El Cuyo, a hidden paradise in Mexico

In recent years, Yucatán has gained renown at home and abroad as one of the most visited places in the world, thanks to its history, gastronomy, and culture. Famous for its beaches and archaeological zones and with so much to offer, it is impossible not to have in mind visiting the capital of the Mayan world.

Yucatán’s beaches are of unsurpassed beauty. With the emerald waters of its beaches, its varied flora and fauna, its tropical climate and unbeatable sunsets, the coast is a mandatory stop when touring the state.

Just a 3-hour drive from capital city Mérida, in the northeast corner of the state, lies El Cuyo, in the city of Tizimín.

In the years that have passed since its founding, what started out as a humble logging port today is one of the most special corners of Yucatán. Right at the end of the Emerald Coast, El Cuyo is located in one of the most important natural reserves in Mexico, Rio Lagartos, the sanctuary of the pink flamingo. This protected ecotourism area is home to fascinating species of animals and plants and is of utmost importance for the development of the flamingo. These birds visit the mangroves every year from January to September to complete their reproductive cycle, providing one of the most impressive visual landscapes to be found in Yucatán and Mexico.

This small port is home to approximately 1,700 inhabitants. The town preserves traditional architecture; its houses are colorful and vibrant, like the warmth of its people, commonly seen everywhere across Yucatán. El Cuyo has small local businesses, where residents stock up on what is needed, as well as several restaurants that provide the best seafood and typical Yucatecan and Mexican food. Today the town is dedicated to not only fishing but multiple other recreational activities. This paradise is a quiet place, small and peaceful, where the waters of the Gulf of Mexico mix with those of the Caribbean Sea. It’s ideal for sports like kitesurfing and sailing, thanks to the nature of its waters, winds and location.

Kitesurfing is, in fact, one of the biggest attractions in the area, which boasts a school where you can learn to kite or, if you are already familiar with the sport, set out on your kitesurfing adventure. There are all kinds of tours to embark on to learn more about the El Cuyo area, including paddleboarding or kayaking to enjoy its crystal-clear waters, fishing, or renting a bicycle to  tour the port through its small streets lined with sand.

Another of the town’s advantages is its proximity to Las Coloradas, one of Yucatán’s most visited places due to its unique pink waters, which are the result of a high concentration of microorganisms and salt. Hidden just behind mountains of salt, it’s undoubtedly a place that everyone should visit.

El Cuyo is much more than we can describe here. Its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, turquoise and crystalline waters, pure white sands, its views, its peace and tranquility — all have made El Cuyo an ideal place for both domestic and international visitors.