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!

Reviews

Hotel Akumal Caribe - by Lydia Linton Pontius - The first time I drove under the arches I knew I was home. It hit me like no other place I have ever visited. And the first time I stayed at Hotel Akumal Caribe I knew I was staying at my home away from home.

Local News

John Gray Announces - John Gray Restaurant Group is pleased to announce the release of John Gray’s Private Barrel Selection 2008: El Corazon. The Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Sirah, and Grenache blend was created in collaboration between restaurateur/chef John Gray and renowned negociant eleveur and MariaTinto owner and Humberto Falcón.

More from John Gray - Looking for something REALLY different to do with your friends? How about..."Hanging out with John Gray?" It's a cooking class in disguise for men... the female makes the reservation for five to six couples to come into Cancun and the women are taken into the bar to enjoy cocktails/wine/appetizers and the men are shuttled into the kitchen with John and executive chef Karl to cook dinner for the group in one hour. Its a bit of "Iron Chef" in that they are under pressure to get the meal cooked and prepared in one hour, all while drinking beers and learning a bit of how to make a dinner for your friends - in a fun environment. The welcome cocktails, dinner/cooking class costs $1000 pesos per couple (or approx $77USD); while cocktails and other beverages will be sold separately. See some other events happening at the John Gray Restaurants: Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos.

Paddleboarding Comes to Tulum - Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUPs) has hit Tulum!!! This popular sport is spreading across the world as more and more people are getting out cruising and surfing with their SUPs! The sport started as a way for surfing instructors to manage groups and by standing on their longboards they had better visibility of the incoming swells. There will be a free demonstration in Akumal as part of the Women in Wellness Retreat later this month.

New Akumkal Jewelry Story - A new store has opened between the Akumal Real Estate offices and the Pueblito Mini-Supermarket at the entrance to Central Akumal.  The store seems to be quite large and sports a large collection of silver pieces, along with other types of related ‘things’ for the tourists. This news is compliments of The Staff at The Akumalian!

The Akumalian also reminds us about Day Light Savings Time: In Akumal and Europe, DST ends on Sunday, October 25.  Do not forget to turn the clocks back one hour. For the U.S., and only the U.S., DST ends on the first Sunday in November – November 1 – as the clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time.

The time has come for Malu Guijosa to move on, and stop working for Akumal Real Estate. She wanted to thank everyonel for the great experiences that we have shared for many years in the real estate world that is continuously moving around us. She will be taking a few months off and start her own business in Tulum. We expect to hear a lot more from Malu in the future.

Elaanslist.com is available online for use by residents of the Riviera Maya area. This is a classified ads website, similar to the USA's Craiglist, but is devoted only to certain areas. According to the firm, "this marketplace will undoubtably bring together residents and visitors to the site in a business-sort-of-way! We hope that residents along the Riviera Maya will support Elaan so that the listing will continue to grow."

Of Special Interest

Spanish School, Again - by Mari Pintkowski - You would think that after living in Quintana Roo, Mexico, for five years, I would be able to speak Spanish fluently. When my husband, Lou, and I moved to Mexico after taking a community college class to enhance our ancient knowledge of the Spanish language previously studied in high school and college, wouldn’t you think we would have transitioned from the United States to Mexico with ease? Not so!

Something New - from Dive with Natalie and Ivan - Last month, I did something underwater I had never done before. Although, I have been diving professionally for well over 2000 dives, I had never taken the time to take pictures before!

Facebook Feedback From our Friends - Sac-Be is on Facebook! It is a great place to get feedback and suggestions from our "Friends" who know the area the best.

Akumal Turtles - by Steve Dramstad aka Xcalak Steve - One of the biggest attractions on the Riviera Maya is the turtles. Being able to swim and snorkel in close proximity to these animals is an incredible experience. Green Turtles live and feed year round in Akumal Bay. We want to remind everyone it is illegal to bother or harass these magnificent sea creatures.

The Practise of Being Present - by Marti Johnston - Yoga, a practice that reaches back possibly 5,000 years, when once upon a time individuals needed to escape the confines of their society and headed for the hills. Historians indicate that perhaps they were shamans, seeking healing for themselves as a vehicle for healing in their communities, mediating with the gods. They sat in caves and made inquiries, exploring inner universes, seeking ways to free themselves from suffering, from the ego.

The Big Fish of Boca Paila - By Rhett Schrober - You don’t need a boat to catch big fish at Boca Paila! All you need is a sense of adventure and a few tools of the trade. I my case it is a fly rod, reel, flies and a few cold ones in the cooler.

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:

Villa Oceana - 10 steps to the beach, 5 steps to the pool! Enjoy the ultimate family vacation with the convenience of 2 separate outside entrances. Also perfect for 2 couples and their kids!

Steve Dramstad AKA Xcalak Steve - Proud to announce that Steve has joined Sac-Be's contributing writers. His underwater photography is amazing – he somehow captures the true essence and it looks like you can see the motion in his work. Welcome aboard Steve we look forward to your series.

Rhett Schober - many of you know Rhett from Akumal Villas. This is not the first time he has written for Sac-Be, but now you can now learn a little more about him.

Marti Johnston - Akumal Yoga's Marti Johnston, will be adding more information about Yoga and its importance.

We Are Listening

Due to popular request, we have given Chemuyil accommodations its own section.

October 2009 - #21  

Hekab Be Biblioteca - Hekab Be is offering an exciting line-up of classes for local children, to help advance their academic skills in various areas. Note that all classes are offered to children COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE. This is why library supporters’ donations are essential to keeping our programs running!

Light A Candle for Peace - On Monday, September 21, 2009, the children, teachers and parents of Otoch Paal Montessori gathered to celebrate the United Nations International Peace Day. This event was organized in concert with Montessori schools around the world. These students were part of 80,000 children in 35 countries. View the students singing.

Yoga In Akumal's October Schedule.

Updates on Causes

Turtle Season 2009 - The sea turtle season is almost finished. This has been a low year; CEA had to finish its turtle walks almost two months early.

Anat Kah has lots of news from Puerto Aventuras. Among other news they are now an official Mexican Civil Association.

Mexiconservacion has some great resource inforation on their site. One of our readers suggested that we share their Green Guide with you. We are more than happy to promote any news that helps save our precious environment.

Coco's Cat Rescue - Hey all you Coco's followers, there is some great news I don't want you to miss! We have two exciting things going on at the moment at Coco`s cat rescue:
1) VIDAS is now sponsoring Coco`s cat rescue!
This means we can now recieve tax deductible donations in the u.s.through VIDAS!!! There will be more info on this soon on our website. Thank you VIDAS! 2) Coco`s cat rescue has it`s first cat cafe program!
We were approached by the Sandos Caracol eco resort to help with their cat population and presented them with the Mckee cat cafe project. The Sandos hotel were thrilled with our proposal and have already started to build the cat cafe's!!!

AND a way you can help: due to moving, Coco's Cat Rescue needs foster home for the entire month of October.

October 16 - 18 7th Annual Sea Turtle Festival.
Friday, Oct. 16, 4-7pm - Casa de la Cultura de Tulúm: Opening – Murals – Drawing Contest – Sea Turtle Season Information – Cultural Performances – Quelonios Ak, Visual Art Exposition
Saturday, Oct. 17, 7am-2pm, Playa Pescadores, Tulúm and Akumal Bay: Beach Clean Up – Sand Sculpture and Kite Contest. 6pm, Xcacel: Live Music – Performance – Fire Dance – Symbolic Hatchlings Release.  Parking at Xel-Ha.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 10am-8pm, Akumal: PET Contest – Drums – Mayan Ceremony.  7pm, Symbolic Hatchlings Release

October 24 – November 4 Women In Wellness Schedule of Events Women In Wellness Adds Sunset Catamaran Cruise to its list of wonderful activities. It isn't too late for locals to sign up and join us. AND we are working with John Gray for their evening in Playa. Don't miss out on these activities and the great workshops, Contact Lydia for more information. Some of these great events are limited so don't miss out.

October 31 - Don't forget Halloween at La Buena Vida in Akumal. Also read halloween 09.

November 8 - Xel-Ha Triatholon - 7:00 AM, at the Xel-Ha´s floating bridge. Categories per age first and then at 7:10 AM and 7:15 AM children and teenagers aged 9 to 15, respectively.

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

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

November 27 - Coco's Cat Rescue Fundraiser - Join in the fun and help a great cause. At Zenzi's in Playa Del Carmen on Friday November 27th. With dancing, contests and prizes. Plus you will be helping lots of cats and kittens.

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

Akumal Direct - specializes in renting villas, condos and hotels in Akumal, South Akumal, Soliman Bay and Tankah Bay. They offer personalized and convenient service.

Casa Cielo - Elegant and eclectic beachfront luxury villa in South Akumal. Located just a few minutes from Akumal proper on one of the area's best beaches. Casa Cielo offers both comfort and elegance!

Chan Chemuyil - a development of single family homes are perfectly located within walking distance (less than 10 minutes) to one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Riviera Maya - Xcacel Beach, recently voted 4th best beach in Mexico.