Mexican Caribbean Music Fest Takes Over Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

After two decades, the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council has decided to replace the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival with the Mexican Caribbean Music Fest. This new festival aims to introduce fresh music genres and will be a traveling event, taking place at each of the 12 destinations on offer. The goal is to attract international artists and position the festival as a world-class event that can draw in a larger influx of tourists.

Andrés Martínez, the director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council, revealed that the inaugural Mexican Caribbean Music Fest will take place in Playa del Carmen in May 2025. The aim is to attract tourists during the less busy seasons. The festival will then move to other locations, with negotiations currently in progress with various artists.

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, prompting the council to revamp the event. The original festival began in 2013 and featured artists such as Aguamala, Brent Fischer, Celso Piña, Ed Motta, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Martínez noted that the council plans to incorporate additional genres, like rock, to attract a broader audience. The festival is particularly popular among Canadians, Americans, and locals, and it is expected to draw in even more tourists with its new format.