🌴 What's on the Menu? Conch is in. Lobster is Out!

🌴 Good morning, Insiders!

I’m pleased to report that life here on the Riviera Maya has returned to its old familar hammock-swinging, margarita-sipping pace. The only excitement is all the great events we have coming up in the month of March! Be sure to check the calendar so you don’t miss out on the fun!

In today’s email you will 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 our NEW Featured Sponsor Paradise Professional Services.

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

— Michele Kinnon

If you’re driving in Mexico, your U.S. or Canadian car insurance does not legally protect you here.

Even if your policy says it extends coverage into Mexico, it typically does not satisfy Mexican liability law. And in an accident, that matters, especially if injuries are involved.

Mexican-issued auto insurance is required because liability here is handled differently. In serious accidents, drivers may be required to demonstrate financial responsibility before leaving the scene. It’s not something you want to sort out after the fact.

If you already have a Mexican auto policy — good. But not all policies are structured the same. Liability limits, legal assistance, roadside support, and how claims are handled can vary significantly. It’s worth reviewing whether your current coverage truly fits how you use your vehicle here.

Launa Brockman with Paradise Professional Services specializes in helping expats understand what’s actually required and what level of coverage makes sense for your lifestyle. With years of experience working directly with expats, she knows how the system actually works.

Full-time resident? Snowbird? Bringing a vehicle down seasonally? Proper coverage is not one-size-fits-all. The right policy depends on how you use your car here. Better to clarify now than regret it later.

👉 Click here to review your options.
📩 Or email Launa directly for a quick coverage check: [email protected]

📸 Congratulations to all the readers who correctly guessed that last week’s photo was taken a few years back in Paamul. Lots of you spotted it correctly, but the first person to get it right was Wendy W. who recognized that view immediately becase she lives there!

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!

🕳️ 8,000-Year-Old Human Remains Discovered Beneath Tulum
An approximately 8,000-year-old human skeleton has been recovered from the Sac Actún cave system beneath Tulum one of the longest underwater cave networks in the world. The discovery brings the total number of prehistoric human remains found between Tulum and Playa del Carmen to eleven, including the Woman of Naharón, considered the oldest human fossil in the Americas. Researchers believe the individual was placed in the cave when it was dry, thousands of years before rising sea levels flooded the system. Read more

🇲🇽🇺🇸 U.S. Special Forces Training Approved for Cozumel
The Mexican Senate has authorized 12 members of the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group to conduct joint training exercises at Cozumel’s Military Air Base No. 4 through July 15. The program, described as strictly educational, is part of broader U.S.–Mexico military cooperation and does not involve public security operations. Still, the move places Quintana Roo in the spotlight amid ongoing cartel-related arrests across the state. Why Cozumel? Its strategic Caribbean location and expanding air base infrastructure make it a key site for surveillance and coordination. Read more

🌴 Environmental Tensions Rise in Puerto Aventuras
A formal complaint has been filed with federal authorities alleging illegal destruction of protected chit palm forest and the blockage of a coastal inlet inside Puerto Aventuras. Environmental group GEMA is calling it ecocide and demanding intervention from Profepa, citing potential violations involving endangered species and federal maritime property. The case unfolds amid broader local tensions, including recent disputes over public beach access and a newly approved sargassum barrier project. Read more

🐚 Pink Conch Season Opens — But Only Briefly
Mexico has officially opened pink conch season in the Chinchorro Bank Biosphere Reserve, with harvesting permitted only through April 30. This highly regulated fishery stretches from Punta Herrero to the Belize border and supports coastal communities like Mahahual and Xcalak. But the short season reflects a bigger story: pink (queen) conch are slow-growing, vulnerable, and strictly protected after decades of overfishing. If you are a conch lover, your very small window to enjoy it has opened. Read more

🎶 Mexico’s World Cup Tourism Push Includes a New Anthem
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, Mexico has launched a new promotional song tied to Grupo Mundo Maya, the state-run tourism operator behind Maya Train–linked hotels and infrastructure in southeastern Mexico. The campaign aims to spotlight destinations across the Yucatán Peninsula ahead of the global event. Supporters see it as a coordinated strategy to boost regional tourism. Critics question the growing military role in tourism management. Politics aside, I think it’s a pretty catchy tune.

If you’ve been quietly watching the market and waiting for something that feels doable — not over the top, not overpriced — this newly listed garden-level condo in Grand Sirenis might be exactly what you’ve been hoping for.

This 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit is fully furnished and completely move-in ready. No projects. No stress. Just unlock the door and start enjoying your new place in paradise. The open layout is bright and comfortable, with a spacious kitchen and island, and sliding doors that lead out to your private covered patio overlooking jungle and pool views. It’s peaceful, green, and easy.

One of the smartest features? The lock-off design, which gives you flexibility for guests or rental income without sacrificing your own space. That makes it ideal for retirees who want supplemental income, or snowbirds who plan to rent while they’re away.

The community amenities are strong: a resort-style pool with wet bar and BBQ area, two jacuzzis, rooftop hammock lounge with ocean views, private beach access, and 24/7 gated security.

For someone looking for an affordable retirement base or vacation getaway that won’t break the bank, this is a solid, practical choice. Take a closer look. This one is worth it.

Last week, architect, developer, and visionary Román Rivera Torres presented his newly published autobiographical work to the National Library of Chronicles in Cancún. The book recounts how a trip with university classmates to the then largely uninhabited coastline near Akumal ultimately led to the creation of Puerto Aventuras—now one of the most desirable residential communities in the Mexican Caribbean. It carries readers from the very beginnings of Puerto Aventuras in 1988 through its evolution over the past three decades.

Rivera Torres reflects on the original vision, the challenges of building in a developing region, and the steady transformation of a place that today serves both full-time residents and seasonal homeowners. The 175-page, hardcover book is beautifully produced, featuring remarkable images of Puerto Aventuras through the years, along with a compilation of the architect’s projects here and throughout the region.

Whether you’ve been part of PA’s story from the beginning or you’re newer to the community and curious about its history, this is a book you may want on your shelf. As soon as I know where it will be available, I’ll let you know.

Oaxaca is one of my favorite travel destinations in Mexico and hands down one of my favorite regional cuisines. So this event is set firmly on my calendar.

March 6, 7 & 8, Playa del Carmen will host the Guelaguetza, bringing over 150 Oaxacan performing artists, craftsmen and food vendors representing the state’s eight regions. The festival will kick off on March 6 with the calenda, a traditional parade, from Plaza 28 de Julio to Parque Fundadores, complete with marmotas, brass bands, and dancers in full regional dress. There will also be live music from Patricia Acaras, Nilse, and Marosol.

The real draw for me? The food fair. I’ll be on the hunt for crisp tlayudas layered with asiento (pork lard) and quesillo (string cheese), memelas, garnachas, tetelas and anything slathered in mole. Are you brave enough to sample champulines (crickets)? This is definitely the place to do it!

Also, be on the lookout for traditional Oaxacan beverages like pozol, Oaxacan hot chocolcate and tejate. I’m not a fan of the latter but it’s worth a try if you can find it.

The cuisine of Oaxaca absolutely defines the state and its people. If you love regional Mexican food and want to explore beyond tacos and ceviche, this is a weekend event worth showing up for.

Just a quick heads up for those of you visiting the Riviera Maya right now and scanning menus for fresh Caribbean lobster. We are officially in the veda. Lobster season in Quintana Roo closed on March 1 and runs through June 30. It reopens July 1.

I know. If you’re here on vacation, especially for a quick spring escape, lobster feels like part of the experience. I sympathize. There’s nothing quite like a perfectly grilled tail with garlic butter and an ice cold cerveza by the sea. (RIP Chamicos)

But the closed season exists for a reason. This is peak reproductive time for Caribbean spiny lobster, and protecting them now helps ensure it remains a viable fishery resource to be enjoyed for generations to come.

If you’re seeing lobster on a menu now, it could be previously frozen or imported. It could also be something else. Unless provenance is clear, it’s hard to know for sure.

My advice? Lean into what’s available now.

Mahi-mahi (Dorado) – One of the most reliable seasonal catches offshore. Firm, mild, perfect grilled or blackened.
Tuna (Atún) – Often yellowfin. Great seared rare or in aguachile-style preparations.
Wahoo – Fast, clean-tasting, excellent for sashimi or the grill.
Snapper (Huachinango / Pargo) – A reef classic, often served whole and fried.
Grouper (Mero) – Subject to seasonal closures earlier in the year, but generally available again now. A local favorite for tacos and filets.
Lionfish (Pez León) – Invasive and encouraged for consumption. Mild, flaky, and one of the most sustainable choices you can make.

👉 Read more about the lobster season in Mexico

It’s tempting. A perfect conch shell in Cancún. A piece of coral in Cozumel. A dried starfish spotted in a market on Isla Mujeres. It feels small. Harmless. Easy to tuck into a carry-on and the perfect souvenir from a stay in the Mexican Caribbean.

It’s not.

Under Mexican federal law, removing marine life, including coral, starfish, conch shells, sand dollars, and even certain types of shells, can result in significant fines and, in serious cases, criminal penalties. Many of these species are protected under environmental regulations, and authorities do enforce them.

Travelers have been detained at airports in Cancún and Cozumel after marine items were discovered in luggage during security screenings. Confiscation is common. Fines are possible. And yes, missing your flight while things are sorted out is a risk.

Beyond the legal ramifications, these ecosystems are already under pressure from warming waters, sargassum influxes, and coastal development. Removing even “just one shell” disrupts habitat for small organisms and contributes to cumulative damage across the region.

Best advice? Take photos. Leave the sea life where you found it.

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.

March 7 & 8 | Qroo State Show Jumping Circuit (Paamul)
Two days of competitive show jumping at Hípico Riviera Maya featuring more than 100 riders in categories from 40 cm to 1.30 m. Enjoy family-friendly atmosphere, local food vendors, and a bazaar throughout the weekend. 8 AM – 6 PM. Free admission.

March 7 | 11th Annual Mérida Chili Cookoff (Mérida)
A lively community chili cook-off and tasting event organized by MEL (Merida English Library) where local cooks compete, guests vote for their favorites, and everyone enjoys food, music, and a fun afternoon together—all in support of children’s charities. Presented at the Casa de la Amistad in Itzimná. More info here

March 8 | 2026 Annual Family Run (Puerto Aventuras)
Save the date for the 14th annual Puerto Aventuras Family Run, 400K, 1KM, 5 KM & 10KM races for all ages and levels. 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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