Right about now is the time you say….Take me away to a beautiful place where the palm trees grow…Take me to Playa del Carmen!
-By Bea Lozano
Official Announcement- The Riviera Maya is Safe!
Here is a startling and completely true headline! Riviera Maya Mexico is SAFE! We have known this all along but for those waiting for official confirmation the United States Department of State has made the declaration in their most recent travel advisory report for Mexico.
As it states-There is no travel advisory in affect for Riviera Maya, Cancun, or Yucatan as well as other major touristic points in Mexico.
The Riviera Maya is a preferred tourist and retirement destination by Americans and Canadians!
Cancun is the number one travel destination in all of Latin America with the Riviera Maya following closely at number two! We have seen a huge rise in tourism, Mexico real estate purchases and residency requests by Americans and Canadians within the past 2 years.
The country of Mexico is becoming a strong economy offering a strong opportunity for both commercial and residential real estate investment in many regions. Mexico is a place where people want to be, a place where they feel safe and comfortable to live without discrimination.
Newbies to the Riviera Maya area may still have some fear which is carried over from negative media attention over the past years in the United States. This is why the question of safety remains the number one question? I urge people to understand that the problems for which Mexico does have are isolated and far away from major touristic areas.
Remember that Mexico is an entire country and the country itself should not be entirely penalized for things that happen in certain areas. The same way we should think understand that although crime exists in the United States, in general the country itself is strong and opportunistic. Mexico is rebuilding that same reputation within its right.
Feel Free to Enjoy and Explore All the Best Parts of the Riviera Maya!
In areas like Playa del Carmen and Tulum the entire cities are safe and completely ok to walk around day or night. Of course, use common sense. I would never suggest someone to enter an area where they feel discomfort but it is important to realize that there is life and a lot to see and do off of the main strips, such as the 5th Avenue in Playa. There are fantastic restaurants, shopping malls, and homes in all areas of the Riviera Maya and in the depths of each town.
Experience Mexico and the wonderful traditions, foods and cultures! Don’t be afraid to explore and see what Mexico is all about!
Rivera Maya Photography-Keeping Beautiful Memories Alive Throughout Time!
Photography is an art form that holds extreme importance as it is an art that holds our dearest memories, our dreams, and our experiences. Photos bring countless memories to life and keeps those memories alive throughout time!
The Riviera Maya is one of the greatest places that a photographer could choose to settle and work.
Whether you are a professional full time photographer or just someone that likes to snap shots for a hobby, photography is an extremely rewarding art that can be very beneficial especially here in the Riviera Maya.
Why the Riviera Maya?
Beautiful Scenery! The Riviera Maya is an incredible place of beauty with so much to capture. Get creative and artistic with different backgrounds, scenes and settings. The beauty of the ocean, jungle and nature are a major attraction for area photographers.
Major Destination Wedding Location! Weddings on the Riviera Maya are extremely popular, of course because of the beauty and romantic atmosphere. Skilled photographers in the area can make a very healthy living doing wedding photo sessions.
New Trash the Dress Concept! Because of the incredible clear water cenotes and beautiful reefs and ocean life, underwater photography brings a new art form to wedding photography. New artistic photography in the Riviera Maya like trash the dress is becoming a hot trend!
Events! The Riviera Maya hosts a ton of major events worthy of snapping shots! If you are into photo journalism or social media this can be your path.
Modeling! Well guys, we live on the beach don’t we? This means bikinis and models! These kinds of photo shoots are a big business here in the Rivera Maya.
While many of us arrive to live in the Riviera Maya with the dream of laying around on the beach all day with a cocktail always in hand, at some point we need to do other things to keep ourselves busy! While the idea of a perma-vacation is always a lovely thought, naturally we always need to be moving, learning and challenging ourselves. There are plenty of opportunities to find a hobby or volunteer in the Riviera Maya.
If you already have the talent and expertise for photography or even if you want to learn and start a new hobby there’s no better place to be to start!
Wordless Wednesday: Nothing like a Rainbow in Paradise to Make you Smile!
Is it the luck of the Irish or just a reminder that every day is beautiful in Playa del Carmen?
For more check out our Playa del Carmen photo gallery!
-By Bea Lozano
Small Town Values in the Riviera Maya Are Still Alive…For Now!
After living in the Riviera Maya for quite some time now, I have made a clear observation about the value of hard work and the appreciation for small business in the area.
I remember a time when….
Coming from the United States, I remember a time when you can still go to a local family owned hardware store. I remember family owned video rental stores and small movie theaters where you can enter for 2 dollars.
But over time the Home Depots, Walmarts and Redbox’s of the world came wiping out family owned business. And in some cases, like Redbox (a vending machine for DVD rentals) which are eliminating the need for stores and employees all together.
Small Business is Still Strong in Mexico
What I always thought was wonderful about Mexico is that these small family run businesses are still alive bringing a little bit of that wholesome feeling back to your heart. You build relationships with store owners who have been their running businesses for years. It is always nice to know when someone knows your name and you know theirs!
While we welcome some conveniences or “one stop shopping” so to speak, there is still charm and value in small business in the Riviera Maya. Most times they offer a service above the rest with integrity, honesty and hard work. They offer a personal experience; one that is appreciated and missed on many levels in the United States.
Unfortunately our children might never know what that is like. But here in Mexico there is still a chance to learn those old small town values.
In Mexico hard work is valued
One thing that is true about Mexico is there is a genuine value for hard work! Lazy is not often found here, even in this beautiful beach paradise where life tends to be a little more laid back.
And additionally, I believe that sometimes people even work without certain technologies and conveniences, not because they do not exist, but because many of those technologies may eliminate the need for certain jobs, which are needed to support families, pay rent and buy food.
Some people believe that Mexico is a country without technology or enhancements. That is quite the contrary actually. You can find all the same modern technologies as in the United States. But I think the use of those things really comes down to actual necessity and values combined.
Will we slowly start to see small business in the Riviera Maya area disappear?
However, as demand for American convenience is growing in the Riviera Maya, due increased relocation and tourism form Americans and Canadians, large chains are slowly moving in. Ironically, the very same Americans who crave these convenience are also a bit sad about the loss of small town charm that seems to be very slowly slipping away.
Will all this change and movement create the same purge of small business that we have seen sweep the United States? We hope not, and we still have faith that the Mexican culture and values will remain solid to stimulate the local economy in the Riviera Maya region.
Check out our free EBook for more information on the best benefits of living in Mexico!
Welcome Back Beautiful Playa del Carmen Sunshine!
Hello Playa del Carmen and welcome to this sunny beautiful day on the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean! Some of us have been a little down with the rainy cold days in Playa, but now those days are just a far away memory!
The sun is out and Playa del Carmen beaches are back in action!
Here are a few things to do in Playa del Carmen to take advantage of a full beautiful sunny day!
Have your morning coffee or breakfast outside! If you have a backyard or terrace at your home in Playa del Carmen, start your day relaxing and reading the morning paper with the natural sunlight. If you don’t have a space to relax at your home, go to Starbucks or Ah Cacao and enjoy your outdoor brew while you watch the people roam the 5th Avenue!
Take a walk! Maybe it can be on the 5th Avenue, in your neighborhood, on the beach or at a local park! If you have own a pet in Playa del Carmen, this is the perfect time to take your dog for a good long walk! Remember, they too have been stuck indoors waiting for the rain to go away!
Go to the beach! The sun is inviting us to come and play! We have all been waiting for the perfect beach day to come along! So go ahead! The local Playa del Carmen beach clubs are sure to be offering drink and food specials all day long!
Enjoy lunch outside! Whether you pack yourself a picnic for the beach, or hit up your favorite restaurant, eating outdoors can fill your tummy while boosting your endorphins, making you a little bit more likely to smile today!
Grab an afternoon fresh fruit refreshment! Since the temperatures are rising, our bodies are asking us for a little extra hydration and nutrients. You can always find all natural juices, smoothies and fresh fruits wherever you go!
Do a little outdoor shopping! In the late afternoon, while it’s still light out, take a leisurely stroll down the 5th Avenue! Even if you won’t buy, it’s still ok to look!
As the sun is going down you can head back to the beach! While the sun does not set on the ocean in Playa del Carmen, it still creates a beautiful colorful affect in the sky over the incredible turquoise sea.
Talk about perfect day outdoors in Playa del Carmen! Enjoy the sunshine and beautiful temperatures everyone!
Playa del Carmen – A Runner’s Paradise!
Playa del Carmen is filled with beach lovers, shoppers, foodies, coffee drinkers and cocktail lovers but here you will also notice that Playa del Carmen is a runners paradise.
Almost everywhere you go, at any time of the day, you will see someone pushing their body to the test as they take the streets and the beaches in Playa del Carmen as their own personal physical fitness zone! A friend of mine tells her feelings about taking her feet to the streets in Playa del Carmen!
“Why I love running in Playa del Carmen!”
The atmosphere! Playa del Carmen is upbeat and lively! My favorite thing to do while I run is to people watch. It helps me get through quite a few miles without even thinking about it! When you run in Playa there are so many things to see and notice. And while most of the time I run a normal route, its different every time!
Flat Streets! While some may appreciate the challenge every so often, typically daily running is easier on flat land. The 5th Avenue along with the other streets in Playa del Carmen are generally an easy run!
The Beautiful Beach! Running on the beach is breathtaking and can certainly give you a little addition to that runners high! I feel a sense of appreciation and happiness when I run on the beach, remembering that I live in a beautiful paradise.
Staying updated! I may not get the chance to get out to the beach or the 5th Avenue every day for leisure, but if I run in those areas I can stay updated every day about new changes. Recently the 5th Avenue has been transforming with new additions and closures. By running I have been able to quickly see what’s going on in the main areas of our beautiful town daily!
When is the best time of day to run in Playa del Carmen?
I enjoy running at all different times of the day! The mornings are very quiet and is a free range for runners on the 5th Avenue and on the beach. Enjoy the peace of Playa del Carmen before the town comes alive. If you are a beach runner you can enjoy a certain calmness in the air, and in the ocean, that is only found early in the day!
Mid-day running in Playa del Carmen can be a little bit hot but it’s a good time to take a shorter run and get a little extra vitamin D! You may find yourself running more of an obstacle course weaving through the people.
If the main streets are too busy it can be a great chance to explore new neighborhoods and routes in Playa. Playacar is an incredible area for runners looking for a nice environment and pretty scenery!
Evening running in Playa is very comfortable and a nice time to see Playa in a different light. There are many well lit areas to do your nightly routine safely.
Running is a FREE activity for all ages in Playa del Carmen! If you are not a full time runner, a light jog a couple times a week or even a daily walk can serve the same purpose! Running is just one of the many things you can do to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle in Playa del Carmen!
It’s Freezing in Playa del Carmen!
No not really, but for most locals, we are feeling a bit chilly these days in Playa del Carmen and the entire Riviera Maya region. Well, if you consider chilly 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit cold. This is not entirely abnormal as the winter months in Playa can hand us a few days, here and there, worthy of a light scarf, a jacket and a hot chocolate! While some are complaining of “FREEZING” temperatures, others are still completely fine walking around in bathing suits and flip flops. Both sides staring at each other thinking… “Are you crazy?” The fact is that when you live in a very warm climate year round, 70 degrees can in fact feel, well cold! On the other hand if you are one of the many Canadians who are hiding from the below zero temperature, 70 degrees, even 60 degrees, is like jumping into a nice hot Jacuzzi! Which is exactly why you see plenty of people roaming around Playa in both summer and winter apparel; sometimes in both at the same time!
So then what’s up with the weather in Playa del Carmen?
But in either case, many people are wondering why Playa is a little extra cold these days! One reason is the winter season in Playa does bring some nicer, more comfortable days, to the area; which is always a relief after surviving hot and humid summers. Normally in January or February the air is neither extremely hot nor too cold. Actually I feel it is the most perfect time of year here! The rain in the Riviera Maya region has also been a contributing factor to some of the chillier days! It is no doubt that we have had an unusually long rainy season that continued even after rainy season is over! I should mention that this is not the norm in Playa del Carmen! It is quite normal to see over 300 days of sunshiny days year round. But in any case, without sun how can we heat up our little beach town?
Could it be because of the Polar Vortex affecting our neighboring northern countries?
We couldactually be seeing some effects of the cold air that has been freezing out Canada and parts of the Northern United States this winter. It is all part of a weakened Polar Vortex which as an affect is ultimately sending cold air in a downward direction! Granted we are way down south, but anytime there is a major weather change it can have a significant impact far beyond its local area.
Don’t let a few chilly days change your mind about Playa!
I should mention that in the winter months you can still have some extremely warm temperatures in Playa del Carmen, so my advice is to enjoy the cooler days when they come, as they do only come every once in a while. Believe it or not there are some great rainy day activities in Playa del Carmen! There are still plenty of things to do in Playa del Carmen where you might actually appreciate some cooler days. If you are heading to places like Xcaretwhere you tend to spend the day walking outside for an entire day it can be more enjoyable without extremely hot temperatures and also prevents too much sunburn.
And if you are traveling here and thinking you got cheated of warm weather and sunshine, don’t make your judgment just yet! Playa del Carmen is a beautiful place to be anytime of the year and luckily is filled with many things to do so you can enjoy rain, shine, hot or freezing! If you like this article and want to see more like it hit subscribe to our blog or click on the link at the bottom of the page to follow Mexico Real Estate on facebook! Happy Winter from Playa del Carmen!
BPM Music Festival – Playa del Carmen’s Prime Yearly Event!
Among the many events in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya each year, is the BPM Music Festival, bringing the most people to the area than any other consecutive two weeks out of the year. While the music may not be for everyone, this music festival is a major event in Playa del Carmen bringing in a ton of money for all businesses, service workers and owners of real estate in Playa del Carmen!
Playa del Carmen is a Place for Everyone to Share Happily!
It is also the time of year when you see an incredible mix of people from all over the world, every age, and every status! It is incredible when you can find a place that can accommodate every taste, every style, every preference and way of life! Playa del Carmen is just that…A place for everyone!
If you are not a fan of the electro style music, other people still enjoy enjoy the sheer energy of Playa del Carmen during this time of year. There are many people filling up the main streets, walking, shopping and gazing around.
Great Entertainment in Playa del Carmen!
It is a great time of year to seek entertainment any night of the week. Every night you can find live bands, fire shows, specialty dancers and performers.
Restaurants tend to fill up during the days of the BPM, so make reservations and have a little extra patience for your server! I should mention that service workers wait all year for January to come! Most servers, bartenders and managers work 7 days a week and long hours to keep up with the crowds and demand.
BPM Beach Club Locations!
Many of the BPM festivities will be held at the major beach clubs in the downtown area of Playa del Camren. The areas you can expect to see the biggest crowds (day and night) are Cannibal Royal, Mamita’s Beach, Kool Beach, Blue Parrot and Coco Maya!
Quieter Beaches around Playa del Carmen!
If you are not a fan of the music, or the crowds, t-ere are still plenty of beaches left for an easy relaxing day! If quiet is what you are searching the best spot to lay down your towel is in Playacar. And don’t forget there are other beautiful Riviera Maya beaches just a short drive away in Xpu-Ha, Xcacel, Tulum and Akumal.
If you are in Playa del Carmen already, enjoy the season all that beautiful Playa del Carmen has to offer. For more news on upcoming Events in Playa del Carmen find us on Facebook to keep up with the latest!
The Famous Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue – Food, Shopping, Entertainment, Future!
Tourists from all over the world come to Playa del Carmen for the beautiful beaches and unlimited doses of sunshine! But there’s something else that makes this chic beach town a little extra special! The Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue is a well-known and well-loved pedestrian walk way in Playa del Carmen, housing some of the best in dining, shopping and entertainment in the entire Riviera Maya!
When I first came to Playa del Carmen many years ago, there was not much to be said of the 5th Avenue. In fact, Playa was simply a small fisherman’s village where you can find plenty of simplicity! Now times have changed, and now Playa is an ultimate tourist and retirement destination, with many conveniences and plenty of entertainment!
Why we love 5th!
The Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue is a mostly pedestrian walkway made of cobblestone and a ton of charm! You can spend the day people watching, take a nice walk, go for a jog, grab a book and enjoy a nice quiet morning at Starbucks, go for a delicious breakfast, grab a coconut refreshment, purchase an excursion, splurge on a shopping spree, indulge in a massage or spa treatment, braid your hair, you name it!
The Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue is a place for everyone to enjoy the things they love all in one beautiful pathway!
Love in the form of food!
One of the features that makes Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue so popular is the wide array of delicious National and International food options! You can find everything from fine Italian dining, to authentic Mexican food selections, to French bistros, to Argentinian steak houses, to incredible sushi and great pizza! The dining options range from classy fine dining selections to casual and affordable! But no matter the price, it’s all great!
Shop your little heart out!
The Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue has everything from cheesy souvenir shops to high end luxury shopping, and everything in between! If you forgot your swimsuit, broke your sunglasses, or love the feel of a new dress, or pair of heels, you can find it here! You can find familiar stores like Nike, The Sunglass Hut, Forever 21, Roxy, Nine West, Pandora, The Body Shop, as well as plenty of small specialty boutiques and name brand shopping!
Be Amused!
Believe it or not the Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue is filled with entertainment day and night! You may notice mariachis, local musicians performing your favorite tunes, and Fire Show performers showing you their talents right on the street! If you are walking down the 5th at night you are sure to come across bars showcasing live band performances. Stop, have a drink, and relax enjoying great laid back entertainment!
Have Faith!
Right there in the southern end of Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue, is a cute small little church where many go to enjoy mass, to find a quiet peaceful moment or to celebrate life or love!
The Future! The Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue has been an ever changing and ever moving project over the years, and it is expected to continue to grow! Recently the town completed a major expansion of the beautiful cobblestone walk way, far to the North of Playa, and is it expected to continue even further to accommodate easy access from new residential neighborhoods and resorts in the area.
Within the next couple years we are sure to see added retail, entertainment and dining options fill into the new section of the 5th Avenue!
In this moment we are waiting to see what will become of the old Calle Corazon, and other areas that have been recently bought out by a major investor, coming with plans to add new major retail and hotel options.
If you have never been to this famous staple of Playa del Carmen, is surely a must do if you are in the Riviera Maya this season! It is the perfect meeting spot, and a place to enjoy, during anytime of the day or night!