🌴 A Troubling Attack Raises Questions for Playa del Carmen Businesses

🌴 Good morning, Insiders!

If you have been reading along with me for a while, you know I try to keep this newsletter focused on the good: the places, people, events, and everyday moments that make life in the Riviera Maya so interesting. But something happened in Playa del Carmen this weekend that I can’t ignore, and leaving it out would be ignoring the elephant in the room.

So…in today’s email you will find:

All this and much more, plus the Riviera Maya Events Calendar are brought to you with support from our Featured Sponsor Timeless Beauty.

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

— Michele Kinnon

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📸 Congratulations to everyone who guessed that last week’s photo was taken in Puerto Morelos. The first reader to guess correctly was Tere C. Well done, amiga!

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!

🚨 Attack on New Playa del Carmen Restaurant Raises Concerns
A newly opened seafood restaurant in Playa del Carmen was attacked by armed men Sunday night, leaving at least one person dead and several others injured, according to preliminary reports. The Sinaloa-style marisquería, El Camarón Guasaveño, had opened only weeks earlier, making the attack especially troubling for local business owners and investors, not to mention everyday customers like me. Read more

🌊 Quintana Roo Stops Short of Calling Sargassum an Emergency
Quintana Roo is facing one of its toughest sargassum seasons, with heavy landings affecting beaches in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mahahual, and other parts of the Mexican Caribbean. Even so, state officials say no formal environmental contingency has been declared because that decision would have to come from the federal government. The reluctance may also be tied to tourism concerns, funding obligations, and the political weight of calling it an “emergency”. Read more

⚠️ Another Development Approved for Punta Venado
Semarnat has approved another tourism and residential development affecting more than 111 hectares in the Punta Venado-Paamul corridor south of Playa del Carmen. The project includes hotel rooms, suites, residences, internal roads, artificial lagoons, and water-treatment infrastructure. Developers say only 15% of the property will be built on, but the location is what raises concern. The land sits between two major protected areas. The question is no longer whether the Riviera Maya can keep growing. It is whether it can keep growing without sacrificing the ecosystems that made it valuable. Learn more

🏗️ Tulum’s Housing Problem Comes Into Focus
Tulum’s tourism slowdown is exposing a deeper problem: the town has built heavily for visitors, investors, and short-term rentals, but not enough for the people who actually live and work there. Real estate analysts say most housing in Tulum is aimed at tourists or vacation buyers, unlike Cancún and Playa del Carmen, where a stronger local resident base keeps the economy moving even in low season. With thousands of units for sale, hundreds of active projects, reduced air connectivity, high prices, and softer hotel occupancy, Tulum is facing a difficult correction. Read more

🦋 Monarch Butterfly Numbers Rise in Mexico
Monarch butterfly colonies in Mexico saw a 64% increase this winter, offering a hopeful sign for one of North America’s most remarkable migrations. The latest WWF-Mexico and CONANP survey found that monarchs occupied 7.24 acres of forest in Michoacán and the State of Mexico, up from 4.42 acres the previous season. The news is encouraging, especially as forest degradation in the reserve also declined. Still, scientists caution that monarch numbers remain far below historic levels, and threats such as climate change, pesticide use, habitat loss, and extreme weather continue across their migration route. Read more

🌿 Could Sargassum Help Build Tulum’s Future?
A new concrete plant near Tulum plans to turn one of the Riviera Maya’s biggest headaches into a construction material. Grupo Dakatso says its facility will produce “sargacreto,” a concrete made with sargassum, for public and private projects along the coast. The company has already proposed using the material for the repaving of Avenida 7 Sur in Tulum, a project that could absorb up to 1,800 tons of sargassum. Learn more

🦊 A Rare Second Chance for Cozumel’s Elusive Fox
For more than 20 years, the Cozumel dwarf fox was almost more legend than science. This tiny island canid had never been photographed alive, and many feared it had disappeared before researchers could fully understand it. Now, new photographic evidence confirms the fox still survives on Cozumel, renewing hopes for one of the world’s rarest canids. The rediscovery is exciting, but it is not a recovery story yet. Read more

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Extra strong “Godzilla” El Niño conditions have officially developed in the tropical Pacific, and while that may sound far away, the effects can reach the Mexican Caribbean. For Quintana Roo, this could mean more heat, warmer nights, higher demand for air conditioning and water, and possible dry spells that raise wildfire risk.

El Niño may also suppress Atlantic hurricane activity, but that does not mean the Riviera Maya is risk-free. One well-placed storm can still cause serious damage. Learn more

When buyers think of Playa del Carmen, the first areas that usually come to mind are downtown, the beach zone, and Playacar. But some of the most interesting opportunities today are found just outside those familiar neighborhoods. This 3-story home in El Cielo is a perfect example.

Located in one of the area's most desirable gated communities, less than 10 minutes from downtown Playa and just minutes from the beach, this fully furnished 3-bedroom home offers something many buyers are searching for: more space, more privacy, and more value.

Inside, you'll find high ceilings, an open-concept layout, a spacious kitchen with an island, and plenty of natural light. The standout feature is the private rooftop terrace with a covered lounge area, perfect for entertaining friends, enjoying sunset cocktails, or simply unwinding after a day at the beach.

Residents also enjoy access to a community pool, clubhouse, landscaped gardens, and 24-hour security. With smart locks, skylights, walk-in closets, and two parking spaces, this home is move-in ready and designed for comfortable Riviera Maya living.

If you've been looking for a home that offers a little more breathing room while staying close to everything Playa has to offer, this one deserves a closer look.

If you are looking for a meaningful outing with kids, the Tortuga Fest 2026 in Akumal is a great one to put on your calendar.

This community event celebrates sea turtle conservation, local culture, and the natural beauty that makes Akumal so special. The event kicks off with a Mayan ceremony on the beach, honoring the connection between the community and the sea. Activities then continue at the dome in the pueblo, next to the sports court, with a photography exhibition, interactive workshops, environmental activities, local vendors, and sea turtle education.

For families, this is a wonderful opportunity to help children connect with nature in a hands-on way while learning why sea turtle protection matters here in the Riviera Maya.

📍 Tortuga Fest 2026 takes place today, Tuesday June 16 beginning at 9 AM on the beach in Akumal.

Crocodiles are part of life in the Mexican Caribbean, whether we notice them or not. They are most often found in mangroves, lagoons, cenotes, wetlands, and even some golf course ponds along the Riviera Maya. With International Crocodile Day celebrated on June 17, let’s take a look at the local species we share the coast with.

The two main crocodile species found in this region are the Morelet’s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus).

In the lagoon at Cobá, the crocodiles people see and talk about are generally Morelet’s crocodiles, a species that prefers freshwater habitats such as lakes, marshes, and inland wetlands.

At Cenote Manatí in Tankah, the famous resident crocodile “Panchito” is also identified as a Morelet’s crocodile. His recent brush with an elderly swimmer is a useful reminder that even familiar wildlife is still wild.

In Cozumel, especially around Punta Sur, the crocodiles are generally associated with the American crocodile, a species more tolerant of saltwater and brackish coastal lagoons. Recent genetic research suggests Cozumel’s crocodiles may be more unique than previously understood, which makes their habitat even more important.

In the Puerto Morelos mangroves, sightings are most likely tied to coastal crocodile habitat, where American crocodiles are more expected, though habitat overlap can happen.

As for the regular croc sightings near golf course ponds up and down the Riviera Maya, those are usually Morelet’s crocodiles where the water is mostly fresh.

How can we best coexist with our toothy neighbors? Admire from a distance, never feed them, and keep pets and small children away from the water’s edge.

Puerto Aventuras has something pretty special sitting right in front of us: the reef of Bahía de Fátima.

This reef are home to a wide variety of marine life, including Acropora palmata, better known as elkhorn coral. It is one of the key coral species that helps build and protect Caribbean reefs, but like so many reef systems, it is under pressure from warming seas, disease, pollution, sargassum, and human impact.

A new community-led project, Coral Recovery Puerto, is working to restore damaged coral colonies in Bahía de Fátima and protect this important ecosystem for the future.

The plan includes installing coral planting structures, purchasing restoration tools and materials, monitoring and maintaining new coral growth, and training community members with help from marine restoration experts. The project also includes education for children and residents, including guided snorkel activities designed to help people understand what is happening just below the surface.

Thanks to donations already received and support from local sponsors, the team is now working through the permitting process and conducting the studies needed to move coral restoration forward in Puerto Aventuras.

Healthy reefs do more than look beautiful. They protect our beaches from erosion, provide habitat for hundreds of marine species, support tourism, and help keep the local economy connected to a healthy ocean. To support the project, participate, or learn more, contact: [email protected].

Puerto Aventuras needs its reef. And right now, the reef needs Puerto Aventuras.

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The Riviera Maya is ramping up its gastronomic game with five foodie events worth marking on your calendar.

First up, EntoBite: A Taste of the Future at Colegio Puerto Aventuras on June 16 puts creativity and sustainability on the menu. This student-led evening explores alternative proteins and future food ideas through interactive stations, games, tastings, performances, and a few surprises.

That same week, Playa del Carmen Grill Fest brings two days of fire, flavor, and smoky beachside energy to Parque Fundadores on June 16 and 17. Expect grill masters, live music, cocktails, and plenty of Caribbean-style barbecue right by the water.

From June 19 to 21, Paamul Restaurant is offering a special five-course mole tasting menu celebrating one of Mexico’s great culinary treasures, with guest chef Brenda Ortega, optional drink pairing, and two seatings each evening.

On June 20, El Árbol de la Diez hosts a mezcal tasting in Playa del Carmen featuring three handcrafted Mexican distillates: Cuixe, Sotol, and Raicilla. Each will be paired with a special canapé from Flor de Castaña, with a chance to learn more about the traditions and origins behind these artisanal spirits.

Then, on June 20 and 21, Taste Puerto Aventuras invites everyone to wander the marina and plazas for a new open-air tasting experience. Participating restaurants will offer special tasting plates starting at $100 MXN, making it easy to sample your way through mini burgers, tostadas, tapas, ceviches, desserts, cocktails, gelato, and more.

If you haven’t explored the local food scene lately, this is a very good excuse to come hungry.

Looking for something a little different for Father’s Day weekend? Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is opening its doors to local residents for a special Mexican Night on Saturday, June 20.

This adults-only evening includes a premium Mexican buffet at shared tables, tequila tasting, live entertainment, and a 200 ml bottle of Tequila Amor Mío as a gift for each couple. It’s a fun option for treating Dad to a night out with good food, music, and a little resort-style atmosphere close to home.

The event runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and is priced at $1,550 MXN per person. Valet parking is included for local residents with official ID.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Guests must be 18 or older.

Say hello to Maggie, Bart, and Lisa—our newest trio of adorable rescue puppies! These three little cuties were found on the streets of Cancún and are now safe, warm, and getting the care they need. For the moment, they're spending time in quarantine while they complete their health checks, testing, and vaccinations.

Once they've received the all-clear, they'll be out exploring, playing, and making friends with the other dogs. Until then, they're patiently waiting for the next chapter of their lives—and maybe their future families.

Interested in adopting one of these pups when they're ready? Email [email protected] to be added to the waiting list and receive updates.

In addition to all the events featured above, here are a few more events and fun activities going on in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and all along the Riviera Maya this month! You can find the entire interactive events calendar by clicking any on the listings below.

• June 16: Tortuga Fest 2026 at Akumal Dome & Beach, Akumal
• June 17: Intl. Painting Symposium at Centro Cultural y Museo, Puerto Morelos
• June 17: Tulum Pop Up Market at El Tábano, Tulum
• June 18: Rin: Círculo de Lectura para Mujeres at Centro Cultural, PDC
• June 20: Rock Skándalo at Encanto Beach, Playa del Carmen ($)
• June 21: The Lion King at Teatro de la Ciudad, Cancún ($)
• June 21: Nohoch Father's Day Bike Race at Central Park, Puerto Aventuras
• June 28: Coppelia's Ballet: Don Quijote at Teatro de la Ciudad, PDC ($)
• June 29: Happy Hour Lotería at Latitude 20°, Puerto Aventuras ($)
• June 30: Wine & Tapas for a Cause at Off the Vine, Playacar ($)
• July 10 - 12: Cozumel Vivo Fest at Hotel B Cozumel & island venues ($)

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

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