Issue #59
This Week (Jun 5 - Jun 11, 2026)
Chef Umberto
Your Weekly Window Into Paradise
Friday June 5, 2026
Trivia Questionβ
What is the name of the traditional Mayan "rain god" whose favor is sought during the hot, humid days of June to ensure a good harvest?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter
Bacalar on a Budget: Floating through 3.5 Billion years of history
π Welcome to this week’s Puerto Morelos Insider
Last weekend's Día de la Marina celebration was absolutely incredible. The energy in the town square was electric, with Grupo Más Kumbia delivering a high-energy performance that had the entire plaza filled with people dancing late into the night.
And of course, the greased pole competition at the pier was hilarious and unforgettable. If you missed it, check out our video on Facebook.
This week, we have some great news about our beaches. While much of the Riviera Maya has been dealing with sargassum issues, our local Puerto Morelos beaches have been pretty much sargassum-free with clean, clear water.
If you have been thinking about a beach day, this is the time to take it.
Beyond the beach, we have reggae celebrations, Chef Umberto's special Hot Summer Pop-Up Dinner, a new taco trail launching soon, and plenty of ways to enjoy the town.
Let's dive into what is happening in paradise this week. See you out on the town!
This Week’s Insider Picks
1. πΆ Caribbean Reggae Crew 2nd Anniversary at Diving Bar
Spend your Sunday by the sea with a full-day celebration of reggae, rhythm, and community at Diving Bar. Caribbean Reggae Crew is marking its second anniversary with Reggae Music Forever, bringing DJs, MCs, and roots reggae energy to the beach from late morning through sunset.
This crew is about more than music. CRC promotes reggae with social meaning and awareness, using sound system culture to reclaim public spaces and encourage unity, respect, and culture on a nonprofit basis. It’s a free, all-day gathering with a strong Puerto Morelos community vibe.
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Diving Lodge, Av. Javier Rojo Gómez, Puerto Morelos (next to Unico Beach Club)
Admission: Free
2. π½οΈ Pop-Up Dinner with Chef Umberto: Hot Summer Menu
Chef Umberto is bringing a one-night-only beachside dinner to KI Restaurant at Ojo de Agua Beach Club, built around refreshing, vibrant flavors made for the hottest days of summer. The menu takes guests on a globe-trotting summer journey, from cold avocado soup inspired by Mexico and California to Scandinavian chilled poached salmon, Italian insalata Caprese, Japanese zaru soba, Jamaican jerk chicken, Korean bulgogi, and a French almond fruit tart with fresh summer berries. It’s a carefully curated multi-course experience designed to beat the heat in style.Date:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. check-in, seating & cocktail hour; 7:00 p.m. dinner service begins
Location: KI Restaurant at Ojo de Agua Beach Club
Cost: $700 pesos per person; drinks not included
Reservations: Required; spaces are strictly limited
Click Here To Reserve On Whatsapp
3. πΎ Bingo in Aid of Cause4Paws at Tulipan
After a successful May 26 event, Bingo for a Cause is back by popular demand at Tulipan. Come out for another round of fun, prizes, great food, and drink specials, with eyes down at 5:00 p.m. This one supports Cause4Paws, a local charity helping displaced dogs and cats. Donations help the organization rescue and care for animals in need, so every card played helps support a good cause.Date:
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: Eyes down at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Tulipan restaurant Calle 43 and Calle Chaca , Puerto Morelos (La Colonia)
Admission: Free (donations appreciated)

Weekly Weather

Local Business Spotlight
Mile's Kitchen

Global Comfort Food with a Local Heart
Mile’s Kitchen brings a warm, easygoing comfort-food experience to the heart of Puerto Morelos. The menu leans into generous, satisfying dishes with a wide range of crowd-pleasing choices. “Our new favorite portside restaurant is Mile's Kitchen. We returned a second night in a row for a great margarita and excellent service by our waiter Victor. The mac & cheese balls and habanero wings are good appetizers and the chicken schnitzel with gravy was delicious with generous portion sizes. Two thumbs up!” “The meals and service was excellent. Portions were large and prices very reasonable as both meals were delicious... The menu has a variety of choices. We definitely will return.” “Owned by 2 of the most friendly Canadians Miles and Andy. All staff very professional and so kind and helpful. Great service! They make you feel like old friends... Food was amazing! Try the Miles lasagna, ribs and the schnitzel.”
With a menu and atmosphere designed for both locals and travelers who want familiar flavors, relaxed service, and a place that feels welcoming from the moment they sit down.
Guests can start the day with breakfast favorites like French toast, avocado toast, scrambled eggs, and Mile’s Famous Breakfast Skillet.
Then come back later for sausages, starters, pastas, ribs, schnitzel, lasagna, wings, coconut shrimp, and a rotating pie of the day.
Locals enjoy that mix of international comfort food and Puerto Morelos hospitality: it is casual enough for an easy meal, but still feels personal and cared for.
Puerto Discount Card: Mile’s Kitchen accepts the Puerto Discount Card and offers 10% off, not valid with other promotions.What People Are Saying:
— Tish B. K. (Facebook)
“Food is FANTASTIC and the price can't be beat. The ribs were tender and juicy... One of the owners, Andy, came by to check on us and was so hospitable.”
— Amy S. (Google)
— Maureen H. (Facebook)
— Jamie M. (Google)Mile's Kitchen Info:
Location:
Javier Rojo Gomez 17, Puerto Morelos (next to El Campanario)
Phone / WhatsApp: +52 998 353 4352
Email: andypro4653 @ gmail.com
Website: mileskitchen.com.mx
Menu: mileskitchen.com.mx/menu
Hours: Breakfast from 7 AM to 11 AM. Lunch from 1 PM to 4 PM. Dinner until 11 PM. Mile’s Kitchen has also has late-night sausages from 9 PM to 11 PM with 8 different styles of sausages.
π Insider Tip:
If you like ribs you will LOVE Mile's ribs. So tender the meat comes right off the bone. And a slab of ribs so big Fred Flintsone would approve. You can take half home for another meal and still be full. If you can't tell... it's our favorite! It comes with a side of pasta so you can try their famous Lasagna too. Insider Tip: 2-for-1 Season Many restaurants offer "low season" discounts or 2-for-1 specials starting in June to keep business flowing. Local News Puerto Morelos Is Building a Taco Trail Puerto Morelos, Mexico is about to make eating tacos even more fun. A new program called the "Ruta del Tacón" will let visitors collect stamps in a passport as they eat their way across town. About 20 local restaurants will take part in the program. You visit each spot, try their tacos, and collect a stamp. Once you finish the route, you unlock special deals tied to the nearby Ruta de los Cenotes. The cenote connection is a big deal. It encourages visitors to eat lunch in town, then head into the jungle for the afternoon. That means more time, and more money, spent in Puerto Morelos. The program is still being developed, so details on restaurants and rewards are not out yet. The Puerto Morelos Tourism Secretariat is leading the effort. Keep an eye on their official announcements for updates on when it launches. México Invita: The Free Travel App Mexico has launched a new free travel app called México Invita (Mexico Invites You), created as part of the country’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But travelers do not need to be soccer fans to find it useful. The app is designed to help visitors explore Mexico more easily, with information available in English and Spanish for both Android and iPhone users. México Invita is organized into three main sections: Discover Mexico, 2026 FIFA World Cup Information, and Useful Services. The Discover Mexico section includes travel ideas for all 32 Mexican states, including tourism routes, Pueblos Mágicos, gastronomy, cultural attractions, museums, archaeological zones, accommodation recommendations, and a tourist events calendar. The Useful Services section may be especially helpful for visitors unfamiliar with Mexico. To download it, search “México Invita” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or use the links below. México Invita app for Android Phone Uber at Cancun Airport Is Still a Gamble Thinking about taking an Uber from the Cancun airport to your hotel? You might want to wait before you hit that "request" button. Uber says they won a court case that allows them to pick up passengers safely. They believe the police should stop "arbitrary" crackdowns on their drivers. However, the Mexican government says Uber still lacks the right permits. Since the airport is federal land, officials say they can still fine or stop unauthorized drivers. Drivers still face heavy fines and their cars can be towed. If this happens to your ride, you and your bags could be left on the side of the road. To stay safe, travelers should pre-book a licensed shuttle or private transfer service. These rides are authorized and legal, so you won’t have to worry about any drama. It might cost a few dollars more than an app ride, but it is much more reliable. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride to Puerto Morelos without any stress. Sargassum Report NOAA's New Daily Sargassum Tracker A massive wave of sargassum seaweed could hit Caribbean beaches in 2026, and scientists say it could be one of the worst years on record. The good news? There is a brand new tool to help you prepare. NOAA upgraded its Sargassum Inundation Risk tool, called the SIR, to give daily updates on where the seaweed is headed. It is now seven times more detailed than before, covering areas down to about half a mile. Rotting sargassum releases a gas that smells like rotten eggs and can cause breathing problems, especially for kids and older adults. It can also harm sea turtles and fish living near the coast. Check the free daily maps at aoml.noaa.gov before heading to the beach. Adoptable Furry Friend Hi, I'm Sombra. π€ I'm an 8-month-old black kitty looking for my forever humans. Everyone says I'm sweet, friendly, and full of curiosity. I love being petted, don't mind being picked up, and I'm always ready to explore every corner of my world. I'm neutered, vaccinated, and litter box trained, so I'm ready to move right in. What I need now is a safe home, a little space to play, and people who will love me as much as I'll love them. If you're looking for a loyal little shadow to follow you around and keep you company, I might be your guy. Could you be my forever family? Click on the link below and comment "I'm Interested" ("me interesa") on the FB post to learn more about me! Events Directory Last weekend’s big fiesta in the town square may have been the headline, but Puerto Morelos is not slowing down. There is still a full week of music, dancing, World Cup, and community fun ahead.
Keep an eye on local Facebook groups or just walk around the square. You'll see the chalkboards out front advertising the deals.
That Leads Straight Into the Jungle
Puerto Morelos Is Getting a Taco Trail
How It Works
More Than Just Tacos
What's Next
Read More...
Worth Downloading Before Your Next Trip
What’s Inside
Practical Help for Travelers
It includes emergency number 911, México Contigo kiosks, Green Angels roadside assistance, and other traveler support resources.
México Invita app for Apple iPhone
Read More... 
The Legal Battle
Play It Safe
Read More... 
Could Be a Game Changer
A Better Way to Track the Seaweed
Why This Is More Than Just a Beach Problem
Read More... 
Love,
Sombra πΎ
Also, good news for the dance crowd: Los Molcajetes was only closed for remodeling, and they are back, open, and ready for more dance parties.New Events Added This Week
Salsa & Bachata Classes at Muses
Saturday, June 6, 7-9 PM (Muses)
Start the weekend with some movement and learn a few salsa and bachata steps in a fun, social setting. $100 MXN per class.
Cumbia Night with Caribe Son Machin
Saturday, June 6, 9:00 PM (Los Molcajetes)
Los Molcajetes is back from remodeling, and Caribe Son Machin is bringing the cumbia energy. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for a lively night out. Free admission.
Hiram Gomez Elite Band
Monday, June 8, 8:00 PM (La Sirena)
Ease into the week with an excellent night of jazz from Hiram Gomez Elite Band at La Sirena. Free admission.
Bingo in aid of Cause4Paws
Tuesday, June 9, 5:00 PM (Tulipan)
Play a few rounds, win some prizes, and help support Cause4Paws and their work with local rescue animals. Free admission. Donations accepted for the charity
World Cup Opening Match Party - México vs South Africa
Thursday, June 11 12:30 PM (La Sirena)
The World Cup kicks off with México vs South Africa, and Antojitos Clarens is turning it into a proper party with food, drinks, live music, and plenty of football excitement. 12:30 - Opening Ceremonies
14:00 - Match begins.
Highway 307
Saturday, June 13, 9:00 PM (La Sirena)
A little country never hurt anyone. Highway 307 brings a country night to La Sirena, perfect for a Saturday night out. Free Admission.
Got an Event to Share?
Have an event coming up in Puerto Morelos? Submit it here and help us keep building the most complete local events calendar in town. Chaac. He is often depicted with a lightning axe and is believed to reside in cenotes and caves