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Dreaming of the final word seashore escape in Riviera Maya, Mexico? Look no additional than Xpu-Ha Seashore!
Set between Playa del Carmen and Tulum (Google Map), this excellent stretch of powdery white sand is among the greatest seashores on the Mexican Caribbean coast for swimming, snorkelling or simply chilling out.
Though it’s not as a lot of a secret hideaway because it was up to now, it’s nonetheless below the radar of most guests.
Is Xpu-Ha Value Visiting?
As a choose for the Golden Seashore Award 2024 (featured in over 600 media shops worldwide), a guidebook writer (Lonely Planet and Fodors) and a traveler to numerous seashores throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, I’ve skilled a number of the world’s most beautiful shorelines.
From the hidden fantastic thing about Playa Estacahuite in Oaxaca to Cancun’s iconic sands, I’ve seen all of it—and I’m assured in saying that Xpu-Ha Seashore stands out as among the best seashores in Mexico.
Whereas it’s not a hidden gem, it’s not overwhelmed with folks.
However with the high-speed Tren Maya (Mayan prepare) anticipated to deliver elevated tourism to Quintana Roo, you must go to now earlier than the crowds arrive.
Right here’s what you should learn about this excellent patch of seashore paradise.
This publish was initially revealed in 2018 however was up to date with contemporary data after an onsite go to in November 2024.
Tips on how to Pronounce It
Many locations within the Yucatán Peninsula and Guatemala (from Xcaret to Xela) have names starting with the letter “X” as a result of it’s a typical letter in a number of Maya languages.
The letter “X” is pronounced like “sh” in English. And whereas its identify doesn’t precisely roll off your tongue, for those who pronounce Xpu-Ha as “SHPOO-ha” you’ll be fairly shut.
Location
Playa Xpu-ha is positioned 25 kilometres south of Playa del Carmen off Freeway 307 on the best way to Tulum, in between Puerto Aventuras and Akumal.
It makes an ideal cease for those who’re on the best way to Bacalar Lagoon, Mahahual or Chetumal.
Though this stretch of shoreline is typically affected by seaweed throughout sargassum season, very often the waters are utterly clear.
Tips on how to Get There
It’s comparatively simple to get to Playa Xpu-Ha, even for those who don’t have your individual automobile.
We’ve simply visited on days journeys from Arduous Rock Resort Riviera Maya, Resort Xcaret Arte, Secrets and techniques Moxché and the Barceló Maya Caribe.
You’ll be able to take a taxi (make sure to request a pickup time to return) or you’ll be able to hop on one of many minivans often called colectivos.
In contrast to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca the place a colectivo is most frequently a pick-up truck with a buzzer in again, right here on the swanky Riviera Maya, they’re air-conditioned, comparatively new mini-vans, full with seat belts.
Not solely are they comfy however they’re low-cost. Our trip (one-way) price simply 100 pesos (below $5 USD) for two folks from Playa del Carmen.
Costs topic to vary so ask earlier than you get within the van.
You’ll be able to catch a colectivo in Playa del Carmen on the nook of 20 Avenida and a pair of Calle Norte, a 5 minute stroll from Walmart. The vans headed to Tulum can be pointing north on the road.
You simply climb into one with an open door, seize a seat and inform the driving force the place you’re going.
Tips on how to pronounce Xpu-ha? The pronunciation of Xpu-ha is pronounced shpoo-ha (shouting “poo-pa” from the again of a crowded van is probably going one of the vital embarrassing issues you can ever do ).
As soon as the mini-van is full, it would depart, making stops alongside Federal Freeway 307 to let different passengers out.
You pay your fare whenever you get out. After a 20 minute trip, you’ll arrive at your freeway cease (km 265).
Then, cross the freeway, pay 50 pesos on the kiosk, get a wristband and stroll down the grime street with the signal for La Playa restaurant, dwelling of the Xpu-Ha Seashore Membership.
Save your meals invoice so you will get a refund of your 50 pesos in your manner out (assuming you allow earlier than 6 pm).
It’s a simple 10 minute stroll, previous mangroves and fruit bushes, and is usually shady.
Nonetheless, there are mosquitos within the Cancun Riviera Maya space. So, spray your self with insect repellent earlier than you begin strolling.
Issues to Do at Xpu-Ha
On calm days, the highest issues to do in Xpu-Ha embody swimming, snorkelling or simply splashing about.
It’s among the best seashores in Mexico for households. Even non-swimmers can normally discover a simple spot to swim, assuming you don’t arrive on a windy day.
If it’s windy you’ll be able to at all times go kitesurfing or go for a protracted stroll. The sand is flat and easy so excellent for seashore strolling.
However what most individuals do is simply hang around and chill out on the seashore. Sip a cocktail, order a bucket of beer and relax listening to the waves.
There’s not lots of shade on this seashore. So except you’re a dedicated solar worshipper, deliver your individual solar shade umbrella or spend the day on the seashore membership.
Seashore Membership La Playa
Until you deliver your individual chairs, foods and drinks, your best choice for the day is Restaurant & Seashore Membership La Playa. It’s onerous to overlook it because it’s the biggest restaurant on the seashore.
The clamshell chairs and tables are free to make use of for the entire day with a minimal order of foods and drinks.
This will get you entry to tidy washrooms with flush bogs, showers, lockers and alter rooms.
At the moment, the seashore membership and restaurant is open year-round from Tuesday to Monday from 10:00 am to six:30 pm.
In excessive season, make sure to arrive early as lounge chairs disappear rapidly.
On the weekends, plan to remain for the day as reside music begins at 2:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Whereas costs aren’t as little as they’re in downtown Cancun or Playa del Carmen, they’re not exorbitant.
Count on to pay 200 pesos for ceviches and aguachiles, a tasty combo of shrimp, tomato, cucumber, cilantro, lime, serrano chile and crimson onion.
New to the seashore membership menu are molcajetes, an enormous order of seafood served in a stone bowl, the normal Mexican mortar produced from volcanic stone. It comes with sufficient condiments to inventory an OXXO retailer.
This is among the most in depth menus you’ll discover of any of the seashore golf equipment in Riviera Maya.
You’ll be able to take pleasure in a tempting array of snacks, from cheese-loaded nachos and freshly-made guacamole to golden coconut shrimp. There’s even a child’s menu.
Browse the menu at Restaurant & Seashore Membership La Playa
Sargassum Seaweed
Like a lot of the Mexican Caribbean, this stretch of the Riviera Maya is commonly affected by sargassum seaweed between Might and October.
Try our publish on Sargassum Seaweed Situations in Cancun for particulars on seaweed season, well being hazards and forecasts.
To observe present seaweed situations in Xpu-Ha, you may have a couple of choices.
1. GET MAPS AND SEAWEED UPDATES ON FACEBOOK
This not-for-profit group publishes maps of areas affected by sargassum seaweed in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Tulum. Get updates on the Pink de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancun Fb Web page.
2. View Webcams
Try the seashores on Webcams of Mexico to see reside video frames up to date each 15 seconds.
3. Seek the advice of Seaweed Forecasting Projections
You can too test the Sargassum Early Advisory System (SEAS), a forecasting challenge based mostly in Texas that gives forecasting for the Gulf Coast, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Professional Tip: If there’s an inflow of seaweed, spend the day on the cenotes of Tulum.
Journey Information to Glamping, All-Inclusive Resorts and Lodges
Serenity Luxurious Eco-Tents
These Asian-inspired glamping tents are positioned instantly on Xpu-ha seashore.
Your sleeping choices vary from one-bed lodging to a double with a king and a queen dimension mattress which makes Serenity is an effective possibility for households.
It’s additionally in style amongst {couples} in search of a barefoot luxurious expertise.
Test costs and Availability on Serenity Luxurious Eco-tents on Reserving.com.
Barceló Maya Grand Resort
Situated a bit additional north alongside the coast, the Barceló Maya Grand Resort is a sprawling complicated comprising six distinct resorts.
Every resort affords its personal distinctive facilities and allure, however they share entry to the complicated’s in depth services, together with swimming pools, water parks, eating places, bars, and leisure venues.
5 of the six resorts are family-friendly whereas Barceló Maya Riviera is Adults-only. The Barceló is commonly on sale and is considered one of our prime decisions for Black Friday offers.
Catalonia Royal Tulum
Test Costs and Availability at Catalonia Royal Tulum Resort & Spa on Reserving.com.
If you happen to’re in search of beachfront lodges close to Tulum, test our publish on the most romantic lodges in Mexico for extra choices.
Extra Lovely Seashores in Mexico
Love seashores? To find extra about holidays on different stunning seashores in Mexico, take a look at these posts:
10 Greatest Seashores in Huatulco
Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets and techniques
Newbie’s Information to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
Roca Blanca Seashore
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