Off the Beaten Path in the Yucatan
El Cuyo, Mexico has gone unseen among both foreign travelers and Mexicans who frequent the busy beach towns of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, Holbox, etc. El Cuyo's whereabouts are predominantly unknown to most kiters, travelers, and vagabonds, and yet this hidden authentic Mexican treasure sits in the majestic emerald coast of the Yucatan just waiting to be discovered. This modest beach town, mostly bearing sea worthy fisherman, boasts freshly caught and inexpensive seafood that will make any obsessed foodies mouth water. The town has an infatuation with more than 30,000 pink flamingos that migrate here yearly during the winter months to feed and reproduce. You can easily see some of these feeding flamingos at the town's small wooden dock on the lagoon side of town, while enjoying the majestic sight as the sun sets behind them. The other icon of El Cuyo is the town’s classically painted lighthouse that is perched on old Mayan ruins over the pueblito and it is the first sight you will see when entering the town over the Ria Lagartos National Park causeway.
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.
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.
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El Cuyo, Mexico is the complete opposite of cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. The town is relaxed with a laid back, authentic fishing village vibe, that gives you the true taste (no pun intended) of Mexico. This laid back lifestyle in comparison to the other busy, touristy cities in the Yucatan is a welcomed change of pace. El Cuyo is a small "pueblito" and does not offer luxury living or all the amenities of a 5 star hotel but this is the charm of El Cuyo and locals here, along with the travelers that call this place home part of the year, want to keep the authenticity alive and thriving. For some first world necessities, bring or shop at the city you are departing from before the trek to El Cuyo. These items may include; coffee, creamer, coffee filters, liquor (tequila, wine, specific beer you may like), sunglasses, and sunscreen are just a few things you may not find here.
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.
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.
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Kiteboard Lessons:
Learning to kiteboard in El Cuyo is one of the best places in Mexico, as it is always windy from February to June and is ideal for lessons. The wind is steady silky smooth always. El Cuyo offers up all the different type of conditions. In the morning expect lighter winds and flat shallow water as the thermal wind picks up, while in the afternoon the wind is stronger with small waves to chop. For more information on lessons and the kiting conditions check our webpage at http://www.comekitewithus.com/kiteschool.html.
Accommodation:
The best housing for kiteboarding or just beach lounging is along Kite Beach. Here you will find a number of accommodation options, all a bit more expensive than the posadas available in the center of town (please refer to the map with posada locations). Most of the housing available has 2-3 bedrooms and there are some 1 bedroom houses for rent. You can find the links below to all the housing available for rent in El Cuyo. Check our "accommodation" page for recommended houses that are clean, ocean front, and inexpensive. Feel free to contact us for further information regarding the best houses that El Cuyo offers at the best price.
Some of the housing here can be extremely expensive and not worth the cost relative to living conditions in the area. There are some of these houses in the town that show nice pictures, but do not offer conditions as shown in the photos. Other housing options in the area are run by “middle men” who live outside of El Cuyo and are renting houses with a huge commission added to the price, hence higher prices for some of these houses available that do not offer any type of comfort/value for the price. We have accumulated a ton of inside info on what houses are available, clean, nice for foreigners, and in our eyes worth renting. Email us at [email protected] for questions or post on Everything El Cuyo regarding questions on available rentals.
Directions:
Airport:
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 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).
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Bus:
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
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
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Taxi:
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.
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:
You can find and buy most things you need here in El Cuyo, Mexico for daily living. El Cuyo has a variety of smaller grocery stores that sell fruit, vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs, drinks, etc. For specific vegetables such as; mangos, watermelon, cilantro, pineapple, cantaloupe, oranges, avocado, limes, etc. there is a "fruit truck" that sets up selling his goods on the main road off a local house, you should be able to spot the fruit truck sitting outside on the road. Additionally there is a "fruitaria" located on the south side of town.
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.
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.
Store and Pharmacy
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Restaurants & Food:
Restaurants offer local Mayan and Mexican cuisine that is delicious to indulge in. We recommend trying all the different types of food available in town. The seafood is extremely fresh, as most of El Cuyo's residents are fishermen. The most famous dish is ceviche. "Mixto" ceviche comes with all sorts of seafood and various types of fish, shrimp, octopus, etc.
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
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
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Laundry:
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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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Laundry House
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Excursions:
There are a large number of exciting adventures and excursions in close proximity to El Cuyo, including but not limited to; climbing and exploring Mayan ruins, swimming in cenotes (fresh water sink holes), visiting Spanish colonial towns and cities, hiking in national parks, taking pictures of hundreds to thousands of neon-pink flamingos, swimming with whale sharks and manta rays, and many more sights awaiting within a 3 hour drive from El Cuyo.
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.
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.
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Ek Balam: A 2 hour drive seperates El Cuyo from the Ek Balam Mayan ruins which are void of huge tourist groups. Additionally, climbing to the top of the pyramid and temple structures is allowed at Ek Balam so you can get amazing pictures unlike any other ruins in the area. The most famous Mayan site of Chichen Itza is nearby for a full day of walking in the footsteps of the ancient Mayan people.
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Cenote Samula: A 2 1/2 hour drive separates El Cuyo from Cenote Samula (only 20 minutes from Ek Balam). It boasts an amazing fresh water cenote cave which at the right time of day will have a beam of light that passes through the hole in the roof and magically down into the swimming hole.
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Holbox: A 1 hour and 45 minute drive separates El Cuyo from the island of Holbox. This island is popular for its crystal clear, blue water, and has a much more touristy vibe. Cute restaurants, souvenir stores, and white sandy beaches make up the majority of attractions for this unique, Yucatan island.
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