Your Weekly Window Into Paradise Friday October 16, 2026 |
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Our friends at Loncheria Sandro have reopened! If you haven’t tried their food yet, drop by and check it out. We’re big fans of the Hangover Tacos and Enchiladas Veracruzanas.
But it gets better... a new series of intimate jazz concerts is starting there, with shows twice a month curated by drummer Rubén Pastor. Naima Jazz Trio kicks things off on Wednesday, October 21. You’ll find the details in this week’s Insider Picks, alongside salsa in the square and Sunday Seafood Social.
Unfortunately, the sargassum has made a return, and we’re hoping it won’t stay long. If the beach isn’t to your liking, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy town. The Catrinas and Handcrafted Alebrijes exhibition opens at the cultural museum on Tuesday, October 20, with colorful Mexican folk art to explore.
Inside this issue, we also explore ten cheeses to try in Mexico, a proposed airspace-fee increase that could affect flight prices, and what traveling families need to know about Mexico’s new proof-of-kinship reform.
See you out on the town! 😎 |
This Week’s Insider Picks |
1. 💃 Puerto Morelos Baila (salsa dancing in the town square)
Sunday night brings live salsa music and dancing to the heart of Puerto Morelos with another free community evening at Parque Fundadores.
La Maina will bring the live salsa sounds, so make plans, bring your best moves, and enjoy a lively night out with family, friends, and anyone who feels like dancing in the square.
This is the kind of easy local event that makes Sunday evening feel like Puerto Morelos at its best: music outside, neighbors gathering, and plenty of room to dance. It is a chance to enjoy the town’s public spaces together in a festive, welcoming atmosphere.
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 Time: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Location: Parque Fundadores Admission: Free
Seafood Social is back at Restaurante Casa Chilam Balam, with an easygoing afternoon in its colonia-side jungle garden, fresh orange and mango mimosas, and community tables for anyone who wants to pull up a chair.
Enjoy lobster tacos, ceviches, and affordable seafood taster plates, with the full restaurant menu available too. David from Don Ernesto's will be behind the bar mixing drinks, so there are options even if mimosas are not your thing.
Come alone, bring a friend, or stop by with a group. The idea is to keep things relaxed and give everyone a chance to meet a few new faces around town while enjoying the garden.
This Sunday’s community spotlight is Ana from Mermaid Tattoo, with artwork on display. Stop by and say hello while you are there.
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 Time: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Location: Restaurante Casa Chilam Balam Admission: No cover. Food and drinks purchased separately.
3. 🎷 Naima Jazz Trio featuring Rubén Pastor
A new jazz series is starting at Loncheria Sandro, with concerts planned twice a month. Naima Jazz Trio opens the series this Wednesday, making this a good night to discover a new local spot for live jazz.
Named after John Coltrane’s classic “Naima,” the trio blends contemporary jazz with hard-bop influences, original arrangements, and fresh interpretations of beloved standards. Expect expressive improvisation and the close interplay of piano, double bass, and drums.
Space is limited, so call ahead to reserve your place.
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Time: 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. Location: Loncheria Sandro (at Layla guest house) Admission: 200 MXN per person Reservations: Required. Call +52 998-159-4715. |
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Insider Tip: Queso Relleno |
Queso Relleno is the classic Yucatecan cheese dish: a hollowed Edam ball filled with pork picadillo, egg, almonds, olives, raisins, and capers, then served with white k’óol and tomato sauce. It is rich, old-school, and a true special-occasion plate. |
Local News |
Mexico’s cheese counter offers much more than a topping for tacos. Some cheeses crumble, some stretch, and others are just right for slicing or grilling. Here are ten worth getting to know on your next shopping trip.
10 Cheeses to Know and Try
1. Queso fresco: Mild, milky and crumbly.
2. Panela: A mild, fresh cheese that holds its shape better than most melting cheeses.
3. Oaxaca: Also called quesillo, this cheese comes in ribbons rolled into a ball. 4. Mexican Manchego: Creamy and mild, it is a good choice for sandwiches.
5. Chihuahua: This buttery, semi-firm cheese melts beautifully.
6. Cotija: Salty and full of flavor, especially when aged.
7. Asadero: A mild, supple cheese made for melting. Use it in quesadillas.
8. Queso añejo: Aged for a firmer texture and stronger flavor.
9. Requesón: Soft, moist and mild, with a texture often compared to ricotta.
10. Queso de bola: The red-waxed, Edam-style cheese with Dutch roots that became a Yucatán favorite.
A Taste of the Yucatán
For a regional specialty, try queso relleno: a hollowed-out ball of cheese filled with seasoned pork and served with sauces. Or look for a marquesita, a crisp, rolled street-food wafer filled with shredded queso de bola, often paired with Nutella or cajeta. That sweet-and-salty combination is a delicious reason to explore beyond your usual cheese. Read More... |
Your next trip to sunny Mexico could get a little more expensive. The government has a new plan that might raise the price of your plane ticket starting in 2027.
A New Fee for Airlines
The Mexican government wants to charge airlines about 10% more to use the country's airspace. The new fees would be based on an airplane's size and how far it flies.
Officials say the extra money will help pay for the systems that guide planes safely. The proposal is part of a larger economic plan for 2027.
What This Means for You
Airlines will have to pay these new costs, not passengers directly. However, airlines usually pass extra costs on to travelers by raising ticket prices.
Some people are worried about the plan, though. While the government wants to collect more money, it is also planning big budget cuts for the agency that manages air safety.
The proposal still needs to be approved by the Mexican Congress. If it passes, you could see higher ticket prices for flights to Mexico in 2027. Read More... |
Planning a family trip to Mexico? A new law could soon add an extra step to your travel plans for destinations like Puerto Morelos. The rule is designed to protect children and make travel safer for everyone.
New Rules for Family Travel
Hotels, tour guides, and transportation companies will have to ask adults for proof of their relationship to any children they are with. This is part of a nationwide effort in Mexico to fight child exploitation.
If an adult cannot provide official papers, the business must deny them service. The company will also have to report the situation to the police as a possible crime.
How to Prepare for Your Trip
To make sure your vacation goes smoothly, you should bring official documents. These papers, like birth certificates, must prove you are the parent or legal guardian.
Single parents or guardians should carry certified copies of custody agreements. If you are traveling with a child who is not yours, you will need official permission from their parents.
The law is not active yet, but it's smart to prepare now. This will help you have a stress-free trip once the rule is enforced. Read More... |
Sargassum Report |
Heading to the beach in Mexico? A large amount of brown seaweed called sargassum is washing up on the shores of Puerto Morelos, affecting vacation plans for some visitors.
State of the Beaches
An official report shows that many beaches in Puerto Morelos have excessive amounts of seaweed. This includes popular spots like Puerto Morelos Centro, Puerto Morelos Norte, and Bahía Petempich.
Not every beach is covered, though. Conditions can change from day to day, and some nearby areas like Punta Brava have reported only minimal sargassum.
What to Know
This is a regional issue, with other tourist spots in the Riviera Maya also affected. Parts of Tulum and southern Cancun are seeing heavy seaweed, but Cancun's northern beaches are mostly clear.
Travelers going to Cozumel will find its west coast clear, though the east coast has a lot of sargassum. A few places, like Isla Contoy, have none at all.
Cleanup crews are working to manage the problem. However, wind and ocean currents mean the amount of sargassum on any beach can change very quickly.
Read More... |
Local Events Update |
Things are definitely picking up as we approach “the season”... also known as the return of the snowbirds. The calendar has plenty of new listings this week, from live music and salsa to yoga, local food, and a colorful Día de Muertos exhibition.
And that is before we even get to all the Halloween parties we have added.
If you don’t know what alebrijes are, make sure you check out the exhibition opening on October 20. Alebrijes are colorful, fantastical creatures from Mexican folk art, often combining characteristics of different animals into imaginative designs. These whimsical figures celebrate Mexican creativity, imagination, and artistic tradition.
Here are some of the newest additions for the week ahead, with more waiting in the full calendar.
Prócer Music
El Arrecife Gastronomic Festival
Happy Hour with DJ Koz and Renova2 Norteño Banda
Enrique Fernandez 4Play and Latin Sound
Catrinas and Handcrafted Alebrijes Exhibition
Cuban Salsa Classes with Mezcla Latina
The Highway 307 and Intergalácticos
Yoga at the Gallery
CRIST Project |