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Home  Venue Reviews Holiday Destinations Yucatan peninsula, mexico
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Yucatan peninsula, mexico |
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Written by Dave
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Monday, 16 February 2004 |
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this review covers:
Cozumel island (far side)
Playa del Carmen
Tulum
You need a car and your
own kit for all of them (except kiting in Playa)
they are all nice and warm - best time to visit is dec - march, give or take a month either way. Fantastically clear blue tropical seas, although shorty recommended it's not absolutely necessary.
Cozumel island
one hell of a windy place, and world famous diving resort too - I visited in jan/ feb and it was 30 kts the whole time. The only decent beaches are on the far side of the island (follow the only road that goes accross the island, directly opposite the ferry port in town - takes about 20 mins). Anywhere of the 5 or so miles of nice sandy beaches are sailable. The wind is generally cross on, and I'm reliably informed that it blows about 30 kts the whole time, day and night. The waves are 3ft up to mast high, with a positively evil shore break. The only problem (if you call it that), is that it's deserted. I spent 2 days on the beach and saw 1 van with 3 mexican builders. No windsurf shops anywhere on the island.
Playa del carmen
The main beaches are waaay too crowded to get your gear down to the sea without killing a few yanks en-route (not necessarily a bad thing that though).
Head north on the main road about 1/2 a mile further from the main town, then head down to the beach on the only road you find there - again - it'll likely be deserted except for a few locals and the kitesurfing school (which operates from the shop, found at the north end of the pedestrianised main street in town - easy to find, despite rubbish directions). Kites and lessons can be hired from the shop, but will dent your wallet somewhat. Lessons were 38/ hour, and the instruction in that time appeared minimal as the instructors were out ripping the whole time.
The wind generally blows cross shore, or cross on, at about 10 - 20 kts. Watch out for the reef about 200 meters out - it's lethal and about 30cm below the surface.
Tulum
Hippy kitesurf paradise. Best spot is from a resort called El Paraiso (also offers the best standard accomodation for about 20/ night), which is easily found on the main road with all the 'cabanas' on it - there's a sign post for it at the main junction (if you go, you'll find it dead easy).
Wind blows cross on 7 - 15kts, sea is flat/ small chop.
Easy to launch from the beach (which is also idyllic for not kiting partners, with sun loungers available and a handy bar and restaurant nearby. You'll likely find between 3 and 10 kiters here on a daily basis. I'm led to believe a round of the world cup was once held here too!
No windsurf shops for miles.
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Far side of Cozulel is erm.... starboard tack - sorry. But you can drive on the left hand side of the road 'cos there's so few cars about if that's any help.
Playa D C is port tack
Tulum - Starboard