine. Businesses are operating, families are going about their day, and visitors are out enjoying the coast.

If you have travel plans to Cancún, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, or anywhere along the Riviera Maya, I would not cancel based on what we’ve seen here locally. Come. Enjoy your stay. Use common sense, as you would anywhere, and stay informed through reliable sources. If you have any specific concerns, I’m just an email away.

Whether you’ve been diving Cozumel’s reefs for decades or you’re just starting to explore the world beneath the surface, a newly released guide pulls the entire Quintana Roo dive experience into one place. One Breath Two Worlds: From Reefs To Cenotes, Explore It All is a comprehensive guide dedicated entirely to diving in the Mexican Caribbean, highlighting just how diverse the experience is here.

The guide walks readers through the region’s reef systems along the Mexican Caribbean, then shifts inland to the cenotes and cave networks that make the Yucatán Peninsula globally unique. In it you will find striking imagery of dramatic limestone formations, haloclines, light beams cutting through freshwater caverns, and the vibrant marine life found offshore. It also features underwater sculpture museums such as the Museo Subacuático de Arte.

There’s practical value as well. The guide includes information on certified dive schools across the state, helping beginners find reputable training centers while giving experienced open water divers ideas for expanding their skills into specialties like cavern and cave diving. Seasonal highlights, including bull shark encounters off Playa del Carmen, round out the picture.

If you’ve been meaning to explore beyond your usual dive sites or you’re planning your first underwater adventure, this guide is a solid starting point. 1,000 copies have been printed for promotion at international trade fairs with hopefully more to come. The guide will be available and free to download from the ReturQ website. Stay tuned….

If you’ve stayed at the former Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, you’ll want to pay attention. The oceanfront property has officially reopened as Devossion by Live Aqua, an adults-only, all-inclusive concept from Grupo Posadas.

Devossion operates as a fully all-inclusive, adults-only resort focused on romance, wellness, and curated experiences. The 314-room property still benefits from that prime central Playa location and dramatic architecture many guests loved, but the positioning is different.

Expect contemporary design with Caribbean warmth, elevated dining included in your stay, immersive entertainment, and a cenote-inspired spa concept. The energy is meant to feel polished and intimate rather than high-volume or party-driven.

Grupo Posadas, Mexico’s largest hotel operator and the company behind Live Aqua and Grand Fiesta Americana, is clearly targeting couples who want a refined beachfront stay without leaving Playa’s walkable Fifth Avenue zone.

If you liked the Grand Hyatt for its design and location, know that the bones are familiar. The experience, however, has been reimagined into something more contained, romantic, and all-inclusive. I’ve had the pleasure of staying at Live Aqua in Cancun and if the level of food and service is comparable, you’ll want to add this resort to your shortlist.

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🐾 Meet Ivy, a petite sweetheart with a soft heart and soulful eyes. At about 18 months old and just 11 kg, she’s the perfect compact companion. Ivy was rescued alongside her mama, Beatrice, and has blossomed into a lovely young girl who’s ready for a home of her own.

She can be a little shy at first, but give her a moment and you’ll see her confidence shine through. Ivy warms up quickly and reveals her true nature: sweet, affectionate, and eager to please. She loves gentle attention, quiet companionship, and being close to her people. Once she trusts you, she’ll stick by your side with quiet loyalty.

Ivy is spayed, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all her monthly preventatives, so she’s healthy and ready for her next chapter. She would thrive in a loving home that gives her patience, reassurance, and plenty of cuddles.

If you’d like to learn more about Ivy or meet her in person, please email [email protected]. She may be a little shy at first, but she just might be your perfect match.

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

February 24 | Akumal Trivia Challenge (Akumal)
Put your knowledge to the test while supporting a great local cause. Join the Akumal Trivia Challenge at Lol-Ha Restaurant, with all proceeds benefiting Hekab Be Activity & Learning Center. Free pizza, cash bar, and prizes for the top teams. More info here

February 25 & 26 | Chinese New Year Feast with Chef Umberto (Puerto Morelos)
Welcome the Lunar New Year with two celebratory dinner sinspired by traditional Chinese New Year dishes, symbolism, and seasonal flavors. Hosted by KI Restaurant. 700 MXN per person. Reservations required +1 831 419 5379.

February 27 | Juan Cirerol – Intimate Live Session (Playa del Carmen)
Mexican indie artist Juan Cirerol brings his raw, honest sound to an up-close private show at Zitla Ceiba, joined by Cartas al Mar, Ty Trumbull, Santonian, and Sahito. Showtime 9 PM. More info here

February 27 - March 7 | 2026 Rally Maya Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula)
Classic car lovers will want to mark their calendars for the 12th annual Rally Maya Mexico which can be enjoyed locally in Cancun and Puerto Morelos. More info here

February 28 | Paco de Lucía Tribute (Playa del Carmen)
A one-night homage to Paco de Lucía featuring Grisha Goryachev, Juan D’Anyelica, Pakito, and guest artists performing his iconic flamenco works live at Teatro de la Ciudad. Curtain time 8 PM. Buy tickets online

February 28 | The Rocky Horror Show (Cancún)
CIAE Artes Escénicas presents The Rocky Horror Show, the cult musical that follows a young couple’s wild night inside the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Provocative, funny, and unapologetically unconventional. Presented at 8 PM at Teatro 8 de Octubre. Recommended for teens and adults. Tickets 998 845 6392.

March 1 | 2026 Cancun Half Marathon & 10K/5K (Cancún)
Join runners for the 11th edition of the Cancún Half Marathon, a scenic road race celebrating International Women’s Day with half-marathon (21K), 10K, and 5K distances along the waterfront at Malecón Tajamar in Cancún. More info here

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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