El Cuyo is situated within the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and it’s a charming coastal village that was initially found by kite surfers who loved the flat emerald water and countless seaside.
Positioned on the northern coast of Mexico, round 180 kilometers east of Merida. It’s a peaceable and delightful hidden gem in Mexico that may be a little off the crushed path when it comes to tourism, making it a perfect location to discover.
Recognized for its pristine seashores, mushy white sand, turquoise waters, and picturesque setting, vacationers will take pleasure in sunbathing, enjoyable, swimming, and water sports activities.
That is the best location for individuals who need to expertise genuine Mexico and keep away from the overpriced and touristy Riviera Maya. El Cuyo gives boutique inns, genuine delicacies, enjoyable seaside experiences, and the hospitality of the native Yucatan individuals.
We put collectively this El Cuyo journey information to assist plan your journey. When planning our journey, there wasn’t a lot out on the web, so we hope we are able to solidify your itinerary and journey plans.
The right way to Get to El Cuyo
Attending to El Cuyo isn’t exhausting essentially, however it isn’t simple both. That is what makes it considerably of a hidden gem. Most vacationers need to journey to locations which are simple to get to.
When taking a look at a map, chances are you’ll assume you may take a ship from Isla Holbox or drive from Rio Lagartos. If it had been solely that simple…. Effectively, if it had been that simple, it will be means busier.
There are 3 ways you may journey to El Cuyo: hire a automotive and drive your self, rent a non-public driver, or take the bus.
Driving to El Cuyo
One of the simplest ways to get to El Cuyo is by renting a automotive and driving your self. That is what we did. There may be one paved highway to El Cuyo that connects to Colonia Yucatan. The drive is straightforward. When driving in Mexico, at all times be careful for potholes, speedbumps, and animals/individuals on the roads.
There may be technically one other “highway” that isn’t actually a highway that connects El Cuyo to Las Coloradas. It’s a sandy path that isn’t at all times accessible. Within the photograph above, that’s us and our rental automotive on the grime highway to Las Coloradas.
We drove this highway in the future to test it out and see how far we might drive and if we might see flamingos. We did see them, however the highway was tough, and I’d not suggest it should you don’t have a 4WD automotive and it hasn’t rained in a couple of days. The highway is thought to be washed out after rain and a multitude.
You possibly can simply hire a automotive on-line right here. Costs are cheap and having a automotive provides you with a lot freedom to discover by yourself time.
Driving to El Cuyo Distance From:
- From Cancun – 100 miles/162 km through toll highway 2.5 hours
- From Playa del Carmen – 90 miles/146 km through toll highway 2.25 hours
- From Tulum – 112 miles/181 km 3 hours
- From Valladolid – 85 miles/137 km 2 hours
- From Merida – 163 miles/262 km 3.5 hours
- From Chiquila (the place the Holbox ferry comes & goes from) – 69 miles/111 km 2 hours
- From Rio Lagartos – 60 miles/96 km 80 minutes
Personal Switch
The simplest means could be to rent a non-public driver and take a non-public switch. We at all times use this firm for our airport transfers to and from the Cancun Airport.
NOTE: This isn’t the most affordable possibility in any respect. We extremely suggest renting a automotive in Cancun and driving your self.
Attending to El Cuyo by Bus
When you’ve got taken the ADO bus in Mexico to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum or Playa del Carmen, it is best to know there isn’t a ADO bus to El Cuyo. You could take an ADO bus to Tizimin or Colonia Yucatan after which switch to a different native bus referred to as Noreste.
The Noreste bus is comparatively snug. It has air-con, which is vital. You should buy a ticket on the bus station across the nook from the ADO Bus station, or you may pay the motive force if you get on the bus.
The place to Keep in El Cuyo
There’s a good vary of lodging choices, from funds to small boutique inns. Only a few inns have a pool. We needed a swimming pool as a result of we had been touring with children.
We had our three-year-old son with us, so we stayed at a costlier lodge. We stayed at this lodge, Cucu Resort, on the sting of city.
Really helpful El Cuyo Accommodations:
FAQ El Cuyo
What’s El Cuyo Recognized for?
El Cuyo is thought for a wide range of various things, making it the right peaceable location to flee the crowds and immerse your self within the untouched pure setting and genuine Mexican village environment. El Cuyo is thought for the next:
Pristine Seashores: El Cuyo Seashore has Mushy white sand, an countless pure seaside with clear turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and an uncrowded shoreline are what make El Cuyo such an interesting journey vacation spot.
Eco-Tourism: El Cuyo is a small city situated within the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, which is house to hundreds of animals and chicken species and has the most important nesting colony of Pink Flamingos on this planet.
The coastal cities situated on this Biosphere give attention to offering nature and leisure actions that protect the distinctive ecosystem of the realm. There’s a give attention to selling eco-tourism and sustainable tourism practices whereas showcasing the pure fantastic thing about the setting.
Fishing: Being a small coastal village, it’s identified for excellent fishing, together with fly fishing and deep-sea fishing. There is a chance to fish from the native pier, a chartered native boat, or just any small watercraft resembling paddle boards.
The waters of the Yucatan are excellent for catching tarpon, grouper, and snapper. Most fish are caught by stay bait resembling sardines.
Kite Browsing: Kitesurfers initially based El Cuyo. It’s a highly regarded exercise, and the realm is well-known for providing a number of kiteboarding classes and rental places to permit vacationers to strive kite browsing. El Cuyo waters are sometimes calm with a constant wind, making it the best setting for kitesurfing.
What’s the Finest Time to Go to El Cuyo?
There are three totally different distinctive seasonal climate modifications that may influence the actions and experiences you may discover, so the very best time to go to will depend on your preferences.
The dry season happens between November and April and gives extra sunshine and a decreased likelihood of rain, which is good if you wish to take pleasure in outside points of interest and the gorgeous pristine seashores. Temperatures vary from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit (mid-20s to excessive 20s Celsius).
The hurricane season usually happens between June and November, which may carry climate advisories and climate occasions that might shut many points of interest. The height time for hurricanes is between August and October. The summer time months may also carry excessive warmth and humidity, making some outside points of interest insufferable.
The moist season happens between Might by means of October which generally brings rain showers for a couple of hours however doesn’t final all day. The wet climate typically cancels outside actions resembling kitesurfing, which is very influenced by wind and rain. Nonetheless, throughout these months, the panorama of El Cuyo is lush and inexperienced, and there are fewer guests.
You possibly can positively go to El Cuyo all 12 months lengthy. Nonetheless, the most well-liked months are December to March. We visited in March.
Ensure that to take a look at my packing record that will help you resolve what to pack and what to skip.
Is El Cuyo Secure?
El Cuyo is a welcoming and protected setting the place all of the locals know one another, because the neighborhood has been constructed by a gaggle of expatriates who work collectively to create a neighborhood for locals and guests.
The locals benefit from the paradise of the land and make it their mission to protect and shield all points of the setting by respecting the tranquillity of the pure environment and count on guests to do the identical.
When exploring, you’ll expertise sandy roads, cute little homes, and locals who will smile or wave and greet you as you stroll by, as they need you to really feel welcome.
How Many Days Are Wanted in El Cuyo?
El Cuyo is a hidden gem of the Yucatan Peninsula that many individuals miss out on exploring. El Cuyo is considerably of an out-of-the-way vacation spot that doesn’t supply a ton of actions along with the seaside, so it may possibly simply be seen in a couple of days (2-3) or a weekend. Nonetheless, it’s also possible to simply keep and disconnect and benefit from the relaxed seaside environment for per week.
Are you able to Drive to El Cuyo?
Sure, you may drive to El Cuyo. The drive is comparatively simple. We did it with a toddler within the automotive coming from Playa del Carmen. There isn’t a lot to see or cease and do alongside the best way.
We rented a automotive on-line right here prematurely. Keep away from all of the scams in particular person and get a less expensive value by securing a automotive on-line with Uncover Automobiles. That is who we use.
What’s the Closest Airport?
The closest airport to El Cuyo is Cancun, which is roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes away. When you arrive on the Cancun Worldwide Airport, you may take public transport, a taxi, a non-public switch (we suggest this firm), or renting a automotive and drive your self.
What State is El Cuyo in?
El Cuyo is a small coastal village that’s a part of the state of Yucatan, which is situated in southeast Mexico.
Why You Ought to Go to El Cuyo NOW
There are three main causes it is best to go to El Cuyo as quickly as you may: it gives tranquility and serenity as it’s a hidden gem when it comes to tourism, worth for cash, and it gives an genuine Mexican expertise exploring the pure fantastic thing about the setting by means of outside points of interest.
In case you are on the lookout for a calming trip to relaxation, recharge, and reset, then visiting El Cuyo is ideal for this. The laid-back environment and pleasant native institutions will can help you unwind and benefit from the environment of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Spend a while sunbathing, swimming, having drinks, and consuming genuine Mexican delicacies – what extra are you able to ask for on trip?
As El Cuyo is a small coastal city and never a preferred vacationer vacation spot but, the price of eating, actions, and lodging are far more inexpensive in comparison with different components of Mexico. Reap the benefits of the good costs earlier than this vacation spot turns into extra fashionable.
Recognized for its pure magnificence, you’ll want to discover a number of outside actions resembling kitesurfing, fishing, paddleboarding, boat excursions of Rio Lagartos Pure Reserve, kayaking, biking, or taking out a Quad ATV.
Since it’s a hidden treasure, you’ll not expertise busy actions, lengthy waits, or any of these conventional annoyances when touring to vacationer locations.
When you’ve got been to Tulum and are on the lookout for the subsequent greatest place, come test it out now. When you’ve got visited Holbox greater than as soon as, you’ve gotten seen how briskly that’s altering.
Professional Tip: The locals choose Money, so I extremely counsel bringing money fairly than counting on bank cards.
What To not Anticipate
El Cuyo is a chill seaside setting for the laidback traveler and has restricted vacationer points of interest. Not like the Mayan Riveria, El Cuyo doesn’t have wild seaside events or golf equipment, chain eating places, or bars and as an alternative has small native inns, boutiques, and eating places.
Don’t count on giant developments or buildings as many of the city is sandy grime roads that join the pier and walkable city collectively. A automotive could be useful solely in case you are staying within the outskirts.
Issues To Do in El Cuyo
There are a number of issues to do in El Cuyo, whether or not you need to go on an journey, benefit from the pure setting and tradition, eat genuine delicacies, or take pleasure in some leisure. El Cuyo gives actions for each kind of traveler to take pleasure in:
1. Kitesurfing
The water in El Cuyo is shallow, and the wind circumstances are sometimes favorable to check out kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is a difficult water sport; nonetheless, in El Cuyo, there is a chance for each novices and superior kitesurfers.
El Cuyo has many kitesurfing faculties and places for gear leases, together with Kitesurf Mexico, El Cuyo Kiteschool, Kite Surf Trip, and Kiteboarding Excessive Management.
It is suggested to ebook prematurely through the excessive season from November to April when the wind circumstances are splendid, as there are totally different sizes for various wind circumstances.
2. Chill on El Cuyo Seashore
The seaside is spacious and abandoned, and there aren’t many chairs on the seaside, so you’ll want to carry your individual towel or picnic blanket to take a seat on. When you are chilling on the seaside, chances are you’ll take pleasure in exploring the shoreline for treasures and seashells.
The mushy white sand is ideal for basking within the solar and take in the Mexican sunshine. The calm turquoise waters and gradual depth are excellent for all to take pleasure in a refreshing swim.
3. Seek for Flamingos in El Cuyo
There’s something spectacular about seeing wildlife of their pure habitat, which is why you’ll want to come to El Cuyo and discover the gorgeous flamingos. Elegant Flamingos may be discovered on the Yucatan Peninsula in varied places.
If you wish to see flamingos, you may discover the Pink Lakes or rent a neighborhood boat tour to take you thru the mangrove caves that encompass El Cuyo, which is the native habitat for flamingos. You too can go on a kayaking journey by means of these coastal ecosystems, the place you may even see Flamingos resting in shallow waters or in flocks feeding.
Professional Tip: The very best time to identify Flamingos is early within the morning when they’re probably the most lively or the late afternoon when they’re feeding.
4. Go on an ATV tour to Las Coloradas
Las Coloradas is an unimaginable attraction to discover, however it’s a few 2-hour drive away from El Cuyo. Nonetheless, the Pink Lakes are well worth the drive. The primary attraction at Las Coloradas is the colourful pink lakes, which create a phenomenal panorama that’s splendid for images.
Whereas at Las Coloradas, you’ll want to take an ATV tour to discover the mangrove forests which are a part of the coastal ecosystem that’s house to distinctive wildlife. Alongside the tour, you will note a wide range of chicken species, marine life, and the pink lakes of Las Coloradas, and should you’re fortunate, chances are you’ll spot a flamingo.
Professional Tip: The pink hue is probably the most intense through the center of the day as a consequence of excessive concentrations of salt.
5. Climb El Cuyo Climbing Tower
Should you take pleasure in journey, then you could do this vertical outside expertise on the Cuyo Climbing Tower situated within the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. The climbing tower is a enjoyable expertise for newbie to superior rock climbers as you can begin on a easy route and work your means as much as extra superior climbs.
Instructors will train the highest rope technique, in addition to belaying, so you may benefit from the expertise in pairs. The climbing tower is situated outside between the seaside and the palm timber, providing guests the chance to benefit from the sunshine and get in a exercise.
6. Lease a Bike and Discover
Renting a motorbike and exploring El Cuyo lets you really uncover the hidden gems, pure magnificence, and native tradition whereas having fun with an lively tour. This coastal village is nice for biking because the village has many slim grime streets which are simple to journey and take you to distinctive spots to go to.
Begin the journey by admiring the colourful homes of native residents, visiting the city sq. that has many native outlets, experiencing day by day life out there, and having fun with the colourful mural creations that you will discover on partitions alongside your route.
After getting explored the primary areas of El Cuyo, chances are you’ll need to journey alongside the beachfront promenade, benefit from the scenic views of the water, and benefit from the refreshing cool wind by the water’s edge. Head to the lagoon by the pier to catch flamingos of their pure habitat.
Should you’re in form and up for an extended full-day bike journey, then take into account going to go to Las Coloradas, which is a 20km scenic route from the middle of El Cuyo. The route will take you to the distinctive pink lakes, which is a superb spot to take a relaxation, rehydrate, and take some pictures.
Professional Tip: El Cuyo may be very humid, so you’ll want to pack a water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat to make your biking journey extra gratifying. Seize a GPS or cellular map app to plan your route so that you don’t miss any factors of curiosity.
Professional Tip: Be ready that since life is so laid again in El Cuyo that locals don’t work lots, so many outlets and eating places have restricted hours. Whereas there’s Wifi in El Cuyo, be ready. It isn’t very quick, so it matches effectively with the simple going life-style.
8. Take a Photograph with the El Cuyo Letters on the Pier
Everybody likes to take pictures on trip to recollect their journey, so why not head to the pier and take the traditional photograph with the El Cuyo letters? The seaside gives the right backdrop for a postcard-worthy photograph spot.
10. Watch the Sundown
El Cuyo gives gorgeous sunsets and sunrises that present a surprising show of colour, and there are a number of nice spots to take pleasure in this fashionable exercise for guests.
The pure fantastic thing about sunsets alongside the shoreline may be skilled on the seaside over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, from the elevated pier, rooftop patios, and bars, on a guided boat tour, or throughout a sundown horseback using expertise.
11. Discover the Avenue Artwork in El Cuyo
El Cuyo has an inventive facet along with its pure magnificence and outside actions. It has some distinctive but vibrant road artwork to view, together with photograph spots, murals, and neighborhood artwork initiatives.
The colourful colours of the murals add a vigorous environment to the village of El Cuyo as you wander the streets and supply nice spots for pictures. You possibly can both wander the streets and discover murals by yourself or ask a neighborhood who will probably be blissful to level out the murals that depict nature-inspired native scenes and cultural motifs.
12. Stroll the Seashore with nobody in sight
The seashores in El Cuyo are quiet and enjoyable to walk, particularly within the morning when there isn’t a one in sight, and you’ll benefit from the sounds of the ocean, mushy white sand seashores, and delightful sunsets and sunrises by yourself.
El Cuyo is situated between Holbox and Rio Lagartos and gives pristine seashores to take pleasure in with out all of the guests such as you would discover in Riveria Maya. Many inns have complimentary seaside chairs that you’re welcome to take pleasure in!
13. Get pleasure from Paddleboarding
El Cuyo gives the right environment for paddleboarding, because the water is calm and welcoming. Paddleboarding at sundown or dawn is among the most lovely occasions of day to benefit from the tranquil waters. You could even be fortunate and see dolphins, rays & turtles.
Finest Eating places in El Cuyo
El Cuyo is a small fishing village alongside the Gulf of Mexico with restricted eating decisions. Nonetheless, native eating places serve recent seafood and genuine Mexican flavors that you’ll not need to miss! You’ll positively need to strive guacamole, ceviche, and plenty of different recent seafood dishes.
Nonetheless, there are some wonderful eating places that stand out, together with:
- La Casa Palma Meals Truck
- Zapote Bar Asador
- El Chile Gordo, which is open for Dinner Solely.
In case you are on the lookout for lunch or breakfast in El Cuyo, you’ll want to try:
- Casa Mangle
- Nai Cafe & Restaurant
- Anahata Cafe & Bistro
- Loncheria El Amigo Willy
In case you are fascinated with studying extra about these distinctive eating places, then come try our Information to Eating places in El Cuyo for all the small print, together with menus and proposals on what to strive!
Professional Tip: Consider that many eating places shut by 9 PM, so you’ll ensure you plan to have dinner at an earlier hour.
Should you love exploring Mexico and are on the lookout for different locations to go to, be sure that to take a look at a few of our different articles. We journey to Mexico with children a number of occasions a 12 months, visiting our favourite locations and new locations too.
- Bacalar – Lake with loopy blue waters; the photograph above is from there.
- Izamal – Yellow Metropolis
- Cenotes in Mexico – Skip the snorkel excursions and take a look at native cenotes
- Valladolid – Tremendous cute city with tons of cenotes and Mayan ruins close by
- Kaan Luum – A straightforward, enjoyable day journey from Tulum
- Xpu Ha – Beautiful seaside between Playa del Carmen and Tulum
- Merida – Not a hidden gem, however an awesome place to go to
When planning your subsequent go to to Mexico, ensure you take into account El Cuyo, which has lovely sunsets, quiet sandy seashores, turquoise waters, participating points of interest, and wonderful meals – providing one thing for each traveler to take pleasure in!