Tag Archives: lifestyle

BPM Music Festival – Playa del Carmen’s Prime Yearly Event!

Posted on by

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!

Posted on by

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!

New Mall Making Holiday Shopping in Playa del Carmen a success!

Posted on by

Just in time for the holiday season, we are finally seeing Playa del Carmen’s newest and most anxiously awaited project now completed and ready for the high season and Christmas shopping in Playa del Carmen!  If you haven’t already guessed, I’m talking about the new Quinta Alegria Mall, located directly on the 5th Avenue in the heart of Playa del Carmen!

For many months we have heard countless rumors about what stores we would see welcomed to Playa del Carmen.  There were many hopes of an H&M and Victoria Secrets, as well as a Cheesecake factory and other beloved American Brands.

While some of these rumors did not prove to be true we still have a final result that is pleasing to many expats who live in Playa as well as favored shopping options for tourists!

So what can you expect to see added to your selection for shopping in Playa del Carmen this holiday season?

  • Sanbourns! Mexico’s well known and loved department store and restaurant selling everything from books, to sunglasses, to perfumes and makeup, to DVD’s and electronics!
  • Victoria Secret Beauty! The VC name is making a mark in Playa for loved fragrances, makeup and accessories!  Sorry ladies, this VC is mainly for accessories!
  • Levis! Perfectly fitting for some cooler Playa nights ahead with their nice selection of denim jeans
  • Columbia! Well-loved brand for outdoor active wear and apparel
  • The Body Shop! We’ve seen it in Cancun but now you can find the best of your favorite lotions, shower gels, hand soaps, sprays and mineral make up items here in Playa!
  • Forever 21! Most anticipated opening among the female crowd in Playa del Carmen.  This Forever 21 has two entire floors reserved for clothing and accessories for women!
  • Bebe! High end clothing store for women well known in the United States

Along with some of these great new additions you will also find some repeats such as the Nike store, Marti Sporting Goods, Mister Tennis, Oakley, Watch my Watch, Sunglass Hut, La Europea, Harley Davidson and Starbucks and more!

The mall itself is a beautiful and attractive addition to the 5th avenue with a very appealing open air design!  If you have been able to walk by these days you will see the beautiful Christmas tree lit up and plenty of pretty white lights inside making it a pleasant new landmark in Playa del Carmen!

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping in Playa del Carmen this season!

A Special Christmas in Playa del Carmen …for Everyone!

Posted on by

What are your plans for Christmas in Playa del Carmen?  If you are still stumped on what to do or are looking for a great dinner we’ve got a few suggestions with help and courtesy of “In the Roo”.

Playa del Carmen is filling up with Christmas Cheer!  This weekend we will start to see a huge increase in tourism from Americans and Canadians who will be spending the Christmas holiday with us here in Playa del Carmen!

Many people are asking where they can go to spend the holiday and enjoy a great meal and a fun filled night!

Here are a few restaurants suggestions offering special dinners and celebrations on the eve of Christmas in Playa del Carmen:

  • Fusion– Offering a special menu, dinner and entertainment right on the beach
  • [Cocotte] Cita-Offering a special Christmas menu
  • Ipanema’s Brazillian Steakhouse– Offering Turkey, Fish and Christmas apple salad
  • Las Delicias– Offering a 3 course turkey dinner
  • Palm Playa– Offering a Christmas turkey dinner
  • Tropical– Offering a special menu
  • Zenzi-Offering a 5 course turkey dinner on the beach underneath the starts (24th and 25th)
  • Aldea Corazon– Offering 4 course dinner and live music
  • La Casa del Agua– Offering a 3 course turkey dinner (24th and 25th)
  • Madre Tierra– Offering a special Christmas menu
  • Lol Ha– Offering a special Christmas menu
  • Ziggys– Offering a special Christmas menu
  • Fridas– Offering a special Christmas menu
  • Indigo Beach– Offering a 3 course Christmas menu (24th and 25th)
  • Reina Roja– Offering special Christmas selections
  • Segafredo-Offering a special Christmas menu
  • Wah Wah Beach Bar– Traditional Christmas dinner being served buffet style on the beach. All you can eat. Live music and entertainment (December 25th only)

If you don’t see your favorite spot on the list, be sure to check with them!  Most restaurants will be hosting a little something special to help you make a memorable Christmas in Playa del Carmen! Make sure to book your reservations early!

Feliz Navidad and Merry Christmas to all!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in Playa del Carmen!

Posted on by

We are one week away from one of the most loved, wonderful time of the year!
It can also be a bit of a stressful time!  For this reason many people will escape the logistics of the holidays and head down to spend Christmas in Playa del Carmen!

The newspapers reported a 98% occupancy rate in the Riviera Maya starting December 20th which means an extraordinary amount of Americans and Canadians will be decking the halls down south this Christmas.

Take Christmas with you wherever you go!

Although a vacation seems lovely we still crave that holiday feeling!  So where do you find it?  Well, where do you truly find anything?  In your heart!  You can bring Christmas anywhere you go!

Being away from home doesn’t have to mean you give up the holidays all together!  You can still make a special Christmas in Playa del Carmen!

If you are living in Playa del Carmen or are renting a vacation home, decorating is made completely easy!  Most retail and grocery stores are selling all kind of Christmas décor, lights, wreaths, trees, poinsettias; everything you need to create your home into a winter wonderland!

Yes you can find real Christmas trees in Playa!

Contrary to what one may think, real Christmas trees can be found in Playa!  Most major grocery stores like Mega or Walmart as well as other major shopping centers like Sams Club do have fresh smelling pine trees for sale!  You don’t have to miss out on that Christmassy smell just because you are in in Caribbean!

What I love about Christmas in Playa del Carmen is that I get to enjoy the beautiful Playa summer weather outdoors but when I step inside my home, I get that warm Christmas feeling just the way I would back in Indiana!  You still get the feeling to bundle up, snuggle in with your family and drink hot chocolate!

Christmas all around town

If you get the chance to walk around town you will find the Christmas spirit nearly everywhere; lit up trees and lights shining, bringing all the charm and feeling of Christmas into your heart!

Eat Drink and Be Merry in Playa del Carmen

If you are traveling and aren’t willing to cook on Christmas you will not have to sacrifice a delicious and traditional Christmas dinner.  Many restaurants, on and off the 5th Avenue, will have special Christmas dinner menus and are completely willing to help to make your Christmas in Playa a special one!

You can even order an entire Christmas feast to be cooked, prepared and delivered to your home eliminating all the mess. Check the local grocery stores, department stores like Sanbourns, and local restaurants and bakeries for their special Christmas dinner packages!

Are you that last minute shopper?

We are all guilty of it!  We have an entire 364 days before Christmas yet, that large population of us will wait until December 23rd and 24th to search for last minute gifts!  If you are in Playa del Carmen for the holiday season, you couldn’t be in a better place to have this problem!

Playa del Carmen is filled with all kinds of shopping options to meet your every need. You can find clothing, accessories, sportswear, shoe stores, electronics, books, games, etc.!

The Quinta Alegria mall has opened up quite a few new selections for shopping lovers right on 5th ave.  You can also check out Liverpool on highway 307 for or Sears located in Plaza Las Americas!

I wish everyone a fun, enjoyable and relaxing Christmas season this year in Playa del Carmen!

Livin’ Playa – A Big Slice of Chicago in Playa del Carmen!

Posted on by

Dear Expats, long time vacationers, and snowbirds, I am pleased to announce Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza in Playa del Carmen!  We already know that Playa del Carmen has a wide array of international and national food choices, which only proves that Playa is keeping up with international demand and catering to Playa del Carmen expats!

I want to give Don Chendo’s a big high five for bringing us such a special treat to Playa!  Pizza is no stranger in this beautiful beach town as there are plenty of delicious Italian thin crust pizza options, but this is a truly unique and one of a kind concept in the area. I had the chance to try the classic deep dish pizza as well as another incredible classic….spaghetti and meatballs (mom’s style)! AMAZING and delicious!

The little pizza shop is located in a perfect area on 30th avenue between 24th and 26th streets.  In my opinion the location is beyond perfect and allows the community of Playa del Carmen expats (living off the 5th avenue) the chance to have a high quality, fantastically priced, 5th avenue worthy meal, very close to home, and in the center of town!

I would like to use this as an example to highlight that the expat community in Playa del Carmen is absolutely growing, thus making more room for American or foreign run businesses to take off and be successful.
There is also more opportunity for expats to make a small business because there is true demand from consumers.  We love Mexico and all it has to offer but we also love when we can find something familiar and close to our hearts!

Something unique that I find from talking to many Americans and Canadians, moving or retiring in Playa del Carmen, is the desire to come here and run a simple business!  Even those who are retiring are looking for something to do!

Many people have worked for years in fast paced careers or big business and would love to finally get the chance to be their own boss, earn a little cash and become part of the Playa del Carmen community! Opening a business is also a great way to meet new people and get to know other Playa del Carmen expats!

If you are thinking about moving to Playa del Carmen and would like more information about what’s going on around town keep up with our blog or visit the Top Mexico Real Estate Facebook Page.

The Island of Women – Experience the Treasure of Isla Mujeres!

Posted on by

In light of this glorious travel Tuesday I would like to highlight a day trip destination worth putting on your to do list this coming season!  If you have never been to the quaint charming Island just out of Cancun, called Isla Mujeres, then you are going to want to give this a shot! You will not be disappointed!

Travelers from all over will be arriving to the Riviera Maya right around Christmas time.  Some will stay a week and others will stay months! In any case, if you are a frequent traveler to Playa del Carmen or other areas of the Rivera Maya then you may want to take advantage of day trip or weekend getaway ideas…after all, there is so much beauty to see all over Mexico!

The Island of Women!

Isla Mujeres (The Island of Woman) is known for its amazing turquoise and crystal waters perfect, for anyone that loves to swim, snorkel, dive or even just stare!  The town is quite small but is very sweet and has an attractive, beachy, laid back Mexican feel.  You can walk around to shop or visit some delicious restaurants or bars.  If you like to be more of a site seer then renting a golf cart for a couple of hours is fairly inexpensive and a great way to explore the Island quickly!

The beaches on Isla Mujeres are some of my favorite in the whole Yucatan Peninsula; mainly because the water is just incredible.  There is no doubt that all of the Riviera Maya has beautiful turquoise water but each area still holds its own “special something”!

How to get to Isla Mujeres!

Find the most convenient transportation to Cancun either by bus, taxi or collective, and then hop on the Ferry which will get you to the Island in about 15 minutes.  If you want something a little bit more organized and fun, book a catamaran party boat during the day. The Catamaran ride will send you off with a lot of fun and music, and includes snorkeling, time in the town for shopping and site seeing, then relaxation and lunch on one the Islands exclusive beach clubs.

Night time dinner cruises and Party Boats

If you had enough sun you can certainly enjoy Isla Mujeres even under the stars. There are various dinner and party cruises for night owls. Enjoy a nice ride with fun and dancing before you arrive to the private beach club, where you can enjoy a fantastic buffet along with a steak or lobster dinner. You can book a tour with a local tour agent which will include transportation to Cancun. If you are already staying or living in Cancun you can provide your own transportation.  Make sure to book ahead as there is a high demand in prime season.

I always recommend exploring other areas outside your ultimate destination.  It gives you the chance to appreciate different kinds of beauty that you would never otherwise know.  This beautiful country of Mexico is way more than just beach and sand. It is filled with history, charm and nature!

We would love to hear from you!  Share with us your favorite destination or excursion in the Riviera Maya and we will feature your story.  Like our facebook page and feel free to send us a message at https://www.facebook.com/topmexicorealestate.