After traveling around Mexico and Belize for the past 11+ years Doug and I have finally found our piece of paradise in Mahahual (Majahual), Costa Maya.  This small town reminds of what Playa Del Carmen was like in the late 80’s or early 90’s.  There is the shimmering Caribbean Sea, sugary white sand beaches and rustling palm trees.  Did you know that the sand never gets hot here in the Caribbean?  I Goggled it to find out why….The sand in the Mexican Caribbean is made from finely ground particles of coral and calcareous algae (a type of seaweed). This algae, dies and breaks down into a fine white organic powder, about 30% of the beach sand is composed of this powder which keeps our feet cool even in the midday sun.

The average temperature here is around 85 degrees and there is always a cooling breeze coming off the Caribbean.  Today it is 31 Celsius or 87 Fahrenheit at high noon. I’m feeling a bit bad for my friends back home that are having the worst winter in years. 

What is this not to love about the turquoise water and white sand?

Then there are the people……..the locals are friendly and laid back.  They are always there with a quick smile and an offer to help.  As an example, when we moved into our rental we bought a new refrigerator and had it delivered. The gentleman that delivered it wasn’t able to move it by himself and Doug has a bad back, hmmmm, what to do?  Before we had time to thoroughly digest the problem a young man walking by stopped and offered to help.  We offered him money, a coke, a beer, he wouldn’t accept anything, just said “welcome to the neighborhood” and kept on walking.

This is the most laidback area on the Mexican Caribbean, there is a small community called “the casitas” 3 minutes from town and beach that offers inexpensive housing options with all services.  Then there are beautiful beach homes, both North and South of town which are off grid.  Because of the space between the homes and the town privacy abounds here.

You can have a home in the only gated beachfront community for $549,000

A beach bar for $360,000

Or a home in “the casitas” from $60,000 with renos needed or $105,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath that has been renovated.

And then there is the food…….if you like fresh seafood you will be in heaven.  We watch the fisherman bring in fresh fish and lobster everyday.  Our favorite restaurant is Nohoch Kay, which means Big Fish in Mayan.  They offer anything from shrimp tacos, fish fillet, lobster, burgers, burritos and more. If it's not on the menu, ask, they will fix it for you! 

 

 

We love anything to do with the water, fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling or diving and you can do it all here.

But one of the most important things for us is the mind set, Mahahual is a small town that still maintains its Caribbean roots. We have learned to live with less stress and worries, the cost of living is MUCH cheaper and we just “seize the day.” We are healthier, happier and still amazed that we live in such a paradise.

Balmy breezes and frosty drinks coming at ya, from Mahahual......