June has finally arrived and I’m giddily (what a fun word!) checking off the calendar days in anticipation of a return visit to Playa del Carmen (Playa) later this month. And for those paying any attention to my blogs, YES we were just there in February!

After a disastrous cottage rental last summer (I almost wondered if we were being punk’d?!) we made a pro/con list for visiting tropical Playa for our summer vacation, and the con list was blank. Pros included guaranteed hot sunny weather, the ocean, luxury accommodations (thank you Tonya Sarina!) diving, snorkelling and simply enjoying the lively Mexican culture of Playa!

A summer visit to the Riviera Maya means less tourists, quieter beaches and since it’s off season, prices tend to be lower. And adventure parks are still open waiting to give you that special thrill! But there are also two very specific and exciting reasons to visit the Riviera Maya which is truly blessed with nature’s beauty, especially during the summer.

One such gift is the sea turtle nesting season which starts in May and lasts till October. Every year two endangered species of sea turtles visit their nesting grounds on the beaches of Riviera Maya to create a nest and lay their eggs which hatch 60 days later. The Mayan Adventure and Turtle Conservation and Education Tour guides visitors to see the laying and hatching in a manner that is safe and unobtrusive to the turtles, but still allows visitors to get a perfect view of this very special event. It’s impossible to forget the experience of watching sea turtles further their species as they are ancient and gentle creatures.

The other reason to visit this beautiful area is to get up close and personal with whale sharks that migrate to the Yucatan from June to September. Whale sharks are the largest fish on earth – they can reach up to 60 feet in length and have mouths wider than a double doorway. Fortunately, they’re also very harmless! They eat plankton, fish eggs, and other small sea organisms to support their energy needs. Swimming with a whale shark is a rare treat and a popular “bucket list” for divers and snorkelers. (including my husband who’s hoping to dive with these magnificent creatures this summer!)

So some of you may ask, “isn’t it hurricane season?” Yes hurricane season is typically from June to October; however if one is going to strike, it’s generally in September or October when the warm ocean waters that fuel the storms reach peak temperatures.

According to Caribbean Magazine, “it is rare for Riviera Maya to get hurricanes, but it is a fact of life. Hurricanes tend to move slowly enough for people to avoid danger, and there is a 3-day warning system in the area that will advise you of the situation. Hotels and villas are experienced in keeping guests safe and happy during one of these storms. So, you should not worry about vacationing during this season when many times you get the best deals and the best weather”.

So all in all, it sure seems like summer is an enticing time of year to pack your swimwear, flip flops and hop a plane to the Riviera Maya.

Tune in for my next blog on hurricanes and hurricane predictions for this summer (fewer according to forecasters)!

Off to drag my suitcase out of the closet 🙂

“PLAYA Gal” (a very satisfied client working to promote Playa Beach Getaways!) 

 salgal@playabeachcondo.com ~~~ PS Catch us on Facebook & Pinterest