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

Once again, Ak Lu'um International School, Mexico's first ecological school, is pleased to invite all Riviera Maya athletes and families to participate in the third annual ‘BuyPlaya 5K Run for Ak Lu'um', an exciting 5K race through the streets of Playa del Carmen. Sponsored by BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors, the leading agency for Playa del Carmen real estate, the race will take place on March 25, 2012 at 7:45 am sharp.

Participants will run, walk or stroll the 5 kilometer course leaving from the Parque Leona Vicario, making the loop through Playacar and finishing in the historical Parque Fundadores. This year, the organizing committee has opened the race to professional level athletes offering special prizes for the 1st place winners in both the Professional Male and Professional Female categories.  "We fielded so many inquiries from professional runners and running groups before last year's event that we felt compelled to open the race to this level of competition." Explained race coordinator Gabriela Nuñez, "We hope this will take the event itself to a whole new level and draw even more attention to the school and it's generous supporters.

Participants may run, walk or stroll, competing as individuals or as a family. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Professional Male, Professional Female, Amateur Male (13 years and up), Amateur Female (13 years and up), Children (6 - 12 years) and Families (3 or more participants).

Registration fees are $200 mn per adult participant, $150 mn per child and $100 mn for each individual participating in a family group. Participants may register the day of the race from 6:45 am to 7:30 am. Pre-Registration is strongly recommended and may be done Monday through Friday in the following locations: Ak Lu'um International School, Kaxapa Factory, Hamacarte, Parque la Ceiba and Starbucks. For specific hours of operation for each registration location, visit the official race webpage, http://www.akluum.com/correporakluum. Each runner will receive water during and after the race, fresh fruit and other snacks at the finish and an official ‘Corre Por Ak Lu'um' t-shirt by presenting their tag at the completion of the race.

Last year, dozens of local businesses and organizations showed their support for progressive education in Playa del Carmen by sponsoring or making a donation toward this fun family event. This year, Title Sponsor BuyPlaya Real Estate is joined by Terrenos Tulum, Latido de Mexico, Hot Baking Co. and LocoGringo.com as corporate sponsors for the race. Event organizers are currently looking for additional support, media partners and local businesses that would be willing to donate prizes and other essential race items. Please contact Gabriela Nuñez for additional information about the race and sponsorship opportunities. All race proceeds will support daily programs and special activities at Ak Lu'um International School in Playa del Carmen.

Ak Lu'um International School is a Waldorf Initiative founded in 2006 in the jungle close to Playa del Carmen. The school's mission is to educate, promote sustainability, develop ecological awareness and encourage children from 2 to 12 to reconnect with our earth. Students at Ak Lu'um learn with their minds, hearts and hands. The curriculum is academically challenging and meaningful with many opportunities for hands-on learning and artistic development. Ak Lu'um welcomes children with special needs and seeks to integrate them fully, giving all children an opportunity to better know, understand and love their fellow human beings. The community at Ak Lu'um International School is bilingual (English-Spanish) and culturally rich with over 10 nationalities represented by staff and pupils.

Today is the day! After months of planning, construction and much anticipation Wah Wah Beach Bar in Playa del Carmen will welcome friends both near and far under its giant palapa on the beach, just south of calle 2 on the site of the old Cabanas Las Ruinas.

Wah Wah was conceived and created by Kim and J.J. Johnston and will be the new home to Playa del Carmen's beloved Nasty Bastards Band and the Jam Session Combo, two bands that have risen to the top of the Riviera Maya music scene, entertaining locals and visitors from across the globe. This exciting new venue will have live music Thursday through Sunday on the 70 sqmt stage and will welcome guest bands and performers from the United States and Canada.

The opening festivities will kick off today at 4pm with The Nasty Bastards Band taking the stage from 6-10pm. 

On Sunday, February 5th, Wah Wah will host the biggest Superbowl Party in Playa del Carmen with music from the irreverent Chris Bolister and Blues musician Brent Parkin starting at noon. The game will be telecast LIVE on several screens including Wah Wah's 20' x 25' high definition projection TV screen, reported to be the largest on the Riviera Maya. The kitchen will be open and feature Smokin' John's signature smoked meats and BBQ. We are looking forward to the house made gourmet pizzas that will come out of the new handcrafted pizza oven.

If you like to hang out in the sun, drink cold beer, eat good food and listen to good music in a family friendly atmosphere, Wah Wah is going to be the place for you! We will be there tonight to christen the new bar. Stay tuned for an update with pictures!

Wah Wah!!!!

 

Last Friday, students, parents, teachers and friends of Ak Lu'um International School gathered at the school's jungle campus to inaugurate the newly finished Mariposas en la Panza - A Tropical Waldorf Gift Shop. Designed and built by Rodrigo Larios and Adolfo Rios, this other-worldly orb-like structure will be the permanent home for the school gift shop offering an interesting array of products including all-natural health care products and herbal remedies, knitting wool and supplies, Waldorf dolls and felted wool animals, eco-friendly bicycles and toys and all cotton Ak Lu'um t-shirts among other fun and educational items.

Several of the students, my daughter included, prepared a small concert in the dome to help celebrate the opening of the shop. The ribbon cutting ceremony followed, the shop was officially opened for business and everyone enjoyed a fun family potluck and BBQ! It was a wonderful time to not only celebrate another milestone in the development of the school but also to relax and catch up with fellow parents and friends.

Special thanks to everyone who supported the design and construction of the new jungle store. Here are a few photos from the event. I hope you can feel from the pictures what a truly magical place Ak Lu'um really is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exotic Caye Beach Resort, on the island of Ambergis Caye, Belize is pleased to announce that the resort will contribute 50% of the resorts room rate bookings from January 22 thru February 21, 2012 to support two hands-on environmental education programs. Funds raised will go to Canadian NGO Direct Abundance and U.S. based Charity Caribbean S.E.A. (Student Environmental Alliance) to empower and improve the community of San Mateo. Direct Abundance and Caribbean S.E.A. are partnering together to offer educational programs about coral reef and mangrove conservation, safe water and sewage discharge solutions. The need for these programs is essential for the San Mateo area as their homes are located in a swamp highly contaminated by human waste.

“It is over-whelming to watch this hard-working community growing as it begins to reach its full potential.” says Heather Zwicker, the Co-founder of Direct Abundance. Exotic Caye Beach Resort has seen first hand the help this community needs and would like to generously give back. Travelers wishing to experience some Belize adventures need to look no further then the front desk. The knowledgeable staff at Exotic Caye Beach Resort will be able to assist you with a multitude of activities including coral reef diving, exploring Maya ruins, or simply relaxing on the beaches. It's a fabulous destination for couples searching for that perfect getaway or the family wanting memories to cherish.

This is a unique 30 day offer. Enter the promotional code DA2012 at www.belizeisfun.com. You will be receive a certificate that is valid from now until May 31, 2013, however 50% of your room rate goes immediately to Direct Abundance and Caribbean S.E.A.

Direct Abundance is a Canadian not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in struggling developing world communities through education and poverty reduction. Caribbean S.E.A. works with local partners to empower youth to take care of their water, from the Ridge to the Reef.

For more information on the project, visit www.directabundance.com or contact:

Heather Zwicker
905-936-2251
damediabelize@gmail.com
heather@directabundance.com

Have you recently moved to Playa del Carmen and need to get you children's Spanish skills up to par? If you are like most parents, you will be concerned that their struggle with learning a new language will negatively impact their regular academic studies and hinder them as they try to make friends and assimilate into "joventude Playense". Unfortunately, many of the Riviera Maya schools are ill equipped to handle the needs of their students matriculating from abroad who need to learn Spanish quickly in order to catch up to their new peers. Some may offer limited after-school tutoring but most teachers and administrators will encourage new families to find a private tutor. A private tutor is an excellent option during the regular school year and can help take the pressure off of parents to who may find the translation and interpretation of their children's daily homework assignments challenging if not impossible.

A prestigious language school is now offering intensive Spanish language classes for children during the breaks in the academic school year. Classes are available at Solexico for age groups 7 - 9, 10 - 12 and 13 - 15. The courses run for 2 weeks, Monday through Friday, with lessons from 9 to 11:50 am. Each class will have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 students working at the same level.

The Solexico language programs are especially designed for kids to study Spanish in an age-appropriate, creative, interactive, interesting and fun way. The programs implement didactic games and both manual and communicative activities. The course materials used are in line with the European frame reference. Each of the Solexico instructors has been trained especially for our programs to provide kids with a solid Spanish language foundation while maintaining their interest, motivation and thrill of learning a new language.

The 2012 dates for these intensive Spanish classes will be:

• 2 weeks: July 2 – July 13, 2012
• 2 weeks: July 16 – July 27, 2012
• 2 weeks: Dec 17 – Dec 28, 2012

These classes are not meant to take the place of regular tutoring during the school year but will definitely give your kids a huge jump start on their Spanish language skills if they have just arrived in Mexico or kick their existing skills up a notch for kids who have been here for a few months but are still struggling with vocabulary and grammar.

I had the good fortune to find Solexico seven years ago when we moved to Playa del Carmen. I attended several months of Spanish classes at Solexico as well as several other language schools in the area. In my experience, Solexico is by far the best structured and organized. The teachers not only know the course material well and how to present it but they are also motivational, friendly and fun. For someone who has just moved to Playa del Carmen, the teachers and administrators will be a great resource for information about the ins and outs of life in Mexico and how things work. They will be able offer a heads up about the cultural differences that you will likely be faced with as you begin your new life here and offer insights on how to handle them. Your children will undoubtedly find this information helpful as they try to navigate the social structure of Mexico youth. They will also meet other children and teens who, like them, have recently relocated to the area and will have common experiences to share. As worried as we are as parents about homework and academic performance, I can assure you the friendships your children will make will be just as important to their success in this tricky transitional time.

Check out the Solexico website for more information about classes (for us parents too) and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need recommendations for private tutors.

 

 

U.S. Consular Agent, Samantha Mason, will present another in her series of informational seminars in Puerto Aventuras on February 7, 2012. Held annually, these gatherings have become a valuable resource for foreigners who have relocated to the Riviera Maya, either full or part-time.

The annual meeting will be held in the PA Colonos Meeting Room. Doors will open at 9:00 o'clock with a half an hour for meet and greet before the presentation begins at 9:30. Topics to be discussed will include a detailed explanation of the most recent changes made to the laws regulating U.S. plated cars in Mexico, including the 2012 reintroduction of an annual import sticker.

Those who own foreign plated cars, or are considering bringing one into Mexico, are encouraged to attend this meeting. Other topics on the agenda include a detailed explanation of services offered by the U.S. Consulate Office in Playa del Carmen, the recommended protocol to use when stopped by police, how and where to pay your traffic ticket and what to do if you become the victim of a crime. The meeting is open to all interested parties.

 

Great Hotels of the World has announced one of its new member properties, Acanto Boutique Hotel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico has just completed a $5 million refurbishment following a two year rebuild. Acanto Boutique Hotel has rebuilt the entire hotel with 14 added bedrooms, making it fully equipped with 21 luxurious one, two and three bedroom mega suites.

The suites are fully furnished with deluxe marble flooring and granite counters, along with solid wood cabinets and plasma televisions. They will now also have their own fitted kitchens and private outdoor areas with hammocks, where guests can enjoy the climate and relax within the privacy of their own terrace. The hotel will feature brand new leisure facilities, including an intimate spa, offering an array of treatments, seven new rooftop Jacuzzis and the possibility for guests to host barbecues on the terrace. A total of 21 underground parking spaces have now been added to the property, ensuring greater convenience for its guests.

Acanto Boutique Hotel has added a café and a wine bar to further add to the services provided. With a prime location, being just one block away from the beach and half a block from Playa Del Carmen’s bustling 5th Avenue, Acanto Boutique Hotel now offers guests privileged access to the Playa del Carmen Beach Club and discounted rates at the fitness centre, located only one block away.

Matthew Schilowitz, director of sales at Acanto Boutique Hotel commented: “Acanto Boutique Hotel has undergone rapid improvement, putting our hotel in a unique position.“We have all worked extremely hard to incorporate a variety of new features and facilities and we only hope to move forward in improving and bettering Acanto Boutique Hotel in every way we can for our guests.”

Acanto Boutique Hotel was one of the first boutique hotels in the area from 2004 and has been recommended by Frommers and Master Card global premium division. The hotel also has a selection of residences.

Source: Breaking Travel News

For information about condominium sales at Acanto and other Mexico investment opportunities, contact Rob Kinnon.

 

 

January 1, 2012 - Diamond Bar, CA - The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) is proud to award two Excellence Awards in Mexico's Riviera Maya: Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office receives the IFWTWA Excellence Award in Destination Marketing, and Chef John Gray of the John Gray Group receives the IFWTWA Excellence Award in Culinary Arts.

The exemplary work of the Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office in promoting the diverse aspects of the world-renowned region they represent has earned them this award. According to the IFWTWA member journalist who nominated them for recognition: The Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office, in addition to arranging many exciting events for their destination, provides excellent help to journalists in the form of relevant story ideas, angles, thorough fact sheets and media trips. They are well-connected with excellent sources in the region and proactively stay in touch with journalists.

"The culinary achievements of John Gray of the John Gray Group has earned this chef and restaurateur the IFWTWA Excellence Award in Culinary Arts." According to the IFWTWA member who nominated Chef Gray for this award. "This former Ritz-Carlton chef operates (and cooks at) four restaurants in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area of Mexico's Quintana Roo State. Using only the freshest ingredients, from local fruits and vegetables to seafood right off the pier, John Gray works his magic, offering a gourmet touch to ordinary food. To watch him perform in the kitchen is a real treat!:

"As winners of IFWTWA Excellence Awards, The Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office and Chef John Gray demonstrate the professional standards that represent the best in their industries," says Maralyn Hill, IFWTWA President. "They and other professionals in their class set and raise the bar in their fields worldwide."

The International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) is a dynamic nonprofit organization based out of Southern California. What started out as a small group of prominent Frenchmen rating restaurants in 1956 is now a global network of journalists who cover the hospitality and lifestyle fields, and the people who promote them. Members cover a broad spectrum of travel destination attractions such as active and passive adventure activities, ecology, historical features, culture, fairs, festivals, food, wine, and special events. The association's membership includes professionals in culinary arts and sciences, the wine growing and production industry, and hotel and hospitality management industries.

Every once in awhile I run across a really neat program that I just know is being over looked or is simply undiscovered by the expat community in Playa del Carmen. We all know about the animal rescue groups to help our homeless four legged friends and the medical missions that help the under-served members of our community. I found an organization dedicated to saving the old growth and often iconic trees in Playa del Carmen. No doubt Playa del Carmen has seen astronomic development over the past two decades and much of the jungle that used to blanket the coast in this area has been bulldozed to make way for luxury resorts, golf courses, shopping malls and sprawling housing developments. Still, if you drive, or better yet, walk up and own the streets in downtown Playa, you will find some magnificent trees still thriving amidst all the construction. Even along 5th Avenue and in the area around Calle Corazon, remarkable old trees remain, providing a shady respite for shoppers and site-seers. One can only wonder how long it will be before these old grandfathers of Playa will be razed to make way for a new condo building or night club.

One group in Playa del Carmen has dedicated themselves to insuring the future of these beautiful trees. Moce Yax Cuxtal A.C., a local not for profit group focused on ecological awareness and sustainable living is building a net work of Playa del Carmen citizens dedicated to saving the city old, important trees. Their goals are simple:

Create a "living museum" of ancient urban trees

Stop urban deforestation

Educate the residents of the city on the benefits of trees on public health

Rethink the importance of the urban landscape as a part of our identity and ecologic culture

Create public arboretums in the city

Protect our important trees as part of the national heritage 

Save our important urban trees

Imagine DAC without its majestic Ceiba tree. Imagine our city landscape without the beautiful Flamboyans in bloom. Join Moce Yax Cuxtal and help SAVE Playa del Carmen's trees. Contact porlatierramoce@gmail.com to become a member.

 

 

There is a lot of really good food in Belize. Off the top of my head, some of my most fondly remembered meals have been served up at Hannah's in San Ignacio, El Fogon in San Pedro and Miss Robina's roadside lean-to in Burrell Boom! We have tried lots of eateries on the island, with the expected mixed reviews but there is one place we return to time and time again; Estel's Dine by the Sea. Breakfast in San Pedro for our family always means Estel's. While I am usually keen on hunting out hidden gems, the out of the way places overlooked by the typical tourist, sometimes the best loved, highly trafficked places live up to their reputation and popularity. Estel's is just that kind of place!

 

This Caribbean style restaurant has been welcoming in hungry guests for years in this colorful rustic conch shack on the beach. We have tried out a few other local spots but keep coming back to Estella and Charles Worthington's place on the beach in downtown San Pedro. An all-day breakfast menu certainly is a draw as, after a long night of rum punch and bell ringing at Pedro's, it's hard to know for sure when breakfast might seem like a reasonable idea! Patrons can choose from a dizzying array of menu options all listed on the giant chalkboard propped up against the back wall by the register. Eggs as you like them, pancakes, fry-jacks, cinnamon buns, breakfast burritos...anything and everything you can imagine comes piping hot out of their tiny kitchen!

 

A full bar with outstanding (and very potent) house made sangria and dozens of other tropical beverages is another plus! Our kids enjoy the melon smoothies and watermelon juice while I generally go straight for the Bloody Mary's! While breakfast is almost always the order of the day, Charles and his crew serve up a full lunch menu with Belizean favorites including a killer stew chicken with rice and beans and, as I discovered this week, the most amazing BBQ on the island! 

 

Not too smoky, not too sweet. Estel's has it just right and if you want it, you may want to come early (and wait patiently) or order in advance! Hovering over his gigantic cast iron barrel grill, Charles can be found for the good part of every morning carefully maintaining the right temperature, moving food from hot spot to hot spot, basting, turning, basting again until it is just right.

 

You can choose from ribs (my favorite) chicken and thick juicy pork chops or a combination. He's got all the customary sides to choose from as well: rice and beans, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and french fries. I can assure you it is worth the wait. The quality of the meats is top notch and the sauce (a highly guarded secret) is mouthwatering!

 

 Aside from the delicious food, the powerful drinks and pleasant service, my favorite thing about a trip to Estel's is Charles' hospitality. His clientele is always as nice mix of locals and tourists and all are greeted with a smile like old friends. If you travel to San Pedro, it is unlikely that you will pass your time here without someone pointing you in the direction of Estel's for a great meal with a great view. Be sure to stop in, sick your toes in the sand and tell Charles that Michele and Big Rob from Playa sent you!

 

It may seem hard to believe but sometimes we just have to get away from our hectic day to day in Playa del Carmen and escape to somewhere even more laid back. For some years now, that place has been San Pedro, a gritty little Caribbean town on Ambergris Caye just off the coast of Belize. Regular "Life's a Beach" readers who have been following our adventures through Mexico and Central America over the past 4+ years will recall many rum soaked jaunts to the island and watched us collect a great group of friends along the way. So, whenever our work and the kids' school-futbol-riding schedules allow, we are quick to jump in the car and head south for the border to raise a little hell and watch the expat shenanigans in someone else's town. So far, this trip has not disappointed. We have enjoyed breakfast and BBQ at Estel's every morning. The kids have had fun making friends on the beach at Caribbean Villas while Rob and I tuck into fresh ceviche and cold Belikins. The weather has been a bit dodgy this week with storms blowing through almost every afternoon and forcing us inside to escape the elements. Still, a rainy day in San Pedro finds me blogging from Pedro's Bar, catching up on the local gossip and watching football...and how bad is that, really? Feels like the start of a very good year to me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our seasonal blog series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started last year to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

For each of the 12 days of Christmas, the BuyPlaya Blog, better known as "Life's a Beach", will spotlight a charitable organization or giving opportunity. Some may already be familiar to locals and frequent travelers to this area. Others, perhaps those most in need of recognition and support, may be new to our readers. It is our hope to do this every year, with updated information and wish lists.

The "12 Day/12 Ways" list has not yet been completed for 2011. If you have a favorite charity that you feel belongs on this list, collect all of the information you can and I will be happy to consider your group for inclusion.

__________________________________________________________________

 

PEACE Isla Mujeres is an initiative of PEACE, a nonprofit community organization based in Punta de Mita, Mexico. PEACE is a recognized 501(c)(3) in the United States and a recognized A.C. in Mexico. PEACE Isla Mujeres is a nonprofit organization created to improve the community of Isla Mujeres through Protection and Education re: Animals, Culture & the Environment. A focus is placed on educational opportunities, youth development, environmental responsibility, animal care and protection and economic empowerment. PEACE strives to improve the community of Isla Mujeres through :

educational opportunities
youth development
environmental responsibility
animal care and protection
economic empowerment

PEACE Isla Mujeres began with a small group of volunteers interested in the growth, future and integrity of social projects on the island. After a few informal conversations around kitchen tables, weekly meetings open to the community were established and together with the collaboration of PEACE Mexico A.C., a newly hired executive director and a gang of volunteers and community organizations, a new community-based nonprofit was formed.

PEACE Isla Mujeres consists of both locals and foreigners who care greatly for Isla Mujeres. The following goals have been established for this new community-wide nonprofit:

1. Support for existing non-profit/community groups that have a proven track record of response to community needs

2. Support for short-term, one-time, and/or emergency response projects

3. Support for new nonprofit/community initiatives with development and direction

These goals are achieved through community support, grant endowment, fundraising for local efforts, emergency response, consultation and networking.

PEACE Isla Mujeres operates as a community foundation and disperses funds primarily through a structured granting process. PEACE Isla Mujeres is not directly affiliated with any existing Isla organization, but acts as an umbrella organization to help raise more resources in general for Isla and then responsibly distribute the money and resources through granting processes. In this way, PEACE is able to provide more support to those who need it and foster new initiatives that will greatly benefit the entire Isla community.

Since its inception PEACE Isla Mujeres has awarded over $500,000 mn to community programs on the island!

How can you help?

Donate Funds!
PEACE Isla Mujeres is always in need of donations. If you would like to donate we are officially a nonprofit and you will receive a tax deductible receipt. Many companies are now giving matching grants to their employee's charity of choice. Ask your employer about making a matching grant to PEACE Isla Mujeres.

Donate Toys!
Currently there is a toy drive being held for the holidays to provide the less fortunate children on the island with a toy of their very own for Christmas. If you are coming to Isla Mujeres, please consider packing a few Barbie Dolls or Hot Wheels in your suitcase!

Donate Supplies!
Affiliated organizations are always in need of useful supplies. Below is a list of supplies requested by several community organizations including The Little Yellow Schoolhouse and La Gloria English School. A wishlist of items is below and a full list including much needed items for local veterinarians, Isla Animals and The Red Cross can be found here.


All material/games need to be in Spanish. Materials for older children (8+) are a priority.

For a new life-skills area, the school is in need of the following kitchen items:

Contribute to the ReSale Shop!
Gently worn closed and used items are gladly welcomed for resale at the PEACE Isla Mujeres resale boutique. 100% of the funds raised go to help support community programs and purchase badly needed supplies and equipment.

Buy the PEACE Cookbook!
Now available for just $25 usd or $350 mn - the second edition of "Cocina Isleña" is a fantastic BILINGUAL (Spanish-English) cookbook offering nearly 200 recipes from local and international residents and restaurants of Isla Mujeres.  The collection was created with the flavor and available ingredients of Isla Mujeres in mind – and comes complete with stories to go with many of the recipes, tips on using and purchasing local produce, measuring/heat conversions, and more! Shipping to the US is available. 

 

Volunteer!
PEACE Isla Mujeres welcomes volunteers. Whether you live on the island or are coming to the island for vacation, PEACE Isla Mujeres will help you find a volunteer opportunity. There are many wonderful community groups who would welcome your participation. Whether you have just an hour to give or a half day or a few days, there is always a way to help out.

Volunteer Vacations are also arranged in cooperation with Destination: PEACE. During a Destination:PEACE Volunteer Vacation, guests will experience another culture while making a difference in the lives of others: children, women, families, animals and the environment. Volunteers help raise awareness, reinforce a sense of world community and bring hope to the people and animals affiliated with PEACE Isla Mujeres. Each five-day vacation combines volunteerism with the practice of yoga, introduces participants to authentic Mexican cuisine, and enables them to explore the region and experience cultural or adventure activities.

 

 

For more information:
info@peace-islamujeres.org
www.peace-islamujeres.org
+52 1 99 82 243 323 (Outside of Mexico)
99 82 243 323 (Mexico)
651 222 9482 (US)

 

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our seasonal blog series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started last year to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

For each of the 12 days of Christmas, the BuyPlaya Blog, better known as "Life's a Beach", will spotlight a charitable organization or giving opportunity. Some may already be familiar to locals and frequent travelers to this area. Others, perhaps those most in need of recognition and support, may be new to our readers. It is our hope to do this every year, with updated information and wish lists.

The "12 Day/12 Ways" list has not yet been completed for 2011. If you have a favorite charity that you feel belongs on this list, collect all of the information you can and I will be happy to consider your group for inclusion.

__________________________________________________________________

Centro Ecologico Akumal is a non-profit conservation organization working on the Mexican Caribbean to monitor the impact of development on the regional ecosystems and culture; to report findings and their significance to the public through education; and, through education, to influence public policy. CEA is celebrating 15 years of research, education and advocacy in Akumal, working to understand better the natural elements that make this place so beautiful, to raise awareness about how to protect it and to invite others to join us in our efforts.

Centro Ecologico Akumal has a number of ongoing programs:

Marine and Coastal Program and Reef Monitoring and Research subprogram were established to promote the protection and conservation of the coastal ecosystems. With a focus on an integrated coastal system, the Marine Ecosystems Program collects comprehensive data on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the region of Akumal and promotes the implementation of a management policy based on the understanding and study of the marine ecosystem and its services.

Sea Turtle Program is charged with the protection, conservation, research and management of sea turtles. During the nesting season CEA turtle staff and volunteers patrol the beaches of Akumal in search of nesting female turtles, turtle nests, and recent hatchlings. Their duties include protecting and tagging females, collecting scientific data, relocating eggs (in extremely cases) to more favorable locations on the beach, and releasing hatchlings to the sea. The data that the turtle team collects are then used to determine turtle hatching success, behavior, distribution, and abundance. Raising awareness among tourist and residents on sea turtle biology and conservation issues is of the utmost importance. CEA holds Turtle Talks to give information to the people who visit the Riviera Maya.

Water Quality Program works to reduce pollution of our watershed; promoting between the sector public and private the good managing of the solid and liquid tailing; as well as the utilization of technological alternatives that promote a sustainable development in the zone. This is achieved by monitoring the bays, lagoons and Akumal's artificial wetlands, training and application of technological alternatives for sustainable development (solar power, rain water catch, artificial wetlands, composting toilets and waste management) and coordinating activities with the program of Environmental Education to promote the care and managing of the water within the populations of Akumal and Chemuyil.

Sustainable Development Program aims to influence development and lessen its impact on the local environment. Sustainable development is development that satisfies present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. By maintaining constant consideration of the environmental benefits that the ecosystems of the region offer and understanding the interconnections among the environment, the economy and society

Environmental Education is an ongoing educational program to teach both visitors and local people to preserve and respect our environment. Focusing primarily on local children, CEA organizers, volunteers and social service students visit the schools in the Pueblo of Akumal to teach the children how Mother Nature works and how to protect their local ecosystem. The CEA Information Center has been providing this education for the past fifteen years and recently, the tourist and community sectors of the Environmental Education Program have been expanded to include hotels, restaurants and dive shops outside Akumal.

Communications focuses its efforts with tourists, residents and hotels to help accomplish CEA’s mission by visually displaying and distributing the research findings and information. CEA has publications and presentations designed to inform CEA visitors about the research programs, problems and solutions at Akumal. There are displays, visually explaining the various research studies in which CEA is involved. With this compelling graphic and informational program, CEA strives to influence public opinion, shape public policy and to help preserve our coastal environment.

How can YOU help?

Become a CEA Member!
Memberships and donations charged through the CEA website are processed by CEA's U.S. fiscal sponsor, the Yucatan Environmental Foundation (YEF), and are tax deductible in the U.S. You will first receive an order confirmation and then, when your order is processed, a YEF receipt, which you should print out for your tax records.

If you would prefer to pay by check, rather than by credit card, please make your payment to:

YEF
c/o Alex Bradley
PO Box 1813
Port Townsend, WA
98368-0219.

Please note what level of CEA Membership you are requesting. Please include your e-mail address. Your tax receipt will be sent to you electronically.

Volunteer!
Each of the CEA programs is dependent on volunteers for its success. There is a recuperation cost for the basic expenses related with your stay, such as the kitchen, cleaning, water, gas, internet, electric, repairs and maintenance. The volunteer fees for the Marine Ecosystems Program are $200 usd/month and $1,500 usd for the Reef Monitoring Subprogram (Grants are available for Mexican Citizens). The monthly fee for other programs is $200 usd (Foreigners) and $100 usd (Mexican citizens). These fees are not tax deductible.

Adopt a Turtle!
You can sponsor your very own Akumal turtle! Included in your "adoption" will be an official, personalized Certificate of Adoption, mailed from the U.S. Please send us the name you want on the certificate, and the address you would like it mailed to, if different than your own. The tax-deductible proceeds help support the CEA Turtle Program.

Make a Donation in kind!
Please refer to CEA's comprehensive wishlist of needed items and supplies.

Buy a 2012 CEA Calendar!
Centro Ecologico Akumal, with the support of Ah Cacao and DHB Diseno, had produced its second 100% ecological calendar! You can purchase a calendar in CEA's office in Akumal, Ah Cacao stores, and DHB Diseno in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. This is a limited-edition purchase, so buy yours early to be sure to have one!

A small shipment of calendars is being sent to the US to be available to be ordered online through PayPal for $12 usd (shipping included). Click here http://www.ceakumal.org/html_en/want_to_help/donations.php , then the "Donate" button, and enter $12 per calendar under "Donation amount." Please click on the "Message" field to enter any additional information, and be aware that deliveries to Canada take longer than within the U.S. Calendar purchases are not tax deductible.

 

For further information:
info@ceakumal.org
984-875-9095