Merida Beaches: More than Just Tourists

What would a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula be without a trip to the beach? Far from being a strictly tourist geared state, Merida offers over 250 miles of beach for your enjoyment. From pristine sands to tourist areas, from quiet coves and inlets to fishing destinations, Merida offers every kind of beach enjoyment imaginable. There are many areas to explore, so knowing where to go is vital to your enjoyment of the natural beauty that this wonderful area offers.

If you are looking for a quiet place to do some fishing, consider the sleepy town of Sisal. Located northwest of Merida, this is a great place to relax and enjoy a cold beer in the friendly atmosphere. This fishing village does not offer much in the way of amenities, other than some great restaurants and even better locals.

The general rule of thumb when traveling the beaches and beach towns of the Yucatan, is that the farther east you go, the nicer the homes and accommodations and the more tourists you will meet. Westward lie older towns, small fishing ports and sleepy villages. To the east lie the tourist destinations and the crowds, as well as the top accommodations to be found. Plan your trip accordingly; if you are interested in crowds and other tourists as well as top class service, by all means, head east. If, however, you are interested in really getting to know the Yucatecans and their culture, making friends and enjoying friendly atmospheres, then west is the direction that you want to go.

Chelem and Yucalpeten are both located quite near Progreso and both areas boast modest homes and wide, clean beaches. Neither town is large enough to need a vehicle to live in, everything is within walking distance. These are quieter neighborhoods, with small summer homes and good fishing industries.

Chicxulub is an older area that seems to be popular with travelers from the States escaping cold winters. While the homes and accommodations in this area are much nicer than some others, the beaches are not as wide and often are home to large numbers of beached boats.

The beaches between San Benito and San Bruno are quite often deserted. There are almost no people; either local or tourist, so privacy and wide open spaces are quite often the rule. Fishing and camping in this area are a great way to spend your time and are great family fun.

Two items should be understood about the beaches in Merida. The first is that the state owns all the beaches, so you do not have to worry about private beaches, though you are not allowed to cross private property to get to the beach. The second is that a "natural" beach means that there is either a coral reef, sea grass bed or some other natural feature in the area. Children should be supervised in these areas at all times.

There are many other great areas to explore along the coast of Merida. Each area offers its own unique benefits and flavor, as well.