# El Cuyo

El Cuyo is a small coastal town on the Gulf of Mexico in northern Yucatán. Often described as a fishing village, the town derives most of its income from tourism. It is a barrier island with the Lagoon Ria Lagartos on the inland side of the island. The town is a popular destination for Kitesurfing, Fishing, Birdwatching and other aquatic activities and natural explorations.

## Understand

The town has a population of about 1,500 permanent residents as of 2022.

### History

The town began life as an agricultural hacienda called Cuyo de Ancona, founded in 1895. Ramón Ancona Bolio established the hacienda to harvest chicle (used to make chewing gum) and other agricultural products.

## Get in

The closest large airports with commercial service are Cancún International Airport and the international airport in Merida. From either airport you can rent a car or take a bus.

### By bus

From Merida, take a bus to Tizimin. From Cancun, take either a Mayab or Noreste bus to Colonia Yucatan.
From Tizimin, Autobuses Noreste Yucatán operates 5 buses per day (roughly every 3 hours) to El Cuyo. The buses stop in Colonia Yucatan. Noreste operates as a second-class line but their buses are modern and comfortable with air conditioning.
There are also combis (shared shuttle vans). Tickets for the 45-minute trip cost M$70. Combis to El Cuyo have a schedule, but they depart only if there are 9 or more passengers so combi service can often be late. The combi service is faster when it goes on time but the Noreste buses are more comfortable, have more space for baggage under the bus, and are more dependable.
When returning to Merida or Cancun, take the El Cuyo Shuttle (combi service) to Tizimin then catch an ADO or Mayab bus to your final destination.
* 21.516895-87.6806741 El Cuyo Shuttle, C. 21 entre 26, ☏ +52 984 187 8966. 09:00 - 21:00. Combi service from El Cuyo to Tizimin or Col. Yucatan. (updated Feb 2025)

## Get around

It's a small town so walking is best, or ride a bike. Boats are the best way to explore the lagoon and see the wildlife.

## See

* Ocean views with fantastic sunrises and sunsets are best on the town's pier: Muelle Turistica 21.519716-87.6775782
* 21.516312-87.677621 K'íiwik Cuyo (Town Plaza). Quiet park with paved walkways, concrete benches, and food vendors (especially in the evenings). (updated Feb 2025)

## Do
### Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing (also called kiteboarding) is very popular in El Cuyo. Pristine, uncrowded beaches and a tropical climate with dependable ocean breezes makes it an excellent place to learn the sport or show off your mastery. There are several kite shops in town where you can buy or rent equipment and several kite schools where you can get beginner lessons or pick up some more advanced techniques.
* 21.51497-87.6613561 Ik Nah Kite School, Zona Veraniega, ☏ +52 986 123 2465. Daily 08:00 - 18:00. Small beachfront kitesurfing school with attentive, knowledgeable, patient instructors. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.515085-87.6688122 El Cuyo Kite School, Calle 33, ☏ +52 986 104 2898. Daily 10:00 - 18:00. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.514601-87.6661623 Elements Kite School, La Veraniega, ☏ +52 984 157 6987. Daily 09:00 - 19:00. Kitesurfing rentals and lessons starting at M$1000 per hour. Offers a 6-day kite camp. Also offers sunrise paddleboard tours, yoga on the beach, and tours to nearby sites such as Las Coloradas or flamingo watching trips to Ria Lagartos. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.514374-87.6643444 Tropikal Kitesurf, Av. Veraniega, ☏ +52 984 133 7532. Learn the sport of kitsurfing and wingfoiling with bilingual English-Spanish instructors who are passionate about what they do. Equipment rentals available. (updated Mar 2025)

### Fishing

There are several boats whose owners can be hired for an off-shore fishing expedition or for fishing in the calmer waters of the lagoon. These boats can also be hired for nature tours including trips to see the famous flamingos of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve.
* 21.513243-87.6811925 Chak Kin, Calle 26, ☏ +52 986 120 1773. Daily 06:30 - 22:00. Nature tours through the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve as well as cultural sites like the Mayan Mud Baths. Boats are available for half-day and full-day fishing excursions. (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.514051-87.6775876 El Martin Pescador, ☏ +52 986 112 6448. Daily 09:00 - 21:00. Nature tours to the flamingo nesting areas, seashell island, Mayan Mud baths and more. Knowledgeable guide provides deep insight into the culture and natural environment. Daily fishing charters available. (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.513052-87.6762017 The Fisherman, Calle 41, entre 34 Y 36, Centro, ☏ +52 985 852 4589. Daily 07:00 - 22:00. Nature tours in the Laguna Lagartos and fishing trips in the lagoon or the Gulf of Mexico. (updated Mar 2025)

### Kayaking

A quiet paddle is a great way to glide along the lagoon to spot the wildlife. An early morning sunrise paddle might end up being accompanied by curious dolphins.
* 21.516043-87.6709378 Kayaking El Cuyo, ☏ +52 984 106 5183. Sea kayaks for the Gulf side of town, sit-on kayaks for the Lagoon side. They also rent paddleboards and beach umbrellas. (updated Feb 2025)

### Spa

* 21.514985-87.6644139 Copal Spa, Av. Veraniegas, ☏ +52 986 100 6371. Th-Tu 11:00 - 17:00, closed W. Holistic wellness center offering relaxation and rejuvenation services with massages on the beach. (updated Feb 2025)

## Eat

* 21.515229-87.676291 La Negrita, Calle 23 A-No. 184, entre 26, ☏ +52 986 106 3272. Daily 09:00 - 17:00. Casual open-air restaurant specializing in seafood and Yucatecan regional food. The house specialty is anything with mojo de ajo. Fresh ceviche is a winner too. M$150. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.516747-87.6837362 Gaby Pizza, Calle 21, ☏ +52 986 118 0335. Authentic italian-style pizzas in a small, cozy pizzeria owned by an italian guy. Good variety of pizzas including a vegetarian option. Extra toppings cost M$50. M$150. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.516394-87.6789153 La Conchita, Calle 37 x 40 y 42, ☏ +52 986 120 3431. M-F 09:00 - 20:00, Sa-Su 08:00 - 18:00. Friendly casual seafood restaurant. Ceviche or anything shrimp or octopus is recommended. Generous portions for the price. M$150. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.515624-87.6729964 Casa Mangle, Calle 19 Numero 169, Veraniega, ☏ +52 984 323 0743. Daily 08:00 - 21:30. Yucatecan restaurant with super chill laid-back vibe. Grab a table on the open patio or under the trees in the garden where you can kick off your shoes and dig your toes into the sand. The specialties are mostly seafood, but they serve classic sopa de Lima, cochinita pibil and other Yucatecan specialties. Big cocktails. M$200. (updated Mar 2025)

### Splurge

* 21.514355-87.6805785 Mowgli, Calle 24, ☏ +52 985 147 2769. Daily 06:30 - 23:00. Fresh seafood and fresh produce is the focus of this Yucatecan regional restaurant. The grilled octopus is a winner. Mowgli is the most expensive restaurant in town, but also the best if you crave innovative, flavorful dishes prepared by a Michelin-star chef.. M$800. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.512995-87.6804176 El Chile Gordo, Calle Laguna 220, ☏ +52 999 169 9714. Th-Sa 19:00 - 21:00, closed Su-W. Upscale restaurant with nouveau Mexican cuisine focusing on Yucatecan flavors and fresh ingredients, including lobster, octopus and snapper. Offers a gourmet 9-course dinner that is a bargain at M$1000 (about US$50). Reservations are a must. (updated Feb 2025)

## Drink

Every restaurant in El Cuyo serves alcoholic beverages. Cold beer and margaritas are everywhere. There are a couple of niche places that color outside the lines:
* 21.517283-87.6749431 Off the Vine, Av. Veraniega, ☏ +52 984 367 9385. Th-Tu 12:00 - 23:00, closed W. Wine bar with gourmet finger foods and light entrees. Part of a regional chain with locations in Playa del Carmen and Cancun. (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.516125-87.6722612 Anahata Café & Bistro, Av. Veraniega y Calle 17, ☏ +52 984 323 0743. Daily 07:30 - 13:00. Coffee shop serving espresso and flavored hot and cold coffee drinks as well as breakfast and lunch. Best shot of Java in town. M$200. (updated Mar 2025)

## Sleep

Don't expect big hotels or all-inclusive resorts here because there aren't any. Small guest houses with a handful of rooms are the norm (and there are a lot of them).
* 21.5142-87.6639351 LunArena Barefoot Hotel & Kite School, Av Veraniega, ☏ +52 984 452 1105. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Small 12-room hotel with some rooms offering views of jungle or of beach. Breakfast available. Beach chairs and bicycles available for guest use. 50 meter walk to beach. M$1400. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.515583-87.6696032 Casa Mate, Av. Veraniega 94, ☏ +52 999 221 7853. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Rustic jungle beach hotel with cabins with thatched roofs, but fortunately modern conveniences like flush toilets and electricity. M$3000. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.516945-87.676783 Casa Cielo, Calle 15 lote 190 entre calles 12 y 14, ☏ +52 986 111 6936. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Upscale boutique hotel with well-manicured grounds, and clean, well maintained, spacious rooms. On-site restaurant serves a full breakfast each morning. Outdoor deck with ocean views. M$4000. (updated Feb 2025)
* 21.51417-87.6727224 Ca' Nikte El Cuyo (next to the baseball field), ☏ +52 999 993 7505. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Jungle beach house with separate cabanas. Cabanas are well furnished with comfortable beds, fridge, fan, and hammocks. Friendly hosts. M$1500 (Mar 2025). (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.514464-87.674445 Hotel Maria Bonita (next to the baseball field), ☏ +52 984 157 4638. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Casual, pet friendly hotel with spacious, clean, well-maintained rooms that have air conditioning and fully equipped kitchens. M$1000 (Mar 2025). (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.515679-87.6697036 Nikau Hotel, Av. Veraniega, ☏ +52 984 131 0183. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern luxury boutique hotel with an adults-only policy. Comfortable, spacious rooms. Outdoor swimming pool with cocktail bar. On-site restaurant serves international and regional Mexican cuisine. M$2100. (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.51734-87.6810367 Mexhe Hotel, Calle 26, ☏ +52 984 253 5195. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Small modern hotel with apartment suites that include kitchen, living room, and balcony with ocean and jungle views. Rooms are well equipped with satellite TV, WiFi and kitchen utensils if you want to prepare meals in your unit. On-site swimming pool available. One and a half block walk to beach. M$1200. (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.514805-87.6673038 Can Cocal, Av. Veraniega KM 1.4, ☏ +52 986 122 3242. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Upscale boutique hotel with modern amenities, spotlessly clean rooms and friendly service. Rooms include air conditioning, WiFi and cable TV. On-site swimming pool with lounge chairs and an area with a firepit for nighttime activities. On-site restaurant serves modern regional Yucatecan cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood. M$2600. (updated Mar 2025)
* 21.514829-87.6693099 Downwind Deck Kiteboarding Hotel, Calle 19 116, info@downwinddeck.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. American owned hotel catering to kiteboarders. Modern, clean, spacious rooms with air conditioning, close to the beach. Kiteboarding shop on premises. Friendly house dog. M$2000. (updated Mar 2025)

### Camping

* 21.5151-87.67204710 Camping del Ritmo, Calle 19, ☏ +52 984 106 5183. Friendly, very well maintained camping area that provides tents and hammocks. Clean showers with hot water. Rents bicycles, paddleboards and kayaks. (updated Feb 2025)

## Connect

Cell coverage exists in El Cuyo, but as of early 2025, it's a bit spotty and it's 3G when you get it. If you're doing a lot of online work, WiFi connections at hotels or coffee shops might offer a faster connection.

## Go next

* Rio Lagartos - see the flocks of pink flamingos in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve or the famous pink lagoons of Las Colorados
* Isla Holbox - laid back island without cars (but with too many golf carts), an escape from the crowds of Cancun
* Valladolid - quaint colonial town with connections to the Maya Train