An adventure through Paradise to Punta Allen

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Thomas Lloyd

I would like to share an experience of friend who traveled through the Jungle to the small little fishing village of Punta Allen. The way she described it to me was somewhat humorous as they did not travel the traditional way through the jungle to arrive there. Punta Allen is a very cute and small fishing village past Tulum and Sian Ka’an. In order to get there you must travel through a rocky dirt road through the jungle.

There are many beautiful things to see as you travel through before arriving to the quaint little town. My friend’s journey began in Playa del Carmen where she and her husband rented a scooter to take a spontaneous weekend getaway.

In Tulum

Although very close to home they stayed one night in a tiny but sweet and clean hotel room in the center of Tulum. When they awoke in the morning they decided to head off to Punta Allen as they had heard about this destination yet knew nothing about it. Still they wanted to find out. They asked a few locals in town how to get there and received some directions but were advised to rent a jeep or a 4×4 if at all possible.

Adventurous Mishaps …
Being adventurous and spontaneous as they are they decided to ignore the advice and swing it on the scooter! Well about a quarter of the way through the long dirt road of Sian Ka’an, they finally realized the importance of the 4×4 as the ride was very slow and very bumpy. None the less, they took frequent stops to take a look and snap photos of all the beauty that surrounded them.

There are beautiful jungles, pristine bays of water, and sheer quiet and relaxation! In some points of the route you will even see camping areas where people come to enjoy a place where the jungle truly meets the sea. They realized half way that they hadn’t even arrived to their destination yet and they were already taking in quite a beautiful experience. Alas, they arrived and there was the sign “Welcome to Punta Allen”! It probably should have taken them half the time in a jeep but they didn’t mind because it was an experience.

Definitely Not a Resort!
Punta Allen is a tiny fishing village that attracts some attention for a quiet weekend or night away however fully maintains its charm. There is only one restaurant there and they have some options for cabanas.This is not a place for resort goers!

The cabanas are small, simple, clean and nice! You are surrounded by beauty and nature. There is a light house if you stroll down the path and in the little town you will see what some may think of as typical Mexico as this is not a tourist destination in general. The main activity there is fishing and as a tour option you can head out on a boat with a guided tour out into the ocean. Other than that it’s all about the relaxation. My friend thought it to be quite cute and funny that the restaurant owned a turkey for a pet, which had been tied to a tree in the restaurant, you know, just in case it ran away!

The Journey Home

The duration of the stay was not too long; only one night but enough to have a beautiful experience. Then they headed home back on the scooter back towards Tulum and back to Playa. It is truly wonderful that when you live here you have the option to just pick up and go somewhere and explore in such a beautiful place!

We should remember that some people save up for a year to take a vacation out to the Riviera Maya to explore and experience as much as they can because for many it is only a once in a lifetime event or at least every once in a while. Take advantage of what you have surrounding you and go!

-by Bea Lozano

New Pyramids Discovered in Veracruz, Mexico

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Thomas Lloyd

Once again, Mexico shows that it is capable of discovering, analyzing and preserving ancient pyramid sites for the sake of science and enjoyment of visitors. All of this comes in complete contrast to the destruction of Mayan pyramids reported from Central America. Here’s an excerpt from a news report:

An ancient settlement, including 30 skeletons and the ruins of a pyramid, believed to be up to 2,000 years old, has been unearthed in Mexico.

The discovery was made during construction work in eastern Mexico. Clay figurines, jade beads, mirrors and animal remains have also been found in the site of the graves in the town of Jaltipan, southeast of Veracruz, according to the National Anthropology and History Institute (INAH).

Researchers believe the settlement was occupied from around the first century AD until AD 600 or 700. However, little is known about the people who lived there, ‘LiveScience’ reported. (source: Business Standard)

Mexico offers contact with and information on a rich variety of ancient civilizations that lived throughout the country for anyone who wishes to travel and see these sites. Yet another reason to choose Mexico.

-by Thomas Lloyd

Traffic Problems in Mexico – #wordlesswednesdays

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Thomas Lloyd

Mexico is modernizing rapidly … but this side of Mexico still has its charm!

-by Thomas Lloyd

Mexican Desert with Volcanoes and Dunes Recognized as World Heritage Site

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Thomas Lloyd

In late June, About.com’s page for Mexico shared the news that El Pinacate y Gran Desierto del Altar Biosphere Reserve in the northern Mexican state of Sonora has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Here’s part of the description of the site:

To the east, a volcanic system which includes the large, dormant volcano El Pinacate, has 400 cinder cones and black and red lava flows and desert pavements, as well as ten enormous craters. To the west, the Gran Desierto del Altar (Great Altar Desert) is North America’s largest area of active sand dunes, some of them reaching over 650 feet in height. The area is home to over 1000 plant and animal species, and is considered the desert region with the most biodiversity in the world.

Just for your pleasure, I’ve dug up some pictures of El Pinacate y Gran Desierto del Altar Biosphere Reserve:

-by Thomas Lloyd

The Five Senses of Playa del Carmen

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Thomas Lloyd

Retirement living in Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen is an invigorating beach town awaking all of your senses beyond the norm. With so many things to see, hear, smell, touch and taste you are sure to want to return again and again or join the rest of the expats that have made this wonderful place their home. So what’s different? I believe it is the combination of multi culture, tradition, value of simplicity, love and beauty.

I See Magic!

The ocean gives a different kind of magic in each time of the day. I enjoy the mornings and evenings because of the quiet and peace that it fills me with. But during the day the ocean is moving. There is energy created by beach-goers making a buzz in Playa.

If you venture outside of the beach and up the 5th ave you can see much movement and excitement. One of my favorite things to do on the 5th ave is to have a cup of coffee at Starbucks and people watch. You will see vendors and restaurants busy at work asking you to come try their product. You will see different kinds of entertainment from men dressed as characters, break dancers, street shows, mariachis, etc.

Off the 5th you see what real life is like here in Playa. There are lots of people walking or riding bicycles, Couples holding hands, kids playing in the street, workers working, cats and dogs running around without a leash just having fun and doing what is within our nature. Many of these things are very rare to see in the Midwest where I come from.

Can you smell that?

Ocean and sand! We all are familiar with the great smell of the beach. It’s a smell that tells us to enjoy, relax and let go!

Food! Restaurants, small Mexican kitchens or taco carts are in abundance here. Wherever you go you smell the aroma of food. This is of course why I tend to remain permanently hungry in Playa.

Incense! I have noticed that the use of incense is quite popular here and I smell it a lot on the 5th avenue coming from some stores

Oh YUM!

This is my personal favorite topic! The food, fruit, and different kinds of drinks here are amazing. There are so many new things to try. From simple to the most exotic kinds of foods, Playa is full of top notch restaurants.

And have you tried the cooking from a local Mexican kitchen, otherwise known as a Fonda? If not then please do! It’s some of the best yet inexpensive food you will eat here. Let’s not forget the availability of wonderful fruits, juices and flavored waters. Have you tried Jamaica (HA-MI-CA) water yet? Here you will find the food is National but also very International so try it all

Hello I Can Hear You!

Well, one of our most incredible senses is our hearing. Each town and city has their own flare to it. So what is different and particular about Playa? Well, for one back in the U.S. I would have never thought I’d be living next door to a rooster but, well now I have one for a neighbor. He sings his song throughout the day but is never bothersome. It actually makes me feel very nice that I have discovered this simplicity to life.

Nature is a noise that you hear often here. The chirping of the various kinds of birds is a common sound. The language! Oh how I love the Spanish language. It sounds so beautiful to me when I hear people talk. I’ve known Spanish for a while, but I still love listening – the new hasn’t worn off! Music is filled in the streets and in the touristic areas day and night including those great mariachis and local musicians.

Retirement living in Playa del Carmen It feels so Good!