Piñatas: a Colorful Tradition for the Holidays!

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Bea Lozano

Piñatas are an important part of the Mexican culture, you see them everywhere, and they are a big part of birthday celebrations in Mexico. Made in a wide variety of shapes and forms, and with materials that vary according to the region, the Piñata is recognized everywhere as a Mexican staple.

Even though the origins of the piñata are unknown: some say they come from China, others from Italy… what we know is that they bring joy to everyone. From their bright colors, the process of breaking it and the shower of candies after, it all reminds us of our childhood.

Piñatas: Have them ready for the posadas, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

As the holidays approach, piñatas are available in markets, sold by street vendors, and even in some supermarkets! They can be a beautiful element to decorate your deck or patio, but they can also be a big part of the holiday spirit.

The most traditional piñata is the star with 7 points, which refer to the 7 capital sins. There is a moral meaning behind the breaking of the piñata. The shiny colors and delicious treats represent the devil who draws man with superfluous pleasures. The blindfolded person would test his or her blind faith, and destroy temptation, with a stick that embodies the virtue. The piñata signifies overcoming temptation, to ultimately triumph over sin.

Piñatas are an important part of the Posadas, a series of parties hosted before Christmas Eve. Traditionally the piñata is filled with: candy, peanuts and seasonal fruit: oranges, limes, tangerines, jicama, pieces of cane and others. An appropriate location is chosen to break the piñata, preferably a garden or patio, where it is tied with a strong rope and hung from the branch of a tree or a roof beam, where the piñata can be easily be pulled up and down.

Line the children from smallest to the tallest, older kids and adults must be blindfolded. The child take the stick and is turned three times in circle to lose his or her bearings, then tries to hit the piñata. The person holding the rope moves the piñata up and down, making it difficult to hit while everybody sings.

If you are considering hosting a Posada or holiday party this season, bring this beautiful tradition to your gathering; even adults enjoy hitting the piñata and the delicious treats that fall from the sky!

Here at Top Mexico Real Estate we work hard to help foreigners become homeowners in Mexico. From finding the dream home to learn more about living in Mexico, our website is your one stop destination to everything MEXICO!

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Christmas Celebrations in Mexico: Posadas, Guadalupe-Reyes and Others!

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Bea Lozano

If you are visiting or live in the Playa del Carmen area, be ready to have a different Christmas experience. Many celebrations are still attached to religious dates and traditions, some of them are similar to other countries and some others are very unique.

We have listed some of the holiday celebrations you will find in Mexico, and the meanings of the celebrations; so if you get invited to a Posada, or get the “Mono” in the King’s day bread you know what people are talking about.

Guadalupe- Reyes:

This is the name given to the festivities that surround Christmas: starting on the 12^th of December celebrating the Virgin of Guadalupe and including Christmas, King’s day (January 6th) and for some people even Candlemas (February 2nd).

The Virgin of Guadalupe:

Christmas Celebrations in Mexico start with the festivities offered to the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th. The Virgin of Guadalupe is the Patron Saint of Mexico, and has millions of devoted followers, every year in the Riviera Maya you can see guys running or biking on the roads carrying her image.

In the city, you might see groups of people marching in the streets carrying the image of the virgin, and using fireworks before arriving to the church to pray and hear mass. These celebrations go for many days previous and after the 12th of December.

Posadas:

Mexico celebrates Christmas with a variety of religious events, to commemorate the birth of baby Jesus and one of the most traditional is the Posadas.

Posadas starts on December 16th, and it commemorate the 9 day journey Joseph and Mary took to Belem. According to the tradition, Joseph, accompanied by his wife Mary, walked from the town of Nazareth in Belem to meet their tax obligations. Upon arrival, the Virgin was about to give birth, and they went to inns and homes asking for shelter. After being rejected many times, they took refuge in a barn where baby Jesus was finally born.

Posadas can come in any shape, from traditional style with the figures of Joseph and Mary being carried away from home to home, the traditional song asking for shelter and finally praying the rosary; followed with a party with food, drinks and a pinata.

If you have human contact of any sort, expect to be invited to many posadas a week; they can be organized by work, school institutions, and so on. Not surprisingly, people put on some extra pounds in this period!!!

Cena de Navidad (Dec 24th):

One of the things that confuse foreigners the most is the fact that Mexicans celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve: there is a big dinner with friends and family, then presents are opened and everyone stays up late!

For dinner, Mexicans have traditional offerings such as: turkey, pork tenderloin, ham or they go for Mexican Christmas dishes such as: Bacalao, Romeritos or traditional Tamales.

Dia de Reyes (King’s Day, Jan 6th):

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three wise men found the divine child by following a star across the desert for twelve days to Bethlehem. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar — representing Europe, Arabia, and Africa respectively– travelled by horse, camel, and elephant in order to present baby Jesus with gifts.

In Mexico, this festivity closes the Guadalupe- Reyes period and it is celebrated by joining friends and family and sharing some “Rosca de Reyes”, a traditional bread that has dried fruit on top and a hidden figure of baby Jesus is baked inside. If you get the baby Jesus figurine, prepare yourself to offer a party with Tamales on El dia de la Candelaria!

Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas, Feb 2nd):

If you haven’t eaten enough by now, Candlemas brings one last celebration. The people that got the baby figurine in the Rosca de Reyes has to offer a party with Tamales and Atole, and the festivities are finally over!

Celebrating Christmas in Mexico can be surprisingly different or familiar, depending of your country of origin. What is important is keeping an open mind to enjoy everything the festivities have to offer.

Here at Top Mexico Real Estate, we hope you have a wonderful time! Happy Holidays!

Christmas Dinner: Catering Options in the Riviera Maya

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Bea Lozano

For many, Christmas dinner means a long day of slaving away in the kitchen in order to share a beautiful dinner with friends and family. However, if you are not a big fan of cooking or would rather enjoy the festivities in other ways, there are plenty of catering services willing to do the hard work for you.

Catering companies throughout the Riviera Maya are willing to help you organize the Christmas dinner of your dreams. Think of how you would rather spend your day and what you would like to offer your guests without doing it all yourself: Christmas breakfast, brunch, traditional dinner, Mexican Dinner, cocktails, or whatever you may want.

Whether you have a small family affair or a big party, there are many options available to fit your needs.

Catering Options in the Riviera Maya: Advantages of Hiring a Caterer

Having a caterer can take a lot of the stress off your back. You can plan your Christmas dinner to perfection and know that the professionals will offer:

Menu options: They can adapt to any social event: breakfast, lunch or dinner. The caterer will have a variety of menus that you can taste and choose from, to fit your specific needs.
Flexibility: A caterer will work with you to offer special options for vegetarian or vegan guests as well as options to suit people with diabetes, celiac disease, gluten free, lactose intolerant, etc.
Personalized pricing: You can set a budget and the caterer will work to make your dinner within that budget. No surprises!
Stress- free dinner: Catering professionals will take care of everything allowing you to enjoy the food, the festivities and your guests.

Catering Options in the Riviera Maya: Christmas Dinner Menus

It is still early for planning, so there are not many options out there yet, but if you are spending Christmas in the Riviera Maya, you need to know that prices increase in many restaurants. Good places get booked quite early and you could end up with expensive dinners that are not as tasty.

Exploring options ahead of time will help you pick and order your dinner with plenty of time, and having a dinner at home will allow you to share with friends and family while relaxing and enjoying far from the crowds on 5^th Avenue.

Some of the available catering services are:

Turtle Bay Cafe: Akumal

Located in the Center of Akumal

Plaza Ukana 1

Mx Telephone: 984-875-9138

US Telephone: 270-854-5392

Email: turtlebaycafe@gmail.com

Email: turtlebaycafe@me.com

Turtle Bay Cafe is one of our favorites; locals and visitors alike go to the Bakery to enjoy their delicious food, pastries and coffee. There are long lines early in the morning to get their traditional scones, and the place is always packed.

Located in Akumal, Turtle Bay has prepared a traditional menu for Christmas. They have the option to buy a breakfast or dinner menu and to pick it up on Christmas Eve between 4:00 and 6:00 pm.

You can see their menu below:

City Club: Playa del Carmen & Cancun

Playa del Carmen	Cancun
Carretera Federal Chetumal-Cancún Km. 2.3 #2100, Ejidal, 77712 Playa del Carmen, QROO01 984 803 9901	Ave. Andrés Quintana Roo S/N Km 39 Manzana 10 Lote 1, 77500 Cancún, QROO01 998 849 2604

This wholesale store is offering an attractive traditional menu, with sides and dessert for a reasonable price.

Choose a main course:

Roasted Turkey – $900 pesos @ $62 USD
Stuffed pork tenderloin – $570 pesos @ $ 39USD
Baked ham – $820 pesos @ $56 USD

Included side dishes:

2 pounds of spaghetti with a choice of Bolognese, vegetarian or Alfredo sauce.
2 pounds of mashed potatoes with mushrooms, 4 cheeses or plain.
2 pounds of gravy: available flavorings of apricot, mushrooms or herbs.
One dessert: Tiramisu, strawberry dessert or apple pie
The turkey dinner also includes 2 pounds of mince stuffing

If you decide to have an extra dessert, they are offering a Christmas cake for only $115 pesos – that’s less than 10 USD.

In order to have your dinner ready from City Club, you need to order way ahead of time. So get on your phone and start dialing!

These are just two of the many options for catering your Christmas dinner. As more local businesses keep publishing their Christmas menus, we will be posting them here for you to know.

Top Mexico Real Estate, your site for everything in the Riviera Maya!

Remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We make it happen!

Awaken the New Year with Yoga in the Riviera Maya

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Bea Lozano

Every year, hundreds of visitors arrive to the Riviera Maya looking for the perfect getaway: tropical weather, sandy beaches and beautiful turquoise waters! But there are some that look for something else, a combination between a relaxing holiday and the opportunity to deepen their Yoga practice.

Yoga is very popular all over the Riviera Maya, and hotels and specialized retreats cater to the needs of a growing number of tourists that look for yoga classes, specialized yoga retreats or even teacher training courses.

10 reasons to have your yoga getaway in the Riviera Maya!

There are many Yoga destinations, but something that makes the Riviera Maya so unique is the opportunity to mix your practice with marvelous experiences, such as:

Explore ancient Mayan ruins.
Enjoy the many beautiful beaches throughout the area.
Experience the awe of swimming in an underground river.
Go snorkeling, fishing or diving… you know you want to!
Connect with nature, visit the many nature reserves in the area: Isla Contoy and Sian Ka’an are excellent natural havens.
Wake up early and enjoy the wonderful sunrise.
Look up to the starry night.
Experience the sacred cenotes of the region.
Escape the cold winter back home.
Meditate on the beach.

And above all, experience and learn more about Yoga!!!

A New Year of Yoga Retreats:

New Year’s Hot Bikram Yoga Retreat

Casa Om in Cancun

December 28th–January 3^rd, 2015

Ring in the New Year and cleanse the soul at this hot Bikram Yoga Retreat. This retreat is an excellent way to take care of the mind and body after the busy holiday season and celebrate the New Year. Siri Om, the retreat instructor and owner of Casa Om, has a love for yoga that is effervescent and will inspire you to new heights in your practice. Casa Om is located directly across from the turquoise blue water of the Caribbean Sea. It features a swimming pool, koi pond, ten luxury bedrooms and a gourmet vegetarian kitchen with gluten free and vegan options. The one thing Casa Om suggests that you bring to the retreat is a spirit of adventure and an appetite for fun! Are you ready to ring in the New Year at Casa Om?

PACKAGES INCLUDE:

Accommodation (6nights)
Breakfast buffet daily
Four Gourmet dinners prepared by the exquisite Casa Om’s chef
Two yoga classes per day(hot room Bikram and Yoga on the pier overlooking the beach)
On-site swimming pool
Fun day in Playa del Carmen
Transportation to and from the Cancun International Airport

More information:

www.casaom.com

Revive Your Vibe: Reset Your Mind, Body and Goals

Yoga Adventures of Tulum

January 6^th-11th, 2015

Treat yourself to a yoga and meditation retreat in front of the Caribbean Sea with Adesina Dowers. What a great way to start off the New Year! This retreat will help you recoup from the busy hustle and bustle of the holidays and reset your mind and body while focusing your goals for the New Year. Tulum is a yoga paradise with tranquil, crystal clear waters, powdery white sand beaches, amazing yoga, great food, Mayan ruins, and healing powers rooted deep inside the earth. Start the day with an invigorating morning practice, enjoy healthy fresh meals, followed by free time to relax by the Caribbean Sea or explore the wonders of the area. Indulge in a fabulous Mayan spa treatment, cover yourself in Mexican clay to detox and purify your skin, meditate in the sun and then wash it away in the sea. Afternoon practice is a yin or restorative to wind down the day. You will reconnect and rejuvenate yourself in this amazing Mayan land. You know you deserve it!

PACKAGES INCLUDE:

Accommodations of your choice (5 nights)
Breakfast daily
Delicious and healthy lunch daily
Two yoga classes per day
90 minute healing massage
Group Mexican mud meditation in the sun
Welcome cleansing circle with local shaman

More information:

www.yogaadventurestulum.com

Hot Yoga Teacher Training

La Calma Resort in Tulum

January 5th–February 1st, 2015

New Years has always been a time for making new resolutions and bettering yourself. If becoming a hot yoga teacher has always been one of your dreams, now is the time to set that goal and accomplish it. You can complete your yoga teacher training in paradise. Spend four weeks at the ideally spiritual La Calma resort and get your yoga teacher training certificate in a picture perfect location. Evolation hot yoga teacher training is a 250hr course focused on teaching the hot yoga Primary Series, originally defined by Bikram Choudhury. You will explore the essentials of yoga philosophy, anatomy and mechanics that underpin this sequence – in an inclusive and intimate training environment. You will also deepen your own yoga practice through intimate posture mechanics workshops, a variety of yoga classes and individual feedback. Are you ready to immerse yourself in an intensive 4 week yoga experience that will change your life?

More information:

www.evolationyoga.com

Are you ready to trade in the cold weather and frozen tundra for balmy weather and a tropical paradise? Balance your chakra in the New Year in the Riviera Maya.

12th Annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival graced Playa del Carmen once again. Providing three great nights of FREE jazz music, the massive stage and impressive lighting that lit up the Caribbean sky and rivaled any concert that I have ever been to. It was setup on world famous Mamitas Beach, right on the beach. You heard me right, this beautiful jazz concert was held right on the beach under the stars.

We met up with some friends, laid out our beach towels and got ready for the concert to start. Oh, and did I mention the picnic basket that we brought filled with beer, wine and snacks for the evening? But if you forgot to bring snacks there were venders selling hotdogs, hamburgers, tacos and BBQ, and, of course, there was a bar setup.

The stage was graced by jazz musicians such as Take Six, Chick Corea & The Vigil, Pat Metheny Unity Group, Kenny Garrett and Colin Hunter to name a few.

I have never seen anything like it before. The music was enjoyed by the little ones and old ones alike, everyone was having a great time and as the night went on the crowd kept growing and growing.

There is nothing like laying on the beach with the sand between your toes, looking at the stars and listening to the live jazz music fill the Caribbean air. What a beautiful night! Great jazz music on the beach with about 5,000 of my closest friends.

Now, if you missed the Riviera Maya Jazz festival, be sure to add it to your calendar for next year! It is such a wonderful time of year to come to the Riviera Maya, due to the beautiful weather and the variety of events happening during November such as the Jazz Festival, OHL Golf Classic, The Cancun Challenge and of course celebrating Thanksgiving beachfront!

This is certainly an exciting time of year in Playa del Carmen. The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is the start of snowbird season here in the Riviera Maya and many expats will remain here in paradise until the end of winter, escaping those cold winter months. So mark your calendar and join us next year in paradise.

The Hunt for Lionfish

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

Lionfish hunting has increasingly become a very popular activity in the Riviera Maya since awareness about its danger to the ecosystem has risen. Since their mysterious introduction into Caribbean waters (hurricanes, shipwrecks and bored aquarium owners are suspected), these beautiful animals have reproduced at astonishing rates and have invaded the reefs. With no natural predators in the Riviera Maya, only humans are able to eliminate them and end the damage that these fish are doing to the ecosystem.
Nothing embodies the beauty and danger of the ocean as well as the lionfish. They are hypnotizing to look at, mesmerizing divers with their calm and beauty. But beware; they are as venomous as they are beautiful. While fatalities are rare, being stung by a lionfish can cause strong burning pains, swollen body areas and ugly-crying adults. However, in case of a sting, immediate medical treatment is required because, as mentioned before, they can be fatal.

The lionfish is originally from the Pacific and Indian Ocean and is known to corner their pray with their astonishingly beautiful pectoral fins and swallow them whole. They consume almost 500,000 fish per acre, per year, in the Caribbean.
Reproduction can occur every four days, year-round, with females releasing approximately 2 million eggs per year. Although efforts are being made to control the increasing population, thousands of them are still swimming out there breaking the balance of the reef harmony.
Lionfish hunting has become a sport in smaller areas of the Riviera Maya, such as Akumal and Tulum, where hunting groups go out daily to hunt the invasive species. A rebound of the native fish populations has been noted in areas where hunters have maintained the lionfish kingdom at a low.

Eating Lionfish

Considered a delicacy, and very rare to find, lionfish can be eaten when cooked and prepared properly. Remember, these are venomous animals and can still sting if not handled with care. The important part is to fillet them after detoxifying the fish, as Gynna Sainz, who owns Gynn’AK, a lionfish specialty restaurant in Akumal, says.
Lionfish can be cooked in any way, because, as Gynna puts it, “fish is fish!” A favorite dish is lionfish ceviche, lionfish tacos and lionfish sushi.

Hunting Lionfish

Are you interested in helping conserve the balance of the ecosystem? While not everyone is eligible for lionfish hunting – knowledge of spear hunting is a big plus – you can join in on a hunting dive just to watch. Just ask at any local dive shop and they will give you the options! There are usually only one or two hunting dives weekly, but whatever you catch is yours to eat. Caught lionfish will be handed to a chef at a restaurant to cook for you.
So there you go! You can add this to your bucket list of one-of-a-kind activities to do at the Riviera Maya, while helping conservation efforts reboot the ecosystem!
You can eat lionfish here!

November, Things To Do In the Riviera Maya

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

Finally the fall is here, we notice a drop in the temperature, the cool breeze; this is our favorite time of the year! It also marks the return of tourists and snowbirds escaping the cold weather, so we have prepared a list of things to do during your stay in the Riviera Maya during November, 2014.

November, things to do in the Riviera Maya: OHL Classic at Mayakoba

The OHL Classic at Mayakoba made history in the world of golf by becoming the first PGA TOUR event to be played outside the United States and Canada. Today, the OHL Classic remains the only PGA TOUR event in Mexico and Latin America, with a total purse of $ 6.1 million dollars. The participants can also get 500 points for the FedEx Cup and an invitation to the Masters, it is the most important golf tournament in Latin America.

The tournament is held annually in November and will feature 132 professional golfers. The tournament is held in El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba, designed by Greg Norman. The rising star, Harris English, is the current defending champion of Mayakoba. Past champions include: John Huh (2012), Johnson Wagner (2011), Cameron Beckman (2010), Mark Wilson (2009), Brian Gay (2008) and Fred Funk (2007).

The best golfer in the country, Carlos Ortiz, three times winner of the Web.com Tour, and defending champion, Harris English, head the list of players who are planning to compete in the only PGA TOUR event in Mexico. There will be also five “Major” winners amongst the 132 participants: Ángel Cabrera, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Justin Leonard and Mike Weir, as well as the Spanish player Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño.

When:

November 13^th-16^th

Where:

El Camaleon Golf Club

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

https://www.ohlclassic.com

Schedule:

Thursday 13^th at 6:20a.m.-First Round of Professional Competition

Friday 14^th at 6:20a.m.-Second Round of Professional Competition

Saturday 15^th at 9:00a.m.-Third Round of Professional Competition

Sunday 16^th at 9:00a.m.-Final Round of Professional Competition

November, things to do in the Riviera Maya: The Cancun Challenge

Live the Cancun Challenge, an exciting event with NCAA college basketball. Every year, thousands of fans gather in the Convention Center at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya to enjoy some of the best college basketball teams fight it out for the championship.

Support your favorite basketball team during the game while enjoying the Riviera Maya.

When:

November 25^th-26th: Men’s tournament

November 27^th-29th: Women’s tournament

Where:

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya

Km 72, Carretera Cancun-Chetumal

Puerto Aventuras, Mexico, 77710

Reservations: +52-984-875-1130

Schedule:

Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014Riviera Tournament

Hartford (A) vs. Furman (H)

Noon CT

Florida State (A) vs. Washington(H)

2:30 p.m. CT

Mayan Tournament

Charlotte (A) vs. Montana (H)

5 p.m. CT

Princeton (A) vs. Wake Forest (H)

7:30 p.m. CT

A (Away)

H (Home)

Friday, Nov. 28, 2014Riviera Tournament

Furman (A) vs. Florida State(H)

Noon CT

Washington (A) vs. Hartford (H)

2:30 p.m. CT

Mayan Tournament

Montana (A) vs. Princeton (H)

5 p.m. CT

Wake Forest (A)vs. Charlotte(H)

7:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014Riviera Tournament

Washington (A) vs. Furman (H)

Noon CT

Florida State (A) vs. Hartford (H)

2:30 p.m. CT

Mayan Tournament

Montana (A) vs. Wake Forest (H)

5 p.m. CT

Charlotte (A) vs. Princeton (H)

7:30 p.m. CT

November, things to do in the Riviera Maya: Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

Have you ever dreamed of listening to great jazz music under the stars on the beach, well now you can. Mark your calendar, the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is almost here! Remember this is a free event, but you need to arrive early to get a good spot on the beach and you may want to bring chairs, blankets, snacks and some beer or wine to enjoy during the event.

When:

November 27^th-29^th

Where:

Mamita’s Beach Club

Playa del Carmen

+52 (984) 803 2868

Schedule:

Thursday 27th

Colin Hunter

Pato Machete

TAKE 6

Jorge Vercillo

Friday 28th

Hiram Gomez

Pat Metheny Unity Group (Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez, Ben Williams)

Saturday 29th

Kenny Garrett

Virgil Donati

Chick Corea & The Vigil

Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

Scuba diving in Playa del Carmen has become a very popular activity for tourists and professional divers from all over the world. Playa del Carmen offers novice and expert courses and tours of various levels of difficulty, making it ideal for everyone interested in diving.

Playa del Carmen is a popular Caribbean destination, with beautiful calm beaches, white sandy shores and a vibrant culture and nightlife. When it comes to destinations in the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen offers an interesting mix of real Mexico and a modern city.

Playa del Carmen is located 45 minutes south of the Cancun International Airport, and sits along the Mesoamerican Reef; the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Mesoamerican Reef is 600 miles (965 km. long) and it is renowned for its abundance of fish life and variety of diving sites.

The Mesoamerican Reef has a wide variety of animal life such as turtles, groupers, barracuda, and tarpon. Other animals that can be found in the reefs are: seahorses, pipefish, fire worms, and all sorts of tiny shrimp and crabs.

Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen: Once in a lifetime experiences

If you visit Playa del Carmen, and you are interested in a diving tour; make sure to shop around for a certified provider. Check sites like Tripadvisor or PADI to make sure you are picking the right provider for you! There are however, diving experiences that are unique, and shouldn’t be missed by any diver visiting the area.

Whale Shark

(May-September)

The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world, it can grow up to 40 feet in length and can weigh up to 13.6 tons. Despite its enormous size, it does not pose any danger to humans since it feeds on phytoplankton, microalgae, plankton, krill and small nektonic life, such as small squid or vertebrates. Do not miss the opportunity to swim close to these gentle giants, a magical experience you will never forget!

Sailfish Adventure

(December–March)

Swim with one of the fastest fish in the ocean, the sailfish can reach speeds of up to 68 mph. During winter, the sailfish arrive in the Mexican Caribbean, near the shores of Contoy Island; attracted by the abundance of sardines in this area. Contoy Island is a nature reserve and a beautiful tropical paradise, this tour is an excellent opportunity to see a variety of native animals in their natural environment.

Bull Shark Dive

(November–March)

Experience the dive of a lifetime with these amazing creatures! The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a robust shark with a flat rounded snout, grey top and white bottom. The larger females can grow up to 11 feet long, weighs upwards of 500 pounds and live over 15 years. A bull shark is a unique species that can tolerate freshwater, hence these species have been found up rivers and have been responsible for attacks on humans and other species. The attacks of Bull Sharks have inspired movies like jaws, where sharks attack their prey in the open sea, near the shore and even rivers!

Searching for the adventure of a lifetime, look no farther, scuba diving on the Mesoamerican Reef. Don’t miss one of these wonderful experiences! Visit Playa del Carmen.

Cirque du Soleil Tumbles Into The Mayan Riviera

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Bea Lozano

Cirque du Soleil has delivered entertainment and enchantment to crowds all over the world since its foundation in 1984. This Canadian Troupe has grown so much in the last 30 years, with about 4,000 employees worldwide and many set or touring shows at any time in several countries.

The Mayan Riviera is celebrating the start of their new exclusive show, JOYÀ. This new and innovative show has been designed exclusively for the public visiting the Riviera Maya and it is inspired by the Mexican nature and natural beauty.

Grupo Vidanta and Cirque du Soleil are working together for this project, developing the concept, the space and everything else from scratch. It has taken 4 years of hard work and the first show is starting on November 8th, near the Grand Mayan Resort.

Joya Building

JOYÀ is an innovative concept, the first permanent production for Cirque du Soleil outside of Las Vegas and Orlando. The venue, the Vidanta Theater is an intimate space for only 600 spectators; a big difference from other shows that can have up to 2,500 visitors; and guests will enjoy the show and a gourmet dinner with champagne.

Joya

So, what is JOYÀ?

JOYÀ follows the adventures of a rebellious teenage girl whisked away to a mysterious jungle in her grandfather’s fantastical world. Surrounded by a strange band of half-human, half-animal assistants, the extravagant naturalist is on a relentless quest for the meaning of life.

When the reluctant Joyà finds herself in this strange land where logic has no bearing, she must face a series of outlandish challenges that her mischievous grandfather has secretly set out for her. Is she ready to take over the quest her granddad inherited from his own ancestors?

Inspired by the fabulous migratory journey of the monarch butterfly in which life is passed from one generation to the next to ensure the survival of the species, this show reveals a world inhabited by entrancing characters that work hand in hand to perpetuate the love of life.

Cirque de Soleil

JOYÀ – A thrilling, whimsical show in which joy, courage and friendship conquer all!

How do I get my Tickets?
The tickets are already available online, and they will be also for sale in different hotels in the area. The prices range from $85 to $225 and the 70-minute show will be performed eight times a week, with two daily shows on high season.

Do not wait any longer, reserve your tickets at www.cirquedusoleil.com

Now if you have any question of this or any of the TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE properties we have listed in Playa Del Carmen, The Riviera Maya or anywhere throughout Mexico, please feel free to contact any of our TOP MEXICO EXPERT SALES TEAM and we will be glad to help you find your very own piece of paradise.

And remember, here at TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE.

We make it happen!

NFL in Playa del Carmen

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

The football season is finally here! We are looking forwards the games and the excitement of watching our favorite sports team.

Many expats living in Mexico often wonder where they can go to watch the games?? We have listed some of popular places to enjoy all the NFL games as well as a frosty cold beverage and delicious food.

Here we go!

Legends sports bar
16th Street, between 10th and 15th Avenues
(984) 8030662
https://www.legendsplaya.com

This is one of the best sports bars in Playa del Carmen, with 8 huge HD Screens and a giant projector to enjoy every second of your favorite sport team. Legends Sports Bar update their programs daily, check out if they are showing your team here!

Legends has a very sports bar vibe, an expansive menu and air conditioning. Legends is ideal for enjoying some hot wing and an ice cold beer with friends and family, while cheering for your sports team.

legends sport bar

Wah Wah
2nd Street North and the beach
(984) 143 6009
https://www.wahwahbeach.com

Wah Wah is the only sports bar on the beach, and is favorite spot for their cold drinks and delicious food. We recommend the BBQ food and their crispy tacos are to die for, but everything on their menu is top quality.

Wah Wah offers 4 huge flat screen televisions throughout the bar and the largest HD screen in Playa del Carmen all showing sporting and other live events including NFL Football, Hockey, Boxing, Baseball, Soccer and much more. With daily food and drink specials there is no better place to in town to meet up with friends and fellow fans to cheer on your favorite team!

End Zone or EZ Sports Bar
5th Avenue, between 12th and 14th streets.
(984) 803 1872

This popular Sports Bar is located on 5th Avenue, you will always see a crowd watching the game. EZ has access to all important sport events: NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, Soccer, Rugby, Baseball, NASCAR, F1 & boxing. Do not miss a moment of your team, EZ has large screens throughout the bar as well as a projector and the staff is always willing to accommodate their client’s requests.

EZ Bar serves a variety of national and foreign beers, as well as cocktails and soft drinks, they also have restaurant service with tasty snacks and entrees to satisfy anyone’s taste.

One exciting sporting event and three wonderful options to enjoy every minute. If you are more of a homebody, and you would rather host your own NFL Party, many of our properties have huge club houses, palapas and terraces ideal for hosting the gathering of a lifetime. So grill up so steak, crack open a cold one and kick back with your friend and family as your team fight for the championship.

And remember, here at TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE…

We make it happen!

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