Mexico > Via Tulum to Playa del Carmen

Breakfast is a kind of nacho curry with scrambled eggs on top. Because of the eggs, the nachos have become soft. Not really my preference, but the eggs alone taste good. At eight o’clock, we leave Mahahual and drive back to the main road. Today we will drive about three hundred kilometers to Playa del Carmen, the second major tourist resort besides Cancun. After about three and a half hours of driving, we pass the historic Mayan city of Tulum. Since the sixth century, the Maya lived in this fortified city by the sea. On the land side, they built a five-meter-high thick wall. On the sea side, the steep cliffs form a natural barrier. Between the cliffs lies a small beach. Vendors could dock their canoes there to trade. The access to this beach could be well defended from the towers on either side. The tower of the largest building, El Castillo, also served as a lighthouse. Fires were lit on the tower at night. This Mayan city is quite different from the previous sites. Tulum is more laid out as a city. There are no temples with steep stairs here. From the cliffs, there is a beautiful view over the clear blue water of the Caribbean Sea. Numerous iguanas, both large and small, roam the grass around the Mayan structures.

Mexico - The steep coastline served as protection for the Maya

The animals lie undisturbed enjoying the sun or walk along the ancient walls. Both the Mayan ruins and the iguanas are very photogenic. The entrance building is quite a distance from the historic city. Shuttle buses transport visitors. Because of this distance, the visit to Tulum takes more time than originally planned. I’m a little late back at the agreed meeting point. Fortunately, this is true for almost everyone. We quickly drive on. At the group’s request, Suzy has scheduled an extra stop — a stop at Cenote Azul where we can swim. This cenote is one of the most beautiful in Yucatan. I pay the entrance fee and get a large stamp on my hand. Because of the nice weather and the location near Playa del Carmen, this cenote attracts many visitors. We are not alone. Luckily, there is enough space to swim in the clear water. The cenote is not very deep. I have to be careful not to hit myself against rocks underwater. In the deeper part, there is the possibility to jump into the water from the rocks. Although I always find jumping into water a scary activity, I jump the four meters down.

Mexico - The freshwater Cenote Azul

I even jump twice. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in the center of Playa del Carmen. It’s immediately clear that the whole city is geared towards tourists. The hotel is located in the center. The hotel hands out wristbands so security can see who belongs in the hotel. Not very customer-friendly to ‘tag’ us like that. Unsolicited advertising. Surely there must be a better option? The hotel is nicely decorated, but the staff seem unwilling to go the extra mile. No one is available to help travel companions carry their luggage to the first floor (for a fee). Luckily, I can carry my bag fairly easily. On Fifth Avenue, bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops sit side by side. At the first bar by the sea, there is a free table, but no one comes to take our order. We leave again. At another trendy bar, we succeed. For dinner, we settle in a steakhouse. The concept turns out to be all-you-can-eat. Waiters come by with skewers of meat and carve off pieces. Although the meal is relatively expensive by Mexican standards, the meat tastes excellent. Afterward, a fifteen percent tip is added to the bill. Since we usually count on ten people, the contributions don’t add up. With some puzzling, we finally reach the correct amount.