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......
Aaah looks a lot like Playa did on the early 90 hopefully it will stay that way for a while. so happy for you!! Maybe one day our paths will cross again.....jen
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