Life's a Beach

  On April 10, 2011, Playa del Carmen residents and visitors gathered together to participate in one the region's best loved events, the annual Three-Legged Bar Crawl to support the Bomberos of Quintana Roo. This year, marks the 6th running of this event. A record 16 teams strapped themselves together for this fun-filled race through the busy streets of this seaside city encouraged by the cheers of onlookers and event sponsors. Organized by Brian Borjesson and a team of volunteers, the...

A funny thing happened to Rob and me seven years ago during one of our scouting trips to Mexico in the year before we made the move to Playa del Carmen. In April of 2004, we came to Playa, just the two of us, to shop for and hopefully purchase the land on which we would build our condos. One evening, after a long day with our agent, we wandered down 5th Ave. to the zocalo and found a nice quiet restaurant overlooking the square and down to the beach. There seemed to be quite a bit of activity...

  On the morning of March 20, Riviera Maya athletes and families gathered in Playa del Carmen’s Parque Leona Vicario to take their marks for the “Run for Ak Lu’um”, a 5K race sponsored annually by BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors, the premier brokerage for Playa del Carmen real estate. Over 100 runners, walkers and families with strollers weaved their way through the streets of the city and past the glamorous resort zone, finishing at the historic Parque...

  On the morning of March 20, Riviera Maya athletes and families gathered in Playa del Carmen’s Parque Leona Vicario to take their marks for the “Run for Ak Lu’um”, a 5K race sponsored annually by BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors, the premier brokerage for Playa del Carmen real estate. Over 100 runners, walkers and families with strollers weaved their way through the streets of the city and past the glamorous resort zone, finishing at the historic Parque...

Playa del Carmen’s third annual Taste of Playa has been announced for November 20, 2011. Taste of Playa, the Riviera Maya’s premier culinary festival, will once again be held in Parque Fundadores on the shores of the Mexican Caribbean. This day-long event will offer residents and visitors alike a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of cuisines created by many of the region’s local chefs.  Distinctive restaurants from all along the Riviera Maya will gather to...

Great Price for an Oceanfront Condo!                   NEW! Condo for sale in Playacar Phase 1 - Xaman Ha Condominiums are on the beach just 300 meters south of the ferry dock to Cozumel in Playa del Carmen. This 3 bedroom unit is on the ground floor and offers spectacular views of the Caribbean Ocean from both the living room and master bedroom. Recently upgraded with a new kitchen containing...

  With just a few days remaining before the BuyPlaya 5K Spring Race, organizers, parents and local business owners are kicking into high gear for this exciting annual fundraising event. On March 20 at 7:45am, participants will run, walk or stroll the 5 kilometer course leaving from the Parque Leona Vicario, making a loop through the hotel zone in Playacar and finishing in the historical Parque Fundadores on the shores of the Caribbean. “In its inaugural year, the ‘Run for...

 Playa del Carmen  - Don't overlook this charming three bedroom home for sale in Playa del Carmen. If you have been renting a house or condo and have been searching for an affordable home for your family, this could be just the opportunity you have been looking for. This lovely home is being sold by a family who after many happy and successful years in Playa del Carmen has decided to move to Canada. (Brrr.) They have sold their business and are now ready to say goodbye to...

My friend Susie Albin-Najera recently wrote a very nice article for her website The Mexico Report that got me thinking. In her piece, "What You Should Really Worry About When Visiting Mexico", Susie recounts a few of the "hidden dangers" that one might encounter while visiting Mexico. As an expat living and working in Playa del Carmen, I too have my own concerns which I feel compelled to share with "Life's a Beach" readers. These are the Top 10 Things I Worry...

"So, what is the downside of living in Playa'" This is a question I seem to be answering a lot lately as more and more people are contacting me, considering moving their families to Playa del Carmen. Sure, we all post pretty pictures of sunny beaches and smiling children but is the reality really just that sweet and simple. The truth is, life in Playa del Carmen can be pretty darn frustrating. Some of the challenges are obvious: Adjusting to a different culture, learning a different...