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!

We wish you all a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year from all of us at Sac-be International, Inc. We especially want to thank our many contributors who have made our first year as operators of Sac-Be.com a real pleasure. Please keep up the great work! And for those who haven't contributed yet, but are harboring such thoughts, let us hear from you. This is your chronicle of the Riviera Maya - we're just the caretakers.

In that vein, here is a Holiday Poem provided by Bill Johnson of Bill-in-tulsa.com.

Akumal Profiles

Co-owner of Ixchel Boutique – Akumal Mexico. Mary's very first visit to Akumal was in 1970 when she came via Cozumel to visit the ruins in Tulum. She traveled with her mother and brother, Robin.

What's New at Sac-Be.com

December Coupons - be sure to print yours out and enjoy the savings. We hope more businesses will start to participate. Please let us know if you want to promote your business through coupons or listings.

50% Discount at Hotel Akumal Caribe - Don't forget to make those travel arrangements for September and October next fall before December 31, 2008 and get your 50% discount at Hotel Akumal Caribe.

Calendar of Events - We are listening to our visitors and making improvements, as witnessed by our new and improved calendar.

Fish of the Month - Sac-Be is grateful to Yibrán Aragon for sharing these wonderful fish images.

Dive Tip of the Month

Tip - Loggerhead turtles mate in the spring. They start appearing in April and they will often ‘check out’ divers to make sure they have not missed an opportunity to reproduce! The mate several times in the spring and can be found through June or July.
Compliments of Dive with Natalie and Ivan

Also read... My Best Dive Ever
This year, Ivan and I had the privilege of taking a trip around the world. We made some spectacular dives in Yap, Palau, Thailand, and Egypt. But my best dive ever still took place right here in Akumal... Read More

Of Special Interest

Staying Fit on Vacation - Here are 10 fitness tips from Educational Director, Julie Twynham of WaterART Fitness International, Inc. that will assure you enjoy your vacation and stay in tip top shape.

Casa Blanca: Without Humphrey or Greta - This wonderful "first-hand" story was written by Jim Farrell, owner of Nah Hah and Azul Riviera.
On Tuesday, November 11, 2008, my wife Kathy and I found ourselves in the small city of Cosamaloapan, about 100 miles southeast of Veracruz, Mexico. This is not a tourist city. We found ourselves trapped here for five days while our truck transmission was being repaired...

Judy Withington shares some photos and information about the two headed turtle and albinos.
Thanks Judy.

Coincidence or not: there is gorgeous gem of a small town on the Caribbean coast of Mexico and there is another small town nestled on Lake Champlain (in upstate NY) and both seem to share so much in common. It isn't the climate – that's for sure. And it isn't the water temperature, no indeed. But they both have charm, history, and incredible people. But what amazes us most is that so many people have both places in common.

Read an interview with the owner/architect of Dos Jaguares, a beachfront villa in South Akumal.

by Maria Pintkowski - It was a combination of the dental work, a credit card snafu, and radical multi-tasking that led to the accident. My husband, Lou, had dropped me and our friends off at the Costco store and went to have some dental work completed. When Lou was finished at the dentist, he planned to call and meet up with us later...

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:

La Selva Mariposa - Elegant Jungle B&B with 4 suites (sleeps total of 11 guests). There are 3 swimming pools and 5 waterfalls along with a new massage area, gym, and many decks with hammocks and comfortable furniture.

Grand Velas - Hugging the pristine white sand shore of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the newly opened Grand Velas All Suites & SPA Resort Riviera Maya is the pinnacle of all - inclusive vacation luxury.

December 2008  

Christmas at the library - Everyone is invited to our annual Christmas Fiesta! Join us for food, drink, music and Santa  Claus!

Date: Saturday, Dec.20th
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Place: Hekab Be Biblioteca (across the street from the 1st information booth on the entrance road into Playa Akumal)

We still need a few volunteers to help us out with the party. Please contact Maggie at the library or via the Hekab Be blog or email us at akumallibrary@gmail.com
Want to bring a Christmas present for the local children? See our wishlist blog.
read more

Akumal Toy Drive - If you plan to be in the area during December please be sure to give.

Ixchel Boutique and Turtle Bay Cafe are conducting the perfect fundraiser just in time for your holiday shopping. They are selling original jewelry made by Casa Romero's Nancy Poor. Nancy has donated all her time and material and a portion of the proceeds of her jewelery are going to help the Frida library at the Telesecundaria in Akumal and SPAY's free spay and neutering clinics. Ixchel Boutiques has chosen the library to be their charity and Jen at the bakery – as anyone who has visited Akumal knows – is the local animal rescuer and is always available to help you adopt a cat or dog.

I personally did most of my Christmas shopping – and can attest that no two necklaces are alike. The hand work is wonderful. So be sure to buy several for the ladies on your Christmas list. And you'll feel good knowing you are helping two great causes. But be warned you won't be able to resist buying one or two for yourself as well.

What is Montessori Preschool? Part 6 - As every parent knows, a preschool age child wants to be with adults taking part in all the activities that comprise daily life. The Montessori learning materials in the Practical Life area allow the child to do just that.

Q & A with CEA

Question: What are some astonishing things you have seen tourist do in Akumal Bay?

Answer: I could not believe my eyes when I went out for a snorkel the other day and saw a tourist sitting on a turtle while her husband was taking pictures. This may seem absurd and just plain wrong to many, but it is a perfect example of why we must continue to educate people about these magnificent animals and the need to protect them and the bay.

Best, Paul - Director, Centro Ecológico Akumal

Enrique Alcaraz Art Exhibit 2008 - at Casa Magna, Akumal - December 5 & 6

Mark your calendars to be sure to attend CEA's 4th Annual Festival Feb 25 and 26th 2009. They need volunteers and donations for their Silent Auction. If you want to help please contact CEA today. While details are still in the works we can assure you this year will be a real crowd pleaser – and a great cause!

WaterART Fitness International Personal Trainer in Paradise - The participants certainly maximized their time in Akumal. The intention was to train and certify or re-certify as Personal Trainers of WaterART Fitness. In addition, Educational Director, Julie Twynham, met Yibran and managed to take advantage of the incredible locations in Akumal to film for future DVD's and Fitness, Tips both above and below water. Get sneak peek of the video they filmed.

Thanks to the Poor's, owners of Casa Romero in North Akumal, who opened their compound to us. Also thanks to the staff at Hotel Akumal Caribe. Julie says Yibran, local vidoegrapher/photographer and diver is "second to none" and she will definitely use him again. You can see some of Yibran's work by visiting our new Fish ID section.

WaterARTS and Just Imagine Vacations are planning a Walk on the Well Side with a week dedicated to Wellness in Akumal next fall. This trip is being promoted to women who want to get fit and have fun. WaterART is offering CEC credits for instructor and non-instructors, and you are welcome to come and just enjoy the water workouts. In addition we will be offering salsa lessons, dancing, yoga, nutritional tips, beach walking, snorkeling and much more. Contact us to learn more. Make your reservations early to get some great discounts.

Grandparents – at a loss of what to give your grandchildren for Christmas? How about a once in a lifetime trip with you to Akumal. Just Imagine Vacations is offering a Grand Camp during Akumal's 50th Anniversary. Bring your granchildren or children – make it a reunion of a life time. Enjoy the celebrations, Caribbean beaches, Mayan Ruins, and unique Environment. Sign up now – contact us to learn more.