Villas of the Month

Up & Down the Coast

Welcome to the monthly newsletter from Sac-Be.com, your source for news, maps and travel information for the Riviera Maya and Costa Maya. If you have a news item, an event you'd like to promote, an article of interest or a comment to make please email us at info@sac-be.com. Enjoy!

In last month's newsletter we mentioned that a new song about Akumal was written especially for Akumal's 50th. Well you now have a chance to hear the Akumal song.

Reviews

Xmas Dos - by Lydia Linton Pontius - Where in the world can one still find peace and quiet on a secluded beach without traveling half-way around the world? Xamach Dos in the Sian Kaan Biosphere!

Vista del Mar - by Lydia Linton Pontius - If you are looking to be strategically placed on Half Moon Bay in Akumal and want to walk right out your hotel door and step onto the sand, and the size of the room doesn't matter because you know you are not going to spend much time there – then this is your spot!

Dive Tip of the Month

Tip - When  your boat is searching for the whale sharks, keep an eye on the water. Often as we search for the whale sharks you can see green turtles, golden eagle rays and manta rays

Make every dive count when you Dive with Natalie and Ivan.

A story by Natalie - Whale sharks feed north of Akumal close to Holbox and from June to August there are guided day trips available. Diving with them is prohibited as the bubbles may disturb their feeding, but snorkeling with them is allowed with licensed and trained guides.Rest of the story...

Of Special Interest

More Than Swimming with the Whale Sharks - by Mari Pintkowski - We spotted our first whale shark before we reached these waters and motored along side of the thirty-foot long creature as he took no notice of us. Joaquin let us know that this was the largest one they had spotted this season, but in August they expect to see whale sharks as long as fifty feet.

Chan Chemuyil's visit to Hidden World - by Jen McDermitt - We departed Chan Chemuyil for Hidden Worlds prepared for a day of jungle adventure just 2 miles south of the community. Our appetite for excitement would not be disappointed.

Interview: A Tale of Two Architects - By Lydia Pontius - I sat down with the owner, and interior designer Julia Brenton and we talked about her spectacular property, Villa Orquidea in Tankah. You heard about the Tale of Two Cities? Well this is also a masterpiece and tale of two architects.

Xplor: New park at Xcaret - By Louis Pintkowski - Came for the Zip Line was enthralled by the cave and river system...

Eco News

Relocating turtle nests: Why is this done? Is it justified? - By Bob Klotz - When walking on the beach at night, visitors frequently come upon sea turtle protection technicians—called “tortugueros” in Spanish—observing nesting turtles, counting eggs, taking measurements, affixing numbered identification tags, marking nest positions, monitoring hatchlings, and under certain circumstances, relocating eggs from one place on the beach to another.

Hacienda Tres Rios Eco-Facts and Tips - We recently had the pleasure of staying at Hacienda Tres Rios, a truly wonderful all-inclusive eco-resort. In our room we found some wonderful Eco-tips. With their permission we are sharing those tips with you! Also look for a review of this resort in our upcoming newsletter.

CEA Turtle update for Akumal Beaches
Loggerhead Nests 89
Green Turtles Nests 43

Loggerhead Hatchlings 2,388
Green Turtles Hatchlings 0

CEA Q & A Read what Paul, Director of CEA suggested when asked about a snorkeling group of 20 coming to Akumal.

What’s Up with the Golden Egg? - By Paul Sánchez-Navarro - The reef is something we talk about quite often. Some of us are able to dive into the wet atmosphere and witness firsthand the myriad biodiversity that makes up a "reef," and others see it from above. This coral reef along the Mexican Caribbean coast is our Golden Egg, the source of our tourism. Without the reef, we'd have a different kind of tourism in Quintana Roo.

Accommodations

Sac-be offers free listing of properties along the Riviera Maya. If you would like to have your rental property listed please complete the form on our owner's page. Or, if you are interested in learning more about other advertising opportunities please contact us. The following vacation rental properties were recently listed:

Casa and Casitas Tranquilidad - Casa Tranquilidad has 2 2-bed, 2 bath condos - one with a splash pool and great garden. Casitas Tranquilidad has 2 one-bed, one bath (ocean and mangrove view from 3rd floor) apartments (casitas).

Casa Maare - Furnished with Mexican style and colors using natural, sustainable materials such as bamboo. This is a new listing and everything about the home is fresh and brand new.

Villa Flamboyan - 4 bedroom villa in Playacar Phase I, well-suited for family and friends get togethers. The villa is located about 50 meters from the beach and close to the Fisherman’s Village hotel.

Akumal Villas is offering fantastic deals on 2009 villa rentals. - 10-35% discounts on magnificent oceanfront villas up and down the Riviera Maya, from Soliman Bay/Tankah to Puerto Aventuras.

For stays from now until Nov 15th, when reserving directly to Hotel Akumal Caribe's US office and prepaying.  Bungalow rate will include a $10 voucher per room per night for use in Lolha Villas Flamingo: $20 voucher per villa per night for use in Lolha.  Not valid with any other promotion or discount. 

Michele Kinnon, lives in Playa del Carmen with her husband Rob and their three children. She is a contributing writer for several regional interest websites as well as her own blog, www.LifesaBeachBlog.com

Bob Klotz - a resident of Aventuras Akumal, who works as a consultant to hotels and NGOs regarding environmental issues and environmental project development and monitoring.

Paul Sánchez-Navarro - Paul Sánchez-Navarro, Director of Centro Ecológico Akumal, with a Master’s degree in International relations, was Policy Advisor with WWF International and both the WWF México Office and Pronatura.

Sac-Be welcomes all types of writers from the trip report writer to the published authors. If you would like to share your stories, articles and experiences with us please contact Lydia Linton Pontius.

August 2009 - #19  

Hekab Be Biblioteca - Its the last week of Summer School (already!) The children have studied computers, Mayan, English, the Arts, Geography and Grammar. With CEA they learned about Recycling, learned basic swimming skills (with library volunteers) and visited a Cenote (Rio Secreto) and took a jungle walk (La Bahia Principe).

New Yoga in Akumal schedule.

Fundacion Ak Lu’um A.C., the Riviera Maya’s only not for profit privatized school was created in 2006 by educators Siobhan Bowers and Gabriela Nunez. This Waldorf initiative employs a Heart, Head and Hands approach to education and Learning through the Arts methodology is used to teach curricular subjects such as Math, Science and Social Studies.

Students studying as part of the MARVET 2009 Workshop in Playa del Carmen (July 8 - 18) volunteered their services at Peanut Pet Shelter last Saturday. The students participated in washing, parasite removal and Rabies vaccination for the dogs currently at the shelter.

One of Marvet's purposes is to acquaint student's with the concept of "One Health," which combines human medicine, veterinary medicine and ecosystem health.

Updates on Causes

Causes Worth Visiting - I have found, through my group travel business, Just Imagine Vacations, Inc. and through inquiries to Sac-Be International, Inc. that more and more vacationers are want to get involved and do something to make their trips more memorable and to give something back. This spurred us to start an entire section on the Sac-Be website dedicated just to causes in the area. In addition, I recently visited a number of places, some I had known and been involved with for years, others I had the opportunity to meet for the first time.

Coco's Cat Rescue is looking for recipes to add to their new fund-raiser cookbook as well as photos of your pets. Contact them directly if you would like to participate. Read their latest newsletter .

VIDAS clinic AUGUST  8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13th - Yes, that's right 6 days in PLAYA! It will be held in the colosio at at the school jose españa cruz av10 with 104 street.

August 7-9 - YOGA event weekend of workshops at Yoga in Akumal, beginning Friday evening August 7th and finishing Sunday afternoon, August 9th. Attend all or some of the workshops at your pleasure. Attached is a brochure with information about what we are offering, and also information about places to stay in Akumal.

Marti is happy to answer any questions you may have either by email or Marti's cell is 984-745-3488. And check out Yoga Akumal's new schedule.

Wednesdays at 8:30a.m. for the vinyasa flow class - Rey Ortega is back in Akumal for the summer bringing with him a vast collection of flutes, including a number that he has reconstructed and learned to play from the ancient Maya. Music of the soul. When I heard the sounds he called out in these single, double and triple piped wind instruments, the inspiration was that we had to play together! He has agreed to come and "play yoga"!

August 7th - Second Annual Circus! 5:30 p.m. at CEA center or the Stage (weather depending).

August 9-15 - a group sponsored by the Minnesota Zoo will be visiting CEA.

September 5 - Taste of Playa International Food Festival will be launching their 1st Annual Sampling in Playa Del Carmen. Taste of Playa is a community oriented culinary event, celebrating the creativity and diverse cultural influences of chefs throughout the Riviera Maya.

October 16 - 18 - Festival de Tortugas Marinas Tulum - 7th Annual Sea Turtle Festival. Tourists and locals are welcome to participate in the release of baby turtles at Xcacel beach by moonlight, supporting the Sea Turtle Protection Program.

October 24 – November 4 Press Release Women In Wellness Locals and visitors alike be sure to sign up for these classes and workshops.

November 9 - 15 - Cancun & Riviera Maya International Film Festival

November 9 - The Fuhrer Fiesta is planned for Akumal celebrating a 10th wedding anniversay.

Make your own Special Event any night by having a Romantic Dinner for two on the beach at Lol Ha.

Wow...just did the last hour reading your July news and 50th....You really worked hard with this one.  Wow...you covered everybody and everything...you should do it for a living.....Great job.  I hope everyone appreciates you.
Sandy Bartosh

Thank you for much for a SUPER edition of Sac-be. Unfortunately we could not be there for the special event as our tourists season here in Ocean City Md starts @ Memorial Day - Labor Day. So....the photos at least let me feel like I could enjoy a little bit of it. I left there on May the 23rd and hated to go. I hope that Akumal will continue such events. Even if I can only wish I was there, it's great for tourists to see this type of activity in our little village so they can understand the spirit and the heart that it there. It is not just a vacation spot, it's a slice of Heaven and if people could get Akumal's spirit....the world would be a better place for all of man-kind.
Great job you lucky guys that are there all the time!!!!!!!
Ken & Karen Sutton, Casa Konomi