Dream beaches that are mandatory stops
Raise your hand to those who at this point are not doing cold fantasize about sun and beach destinations.
Ha! We knew it! We are not alone. That is why we have decided that, once we are ready to dream, we will do it by sharing with you one of those earthly paradises that life has reserved for us. We are talking about the ** Mexican Caribbean **, where else?
So let's close our eyes and imagine that after landing at Cancun airport we head straight for the Yucatan peninsula. Specifically, to ** Tulum , that relaxed little corner of the planet in the state of Quintana Roo ** where time seems to have stopped.
From there, and after renting our small 4x4 with which to make our mission possible, We left for Punta Allen. Yes: that is the place we are looking for.
Some fishing boats are rocked by the waves while they wait for the moment to go fishing
Allen point is a very small fishing village of just 400 inhabitants anchored in the heart of one of the most wonderful natural reserves in the Mexican Caribbean: the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. An oasis isolated from the madding crowd where the streets are sand tracks and it is completely unknown what the hell is this about pollution.
A town in which four poorly counted streets give shape and color to the home to a community that, for many years, dedicated itself to planting coconut palms , but that today lives from fishing and, above all, from the activities offered to tourists —not too many yet— who visit them every day.
Best of all, however, it is not the end: it is the journey. In other words, the barely 50 kilometers that separate Punta Allen from Tulum and that pass through a fine tongue of sand that goes into the sea, advancing through the very nature reserve.
That barely passable road, where potholes and vegetation will test our driving skills —and the resistance of our butts, it must be said— is the best gift that paradise could give us. And we tell you why.
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: a paradise on earth
SIAN KA'AN, BLESSED NATURE
Thus, by boat soon, we can tell you that this natural wonder is made up of five thousand square kilometers distributed between tropical jungle, marshes, cenotes, mangroves and the occasional island.
Protected by the Mexican Government, in addition to being declared a Biosphere Reserve, it was also named UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. And is not for less.
Nature is shown here in all its splendor: to give us an idea, In Sian Ka'an, which in Mayan means "where the sky begins", ocelots, howler monkeys, pumas, tapirs, raccoons, anteaters, jaguars, crocodiles... and an endless number of birds among which, to name a few, we will talk about flamingos, pelicans or chocolatiers.
Best of all, however, it is not the end: it is the way
Although it is true that there are no paths through which to enter autonomously —nor is it entirely advisable, not only for its preservation, but also because at some points we could come across, oh-surprise, a cute crocodile—, yes there are local guides with whom to know a little more in depth some specific areas.
And we say "some" because, obviously, being protected, most of the reserve remains inaccessible and activities are restricted. To hire these excursions, you just have to ask at any of the agencies that are both in Tulum and in Punta Allen itself, although be patient, we will tell you more soon.
However, there is something that we will be able to do along the 50 kilometers of the road to our destination —and in fact, we are going to do it—: stop.
Try to find enough space in the leafy vegetation to leave the car to one side and launch headfirst and without thinking about it. those beaches that, out of the corner of our eyes, we have been seeing endlessly along the highway since we crossed the entrance to the reserve.
Mother Nature awaits us
Once with our feet in the sand and under the shade of the elongated palm trees, the first thing that will come out of our mouth will be an "Oh, my God!" as big as the infinite kilometers of white sand and turquoise waters that we discover all for ourselves.
In exclusive. In solitary. Are we dreaming? No way. We have already said it before: simply, We have reached paradise.
When we come to realize it, we will be taking our first bath of the day in the unexpected company of the occasional pelican that, hunting for its lunch, will plunge into the water next to us without shame. How nice, hey.
The tonic from this point, of course, will be to repeat the operation as many times as we want. So until we reach Punta Allen, which, after all, is our destination.
Does he take a bath?
NOW YES: PUNTA ALLEN
We arrived to Allen bit with salty skin and tousled hair eager to continue discovering what other surprises await us. A painted wooden sign, anchored to a post at the side of the street, warns that the maximum speed in the town is 10 km/h.
Very close, next to the shore, Some fishing boats are rocked by the waves while they wait for the moment to go out to fish: we only need to take a look around us to realize that the tonic here is that of general relaxation.
Among the small colored houses built in the town we find some of the cooperatives that, for a few years, have been created in the town. Small communities organized by the neighbors themselves who, aware of the great claim that the land that has seen them born represents, have decided to share all its charms with those who visit them through guided routes.
A friendly manatee swimming in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
**One of the most beautiful and interesting projects is that of the Las Orquídeas Cooperative: ** created in 2011, it is made up of 24 Mayan women who decided to overcome their fears and barriers , stand up to machismo and train — most of them didn't even know how to swim — to make this beautiful initiative a reality. A story of self-improvement in every rule.
Activities offered include kayaking through the mangroves, walking routes through beautiful trails to reach the famous Laguna Negra , accessible from Punta Allen, and bike rides.
To get to know the other side of Sian Ka'an, that is, the one that is in the sea, there are more options. Other cooperatives such as Lancheros de la Bahía or Arrecifes de Sian Ka´an organize boat trips to the sea to enjoy one of the jewels of the area: the coral reef that stretches off the coast and that, not surprisingly, it is the second largest of its kind in the world, after Australia.
We decided to try the adventure and dive into the charms of that immense Caribbean Sea that stretches out before us. Along the way, while the turquoise tones of the water keep us entertained, we see families of dolphins jump, we launch ourselves to swim between corals and giant turtles and we chase underwater schools of fish of thousands of colors.
Suddenly we come to Blanquizal, another of the treasures of Punta Allen: a kind of natural pool in the middle of the sea. Ahem, seriously? Please, leave us here forever.
Punta Allen, where time stands still
EVERY BEGINNING HAS AN END
Back on dry land, the roar of guts probably alerts us that it's time to eat. To try the native flavors we can opt for Xo-Ken, a rustic restaurant-buffet by the sea in which, covered by a wooden roof that protects us from the sun, lick our lips ad nauseam while we taste both the fish and the shellfish that they prepare with the genre caught on the day.
A little further on, also facing the Caribbean Sea, Crazy Taco It is another option to satisfy your appetite. so is Old Pier , built next to an old wooden pier —it was clear— that juts out into the sea and where the fishermen unload their catch every day. Sit on the edge and admiring a little more —just a little— that infinite blue while we rest the food will not be a bad plan before returning.
We return to the road, ahead there will be another 50 kilometers to Tulum. An hour and a half journey by the sea, which, yes, can last as long as we want. Because come on, come on, who are we kidding… Are you taking a bath?
The Mexican Caribbean is always a good idea!