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 e-mail us at info@sac-be.com. Enjoy!

Summer is here and everyone is in the water! Whether you are swimming in the bays of the Mayan Riviera or in pools in your U.S. neighborhoods, we at Sac-Be want to remind you all of the importance of learning how to swim. Our publisher, Lydia Pontius, recently had an article in the Charleston, South Carolina Post and Courier that we hope will be an inspiration to others who face fears of the water.

What's New

Martha Mendoza with the Associated Press gives a very different look at the border between the U.S. And Mexico. With more important issues such as the Gulf oil disaster, can't we all just get along? I know we are preaching to the choir here, but pass this information on to others.

Gynna at Gynn'AK is now catching and serving Lionfish in her restaurant to help combat the invasion.

Centro Ecológico Akumal's latest turtle numbers for this season are:

• Half Moon Bay – 10 loggerhead nests
• Akumal Bay – 3 loggerhead nests
• Jade Beach – 10 loggerhead nests
• South Akumal – 0 nests

Congratulations to Dani, Jamie and Eden on the birth of Nash, a healthy baby boy: 8 pounds, 8 ounces, 21.8 inches, arrived June 3, 2010.

Dive Tip of the Month

Tip – Even if you have been to a dive site before, keep an eye out for new creatures. Sometimes they can pass over you in the distance unnoticed, so make a habit of looking around and above you every few minutes in case you get to find something special! Read Seeing the Sea Is Why I Love Diving.

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

Of Special Interest

Starting a Business in Mexico – Many foreigners have moved to Mexico and started successful businesses. Some are multinational corporations, such as Wal-Mart or General Motors. Foreign manufacturers have moved some of their operations to Mexican factories, called maquiladoras. Individual entrepreneurs start various kinds of businesses, such as opening a small hotel, managing a real estate agency, operating a tour company or simply renting their vacation home. courtesy of Yucatan Expatriate Services.

Walking in the Footsteps of Michel Peissel: Part 3 – by Mari Pintkowski – On May 23, 2010, Wendy Morrill and her father, Richard, embarked on the last 48 hours of their adventure to walk in the footsteps of Michel Peissel, the first white man to walk the Caribbean shore of Mexico and cross the border into Belize. This young explorer shared his adventure in The Lost World of Quintana Roo, a book I had admired for years.

The Frogs in the Jungle – by Eva Estes – I have an interest with my best friend in supporting his building a healing temazcal (sweat lodge) behind the pueblo of Akumal. He has no problem going in and out on his bicycle, and working to keep it maintained. I have always been reluctant, being a middle-aged woman, to ride along beside him, but this time I thought I would leave my cats behind and my little room in the Pueblo and go with him for a couple of days.

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.

Azul Riviera - Azul Riviera is a landmark villa in Akumal and one of the largest villas with over 4,000 square feet of living space. Located on Yal-Ku Lagoon which is like an enormous outdoor aquarium – an amazing view!

Casa Blue Tang - Part of the "Romero Complex" which contains Casa Romero, Casa French Angel, and Casa Blue Tang. Built by a close associate of Pablo Bush Romero, the founder of Akumal, the Romero Complex occupies the best location in Akumal with direct access to Yal-Ku Lagoon, and great views of both the lagoon and the ocean.

Villa Nicte-Ha - Mayan for "Water Lily" this villa is a bright and warm home. Featured in Architectural Digest, Nicte-Ha is furnished with Mexican antiques and original paintings, and features hand-painted Mexican Talavera tiles in the kitchen and baths.

Advertiser News

From Akumal Investments:

This is a newly completed 12-unit condo complex with underground parking, storage, community pool, and a 2-minute walk to the beach. Located in Sirenis, 3 minutes from Akumal. The developer has agreed to a deep discount on the first two units to go under contract this month. We have a ground floor unit, second floor unit, and 3 fantastic penthouses to choose from.

Los Arboles Tulum is the only fully entitled, environmentally responsible jungle real estate development in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Los Arboles lets you own a 5-acre eco-hideaway property south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, minutes away from Tulum's sparkling beaches, ancient Maya ruins, pristine cenotes, the natural wonders at Sian Ka'an Biosphere preserve and the Xel-Ha eco-water park.

June 2010 - #29

Hekab Be Biblioteca – Seven-year-old Liset showed up at the library a few months ago without a word of Spanish. Fortunately, our multilingual Assistant Director, Carlos, speaks Mayan (in addition to Spanish and English). He discovered that Liset had just moved to Akumal from a small town where everyone speaks Mayan and her school was also taught in Mayan. Be sure to visit Hekab's blog.

Celebrating Mothers at Otoch Paal Montessori – by Eleanor Zucker - In honor of children's first and most important teachers, their mothers, every year the Otoch Paal staff put on a very special Mother's Day breakfast. On this day the children prepare a song which they perform, present a gift that each child has made for their mom, and get to serve breakfast to their mothers.

Anat Kah is pleased to announce that they have made their first round of grants to community organizations in Puerto Aventuras! Thanks to generous donors from around the world, they are able to grant more than $11,000 USD to four local groups who have served the community in a variety of ways for years. read more ...

PET OF THE MONTH

We don't have an official pet of the month this month, but we took this photo from Coco's Cat Rescue adoption page.

Here's what Coco's has to say about adopting cats: "To adopt a kitten you will be asked to give a donation of 250 pesos. This includes the spay/neuter of the kitten. You will also be asked to bring a copy of your ID, proof of where you live and we will also ask you to fill out the adoption form and ask you some questions.

Cross-border adoptions are very easy. We sort out all the paperwork and can help find a "mule," if you are unable to take the kitten home yourself. ou will be responsible for paying the flight fee and the adoption fee of 250 pesos."

With this face and that knowledge, how can you resist?

UPDATES ON CAUSES

Peanut Pet Shelter still needs you to vote so they can raise money through a $10,000 USD grant to help more animals. It is easy and only takes a minute – vote here.

You can help save the animals in Mexico from cruelty by letting your voice be heard. It only takes a moment to help.

Coco's Spay and Neuter Clinic is Open – Volunteers spent a lot of time preparing for the opening—sealing and painting the interior walls and ceilings, then moving in equipment and supplies. The entire building is air-conditioned and the bathrooms are used for quarantine. Two of the upstairs rooms are play areas for the kittens.

VIDAS is trying to raise some money. They are looking for businesses to sponsor VIDAS with a $100 USD donation. Last year some of the VIDAS members paid with their own money to stay in the second house. Please help us raise money so that this year they don't have to spend any more money, other than their flights, on helping our community. If you have a company that can donate a small amount of money ... please read more.

June 19 - Arabian Night at Lol-Ha Snack Bar in Akumal. Starting at 7:30 PM and featuring Gynna belly dancing, with an Arabic Appetizer Plate Special. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful dance.

July 17 - ViDAS Spay and Neuter Clinic, Playa del Carmen. The location is the school Jose España Cruz in the Colosio on Calle 104, between Av 10 and 15. Intake is between 9 AM and noon daily.

November 1-8 - The WaterART certifications will coincide with the Second Annual Women in Wellness. Here is a look at this year's schedule of events. VIP tickets will be available for all events or you can attend part of the week. Contact Just Imagine Vacations for more information.

November 1-8 - The Second Annual Women In Wellness Event is going to be bigger and better this year. Just Imagine Vacations, Inc. is putting the final touches on the schedule. If you are interested in participating as a presenter or workshop leader, please contact Lydia this month. Get a sneak peak of some of the events! Registration is required, via e-mail in advance or in person at Lol-Ha November 1 from 4-7 PM. We are encouraging locals to join in, and you should treat yourself to some really fun events. After all, it is low season—relax and do something nice for yourself. Or check it out on Facebook.

November 21 - Second Annual Taste of Playa is scheduled. Mark your calendar; it is going to be delicious.

REMINDER: If you have any events coming up in 2010, please send us the information so we can get it posted on our Events Calendar.

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