Tag Archives: Playa del Carmen

Xplor Fuego! An Adventure not to be forgotten!

Posted on by

The creators of Xcaret outdid themselves when they created Xplor Adventure Park but they have gone beyond what they already created and offered a new twist on one of the leading experiences in the Riviera Maya!  This new hype is called Xplor Fuego!  Xplor took and extra step and decided to open its doors at night lighting up the entire park with fire and excitement! A friend of mine recently went and shared this with me:


“You enter the park just before dusk into a cave like environment! Come equipped with your bathing suit or clothes if you don’t mind getting wet.  Also, it is important to bring water shoes! You don’t need to change into dry clothes until the very end.  Expect to get when during all activities!  You can choose to start with any of 5 adventures.  You can swim through the underground river, take a paddle boat ride through the river, soar through the zip line circuit, drive through the amphibious jungle or eat in spectacular buffet. 

We decided to start with the swim through the underground river.  And we were glad to do so because after swimming through a magical underground cenote, lit up of all different colors, you end swimming thorough an amazing waterfall.  All of a sudden you realize you are in a cenote pool with the waterfalls all around you and when you look up the view and the feeling is absolutely incredible!

 

Now since we were already in the vicinity we wandered over to take a little stroll through the river in the paddle boat.  The ride was fun and the paddles were very easy and user friendly.  Again you experience more amazement in a different route of the underground river. 

 

Say Cheese!  Or shall I say, Tequila!!!  And be ready!  Because there are cameras throughout the entire area of the park and underground river!

 

By the time we were done with the underground river, the skies darkened!  We took a break to eat and enjoy a fabulous buffet including a real BBQ offering beef and pork ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers and baked potatoes.  Also an incredible salad bar with fresh and healthy veggie options with a variety of dressings and toppings.  Also, you can enjoy some other international items such as chicken kebobs, pizza, mozzarella sticks, and much, much more! And if that isn’t enough how about ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate and natural fruit water!  And it’s all unlimited!

 


After filling our bellies it was time to explore the amphibious jungle with an adventurous 4×4 jeep ride!  What an experience!  The path is set up through the jungle with hills, water, rocks, heavy terrain and bridges.  The jeeps are very equipped and safe for this kind of activity so go ahead and press the gas a little and head out in the moon light!  Keep those lights on!  If you turn them off you will sit still in absolute darkness! We tested it for the thrill!  Stopped of course! Don’t worry, you are not alone! There are check points along the way to be sure your car is working properly and can continue with the ride!  You will not get lost in the dark!  This activity was my husband’s absolute favorite!  Before moving on we refueled in the snack area to rest for a few minutes and enjoy Mexican sweet bread and hot cocoa. We couldn’t resist!!!

 


Now onto the zip line circuit! We started this adventure by walking up a very safe spiral path to the top of a tower where we took flight on zip line number one!  The zip lines are truly an incredible experience and even for me who is honestly afraid of heights this was my top pick for the entire park!  I have been zip lining during the day and enjoyed it but it is truly a different and unique experience to soar through the sky at night underneath the moon and stars!  It is a completely different feel and I highly recommend this experience!  The circuit consists of nine zip lines; the last one with a fun splash water landing! 

 

Although this was the last of the fun filled activities, it did not end our night!  Didn’t I mention that the buffet is unlimited!? Yep!  All this fun called for another refuel!  So we sat and enjoyed another meal and talked about what an incredible time we had!  This brought us up to right around 11 pm which was perfect timing to fit in all the activities, eat and relax! Before leaving we stopped to view all the awesome photos that had been snapped of us during the adventure!  You are not obligated to purchase these photos however we did!  They offer different packages for you to choose from. I must say that buying the photos are always worth it for me to be able to keep for memories!  And this one in particular was certainly a memorable experience!

 This experience was not a one-time stop for me;  I enjoyed it so much that I plan to return!  I hope that everyone out there will give this a shot; you will not be disappointed.”

So, I recommend Xplor – at night!  I’ll have to go check it out myself some time soon.

 

-by Bea Lozano
Mexico Real Estate Investment Kit

What does Poverty Look Like in Playa del Carmen

Posted on by

When we write about communities in Playa del Carmen and other places, we obviously focus on the nicer communities that would appeal to expats. Yet, at the same time, we’ve been writing about charities recently in this blog.

You may be wondering how these two pictures fit together.

If you’ve been to Mexico, then you know that very nice communities and very poor communities exist side by side.  In some places, the poorer communities can be dangerous for those who do not belong to that social class.  This is not the case in Playa del Carmen; I have not found that the poorer communities are unsafe, even if they are not pretty.

Yet, it’s worth taking a brief look at what poverty looks like in this town.

 

Where do they come from?

Because of the booming tourism in Playa del Carmen, many poor farmers and village folk from throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, as well from other parts of the country – especially the states of Tabasco and Chiapas – have moved here to find work.

Many find reasonably good jobs (relative to their situation) in tourism. Many work in construction, which is a healthy industry these days.  A few never make their way very well and live in fairly harsh poverty.

 

What does it look like?

In almost all cases – whether they do well or not – many of the newcomers live in shacks to begin with – usually concrete block walls with fiberglass roofs, sometimes huts made out of wooden polls.

Those who do well usually begin to build up a nicer home little by little, as they have the cash to invest in materials (the work they’ll do themselves.)  The process of completing a home like this can take years upon years.

Thus, the most common sight in the poorer neighborhoods is partially built concrete homes. Some are abandoned and “regress” to the shack status.  Others are completed to be modest but comfortable and decent homes for their owners.  A few are even beautifully finished to become attractive, nicely designed homes by any standards.

Of course, there are some who, although starting out poor themselves, build substandard apartment buildings which they rent out to others for very low prices. (There are also some that are fairly decent.)

 

Who Needs the Help?

In all the cases mentioned above, when families first arrive to Playa, they usually have young children to think of – some of whom need to go to school.  That’s why the KKIS program Bea wrote about yesterday is so important.

There are other forms of charity to help families as they try to establish themselves, helping with items such as clothing and healthcare.  There are also programs for the homeless – often people who never manage to make things work.

There are plenty of ways to volunteer, donate and contribute; it’s always worth giving back to the community that you choose as your new home!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd
Livin’ Tulum Video – TeeToTum Hotel Interview

KKIS Project working hard to Keep Kids in School!

Posted on by

We have been pretty focused, these days, on what is going on in the community of Playa del Carmen; and have already touched upon a few ways to contribute while living or spending a considerable amount of time here.  But today I want to talk about a specific organization that is making great strides to help out the kids here in Playa del Carmen.

 

Keeping Kids in School

A group of expats have set up and organization called the Keeping Kids in School Project (KKIS) and is geared towards helping the kids of Playa del Carmen to be prepared and stay in school.  Among their many efforts throughout the year, the team of KKIS is now focused on packing backpacks full of school supplies for children who come from low income families.  This effort started out with just a few neighborhoods and has spread throughout Playa del Carmen.

 


How does the KKIS Backpacks for Kids project operate?

The families are asked to fill out a form with basic information about the family, their income and about the children.  In this case, the organization is working to help low income families who may not be able to afford all the necessary supplies which is why income is considered. The families are asked to list the supplies that are required for the upcoming school year for their children.

Based on age and grade level, the needed items may be different. Some examples of supplies that are being gathered are lined spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, calculators, dictionaries, geometry sets, colored paper, colored pencils, scissors, pencil cases, and of course backpacks! The group works in an extremely organized fashion and this is thanks to a number of volunteers that show up in a local garage ever week, where the items are stored.  They usually spend a couple of hours at a time and can accomplish a great deal within that time!

 


Giving a Hand

We are proud to have joined KKIS by volunteering our time to help pull all this together.  With about six people we each have a station.  There is one bag or each child or in some cases family.  The bag with the correct name is pulled and ready to be stuffed. Janet pulls the applications one by one and reads off exactly what needs to go inside to the team.  The person designated to that station pulls the supplies and puts them into the bag. This is truly a perfect example of a team effort!

Once the bag is stuffed it is put to the side in its appropriate spot and next to any others who are in the same family. The second step in the process is to then transfer the items in each bag to a designated backpack for each child.  And finally the backpacks are delivered weekly to a different neighborhood.

This will continue to be an ongoing weekly effort from now until school starts with backpacks being delivered to different families every weekend!  We are thrilled to see such a meaningful effort being handled by our fellow friends and expats here in Playa del Carmen.

 


The Experience

The families of the children are deeply appreciative with the efforts of KKIS. I would like to share with you a short email that was sent to me by Janet Lowe who is helping to direct this operation. This will surely put a smile on your face!

“Yesterday was our first delivery. It went to the El Peten neighborhood, north and west of Playa del Carmen, a working class area. We met the families that had filed applications with us last January. Three cars of volunteers arrived at the park where some families were waiting for us. Marilou processed the paperwork, the rest of us found the correct backpack for each child, talked with the families and took photos. It was 3:00 pm and very hot. Soon a bicycle cart appeared at the curb and water ices were served to us all. When I went to thank the man he explained that this is the family business and thanked us for helping his three children. He asked if we would be in the park again today and when I said yes, he promised to be there also. I love Mexico!”

– Janet Lowe

 

How Can You Help?

If you would like to contribute to this organization either by volunteering your time or helping to donate school supplies please contact find the KKIS project on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-KKIS-Project/230592130368921 and send them a message.  There you will also find many other projects and efforts that they are working on to help the kids in the community!

 

-by Bea Lozano
Mexico Real Estate Testimonials

Run for Happiness! Run for Health! Run for Charity! Or just Run!

Posted on by

Sunday in Playa del Carmen was filled with motivation and fun at the 1st annual 5k and 10k Solidaridad race!  The race started at Centro Maya and continued on highway 307 over the bridges!  The great thing about this event was that the energy reached all different crowds.  Some younger, some older, some runners some walkers!  In any case we saw a great diversity running this race and many expats involved.

 

A World-Wide Trend

Over the last couple years these kinds of races as well as marathons have become extremely popular and it’s providing motivation to get people to train and be in better shape! This trend has gone all over the world and of course in Mexico as well!

 


Ready, Set, Go!

On Sunday the race started at 7 am!  Runners were given chips to put into their shoes to track their times!    The runners took off from Centro Maya, up the highway bridges and around back to Centro Maya for the finish line!  At the end of the race there was a lot of energy and a big party to congratulate the runners but also to wish Playa del Carmen a happy 20th Birthday!  (… as a municipality; the town is much older.)

 

Mmm … Food Again

Pizza was provided by De local restaurant as well as many food options available including fruit, sandwiches, sweet breads and pastries, plenty of water, juice and rehydrating beverages!  Besides the generous breakfast there was energetic music, an announcement of the winners and we can’t forget FREE massages for all the runners!  It was truly a well thought and organized event and was definitely a great and rewarding experience for all that participated!

 

Top Mexico Participates … Along with Everyone Else

One of our very own team members ran the 10k race and finished in one hour and six minutes! She says she loves these kinds of events because it gives her motivation to practice, train and stay in shape; and at the end of the day makes her feel proud!
We saw men and women of all ages running including children, people running with their dogs, mothers pushing their babies in the strollers, even a very talented man balancing a soccer ball on his nose all throughout the 10k course!  Incredible!  We think it’s great that there was so much turn out and excitement here in Playa for this event!  It makes us feel more proud every day to see the love everyone has for our small beach town and to see so much turn out for community events!

 

If this kind of activity is something you enjoy doing go ahead and add some of the Riviera Maya races to your list.  Following this last race there will be a night run in Cancun with glow sticks and Neon lights in August.  If you like more of a challenge you might want to join the Cancun Marathon in December which has a route running throughout the hotel zone!  If running isn’t your thing come out and cheer the runners on!  They always appreciate the support!

 

-by Bea Lozano
Livin' Playa video interview

The Pricing Factor – The Even Cheaper Parts of Mexico

Posted on by

Retirement living in Mexico

The colonial town of Valladolid – not far from Cancun, Playa or Merida

Here’s something that may or may not surprise you; regardless of which retirement location you choose in Mexico, regardless how low the cost of living, there are probably many parts of the country that are even cheaper!

 

So, why don’t you pack up and move to one of those places?

 

Well, the answer to that is usually fairly obvious; the more popular expat and tourist locations usually have more modern services, more people that speak English, better airport and highway access, etc. And they’re already so much cheaper than what life back home was.

 

Yet, there are several benefits to these very low-priced parts of Mexico.

 

Travel

 

While you’re home base will be Playa del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta, you can hop on a nice coach bus or rent a car and head out to visit nearby villages. The cost of everything from hotels to icecream to taxis will be low, even compared to the surprisingly los prices you were just getting used to in your new home town. For example, about 2 hours from Playa del Carmen is the charming – yet all but unknown – town of Valladolid.

 

retirement living in MexicoThis makes it easy to spend retirement years traveling, seeing new sights and having new experiences, even if you’re on a tighter budget. One couple who headed out for a trip through some of these quieter villages told me that there full vacationing expenses – hotel, bus, restaurants, etc., – cost them less than their regular expenses would’ve been for the same amount of time back in Canada. Mind you, this couple likes to “rough it” a little, but they fully enjoyed all aspects of the trip.

 

Affordable Help

 

One of the many advantages of retiring in Mexico is that you can afford to hire a maid, a gardener, a handyman for maintenance, etc. and not bust the budget. People coming into the more economically thriving areas from the villages are part of what makes this possible. For them, even the wages which already seem surprisingly low to us seem quite high. Many of them send part of their wages back to the farm where the cash goes a long, long way.

 

Of course, we want to give back to our new communities and not take advantage, but paying the going wages or a bit higher will go a long way for these people. Hiring them offers a double benefit; it’s good for you since it offers you a more comfortable lifestyle for a much better price. It’s good for them because it gives them access to cash and a better life that otherwise they wouldn’t have.

 

So, yes, there are most certainly places in Mexico that are cheaper than the expat town you chose. No, they probably wouldn’t be appealing for you to live in, and yes, there are ways which you can both enjoy the benefits of the low costs there and contribute to the lives of those who live there.

 

-Thomas Lloyd

Staying Active in Playa del Carmen

Posted on by

Playa del Carmen is a town in which we can’t help but to be active on a normal basis. By settling here in Playa, you may actually be improving your health and wellness even if you didn’t realize it. Aside from the fact that you generally do a lot of walking and moving around from one place to the other, Playa promotes many choices for staying fit and the good news is there is something for everyone!

Let’s take a look at some of the options, shall we?

Walk-Everywhere Lifestyle

While the use of taxi’s and cars are a main source of transportation to get from one place to the other it is more likely that you spend just as much of the time walking to your destination. Why not? The weather is nice! So even without exercise in mind we are doing it! And besides, Playa is small and sometimes it doesn’t make much sense to drive. Our feet and the use of bicycles are actually the main form of transportation here therefore contributing to the “subconscious calorie burn”!

Join a Gym!

This is the most typical mechanism as the gyms here offer state of the art equipment for both cardio and strength, on site personal training and group classes.

Yoga

Yoga is HUGE here in Playa del Carmen! There are many yoga studios scattered throughout Playa. It is unlikely that you will not see one as you are strolling through the main streets toward the beach here. Try yoga on the beach or in a studio! There is even yoga on the ocean with the use of surfboard. Give it a try!

Keep that Core Tight!

Holding hands with the same hot demand of yoga is Pilates. There are many Pilates studios here in Playa and some are even teamed up with the yoga studios and gymnasiums.

 

Outdoor Running!

Find the treadmill boring? Well who wouldn’t when you have the perfect setting and nice running/jogging options here in Playa. Try some barefoot running on the beach. It’s easy to forget you are exercising while you are connected with such a nice view. The 5th Avenue is a nice option for a run. The mornings are quieter (and cooler) but if it’s in a busier time of the day make it like an obstacle and weave in and out through the people. Also, it’s a good way to people watch. Consider the track on 10th avenue and 34th street which at the moment is under construction but will be available again soon. And also, try running through different neighborhoods. Switching up your route can prevent boredom.

Don’t like running? Well, all of these options are just as nice for walkers.

Cross fit

Cross fit studios are becoming very popular as well. Living near the beach means that fitness and being strong is a hot topic. Cross fit combines some hard core techniques to get you in shape. It’s worth the sweat!

Tennis anyone?

There are a couple of nice options for tennis courts in Playa del Carmen center as well as Playacar. It should be pretty easy to find a partner if you don’t have one already.

Take a bike ride!

If it’s a nice evening why not take the bike out for a spin. It’s very nice ride through Playacar for example. Also, Playa is building up their bike paths to make it easier and more enjoyable to take a relaxing and safe ride through the town.

Dance your heart out!

Take a salsa or Tango class or just simply find where the music is and dance. There’s plenty of it here so take advantage and let yourself go. Dance is just as great for the mind and soul as it is for your body. Learn a few new moves or use what you’ve got but either way have fun and move!

And with all this being said we have to remember the summer is here and it’s HOT! Stay active but also remember to stay hydrated! Drink water as you are participating in these activities and also throughout the day.

-by Bea Lozano

Mexico Health Care Kit

The Five Senses of Playa del Carmen

Posted on by

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

Hot, Hot, Hot in Playa del Carmen!

Posted on by

It’s started. Except for our brief rainy interlude, the temperature around here has started to rise again. And when it goes up it really goes up, making anywhere but somewhere the breeze is blowing uncomfortable. Here are some tips for staying cool in the summer in Playa del Carmen.

 

Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Fresh fruit juice blends in Mexico are delicious and a great way to stay cool!

1- Try some refreshing new drinks!

 

Mexico is famous for fresh fruit juices and they are so easy to make at home – all you need is a blender, some ice, water, fresh fruit and some imagination. Things like watermelon, pineapple, and oranges blend best. There are some interesting fruits in Mexico that you can also try if you like – pitaya, guava, and tamarind. My favorite mix is really easy to make – mix some water, ice, and mint leaves in a blender, and presto!

 

2- Drink water!

 

It will keep you cool and staying hydrated is very important, especially if you tend to sweat.

 

3- Hit the beach!

 

 

It’s the best place to stay cool. And if you get too hot the ocean waves are right there to cool you down instantly. Try to find a spot under a palapa or you can rent some shade with an umbrella and beach chair or bed. There are some nice beach clubs around that offer great food and a wide variety of beverages, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

 

4- Jump in the pool!

 

Another great place to cool off – without having to worry about the waves knocking you over. Just remember your sunscreen because nothing burns more than sunburn.

 

Whenever you do begin life in paradise, these tips help you stay safe and sane the summer season.

 

-by Bea Lozano

 

Mexico Real Estate Investment Kit

What to Do on Rainy Days in Playa del Carmen …

Posted on by

I’m going to make a startling admission:

 

There really are rainy days in Playa del Carmen!

 

There aren’t many of them – I’d say over 300 days of the year are mostly sunshine. Even when there is rain, it lasts for a couple of hours at the most, and sometimes much less, and then Playa’s bright sun comes out again.

 

But there really are a handful of days in which it rains all day. And in these cases, it usually rains hard.

 

So what to do on a rainy day in a place where life is out on the beach, a stroll out on Fifth Avenue or breakfast on a terrace?

 

I have to admit, it’s hard to keep stuff around just for a few days a year when the rainy days keep you inside. These are my personal favorites:

  • browsing the web – writing blogs of course (good internet connections around here)
  • watching a moving – there are good movie rentals in English, as well as 2 movie theaters, also mostly in English (with Spanish subtitles)
  • bowling – we just got our first bowling alley a couple of years ago!
  • hanging out at the mall – whether you like malls or not, you won’t find yourself spending much time at them just because it’s so easy to be outside – except on the rainy days! (One has underground parking)
  • a game of chess – you can do that outside too, but rainy days are especially good for it; my 8-year-old son has become quite the pro! There’s a very informal chess club that meets on Fridays at one of the malls.
  • drink hot chocolate – it never really gets cold enough for hot chocolate here, but I always feel like the hard rain makes it taste better
  • read a book – it’s a good chance to catch up on some over-due reading

 

So how will you spend your rainy days here? Well, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t worry too much about it, since it’s so seldom. But on the other, when it happens so seldom, you kind of appreciate it!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Mexico Real Estate e-book