Off the Beaten Path in the Yucatan
This authentic Mexican fishing village also happens to be one of the best places to learn kiteboarding in Mexico (and North America as well!). The windy season is November to August, but the peak for wind is February to June and these months will give you the best % of wind to learn and ride. The most desirable wind direction is the thermal that pushes daily 12pm to sunset from the Northeast. This reliable wind typically begins during middle of February and will last until mid June or later. There is a number of sandbars for shallow water learning just off shore, with wind chop and small waves. If the wind is an “El Norte” you can expect larger waves and wind up to 30 knots. El Nortes are rare and can happen during the months of November to February.
You can post questions, comments, stuff for sale, ride shares, apartments for rent, etc. in the Everything El Cuyo Facebook Page and this will help you connect up with locals or other visitors in the area that can help you out further with questions you might have.
Kiteboard Lessons:
Accommodation:
Directions:
The main airport to fly into is the international airport of Cancun (CUN).
Driving:
Renting a car in Cancun can be affordable but there are a few necessary tips to follow that will make the rental process less stressful. We have more info in our Blog Tips for Renting a Car in Mexico (COMING SOON). Day rates should cost anywhere from $19-30 USD a day. From Cancun take the Cuota 180D (Exit for Holbox) which will cost around $7 USD (140 pesos), plus the route will save about 30 minutes of driving time. It is possible to take the 180 Libre (free) road that you see marked as dark red on the map below. Driving at night is not recommended as there are animals that cross the road, unmarked or unlit cars, pot holes, and huge topes (speed bumps).
The buses in the Yucatan are very comfortable and affordable. You do not need any ticket purchases beforehand and you can either purchase tickets at the Cancun bus station or directly on the bus when traveling from El Cuyo to Cancun. The journey from the Cancun airport to El Cuyo requires taking 3 buses in total. The total time from the Cancun city bus station to El Cuyo is around 3 hours. When you arrive in Colonial Yucatan and if the next bus to El Cuyo does not arrive for a bit, you can always take a taxi for 150-200 pesos to El Cuyo or take a collectivo van for a bit less.
Cancun (CUN) Airport to Cancun Bus Station
Every ½ hour for 70 pesos you can catch a bus directly outside of baggage claim that takes you to the downtown Cancun bus station or vice versa to the airport from the bus station.
Cancun to El Cuyo:
Cancun to Colonia Yucatan (100 pesos)
6am, 9am, 2:30pm Everyday,
3pm (Saturday & Sunday only)
Colonia Yucatan to El Cuyo (50 pesos)
6am, 8am, 1:45pm, 2:15pm, 5:15pm, 7:30pm Everyday
11:15am (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
El Cuyo to Cancun:
El Cuyo to Colonia Yucatan (50 pesos)
6am, 9:15am, 1pm, 3:15pm, 6pm
Colonia Yucatan to Cancun (100 pesos)
1st Clase
730am, 6:15pm
1:15pm (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday)
10:45am, 4pm (Saturday)
8:45pm (Sunday)
2nd Clase
6:30am, 8:15am (Saturday, Sunday), 10:15am, 1pm, 4:45pm, 7:30pm
There are taxis/vans that go directly from the airport to El Cuyo, however you will pay an outrageous amount from those types of services offered at the airport, as such taxi services from Cancun to El Cuyo is not recommended. Another option would be to take the bus at the airport to the central Cancun bus station for $4 USD and ask for lower costing taxi options there. If you arrive in Colonial Yucatan you can also negotiate a price to El Cuyo via taxi for around 150-200 pesos one way.
Stores:
There is a liquor store in town that has all imported brands, however, there is not always tequila in stock. Beer can be purchased at any convenience store in town.
Additionally, don't expect every store to have everything you will need. It may be necessary to make a visit to two or more stores to find everything you want or need. Don't be afraid to ask for hard-to-find items. Google translate can be very helpful for this task.
Restaurants & Food:
There are two main restaurants open during lunch; La Conchita and MiraMar. Both have delicious seafood and a variety of other meals to choose from. El Amigo Omar is open morning until later in the evening and the food is one of the best tasting and priced places in El Cuyo. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu. We recommend trying the "Sopa de Puerco" which is a black bean soup with pork with fresh onions, cilantro, and lime. More than four other restaurants in town open up after sunset. Please refer to the map regarding where all the restaurants are in El Cuyo and their hours of operation.
El Amigo Omar 8am - 10pm
La Conchita 9am-6pm
Miramar 9am-5pm
Willys 6pm-10pm
Lupita 6pm-10pm
Pizza & Tacos 6:30pm - 10pm
Laundry:
It is easy to hire a local to wash your clothing for a fair price. Typically prices around $3-4 for a full load. Check the map for the location of the "lavanderia" (laundry house) near the central park in El Cuyo.
Massage:
If you would like a fantastic, beach-side massage, there is a highly talented blind massage therapist who will come visit El Cuyo from Cancun as long as there are 4 or more bookings for the day. The cost for an hour massage is $30. You can contact us at [email protected] to setup your appointment.
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Excursions:
Some recommended excursions include; the Las Coloradas, Ek Balam Mayan ruins, Cenote Samula, and the island of Holbox.
The Las Coloradas (Pink Lagoons): Only a one hour drive via the lagoon-side, dirt roadseperates El Cuyo from Rio Lagartos where the pink lagoons reside. This road is passable with the average rental car and is a scenic drive with beautiful lagoons along the way, often filled with thousands of flamingos.