Raw and less-curated than other ports in the region, beach towns Mahahual and Xcalak give you a glimpse into a somewhat undisturbed side of the Yucatán Peninsula—often feeling like Tulum before it became Tu-lum. Drenched with reminders (and ruins) of the Mayan history that built the region, exploring the area feels like a study in contrasts—a dynamic balance of who it was and what it’s becoming. 

Leaving the region, it’s clear you’ve parted with a place whose identity is rooted in duality—a place aware of the lure of it’s natural beauty and eager to celebrate it, but also managing to preserve the cultural and environmental sanctity it has sustained for so long.

For a country whose tourism is tied to famous destinations like Cancun, you can’t help but leave feeling like you’ve found a secret spot. It’s not true, of course—but in the quiet, sleepy moments on the beach savoring fresh ceviche—it might as well be.