Nomadic dani

If you’re dreaming of turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and a relaxed beach town vibe without the crowds, Mahahual is the place to be. Tucked away on Mexico’s Costa Maya, this sleepy fishing village turned laid-back paradise offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of busier destinations like Cancun or Tulum.

I spent a few days here, doing nothing but enjoying the beach with my girlfriend, eating food, drinking many a cerveza and Margaritas as big as my head and embraced the slow pace of life after a really busy year. And let me tell you—Mahahual is magic.

Day 1: Arrival in Paradise

_{Many a cerveza in Mahahaul}

Getting to Mahahual takes a little effort, but that’s part of the charm. After a four-hour drive from Cancun by car or the many small buses we had to take from Felipe Carillo Porto or a shorter two-hour trip from Chetumal, you arrive at a place where time seems to slow down. No giant resorts, no big crowds—just soft white sand, colorful beachfront palapas, and the endless blue of the Caribbean Sea.

Me girlfriend and I checked into a small eco-friendly beachfront wooden hotel, Palmeras de Mahahual Cabañas, dropped our bags, and walked straight to the shore, which was perfectly calm in front of us. The water? Crystal clear and calm, thanks to the offshore Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which keeps the waves gentle and perfect for swimming.

For us Mahahaul was escape for a weekend of just chill, going for light walks on the beachfront and enjoying the views, food and alcohol. There is a mixture of restaurants selling everything from burgers to Mexican food. We opted to go to Margaritas house for an outside table and maragaritas as big as your head, which after a few we were both ready for a midday nap.

_{Views from our eco lodge}

It was not peak tourist season so it wasn’t too busy, which meant we pretty much had the place to ourselves. During the peak season many cruise liners do visit this sleepy town and I am told it can become very busy. The lighthouse is a tourist attraction here and many of the local people rely on tourism in this area. You will have many stalls selling everything beach you could think of and if you want a massage there are plenty of people waiting for your business.

Overall Mahahual felt very safe both at day and night when walking down the main strip. We did hold hands here, when seated at a table and when in the water we were together with no issues. Again this is a tourist area that welcomes many cruise liners and tourists from different backgrounds. I am looking forward to returning here in the future.