By: Suzanne Marie Bandick
An excerpt from her book Only in Mexico You Say?

Our family crossed the border to live in Mexico Sept. 10. 2001. We spent our first night in Hermosillo, in the Northwest of Mexico, in the state of Sonora. The next morning we came down to breakfast in our hotel and saw everyone crowded around a TV; the words Nuevo York were pasted on the screen along with pictures that showed what looked like a large building with a plane hitting it? Shock registered as we managed to piece together what little we could of what had happened in New York; the date was now September 11, 2001.  It was not easy to understand what was going on as the TV channel was in Spanish and no one had much knowledge of English and our Spanish was very basic. We realized we needed to know more of what had happened.

Mexiconservacion is delighted to announce that the Municipality of Tulum's Direccion General de Desarollo Urbano y Ecologia y la Direccion de Servicio Publicos has just re-opened its Recylcing Center.

It is located on the land just opposite of the Expo in Tulum, and although it is still quite basic,  the Municipality can now recycle PET plastics, glass, cardboard and paper. If the Recylcing Center proves to be a success,funds will be raised to increase its capacity, and include the safe disposal of batteries.

Swedish Ambassador, Anna Lindstedt, Visits Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.
By Sara Moen

I was recently invited by local business owner, and active Rotary member, Thed Petterson to meet the Swedish Ambassador to Mexico. Thed, originally from Sweden, has been in Playa del Carmen for many years, and is the co-owner of La Rana Cansada, and has often arranged interviews and sit downs for me with various officials over the years. So when Thed called and invited me to meet and interview the Swedish Ambassador to Mexico I jumped at the opportunity.

Safety and Travel in Mexico; Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. 

By Sara Moen -Owner of Playa Maya News-Playa del Carmen, Mexico

There have been countless stories floating all over the internet, and in the news, in regards to the safety of foreigners traveling to Mexico. As a United States citizen that has been living in Mexico for the past 6 years I thought I would share my opinion on this matter. In addition, I am going to highlight an article published in the LA Times in regards to this subject. I have also included two local Playa del Carmen business owners that have written on what has become the travel debate of 2009.

Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a nationally syndicated columnist and a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Read his column here. 

Ruben Navarrette says Mexico isn't a failed state, but the fate of its drug war is important for US.

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- You may have heard the rumor that, as a result of a bloody drug war that has claimed more than 7,000 lives since January 2007, Mexico is on the verge of being declared a "failed state."     

Enjoy the laid back Caribbean lifestyle for a fraction of the cost of the US, Canada, or Europe- in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

By Shawn Bandick

I live here in Playa del Carmen, with a family of four, for just over half of what it cost me to live in B.C. Canada back in the year 2000. First let us cover actual costs of day to day living here...

Meet Daniel Price; Kiteboarder, Graphic Designer, Adventurer

Daniel, originally from Portsworth England, moved to Tulum in May, 2008, and here is how he got here.....

Upon graduating from Southbank University in London in 2004 Daniel worked for a well known visual effects company, The Mill. He developed his career in 2D compositing as well as in 3D animation for the Natural History Museum in London. After 4 years with The Mill in London he was offered a job in their new branch in Los Angeles. His adventurous spirit landed him in LA in 2007 for a 6 month contract working on high profile commercials such as ; Axe, Nascar, Gatorade, JC Penny, Kia, and RATP.

Om Tulum Hotel Cabanas and Beach Club to toast their first year of success!

Imagine a tranquil garden, the blue Caribbean Sea and an amazing beach as far as you can see all in a relaxing, lounge atmosphere. Welcome to Om Tulum Hotel Cabanas and Beach Club.

Their first year anniversary celebration will take place underneath a full moon this Saturday February 7th, 2009. Come and join what is sure to be a fun celebration under the moon! Enjoy music, and an open bar, and botanas from 9:00-10:00 PM.  

We have compiled a list of various local restaurants that will be offering special American Thanksgiving menus. If you know of some place that we have missed, please let us know, and we would be happy to add them!

Laguna Bacalar on the Costa Maya is Heaven on Earth!

Bacalar is a small community about 3 hours south of Playa del Carmen and just under an hour from the Belizean border and is perched on the shores of Laguna Bacalar. Laguna Bacalar is an inner waterway that is linked to Chetumal Bay, which is a part of the Caribbean Sea, by the Rio Hondo and the Chaac Canal.  Laguna Bacalar, known as the lake of 7 colors, is a fresh water lagoon that runs over 65 kilometers (40 miles) north to south, and is the same crystal blue as the Caribbean Sea, and is the second largest fresh water lagoon in Mexico.