Your Complete Guide for El Cuyo

(Last Updated On: July 9, 2021)

Right now more than ever people are looking for somewhere to go where they can escape the madness brought on by COVID-19. Depending on where you are from that may be increasingly difficult. For those that live in Mexico or who can still travel from their country to Mexico El Cuyo is an excellent option. El Cuyo is a picturesque small, seaside, fishing town on the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula where you’ll find miles of gorgeous beaches virtually untouched by tourism…to date. The following guide for El Cuyo will help you plan your stay.

On November 5th, my husband Cesar, my good friend Lenka and I packed up our SUV with supplies and our beloved fur-babies : Lenka’s dog Yiya and our cat, Simba. We headed to El Cuyo for seven glorious nights at a rustic beach-front, two-bedroom house. This wasn’t our first trip here but it was Simba’s first ever vacay. We had to improvise since we wanted to spend more than two nights this time around and we didn’t have anyone who could stay with Simba. It turned out to be the best decision I have ever made concerning him. I live in a spacious top-floor apartment in Cancun with a lovely rooftop terrace but Simba has never really experienced the great outdoors. Long story short he LOVED the beach.

Where to stay

You’ll find a few small hotels in El Cuyo, but in my opinion, renting a small house right on the beach or in close proximity, is definitely the best way to go for your tropical getaway in paradise! Through Airbnb, and other online sites you can find lots of great options that will fit your particular needs; however, I highly recommend Saydi, a young lady who grew up in El Cuyo. She represents a variety of properties there. Be sure to like her Facebook page Say yes Mexico to view her vacation listings as well as daily breathtaking images and videos of this idyllic vacation spot. Saydi does an excellent job of taking care of anyone who rents through her. And if you, like me, are traveling with a fur-baby make sure you let her know in advance. Please say hi from CancunAsh if you decide to book through her.

Why El Cuyo?

There is something truly special about El Cuyo. It is not a place to go if you are looking for a party town night atmosphere or loud beach clubs filled with tourists by day. Here you will find a small, pristine, quiet oasis that allows you to relax and simply enjoy the sound of waves crashing on the beach while spending time with friends or family. It is also a place, that for a short time, allowed us to “almost” forget that we are living through a pandemic. Although, the use of face masks are currently mandatory in Mexico, you won’t come across many people during your stay. Only when you choose to go into town for a meal or supplies will you need to don your mask.

How to Get to El Cuyo?

There are several ways to get to El Cuyo. You can either fly into Merida or Cancun and then rent a vehicle and stock up on supplies in either city if you are planning to stay in a rented house. From, Merida the drive to El Cuyo will take you 3 hrs and 28 minutes. If driving from Cancun using the toll road it will take you 2 hours and 27 minutes. You can also use public transport using a mix of ADO buses, minivans or taxis from various locations if you prefer not to rent a vehicle.

Restaurants and Supplies

Staying in a fishing town means that when you eat out at a local restaurant you are guaranteed the freshest seafood possible that day. The menus vary somewhat during the year depending on what season you decide to visit El Cuyo but you will always find something delicious to tempt your palate at an incredibly reasonable price. There are also several small stores to replenish your stock of fresh fruit, eggs, bread and other necessities should you run out as well as “Carnicería 2 Hermanos” for poultry and meat.

Restaurants close between 6 pm and 10 pm depending on what they serve and you can find lots of small places that offer local food from the region like salbutes, panuchos and other local delights.

Also, if you are in need of a caffeine fix there is no better place than Naia Cafe.

Sunrises, Sunsets, Stargazing and Sea- Shells

There are some places in this world that leave an indelible mark on your soul. For me, El Cuyo, is one of them. Perhaps, it has something to do with the wide-open, untouched beauty of the area. Whatever it is what I do know for sure is that the sunrises, sunsets and starry nights play a huge part of that intangible feeling that make El Cuyo such a special place.During the summer, the sunsets are full of intense colours that can seem surreal at times. Then, during the fall months, the sunsets remind you of a soft pastel painting, equally as beautiful but less intense in colour. The sunrises are just as beautiful and ever-changing in their intensity during the year.

Nighttime’s are especially magical. On our most recent trip we could see the Milky Way, various constellations and even Mars from our comfy blanket by the water’s edge. Living in Cancun, we are deprived of such celestial viewing so nights like these are definitely ones to be remembered.

If you love hunting for that one perfect seashell while on vacation here you’ll find a variety of different shapes and sizes to add to your personal collection.

Fun Stuff to Do

• Learn to kite surf. The windy season is from November to June, but the wind is most consistent from February to June. Learn more here and book your lessons.
• Rent a fat bike to explore the sandy roads of El Cuyo. Because of the pandemic many small businesses have closed. When I was there in November 2020 I saw fat bikes for rent at La Conchita restaurant. Ask around for other possible rental locations while on vacation.
• Visit Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve and Las Coloradas ( Pink Water) This is a great day trip and definitely worth the time.

*There are several other places that you could also visit while staying in El Cuyo if you have your own transport. Keep in mind that this small fishing town is rather isolated so any day trips will require a few hours to get there and to get back to your accommodations. At the end of the day if you do choose to visit El Cuyo it is because you are seeking a vacation destination where you can disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the simple pleasures that this place has to offer you.

Beach Bonfires

On our most recent trip the lights went out on the 4th day, which apparently is quite common , fortunately for us we came prepared with candles and a flashlight. We noticed that our neighbours,2 beach houses down from us, had a small fire burning. I asked them for some advice about building a fire in the sand and much to my surprise they recommended using old, dry coconuts as kindling. It was very dark but we managed to gather a few pieces of wood and one dry coconut. We lit the coconut on fire and then it started to rain. We retreated to the covered patio of our house and were amazed that the coconut continued to burn for 3 hours despite the torrential rainfall until we finally turned in for the night.

The following evening when the power went out again, thanks to a Google search that morning on how to build a beach bonfire, this time we were prepared. What a sense of accomplishment we all felt as it burned late into the night. Of course, before going to bed we extinguished our fire and the next day we covered it all up returning the beach to its original state.

When to Visit

February and March are the best months to visit El Cuyo because it is dry ( no mosquitoes) and it isn’t too hot. But nothing beats, May, June, July and part of August for the best sunsets and a tranquil, clear blue, ocean. Be prepared for intense heat during these months and make sure you stay at a place with a/c! The rainy season starts at the end of August and can last until mid- November which means lots of mosquitoes on wind-free days. If you plan on kite-surfing keep in mind the windy season is from November to June, but the wind is most consistent from February to June.

PRO TIP:

If you are a wine lover like me be sure to stock up before you get here. You’ll find beer stores everywhere but I have yet to find anywhere that sells hard liquor and wine other than by the glass in a restaurant.

What are you waiting for?

If you are looking for a place to recharge and reconnect with nature you won’t find a better place than this small, fishing town in the Yucatan. This brief guide about El Cuyo will hopefully answer most of your questions but if not please feel free to send me an email for more info.

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