El Cuyo

El Cuyo is the hidden treasure of the Yucatecan emerald coast. You can find this charming fishermen’s village on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, where the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea mingles with the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is located only two hours from Cancún and three and a half hours from the colonial city of Mérida.

El Cuyo is a small beach community where you will enjoy the tranquil ambience of a port. Everything about it invites you to relax and enjoy the beauty of the nature.This hidden paradise is nestled in the National Park of Ria Lagartos, which is internationally famous for the 20,000 pink flamingos that come to the area between January and September for reproduction. It is also the home of the sea turtles that visit the beach shores between June and August to lay their eggs in the warm sand. With more than 250 different birds visiting Río Lagartos, it is also a fantastic place for bird watching. In addition to the diverse wildlife, you will find a tropical forest full of Royal palms, coconut plantations, and majestic Ceiba trees, the state tree of Yucatán. Ria Lagartos National Park is considered a true jewel for lovers of peace and nature… far away from telephones, pagers, and computers.

As you arrive in El Cuyo, you will cross the Ria Lagartos causeway over a red lagoon whose color is the result of a high concentration of salt. This lagoon separates El Cuyo from the mainland of Yucatán.

The lighthouse that is built on the remains of old Maya ruins welcomes you as you drive into town.

The village is home to 1500 permanent residents that are dedicated fishermen and live in colorful wooden houses.

While strolling along the beach you will find an abundance of seashells that follow the ocean current to shore. El Cuyo’s special location provides breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over the beach. And at night, you can enjoy a romantic campfire on the beach and gaze into an infinite sky filled with stars.

How to get there

Driving: To get to El Cuyo, go north from Valladolid to Tizimín, go east to Colonia Yucatán, and then north to El Cuyo. You can refer to our map of the Yucatan peninsula for more information.
By bus: Go to Autobuses del Noreste (Tel. (999) 924 6355) located on Calle 67 between 50 and 52, Centro. The bus to Tizimín takes 2 hours and then you take a second bus to El Cuyo, which takes 1 hour 45 min.