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Puerto Morelos Life

The 12 Days of Christmas Puerto Morelos Edition

December 22, 2023

Alexa: Play The 12 Days of Christmas” Puerto Morelos Edition!

We’re back for our 3rd annual Holiday Shopping Guide countdown! The Puerto Morelos Edition of course…

There are so many amazing artisans and shops here in our little town, it’s hard to narrow it down to just 12, but we gave it a try.

As always, our goal is to help you learn about these businesses and to encourage you to consider keeping your holiday shopping dinero right here in town! Who needs Amazon with all of these great businesses right here in our community?!

SO LET’S GET STARTED!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… A massage from Richie! 

We introduce you to the man behind Healing Touch Massage, Ricardo Santana or as we know him, Richie! Maybe you recognize his infectious smile from around town? You most likely do, because believe it or not, Richie has been in Puerto Morelos since the 70’s! 

He’s our guy when it comes to a massage! His energy alone has a calm and healing effect, but his massages are MAGIC. Richie is super professional (he studied massage in New Mexico at the Scheer Institute of Natural Healing). Whether you’re looking for a relaxing light massage, or deep tissue work, his massages do the trick. 

Ricardo has the magic touch and who wouldn’t want a massage for Christmas?

To make it even better… he comes to your home!
You can contact him via WhatsApp at +52 998 180 4924

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me a handmade gift from Naturalmente! 

Naturalmente is a fabulous little store located on the Main Square, just under Punta Corcho. But don’t let the small storefront fool you… This place is FULL of goodies: clothes, art, home decor, beauty products, and more! 

But what REALLY makes this business special is not only that it’s owned and operated by women, but also everything sold in the shop is handmade by women right here in Mexico! And the female power house leading it all is our good friend and long-time Puerto Morelian, Laura Lecchi!

Be sure to stop in this holiday season and pick up a unique gift for someone on your list (and maybe even something for yourself!?)

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to meeeeee…. A beautiful painting! 

And it’s from the one and only, Javier Cachon! 

If you’ve been in Puerto awhile you’ll most definitely recognize his art! He’s been a local favorite for years and his pieces are hanging in homes and businesses all over town. 

Javier has been in the area for 25 years and his art is a celebration of the Mexican Caribbean — amazing bright colors and energy. Whether it’s one of his original pieces, or a custom piece you design together, you will love the energy of his work in your home.

And art is ALWAYS a wonderful gift. You can find him on Facebook as Javier Cachon Arte Maya & Contemporaneo.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, an alebrije from Cuatro Colibrí! 

Cuatro Colibri has been a long time favorite of ours and a great place to pick up a unique Christmas present! Curated by local owner Rosalba Lopez, this art gallery/shop delights with beautiful and colorful art, handcrafts, clothing and jewelry that she has gathered from around Mexico.  Handmade by Mexican artisans using skills passed down over generations. 

And they have a new location! They are now located just up from Chedraui Selecto on Avenida Rojo Gomez. Be sure to stop in and get your special someone a one of a kind piece!

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a book from….

Got any readers on your list this year? Well you’re in luck because Puerto Morelos is home to the biggest (and best!) new and used bookstore in the Riviera Maya- Alma Libre Bookstore.  And this is another gem of a business that has been operating for more than 20 years. And for a good reason- it’s amazing! 

No readers on your list? No worries, they sell handmade gifts, sweets and keepsakes as well. And the owners Caleb and Nicole are the best! 

And they recently moved! Folks- the new store is HUGE. It features an even bigger selection of books and it’s packed full of fun keepsakes! This is also a great place to find gifts and stocking stuffers for kiddos. The children’s book section is great and bi-lingual!

Can you tell Run Away Realty LOVES Alma Libre Bookstore?

Be sure to swing by this holiday season. Located just off the main square next to the OXXO on Avenida Rojo Gomez.

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a painting from…. 

Honestly, who wouldn’t love a painting from an AMAZING local artist like Aileen Caffrey this Christmas?!  Aileen originally is from Dublin, Ireland, but is now a permanent resident of our community! It’s highly likely you’ve seen either her or her art around town. She commonly sets up shop during the Friday and Saturday markets in the square. (Not only does she sell great art, but adorable sundresses as well!) 

Her art really showcases the heart of our vibrant town- the sea! Aileen is a diver and an advocate for shark conservation.  And it most certainly is reflected in her art! It takes you to new depths of the sea with colorful coral and marine life. 

Bring mother nature to your walls with an original painting by Aileen! You can find her work and contact information on her Facebook page @aileencaffreyscubadiva OR find her on the weekends in the main square.

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a wall hanging from… 

The one and only Coco + Palm!

So what’s so great about this store? Everything! The owner is a dear friend and interior design connoisseur- Colette Bell! She’s decorated many of our clients home, our office, and now she’s sharing her impeccable style at her shop!

If you’re looking for a gift this holiday season, run don’t walk! There’s so many cute items. From bags, to clothes, to coffee cups to wall hangings… The list goes on! 

The shop is located right next to Mangata across from the church near the main square of Puerto Morelos. Click the link in the comments for more details. Happy Shopping!

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a weekend getaway to…. 

We’re making our way down the list, and this year we wanted to include our friends at Rancho Mama Loomm! Yes, we all love the beach but the if you really want to relax and unwind the jungle is where you need to go! 

And Mama Loomm is the PERFECT weekend get-a-way created just for that- disconnecting with your day-to-day life and re-connecting to nature. 

But don’t get us wrong- Mama Loomm is far from roughing it in a tent. This place offers Glamping (glamorous camping!). A canvas tent, big thick air mattress, comfy blankets. They even light your bon fire AND bring you breakfast to your tent in the morning…. It’s truly a jungle oasis!

So this Christmas, why not gift an experience?! Who wouldn’t love a weekend at Mama Loomm!

On the 9th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a handmade bag from La V Store! 

Our list wouldn’t be complete with out adding in this hidden gem of a store! La V Store is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely worth the search.

It’s the perfect mix of handmade clothes, art, home decor, and more!  We love all of the textured handbags and embroidered art.  It’s truly a great place to grab a one-of-a-kind piece of art this holiday season.

It’s located just a block half from the lighthouse on Calle Rafael Melgar (next to La Pepita Restaurant). You can find them on both Facebook and Instagram.

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to meeeeee….. 

We’ve almost reached the end of our countdown, but before we go we must share another experience that would be a great gift this holiday season! Tequila University! Not only is it a great time, it’s put on by our friends at La Sirena

It’s an experience that you won’t forget (or maybe you won’t remember?!) and by the end of it you will stumble away with a diploma and a better understanding of Mexico’s national treasure, Tequila. 

What to expect?  Smell, taste, and learn to discover more about this integral part of Mexico’s heritage. You will get the chance to try various types of tequila, while a tequilero gives you the breakdown of the beloved drink all while paired with hand picked, made from scratch tapas. 

La Sirena offers this course every Monday at 4pm on the rooftop but you must RSVP first! Find out more information on their Facebook page at La Sirena Puerto Morelos.

On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a hammock from… MAURICIO SORIANO! 

The list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a local favorite, Mauricio! He has been in Puerto Morelos since the beginning and has become a familiar face to many! His shop is family run with his brother Martin and his family and they’ve been creating and selling hammocks (and other items!) for over 25 years.

So if you’re looking for an authentic Mexican handmade product this holiday season, The Mayan Handicraft Market is the place to go! Not only will you be greeted with a warm smile from the owners, but also you’ll find a huge array of items!

The store is lined with goodies- wall art, macrame, dream catchers, Yucatecan dresses, and the like! It’s the perfect place to do your Christmas shopping.  Who wouldn’t want a quality handmade hammock from a long standing Puerto Morelos establishment this year? 

Located on Avenida Rojo Gomez, south of the square about 2 blocks, across from the new Chedraui Selecto. Mauricio’s shop is on the north end of the market — look for their sign!

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, an experience from…

We can’t end our countdown without mentioning this amazing experience put on by our talented friend, Chef Karla (you might know her from her restaurant, a local fav called El Pirata?!).

How about gifting your loved one an unforgettable experience this holiday season? Koox Ich Kool is just that. This farm to table experience will play on all of your senses! 

The day begins with transportation out to the Ruta de los Cenotes where you will visit chef Karla Romo’s organic farm! You’ll take a tour of the grounds and learn about the traditional methods of growing and cooking food in this region. 

Then you’ll enjoy a SIX COURSE MEAL prepared with the food grown on the property by the owner herself. From there, spend the afternoon on the grounds and in the pool surrounded by the Mayan Jungle. 

This is a must-do in Puerto Morelos! Book your experience this holiday season on their Facebook page!

So there ya have it. 12 incredible LOCAL businesses for you to find something special for everyone on your list!

Happy shopping and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Meet Kim

Founder,
Real Estate Agent,
Wine Lover,
 Puerto Morelos Local

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