By Bel Woodhouse
July is summer in the Riviera Maya, and it鈥檚 a steamy time of year. It gets steamier, either with sexy tangos and wine, or in the literal sense of enjoying a full moon temazcal. But the fun doesn鈥檛 stop there, we鈥檝e got a weird and wonderful month of fermented foods, nature going wild and all the spiritual healing the region is known for.
Argentine Night at Panza Tulum
An asado is an Argentine barbecue gathering, and who doesn鈥檛 love a gathering with wine and sexy dancing? An asado plus a live orchestra and chance to get out on the dance floor sounds wonderful to me. If you鈥檙e more of a listener than a dancer just sit back and sip wine watching the dazzling dance show and live orchestra.
Date: July 5, 7:30 鈥 10:30 pm
Location: Panza Tulum, Av. Aldea Zama 10, Aldea Zama, Tulum
Cost: 270 pesos
Naturalist challenge at the Riviera Maya Forestry Nursery
Discover the beauty of the Riviera Maya鈥檚 biodiversity with conservation nonprofit Flora, Fauna y Cultura de M茅xico. Join other nature lovers for two hours exploring the Riviera Maya Forestry Nursery with a guide. Photograph and learn about the birds and bugs, plants and flowers, then submit your data iNaturalist Mexico, a citizen science platform. Come help contribute to a global database of biodiversity while learning about the natural world around you.
Date: 5 July at 8 a.m.
Location: Vivero Forestal Riviera Maya, Km. 282, Carretera Federal Chetumal-Puerto Ju谩rez, Playa del Carmen
Cost: 50 pesos
Full moon temazcal
If you鈥檝e never experienced a temazcal 鈥 a traditional Mesoamerican sweat lodge 鈥 I highly recommend it. I鈥檝e done a bunch and loved every experience at every location. It鈥檚 a chance to look within, heal your heart, let go of what no longer serves you and ask for healing. This temazcal takes place every sunday at the Centro Ceremonial Maya Oxlajuj.
Date: July 6, 13 and 20 at 6 p.m.
Location: Centro Ceremonial Maya Oxlajuj, Carretera Chicxulub Puerto Km. 13, M茅rida
Cost: 300 pesos
Feria del Carmen
Playa del Carmen鈥檚 largest annual fair offers a cultural week full of family activities, music, fabulous foods, traditions and much more. Like all fairs, it鈥檚 open daily and goes into the night. You can see the program online to be sure you don鈥檛 miss anything. I鈥檒l be popping over from Cozumel to enjoy some gastronomical treats and hopefully see you there!
Date: July 13 through August 6
Location: Playa del Carmen
Cozumel Vivo Fest 2025
Cozumel鈥檚 Vivo Fest is a cultural experience of art, ocean conservation, live concerts, gastronomic sensations and much more. It鈥檚 a true celebration of life with guest chefs, Maya cultural activities and wellness practices. This is the way of the island and you鈥檙e all welcome to come down and enjoy it as well. See the full itinerary online.
Date: July 11 through 13
Location: Cozumel, with a lot of events happening at Hotel B
Cost: 1955 pesos
Tequila University at La Sirena
Want to learn more about gourmet tequila? This is the event for you. La Sirena is my favorite restaurant in Puerto Morelos, with great food and picturesque Caribbean views to watch as you sip and learn all about tequila in style. Taking place every Monday, Tequila University teaches attendees 鈥渉ow to truly taste, appreciate, and understand Mexico鈥檚 most iconic spirit.鈥
Date: July 7, 14 and 21 at 4 p.m.
Location: La Sirena, Calle Jose Maria Morelos Mz 4, Puerto Morelos
Cost: 150 pesos
Spiritual workshop with dolphins
The Gathering of Light Workers and Dolphins promises a beautiful four-day event building heart connections with a pod of dolphins. These special creatures will help transform mind, body, and spirit in joyous co-creating sessions. It鈥檚 an experience of a lifetime, led by professionals of the Dolphin Ambassador Program who have studied and worked with dolphins for five decades.
Date: July 17 through 20
Location: Isla Mujeres
Cost: Email for specifics
Sacred Awakening women鈥檚 retreat
Feeling disconnected, overwhelmed or just 鈥榤eh鈥 on the inside? Then perhaps some self-care is what you need. The Sacred Awakening retreat offers six days of self-love and connection to nourish your soul. Experience sacred ceremonies and learn how to release stress and heal through breathwork and movement.
Date: July 21 through 26
Location: Lunita Jungle Retreat Center, Puerto Morelos
Cost: Rooms start at 2297 pesos
Kombucha making course at Diosa Organics
Delve into the world of the ever-popular kombucha. In this brewmaster鈥檚 course, you鈥檒l make three kombuchas, try ten, get recipes and learn how to make the drink from scratch. It鈥檚 all included, complete with a starter kit to take home to continue making your own. No prior knowledge needed: just turn up and enjoy the day of getting down and healthy with this fermented beverage.
Date: July 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27
Location: Diosa Organics, Playa del Carmen
Cost: 1,500 pesos