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

Blue Parrot - by Lydia Linton Pontius - When I had a chance to stay at Blue Parrot on 5th Avenue, in Playa del Carmen, I couldn't have been more delighted. And when I walked into my room I was so pleasantly surprised, it was even more delicious than I had expected.

Hacienda Tres Rios - by Lydia Linton Pontius - When you first approach the resort you are very aware of the environment around you and how the owner's sought to protect it. The roads wind through the jungle so you can't help but start to feel one with the nature around you. The hustle and bustle leaves and you start to unwind, maybe roll down the window to soak in the smells and the sounds.

Local News

Akumal Pueblo elects a new Mayor - Just a few weeks ago the citizens of the Akumal Pueblo went to the polls and in an overwhelming majority elected their new mayor for a 2 year term - Habram Refon Tun. Many of you may know Habram from his work as the manager of Luna Azul condominiums and also from his work as a local professional guide in our area.

An Akumal Council General Assembly meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 18. 

Mario's Pizza has recently opened in Akumal.

Xel-Ha reaches Milestone - The Natural Park Xel-Ha registered its 8,000,000th visitor. Armando Robledo Lara, from Mexico City , who during his summer vacations in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, had the lucky strike of getting to the park’s box offices to purchase his tickets to the Natural Wonder, and receiving the huge surprise of being granted permanent free access.

Of Special Interest

Come to Mahahaul - by Carol Tumber and Alan Knight of The Balamku Inn on the Beach - South of Tulum by 2 hours and a bit, just past the Sian Ka’an Reserve, is the Costa Maya region. The new highway from 307 to Mahahual, just south of Limones, brings you directly into town and a new experience. The ADO bus comes right into town as well. It’s worth the drive to meet the friendly folks who live and work here. Yes, “laid-back” is used a lot to describe our area; that is the charm.

Volunteerism on the Riviera Maya - by Michele Kinnon - Volunteerism is the practice of people working on behalf of others without being motivated by financial or material gain. Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote an improved quality of life, locally and globally.

Flyfishing and More in Xcalak - By Caroline Wexler - I couldn’t have been more astonished when Bernard, a fly fisherman from Belgium, said that. When leaving Casa Carolina, most guests talk about coming back. I know that “life intrudes” and many of them will not be back. But guess what: Bernard has been back four times. He has now decided which guide is his favorite. Bernard is not interested in a grand slam. He comes just to hunt permit, and does so very successfully.

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 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 Playa del Caribe - a fabulous 4 bedroom 4 bath home just outside of Akumal. It is located right on the beach and has a spectacular view of the ocean.

Casa Magica - Nestled on the white sand beaches of Jade Bay, amid lush tropical palms, lies the recently completed Casa Magica. This four bedroom, four and a half bath dream home will cast a spell over you and entice you to vacation in absolute luxury!

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. 

Caroline Wexler - Caroline and her husband, Bob Villier, began traveling the Yucatan in 1988. After their first visit to Xcalak in 1994, they bought land there, and began planning Casa Carolina Beach Resort, which opened in 2000.

Carol Tumber - Carol is a Canadian from Toronto who decided to change lifestyles when she and Alan Knight bought land on Costa Maya 9 years ago. Since then, they built Balamku Inn on the Beach as a dramatic alternative to the big city life.

Riviera Maya Groceries - Our purpose is to provide you with any groceries you might need for your vacation. Spend your holiday time on the beach and let us shop for you in the best stores of the Riviera Maya.

Dr. Bernardo Diaz - Medical Services in the Mayan Riviera from Puerto Morelos to Tulum Q. Roo

What Our Advertisers Say

Good Morning Lydia,

I want to tell you how happy we have been with our Sac-be ad. When I check my site meter to see what links brought people to our website, I am surprised how many come from Sac-be. It is a great little paper.

We have a bed and breakfast in Paraiso Tankah. We retired to Mexico in November, and had our first guests the end of December 2008. Things have been going great for us, and we are happy we made the move. We adopted a beautiful little dog from Peanut Pet Shelter in Feb., and our guests love her.

I would like to invite you to a complimentary stay with us, and would love to have you reveiw us. Please let me know if that is possible.

Sincerely,
Diane and Phil Buchanan
www.casaamordelsol.com

For more information about our very affordable advertising programs please email us.

September 2009 - #20  

Hekab Be Biblioteca - The library will re-open on September 14th after taking a short break to reorganize and get ready for the new school year.

Montessori update - Akumal's Montessori preschool, Otoch Paal (meaning Children’s House in Mayan), initiated its 5th year of operation with a newly completed classroom.

Women in Wellness. Attention local women!!!! Women In Wellness just added a Women In Wellness dinner Wednesday October 28th at Lol Ha Restaurant, following the Salsa Workshop at Happy Hour. AND an Intro to Yoga at Akumal Yoga Monday October 26th 8-10 AM.

Sign up for workshops and certifications while there is still room. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of this International Women In Wellness Retreat. Join women leaders from Mexico, US and Canada October 24th – November 4th. Anyone living in the area, or vacationing who wants to be a part of these great activities please contact Lydia now to sign up. Destress for Success – 3 part workshop (pdf). WaterART Instructor Certification, Personal Trainer, Arthritis Certification and Mind Body Certifications including Aqua Tai Chi, Pilate and Yoga. Salsa Lessons, Fashion Show and Luncheon and more. If you don't live in the area and have not yet made your reservations to join us contact Lydia now. Check out the full schedule here.

Taste of Playa - held this last weekend. Congratulations. We have heard nothing but rave reviews!! read more>>>

Paddleboard Lessons - Extreme Control is offering basic lessons and rentals with different kinds of boards depending on your style. We have boards for cruising and for surfing waves in order to enjoy the various conditions we have in Tulum. Stand Up and learn this popular sport today and get a 10% off of your rental! Group Classes $20 usd/hour (min. 4 people) plus 1 hour free rent included for the group. Private Lessons for $50 usd/hour plus 1 hour free rent time. Rental is $20 usd/hour.

Updates on Causes

From Peanut Pet Shelter - We are proud to announce that our Online Store will officially open on September 1st. We have quite a few great items to offer including Peanut Pet Shelter mugs, t-shirts, hoodies, sweat shirts, key chain/bottle openers, PDC oval stickers, jewelry and one particularly special item. It is this item that brings me to our next exciting announcement.

We are offering a very special limited edition Peanut Pet Shelter two-piece fridge magnet. What makes this magnet special? It is special because from those who purchase this magnet, one lucky person will receive a very special “thank you” gift from us (including our very special local businesses) of...

Coco's Cat Rescue What is a pup doing at a Cat Rescue. Malix is looking for a home, read more about this lucky puppy and more that is happening with Coco's Cat Rescue in their latest newsletter.

Turtle Walks with CEA - Akumal is a Mayan word for Place of the Turtles. It is a year-round home to juvenile green turtle that feed off the sea grass in the bays. But from May – October it is also a nesting ground for Loggerhead and Green Turtles.

Xcacel Needs Your Help! - Xcacel is in danger again as Fideicomiso Empresarial Punta Carey wants to build a hotel in Xcacel - the most important green and loggerhead nesting beaches in Mexico. Please write to express your displeasure.

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 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.