"Life's a Beach"

For quite awhile now, the Kinnon family has considered Isla Mujeres the perfect family getaway. We often joke that we are Isla's "bridge and tunnel" people! If you lived in Manhattan and took the Jitney to the Hamptons every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day you will know exactly what I mean. Generally, it's a family affair. ...

It seems to be kind of a slow summer in terms of construction. Lots of projects that we had been following are now completed and delivered, leaving just a handful still in the works. Still no movement at Blume and Vaiven. I'll be curious to see what happens there. We've got a new residential complex, Rincon, going up next to Rioja on the ...

During the last few days of the school year, when many of the foreign students have already returned to their home countries for the summer break, the remaining children are treated to all kinds of fun activities. One such extracurricular outing is a snorkeling trip organized by Ak Lu'um parent and dive shop owner Dave Tomlinson. Dave opened ...

Not surprisingly, our first full day on the island was a lazy one. The kids were sent off on a fishing excursion and the grownups recovered from the night before. Breakfast and Bloody Mary's at Estel's, our favorite place in San Pedro, brought us back to life somewhat and we filled the rest of the day puttering around the island on golf ...

Saturday evening at The Luna Blue Hotel, nearly 100 Playa del Carmen locals and visitors braved the oppressive heat and turned out to support Coco's Cat Rescue with it's first official fundraiser. Coco's Cat Rescue's is a non profit initiative in Playa del Carmen dedicated to controlling the feral cat population in ...

As the sun set over the roof tops of the city, several dozen Playa del Carmen residents and visitors took in the magnificent ocean views, enjoyed the cool Caribbean breeze and were treated to an excellent series of wine and food pairings and commentary from sommelier Jorge Valdes and Ricardo Garcia Gaxiola from Off the Vine wine shop. In ...

I will never cease to be surprised by the twists and turns of the development industry in Playa del Carmen. While the rest of Mexico is reeling from the whole Swine Flu debacle and most businesses are scrambling for money, it seems that Real Estate in Playa del Carmen is as hot as ever. Almost all of the projects that have ...

As many "Life's a Beach" readers will remember, Rob and I brokered the sale of Casa Ixchel, a lovely boutique hotel on Isla Mujeres last year. Last Thursday, on special invitation from the new owners, we made the trip across to Isla to attend the Grand Opening of the hotel's new restaurant. Never one to pass up an ...

Why my kids, of course! Well, probably not but they sure had fun trying it out this weekend. Through our friend and fellow Papalote parent Corrina, Birdie and Cole were invited to take part in a publicity photo shoot for the Shangri La Caribe Hotel. Presumably, they are doing some marketing targeted toward young American/Canadian families and ...

Once again, Tony and Cheri at the Luna Blue Hotel hosted the "it" party for St. Patrick's Day! Packed to the palapa with locals and tourists alike, the Tiki Bar was hopping as Chris Bolister cranked out traditional Irish tunes and a long playlist of favorites. Business was so brisk, the bar even ran out of beer at one point! There ...