News From Puerto Aventuras
Spring 2006
June 2nd 2006
Today, while doing my usual evening walk at the marina I was amazed by the number of big mahi-mahi (called dorado in Spanish) I saw. There were so many that made me think that something special happened today.So, I decided to investigate.
Esequiel, one fisherman of Puerto Aventuras, was very nice and patient, providing all kind of details not only about today's event, also about the sport fishing at Puerto Aventuras.
It turn out that today was the "Marina Day". This is the day in which traditionally, fishermen honor the sea and the men who had died on sea accidents. They do so by placing on the water several flower offers.
Today, not only they did this, they also participated in the Sport Fishing Contest of the Riviera Maya celebrated in Playa del Carmen.
I am very proud to report that Puerto Aventuras passed the test with honors, claiming for our marina 3 of the first 4 prizes. Our congratulations to all Puerto Aventuras' fishermen!!!
To give you an idea of the importance of this contest, I will mention that the first prize was a 4X4 and the second price was a car.
Esequiel also explained to me that Puerto Aventuras is an ideal spot for whoever wants to practice this sport. There are so many species here, that all year around you will be able to catch something, although, Esequiel was very clear saying that they cannot guarantee that the tourist will catch something.
Even though you can fish any day of the year, the best months for this sport are from April to the beginning of June, with some variations depending on the moon.
The average number of Mahi-Mahi that a PA boat can catch in any given day of the Mahi-Mahi season is eighteen (yes, eighteen), and if you come in the middle of the season you can catch a Mahi-Mahi 2 meters long! At the beginning and at the end of the season the Mahi-Mahi caught tend to be smaller.
At the end of the fishing day, the tourist who went out and was lucky enough to return with a big catch can opt for leaving the catch with the local fishermen (as this is their main "salary") or for taking some fish back with them. If they are staying on a place were they cannot cook or if they are just not in the mood to prepare it (at the end of the day, tourist came here to rest) they can take their catch to the local restaurants, which they will be happy to prepare it for them.
May 24th 2006
I was doubting whether to put this piece of news in this page, but after all, for me as a mother, this is the most important piece of news that happened today in Puerto.
Today was Karin's 1st birthday.
We celebrate it with an exquisite dinner at Tiramisu, where Donna had arranged Karin's table with balloons.
You should have seen Karin's face when everybody started to sing Happy Birthday and the candle was lit for her.
We would like to thank Donna and her staff for such a special meal, and all the tourist that were having dinner at Tiramisu today, for singing along and clapping with us, making Karin's first birthday a very special day.
May 24th 2006
The work on the expansion from 2 to 4 lanes on the Tulum-Cancun highway reached PA. Here is a pic of the machinery just at the entrance of Puerto Avenutras.
At the speed that they are working, it won't be long until we have a nice 4 lanes highway.
May 23rd 2006
After Cancun airport news, we decided to go to the airport and check first hand what effect the lack of radar had on the flights.
We saw the airport as busy as usual, no extra delays, neither extra people waiting in the corridors.
Amazed for the lack of super long boarding queues, we interview one of the ASUR (company that runs Cancun Airport) managers. We found out that there has been no delays on the flights due to the new radar installation. Last Sunday 465 flights were dealt by the Cancun airport. The reason for not having extra problems is that even when 12 inbound flights per hour sound like too few, is more or less the same that the airport normally deal with.
During this week the airport has been dealing with 12 inbound flight and 20 outbound flights per hour.
Saying this, there has been some delays, but due to other reasons. One of them has been the change in boarding pass paper. Some boardings were stop by airport authorities, until the airline changed the paper used to the new one.
So, after all, do not be too worry about your flight. It seams that everything is under control at Cancun airport and business is running as usual.
May 21th 2006
Cancun airport will operate by IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) during the next three weeks.
The reason for this change in the operations mode is that the airport radar will be changed by a new one.
We just read on the Saturday edition of the local newspaper "Por Esto!", that due to this, Cancun airport will be handling only 20 flights per hour. Only twelve of them will be incoming and eight outgoing.
If we add this to the fact that the FBO Terminal (the one normally used by the charter's airlines) has been closed since Wilma due to repairs, we can expect a crowded airport.
This measurements will apply from the 22nd of May until the 11th of June, therefore we recommend that you check with your travel agent and/or airline company for any possible changes/delays on your flights through the Cancun airport.
May 20th 2006
Here is the fresh new gossip, coming from the horse's mouth.
The owners of the Serena SPA decided to take the hotel down and build in the same spot a condominium. They told us that there will build 14 luxury apartments with a very nice beach and a big swimming pool. It is a pity not to count with the Serena any more, but the new condo will go very well with the rest of the buildings in the area.
This change also shows the evolution of Puerto Aventuras. When a town starts re-building in the same spot, it shows that it has reached a maturity point and it also proves that is flexible enough to learnt how to change with the current needs of the area. We are very used to see this kind of thing in places like Miami, but this is the first "new" building being tier down in Puerto Aventuras.
So, here is our farewell to the Serena Hotel and SPA and our welcome to Puerto Aventuras new mature phase! A new town, already with history.
On the back of the Serena SPA picture you can see how much development is going on in the same spot. Only around the lagoon there are seven developments going on at the moment. Additionally, three more condominiums are on the go in the beach area just in front of the lagoon.
The good news is that as everything is being build at the same moment, the lagoon area will be totally build in one year or so, and then, this corner of Puerto will look even prettier.
It already counts with one of the best views and, it seams, that it will have the best looking condos too.
May 15th 2006
Playa del Carmen growths keeps going on. New business appear like mushrooms in autumn. We definitely no longer need to go to Cancun for groceries.
At this moment we have five supermarkets: Sam's Club, Walmart, Mega Comercial Mexicana, Chedraui and San Francisco de Assis.
A new big mall is under construction on the Federal Highway in front of Sam's Club. It will host a movie theatre with 18 screens, a Price Club and a big Soriana store, between others. This week the opening of the new Office Depot mark an important deadline for the city.
If, as usual, the big "Depot" stores march together, we can guess that other stores like "Home Depot" will be coming shortly.
The new hospital "Hospiten" is almost ready. It won't be long until they open their doors.
All the development in Playa del Carmen only increases the price of the condos in Puerto Aventuras, so home owners here we are very happy as now we have more infrastructure and a better value investment.
May 10th 2006
May 10th is the day dedicated to the Mothers in Mexico. I know that such a day exists in almost every country, but I think that you need to be a Mother in Mexico to enjoy it in full terms.
Here everybody greets the mothers. Not only your own kids. You receive calls from all your friends.
You really feel how important is to be a mother and how much others appreciate the job that you are doing.
Each school performs a little due in honor of the mothers.
The PA daycare "Mi Escuelita" was not an exception to this rule.
The little ones, from 2 to 5 years old, danced on the PA Cultural Center to celebrate the day.
After a well performed dance, all families gathered together for a nice breakfast.
The spirit of community reign the day. This is one of the things I just love about Puerto Aventuras.
One of the few places in the world where you can still enjoy living in a community.
March 27th 2006
We had many enquiries about ATM's in PA. Some wanted to know if we have them. Others wanted to know where they are. Well, here is the proof that they exist. We have at least two, although I've been told that they might be others.
Santander Serfin bank just placed a brand new ATM less than a month ago. It is the easiest to find. It is located at the marina commercial area, right beneath the CEDAM museum.
Banamex (Citibank) also has an ATM in Puerto.
This one is a little bit more hidden. It is in the marina area. In the commercial zone just outside the Omni hotel. The easiest way to find it is to walk up to the Omni main entrance.
From there walk along the commercial area that is just outside the Omni (do not cross towards the dolphins). Once you reach Captain Rick's office you are one door too far away. Return one door and you will see the ATM inside.
Both ATM's are connected to VISA and Master Card networks, so even when your card belongs to an other bank, you can still withdraw money.
March 22nd 2006
As promised,here is the picture of the renewed palapa at the main entrance of PA.
It was taken at 5:30 PM, time when most of the workers are leaving Puerto to go back home. As you can see, bikes are their preferred transportation system. This helps to keep PA as an eco system friendly place.
I thought that you might like to see the new front of the Church. Not only the palapa is new.
They also added some extra details, as the path made out of palm trees and the wooden grid showing a cross in the front.
March 17th 2006
Spring has arrived to Puerto Aventuras!! We would like to thank the kids of Puerto Aventuras School and their Mommies for the nice parade that we enjoyed today.
Several golf carts, embellished for the occasion, full of kids dressed in very cute customs tour around the streets of PA.
With no doubts this is the nicest time of the year in PA.
You should come and see all the improvements that have been done in the last two months in this area.
I also would like to thank the mothers who allowed me to take this pictures today.
About This Page
We moved permanently to Puerto Aventuras in Mexico's Riviera Maya a little after Emily departed and now with the coming and going of Wilma feel quite settled.
We hope to make regular updates about what is happening around Puerto Aventuras and the Riviera Maya, but would like to point out that there are no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information offered here. Use it as you will but it is mainly gossip and hearsay! You have been warned!
