Snorkeling: Best Places to do it in the Riviera Maya

There are many thrilling activities to do when you’re in the Riviera Maya. One of the most interesting and refreshing is snorkeling! And there is no shortage of places for you to indulge.  Continue reading

5 Summer Activities to Enjoy in the Riviera Maya

It feels like it was just yesterday that we were celebrating the beginning of a new year. The truth is, the year has gone by really quickly, and summer is rolling around faster than we imagined. Although Playa del Carmen and the surrounding Riviera Maya offer summer-like weather year-long, there are a few summer activities that can only be enjoyed in, well…summer. Whether you’re a permanent retiree in the gorgeous Caribbean city or a once-in-a-while visitor, these are some things you definitely need to get around doing this season.

Swim with Whale Sharks

Whale Shark

Whale shark season comes around once a year during the summer. These gigantic, but gentle, animals are a sight to be seen. The season kicks off at the end of May and ends at the end of August. But the best month to go see them is July. They come by as part of their migration route and you can see thousands of them swimming calmly together. Many tours take you to see them. Make sure you follow rules accordingly. Although these animals feed off plankton, they are as big as a school bus, so make sure to keep your distance.

Volunteer with Turtle Nesting

Sea turtles are an endangered species, which is why in the Riviera Maya we are strong believers in conserving them. Many conservation groups and organizations work hard to monitor the nesting season, making sure as many hatchlings as possible make it out to sea and giving them a greater chance of survival. You can always volunteer to help during the season, which starts in mid-June and runs until November. NGOs are always looking for extra hands to mark the nests, release the hatchlings, and help with other duties. It’s an experience that will transform your life for good.

Visit Heaven

We all know that the Riviera Maya is heaven on earth, but there is an actual place called heaven. Cozumel is a wonderful and beautiful place for nature lovers. El Cielo is just off the coast of the island and it is only accessible by boat. This means you can spend the day cruising through the clear blue waters gliding above the sea. Founders named it El Cielo due to the amount of starfish sitting on the ocena floor. Moreover, plenty of stingrays, fish and sea turtles love the calm waters of this heavenly place. Take a family tour and enjoy the unimaginable wonders of Cozumel.

Visit Holbox Island

This gorgeous island off the coast of Quintana Roo is definitely a must-see place. The best part is its laidback charm and slow-paced life. Even more so than Tulum! During the summer season, when the whale sharks are the word of mouth, there are other slightly less known tours that include the gentle giants, but don’t end there. While cruising to find the whale sharks you’ll be able to spot dolphins, turtles and flying fish. However, after swimming and eating delicious ceviche, you’ll be able to see hundreds of flamingos.

it’s summer, so Relax and Unwind

If all of the above seem like too much work, then you can always pick the obvious option: lounging at a beach club with a drink in hand. We get it, waking up at 5am to go on a tour to see giant sharks is not for everyone (although definitely worth it). So, if you’re not heading off on one of the abovementioned adventures, hit up your favorite beach club early in the morning, get a bucket of beer and kick off the day with a sun-kissed nap. There is something for everyone in this slice of heaven.

It might be time to consider retiring in paradise if these are activities you could enjoy. There are plenty of things to visit throughout Quintana Roo and the Riviera Maya, as well as the whole Yucatan Peninsula, so retiring here means not a day of boredom and always a day of awe. Start checking out the best retirement properties in Playa del Carmen, we’ve got you covered.

Summer Reads: Top Mexico’s Picks!

Reading is simply one of the greatest pleasures in life. There are so many new characters to meet, so many new adventures to go on, and so many places to visit without ever leaving the comfort of your (beach) chair. Going off to the beach offers plenty of time to dive into the wonderful world of words and imagination.

The problem is always the same: summer reads, what should I read this summer? With millions of books being printed year after year, it’s almost impossible to decide what to read next! Spending a week (or more for some!) at the beach gives anyone plenty of time to eat through one or two books. You know, those types of books you can’t let go of.

 photo book_zpsnzttzwf7.jpg

Here at Top Mexico we took our top picks for what to read at the beach this year! We know tastes vary, but hey, you can always try something new:

For the Thriller Seeker

Title: The Girl on the Train
Author: Paula Hawkins
Synopsis: Rachel, a 32-year old alcoholic, witnesses shocking events on a train she takes daily to hide her unemployment from her roommate. With nothing to do, and constantly being drunk, she decides to discover the story behind the disappearance of a pregnant girl named Megan.

For the Romantic One

Title: A Lady of Good Family
Author: Jeanne Mackin
Synopsis: This story takes place in 1930s New England, where one of the first female landscape artists, Beatrix, meets a handsome young man by chance and is forced to face between being an architect or indulging in romance.

For the One Looking for an Adventure

Title: The Shadow of the Wind
Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Synopsis: Daniel, a young boy in Barcelona, sets out to find the author – Julian Carax – of a book he loves only to find that Carax’s other books are being destroyed by unknown people. Daniel, and his friend Fermin, get caught up in an exciting adventure to find the whereabouts of this author and find out what is going on.

For the Lovers of Strong Reinventing Women

Title: A Window Opens
Author: Elisabeth Egan
Synopsis: When her husband quits his job, Alice is forced to be the breadwinner at home. As a book lover, she is happy to take a job at a company that aims to revolutionize reading. However, this causes strains both in her work and personal life as she looks to reinvent herself.

For the Science Fiction Aficionado

Title: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Synopsis: Mark Watney, a NASA astronaut, gets stranded on Mars after his crew is forced to evacuate due to dust storms. Not allowing himself to give up, and using his engineering skills, he sets off to face all the obstacles.

For the One Looking for a Laugh

Title: Mona in the Promise Land
Author: Gish Jen
Synopsis: In 1968, Mona and her parents move to New York. The story follows her hilarious chronicles into fitting in and figuring out who she is. Although it is comically written, her story, questions and adventures leave you thinking long afterwards.

For the Ones Looking for Hope

Title: A Master Plan for Rescue
Author: Janis Cooke Newman
Synopsis: A man who loses his love and a child who loses his parents meet in WW2 years. Their combined grief pushes them to share the stories of those they have lost and do something memorable that can bring them back, even if it is just in their memories.

Have you decided which one to read? All these books – and many more out there – will have you tanning at the beach, beer in hand, not letting go of them for a second. If you finish one, move onto the next! Enjoy these summer reads. Happy reading!

Top Mexico Real Estate is an American-owned company catering to Americans and Canadians looking to relocate to Mexico. If you are considering moving – whether for vacation or permanently – the paradise, feel free to contact one of our Top Buyer Representatives. Their expertise and willingness to help will make your process of purchasing a property in Mexico much easier.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate

We Make It Happen!