🌴 Your Insider Update from the Riviera Maya - August 25

🌴 Good morning, Insiders!

Did you know this newsletter is almost two years old? Some of you have been here from the very beginning, while new readers are joining us every week.

I have plenty of ideas about where Riviera Maya Insider could go next—but this newsletter isn’t really for me. It’s for you. So, over the next few weeks, I’m going to ask one or two quick questions to help me make it more useful, interesting and worth opening every Tuesday. Deal?

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📸 You guys are on fire! Hundreds of readers knew that last week’s photo was taken at Turtle Bay Bakery in Akumal but the first one to reply back was Joanie B. Well done!

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!

🚨 Playa Is Getting Serious About Drinking and Driving
If you have become accustomed to driving home after a few drinks in Playa del Carmen, it may be time to make another plan. The city conducted 60 DUI checkpoint operations during the first seven months of 2026, with enforcement increasing sharply in June and July. More than 600 vehicles were towed during the checkpoint periods, although not all were alcohol-related. Drivers should consider these weekend stops a part of the city’s ongoing traffic strategy. Read more

🏠 New Rules for Playa Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals in Playa del Carmen now face tighter oversight. Owners must register their properties, obtain municipal and state operating documents, join the RETUR-Q tourism registry, meet Civil Protection standards and comply with local, state and federal tax requirements. Renters can expect more verified listings and safer properties, but potentially higher rates. Learn more

🏌 Mayakoba Country Club Begins Major Expansion
Mayakoba Country Club is investing 550 million pesos in five new residential communities, nearly 900 homes and an 18-hole golf course designed by Sergio García. Lots currently range from 300 to 500 square meters, with prices starting at approximately 2.7 million pesos. Up to 70 percent of the available inventory is already sold. The first residential phase should be completed by the end of 2026, followed by the clubhouse in 2028 and the full golf course in 2029. Read more

🚕 Cancun Airport Transportation Problems Continue
Leaving Cancun International Airport remains unnecessarily confusing. National Guard patrols continue targeting Uber pickups, despite the app accepting airport ride requests and an unresolved court dispute. Meanwhile, travelers still report unclear or excessive fares from some authorized transportation providers. Even friends and relatives collecting passengers have reportedly been questioned after being mistaken for ride-share drivers. Read more

🌴 A New Look for Cozumel’s Malecón
Cozumel is planning a major makeover for 1.3 kilometers of its downtown waterfront. Proposed improvements include new lighting and signage, safer pedestrian crossings, wheelchair-accessible ramps, benches, restored fountains, historical displays and a children’s park. Officials are also considering recovering small beaches and sandy areas along the shoreline. Rafael E. Melgar Avenue will keep two lanes in each direction, and the landmark flagpole will remain. Learn more

🌿 Beyond the Beach: A New Maya Tourism Corridor
Forty Maya communities in Playa del Carmen and Lázaro Cárdenas are seeking recognition for Kilich Kab: Mundo Sagrado, a proposed 400,000-hectare community tourism corridor. Visitors could explore jungle trails, cenotes and lagoons while learning about traditional milpa farming, melipona beekeeping, native foods and local crafts. The initiative aims to keep more tourism income within rural families while protecting forests, wildlife corridors and vital groundwater resources. Learn more

If you’re thinking about making Playa del Carmen your full-time home and would love to run your business from home, take a look at Casa Nava. This charming single-story bungalow in Ejido Sur offers something increasingly difficult to find: a private home with a real yard, room to grow, and a great price.

The house currently has one bedroom, two full bathrooms, and a bright space for your home office. There’s a large covered terrace overlooking a spacious, secure garden, with plenty of room for gardening, entertaining, or even adding a small pool. And you’re not locked into the existing footprint. The property has the potential to add bedrooms or expand vertically in the future, making it a home that can evolve with you.

The location is another big plus. You’re close to everyday shopping, the Poliforum, and some of Playa’s coolest newer restaurants, including Santo Bohemio, Anafre, and Pook.

For a couple, entrepreneur, remote worker, or anyone looking to put down roots in Playa without paying tourist-zone prices, this is a smart little property with a lot of possibilities. 👉 Check out the full listing here.

Mercado Circular PDC began with a conversation between community organizers Santiago and Jimena about giving Playa del Carmen’s small businesses more than another place to set up a table. They wanted to create genuine connections between local creators and the people who value buying consciously.

Their philosophy is simple: “A market is 50% sales and 50% relationships.” Vendors meet customers, connect with fellow entrepreneurs and often grow alongside the market. Visitors come for the food, fashion, art, handmade goods, natural products and regional brands, but frequently leave with new contacts, conversations and friendships.

Now heading into its fourth edition, Mercado Circular has grown, adding live music, children’s activities and plenty of reasons to stay awhile. The next market takes place this Saturday, August 29, from 5:30 to 10 PM at Colegio El Papalote in Playa del Carmen.

If you enjoy discovering Playa’s smaller brands and supporting the people behind them, put this one on your calendar. Follow @mercadocircularpdc for vendor announcements and updates.

Apapaxoa is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the year in the Riviera Maya, and for good reason. From September 18 through 23, the Xcaret hotels will welcome more than 50 acclaimed chefs whose restaurants collectively hold over 70 Michelin stars.

This is much more than a series of fancy dinners. The six-day program includes remarkable chef collaborations, hands-on workshops, cultural activities, live music, and an enormous Sunday brunch. Many of the dinners bring several internationally recognized chefs together for one night only, creating menus you simply won’t have another opportunity to try.

That exclusivity is what makes Apapaxoa such a big deal. It’s an opportunity to experience some of the world’s most exciting culinary talent without leaving the Riviera Maya.

Now, the reality check: it’s expensive. Individual dinners range from 1950 to 5500 MXN per person, with a few extremely exclusive experiences costing considerably more. But the Festival Day Pass is just 450 MXN and includes breakfast, lunch, workshops, cultural activities and Stories with Flavor, Apapaxoa’s culinary storytelling series, where celebrated chefs share the personal experiences, traditions and inspirations behind their food.

If food is something you truly love and the price is within reach, this is one of those events I think you should experience at least once.

👉 Explore the complete Apapaxoa 2026 program and prices

Here are a few more special events for foodies coming up over the next few weeks!

Chef’s Table Dinner at YUM YUM by George August 28 | YUM YUM by George | Playa del Carmen | 7–9 PM - An exclusive four-course dinner with a wine pairing selected for each dish. $980 MXN per person; gratuity is not included. Reservations are required.

Full Moon Night at The Fives August 28 | The Fives Oceanfront | Puerto Morelos | 7 PM - A four-course dinner served beside the Caribbean, accompanied by live music and a full-moon oceanfront setting. $75 USD per person.

Fire Meets Wine: Argentine Edition August 29 | IGNIZ Parrilla Urbana | Playa del Carmen | Seating times from 5 PM - A five-course Argentine-inspired dinner, with each course paired with an Argentine wine. $950 MXN per person; advance reservations are recommended.

Tasting the Stars 2026 August 29 | Secrets The Vine Cancún | Cancún | 7–10:30 PM - An international tasting devoted to sparkling wines, plus a limited Signature Stars experience featuring Dom Pérignon, Cristal and La Grande Dame. Admission starts at $980 MXN; the Signature Stars tasting is $1,700 MXN.

You may have heard the rumors that Dr. Simi is branching into pet care. Weel, it’s true and and the newest location opens in Playa del Carmen on August 31.

SimiPet Care and Simi Café will share a space on 5th Avenue, between Calle 34 and Calle 38. Pet owners will be able to bring their dogs or cats in for veterinary care or grooming, then settle in with a coffee and a few Simi Cookies while they wait.

SimiPet entered Mexico’s veterinary market in 2025 with a focus on making basic care more affordable. Its clinics offer general consultations, vaccinations, deworming, wound treatment and other routine services, along with lower-cost veterinary products. The Playa location brings that model to one of the busiest stretches of the city, with the added novelty of the café.

The combination may sound a little quirky, but as long as the veterinary care is excellent, more reasonable prices for vaccinations and routine services would be very welcome in Playa. It might also encourage more competitive pricing across the local market. The doors open August 31, with the official grand-opening celebration planned for September 4.

Pretty little Ivy is about 2 years old and weighs just 11 kg—a sweet, petite girl who’s ready for her turn at happily-ever-after. She was rescued with her mom, Beatrice, who has already found her forever home. Now we’d love to see Ivy get the same happy ending. Ivy can be a little shy when she first meets you, but it doesn’t take long for her sweet personality to come through. She’s gentle, eager to please, and just needs someone to give her the confidence and love she deserves. To learn more about Ivy, email [email protected].

This is just a small selection of the events and fun activities going on in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and all along the Riviera Maya over the next week!

Puerto Morelos Artisan Night Market August 25–27 | Parque Fundadores | Puerto Morelos | 4–10 PM - Browse artisan crafts, honey, sauces, gourmet products and other locally made finds beside the leaning lighthouse. Admission is free.

Mezcal & Art: Blind Contour Drawing August 26 | Bendito Coyote | Playa del Carmen | 7–9 PM - A playful art workshop featuring blind contour portraits, ink and watercolor. $350 MXN includes art supplies, one shot of mezcal and one draft beer. Reservations are required.

Ratatouille Dinner & Art Experience August 26 | Bar Xkatik | Playa del Carmen | 7–9 PM - An immersive evening combining a screening of Ratatouille with a movie-inspired menu, live music and creative activities. $600 MXN per person; drinks are not included. Advance reservations are recommended.

The Beatles Tribute by Los Beatlips August 27 | La Vagabunda de la 38 | Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM - Los Beatlips bring Beatlemania to Calle 38 with a live tribute featuring favorites from throughout The Beatles’ career. Table reservations are recommended.

Festival del Mar Cozumel 2026 August 28 | Universidad de Quintana Roo | Cozumel | Activities throughout the day - Talks and discussions with marine experts, coastal residents and ocean lovers open this three-day celebration of Cozumel’s connection to the Caribbean. Admission is free.

Mercado Circular PDC August 29 | Colegio El Papalote | Playa del Carmen | 5:30–10 PM - Shop local makers, food vendors, handmade crafts, fashion, organic products, art and more while enjoying live music and children’s activities. Admission is free.

📆 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.

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