Puerto Morelos
Down a short road from the highway, Puerto Morelos (336 km/22 mi) is a
sleepy fishing town and the principal commercial port for northern
Quintana Roo. Development seems to have passed it by although recently
condominium blocks have sprouted along its peaceful sunbleach beaches.
Snorkeling and scuba diving trips to the nearby reefs are easily
organized, as are deep-sea fishing expeditions.
Punta Bete
Some 52 km/32 mi from Cancún is an easely missed sign for Punta Bete.
After crawling along at a snail's pace for 15 minutes along a rocky
vegetation-strewn track, you'll emerge onto a palm-shaded
three-mile-long beach named Xcalacocos where small waves drift over
the off shore reefs and gently kiss the white sand.
Playa del Carmen
Inhabitants of Playa del carmen (68 Km/42 mi) have transformed this
once-small fishing village into a blusting, cosmopolitan town.
Miraculously, through, it has retained its small-town atmosphere as
the main drag hasn't been taken over by restaurants and impromptu
beach parties are still the norm. Named Xamán-Há by ancient Maya,
Playa was the departure point for pilgrims crossing to the sacred isle
of Cozumel and its shores are still dotted with ruins left by this
great civilization. Today, visitors come to relax on Playa's soft
beaches or discover the secrets of its offshore reefs. There's a huge
choice of accommodation available from deluxe hotels to cabins only a
few meters from the sea and the fare offered by Playa's restaurants
runs the gamut from freshly baked pizza to locally caught seafood.
There are also a couple of lively night clubs. South of the main dock,
where ferries still regulary leave for Cozumel, is Playacar, a
self-contained resort boasting luxury hotels, condos, an aviary and an
18 hole golf course.
Xcaret
The eco-archaeological park of Xcaret (72 Km/42 mi) is only a few
minutes from Playa by car or on foot along a paved path linking the
two. It's a privately-owned property and features an extraordinary
range of attractions including the remains of the accient Mayan port
of Pole, dolphins, beaches, a tropical aquarium, underground river
system, inlets and lagoons filled with friendly tropical fish,
butterfly farm, a museum with scale models of the principal ancient
Mayan cities, a botanical garden, an aviary, horses and regional
wildlife corner. You can take trips to snorkel or dive the nearby
reefs or watch an exciting show in the evening featuring traditional
Mexican dances and there are no less than three restaurants featuring
seafood, Mexican and international specialties, two snack bars and
several mobile refreshment centers handily scattered around the
grounds. You should plan on spending at least a day here to exploring
tha attractive walkways that lead through the lush jungle to the beach
and make your reservation early if you want to swim with the dolphins
or ride the horses.
Paamul
Back on Highway 307, Paamul (92 Km/57 mi) is a small, rocky bay down
another short bumpy track. It's great place for bird-watching or just
wandering along the shore and the closeness of the reefs makes it a
prime destination for snorkelers. However, you should wear protective
shoes as there are numerous black spiky sea urchins studding the ocean
floor and their spines can inflict painful injuries. You can stay at
Paamul's campsite, which is dominated by huge trailers from the U.S.
during the winter months, or in the cabins sited along the beach and
small restaurant serves up local dishes.
Puerto Aventuras
If you're searching for a touch of opulence look no further than
Puerto Aventuras (98 km/61 mi). A self-sufficient resort, this
ambitious development incorporates a vast marina, several luxury
hotels, a golf course, a nautical museum featuring exhibits from
Spanish galleon wrecked on th enearby reefs shops, restaurants and
nightclub. Here, you can sit by the pool, sip an expensive cocktail
and watch sumptuous yachts cruising to their moorings in the marina or
birds flying by in graceful formations.
Xpu-Há
A few miles south of Puerto venturas, small signs for Xpu-Há (100
km/60 mi) start to appear. This glorious strech of white powdery sand
is still relatively intact although to the south of the bay is an
all-inclusive resort. at the beach's northern point is Xpu-Há Lagoon,
where, several years ago, a family of manatees used to live. Although
the gentle mammal is now rarely seen, scientists undertaking a recent
aerial survey spotted 12 in in the area. Each entrance to Xpu-Há leads
to small cabins or restaurants, all run by different siblings of the
same local fanily who will take you on snorkeling, diving or deep-sea
fishing trips.
Kantenah
Just down the coast from Xpu-Há is the long palm-lined strand of
Kantenah. It is possible to stay the night here in a luxury
all-inclusive resort boasting its own pool and restaurant. Of
particular interest to tired visitors are the comfortable hammocks
swinging lazily in the breeze underneath cool palapas on the beach.
Despite these luxuries, day-trippers are also welcome to explore
Kantenah's sands and the nearby coral formations. To make things aesy,
there's a concrete walkway streching from the beach to the heart of
the reef so all you have to do is gently ease yourself into the water
and the underwater world is spread out before you.
Akumal
Any one of the entrances to Akumal, some 104 km./65 mi from Cancún,
will lead you to a sheltered bay with hotels and restaurants scattered
along its shores. Akumal means "the place of the turtle" in Mayan as
thousands of sea turtlees used to come ashore here each year to lay
their eggs. Distracted by the bright lights of the hotels and
restaurants, fewer and fewer fo this majestic creatures now come but
during the summer months, if you are lucky, you may see a vast sea
turtle heaving itself onto the beach. The bay is protected by an
offshore reef rendering its peaceful blue waters perfect for swimming
and a variety of water sports. Akumal is a paradise for divers who
come to explore its reefs, said to be among the best in the area. The
first divers to visit the area were drawn by the remains of the
Spanish galleon Matanceros, wich sank here in 1741, but today most of
the ship's artifacts are in the Puerto Aventuras museum.
Chemuyil
Next stop from Akumal is the small, pertty bay of Chemuyil (109 km/67
mi) with a fien white sandy beach, framed by the darker hues of the
surrounding jungle. There's good fishing and snorkeling in the
jade-colored waters and visiblility is excellent. A small palapa bar
serves up fresh seafood and drinks and full camping facilities are
available. Chemuyil fills up fast on Sundays so come during the week.
Xcacel
At Xcacle (119 km/74 mi), Mother Nature outdone herself by creating an
idyllic spot, where lofty coconut palms back up a wide sandy beach and
delicate coral formations nestle offshore in the peaceful waters of
the Caribean. As well as taking it easy on the glistening sands, you
can poke about in the sea-battered remains of an old stell-hulled boat
on the southern point of the beach or go swimming in the refreshing
depths of a cenote(sinkhole), also very popular with local children,
in the emereald jungle just a few meters from the ocean. Xcacel is one
of many beaches visited by female turtles during the summer nesting
season. They haul themselves out of the water and crawl up the beach,
far above the high water mark, where they dig a hole and lay their
eggs. Several weeks later, the eggs hatch and the baby turtles dig
their way aout of the nest to make a dash for the ocean. Camping
facilities are available at Xcacel and there's a small restaurant
serving seafood and other staples on a small sandy bluff overlooking
the shore. This long, white strand is one of the best places in the
Corridor to watch the moon slowly rise over the Caribbean.
Xel-Há
Posibbly the world's largest natural aquarium, the inlets and lagoons
of Xel-Há (122 Km/75 mi) were sculpted out of limestone rock and by
the sea and freshwater springs, providing a magnificent home for an
enourmous variety of marine life. Although fishing is not allowed,
snorkelers can visit a fascinating world full bright colored
creatures. For non-snorkelers, there are numerous paths around the
inlets and reised platforms where they too can glimpse the glories of
this underwater playground. There are also changing rooms, shops,
restaurants, snorkle rental and lockers on site. On the opposite side
of the road is the Xel-Há archaeological site, with structures like
the Palace and the Temple of the birds dating from the Classic
(250-900 A.D.) and Post-Classic (900-1521 A.D.) periods.
Tulum
The famous archaeological site of Tulum (131 Km/81 mi) has probably
the prettiest setting of any Mayan city. Perched on a small cliff
above the caribbean, the citadel was built during the Post-Classic
period and was an important trading port for the acient Maya. Among
its most important buildings are the Castle, or El Castillo, which
probably served as a lighthouse, and the Temple of the Frescoes, where
you can still see traces of paint staning the walls. Beneath the
mighty walls of the Castillo is a small cove where Mayan traders once
landed their canoes after paddling up and down the coast. Today,
however, it's perfect place for a spot of sunbathing and swimming.
Tulum is reached through a shopping and cultural center some way from
the ruins leaving the site itself now blissfully free of the noise and
smell of huge tours buses from Cancún. If you'd like to stay on for a
few days to explore the coast, follow the road south of the site where
you'll find rustic cabbins on a tranquil beach.
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