Mahahual
Mahahual is a paradisiacal town on the seacoast in the southern area of Quintana Roo. It gets its name from a variety of trees that are common in the region. Previously a fishing village, Mahahual has grown in popularity recently as the only cruise port in southern Quintana Roo.
It has a young hotel infrastructure, with small hotels with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, as well as offering almost virgin beaches to forget about the daily hustle and bustle of cities.
What to do in Mahahual?
Mahahual is an exceptional beach destination to get away from the routine and embrace nature. The beauty of its turquoise sea is indescribable. Due to its size, you can walk anywhere, ride a bike, and of course, spend a few days resting at the white-sandy beach.
The Mahahual boardwalk is an ideal place to walk and observe the quiet life of this tourist destination in southern Quintana Roo. Many people exercise here or just spend a carefree moment listening to music on headphones or to the sound of the waves.
As a fisherman’s village, you will find several restaurants that offer fresh fish and seafood, practically from the sea to your table. In season, you can taste lobster or enjoy traditional fish tacos with a cocktail or a cold beer.
At night, as a remote town, it is possible to enjoy a starry night when the sky is clear. You can lie down on a terrace and stare at the skies, something that we give less and less importance to and is surprising.
Costa Maya
Costa Maya in Mahahual is one of the cruise ports that is growing popular in the Caribbean area. Some cruise ship lines add it to their routes, and all visitors arrive with enthusiasm to enjoy the beach, snorkel in Mahahual, or even visiting a nearby water park. Also, there is an exclusive area for those who arrived by cruise ship to these shores, and where they can find handicraft shops, bars, jewelry stores, and other surprises.
How to get to Mahahual?
Getting from Chetumal to Mahahual is easy, and you can arrive by bus or car in a two-hour ride since it is 88 mi (142 km) away. As taking the road by the Seven Color Lagoon, the ride from Bacalar to Mahahual is about one hour and 15 minutes.
If you go to Tulum after Mahahual, you need to know it is a three-hour ride, and there are only a few service stations on the way.
Banco Chinchorro
Banco Chinchorro is a protected area that is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest in the world. It is also a Biosphere Reserve where birds and many marine species live, in addition to which the wetland area is also under protection.
From Chinchorro to Mahahual, there is only 19 mi (30 km), and both are located on the southern coast of Quintana Roo. This place is a hidden treasure of the Mexican Caribbean that has crystal-clear waters and incredible underwater landscapes that surprise all visitors.
In addition, there are several ships that have been shipwrecked in the reef area, from steamships and merchant sailing ships from centuries ago, to modern freighters. Through tourist cooperatives and along with local guides, you can visit some of the historic shipwrecks that the Banco Chinchorro houses.
Diving in Chinchorro is one of the most popular activities and that experienced divers from various parts of the world visit with great enthusiasm to observe the wonders that lie beneath the surface of the sea. It is also possible to snorkel and learn the stories behind the ships that have sunk in the region.
Banco Chinchorro has an area of approximately 300 (mi2) 800 km2 and is considered a coral formation atoll. In the eastern zone, numerous reef barriers sometimes emerge, while in the western zone, they are not as pronounced. The reef lagoon has an average depth of 16 ft (5 m), and there are some islets where visitors can rest briefly.
The largest of these islets is called Cayo Centro and is located in the central part of Chinchorro. A section of the key has a small beach that some fishermen use as a temporary camp. In some other areas, you can even find stilt houses that emerge up to a couple of meters above the water level.
Banco Chinchorro is a diving paradise and, due to the difficulty of reaching it, it is almost virgin, and it is essential to bring along a waterproof camera to take spectacular images of this jewel of the Caribbean.
On your next vacation to the Mexican Caribbean, take a few days to visit a different destination, where rest and contact with nature are guaranteed. Come to Mahahual and enjoy the tropical flavor and the Mexican warmth and hospitality.
