Life's a Beach | Daily Life and Real Estate in Playa del Carmen

Great news from our friends up at Viceroy Riviera Maya! Travel + Leisure Mexico magazine has released its highly anticipated 2012 ‘New Hotels' List and the Viceroy Riviera Maya is one of the Top 50 Favorite New Hotels. Viceroy Riviera Maya also appears in Travel + Leisure USA's seventh annual ‘It List'.

 Each year, the magazine's editors travel the globe to test the best newly opened and renovated properties, and they unveil their picks for the top new hotels worldwide in the annual ‘New Hotels' List.  This is Travel + Leisure's third annual ‘New Hotels' List.

 "The New Hotels List is the one list that every hotelier hopes to make because it recognizes the best new hotel products on the planet," said General Manager Pedro Lara. "I believe the master renovation of the resort put us in contention, and then the dedication of our staff to delivering a standout guest experience took us over the top."

Viceroy Riviera Maya put the finishing touches on a major renovation in January 2012 that completely transformed the resort with the addition of spectacular new villas as well as a new grill restaurant by the sand, fitness center and lobby. With the improvements, the property became part of the Viceroy Hotels and Resorts portfolio and was renamed the Viceroy Riviera Maya. Previously, it was The Tides Riviera Maya.

Viceroy Riviera Maya is a serene hideaway of sugary-white sands lapped by the warm Caribbean and a jungle ambiance of ferns, palms and guava trees. The resort merges every luxury amenity with dramatic sea and jungle, bringing together the best of the destination. All 41 villas feature a private patio and plunge pool, outdoor shower, and a high-ceiling, thatched-palapa roof that resonates with the jungle environment. Guests enjoy fine dining on the sea-view loft of La Marea, Mexican-Mediterranean fare at beachside Coral Grill, and state-of-the-art workout equipment in the fitness center. At the spa, Mayan healing techniques and traditions infuse every aspect of the guest experience.

The resort has its own pier where guests can sunbathe, enjoy massages, savor romantic dinners, and may be conveniently picked up by boat for snorkeling, diving and other excursions. The six-acre resort is on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula 40 miles south of Cancun International Airport, and three miles north of popular Playa del Carmen, known for its beach scene, restaurants, boutiques and nightlife. For more information and reservations:  800-578-0281 or rm.reservations@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com.

 

Great news from the Executive Committee for Taste of Playa! The first official press release for the 2012 culinary event has been distributed and we are thrilled to share the information with our readers and fellow foodies across the globe! For the fourth year running, BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors will be a corporate sponsor for this much anticipated community event. If you haven't attended one of the previous Taste of Playa festivals, take a peak at what you have been missing!

 

Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico - May 14th, 2012  - Taste of Playa, 2012 is proud to announce its fourth annual culinary event for Sunday November 18, 2012.  Taste of Playa, a premier international event, will be held at Parque Fundadores, between “La Quinta Avenida” and the beach in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Taste of Playa offers locals and visitors a unique opportunity to explore a wide variety of contemporary and traditional Mexican cuisine samples, created within the region.  Distinctive restaurants from Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya will prepare and present their gastronomic tastes.

“We are thrilled to have the support and commitment from many of our 2011 participants and corporate sponsors.” – Stated Tracy Redwood, This year’s marketing committee Co-Chair.

“Diamonds International is very proud to have been the ‘Title Sponsor for Taste of Playa 2011’- the event was truly amazing! The organization was excellent, the weather perfect and the food was the best – It was a great opportunity for Diamonds International and we look forward to Taste of Playa 2012” Said Lilia Gordian, Marketing Manager of Diamonds International.

Originally launched in 2009, Taste of Playa has gone from 25 restaurants and beverage providers, to over 40. Taste of Playa’s increasing popularity is expected to draw over 7,500 visitors in 2012.

Taste of Playa is organized by a Committee consisting of eight (8) local business owners in Playa del Carmen.  The committee’s goal for Taste of Playa is to help develop and sustain community programs that will have a positive effect on the residents of Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

Taste of Playa is a community-oriented culinary event that is open to the public and relies on partners and sponsors for financial support.  Online sales of Taste of Playa ‘pesos’ and VIP passes start on July the 15th through the event website; and Taste of Playa ‘pesos’ can be purchased on the day of the event, which runs from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM. For more information, please visit http://www.tasteofplaya.com. You can also find updates on http://www.facebook.com/tasteofplaya and http://www.twitter.com/tasteofplaya.

###

Media Contact:
Tracy Redwood, Co-Chair Marketing Committee
marketing@tasteofplaya.com
www.tasteofplaya.com

(+52)1-984-143-21-95 – Playa Del Carmen

 

 

A small bookstore in a rustic pueblo in Quintana Roo, Mexico, was apparently the right place for author and journalist Jeanine Kitchel to nurture her craving to learn more about the Maya culture.

Her new book, Maya 2012 Revealed, Demystifying the Prophecy, brings a realistic look at the furor caused by December 21, 2012, with emphasis on who are the Maya, the code, their calendar system, Maya astronomy and the night sky, 2012ology, the collapse of their culture, and the prophecy as seen by Maya elders.

Kitchel moved to Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, in 1997 after traveling there frequently in the 1980s.  Her former bookstore, one of seven in the state of Quintana Roo and the only English language bookshop at the time, carried numerous titles about the Maya culture, the pyramid sites, breaking the Maya code, the Maya calendar, the explorers who dug the sites, the scholars who studied them, and the myths of the Chilam Balam and the Popul Vuh.

Becoming more mesmerized by the Maya with each passing year, she began writing about them on urgings from publishers Ron Mader, planeta.com, and David Simmonds, of The Mexico Files (now website MexicoPremiere.com).  Her writing range expanded to The Miami Herald and three Mexico City newspapers.

 "It was something I loved to read about," she said.  "I was fascinated by the Maya culture and the fact that, at the time, no one could break the code.  It was this incredible mystery and a very exciting time in the Yucatan and I was at the source.  As each new Maya title was published-about the civilization, the code, the pyramids-I ordered it.  I read everything I could get my hands on.  I was seriously addicted."

Flash forward to 2012 and the end date debate.  Who better to author a book describing in detail the end time prophecy and the nuances of the Maya culture than Kitchel?

The book will be available in May.  On each book sold, a portion of the profits will go to edúcaTE, an educational non-profit organization in Yucatan, that helps send Maya children to school whose parents cannot afford it.  To get a copy of Maya 2012 Revealed, Demystifying the Prophecy, check Kitchel's website at www.jeaninekitchel.com or Amazon.com and iTunes.

 

For further information you may contact the author directly.

Contact: Jeanine Kitchel
Email:  casamayamx[at]gmail.com
Phone:  (805) 617 - 0289

 

The Sacred Mayan Journey or Travesia Sagrada Maya, is recreated each year and is one of the Riviera Maya's most beloved events.  It is a great honor to be chosen to take part in this beautiful celebration. The lucky men and women chosen as canoeists train for months in anticipation of this test of endurance. At dawn, the boats and the canoeists, dressed in traditional garb, leave Xcaret, once called Ppolé, and make the long and arduous crossing to the island of Cozumel, a trip that takes these small crafts over 6 hours. The following day, the participants paddle back to the ancient port city of Xaman Ha, known today as Playa del Carmen.

 

 

Thousands of years ago, people came from all across the Mundo Maya every Spring to order to worship Ixchel. Ixchel is well known as the Goddess of fertility but she was also believed to control general health, water and agriculture. The ancient Maya honored Ixchel in order to bring rain for crops and ensure a bountiful harvest for the year.

One of the special attractions enjoyed by the participants and invitees of the annual Travesia Sagrada at Xcaret is the traditional municipal market lovingly recreated by ancestors of the ancient Maya still living in this region. The public markets of the Maya were created for the use of all the inhabitants from all socio-economic classes. Most commonly traded were products created from natural materials of the region such as coconuts, seeds, thorns, shells and carved bones and gourds. Rare and desirable items such as colorful feathers, jewelery, jade and mirrors were exclusively traded by the upper classes.

 

 

 

 

Upon entering, guests trade in their pesos for small cloth sacks filled with cacao which they must use for currency to purchase the artifacts, crafts, food and drink and other items offered in the market. I had a great time checking out all the stalls and the various goods for sale. A haze of smoldering copal hung in the air adding to the atmosphere. Attendees lines up to try tortillas made fresh over the fire, tamales and warm atole. Guests could get up close and personal with animals indigenous to the region and have their faces painted with traditional designs and dyes.

 

 

 

 

 

Once the sun set, we all took our seats on the shores around Xcaret's Bahia Dos Playas to enjoy the inaugural dedication and the following show performed by some of the park's talented actors and dancers. This was the only event I was able to attend this year and from my location it was difficult to capture on film the majesty of this presentation so please click through to see an amazing album of photos from Del Sol Photography and Xcaret covering the event.

 

 

 

 

Greetings "Life's a Beach" readers!

What follows is a message from Tamara Magnusson (tamarainprogreso[at]gmail.com) who is once again seeking information from the US and Canadian ex-pats and snowbirds in Mexico and Central America. Plans to initiate a ferry service from Tampa to Progresso are back on the table at United Caribbean Lines and they are looking for our input to help them move forward with this ambitious investment.

To help United Caribbean Lines make an informed plan to bring this ferry service to the Yucatan, please copy and paste the questionnaire below into an e-mail and send to BNIERENBERG@AOL.COM. Don't forget to share this blog post with your expat friends so that they too can weigh in on this exciting development.

 "The past year has not brought a lot of forward momentum with the ferry project in spite of the interest of three different ferry companies and many false start dates.  The scandals which precipitated personnel changes at the Progresso Port Authority certainly didn't help the situation either, however, things have been happening behind the scenes and from what I understand a number of feasibility studies have been done in the Tampa area showing the ferry project is viable but the inability to do a feasibility study within the expatriate community continues to be a stumbling block especially with investors.  

Having learned from the mistakes of the previous ferry services in the area and responses from the previous expat surveys, the original plans have been modified.  Super high speed ferries are now being considered to shorten the crossing time, frequent user plans, and even free vehicle bonuses are being considered.  A year round weekly crossing schedule with frequency based on use patterns and peak seasons will be offered.  As this service will take some years to become profitable investor backing will be the key to success.

I know many of you have already completed one or both of the previous surveys, but United Caribbean Lines is asking for our input once again.  The results will directly influence investors and the more responses the better so please forward this email and ask everyone you know who may travel this direction to answer the questions and forward their responses to United Caribbean Lines.  If you have access to expatriate websites, blogs or travel groups please have all your members respond and forward the questions on to any other websites and blogs you use anywhere in Central America.  Even if you have no interest in using the ferry service please respond because part of the purpose is to try to establish how many expats live in the Yucatan and Central America.

If you are comfortable letting UCL know how to reach you they would like to extend some special courtesies, goodies, discounts and upgrades for helping them, when the ferry service begins.  Just put your email address and mailing address in Central America on your answers to the questionnaire so UCL can reach you with the offers when they get started. "


Questionnaire for Ex-Pats living in Central America for new Ferry Service of United Caribbean Lines

1.       Where in Mexico/Central America is your current home?

 2.       How many family members reside in your Mexico/Central American home?

 3.       Do you maintain a second home in the U.S. or Canada?

 4.        When you travel to go to the U.S or Canada to visit friends family etc. What is your destination?

 5.       How many times a year do you make this trip?

 6.       If you have more than one place you travel to in the U.S or Canada please list those additional destinations

 7.       How often to you travel to these secondary destinations each calendar year

 8.       When you go do you drive or fly? If both what is the approx. % for each?

 9.       Do you have pets? Do you take them when you return to the U.S or Canada?

 10.   When you return to the U.S. or Canada do you shop for supplies etc. For your home in Mexico/Central America?

 11.   When you travel from your home in Mexico/Central America to the U.S. or Canada are there times of the year you do most of the travel? If so, when?

 12.   Do friends and family come to Mexico/Central America each year to visit you? If so how often?

 13.   Do you own an RV in Mexico/Central America?

                   a.       Would you take it on the ferry?
 

14.   What would be the most important reasons you would take the ferry to Florida?

Please number the following reasons in order of importance for using the ferry.   Number 1 being the most important, and Number 10 the least.

1.      Go back to other homes in U.S. and or Canada ____

2.      Visit family and friends ____

3.      Shopping ____

4.      Vacationing in Florida  ___

5.      I can take my car or RV ___

6.      Go to Florida to use airports for further travel ___

7.      Go to Florida to get on a cruise ____

8.      Just to get away for a short trip ____

9.      Travel for medical purposes ___

10.  Other ( please name ) ______

      Additional comments or things you would like us to know to help serve you better with our new ferry service

Many visitors to the Riviera Maya contact us to ask what they might bring down from the United States or Canada to help the efforts of local animal rescue groups. Tierra de Animales, an organization we featured in our 2011 12 Days/12 Ways campaign, has published a wishlist of needed items that can be purchased up north at a fraction of the cost charged in Mexico.

Cash donations for medical supplies to be purchased by Tierra de Animales volunteers in the US and Canada are also appreciated. Most items are much less expensive in the US and easy for volunteers to bring down. Ongoing monetary donations are also needed for food and the purchase of airline approved dog kennels/carriers to transport adopted dogs to their new homes and families!! Thank you!

 

Please contact Lisa Edwards at helpmexicandogs@hotmail.com if you can donate any of the following:

*Collars, new or very gently used, only the snap kind please, and no metal chokers
*Plastic kennels/crates for airline travel, med-large sizes!!!!
*Medicines: doxycycline, amoxicillin, any antibiotics, any pain medications, topical wound care (Veterycin or similar)
*Heartworm and erhlichia tests
*General antibacterial topical ointments (Neosporin or similar)
*Absorbable sterile mono filament sutures for spay and neutering, 2-0, 3-0 sizes
*Sterile surgical gloves, sizes 6, 7, 7 1/2
*Bandage material: Co-flex/Co-wrap (self adhesive wound wrap), sterile gauze pads, etc...

It's turtle nesting season again on the Riviera Maya! Every year, adult female Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles make their way to the beaches of the Riviera Maya, build nests and lay up to 150 soft-shelled eggs twice each season. When the baby turtles hatch (approx. 60 days later), they instinctively head for the water, using the light of the moon for navigation. They smell and taste the sand as they find their way to the ocean and remarkably will return to the very beach where they were born when it comes time for them to nest.

Our good friends at Cabanas Tulum and Ziggy Beach would like to remind everyone to take care during this special time and have shared with us a list of helpful recommendations to consider during this special time!

1. Do not use lights on the beach, shut off balcony lights, and cover all outside lights and windows if you are in a house/condo.

2. If you see a turtle coming ashore to lay their eggs, notify your hotel staff or turtle patrol if you happen to see them on the beach.

3. Do not approach the turtles (unless specifically at the invitation of turtle patrol), do not touch the turtles, definitely do not interfere with any part of the nesting process.

4. Do not take flash photography, this will definitely spook the mom.

5. Do not have beach parties during the nesting season.

6. Keep the beach free of litter or any obstacles that may get in the path of the turtle (bring in beach chairs at night, etc).

7. Keep pets indoors at night, barking dogs are not turtle-friendly.

8. Do not disturb the nests, if you see what you think is a nest that has not been marked, notify the hotel or the authorities.


If everyone works together and respects these rules, we can ensure a long and happy life for this endangered species and their continued visits to the Riviera Maya for years to come.

The best way to see the turtle nests and possibly baby turtles being released is to go on a night walk organized by CEA. Centro Ecologico Akumal is a non-profit environmental organization located in Akumal. They take out a maximum of 10 people each night at 9 pm. CEA is the only organization with permission to access certain beaches during the nesting season. The suggested donation is $15 for adults and $8 for children. Reservations are not accepted, so show up early if you can. There are also regular presentations on the CEA Turtle Watch Program, with slides of the sea turtles and a lecture about their evolution, ecology, behavior, the threats to their survival and how we can help them.

 

After our amazing evening enjoying the Chef's Table Dining Experience at this elegant beachfront resort, we just had to pass along this offer to all our loyal "LIfe's a Beach" readers!

Spend four heavenly days vacationing at the Viceroy Riviera Maya and the resort will pick up your airfare! 

The all-villa Viceroy Riviera Maya's "Fly Free" program offers reimbursement of air tickets for up to three guests, the maximum occupancy in one villa, when you stay at least four nights. The reimbursement per villa ranges from $9,600 pesos to $42,000 pesos, depending on the season and the villa category you book.

The Viceroy Riviera Maya is a serene hideaway of sugary-white sands lapped by the warm Caribbean and a jungle ambiance of ferns, palms and guava trees. The resort merges every luxury amenity with dramatic sea and jungle, bringing together the best of the destination. All 41 villas feature a private patio and plunge pool, outdoor shower, and a high-ceiling, thatched-palapa roof that resonates with the jungle environment. Guests enjoy fine dining on the sea-view loft of La Marea, Mexican-Mediterranean fare at beach-side Coral Grill, and state-of-the-art workout equipment in the fitness center. The resort has its own pier where guests can sunbathe, enjoy massages, savor romantic dinners, and may be conveniently picked up by boat for snorkeling, diving and other excursions. The six-acre resort is on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula 40 miles south of Cancun International Airport, and three miles north of popular Playa del Carmen, known for its beach scene, restaurants, boutiques and nightlife. 

"Travelers are looking for more value today and our Fly Free program is an irresistible incentive," said General Manager Pedro Lara.

Fly Free is offered for stays now through December 19, 2012. Guests buy their own airfare and then at check-in present their receipt. The resort will apply the ticket amount, up to the maximum allowance for their villa category, as a credit to the bill. The credit may be applied towards food and beverage and spa services, but not the gift shop, spa retail or outside activities. The offer is subject to availability and blackout dates, and cannot be combined with other promotions, offers or packages. It does not apply to group or corporate contracts. 

For more information and reservations, contact Viceroy Riviera Maya at 984-877-3000/ 01 800-012-3569 or reservations@viceroyrivieramaya.com.

Viceroy Riviera Maya's sister property in Mexico, Viceroy Zihuatanejo, is also offering a Fly Free program. For more information and reservations, contact Viceroy Zihuatanejo at 755-555-5500 or vz.info@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com.

 

 

Once again, it is time to celebrate Earth Day, a special day set-aside for all of us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and work toward protecting it for future generations. The first Earth Day was organized in the United States on April 22, 1970 as a nationwide demonstration, urging local and federal government officials to put important environmental issues on the agenda. Much to the surprise of the powers-that-be, over 20 million students, environmental activists, business leaders and impassioned citizens participated in the first Earth Day. An environmental revolution had officially begun.

Earth Day has been celebrated every year since 1970, and 42 years later, its purpose remains the same: to encourage social and political action by drawing attention to the cause. Every year, around the world, the critical state of the environment comes to the forefront of everyone's agenda, and billions of people step up to do their part, if only for a day.

Here in Mexico, we also celebrate Earth Day and here are 10 great ways you can commemorate Earth Day 2012 on the Riviera Maya.

1. Go for a bike ride. Every Sunday, the Municipality closes the Arco Vial from 307 near Centro Maya all the way to Juarez. The lanes are open only to bike traffic and hundreds of families and bike enthusiasts turn up every weekend to enjoy the exercise and fresh air.

2. Plant a tree. Planting trees, bushes or any plant life not only beautifies your living spaces, it also cleans some of the CO2 out the air we breath replacing it with essential oxygen. Not all of us have the place to plant a tree but I think we all have room for a potted plant or two. Maybe this is the time to start some tomato plants on your patio or set out a selection of potted herbs on your windowsill!

3. Make a bird feeder with your kids. Here is a great design for an easy DIY bird feeder made out of cheap household and recycled items!

4. Visit a local recycling center. Parque la Ceiba has a wonderful interactive recycling area where children and adults alike can learn how to reduce-reuse-recycle. They also have small plant nursery, a cafe and recreational areas for all ages.

5. Clean up the beach. If you can find an organized beach-cleaning event, great! If not, take plastic bag to the beach and do your part to clean up what has been washed ashore or left behind by less earth-conscious visitors.

6. Start a compost bin. Composting turns kitchen and garden scraps into nutrient rich soil, perfect for your garden or potted plants. Composting also keeps useful, organic waste out of our dumps. You don't need a fancy expensive set-up to start a compost bin and it can be done easily in a small yard or even on a patio or terrace!

7. Turn off the AC. It's hot here, almost year round. Whether you are staying in a hotel or renting a condo in Playa del Carmen it is tempting to leave on the AC when you leave...especially if you are not paying extra for it. Take the time to turn off all lights, fans and air-conditioning units every time you leave to go out.

8. Prepare an Earth Day meal. Fresh, non-processed foods taste so much better and they certainly are better for you! Spend some time at DAC or in the produce section of any major grocery store and see what inspiration you can find from the all the fresh veggies and fruits available. Here is a favorite recipe of ours to inspire you!

9. Buy a Reusable shopping bag. DAC offers plastic mesh shopping bags in various sizes and every color of the rainbow. These are great as they are waterproof and can do double duty as beach bags. If you are looking for a more fashionable alternative, all the best-dressed ladies in Playa carry these gorgeous WearEarth bags from Tote le Monde.

10. Attend an Earth Day event. This year, there are several Earth Day celebrations being held in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Check out our Riviera Maya Events Calendar for Earth Day events going on in the area. You might also be interested in the Mimi Kiteboarding World Tour being held at Mamitas Beach or the Oaxacan Fair set up in the Municipal Plaza 28 Julio.

Whether you can dedicate 5 minutes, 5 hours or a lifetime, there is something we can all do to help preserve and protect the Riviera Maya. What are your favorite ways to celebrate Earth Day?

Whether you are here on the Riviera Maya for one month, one year or more, keeping your children active and engaged can be a challenge. Children are not always content to hang out on the beach everyday. When we moved here, the options for children's activities were extremely limited. As the city has grown, the demand for quality children's programs has increased and the options expanded to meet the growing need. As you may have already discovered, finding the right resources can be a challenge!  You can only imagine the obstacles we faced eight years ago with no Facebook, no online directories or phone books and nothing more than word of mouth from teachers and other parents to draw from.

Many families, moving to Playa del Carmen with older children, come hoping to continue the activities that the kids were involved with in their home country. If your children play soccer you will find this task much easier than if they play lacrosse. Almost all the private schools have a soccer team but not necessarily a team for all ages. Very often, families will need to look outside of the school campus for extracurricular opportunities to meet their family's needs.

 Last summer, in an effort to help local parents, we published an article with a list of Playa del Carmen summer camps and "cursos de verano" for kids in the area. More recently, our good friend Sara Moen at Playa Maya News compiled a great list of resources for families and children who are visiting the Riviera Maya, either on vacation or for an extended stay. Working together with Sara to find the very best and most popular activities started me on the path to uncovering what options are available for children who are living here full-time and need well-structured sports and other extra-curricular programs during the academic school year. When we started really looking around, we discovered many more activities than I had anticipated.

This is by no means a complete list. It is a work in progress. This information was compiled using my own personal experience and the experiences of friends and other families living in Playa del Carmen.

_____________________________________________________________

Soccer - One of the greatest things about sports is that the spirit of competition and fair play is universal. No matter what country you are from or what language you speak, on the sports field it all comes down to skill, stamina and experience. Signing your kids up for sports in Playa del Carmen will go along way to helping them make friends and learn Spanish. Soccer, or futbol, is by far the most popular sport and nearly all the private schools have their own teams. Girls are allowed to play on these teams but with the exception of the older girls team at Instituto Tepeyac, you will find very few girls on the "cancha" come game day. If your chosen school does not have a futbol team for your aspiring Lionel Messi or Mia Hamm, there are league teams to consider for boys and girls of all ages.

Liga Premier de Futbol Infantil y Juvenil Riviera Maya AC
http://www.ligafutbolrivieramaya.com
informes@ligafutbolrivieramaya.com
984-118-5330

Playa Soccer - Young children, youth, girls teams
Calle 86 Norte, west of 307
984-873-3354
984-152-4237

InterPlaya Youth Soccer
Mario Villanueva Stadium
Corner of Ave. 20 and Calle 34
Coach Mario Tejo

 

American Football is becoming more and more popular in Quintana Roo. Driving up through Cancun, I have spotted several football fields at the Preparatory and Universities that line the highway. The only team in Playa del Carmen is the Caballeros but they have been in existence now for a few years and have quite a few players and several age groups playing. I have even seen a few girls tossing the ball around and playing flag-football but I'm doubtful they see any actual game-play.

Los Caballeros de Playa del Carmen
Colegio Ingles
Miss Rosie Lagunas - Coordinadora de Academias Deportivas y Culturales
Coach Hernan Rodriguez Torrez
Km. 291.5 Carratera Fed. Cancun-Playa del Carmen
academias_deportivas@colegioinglesolaya.com
Head Coach José Luis Farías

 

Baseball - Information coming soon

Basketball - Information coming soon

 

Tennis - Despite the heat, tennis is a very popular past-time here on the Riviera Maya. So much so, that it is a challenge to get court time. Signing up for regular clinics is a good way to keep up your game and get your kids involved as well. PLAY Tennis Academy is a very popular tennis program for children in the region. They have classes for all ages and levels of play. The multilingual tennis pros utilize a teaching program based on PLAY+ STAY of the International Tennis Federation. Using the new "PLAY + STAY" method, kids of all skill levels learn the proper technique and form for each of the strokes used in the fast paced game of tennis! Children will develop important motor skills with the racket in a manner suitable for children at all levels of play. PLAY Tennis also offers private lessons, master clinics, tournaments and a summer camp for kids. My kids attended last summer and loved it!

PLAY Tennis
Dir. Alvaro Flores
tenisproalvaro@gmail.com
984-806-4666
http://www.playtennisplaya.wordpress.com/
RIU Lupita Playacar

Playa Tennis Academy
Dir. Claudia Rios
984-745-0463
Pro Aristeo Luna
984-807-9032
aristeo.luna@yahoo.com.mx
Poliforum Multi-Deportivo
Ave. 115 and Juarez
Col. Ejidal, Playa del Carmen

Golf - All of the wonderful golf courses along the Riviera Maya offer golf clinics and private lessons for players of all ages and skill levels. You can check with your local pro to find a class that is appropriate for your young Greg Norman. If your children are really serious about golf, you are in luck! One of the finest golf schools in the world has a base right here on the Riviera Maya. The Jim McLean Golf School has a satellite at Mayakoba's El Cameleon Golf Course. El Cameleon is also home to the Mayakoba Classic, the only PGA event held outside of the United States. The Junior Elite Golf Camp is a Play + Stay option more geared towards established Junior golfers coming in from abroad but lessons can be arranged for children living locally who would like ongoing instruction.

Jim McLean Golf School
Mayakoba Resort
Km 298,‬‪ Playa del Carmen
mayakoba@jimmclean.com
Reservations for lessons and schools: 984-206-3088
Golf School:  984-122-5104

 

Sailing - A relatively new offering, the sailing club in Puerto Aventuras is already attracting a great following. Captains in the making train on easily maneuverable Optimist sailboats, perfect for young ones. If you are thinking about signing up your child for lessons, you will not want to miss the upcoming Copa Riviera Maya Optimist Regatta scheduled for April 27 - 30, 2012 in Puerto Aventuras.

Club de Velas Puerto Aventuras
Dir. Daniele Gracis
984-127-1392
atencion@colonos.org

 

Martial Arts - Until we moved to Mexico, I knew next to nothing about Martial Arts. When my then 6 year old son approached me wanting to enroll in Taekwon do, I was surprised but open to the idea. He began his instruction after school at Papalote under Marcos Carillo and, as he progressed, moved on to taking more advanced classes in the studio at Gran Fraternidad Marcial. Cole and his classmates, boys and girls ages 4 and up, excelled under the tutelage of Professor Carillo.  I cannot say enough about our experience with Professor Marco. Something to note: If you are looking for a teacher who is going to teach your kids to be "fighters", this may not be the studio for your family. The focus is on personal growth and achievement, respect and self-discipline. He helps the children to take the self-discipline they develop in class and use it in their lives outside of the Academy and off the mat. Cole only stopped pursuing this sport late last year when he decided to dedicate more time to competitive riding. The center offers instruction in Taekwon Do, Judo, Jiu Jitsu Brasileno, Aikido and Muay Thai although you will need to check the age restrictions for each discipline.

Gran Fraternidad Marcial
Ave. 45 and Calle 1sur, by Chedraui
984-803-0023

Taekwon Do - Mu Duk Kwon
Dan Marco Antonio Carillo
984-105-2648

Judo
Sensei Humberto Lobato
984-130-3869

Ji Jitsu Brasileno
Instructor Gibran Alvarez
984-146-9101
gilbrandemon@hotmail.com

Aikido
Sensei Hector Pavon
998-143-0142

 

Swimming Clubs/Teams - Swimming is somewhat of a seasonal activity here on the Riviera Maya. While the water temperature in the ocean fluctuates very little from summer to winter, our swimming pools become quite cold during the winter months. For those who have just arrived from the great white north, the chilly water may be just fine, a welcome relief from the North Atlantic/Pacific or swimming in mountain lakes and rivers. After a few years down here in the tropics, your metabolism acclimates to the temperatures of the region and the thought of jumping into a pool in January becomes less enticing! It sounds silly, but you are going to have to trust me on this one. Competitive swimmers will want to contact Nadadores de Quintana Roo for the best and most up to date information on training and events.

Nadadores de Quintana Roo A.C.
998-848-3631
atencion@nqr.mx 
http://www.nqr.mx

Escuela Manuel Acosta - Outdoors, unheated
Playacar Phase 2 entrance at Ave. 10
984-803-0652
http://www.escuelamanuelacosta.edu.mx/plantel_playacar.html

Colegio Ingles - Outdoors, unheated
Miss Rosie Lagunas - Coordinadora de Academias Deportivas y Culturales
Coach Hernan Rodriguez Torrez
Km. 291.5 Carratera Fed. Cancun-Playa del Carmen
academias_deportivas@colegioinglesolaya.com

Colegio Weston - Indoors, heated pool
Km. 298 Carratera Fed. Cancun-Playa del Carmen, Esq. Calle 80 Norte
984-109-2216
colegiowestonmx@hotmail.com

 

Horseback Riding - Despite my best efforts, both of my children somehow managed to inherit my passion for horses. It didn't rear its head until two years ago but when the bug bit, they both fell hard. We now have two horses and I spend a great deal of my Mom time at the stables or shuttling my aspiring show jumpers and their steeds to competitions. If you children are interested in horseback riding, competitive or otherwise, you will want to visit Hipico Playa del Carmen and the owner/director Paco Magallon. Honestly, I don't think there is a finer person to trust your children with, in or out of the ring. There are also two good clubs in Puerto Aventuras listed below. Living further north toward Puerto Morelos and Cancun? There is El Rey Polo Club to consider as well as Hacienda Andalucia, Centro Ecuestre del Caribe and the newest addition to the Quintana Roo equestrian scene, Instituto Equestre Nacional, all of which have fine facilities and excellent trainers.

Hipico Playa del Carmen
Dir. Paco Magallon
Behind Rancho Guadalupano, across from Colegio Tepeyac
984-115-5826
hipicoplayadelcarmen@gmail.com

CYSA in Puerto Aventuras
Dir. Cynthia Salas
West of the overpass for Puerto Aventuras
984-151-9265
cysa.colorvitrum.rivieramaya@gmail.com

Hipico Los Corceles
Dir. Raul Molina
Behind the new Chedraui in Puerto Aventuras
984-131-5963
hipicoloscorceles@gmail.com

 

Gymnastics/Acrobatics If your children are already serious gymnasts or young gymnasts who show real promise in the sport you will need to look outside of Playa del Carmen to continue their training. There are some excellent training facilities and world class coaches in Cancun. If you children are promising competitors, you will be well advised to make transportation arrangements and utilize the more professional gyms. If your kids are just starting out or just want to have some fun, these local options can get them going so that they can learn the skills and techniques necessary to become proficient in the various disciplines of gymnastics. I hear that the acrobatics classes at Evolve and Center 8 are a blast!

Colegio Ingles - Olympic gymnastics
Coach Carlos Amnizade Quiroz
Miss Rosie Lagunas - Coordinadora de Academias Deportivas y Culturales
Km. 291.5 Carratera Fed. Cancun-Playa del Carmen
academias_deportivas@colegioinglesolaya.com

Evolve Gym - Circus arts, gymnastics
Calle 24 between 5th and 10th
984-803-0986
owner@evolvemexico.com

Center 8 Studio - Acrobatics
Dir. Tiffany Rothe
Instructor Cassandra Lindsay
Ave. 1 and Calle 42
984-267-2922
center8studio@yahoo.com
http://www.center8studio.com/

Yoga is a very popular activity for adults here on the Riviera Maya and now, a few classes just for children have begun to attract a loyal following. We favor the Friday classes at Yoga by the Way lead by instructor Eli Gregg in which yoga principals are woven into age appropriate teaching opportunities that the children can refer back to in their everyday lives outside of the yoga studio.

The Kids Way
Dir. Elizabeth Gregg
Yoga by the Way
info@yogabytheway
984-873-3583
Calle 26 between 5th and 10th
Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen
Kids Classes - Fri. 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Jardin de Shangrila
Calle 38 and Calle Flamingos
Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen
http://www.jardindeshangrila.com/
gamyoga@jardindeshangrila.com
984-108-5281
984-113-8367
Kids Classes - Mon. Wed. Fri. 4pm - 5pm

 

Music/Voice - Without a doubt, Explayarte is the place to go for music instruction in Playa del Carmen. They offer instruction for all levels in guitar, base guitar, violin, drums, keyboard as well as vocal instruction and chorus. Students who attend the El Papalote's preparatory (high school) program, Bachillerato Naciones Unidas, may also choose a "double-major", splitting their studies between academics at Papalote and music at the Explayarte campus. There are other music schools in town but we like this one for the family-friendly atmosphere and the all-inclusive vibe encouraged by the administration and the instructors. The teachers are kind and enthusiastic and all the kids just love it there.

Explayarte 
Dir. Luis Ernesto Lopez
luevargas@hotmail.com
984-859-3203 (3201)
explayarte@hotmail.com
Arco Vial south, across from Centro Maya
http://www.explayarte.com

 

Drama/Music Theater - Years ago, just before our family made the move to Playa del Carmen, Rob and I happened upon a surprisingly good production of "Jesucristo Superestrella" being performed in the small park down by the Cozumel ferry dock. Flash ahead eight years and my daughter is currently in rehearsals for an upcoming production of "Seussical", led by the same director, Shane Southcott. After huge successes with the reprise of "Jesus Christ Superstar" followed by "Pippin" and "CATS", the musical theater program at Explayarte is now really taking off! When an audition is announced, the hallways are packed with aspiring actors and actresses, children and adults alike. The fact that the school also offers voice and dance classes assures that their students can work toward being "triple threat" performers. If you live in Playa but your children dream about the lights on Broadway, Explayarte is the place to be!

Explayarte 
Dir. Shane Southcott
explayarte@hotmail.com
984-859-3203 (3201)
Arco Vial south, across from Centro Maya
http://www.explayarte.com

In Motion Artes Escenicas - Theatre for children, Acrobatics
Edificio Tendenza
Calle 14 and 10th Ave.
Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen
inmotionplaya@hotmail.com

 

Dance - Dance is inseparable from the fiber of Mexican culture. As such, there are innumerable dance schools in Playa del Carmen alone. They vary in size and in the disciplines covered. These are probably the best known and most well established and the academies to contact first in the quest for the right class for your budding ballerinas. I have also heard that traditional and folkloric dance classes are offered at La Casa de Cultura in Playa del Carmen.

On Stage Dance Academy
Dir. Clinzia Martina
Calle 24 between Ave 30 and 35
Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen
http://www.academiaonstage.com/
on.stage@hotmail.com
info@academiaonstage.com
984-879-4839
Mon. - Fri. 4pm - 7pm

Coppelias - Ballet, Jazz, Zumba , Flamenco
Calle 10 Norte between Ave. 20 and 25
Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen
coppeliasballet@hotmail.com
984 803-4136
8:30 am - 10 pm

Talulah - Ballet, Jazz
http://talulah.com.mx/
Calle 36 Norte and 90th Ave.
Col. Ejidal, Playa del Carmen
info@talulah.com.mx
984-140-1566

In Motion Artes Escenicas - Ballet (R.A.D. Graded),Jazz, Modern Dance, Irish Dance, Acrobatics
Edificio Tendenza
Calle 14 and 10th Ave.
Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen
inmotionplaya@hotmail.com

Dance 4 Fun - Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Salsa, Baby Dance, Cardio Dance
Bosque Real, Playa del Carmen
984-807-8226
984-109-1746
dance4f@ymail.com
http://www.d4fstudio.blogspot.com/

______________________________________________________________

Selecting a school and enrolling your child is only one part of a well-rounded education for your child. The extra-curriculars they choose can be just as important to their development as the academics. They will certainly be essential as your child starts to make friends, develop a social circle and assimilate into the life of a "Playa-child". Just as no one school is right for all children, no one school is likely to offer all the sports, art, music, drama and other activities that your child wants to pursue. 

I will likely be keeping this list of activities bookmarked and updated regularly as more options become known to me. If you have anything to add to help fill out this list, please let me know by leaving a comment. I hope you all find this helpful and informative and will share it with other families living on the Riviera Maya.

 

 

PS. New families relocating to Playa del Carmen arrive with a variety of concerns. Selecting a school for their children will undoubtedly be at the top of the list. Recently, I wrote a series of articles about choosing a school and educating your children in Mexico. Part 1 and Part 2 can be found here in the online edition of Mexi-Go Magazine. A list of private schools in the area with up to date contact information can be found here on Playa Maya News.

 

Just a very quick update from our friends at KKiS - Keep Kids in School. School supplies are needed for the young students assisted by KKiS. If you are coming to Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya and have a bit of extra room in a suitcase, please consider bringing some of these items down with you. Books and school materials are MUCH more expensive here than in the US or Canada and the families with children at the Pelopides School can use all the help they can get!

Unlike in the US and Canada, the schools in Playa del Carmen are very particular about what they want students to use for supplies. They are often very different than what students in the US/CA use. Items such as #2 pencils, glue sticks, scissors and colored pencils are all good. Please, no crayons or notebooks.

Backpacks are also needed for children in Grades 1 - 4. The kids here go nuts for themed backpacks...Barbi, Matchbox, Cars etc...anything gender specific is a big hit!

Also needed are English language books for beginning readers.  Any bookstore, Walmart, Target, etc. will have them. The publication names will be:  Step Into Reading, Leveled Readers, etc. and will be organized by difficulty of vocabulary and syntax. The easier levels are what are most needed.

And thanks so much to all of you who donate things. It makes things so much easier when the KKiS volunteers have the most needed supplies on hand and it puts such thankful smiles on the faces of students!

Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted via Paypal at: KKISProject@gmail.com .

April 6, 2012
Joe Pike - Travel Agent Central

Original Resorts, a Mexican hospitality brand, continued its strategic plan to expand with the opening of its new clothing-optional resort, Desire Pearl Resort & Spa on March 30.

Original Resorts opened the first clothing-optional hotel of the group, Desire Resort & Spa, in the Riviera Maya. This new five-star hotel complex, located on a beautiful beach in Puerto Morelos, just a few minutes outside of Cancun, is an exclusive couples only-hotel, marking the brand's fifth resort in Mexico.

Rodrigo de la Pena, president of Original Resorts, announced that after his successful negotiations with the owners of the hotel, previously known as Ceiba del Mar, the property will be operated by Original Resorts Group to offer the region's second clothing-optional resort.

The decision to transform this hotel into Desire Pearl comes from a high demand for unique clothing-optional resorts that, until now, only Desire Resort & Spa was able to offer.

Desire Pearl Resort & Spa includes 32 Oceanfront Rooms, 13 Junior Suites, 36 Master Suites, and seven Penthouse Passion Suites. Clients can enjoy the hotel's grand pool, the 80-person private Jacuzzi, a tennis court, a holistic spa and a pier with docking facilities, among other luxurious amenities.

For information about real estate in Puerto Morelos and all along the Riviera Maya, contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com.

 

As many of our loyal "Life's a Beach" readers will know (because they also follow me on Facebook) Rob and I are in a "crazy vegetarian phase". We have eaten no beef, chicken or pork since New Years. The good news is, we have never looked or felt better. We have had no trouble at all finding great vegetarian dining-out options and, as you all know, good grains, fruits and veggies are practically free here in Mexico. The bad news is, it's a lot more work for me to put together tasty interesting meat-free meals night after night when we dine at home....which is most of the time. The challenge is not coming up with meatless meals. The challenge is coming up with meatless meals that are healthy and packed with important nutrients. Pasta and pizza are good for a night or two a week but I'm really trying to manage our intake of refined carbs and be more creative with the limited time I have.

One thing I always keep in the house is a bean dip of some kind. On Mondays, I whip up a big batch of hummus or black bean dip to keep in the fridge for snacks. Tonight, the black bean dip doubles as the sauce for a dish I'm going to call Pizzettas Enfrijoladas. They are super easy to make and can make use of whatever combination of veggies you like which is perfect for the kids. Rob likes his with the cheese and corn hot and the rest of the toppings raw. I pile everything on at once and shred a bit of spicy arugula on top when it comes out of the oven. These are also great to bring to parties as an hors d'oeuvre. Here's how we made ours last night.

Pizzettas Enfrijoladas

Flour Tortillas
Simple Black Bean Dip (recipe below)
Shredded Manchego Cheese - (or any kind you like)
Frozen Corn - thawed
Red Onion - thinly sliced
Zucchini - thinly sliced
Red Bell Pepper - thinly sliced
Scallions - thinly sliced
Arugula - torn

Simple Black Bean Dip

3 cups Black Beans - cooked
1 small can Salsa Casera
1 tsp. Cumin

Combine all in a Cuisinart or blender and process until smooth. In a sealed container, this will keep nicely in the fridge for a week and can easily be jazzed up with whatever you like.

For the Pizzettas: Turn on your broiler. Spread a generous layer of black bean dip on a tortilla. Top with a second tortilla. Distribute cheese on top of the second tortilla. Top with frozen corn and whatever veggies appeal to you. Arrange Pizzettas on a cookie sheet and broil for 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the tortillas are starting to crisp. Transfer to a cutting board, allow to cool slightly and cut into quarters. Allow at least 2 full Pizzettas per person. Serve with a nice green salad.

 

 

Monday April 2nd at 7pm the photo exposition of the First Mayan-Tibetan Cultural Encounter begins at Kulkucán Plaza in Cancun's Hotel Zone. The exhibit will be available for viewing until May 2, 2012.

 

 

Semana Santa is now upon us and if you are anything like me, you have no idea what to do with your kids for two weeks out of school. Many of the schools will be offering activities during the regular school hours but if sending your child back to school for his or her vacation seems a bit unfair, consider these interesting options we have found for "Cursos de Primavera" for local kids!

For more information, click on the fliers.