🌴 Your Insider Update from the Riviera Maya - July 21

🌴 Good morning, Insiders!

Well, that was quite a weekend… England bested France in one of the most exciting matches I’ve ever seen and Spain defeated defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 World Cup. It was an emotional end to a tournament that had the Riviera Maya glued to its screens. With so many Argentine fans living and working here, the disappointment was certainly felt well beyond the stadium in New Jersey.

Beyond fútbol, President Sheinbaum’s visit brought major announcements for Tulum, restaurants are opening, closing and reopening, and the events calendar offers plenty of reasons to get back out there.

In today’s email you will find:

All this, plus the Riviera Maya Events Calendar is brought to you with support from our Featured Sponsor Launa Brockman with Paradise Professional Services.

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

— Michele Kinnon

Owning a boat in the Riviera Maya is about more than getting out on the water. It's also about protecting yourself, your passengers, and your investment.

Many recreational boat owners are surprised to learn that marinas often require proof of liability insurance before allowing a vessel to dock. Puerto Aventuras Marina is one of them. Commercial vessels carrying passengers have additional insurance requirements that must also be met.

Liability coverage helps protect you if your boat causes damage to another vessel, a dock, marina property, or if someone is injured. What it doesn't cover is damage to your own boat.

That's where hull coverage comes in. Depending on the policy, it can help protect your vessel against collision, theft, fire, storm damage, and other covered losses.

Whether you own a small fishing boat, a sailboat, or a larger cruiser, it's worth reviewing your coverage before your next day on the water.

Launa Brockman with Paradise Professional Services can help you compare marine insurance options and find the coverage that's right for your vessel.

👉 Visit Launa's website to learn more or request a quote. 

Launa Brockman provides expert advice and competitive quotes for auto, home, health, boat, travel, commercial, and specialty insurance throughout Mexico.

📸 Congratulations to everyone who guessed that last week’s photo was taken at the Paamul Restaurant. Our friend Rick N. recognized it right away and is probably wishing he was there sipping on a margarita.

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!

🇲🇽 President Sheinbaum Visits Quintana Roo
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s visit to Quintana Roo brought a packed list of announcements, from free beach access and lower fees at Tulum’s Parque del Jaguar to a new sargassum plan, housing titles in Playa del Carmen, new homes in Cancún and progress on the Maya Train cargo project. Taken together, the visit felt like a federal reset on some of the Mexican Caribbean’s biggest pressure points: tourism recovery, public access, housing, infrastructure and the environment. Learn more

🌴 Tulum Gets a 10-Point Tourism Rescue Plan
The federal government has launched “Operation Tulum,” a package of measures designed to make the destination more affordable, accessible and competitive after a slowdown in visitor numbers. The plan includes free entry to Parque del Jaguar for Mexican tourists, lower archaeological-zone fees for national visitors, electric transportation, improved access points, stronger tourist security and new cultural and nighttime attractions. Officials also plan to promote Tulum more heavily and better connect travelers with the airport and Maya Train. Read more

🐬 Could Quintana Roo Lead Mexico’s Dolphin Sanctuary Movement?
After the approval of the “Mincho Law,” PETA Latino is calling on Quintana Roo to create Mexico’s first coastal dolphin sanctuary. The new law bans dolphin breeding, trick shows, swim-with-dolphin programs and concrete tanks, but dolphins already in captivity may remain under care. PETA says a protected sea sanctuary would give those animals more space, natural seawater, social interaction and veterinary care without forcing them to perform for tourists. Learn more

♀️ Mexico’s Congress Reaches Gender Parity
Women now hold just over half the seats in both chambers of Mexico’s federal Congress, placing the country among the world’s most gender-balanced national legislatures. Women occupy 252 of 500 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 65 of 128 seats in the Senate. The milestone follows years of electoral reforms, including the 2019 “Parity in Everything” constitutional amendment, which requires equal participation across federal, state and municipal governments. The numbers do not guarantee equal influence, but they mark a major shift in who holds political power in Mexico. Read more

🌿 New Campaign Complicates Fight Over Protected Area
A new Change.org campaign is challenging the public narrative surrounding Chen Zubul, one of Playa del Carmen’s last undeveloped coastal green spaces. The petition questions activist Rodrigo Garcidueñas Vega’s legal authority over the disputed property and calls for greater transparency regarding land rights, environmental complaints, wastewater, rentals and public access to Playa 72. The campaign follows a recent attempt to fence off the beach route, which residents dismantled. Municipal officials say they will continue monitoring the area to ensure public access is not blocked. Read more

🦈 Bull Shark Diving Could Get Official Recognition
Playa del Carmen’s bull shark diving season may soon receive a geographic indication, a formal designation tying the activity to a specific place, season, natural conditions and operating protocols. The proposal, now under federal review, would be a first-of-its-kind effort in Mexico to recognize a nature tourism activity centered on living bull sharks. Supporters say it could help strengthen conservation, improve standards for responsible shark tourism and reinforce Playa’s identity as one of the world’s important bull shark research sites. Learn more

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If you want to be close to the beach and Fifth Avenue and Playacar is not your style, this newly reduced condo in Playa del Carmen’s Coco Beach neighborhood may be worth a serious look.

The asking price for this stylish condo has just dropped to $350K USD, putting this spacious two-bedroom, two-bath residence into a very different price category.

The furnished, two-story condo offers nearly 176 square meters of total space, including the interior, garage and storage area. Double-height ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows fill the main living area with natural light, while the mezzanine provides additional space for relaxing, working or entertaining. The condo includes air conditioning, a balcony, washer and dryer, reserved parking and security.

Located in Zazil Ha between Fifth Avenue and the Caribbean Sea, the property is within easy reach of the beach, restaurants, shops and the quieter northern end of downtown Playa del Carmen. The building features a panoramic rooftop terrace with an infinity pool and plenty of room to enjoy the sun.

👉 View the complete listing

Barracuda is one of those fish that sparks strong opinions around here. Plenty of locals catch it, cook it, eat it, and live to tell the tale. But recently, health officials have reported an uptick in cases of a specific type of food poisoning linked to this prevalent predatory fish.

The current concern is ciguatera, a type of food poisoning that can affect large reef predators. The toxin starts with microscopic organisms that live around coral reefs. Small reef fish pick it up while feeding, and larger fish, including barracuda, can accumulate higher levels as they eat those smaller fish. The problem is that contaminated fish looks, smells, and tastes normal. Cooking, freezing, frying, or marinating does not remove the toxin.

Barracuda is often singled out because it sits high on the reef food chain, and larger specimens can carry more risk. Health warnings also tend to become more frequent during the warmer months, when conditions favor the growth of the organisms linked to ciguatera.

So, is every barracuda dangerous to eat? No. But there is no easy way for a diner to know which one is safe. This is not about scolding anyone’s dinner choices. People have been eating barracuda in the Caribbean for generations. But if local health officials are warning against consuming barracuda, the safest choice is to skip it for now.

If you catch it, release it…and mind your fingers.

A recent complaint from Cozumel is a good reminder for divers, photographers and content creators traveling with expensive gear. A foreign visitor said he was charged about 6,600 pesos in customs duties after agents at Cozumel International Airport classified his underwater photography equipment as professional merchandise rather than personal recreational gear.

Mexico’s customs rules do allow travelers to bring personal camera equipment. The official baggage allowance includes up to two photographic or video cameras and their accessories. The problem is that underwater camera systems can look like a lot more than “a camera” when you add housings, strobes, lights, arms, batteries, chargers and hard cases.

For travelers, the lesson is not to panic, but to prepare. Bring receipts or proof of ownership when possible, especially for high-value gear. Make a simple inventory with serial numbers. Carry photos showing the equipment has been used before and is clearly not new merchandise for resale. Keep everything organized so it is easy to explain what each piece does.

This matters most for divers, photographers, filmmakers and anyone traveling with multiple electronics. A casual phone and GoPro are unlikely to raise eyebrows. A full underwater photography rig might.

Also remember that if customs determines your items exceed the personal allowance or look commercial, you may be charged import duties. Getting that reversed at the airport can be difficult, especially if you are on a tight travel schedule.

Mexico is not trying to scare off photographers, but the rules are not always applied with perfect consistency. Know the official allowance, carry documentation and do not assume “personal use” will be obvious at the inspection counter.

The Riviera Maya restaurant scene never stays still for long. This week brings two new places to try, one significant reopening and farewells to two longtime favorites.

🌮 Lonchería Sandro Opens in Puerto Morelos
Many Puerto Morelos regulars already know Tony from his years at DK and Diving Lodge. Now, the famously hard-working hospitality veteran has realized his dream of opening his own restaurant. Located inside Layla Guesthouse on Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, Lonchería Sandro serves breakfast from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, followed by tacos, tostadas, beer and cocktails through 9:30 PM. Early reports have been very encouraging.

🐟 La Vita Al Mare Arrives in Puerto Morelos
Also new in Puerto Morelos is La Vita Al Mare, an elegantly appointed restaurant near the port at the southern end of Rafael E. Melgar. The menu includes wood-fired pizza, lasagna, seafood, fresh salads and craft cocktails. The restaurant is still settling into its routine, but early diners have praised the comfortable setting and food. It is currently listed as open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

🍤 El Camarón Guasaveño Reopens
El Camarón Guasaveño reopened yesterday in Playa del Carmen a little more than five weeks after a deadly armed attack forced the newly launched restaurant to close. One employee was killed and three others were injured in the June 14 shooting. Authorities have since arrested several suspects connected to a criminal group under investigation for attacks on multiple Playa businesses. The restaurant is once again welcoming diners for fresh seafood and Sinaloa-style specialties.

☕ Café Mar de Niebla Says Goodbye
After 10 years in Puerto Morelos, Café Mar de Niebla has reached the end of its journey. Known for its turquoise casita, aromatic coffee and welcoming atmosphere, the café became a gathering place where travelers and residents often became friends. Its owners thanked Puerto Morelos for what they described as some of the happiest years of their lives.

🥕 Raw Love Closes in Tulum
Raw Love has announced its permanent closure after more than a decade in Tulum. Founded in 2014, the plant-based restaurant became known for smoothie bowls, raw desserts, salads and house-made plant milks, first at its memorable jungle setting near the beach and later in town. No specific reason was given for the closure. The owners thanked their guests, employees, local farmers, suppliers and collaborators for being part of the restaurant’s story.

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Some people move to the Riviera Maya and settle quietly into beach life. Joe Schipani seems to have had other ideas.

In a previous life, Joe spent years working in nonprofit leadership and public art in Flint, Michigan, where he saw how creative projects could bring people together and help change the way a community sees itself. Since moving to Akumal, he has put that experience to work within the community here on the Riviera Maya.

Many people in Akumal know Joe through the Akumal Arts Festival and the community mural projects that have helped bring color, creativity and pride to the pueblo. This summer, Joe has organized a GoFundMe campaign to support Hekab Be Biblioteca and Activity Center, a beloved Akumal nonprofit that provides educational support, creative activities and a safe, welcoming space for local children.

As a board member, Joe is helping Hekab Be expand its impact through fundraising, community development and long-term planning. The current campaign will help provide backpacks and essential school supplies for children in the 2026-2027 after-school program.

“I believe strong communities don’t happen by accident,” Joe says. “They are built by people who choose to invest their time, skills and compassion in others.”

For Joe, supporting Hekab Be is about more than one fundraiser. It is about education, opportunity, environmental conservation, cultural preservation and helping Akumal’s children and families thrive for years to come.

👉 To support the campaign, visit Joe’s GoFundMe for Hekab Be.

Meet Fraser, an 18-month-old sweetheart who’s ready to find the one thing he’s missing—a family to call his own. This handsome young boy has a gentle, loving personality and is happiest when he’s spending time with people. Whether it’s joining you for a walk, playing in the yard, or relaxing by your side, Fraser is simply happy to be included.

He is neutered, fully vaccinated, parasite-free, and up to date on all his monthly preventatives, so he’s healthy and ready for his next adventure. If you’re looking for a loyal companion with a heart full of love, email [email protected]. Fraser would love to meet you.

Below are a few standout events coming up soon that are worth planning for. Some may even require tickets in advance. This is just a small selection curated from the full calendar. Browse the complete list by clicking HERE. Don’t forget, you can add your own events for free.

Enfrídate 2026 — Wednesday, July 22 · Museo Frida Kahlo Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen. Dress as Frida, bring a flower for the collective offering, and enjoy live music, theater, dance, and a wonderfully colorful runway competition. Free, but advance registration is required.

Festival PAAX GNP 2026 — July 23 – August 2 · Hotel Xcaret Arte. A multi-day performing arts festival in one of the Riviera Maya’s most striking venues. Music, dance, and theater against a jungle backdrop. ($)

Guelaguetza Festival — July 24 – 26 · Parque de las Palapas, Cancún. Oaxacan dance, traditional dress, regional music, and plenty of color come to Cancún for the weekend. One of Mexico’s great folk traditions, right here on the coast.

El Cuyo Beach Festival 2026 — July 24 – 26 and August 1–2 · El Cuyo. Two weekends of live music, beach sports, artisan markets, traditional dance, food, and family activities. El Cuyo hardly needs another excuse for a visit, but here you go.

Isla Mujeres Artisan Fair — Saturday, July 25 · Paseo de la Trigueña, Isla Mujeres. More than 25 local artisans fill the heart of town with handmade goods, island crafts, and evening atmosphere. A great excuse to visit the island.

Feria Trendy — Saturday, July 25 · Kiosco, Puerto Aventuras. The neighborhood evening market is back with fashion, art, food, ceramics, and live music. Free admission and always a good time.

Tulum Tourism, Culture & Gastronomy Fair — July 25 – 26 · Sindicato de Taxistas, Tulum. Local producers, artisans, and food vendors come together to celebrate what is being made right here in Tulum. A community fair with real local roots.

Tiburón Toro Fest 2026 — Saturday, July 25 · Sayab Planetarium, Playa del Carmen. Scientists, divers, conservation groups, and families gather for an afternoon dedicated to Playa’s famous bull sharks. Expect expert talks, documentaries, workshops, and more than 20 conservation projects.

Kenia Os Live — Tuesday, July 28 · Playa del Carmen Fairgrounds. Mexican pop star Kenia Os brings her live show to Playa as part of the Feria del Carmen lineup.

Festa de la Pizza — July 31 – August 2 · Malecón Tajamar, Cancún. Three days of pizza, cold drinks, and waterfront hangouts. Simple premise, hard to argue with.

📆 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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