Category Archives: Events

Difference Between Halloween and Day of the Dead in Mexico: Where to Celebrate It?

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Halloween and Day of the Dead are two distinct celebrations that might seem similar on the surface. Mainly given their proximity in date. However, they actually hold different cultural meanings. While Halloween is widely celebrated in many parts of the world, Day of the Dead is a unique Mexican tradition with deep roots in pre-Hispanic cultures. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two celebrations. Additionally, a great idea for your Mexico retirement experience: When and where to live and enjoy the richness of the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Particularly in the enchanting Riviera Maya.

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Mexico Witnesses Partial Solar Eclipse: Where & When to See It?

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In less than six months, Mexico will play host to not one but two spectacular solar eclipses. On October 14th of this year, we’re gearing up for a remarkable annular solar eclipse that will cast its shadow as a partial eclipse across the country. The iconic “ring of fire”, characteristic of annular eclipses, will grace parts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Specifically within the path of annularity that passes through Campeche, Calakmul, Chetumal, and then ventures further into Central America. But that’s not all – mark your calendars for April 8th, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will steal the spotlight, particularly in the country’s northern regions, including Mazatlán, Durango, Torreón, and Monclova.

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Halloween in Playa del Carmen… a great party by the sea!

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Halloween is almost here! Once a North American tradition, Halloween is growing increasingly popular in Mexico. If you live or are visiting Playa del Carmen, you can join the people that goes out on this night and enjoy an amazing blend of traditions in Playa del Carmen.

In Mexico, there has been a long tradition of celebrating the Day of the Dead. This day commemorates the people that has left before us, and people make shrines to celebrate the memories of loved ones that are no longer with us.

However, many also join and celebrate the fun of trick or treating… and it is common to celebrate both. If you are in the area, you cannot miss celebrating Halloween Playa style! Get that costume ready and join the crowds trick and treating on 5th avenue.

Celebrating Halloween in Playa del Carmen:  Things to do

1.  Trick or treating

Every year, hundreds of visitors and locals go on 5th Avenue wearing costumes, dressed as Catrina Skeletons or even as an Xtabay. Playa del Carmen is the ideal place to see traditions merge and become something different, come and see and enjoy the party.

Don’t forget to bring enough candy to share with the hundreds of local and visiting children, trick or treating on 5th Avenue.

2.  Have an authentic Day of the Dead experience

If you want to learn more about the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead, Xcaret has an amazing festival every year. The festival has theater, music, performances and art… and everything is about the Mexican traditions to celebrate the day of the dead.

You can purchase your tickets and receive more information here. If you are planning to visit Xcaret, your ticket includes the pass for the Day of the Dead celebration.

3.  See the Mayan Day of the Dead celebrations

Celebrating the dead is a Mexican celebration with deep roots in the native cultures of Mexico, but the Mayans have their own way to commemorate the dead: Hanal Pixan. If you want to learn more about this amazing tradition in an authentic Mayan Village, Alltournative organizes a tour every year, which takes visitors to an authentic Mayan village and allows you to participate in the Day of the Dead traditions. The tour that includes:

  • Round trip transportation
  • A guided visit through the process of decoration of shrines and the celebration of Hanal Pixan
  • Traditional Mayan food

If you want to learn more about this exciting adventure, please click here!

4.  Go party!

After all the fun and adventures, you can also do what people love to do in Playa: Party! You can organize your own bar crawl, or visit one of the local clubs and enjoy the special events organized for the day.

You cannot miss the fun on 12th Street with all the clubs and the best place to see and be seen in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen is a community with a rich culture, people from all over the world come to reside here and brings with them their own traditions. The merge of different cultures allows for a diverse and vibrant community, willing to enjoy and share with people from other places.

There are many options to enjoy an amazing Halloween and Day of the Dead, feel part of this amazing culture or feel at home with your own celebrations. Playa del Carmen is an amazing place to live and at Top Mexico Real Estate, we specialize in helping foreigners find their home in Mexico.

We would love to hear about your plans for Halloween, or if we are missing an awesome event… Please let us know!

Living in Mexico, Your lifesavers in the Riviera Maya!

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Living in Mexico is an amazing opportunity for retirees, since a modest pension in your country of origin can stretch much more if you decide to move south of the border. As the dollar keeps strong against the peso, more and more people are looking to settle and enjoy retirement in this beautiful country.

There are over a million North American retirees living in Mexico full time, and an estimated 50,000 snowbirds that spend part of the year in the country. These numbers keep rising, as the pension system is failing and health insurance prices skyrocket.

The Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations for retirees from all over the world. Some of the reasons that make it such a popular destination are the closeness to North America and the available direct flights to Cancun from almost every main airport.

Once that you have settled in your new life, there are a couple of things that can make your life much easier. Keep in mind that transitioning to your new life is always to have challenges, but a positive attitude and a good sense of humor is the best tool to deal with them.

1.  Get your INAPAM card

If you are a permanent resident in Mexico, you can get your INAPAM Card and get discounts in services, property taxes, museums and cultural events. Your INAPAM card also will allow you to get discounts on buses and airlines tickets; just keep in mind that the number of discounted tickets is limited, so it is important to buy them in advance.

To get your INAPAM Card as a foreigner you will need to present:

  • Either your Migratory Form (FM2, FM3), Carta de Naturalización, Temporary Resident Permit or your passport to verify your identity and age.
  • A bill not older than three months of water, electricity or landline (TELMEX, AXTEL, TELNOR, IZZI, ETC) with your name and Mexican address.
  • 2 “Infantil” size photos.

The modules available in the Riviera Maya are open from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 PM and their locations are listed below.

Isla Mujeres

Address:  Av. Jesús Martínez Ross # 001, Isla Mujeres, Q. Roo

Phone Number: 01 998 274 04 22

Benito Juárez (CANCUN)

Address:  Región 94 Mz.76 Lt.3, C.P.77500, Benito Juarez, Q. Roo

Phone Number: 01 998 888 89 21 y 888 89 22

Cozumel

Address: Calle 50 Bis between 3 and 5 Sur, col. Adolfo López Mateos, Cozumel, Q. Roo

Phone Number: 01 987 872 56 61

Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen & Puerto Aventuras)

Address: Av. 40 Corner with calle 28, Gonzalo Guerrero, Playa del Carmen, Solidaridad, Q. Roo

Phone Number: 01 984 127 99 12

Tulum

Address: Calle Alfa Sur between avenida Tulum and Sol Poniente, Centro, Tulum, Q. Roo

Phone Number: 01 983 130 40 55 y 103 22 23

2. Enjoy your local status

Being a local has its perks, most attractions and archeological sites have special prices for locals. It is important to have a photo ID such as your driver license or Migratory Card. If you are resident of Playa del Carmen, there are special discounts at local beach clubs such as Lido, Senzi or Piola; ask for your local discount!

3. Meet your crowd

Living as an expat is much more doable if you make friends, not only you get a support system but also benefit from their experience living in Mexico. There are many activities that can allow you to meet new friends: The Rotary Club, helping in Animal associations such as Coco’s Cat Rescue, joining local Thanksgiving dinners, etc.

So, what do you think? Can you share with us what would be your lifesaver as a retiree living in the Mayan Riviera? We would love to hear your thoughts and comments! Let’s Retire in Mexico looks to share relevant information with retirees living in Mexico, either full time or part time.

Upcoming Webinar – Expats in Mexico: You Asked, We Answer!

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Here at Top Mexico Real Estate we have been hosting monthly webinars helping expats on the do´s and don´ts on purchasing property in Mexico, and also covering the basics of what to expect when moving and living in Mexico.

This year so far we have held 5 webinars hosted by our CEO Thomas Lloyd, and we received much positive feedback. We have covered many different topics including Purchasing Property in Mexico, Mexico’s Property Law, and most recently we had a guest to talk about the experience of an expat living and working in Tulum.

During the webinars there is a Q&A section and we encourage our audience to email in questions for Thomas or our guest speaker to answer, but as these webinars are held live there is only a certain amount of time allocated for it, and unfortunately not all questions can be answered.

Taking this into account we have decided for our 6th webinar, ‘Expats in Mexico: You Asked, We Answer’, to be dedicated to answering all the unanswered questions plus any new questions we receive from you.  This webinar will be held on September 29th at 12pm CST.

All topics will be covered:

  • Real Estate and Investing
  • Visa and Immigration
  • Working in Mexico
  • Weather and Lifestyle

During the webinar there will be a raffle for a chance to win a 7 day Live It Tour, a real estate tour designed to help our clients to decide on what property best suits them by giving them the chance to compare many different types of properties and experience firsthand what a condo hotel is really like. Plus, they meet with a lawyer to explain the purchasing process and to answer all of their legal questions on real estate and immigration laws.

The winner will be drawn live at the end of the webinar and the prize includes all-inclusive accommodation for 2 people, transportation to and from the airport, personalized real estate tour itinerary, and to be teamed up with one of Buyers Representatives.

Join Thomas Lloyd and this month’s guest speaker Sherri Dixon, who have both experienced moving, working and living in Mexico for this special Q&A webinar. Feel free to reserve your seat and submit any questions you have!

Save the date – Thursday, September 29th at noon CST.

Maya Theme Park in Cancun to Open in 2017

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Museo Maya Cancun

A new theme park will soon be added to Cancun next year, dedicated to exploring the world of the Mayans. The ‘Parque Maya’ is a private investment planned to be ready for winter of 2017 with the intention of promoting cultural tourism in the city. Cancun and the Riviera Maya have already had tremendous success with the Xcaret adventure parks, which were named among the world’s best theme parks earlier this year and recently saw the opening of Xenses, a new park on the same grounds, but this new park will be dedicated to promote the cultural tourism in the area.

August 15 will see the laying of the first stone, while work will be expected to take 12 months in order to bring this project to life. “The concept behind it is of the Mayan universe” said Francisco Córdova Lira, an investor of the Park. “We already have all the permissions and licenses to carry out the Park.” He stated that they are currently in the phase of accreditation for a bank loan, although some investments have already been made.

The plan for the park is to have three zones that are united together, including El Rey, archeological ruins that few currently visit but will now be promoted, and the Mayan Museum which opened to the public in 2012. The Park will be located facing the Museum and is designed for visiting families to learn about the Mayan culture and also have fun at the same time. There will be zip lines, rope bridges, along with replicas of relics and Mayan architecture. They will be distributed among the three worlds that make up the Mayan universe.

Getting to this point has come at an investment of approximately 50 million pesos. The development project was submitted twice to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), but due to the lack of appropriate permissions it was put on hold, but will now see the beginning of the construction.

The investors believe that the concept will appeal to tourists, since the Cancun hotel zone will be providing more places of recreation and culture. Given the tremendous success that Xcaret and other adventure park have had in recent years, along with the continued boom in tourism for Cancun and the Riviera Maya in general, the opening is likely to be a big success.

If you’d like more information about Playa del Carmen or are interested in purchasing property here, we invite you to visit our main website where you can search further. Please get in touch with one of our agents who will gladly assist you in any questions you might have.

And remember, at Top Mexico Real Estate…

we make it happen!

The Riviera Maya Film Festival is Bilingual!

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Living in Mexico can be a challenge if you don’t speak the language, and this can have an impact in your entertainment options. Even in a town like Playa del Carmen, which has a big expat community and where, in general, it is very easy to move around and communicate in English, most of the times the entertainment and cultural events are targeted towards the local community, leaving you with few options to attend.

An exception for this is the Riviera Maya Film Festival 2016. We have been attending some of the screenings and it’s been very refreshing to see that the movies in Spanish include subtitles in English, while those films in a language different to English or Spanish include subtitles in both languages, making it easy for the expat community to be part of this festival and enjoy the events.

Take a look at the program and feel free to attend these events, knowing that you’ll be able to enjoy the movies.

In Playa del Carmen the events are being held in the Teatro de la Ciudad, Cinemex (movie complex in Centro Maya shopping mall), and some at the beach. There are also events scheduled in Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres. If you’re interested in knowing more about the Riviera Maya Film Festival 2016, you can see the full program here.

Besides the availability of English subtitles and the variety of venues and schedules, there’s another very interesting detail about the RMFF: all the events are for free! So all you need to do is to get there on time to be able to get a seat.

Please be aware that both the opening and closing ceremonies are really popular. There’s a red carpet and many guests, usually actors, actresses and directors, both Mexican and non-Mexican attend these ceremonies. If you choose to attend any of these events, consider that even getting there early doesn’t guarantee being able to access the venue. So, unless you have a special pass, we would recommend you not to attend these ceremonies, and just enjoy the regular program.

Check the Riviera Maya Film Festival website to see the details, movie synopsis and much more.

Enjoy the festival!

Now if you want to learn more about property in the Riviera Maya or any of the TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE properties we have listed anywhere throughout Mexico, please feel free to contact any of our Top Mexico Buyer’s Representatives 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!

Fashion in Tulum, a series of runway shows from May 12th to the 14th

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All this trendy and exclusive fashion runways we see on TV are mostly just that: a show to watch from your comfy home and not really living it… but have you thought about a more natural and wild fashion show situated in one of the best towns in Riviera Maya? Tulum has it, and for its five consecutive year, Fashion Tulum will impress many people from around the world in order to promote this awesome destination from May 12th to the 14th of 2016.

What’s the main goal of the event? Bring people into the city, activate tourism and most of all, build a fashion trendy site out of Tulum and out to the open world. Government tourism area has design not just Fashion Tulum this time, but even more events in order to create a big and great promotion campaign to increase the incentives into this specific industry in the area.

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The state of Quintana Roo has also plans to turn Tulum into a national and international referral in the fashion industry, this way, the whole Riviera Maya can grow even bigger in tourism and society and local business can get the best out of it with thousands of visitors this kind of expos and events can provide.

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Can you imagine? The best models from all around the world along with the top kind of clothes and trends all gathered in just one place for three awesome days… yeah, Tulum. Get your things, start marking this on your calendar and get on with your fanciest clothes, we’re all going to Tulum for an enjoyable fashion event at the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean.

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If you are interested in exploring properties in the Riviera Maya contact a Top Mexico Buyers’ Representative today.

We Make It Happen!

BPM Festival: Bigger Than Ever

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With the arrival of the New Year in Playa del Carmen comes one exciting event that attracts thousands of electronic music lovers: the BPM Festival. For the ninth occasion since its launch, this unique electronic music festival returns to the Riviera Maya with a fantastic line up and a lot of promise.

Founded in 2008, the festival has grown into an international gathering of DJs and electronic dance music fans. The festival not only offers an amazing dance music experience, but it also puts you in the perfect winter getaway destination in the picturesque Caribbean coastline.

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The festival runs for ten days straight with a one-of-a-kind musical program full of amazing events and a total of 375 international artists present. According to their website, over 60,000 people from 60 different countries attended the festival last year, and with their ever growing worldwide presence, that number is sure to keep increasing. The festival puts Cancun and Las Vegas to shame.

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The BPM festival puts you in the scenic Riviera Maya where you can also enjoy wonderful touristic recreational activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, visiting ancient Mayan ruins and absorbing the breathtaking natural landscapes of the region. It is the perfect way to kick off the New Year – there is no stopping the party.

Artists such as Yoshitoshi, Luciano & Friends, This is the End and Vatos Locos will be playing for the crowds from January 8th to January 17th. Blue Parrot Beach Club, Canibal Royal, La Santanera, Jungle, Tribeca, La Salsanera, Wah Wah Beach Club and Martina Beach Club will be the official festival venues this year. Tickets can be purchased directly through the BPM Festival website, although only 10-day passes are now available for $929.99 USD.

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Thinking of the Riviera Maya

The BPM Festival is an eco-friendly, green festival. This is something to highlight due to the amount of effort put into the conservation of the Riviera Maya’s ecosystems and nature. Attendees are asked to lend a hand in the keeping of the beaches and venues by picking up after themselves. “Green Team Stations” will be installed in all their venues to facilitate recycling. In 2015, they collected 185 tons of non-recyclable waste and 4,755 kg of recyclables.

Additionally, this year they are introducing a new BPM crest which spotlights the Black Jaguar (or panther) in an effort to raise awareness of its endangered status.

Join the thousands of artists, music fans, tourists and locals for a 10-day festival in paradise. The BPM has been successful since 2008 and plans on continuing its expansion putting the Riviera Maya in the world’s spotlight.

Top Mexico Real Estate can help you find your holiday accommodation for the BPM Festival. Contact one of our Top Buyer Representatives who will gladly guide you through the purchasing in Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya, or all of Mexico.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We Make It Happen!

New Year’s in Playa del Carmen

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We have quickly approached that time of the year when everyone is wondering where the time has gone. The end of December if fast arriving and soon we will be saying goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016.

The popular tourist destination of Playa del Carmen is soon to be swarmed by thousands of tourists and locals alike wanting to give a good farewell to the year in paradise. Who can blame them, really? There is no place like the Riviera Maya for a good meal, a good party, a good time and an amazing location to start the New Year.

Whether you have already landed or are just about to hop on a flight to this gorgeous beach town, here is a list of things you can expect to do to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

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Fine Dining

Playa del Carmen is many things, but it certainly is nothing short of hosting an array of amazing and finger-sucking, delicious restaurants. Whether you want to spend your last day of the year eating Mexican, Italian, French, or a mixture of different culinary styles, you are sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.

Go big or go home: Fifth Avenue is known for featuring restaurants upon restaurants serving delicious New Year’s meals. This is your chance to spur a little on the cash for an amazing meal and a night to remember.

Heads up: reserving a table a few days in advance is mandatory if you want to secure a place. Remember that thousands of tourists flock south at this time of year and restaurants are sure to sell out.

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Party ‘till the sun comes up

It is no secret that Playa del Carmen is giving Cancun a run for its money when it comes to the party scene. Year long, people visit from around the world to experience the amazing nightlife that this paradisiac coastal town has to offer. Many people have said that Coco Bongo, one of the biggest and most famous nightclubs in the Riviera Maya, puts Las Vegas nightlife to shame. There is nothing like celebrating New Year’s here.

Coco Bongo throws one heck of a party for $150 USD; if you are not too keen on paying too much, you can always head to one of the smaller (and significantly cheaper) bars and clubs on 12th street. Either way, you are sure to have the night of your life.

Heads up: Even though Playa del Carmen has an amazing nightlife, it’s quite limited to 12th Street. This means that the area will be overcrowded and clubs might be hard to get into if you arrive late. Be patient and go with the flow.

Beachin’ it

It is a common thing to celebrate the arrival of the New Year by the beach. Many beach clubs, such as Zenzi Beach Club, Fusion or Canibal Royal, host special New Year’s Eve dinners right on the beach with live music, party favors and a chilled crowd. Places such as Canibal Royal will bring on international DJs to set the music mood, as well.

After dinner and welcoming the New Year, head out to one of the public beaches to witness the first sunrise of the year. The sun will light up the gorgeous Caribbean Ocean for the first time in 2016.

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Coincidance Beach Festival 

From December 30th to January 2nd, the Coincidance Beach Festival will feature international DJs for an electronic goodbye to the old year. On the 31st, at Coco Maya, you will be able to dance the night away to DJs such as Robert Babicz and Harold Tellez, amongst many others.

The four-day pass is available for $165 USD and it will be hosted in La Santanera, Coco Maya, Reina Roja and SacBe Jungle.

There are hundreds of options to celebrate New Year’s Eve in this beautiful paradise beach town. Be sure not to miss out on any of them, because this is a unique life experience. Happy New Year from the Top Mexico Real Estate team!

 

Top Mexico Real Estate is an American-owned real estate company catering to Americans and Canadians looking to relocate to the Riviera Maya or anywhere throughout Mexico. Browse through our thousands of property options and contact one of our Top Buyer Representatives who will gladly guide you in the journey to becoming a homeowner in Mexico.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We Make It Happen!