Tag Archives: Living in Playa del Carmen

Meet Kristie Scivally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma!

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As part of our Livin’ Playa Series we are showing and capturing the real life of expats and snowbirds in Playa del Carmen!

 

We had the lovely opportunity to talk with Kristie Scivally from Oklahoma City Oklahoma!  We were interested to talk with Kristie because she is a die-hard Playa fan who chooses to spend all of her vacation time here in Playa.  We wanted to find out why!  So this is her story!

 

(To see more real-life stories in YouTube, click here.)

 

Kristie lives a normal life back in Oklahoma City.  She raises a 10 year old boy and works very hard.  She has been coming to Playa for the past 10 years, right around the time her son was born. She likes to take any chance she can take to be here.  She visits approximately 4 or 5 times per year and by this time has become a Playa expert as she has watched this lovely beach town evolve and grow without ever sacrificing its charm.

 

Kristie usually spends a bigger chunk of time, of about a month, here during the summer since her son is free from school during that time.  Throughout the year she takes smaller trips of about a week or so whenever her son gets a break from school! And when she is not here, she is always planning and looking forward to her next trip!

 

So we wanted to know, Why Playa?
If you get the chance to take 4 or 5 vacations every year then why not change it up a little? This is an easy question for Kristie to answer.  She simply loves Playa!  We all know that when you love something you should stick with it.  Kristie comes to Playa for a wide scale of reasons.  The atmosphere, the beach, great food, the family friendly environment and also because of safety!

 

Some of her favorite things to do here are to go to the beach, lounge by the pool, take her son for a ride in the go karts or other fun kids activities, walk on the 5th Avenue, socialize with friends while enjoying nice dinners and wine!  She also loves the fact that you can come here and still escape to other beautiful gems such as Tulum, Chichen-itza and many other paradise locations all within the Riviera Maya!  This is all a part of the life in Playa!

 

Good Friends
Over time Kristie has made good friendships with expats who live here year round and she looks forward to spending time with them each visit.  Playa del Carmen is, in fact, a home away from home for Kristie and her son!

 

At this point in Kristie’s life she is not prepared to live here full-time but knows that once here son is out of school, and she can retire, Playa is the place she wants to be!  For now she will continue to escape to Playa for vacation and keeping dreaming that little dream of one day living here!

 

To hear what Kristie has to say please click on this link for her testimonial on You tube!

 

We love our town of Playa del Carmen and we want to get the word out that this is a great place to live, retire and vacation!  What better way to do that than by letting you meet people who can give you the real scoop!  Stay tuned for more testimonials for our Livin’ Playa series!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

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Cathy Tells You about Life in Playa del Carmen! (Video – Livin’ Playa)

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Do you ever imagine what life in Playa del Carmen would be like? Walking on the beach, yoga, Spanish classes, martini’s at the poolside, relaxed expat clubs …

Sounds almost too perfect, doesn’t it?

Well, people who live here can tell you that that’s what life is actually like.  We have another video in our Livin’ Playa series, this time an interview with Cathy Morrison.  Cathy is a past client of ours – we helped her and her husband find their ideal condo in Quadra Alea.  And guess what life is like for her:

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

 

Walking on the beach, yoga, Spanish classes, martini’s at the poolside, relaxed expat clubs …

Life in Playa is relaxation!

-by Thomas Lloyd
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A Fair is More Than a Fair, It’s a Whole Affair! Playa del Carmen Fair 2013

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The Playa del Carmen Fair is a summer event that many locals and expats look forward to all year!  The Fair will usually take place at some point in July and runs for a little over a week!  During that time the streets around Wal-Mart are closed down and packed up with rides, food vendors, craft and merchandise vendors, and entertainment areas.  This is normal for any fair that you will find in your own home town but anywhere you go each place will bring its own Flare!  Mexico certainly brings its own and I want to show you some of the ways we do it.

 


The Rides

Let’s start with the rides.  There is a nice selection of easy going or thrilling rides both for adults and kits.  Of course you will find the ever so famous BIG WHEEL; most know it as the Ferris Wheel!  This is a common ride among fairs everywhere and is sort of the landmark of the whole event!  Another favorite in the Playa Fair is the sky ride where many people wait in line for hours to take a ski slope type trip through a couple blocks of the town center.  Other rides include some fast adult thrillers whipping you around and upside down and some fun picks for the kids!

 


Games & Shows

If rides are not your thing there are plenty of other things to keep you busy!  There are many games to play that will offer prizes for the winners. Also there is a special entertainment tent where you can see many different kinds of shows put on locals in the community including dance and music which in most cases is rich in culture!

 

Shopping

There are plenty of shopping opportunities for local products and handcrafts. This is a good place to find a cheap colorful pair of shades, some nice decorative Mexican handcraft, plenty of jewelry, even shoes!  And that is just to name a few!

 

Mmmm … Food!

Now everyone’s favorite Fair subject!  The FOOD!  A fair would not be a fair without traditional fair food.  Depending on where you come from the food may change but the craze and eagerness to eat delicious things will stay the same.
Some common and traditional foods include corn on the cob that is smothered with mayo, parmesan cheese, lime and chili!  Also, churros which in my opinion are another version of a fried dough covered in sugar; they are simply amazing.

How many ways can you cook a banana?  Well at the fair you can fry it either to a crisp like chips and eat them as such or until soft and sweet to smother it in a sweet vanilla crème sauce called Lechera! Either way you are in for a treat!

Now on to the marquesitas!  Marquesitas are made with a batter almost like a crepe but when cooked the dough gets crunch like a soft waffle cone filled with cheese or sweets like nutella or sweet caramel.

Don’t have a sweet tooth? Well that’s ok.  There are like three different ways to eat hot dogs.  Try them small and cut up with fries, traditional or make it a corn dog! Here in Mexico we like variety!  Other traditional whole foods include hamburgers and of course tacos and quesadillas!!!  It is likely you will arrive home nice and full!

But don’t worry, you don’t have to wait until next July for these delicious treats because it’s likely you will see them again in February when Playa holds its annual carnival event!

To see some great photos of this year’s event please visit our album on Facebook

 

-by Bea Lozano
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The Five Senses of Playa del Carmen

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Retirement living in Playa del CarmenPlaya del Carmen is an invigorating beach town awaking all of your senses beyond the norm. With so many things to see, hear, smell, touch and taste you are sure to want to return again and again or join the rest of the expats that have made this wonderful place their home. So what’s different? I believe it is the combination of multi culture, tradition, value of simplicity, love and beauty.

 

I See Magic!

The ocean gives a different kind of magic in each time of the day. I enjoy the mornings and evenings because of the quiet and peace that it fills me with. But during the day the ocean is moving. There is energy created by beach-goers making a buzz in Playa.

 

If you venture outside of the beach and up the 5th ave you can see much movement and excitement. One of my favorite things to do on the 5th ave is to have a cup of coffee at Starbucks and people watch. You will see vendors and restaurants busy at work asking you to come try their product. You will see different kinds of entertainment from men dressed as characters, break dancers, street shows, mariachis, etc.

 
Off the 5th you see what real life is like here in Playa. There are lots of people walking or riding bicycles, Couples holding hands, kids playing in the street, workers working, cats and dogs running around without a leash just having fun and doing what is within our nature. Many of these things are very rare to see in the Midwest where I come from.

 

Can you smell that?

Ocean and sand! We all are familiar with the great smell of the beach. It’s a smell that tells us to enjoy, relax and let go!

 

Food! Restaurants, small Mexican kitchens or taco carts are in abundance here. Wherever you go you smell the aroma of food. This is of course why I tend to remain permanently hungry in Playa.

 

Incense! I have noticed that the use of incense is quite popular here and I smell it a lot on the 5th avenue coming from some stores

 

Oh YUM!

This is my personal favorite topic! The food, fruit, and different kinds of drinks here are amazing. There are so many new things to try. From simple to the most exotic kinds of foods, Playa is full of top notch restaurants.

 
And have you tried the cooking from a local Mexican kitchen, otherwise known as a Fonda? If not then please do! It’s some of the best yet inexpensive food you will eat here. Let’s not forget the availability of wonderful fruits, juices and flavored waters. Have you tried Jamaica (HA-MI-CA) water yet? Here you will find the food is National but also very International so try it all

 

Hello I Can Hear You!

Well, one of our most incredible senses is our hearing. Each town and city has their own flare to it. So what is different and particular about Playa? Well, for one back in the U.S. I would have never thought I’d be living next door to a rooster but, well now I have one for a neighbor. He sings his song throughout the day but is never bothersome. It actually makes me feel very nice that I have discovered this simplicity to life.

 

Nature is a noise that you hear often here. The chirping of the various kinds of birds is a common sound. The language! Oh how I love the Spanish language. It sounds so beautiful to me when I hear people talk. I’ve known Spanish for a while, but I still love listening – the new hasn’t worn off! Music is filled in the streets and in the touristic areas day and night including those great mariachis and local musicians.

 

Retirement living in Playa del CarmenIt feels so Good!

The sand in my feet! It’s perhaps one of the most wonderful feelings for me personally is to feel the sand touch my feet and to touch the water.

 

“Fish spa” at a cenote! The little tadpoles swim up and eat the dirt off of your feet. It feels ticklish but very neat at the same time.

 

The wind! Feeling the wind blow against your skin and in your hair is a sweet relaxation.

 

Playa can take the energy all through your body. Connect with nature and the community. Listen, taste new things and enjoy Playa!

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Livin' Playa video interview

Love Is in the Air in Playa del Carmen – 10 Most Romantic Things to Do (#3)

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On Monday and yesterday Bea and I started sharing what we believe are the 10 most romantic things to do in the Playa del Carmen area.  Today, I will share 3 more items – #4, 3 & 2 on our list, preparing you for the “grand finale” tomorrow on Valentine’s Day – in our opinion, the most romantic thing to do in Playa del Carmen!

 

4. Candle-Light Dinner on a Private Boat

 

The canals of Mayakoba, a resort complex just north of town, capture the spirit of the ancient Mayan mysteries which permeate the area’s jungle; a private dinner on a boat to yourselves, candle light, the sound of the water, and the beauty of the surrounding nature make this one of the most romantic settings to be found – anywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Dinner in Alux Cavern Restaurant
Reaching only a little deeper into the heart of the mysterious Mayan nature, you and your Valentine can enjoy a delicious Mayan dinner deep in a beautifully lit cavern at the entrance to one of the area’s “cenotes” – underground pools, waterways and caverns.

 

Alux Restaurant, located just out of downtown, is a dining experience you will not find anywhere else – and, most importantly, offers a very romantic atmosphere.

 

2. Temazcal Steam Room & Ritual

Steam fills the air with the fragrance of mystical herbs; you hear chanting around you.  Along with the heat of the steam, the essence of the ancient mystery of life penetrates into the deepest part of your being and awakens your senses to beauty as never before.

 

The temazcal is Mexico’s ancient steam room, similar to the traditional saunas where water is sprinkled on hot rocks to fill the room with steam.

 

The difference is that the ancient Aztec and Mayan rituals are intricately intertwined into the steam process, including herbs in the water, chanting and blessings, making the relaxing experience as spiritual as it is physical – the essence of true romance.

 

Tomorrow, Bea will tell you about our #1 romantic activity in Playa del Carmen; the nice thing about it is that it can be combined with any of the other 9 we mentioned, and it captures romance in a very special and unique way that everyone – young or old, new lovers, or a well-seasoned couple – can experience alike to find that new spark of passion …

 

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Do You Want to See More of Coco Beach? Community Gallery, Part II

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A couple of weeks ago, Tom shared an introduction of Coco Beach, with a description of this beautiful and trendy new beachfront neighborhood just at the north end of downtown; of course, Coco Beach itself – i.e. the actual beachfront – is simply gorgeous!

 

This is one of my favorite communities in town – trendy and modern, yet relaxing and picturesque, happening and “hip,” yet quiet and residential.  Fifth Avenue and Playa’s main shopping and dining a very close – you can easily walk. It’s simply a place I love to go for a stroll, enjoy a coffee or a nice lunch, head to the beach and relax! Today I want to share another set of pictures.

 

Top Beaches in Playa del Carmen

 

Top Beaches in Playa del Carmen

 

Top Beaches in Playa del Carmen

 

Top Beaches in Playa del Carmen

 

Top Beaches in Playa del Carmen

 

Top Beaches in Playa del Carmen

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing these pictures as much as I enjoy visiting Coco Beach!

 

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

 

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La Ceiba Park – Where Jungle and Community Meet

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Living in Playa del CarmenJust on the other side of the federal highway in Playa del Carmen there is a beautiful little park known as “La Ceiba”, or “Parque la Ceiba,” its full name in Spanish.  I’ve written about this park before – Top 5 Places to Experience the Day of the Dead, for example.

 

The park is very natural, preserving the area’s original vegetation and landscaping; at the same time, trails, playgrounds and other community spaces make the park a central part of Playa del Carmen’s community life, as well as the many cultural events which are hosted there.

 
The following are a few of the features and events to be found in Parque la Ceiba.

 

Cafe –  There is a nice little out-door cafe which sells a variety of drinks and snacks, and offers a very pleasant, relaxing atmosphere.

Theater – There is an outdoor theater where plays and presentations are made.

 

Weekly Market – Every Saturday there is a “tianguis” where natural food and local arts and crafts are sold.

 

Day of the Dead – Every year at the beginning of November, Parque La Ceiba hosts a series of events to celebrate Mexico’s Day of the Dead (which coincides with Halloween but lasts longer and has much deeper cultural roots.)

 

 

Recycling Drop-Off – For many expats, the lack of recycling collection in Playa del Carmen (as well as other parts of Mexico) can be frustrating.  This park has a drop-off center making it easier for residents to be environmentally responsible.

 

Plant Nursery – Besides the natural vegetation, which covers about 75% of the park, there is an area where plants native to the area are grown and potted to be sold.  Residents do well buying these plants because they are the most suited to the area’s soil and climate, and grow very well.

 

Living in Playa del CarmenAnnual Xcaret Market – Xcaret is a nearby theme park focusing on Mexico’s culture and history; every year they have a market in which they sell out the previous year’s left-over stock.  There are some great deals on very nice clothes!

 

Many Cultural Events – There are many monthly, annual and one-time events offering things to buy and close contact with the area’s rich culture.

 

Living in Playa del CarmenI look forward to posting more about specific events and visits in La Ceiba.  It’s certainly one of my favorite places just to walk around or sit down and relax in a very natural setting while the kids enjoy playing!

 

 

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