Category Archives: Beach

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival: Rain or Shine!

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If you were lucky enough to have attended the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival this year then you certainly had a real treat!  The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival went on Rain or shine this past weekend, bringing an incredible crowd down to Mamitas Beach Playa del Carmen to enjoy great music on the beach; all for free!

The main headliner of the whole Jazz Festival was, ever so popular, “Earth Wind and Fire”! They brought us three of the basic elements while nature brought us the fourth…Water (rain)!  Although the rain delayed the performance just a little, nothing could scare away the crowd who stood tight with their blankets and picnic baskets full of snacks, wine and other beverages!

Besides Earth, Wind and Fire there were many other spectacular performances, over the three day event, by artists such as Frank Gambale, Brent Fischer and many many more!

A well-loved and enjoyable occasion!

It was certainly an enjoyment to be a part of such a well-loved and popular event in Playa del Carmen!  Many expats made the journey down to Playa del Carmen specifically to attend the Jazz Festival that brings more and more Americans and Canadians down to the area every year!

If you are not familiar with the occasion, it is one of the best events hitting the Riviera Maya every year!  Many come for the music but also because the setting brings an extra charm to the event.  You can show up to the beach with your blanket or chair, bring your own drinks, and take your whole family or group of friends with you to enjoy the show.

 
The setting of the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival kind of reminds me of going to the drive in movie theater, with your whole family packed in the car and all your own goodies, to enjoy a major motion picture outdoors.  If you are part of the baby boomer generation, I’m almost sure you can relate with that feeling!

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is for the young and the young at heart!

What made the festival even more remarkable was that among the great turnout, there were people there were people of all ages joining in on the fun together!  Whether you are 20 years old or 65 years old, the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival brings music into the hearts of everyone!

I found that some people were just content relaxing with their wine and enjoying the music; while others were dancing the night away underneath the stars!

Start Planning for next year!

If you did miss the Riviera Maya Jazz festival, be sure to add it to your calendar for next year!  It is such a great time of year to come to the Riviera Maya, due to the beautiful comfortable weather temperatures and the variety of November events such as the Jazz Festival, Taste of Playa, and of course the beachfront Thanksgiving celebrations!

I should also mention that if you purchase plane tickets for November you can take advantage of generally low prices. right before the peak season starts in late December!

This is certainly an exciting time in Playa del Carmen!  The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is always the very start of snowbird season here in the Riviera Maya!  Many expats who come for the event will remain here at least until April to escape those cold winter months!

To showcase some of the fun of the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, I would like to leave you with a short video of the excellent performance by Earth Wind and Fire!   Enjoy and see you next year!

 

Xperience True Beauty and Nature at Xel-Ha

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Xcaret Xperiences created fantastic opportunities for people from all over the world to come and experience nature and beauty at its best.  Recently we have highlighted Xplor and Xcaret but today I want to introduce to you the beautiful park that started it all – Xel Ha!

 

Where the jungle meets the ocean you can go take a full day of relaxation, swimming, snorkeling and eating! Xel-Ha is a nature park that is ecologically preserved and respected!  Your entrance is all inclusive and includes snorkel gear and unlimited food and drinks all day!  Yes, cocktails are included for those of you who like their does of tequila now and then!

Xel-Ha (Shell-Ha) is more of a relaxed environment where you will find hammocks throughout the park or chairs overlooking the water!  You will see that this particular eco-park focuses more on aquatics highlighting the natural wonder of the ocean and cenotes.

You can walk through some beautiful paths created throughout the jungle where you can see different animals and natural wildlife!  Don’t feel like walking?  That’s ok; pick up a bicycle and make your exploration on wheels.

Once you arrive to the lazy river you can grab a float and chill out until the river takes you to a beautiful centoe that eventually meets the ocean.  There you can swim, go cliff jumping, walk across the tight rope, or go zip lining!

There is a fun wobbly bridge where you can see the lagoon from one side while watching the breathtaking ocean waves roll in on the other side!

In between the swimming and site seeing you can grab a bite to eat in one of the buffets or just simply sit, relax, breath and take in all the beauty surrounding you!

 

Extra activities

While you can enjoy the park all day long with your original admission, there are some other add on options that might perk your interest as well!  Xel-Ha offers swim with the dolphins programs as well as the new Sea Trek adventure where you can get the best underwater experience!

 

You should remember a few things before you go!

Bring your water shoes!  You will be in and out of the water the entire time and walking through dirt paths and rocky areas!  Water shoes will make you the most comfortable for all activities throughout the day

Leave your sunblock at home unless is ecologically approved!  Many sunscreens have chemicals in it that can be harmful to natural wildlife and to the environment!  Xel-Ha respectively asks you to help them preserve nature!  They will be happy to provide you eco-friendly sunscreen if needed.

 

Xel-Ha is a well-known excursion for both tourists and those who live in the Riviera Maya.

 

-By Bea Lozano
Mexico Real Estate e-book

“A Day Full of Wonder at Xcaret”

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Sure you have likely seen many reviews about Xcaret Park but given that it is a place I love I would like to share my own thoughts and feelings about this wonderful destination!

What is Xcaret?

Xcaret is one of the biggest and most attractive eco-friendly attractions here in the Riviera Maya!  And it’s no wonder since the park is filled with so many beautiful aspects to explore.  I always recommend getting the Xcaret Plus package because it includes a fabulous meal and also all of your necessary aquatics and snorkel gear.

What can I do at Xcaret?

You can start anywhere in the park but for me I always prefer to start off swimming through the underground river and allow the rest of the day for exploring through the jungle, swimming in the lagoons and visiting the Mayan Village.

The underground River is a mysterious and historical experience.  If you have never swum through an underground cenote cave before it can be wondrous to know that you are exploring some of the greatest nature in the Riviera Maya which is known for their underground magic! Xcaret provides a very safe and structured way to do it!  They provide you with all the necessary equipment to snorkel!  You will never be lost as there are lots of exits with xcaret personnel available if you get tired; but most people will enjoy the entire route.  Along the way there are plenty of areas where you can have your photo taken!

After your swim you can move on to any other activity that you desire.  I like to take some time to relax in the hammocks over- looking an incredible view of the ocean and crashing waves!  It is pretty much breathtaking to see this area of the park.  You might also decide to grab a tube and hang out in the lagoon.  There is no schedule; you do as you please!

After spending time hanging in the sun and enjoying some swimming I like to start my hike or walk through the jungle to check out all the nature and history.  Along a long walking path around the park you can see lots of different wild animals such as Jaguars and spider monkeys, huge sea turtles, sharks and deer!  That is just to name a few!  My favorite is the butterfly house where you can visit and find amazing and colorful butterflies flying all around you in their natural habitat!  For me it is just incredible to see.

If you are tired of walking you can enjoy a canoe ride through the river where you can look around at all the nature surrounding you.

Wait there’s More?
Aside from all the nature Xcaret is rich in Mayan culture.  It offers a great experience to visit some Mayan ruins and see what a typical Mayan Village would have looked like years ago, as well as a beautiful Mayan graveyard full of colorful and interesting gravestones!

By this time you have probably had a long day and have worked up an appetite.  Although Xcaret has many food options to choose from all around the park I always like to use my included at the Mexican buffet that is located just towards the entrance.  In my opinion this is probably your best food option and it has a complete selection of various Mexican dishes!  If you can arrive around 5 pm you can also enjoy some nice entertainment as there is a horse show right there for everyone to see with some great Mexican attire for the riders as well as lovely music.  It’s fun and the kids enjoy this part as well.

The Mexican Show is a Must See Experience!
You must not leave the park without watching the Mexican show!  Xcaret includes two wonderful performances that are included in the price of your ticket and they are amazing and spectacular shows full of Mexican and Mayan Culture.  Recently during low season I have seen a new show that they have created that blew my socks off.  It was a show full of Music and Dancing and colorful traditional Mexican attire. Each act represented history from different states of Mexico.  Immediately following that performance you are invited to see a fire filled typical ball game from back in the Mayan days!  I will tell you that it is incredible!

Of course at the end of the night you can shop in one of the best souvenir stores that I have seen in Mexico.  By saying this I mean that it is not cheesy cheap souvenirs.  They sell things that are worth taking home.  Also, you can pick up and buy your photos if desired.

The day is long but well worth it and is absolutely a must do when you arrive here in the Riviera Maya!

-by Bea Lozano
Mexico Condo Hotel Kit

Camping and the Outdoors around Playa del Carmen

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When most people think of Mexico, they think of resorts, beaches with bars and restaurants nearby, colonial cities, ancient pyramids, etc. While people know that there is beautiful nature in Mexico, when making their choice to make this their new home many soon-to-be expat is the actual “roughing it” outdoors lifestyle that can be enjoyed, alongside of the more comfortable ways of enjoying nature.

 

 

Camping

Like every other outdoor activity, camping in tents can be enjoyed year round; unlike other favorite camping locations, in this area, you’ll be camping on some of the nicest beaches in the world.  You choose your location to be as near to or far from conveniences as you like; some good spots, like Xpu-Ha Beach are next to little rustic shops and restaurants to make the experience easier and give it a unique flavor; others, like Sian Kaan, would be miles away from the nearest building.

 

Rustic Cabins

In addition to camping, Tulum especially has some rustic beachfront cabins.  When I say “rustic” I really mean rustic – no electricity, basic beds, simple wooden huts with thatched roofs.  These are a beautiful experience, because, as with camping, you can see the bright stars in the sky over the Caribbean Sea in a place where lights from hotels and towns don’t overpower them.

There are many reasons to love Mexico, and nature lovers who really love to get away from civilization can easily do so here and in many other parts of the country!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd
Questionnaire

Staying Aware of Our Friendly Sea Turtles

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Akumal Bay is one of the nicest destinations in the Riviera Maya. It has amazing stretch of beach, nice scenery and calm water for happy swimmers but it is also a unique place where you can enjoy making some new underwater friends. Akumal is mostly known for swimming and sharing the sea with the sea turtles. It is truly a very nice experience and many flock from all over to meet these cute creatures.

 

But in order to provide this experience for everyone we must be very conscious about preserving the life and the population of the turtles. There are many efforts taken daily to ensure that while we enjoy swimming and time on the beach that we do it respectfully and without disrupting then natural habitat of the sea turtles. Many are asked to vacate the beaches after a certain time in the evening so that the sea turtles have freedom in their environment.

 

 

Especially at this time of the year when it’s time to lay and protect the eggs. There are many volunteers heading out in the evening to carefully identify the nests and help our sea friends by marking off where the nests are so that beachgoers can be sure respect those protect those areas. After all Akumal is everyone’s beach including the turtles.

 

 

Now, according to this article a special group that is heading up sea turtle recovery in the pacific is making large efforts to try and include all states to raise awareness and protection. It is for sure that those in Akumal will be happy to participate in these efforts and preserve a wonderful community for these amazing creatures.

 

 

Remember that here in the Riviera Maya we have entered the territory of many wondrous creatures and for the most part they have been happy to share with us. So with that in mind we must always consider them as our neighbors and friends and treat them as such.

 

 

 

 

 

—

by Bea Lozano
Mexico Real Estate e-book

Akumal is Everyone’s Beach!

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The Riviera Maya is known for its beaches, so it’s no surprise that everywhere you go you can find cool fresh white beaches of sand and awesome green blue water. But my favorite stretch of beach is called Akumal.

Akumal is about 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen and about 10 minutes from Tulum. It’s a small little beach town that sports only a few restaurants and cabin-like hotel rooms. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxing quiet beach day.

 

The Best Thing about Akumal

Well there are a few things, but first, it’s a great place to go snorkeling. You can swim right off the beach and find turtles and fish within seconds. And not just little turtles and fish, huge ones!

 

Secondly, the beach is spotted with palm trees, so it makes finding a shady spot easy. I love just taking a sarong and sitting under a tree reading a good book or listening to some music.

 

Another great thing is that it is a bay, so the waves are calm and don’t knock you over. You can sit in the water and enjoy the gentle rock of the water.

 

A Place for Everyone

Retirement living in Akumal, MexicoAkumal really is a great place to enjoy the beach on any day. I guess the only negative thing is that on Sunday it’s the place to be and can get a little crowded. You can find all the locals enjoying their surrounds as much as any tourist. The whole family comes down to the beach, with coolers full of drinks and lunch for everyone.

 

It really is nice to see that Akumal is not only a touristic place but also home for so many. Take a trip and enjoy!!!

 

-by Bea Lozano

 

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Colosio Beach in Playa del Carmen is One of Those Quiet Places I Love

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As I’ve pointed out recently, I love getting up in the morning, and just going out for a relaxing walk along a quiet, empty beach – I usually do this after dropping the kids off at school.

 

We all love getting into the action and doing stuff.  But we also have those quiet moments just to enjoy the sound of the waves and the feeling of sand on our feet!

 

Luckily for me, I have one such beach just a short walk from my home – Colosio Beach.

 

One of the biggest charms of this beach is that it’s very quiet and natural; you feel you’re miles away from town, but it’s right next to the heart of all the action downtown Playa.

 

Recently, a couple of new hotels and condos have been opened along this beach, but they are a little back from the beach with the natural vegetation still growing next to the sand, preserving the tranquil atmosphere.

 

Take a look at some pictures:

 

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Notice the crab in the middle:

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

For a full gallery of pictures of Colosio Beach, as well as videos and maps, click here.

 

-by Bea Lozano

 

Mexico Real Estate Testimonials

Mexico’s Two Caribbean Islands are Among the Best in the World

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There are experiences which are created and planned – like Disney World.  Some of these have their charm, but what you experience is exactly what a team of marketing experts in an office building somewhere (these days perhaps in Hong Kong, or maybe Beijing?) decided you will experience – nothing more, nothing less.

 

Other experiences are not planned or created – they simply happen.  The place you are, the people your with and what you see and feel while you’re there is well beyond the control of any corporation or travel agency.  Yes, planning is an important part of getting there and making the most of your visit, but the experience itself is defined by your own personal reaction and many random factors shaped by geography, nature and cultures that have developed over centuries.

 

Isla Mujeres and Cozumel – Top Islands in Mexico and the World

This is the case with two of the world’s favorite islands, Mexico’s two Caribbean islands, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.  Recently, both have been ranked among the top islands in the world, for example, Isla Mujeres in TripAdvisor and Cozumel by Scuba Diving magazine. (Here is also a nice blog post of a traveler sharing their experience on Cozumel.)

 

They share the wide, soft white beaches and turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea – some of the most beautiful in the world.  They share the heritage of the ancient Mayan people and the warm, welcoming culture of their descendants.  They share warm, sunny weather all year round, and excellent diving access to the world’s second largest barrier coral reef.

 

Retire in Mexico - Islands

And, by geographical luck, they are located about an hour away from each other.  Either can be accessed quickly from the Cancun International Airport

 

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a tiny island just of the coast at Cancun.  Coming directly from the bustling city of Cancun (where the ferry leaves) – which is quickly becoming the largest on the Yucatan Peninsula, and a cosmopolitan hub for travel and international events – the difference is like day and night.

 

You feel like you’re arriving to a different world.  Yes, the climate and the beaches are the same, but suddenly you’re in a quiet place, a sleepy island where time hasn’t seemed to go anywhere in the past few decades.

 

Retire in Mexico - IslandsCozumel

Cozumel is has ferry access from Playa del Carmen.  In addition to diving in the reef, there is deep-sea fishing, boating, sight-seeing, Mayan pyramids, golf and much more.  One of the ideal ways to spend a day on Cozumel is to rent a scooter or a motorcycle (there are Harley rentals!) and just tour the island enjoying the warmth of the open air.  The freedom to simply explore and discover the jungle, the ancient ruins and relaxing beaches at your own leisure is truly a unique experience.

 

Cozumel also has a small city (about 80,000 – a bit smaller than Playa del Carmen.)  In this city you can enjoy the shops of knickknacks, artwork and handicrafts.  There are also excellent restaurants, including many that sell the local catch of the day – fried fish is a local specialty.

 

Experience Life

Yes, on both Isla Mujeres and Cozumel you can buy tours, you can plan your day and decide what you want to see.  But here, these are only tools to make it easier to find a unique experience that is shaped by the place and its culture that you will not find anywhere else.

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Awa Condos Playa del Carmen

The World Cup Comes to Playa del Carmen

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… the Beach Soccer Worldwide Cup, that is.
Starting tomorrow (May 3), the Beach Soccer Worldwide Riviera Maya Cup will be taking place at Mamitas Beach Club.  I’m kind of thinking of going to take a peak.  I’m usually not a soccer kind of guy, but on the beach … that’s something altogether different!

 

And, it’s worth noting that its free!

 

This is the announcement from Mayan Explore:

 

Riviera Maya Cup 2013 in Playa del Carmen from the 3rd – 5th May 2013

 

Mexico, Spain, Brazil and the Bahamas will take part in the Riviera Maya Cup 2013 at Mamitas Beach Club in Playa del Carmen.

 

This competition will be played in a round robin format, with all of the teams playing each other, the team with the most points will be awarded the Riviera Maya Cup 2013 Champions.

 

Her e is the schedule for the Round Robin:

 

Friday 3rd of May

 

1.45pm:- Spain Vs Brazil
3pm:- Bahamas Vs Mexico

 

Saturday 4th of May

 

1.45pm:- Brazil Vs Bahamas
3pm:- Mexico Vs Spain

 

Sunday 5th of May

 

1.45pm:- Spain Vs Bahamas
3pm:- Mexico Vs Brazil

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Awa Condos Playa del Carmen