"Life's a Beach"

Today's online edition of the Playa del Carmen newspaper La Respuesta featured an update about the fight to keep exotic animals from being exploited to the tourist trade in Playa del Carmen. Those of us who have been a part of the process, sending letters and petitions to PROFEPA and SEMERNAT will not be satisfied with the comments issued by ...

We have an update from our friends at CEA, Centro Ecologico Akumal, regarding their ongoing sea turtle program in Akumal. CEA is one of our favorite local non-profit environmental groups and one we have been pleased to feature for our annual "12 Day/12 Ways" Holiday Giving ...

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 ...

I don't think there is a one of us, Playa resident and tourist alike, who has not noticed (or been approached by) the street vendors hocking photo opportunities with the animals, birds and reptiles native to the Riviera Maya. Recently, the offerings have expanded beyond parrots, iguanas and monkeys to include lion and tiger cubs, apparently ...

What follows is an important message from the Centro Ecologico in Akumal. It has been posted in its entirety. For more information, important updates and to find out how you can help marine conservation efforts in Akumal and all along the Riviera Maya, visit the CEA website or follow CEA on Facebook. CENTRO ECOLÓGICO AKUMAL (CEA) MARINE ...

The 9th annual Sea Turtle Festival is scheduled for October 13 - 16 2011 in Tulum.  The Festival de la Tortuga Marina is a free event whose mission is to raise awareness in residents and tourists alike about sea turtle protection. This event will provide information about these magnificent creatures that are in danger of extinction, There ...

The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) is the largest barrier reef in the Atlantic and stretches over 1000 km from the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula down to the Bay Islands of Honduras. This reef is the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Mesoamerican reef serves two important functions. It ...

On Monday, I was invited to attend a conference with local environmental groups presenting their various projects to the local media and representatives from the Office of Environmental Affairs for the Municipal Government of Solidaridad. Held in the grand auditorium of the Municipal Plaza, six eco initiatives were presented for the consideration ...

Recently, my pal Mitch and I enrolled in an interesting conference to be held over a weekend at the nearby Hacienda Tres Rios Resort. Having had the good fortune to be a guest at the resort for previous events, I had a feeling that this would be an interesting weekend. Certainly we would be in luxurious accommodations and enjoying fabulous food. ...

Unbelievably, somehow, I have managed to spend six years in Playa del Carmen with small children and NEVER managed to visit Crococun. So, when the 1st grade class at El Papalote School solicited chaperones for a field trip to the small eco-zoo and reptile farm, I jumped at the chance. Frankly, I think I was more excited than Cole. So, last week, ...