Not so long ago, there was only one Majahual, Mexico, a small fishing village just two streets wide, sandwiched between the ocean and a vast inland expanse of mangrove swamps in the portion of the Yucatan peninsula known as the Costa Maya. Hoping to attract a larger share of the lucrative cruise market, the Mexican government began looking for a location to build a new dock that could accommodate the larger ships about to hit the market. With its pristine beaches and unblemished beauty Majahual was the obvious choice. By 2001 a berthing station and a new “town,” including a man-made private island with bars, restaurants, shops and pools, had been built a couple miles north of the original village.
Lighthouse at the end of the road marks a beautiful little pocket beach
While many cruise passengers are happy to spend the day in the Hard Rock Cafe and Starbucks in the shiny “new town,” others make the trek to the quaint original village. About halfway between the two, a pocket beach marked by a tall white lighthouse offers an ideal stopping place. Palm thatch umbrellas shade tables on the beach and a wooden beach shack with rope swings for chairs swings serves up tropical drinks and snacks. The sand here is is blindingly white and the sea a luscious shade of turquoise. An offshore reef is close enough for snorkeling, and the reef creates a protective inner lagoon great for swimming or examining the tiny marine creatures that inhabit the tide pools along the shore. Despite their good intentions, many of the cruise ship passengers bound for old Majahual never make it any further than Lighthouse Beach. The frequent travelers or the ones who work aboard the cruise ships, often know the hidden spots as well as the locals.
Palm thatch umbrellas shade tables on the beach
Photo Credit: Barbara Weibel
Article by Barbara Weibel of Cultural Travel with Hole In The Donut
