January 19th, 2010
We want you to fully enjoy your stay in the Riviera Maya. To make this possible, we’ve selected a menu of tours and activities for you to pick from, some old and some new but all are great hand-picked tours. Our selection was made using these three principles: originality, social responsibility, and ecological impact.
Originality because we wish to present tours that offer a true and profound representation of nature in the area; social responsibility because the tours care and worship the Mayan culture, and sustainability because, the tours presented here, follow the low impact principle to help and save the environment.
In the Riviera Maya you’ll find the absolute silence in the deeps of jungle, and the ocean views will make you feel that the world outside has ceased to exist. The spell can only be broken by the sound of the liquid call of the wind and the absolute freedom of the shivering waves.
We hope your vacation is an experience of a lifetime as our experience searching for tours that we know you will enjoy has been a great experience for us. Thank you for visiting us and we hope our passion for the area is shared with you.
Check out our tours now!
September 4th, 2009
- taste of playa event September 5th, 2009
You will NOT regret stopping by the Taste of Playa! Come down to the Parque Fundedores- this is the park next to the ferry to Cozumel. (5th Ave and Juarez). Tomorrow it is open to the public from 3-9pm. VIP passport holders are welcomed at 2pm.
Entrance is free and you may buy playa pesos (tickets for tastes) or if quantity allows, VIP passes for 400 pesos each.
To see a full list of participating restaurants and food retailers, go to www.tasteofplaya.com
This will be an annual event. If you wish t be notified about the date for next years event, please let us know here at www.travelrm.com
Come and Enjoy!
Sherry
July 24th, 2009
Meeting on the roof top of Carboncitos
If you ever wondered what it is like to live full time in Playa del Carmen… Well, it is fantastic! I moved here in 2001 and work with Travel RM and One Stop Real Estate. I am also very active in the community helping animals. Recently, I was invited to join a group of amazing women to work on a new event called The TASTE OF PLAYA. Wow, what an incredible experience this has been. Don’t worry, I am going to tell you much more about our event in future posts but for now I want to rave about these local women I am working with. I have been amazed with the professionalism, hard work and dedication to creating a top notch event in Playa. I want you to know who is behind this upcoming event. Our Taste of Playa Stearing Committee is comprised of 7 successful women in business. I really want to introduce you to them and what they do. Check them out!
Nicola Inwood runs Tropical Casa Blanca Hotel in the center of Playa del Carmen.
Sara Moen who runs Playa Maya News Online - If you want to know anything about Playa… it is here!
Michele Kinnon who owns and operates with her husband, Rob, Buy Playa Real Estate Advisors.
Gaby Waldert who runs Travel RM with me and is an expert in Long Term Rentals in Playa del Carmen.
Melissa Meno has an amazing eco friendly bag business Tote le Monde - Own some and love ‘em!
Monica Hartlief who owns and runs an all inclusive tourism company, Latido de Mexico.
To learn more about them and their business go to our committee page.
We had a touch of testosterone in the group, Russell Granger who is acting as a consultant on our Taste of Playa Committee. Russell runs
El Cielo Hotel and
Carboncitos Restaurant in Playa del Carmen.
Be careful! You might really like what Playa del Carmen has to offer locals living here.
A full life!
I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with these women (and man). Just wait until you see the event we have created. You are going to love it! . Check it out
www.tasteofplaya.com – Sherry Stevens
June 27th, 2009
Helping Cats in the Riviera Maya, Mexico
Coco’s Cat Rescue is a non profit organization with a no kill policy, dedicated to reducing and controlling the cat population in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We achieve this via our TNR (trap spay/neuter and return) program for feral cats, and our rescue, treat, spay/neuter, and tame program for kittens under 3 months. We aim to find a permanent loving home for all the rescued kittens in our care.
We are also committed to education which encourages responsible pet ownership and challenges negative associations with feral cats and consequent cruelty. We provide free or low cost spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and basic pet care to those on a low income. Our long term mission is to expand our model to embrace other local areas, as well as to extend our current program and enlarge our facilities to be able to shelter, foster and find homes for kittens older than three months and cats of all ages.
See their website! www.cocoscatrescue.org
October 15th, 2008
For years I have seen this guy walking the 5th Ave selling his crickets and hats. A couple of years ago I was having lunch with a friend, Astrid and this man walked up to our table and set one of his crickets on the table and said “$20 pesos”? My friend, Astrid was HORRIFIED and said abrubtly, “NO!” and then shoo-ed him away with her hand movements! I was stunned and baffled, this was not at all her normal nature. The cricket man walked off and I said, “What was that about?” She said, “How GROSS! That guy was selling dead crickets!” I cried laughing because the crickets this man sells are made by him from palm leaves! The 32 year old cricket artist is a kind and smiley man named Juanito Cruz Martinez originally from Vera Cruz, Mexico. He has been making his crickets, woven from one long plam reed for the past 6 years in Playa. He charges about $2 USD/ $20 pesos per critter. He also makes woven palm leaf hats. I laugh every time I see him as I remember the story with my friend.
- Sherry
March 20th, 2008
While walking to the opening of a cenote, I passed through the living area of the family that owned the land. With a warm welcome, the family invited me onto their land. I ran across this beautiful child taking a bath in this large cooking pot. The amazing things and beautiful faces you see here are priceless. Imagine how simple life is for this happy child. – Sherry
February 7th, 2008
If you have not already noticed… MEXICO LOVES COLORS! There is an amazing shop in Akumal called “Mexicarte”. It is the pink shop near the entrance arch in Akumal. They offer a selective collection of art, jewelry and handcrafts made in Mexico. They have chosen each artist because they are the best in their trade. These are people who are true to their roots and do not have access to mass marketing.
The owners of this shop work closely with the cultural branches of the government whose sole purpose is to preserve the tradition and cultural heritage of the vast array of indigenous communities that exist in Mexico. So by supporting this particular shop you are helping to preserve the welfare of these artisans and their trade. They are open every day from 9 am to 9 pm.
Check out their website: http://www.akumalart.com/
-Sherry Stevens
November 24th, 2007
Lake Bacalar in Q. Roo, MEXICO is also called the Lagoon of the seven colors With a length of some 50 miles from North to South it seems like a wide turquoise river flowing through the jungle. Bacalar´s turquoise waters are enhanced by the deep green tone of the mangroves and reed beds.
Laguna Bacalar is the second largest sweet water lake in Mexico and still one of the best kept secrets. Its breathtaking scenery is still little known by international tourism. But this will soon change since developers, retired or semiretired citizens, tourism and local authorities are now realizing the enormous potential of this incredibly beautiful area.
Located in the southern part of the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico , just 15 miles from the state’s capital Chetumal and 3 hours from Cancun, it sits near the coast just before Belize and the river that divides Belize from Mexico. Bacalar lagoon is linked to the Rio Hondo by the Chaac canal. The perfect place to access the mayan ruins of Kohunlich and Chacchoben. Majahual, Costa Maya port. – Sherry Stevens
September 21st, 2007
After living in Mexico for 6 years or so, you get a little relaxed about things! Despite it being a week later, I still want to tell you about Mexico’s Independence Day. You always know the date is near when you start to see vendors on the street selling mexican flags, horns, streamers and more in the colors of green, white and red! Cars and homes and parks are often decorated with the flag and colors.
It is celebrated on the Sept 15th night and Sept 16th day. The history goes like this… In the year 1500, Spain conquered Mexico and named it New Spain. Life was difficult under Spanish rule and many of the native Mexicans (The Mayas and Aztecs) were forced into slavery. More than 300 years later, on September 16, 1810, a priest named Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla started a revolt against the Spanish. The Spanish were finally defeated in 1821 and now Mexican Independence is celebrated every year to remember the beginning of the struggle for freedom.
To remember this historical date, the celebrating begins on September 15 (the eve of Independence Day) by having crowds of people gather in the zocalos (town squares) of cities, towns, and villages. People sell confetti, whistles, horns, paper-machete helmets, and toys in the colors of red, white and green. Food is a big part of celebrating.
The people watch the time and when the clock strikes eleven o’clock (PM) the crowd gets silent. On the last strike of eleven the president of Mexico steps out on the palace balcony, and rings the historic liberty bell that Father Hidalgo rang to call the people. Then the president gives the Grito de Delores. He shouts “Viva Mexico” “Viva la independencia” and the crowd echos back. People do this at the same time all across Mexico. While the crowd says this they fill the air with confetti, streamers and noise. Castillos explode in showers of red, white, and green. Then people prepare for the next days’ celebration.
Personally, I celebrated with a group of friends with amazing mexican food, music and conversation. The next day it is typical for guests to return to the home of the party giver to eat leftovers! – Sherry Stevens
September 10th, 2007
The amazing VIDAS Volunteer Vets, Techs and Students came to the Yucatan Peninsula to help our local animals and community. They set up their temporary animal sterilization clinic in Playa del Carmen Aug 8-11, 2007 in the colosio at a Primary school. They offer their services for free in hopes to prevent animal suffering due to starvation, disease, and other health problems associated with pet overpopulation, recognizing also that overpopulation of animals also contributes directly to human disease. Their focus is safe sterilization, vaccination and parasite control for the animals and education for the local people about safe animal handling, zoonotic disease and general animal husbandry and health care.
After finishing a 4 day clinic in Playa del Carmen, they broke down the clinic and moved it to a school in Puerto Morelos and completed a 2 day clinic there as well, Aug 13 &14, 2007.
The total number of animals sterilized and treated (Includes cats and dogs, male and female).
Playa del Carmen in 4 days: 201
Puerto Morelos in 2 days: 97
Here are some photos to take you through some of a day of the Playa del Carmen VIDAS clinic.
After advertising the clinic weeks prior in local papers, radio and fliers around town… people start showing up for the free clinic in the morning at 8 AM.
First, we check them in with owner and pet information. Then they wait their turn for general exams.
Volunteers have plenty of time to meet and greet all the friendly customers. This is the best part!
Next, they get the pre-med ready for each individual animal in the surgery room.
This is US VET Meghann Burgland, she is in charge of everything that goes on with the medication doses and the flow of the surgery room. She is basically the backbone of the surgery room. Keep in mind they averaged 50 surgeries a day!
In one of the classrooms of the primary school they have their surgery room with 4 operating tables made especially for animals, other stations for sterilizing equipment etc.
Dr. Erica Periman beginning a surgery.
At 1:00 or so everyday, one of the Visiting Vet Students that is fluent in Spanish, taught classes to the local children.
Teaching them basic animal care and safety.
They LOVE it!
Kids having a ball with Vidas Volunteer Teacher, Nolan Zeide. He is a vet student at Purdue University.
Showing off their work!
This is the recovery room where all patients go after surgery to recover and wake up.
Volunteer, Deborah Payne checks a sweet Playa puppy for ticks.
We make comfy soft places to lay them and while they are still sleepy, we do a lot of extra care such as, cleaning ears, picking ticks, and a lot of TLC.
Any animals in need of parasite control or have skin conditions are treated at the clinic.
Volunteer, Diane Patterson from Michigan takes care of a tiny black kitten in the recovery room.
After waking up and going through the recovery process, it is time to go home. The owners are told when they could return for their pet according to when they were dropped off. Some pet owners stay and wait the whole day and even help in the recovery room.
”Mom, I am ready to go home!”
It was a prefect success. Our community is grateful to VIDAS organization and volunteer crew. All of the visiting crew comes from the US or Canada, paying their own way and use their vacation time to come to this area and volunteer their skills!!!!- We love them for this!
During the clinic we have many locals and local businesses that have donated housing, meals, transportation assitance and hands on help. The Blue Parrot donated wonderful lunches for all the crew and volunteers, as well as, a thank you party at the end of the clinic. Mexico Escape donated two beautiful properties, as well as, an individual, Judith York Newman donated her condo for the visiting crew.
Vidas provides new collars and leashes to any animals in need! These dogs came with electrical cords as leads. (on the black dog in this photo you can even see the plug around his neck). If you have interest in getting involved with VIDAS or helping the animals please check out http://www.vidas.org/ or go to our local animal charity page.
I want to give my gratitude for the locals and visting volunteers that helped make this clinic work!
Thank you to Dr. Sandra Valdez, Dr. Claudia Lewy Sanchez, Dr. Diego Queijeiro G, Glenda Gabriel, Brenda Lee Carson, Deborah Ritchie, Libby and John Bekas, Paula Tunstall, Madi Collins, Deborah Payne, Marilyn Wall, Dale Cabauatan, Diane and Richard Patterson, Leslie Clark, Claire, Judith York Newman, Jan and Larry Hoffman and Pam and Tom of the Blue Parrot and their lovely staff – Sherry Stevens
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