In a celestial spectacle that dazzles skygazers worldwide, Mexico is the primary host for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse 2024. Scheduled for April 8, 2024, this astronomical phenomenon promises awe-inspiring moments across all 32 states of the country.
In our ongoing series, “Beat the Heat,” we explore ways to stay cool and comfortable during the hot summer months in Mexico. With the scorching summer heat in full swing, finding ways to stay cool and comfortable is essential. Don’t miss our following blogs as we keep sharing creative ways to beat the heat and enhance you Mexico retirement journey.
In this article, we’ll discuss the power of plants in providing natural shade and keeping your Mexican home fresh, indoors and outdoors. Not only do these plants offer respite from the scorching sun, but they also add beauty and enhance the ambiance of your property.
Once you own the property of your dreams in the Riviera Maya, there are other aspects to consider such as: the best trees to plant to make your garden a spectacular space.
Something special about the Riviera Maya is the beautiful weather year round. Also, having a beautiful garden to entertain or to hang your hammock and enjoy a nap is very important. Most developers in the Riviera destroy the jungle before building; nonetheless this shouldn’t stop you from having a beautiful tropical garden in your backyard.
It is important to consider the available space, as trees will grow and may affect the construction. There are plenty of trees that will grow in the poor soil of the Yucatan Peninsula, but we decided to focus in trees that are adequate for urban spaces, with reduced space.
AKTIS
This is a small tree, its maximum height is 16 feet and it has plenty of foliage to provide shade. It has beautiful bell shaped yellow flowers.
BALCHE
This is the Mayans sacred tree, and an endemic species of the Yucatan Peninsula. The tree can grow up to 30 feet, and has beautiful purple flowers. The bark is used by the Mayans to prepare a fermented beverage with the same name.
FLOR DE MAYO
This tree has a maximum height of 26 feet, and an interesting and unique look. The flowers can be many colors and have a beautiful parfum that will linger in your garden.
Any kind of citrus tree
The Yucatan Peninsula is a great place to grow citrus. There are many kinds of oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes that will thrive with little care. The most traditional citrus in the Yucatan is the Naranja Agria, which is used to cook traditional regional dishes such as: Cochinita Pibil and Lechon al horno, it is also ideal to prepare margaritas as it is naturally sour.
Citrus aurantium can only grow up to 26 feet high, with dark shiny leaves and small white flowers that have a beautiful fragrance.
There are so many trees that can grow in the Riviera Maya, we would never finish this list. But we encourage you to learn more about native trees and chose the one that fits your space, taste and budget.
Choosing the right tree can increase the value of your property and provide shadow, oxygen and beauty for many years to come. If you want to learn more about trees that will grow in the Yucatan Peninsula, have a look at this page.
Besides the glorious beaches and the world renowned archaeological site, Tulum has yet another attraction you should visit: the astonishing Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an, a magical place that you must visit if you’re in the Riviera Maya. If you’re interested in eco-tourism, you consider yourself a conscious traveler and you care about the environment, then visiting Sian Ka’an is for you.
This Biosphere is one of the many natural beauties that our planet has for us to enjoy; here you will find thousands of species of flora and fauna, both terrestrial and marine, some of which are unique of this environment. Sian Ka’an is home of thousands of animals that found comfort and easily have fitted in this magnificent place.
It’s important to highlight the fact that Sian Ka’an was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 by the UNESCO. This title is only given to sites with highly natural or cultural value for the general heritage for the humanity. For this, and many others reasons, this is one of the most protected areas in the Mexican Caribbean. Sian Ka’an Biosphere covers 10% of the State of Quintana Roo, with a total size of 150,000 hectares.
Also, Sian Ka’an is part of the program “Man and Biosphere” (MAB), this Project is dedicated to improve the relation between people and their environment.
If you’re into nature and you like to be surrounded by its beauty, then the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an is the perfect place for you. Enjoy a peaceful getaway and go camping while you coexist with nature. There are different activities available, like taking a boat ride to discover the amazing crystal-clear waters. If you like snorkeling, book a tour to the reef for an amazing adventure. It’s said that the coral reef is made out of 84 different species of coral… I bet you want to see that yourself! To finish an amazing journey, sit and relax in one of the few boutique hotels or camping sites to admire the sunset or gaze at the starry night; the perfect way to end the day!
Some recommendations
Live an eco-sustainable experience and have fun in a different and unique way in the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an!
If you are visiting or living in the Riviera Maya, you can’t miss the opportunity to spend a day in this amazing Caribbean island. Isla Mujeres is the perfect spot to take a trip with your partner or your family. Only a short ferry trip away from Puerto Juarez, Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a place you must visit.
This popular destination’s name translated from Spanish means “Women Island”. And a lovely island it is. The tropical landscape blends perfectly with the Caribbean waters that surround its beautiful glistening shores. The swaying palms and gorgeous weather is just two of a thousand reasons why you would choose a getaway to Isla Mujeres. You can reach this unique Mexican island by taking the Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juarez, Cancun. If you are planning to bring your own transportation, there is a ferry that transports vehicles from one port to another.
Once you arrive on this dreamy island, the frontage road that follows along the shoreline offers various open-air restaurants, boutique shops, and services such as golf cart rentals and excursions. The parkway thoroughfare will eventually lead you south towards more of the Island’s natural sites. If you want to set out on your own, grab a self-guided map and rent a golf cart for the day and do some exploring. It’s hard to lose your way on an island that is 4.3 miles long and a half a mile wide.
Don’t let the size of the island fool you. There are plenty of places to see and things to do in Isla Mujeres. You can snorkel through and around an underwater museum, experience the Dolphin Discovery or visit the turtle farm to just mention a few. If sipping on your favorite beach beverage while working on your tan or relaxing under a palapa is more your style, Playa Norte (north beach) is the place to be. Let the servers cater to your thirst and snacking needs.
When your day is winding down and it is time to relax, Isla Mujeres Centro has a pedestrian friendly street that offers plenty of choices to dine on fresh seafood, tacos and other Mexican food cuisines. The ocean breeze and glowing sky from the sunset creates a magical evening for all to sit back and enjoy. If you are staying on the island, there are a variety of accommodations that will fit everyone’s specific needs.
Isla Mujeres is a great place to have a vacation home, an investment property or a combination of both. With the increasing popularity of the Yucatan Peninsula being a vacation haven, more and more tourists are flocking to the area. Isla Mujeres is one of those destinations that is experiencing incredible growth. No matter if it is summer or winter, people want to see this quaint island paradise. It might be time to start thinking about investing and living in Mexico!
The whale sharks have returned once again to Quintana Roo. Whale shark season runs from June to September, until the time has come for them to move to their next destination.
In the meantime, you have the chance to live one of the most stunning experiences in life, swimming next to them and being able to see them in their natural environment.
Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet and with a life span of 70 – 100 years they can reach up to 40 feet long (12 meters) and weigh an average of 5 tons, though larger and heavier have been spotted.
Surprisingly for such a large mammal their mouths are filters feeders, meaning that they cannot bite or chew so their diet consists mostly of plankton which makes them completely harmless to humans.
Related: 10 Interesting Facts About Whale Sharks
In the Yucatan Peninsula you can take advantage of this annual gathering of the whale sharks at Holbox or at Isla Mujeres.
With a past record breaking number of 400 whale sharks arriving off the Yucatan Coast at one time, it’s one of the largest known gathering of whale sharks on record. You are almost guaranteed not to be disappointed.
The Island of Holbox is located on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and is separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon.
This Island is well known for its fishing and rural qualities but every year for the few months the whale sharks appear the little fishing village is bursting with people wanting to welcome the whale sharks back.
It is good to consider that with the new toll way to Merida, you can get to Holbox in 1 hour and 30 minutes, for 90 pesos each way.
Related: 10 Things to Do in Merida
Isla Mujeres (Spanish for Island of Women) is approx. 13 kilometers off the Yucatan Peninsula coast with easy access to the Island from Cancun, which makes this island a great day trip for tourists.
Isla Mujeres is usually a quiet place, but with the whale sharks yearly visit this little island of under 13,000 inhabitants is booming during their short visit.
You can find many tour operators located around the tourist areas both in Holbox and Isla Mujeres (or even on-line).
They usually offer boat trips out to spot these amazing creatures or even to take you swimming with the whale sharks, the experienced tour guides and divers have been doing these tours for many years and will be able to give you the best advice when swimming with the largest fish on the earth.
Be sure to shop around to get the best price and value for your money!
And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…
We make it happen!
Finding local organic vegetables in the Riviera Maya can be difficult, due to the lack of soil in the Riviera; most of the fruits and vegetables have to be brought from other places. Even healthy food like spinach can be contaminated with chemical or organic elements, and little is known about the effects that those chemicals can cause in our body, soil and water.
With proper planning and a compost bin, almost anybody can have an organic vegetable patch in the Riviera Maya. If you lack the space and the motivation to do so, maybe planting a traditional Chaya Plant is a great alternative to growing a whole garden. This plant has three times more nutrients than spinach and it is easy to find and grow everywhere in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Chaya: Characteristics and Nutrition Facts
The Chaya Plant, also known as Tree Spinach is a bush that can reach up to 10 feet in height. It has big green leaves and a fragile stem that can produce a sticky white liquid when it breaks. For centuries, people in the Yucatan Peninsula have been consuming this plant, as it is rich in nutrients, flavorful and easy to grow.
Nutritionists claim that the Chaya provides enormous benefits to the human body, it improves blood circulation, regulates blood sugar and blood pressure. It also aids digestion as it has a good amount of fiber. This nutrition powerhouse has other nutrients that are highly beneficial to our body as well.
The best part about Chaya is that because it is indigenous plant it is really easy to grow in the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. If you find a Chaya plant, take a stem and break it in to foot long pieces, stick them in the soil and voila; your tree spinach will grow at an amazing rate and will be producing nutrition packed leaves in no time.
Chaya: Benefits of Consuming the Mayan Spinach
The Chaya is a natural source of vitamin A, vitamin B, phosphorus, calcium, iron, protein and minerals. It also provides a boost of energy, and some people claim that it even has an anti-stress effect.
Some of the benefits of consuming Chaya are: improved blood circulation, a better digestion, and it is aids with cases of varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It also helps to lower cholesterol, reduce weight gain and to disinfect the lungs preventing coughs.
Eating Chaya can increase the calcium in bones, as the Chaya has more natural calcium than the traditional spinach. Chaya also has a massive amount of iron, which prevents anemia, improve memory and brain function. Some people believe it can help against arthritis and diabetes.
Because this regional plant is easy to grow and maintain it is a great starter plant for your new home in Mexico. Providing many nutritional and healing benefits Chaya really is a Mayan superfood.
Whale Shark Teeth
Source: https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/whaleshark/whaleshark.html
Swimming with the whale sharks is a once in a lifetime experience, remember this is a peaceful creature but there have been reports of them attacking boats; after being harassed. If you are going on a whale shark tour, respect the whale sharks and follow the indications given by your tour guide.
Would you like to partake in unique experiences like this all the time? Consider retiring or purchasing a vacation home in Mexico there are so many things to do here, you will never run out of once in a lifetime experiences.
From dreaming to owning your dream home in Mexico, Top Mexico Real Estate has a decade team of Top Mexico Buyers’ Representatives with the experience in helping foreigners become homeowners in Mexico.
Top Mexico Real Estate…
We Make It Happen!
The miracle of life is an amazing thing. For millions of years life on our planet has been the sole pillar of everything we know and love. It all really comes down to creating life, and keeping it that way for millions upon millions of years to come. And to be able to witness the miracle of life – be it human or otherwise – is a unique experience that not very many people get to live in their lifetime.
Amongst the many amazing species that call the Riviera Maya home is the sea turtle. In the world, there are eight existing sea turtle species – and most of them are critically endangered. Of these eight species, seven of them live and nest in Mexican beaches. We are a privileged country! And out of those, four nest in the gorgeous, pristine beaches of Quintana Roo.
However, due to heavy tourist congestion, sea turtles start migrating south to find isolated beaches that less humans transit through. And if that seems impossible, they settle for those where there are sea turtle protection programs that (try to) control the traffic of people. One of those places, and the most popular for both swimming with these majestic animals and witnessing sea turtle nesting season, is Akumal.
Akumal means “Place of the Turtles” in Mayan (‘Ak’ means turtle; ‘Umal’ means place). The name is, of course, justified, as this is not only one of the most important nesting beaches in the region, but it is also one of the biggest natural homes to juvenile sea turtles in the area. This tranquil bay area – very popular amongst tourists – is home to approximately 40 juvenile sea turtles. This is their natural habitat, as it is a popular feeding area for them due to the amounts of sea grass that the bay possesses.
While these juvenile turtles come and go on a daily basis, the phenomenon known as “sea turtle season” refers strictly to the nesting season, which takes place between May and September every year. Now, this season is not a general rule for all eight species, but to the three that nest in Akumal: caretta caretta (loggerhead), chelonia mydas (green turtle), and the occasional eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill turtle) – hey, now you know three scientific names to impress your friends!
Life Cycle
The most common species to nest in the region are the loggerhead and the green sea turtles, with record over 900 nests in 2013 (in Akumal) throughout the whole season, for both species. However, there are also leatherbacks and hawksbill nests found throughout the state. The life cycle of a sea turtle is fairly simple:
*Unfortunately, only one out of 1,000 hatchlings makes it to adulthood for different reasons:
How You Can Help and Experience Nesting Season
There are many ways to get involved in the conservation process:
While Akumal is certainly not the only nesting beach in the Riviera Maya, it is the most popular one – specially because there are juvenile sea turtles swimming in the bay every day of the year. It’s their home, after all. However, you can witness the nesting season at other beaches such as Xpu-Ha, Xcacel, Sian Ka’an, Tulum and Cancun.
Don’t miss the opportunity of experiencing this unique and life-changing event. Sea turtles are beautiful creatures and they depend on you to continue gracing the oceans we all visit the Riviera Maya for.
If you wish their home will someday be your home, please feel free to contact one of our Top Mexico Buyer’s Representatives who will gladly help you in the process of relocating and finding your dream home in paradise.
And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…
We Make It Happen!
If you’ve ever been to or heard of the Riviera Maya, you have probably heard about Xcaret. It is one of the biggest ecofriendly touristic and natural parks in the area, attracting thousands upon thousands of tourists per year. Although some may consider it pricy, it is worth every penny you invest. The Xcaret family has expanded over the past 20 years and now has a total of six parks ranging from eco-natural parks, to adventure parks, to culture parks. There is something for everyone! Check out the list of Xcaret parks and their highlights:
Priced at approximately $129 USD (for the full package, including transportation), Xcaret is one of the most popular destinations in the Riviera Maya. The park offers a full days’ worth of fun water activities, learning opportunities, culinary experiences, and much more. You can swim down the underground rivers, visit the butterfly pavilion, visit the newborn macaws, the jaguar island (where you can spot jaguars and panthers), or just walk around the park exploring every corner of it. Churches, haciendas, restaurants, observation towers, archeological sites, and much more, make up the 200 acre space. Don’t forget to stay until the end to enjoy the amazing Mexico Espectacular show featuring live music, traditional folkloric dances and a journey through Mexico’s history.
The aquatic-themed park is located approximately 120km south of Cancun. Also priced at $129 USD, this park offers less activities than Xcaret, but more food and drinks! With an unlimited buffet, beverages, and national open bar, you will enjoy a – literally- full day. You can swim down the river and into the cove while snorkeling and observing the beautiful life. Xel Ha, after all, claims being the biggest natural aquarium in the Riviera Maya. Amongst the many activities, you can also purchase swimming with dolphins, Sea Trek, amongst other fun extra activities.
Although the park uses the natural surroundings, caves, underground rivers, and jungle, it is much more focused on adrenaline and adventure. The $149 USD per person entry fee includes an unlimited buffet, zip line circuits, river rafting circuits, circuits for amphibious vehicles, and two river circuits to snorkel in. The four activities take all day to go through, so it is recommended to bring comfortable shoes and be ready for a lot of walking and, especially, fun! They have recently opened Xplor Fuego, which is essentially the same thing except at night. Everything is illuminated with fire, making it a whole different experience for only $99 USD.
Chichen Itza isn’t a park, under the strict description or general idea of what a park is; however, Experiencias Xcaret now offers tours to Chichen Itza as part of the many activities tourists can do while visiting the Riviera Maya. The archeological site tour is 12 hours long, but is as luxurious as it gets. Besides having an experienced – and bilingual – guide with you throughout the tour, and having the opportunity to visit the beautiful ancient Mayan civilization, the luxury tour includes a light gourmet breakfast, drinks, a visit to the wonderful Valladolid City, a cenote, lunch buffet, and a unique experience that will leave you longing to visit all the other archeological sites in the region.
Everyone tells you that you must visit at least one cenote when visiting paradise. But it’s so hard to choose just one from all the many options out there, and even more, what type of cenote should you visit? The Xenotes tour offers a nature-filled day at four cenotes (of different types). The price is $119 USD and you get snacks, coffee, breakfast breads, a glam picnic, rappel, kayak, zip lining, and snorkel. Just like Chichen Itza, it isn’t a park in itself, but rather an adventure offered by the same company that has given millions of people memories for life.
This glammed up version of the original Xochimilco is located just a few minutes south of Cancún. Trajineras (traditional Aztec boats) are pushed with long sticks by experts down beautifully landscaped canals while guests enjoy a night to remember. Each trajinera can carry up to 22 people; whether you are here with many friends, or about to make new friends, you will have an experience of a lifetime. The $119 ticket includes a cruise through the canals at night, a three-course Mexican meal with an open bar of tequila, beer, fresh water and soft drink, all while being accompanied by different traditional ensembles playing music through the cruise.
We recommend that you visit Experiencias Xcaret website for further information about each amazing adventure that will leave you wanting more. Whichever park you choose to visit – or if you choose to visit more – you will find yourself diving into a world of adventure, nature, adrenaline, and excitement. These parks are made to be enjoyed with friends and family. Start booking your holidays and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Now, if you have any questions about any of the Xcaret experiences, about living in Mexico, buying property, or are interested in one of the many real estate options we have listed on our website, feel free to contact one of our Top Mexico Buyers’ Representatives who will gladly assist you on your journey to becoming a homeowner in Mexico.
And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…
We Make It Happen!
