Mahahual – A Beautiful Destination in the Yucatan Peninsula

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Thomas Lloyd

Mahahual is one of the many hidden jewels of the Yucatan Peninsula. A small fishing village where magic happens since you arrive. This small town is a very safe destination; and the perfect spot to escape and have a peaceful time off.

Mahahual is located south of Tulum following the 307 highway on the way to Chetumal.

Once you pass the town of Carrillo Puerto, you will see the signs pointing to take the road to Mahahual. Your destination is only 3 kilometers away from the Costa Maya cruise port. If you’re coming from Cancun’s International Airport, it is an easy and worthwhile drive to Mahahual; with plenty of cenotes and quaint towns. If you’re looking for a getaway to relax and to get some rest from the crowds of Playa del Carmen or Cancun, Mahahual is the perfect place to achieve this.

Here you won’t find big hotels, nor giant developments. Mahahual features beautiful small hotels in the heart of the town. You will find some grocery stores and, of course, delicious restaurants where food will give you another amazing experience. Mahahual offers a range of lodgings, from camping spots, boutique hotels and luxury villas.

In Mahahual there are several activities to do. It goes from eco tours, to snorkeling, diving and fishing. The weather conditions in the summer are excellent for fishing, so in this period of the year this town hosts amazing fishing contests. Also, you will find some beach clubs with excellent service to enjoy an amazing day at the beach.

Wake up every morning in this small paradise. You can have breakfast in one of the many coffee shops, so you can later get ready for an incredible day. The calm waters of Mahahual will allow you to dive in and swim all along the Caribbean Sea. Then, you can sunbath while you drink a fresh beverage. When you decide to leave the beach, you can go for walk on the main street, where you will find some local sellers with beautiful Mexican handicrafts; the perfect place to find a souvenir to take back home! Moreover, take the opportunity to rent out a bike and go across Mahahual, a short but lovely road.

Once the night arrives to Mahahual, you can go out on a romantic dinner under the moonlight and feel the ocean breeze. Enjoy every corner that this paradise has to offer. Mahahual has managed to maintain the beautiful Caribbean vibe that every tourist looks for.

Mahahual is another hidden jewel of the Yucatan Peninsula, and you must visit it before you leave Mexico. Once you’re here, you will not regret this amazing getaway!

The Hunt for Lionfish

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

Lionfish hunting has increasingly become a very popular activity in the Riviera Maya since awareness about its danger to the ecosystem has risen. Since their mysterious introduction into Caribbean waters (hurricanes, shipwrecks and bored aquarium owners are suspected), these beautiful animals have reproduced at astonishing rates and have invaded the reefs. With no natural predators in the Riviera Maya, only humans are able to eliminate them and end the damage that these fish are doing to the ecosystem.
Nothing embodies the beauty and danger of the ocean as well as the lionfish. They are hypnotizing to look at, mesmerizing divers with their calm and beauty. But beware; they are as venomous as they are beautiful. While fatalities are rare, being stung by a lionfish can cause strong burning pains, swollen body areas and ugly-crying adults. However, in case of a sting, immediate medical treatment is required because, as mentioned before, they can be fatal.

The lionfish is originally from the Pacific and Indian Ocean and is known to corner their pray with their astonishingly beautiful pectoral fins and swallow them whole. They consume almost 500,000 fish per acre, per year, in the Caribbean.
Reproduction can occur every four days, year-round, with females releasing approximately 2 million eggs per year. Although efforts are being made to control the increasing population, thousands of them are still swimming out there breaking the balance of the reef harmony.
Lionfish hunting has become a sport in smaller areas of the Riviera Maya, such as Akumal and Tulum, where hunting groups go out daily to hunt the invasive species. A rebound of the native fish populations has been noted in areas where hunters have maintained the lionfish kingdom at a low.

Eating Lionfish

Considered a delicacy, and very rare to find, lionfish can be eaten when cooked and prepared properly. Remember, these are venomous animals and can still sting if not handled with care. The important part is to fillet them after detoxifying the fish, as Gynna Sainz, who owns Gynn’AK, a lionfish specialty restaurant in Akumal, says.
Lionfish can be cooked in any way, because, as Gynna puts it, “fish is fish!” A favorite dish is lionfish ceviche, lionfish tacos and lionfish sushi.

Hunting Lionfish

Are you interested in helping conserve the balance of the ecosystem? While not everyone is eligible for lionfish hunting – knowledge of spear hunting is a big plus – you can join in on a hunting dive just to watch. Just ask at any local dive shop and they will give you the options! There are usually only one or two hunting dives weekly, but whatever you catch is yours to eat. Caught lionfish will be handed to a chef at a restaurant to cook for you.
So there you go! You can add this to your bucket list of one-of-a-kind activities to do at the Riviera Maya, while helping conservation efforts reboot the ecosystem!
You can eat lionfish here!

Fishing in the Riviera Maya

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

Fishing in the Riviera Maya is one of the most popular attractions for thousands of visitors every year. The Riviera Maya has access to the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system in the world, offering a wide variety of sea life and sea fishing experiences.

Fishing in the Riviera Maya is a year-round opportunity and there are activities for every level, from professionals to children; everyone can enjoy fishing in the Riviera Maya!

The predominant fishing season for sailfish, blue marlin, white marlin and dorado (mahi-mahi) begins in March and runs through July. In other seasons the abundant fish are wahoo, tuna, kingfish, and barracuda as well as snapper, grouper, and triggerfish. The smaller kinds of fish you can opt to cook yourself or you can pick a restaurant and let them do all the work for you!

Fishing in the Riviera Maya: Calendar

Source: https://rivieramayafishing.com/

Note: Sailfish, Marlin and some other fish are catch and release only. Recent law bans shark fishing.

Fishing in the Riviera Maya: Locations

If you want to stay away from larger tourist destinations like Playa del Carmen or Cancun, we have three suggestions for fishing destinations:

Puerto Aventuras

Puerto Aventuras is a gated community located halfway between the popular tourist destinations Playa del Carmen and Tulum. This is a wonderful place for sport fishing, it also has its own marina and most of the fishing areas are very close; forget about long trips into the sea!

The best time to go fishing is from March to June, but there are always fish and fishing tours with year round success rates. If someone in your group is not into fishing, there is also the option of snorkeling in the nearby reef; an ideal activity for kids.

More Information:

https://rivieramayafishing.com/

Riviera Maya Fishing

US Phone: 513-410-1644

From Mexico: 984-112-1989

International: 011-52-984-112-1989

Email: info@rivieramayafishing.com

Puerto Morelos

Puerto Moreleos is a sleepy fishing town, there are only a few restaurants and hotels in the downtown area. Puerto Morelos is located 15 minutes south from the Cancun International Airport and halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The reef at Puerto Morelos is so close, you won’t be wasting any time before you are ready to catch something!

More Information:

https://www.puertomorelosfishing.com/

US Phone (303)325-3986

From Mexico: 01 (998)848-8819

International: 011-52-1-(998)201-9805

Cell local: 044-(998)201-9805/ Cell another city in Mexico 045-(998)201-9805

Sian Ka’an Reserve

The Sian Ka’an Reserve is a beautiful place and you can either go fishing in deep waters or fly-fishing in the world famous salt water lagoons of Sian Ka’an.

Some of the fish that can be found in these waters are: bonefish, tarpon, permit, jack and barracuda.

Visiting the Sian Ka’an reserve is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the local

wildlife as well as the ancient Mayan civilization. Most of these tours are run by experienced guides that also live in the Sian Ka’an Reserve.

Although the primary fishing season is March through August, the year-round marine resources provide abundant schools of many species throughout the year.

More Information:

CESIAK:

https://www.cesiak.org/

Email: info@cesiak.org

Community Tours Sian Ka’an:

https://www.siankaantours.org/en/fly-fishing/

info@siankaantours.org

+52 (984) 871 22 02

+52 (984) 114 07 50

Fishing in the Riviera Maya provides year round options, whether it’s deep sea fishing or fly fishing, fishing for sport or fishing for your dinner, you are sure to catch a good time.

Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Thomas Lloyd

Scuba diving in Playa del Carmen has become a very popular activity for tourists and professional divers from all over the world. Playa del Carmen offers novice and expert courses and tours of various levels of difficulty, making it ideal for everyone interested in diving.

Playa del Carmen is a popular Caribbean destination, with beautiful calm beaches, white sandy shores and a vibrant culture and nightlife. When it comes to destinations in the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen offers an interesting mix of real Mexico and a modern city.

Playa del Carmen is located 45 minutes south of the Cancun International Airport, and sits along the Mesoamerican Reef; the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Mesoamerican Reef is 600 miles (965 km. long) and it is renowned for its abundance of fish life and variety of diving sites.

The Mesoamerican Reef has a wide variety of animal life such as turtles, groupers, barracuda, and tarpon. Other animals that can be found in the reefs are: seahorses, pipefish, fire worms, and all sorts of tiny shrimp and crabs.

Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen: Once in a lifetime experiences

If you visit Playa del Carmen, and you are interested in a diving tour; make sure to shop around for a certified provider. Check sites like Tripadvisor or PADI to make sure you are picking the right provider for you! There are however, diving experiences that are unique, and shouldn’t be missed by any diver visiting the area.

Whale Shark

(May-September)

The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world, it can grow up to 40 feet in length and can weigh up to 13.6 tons. Despite its enormous size, it does not pose any danger to humans since it feeds on phytoplankton, microalgae, plankton, krill and small nektonic life, such as small squid or vertebrates. Do not miss the opportunity to swim close to these gentle giants, a magical experience you will never forget!

Sailfish Adventure

(December–March)

Swim with one of the fastest fish in the ocean, the sailfish can reach speeds of up to 68 mph. During winter, the sailfish arrive in the Mexican Caribbean, near the shores of Contoy Island; attracted by the abundance of sardines in this area. Contoy Island is a nature reserve and a beautiful tropical paradise, this tour is an excellent opportunity to see a variety of native animals in their natural environment.

Bull Shark Dive

(November–March)

Experience the dive of a lifetime with these amazing creatures! The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a robust shark with a flat rounded snout, grey top and white bottom. The larger females can grow up to 11 feet long, weighs upwards of 500 pounds and live over 15 years. A bull shark is a unique species that can tolerate freshwater, hence these species have been found up rivers and have been responsible for attacks on humans and other species. The attacks of Bull Sharks have inspired movies like jaws, where sharks attack their prey in the open sea, near the shore and even rivers!

Searching for the adventure of a lifetime, look no farther, scuba diving on the Mesoamerican Reef. Don’t miss one of these wonderful experiences! Visit Playa del Carmen.

Today, Playa del Carmen’s Deep Sea Fishing Tournament Starts! – Video

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Thomas Lloyd

If you love fishing, then Playa del Carmen really would be your cup of tea!

This morning, Playa del Carmen’s annual fishing tournament was kicked off. Take a look at this video from Mexico Travel News:

This is one of the winners from last year’s tournament, I believe:

Here’s a shot of “the big catch” on a boat. (This is not in the tournament, but gives you a taste of what fishing in Playa del Carmen is like:)

If you’re around, it’d be great to head out and see some of the prize catches. If not, well you know what you can plan for the next time you’re here in Playa!

-by Thomas Lloyd

Wouldn’t You Like to Catch a Fish Like This in Playa del Carmen?

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Thomas Lloyd

Fishing is a big thing in Playa del Carmen. In fact, the reason the town was founded in the first place (just over 100 years ago) was as a fishing village, which is what it remained until the 1990s when tourism took off and it became a major expat community.

Fishing is still a part of daily life. You find everything from the traditional fishermen throwing their nets in at the beaches in the very early mornings to luxury boat owners going out for a deep-sea catch.

Just the other day, I was walking along the beach and saw this young Argentinian guy who had just caught this fish, right from the beach:

Whatever you’re style of fishing, I’m sure you’ll find it in Playa del Carmen! And, if you prefer just to enjoy the fresh catch of the day and let someone else do the work, that’s easy (and very low cost) too!

-by Thomas Lloyd