The Caribbean coast of Mexico, I love it here!
This trip was by plane, the previous trip was by car for a 2 year period. This trip is only for 4 weeks. It’s a trial for a much longer stay…something like 3 to 6 months. I consider it like being a part-time resident.
Anyway, not car this time.
So, this past week I decided to rent a car for a day. My intention was to use Hertz or Avis. But, during a walk I inquired with a small local company and they were so helpful with some general information that I decided to use them.
That was a GREAT decision too.
The condo I’m staying at doesn’t provide any overnight parking so that sort of put a hitch in the plans. Which is quickly solved by bringing the car back the same day!
Here’s where we ran off to…all were familiar places just as the one next week will be.
First was Chemuyil.
Chemuyil is a pueblo south of Playa del Carmen and a tad south of Akumal and a bit north of Tulum (that’s next week). There’s a specialty about Chemuyil which is simple, it’s right next to Chan Chemuyil which is the 1st place we lived in Mexico. This is where Mexican locals live. It’s very inexpensive and somewhat native in its appearance. Some of the houses do not have running water, most don’t have beds as we American’s know them. They have hammocks! Indoors of course.
Look around, and you’ll see the daily life of Mexican’s. There are some small business that are multipurpose with food, drinks, and clothing. There’s even a couple restaurants and bars. On this particular visit I found a small coffee shop run by a young couple. I had to buy a coffee and croissant. Both were truly good.
You have to know that Chemuyil is where it’s at to find it. Sounds simple, but you never knew that it existed until this writing and you wouldn’t be able to find it without some help, even with a road sign! You’d turn around before getting there.
Next is Chan Chemuyil. I’m driving this back road from Chemuyil.
On the way, just up the road on the left from the above picture is a cenote inside a cave!!! And inside that cave are ‘bats’. We took Max and Keira there when we lived in Puerto Aventuras for a swim. That cenote is very cold water…which didn’t stop Max.
Here’s a picture of the 1st house we lived in in Chan Chemuyil.
We didn’t use that as a carport. Look above it and you’ll see a ceiling fan. There was a table and chairs. The problem was too many people wanted to stop and talk so I quit sitting out front.
The portion above the car is where a small swimming pool is located!!! Rather cool, with a patio area leading into a bedroom. I slept there a lot.
So, we just took a quick drive thru.
Next is Akumal. Akumal is a tourist Mecca. You can swim with turtles here. The turtles are in abundance. For some reason this is one of those types of places. The problem (at least for me) is that the government has regulations and laws protecting these sea creatures, but the locals have their own regulations that come with a financial price. These regulations aren’t written down. You just have to have a lot of pesos with you or sign-up with one of the tour groups. By the way, no “Ooooops! I didn’t know I couldn’t do that!” You ain’t getting out of anything. Bring extra pesos.
I like Akumal. There’s a number of restaurants that I like to visit there. One is La Buena Vida, away from the tourist area. I love to eat and have a few cervezas there. But, it too has changed post pandemic. I really didn’t enjoy myself as much as I used to.
Now, onto Puerto Aventuras.
This is where we lived the longest period of time, a year. We were walking distance to everything we could possibly want groceries, laundry, restaurants, beverages and of course the Caribbean.
But, this visit was to visit some friends. Unfortunately one was ill, another was gonna show up too late for us. So that left us with seeing only one friend, Issac.
The place is called Latitude 20. It’s a neat little place to visit for food and beverage and also for local expats to gather.
Issac is also a pastor at a local church next to his home in the pueblo way back in the jungle. We’ve had the privilege of visiting his humble home meeting his wife and 3 children a number of years back. That was an experience you couldn’t pay me not to do. A much different life than you and I are accustomed.
There are 2 sites to everything I show you. There is the central government portion which is usually located where the tourism section is which is the east side of the highway that connects Cancun to Belize City and there is the west side of the highway which is the pueblo (village) where the locals live.
This is a totally different world than in the U.S. For me, it’s a cultural lesson and an appreciation of the Mexican way of life.
Time to drive back to Playa del Carmen.
Peace, love, and beaches,
John