El Cuyo church with bunting hanging over the entrance

7 Top Tips For 2023To Ensure You Have An Awesome Vacation in El Cuyo

El Cuyo is ‘off the beaten track’ and lacks the infrastructure of built-up destinations.

For most who go out of their way to visit, this adds to its raw beauty… but it’s always best to be prepared. 

1. Bring Mexican Pesos Cash

  • The newly installed ATM rarely works and the nearest working cash point is in Tizimin (90 minutes by car).
  • More places now accept credit or debit cards but lots still don’t. 
  • There’s no legal currency exchange and only one or two places accept USD or Euros.

2. Bring Anything You Can't Live Without...​

  • There’s no supermarket in El Cuyo.
  • Small shops sell the basics (rice, milk, beans, coffee, cereal, beer, coca-cola etc.). If you like specific food products, it’s best to shop beforehand.
  • Beer is readily available, but wine and spirits are hard to come by here. Bring them with you…
  • Please note: The lack of infrastructure extends to recycling. Please don’t bring and leave unnecessary items here! For example, if your accommodation provides drinking water, do not bring bottles of water with you…or better still, only stay in accommodation that provides drinking water!

3. Be Prepared For Slow Internet​

  • Telcel has the most consistent 3G coverage. AT&T sometimes works. Other networks (Movistar etc) have limited to zero coverage.
  • There are 3 WIFI providers in El Cuyo. Even the best supplier has inconsistent coverage. The signal is bounced across satellites and it’s normal for it to ‘come and go’ due to winds, rains, power failures in faraway villages etc etc etc…
  • Elon Musk’s starlink has now arrived in El Cuyo but it’s super expensive so most accommodation providers don’t have it installed. However 3 morning cafes (Naia, Anahata and La Hilary) do have it – along with a generator. So schedule your meetings for the mornings and in worst case scenario that your accommodation wifi lets you down, head to one of these!
  • If you have an unlocked phone, buy a Telcel SIM. The $200mx package lasts a month and comes with a decent amount of data plus unlimited WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. The Six-shop sells top-ups.
  • BE AWARE: if you need guaranteed high-speed internet, El Cuyo isn’t the place for you. (I used to work as an online English teacher #bigfatfail)

4. Be Happy To Entertain Yourselves

  • There’s no dedicated evening chill-out place.
  • Casa Cielo Hotel has a bar, which is open to the public if they don’t have a private party. You can enjoy a beer on the terrace overlooking the beach.
  • You can relax under the outside palapas with a beer in La Conchita.
  • Bar Tolok (Valerio’s Hotel) opens weekends and usually has a DJ or a sports game on the big screen. 
  • For a more relaxed family atmosphere, La Terracita cocktail and snack bar (next to Miramar restaurant in front of the church) is open weekend evenings from 6pm. 
Casa Cielo Terrace

  • La Casa del Ritmo sometimes hosts live music from quality bands. They serve beer and hamburgers and get very busy! Casa Palma, La Barcaccia, Casa Cielo, La Conchita and Casa Cuyo also host live music events occasionally.
  • And finally…Mexicans know how to party! If there’s a festival or a local celebration, you’ll find someone willing to share a beer, no problem!!

5. Sometimes We Have Power Cuts

Once in a blue moon, there’s a power cut.

The average length of a power outage is one hour and they happen about once a month.

The electric commission guarantees the return of power for a ‘general’ outage, within 10 hours. In 3 years we’ve had 3 occasions when it took 10 hours or more for the problem to be fixed (always due to storms).

Much more frequently, the electric trips out for a second or so…and you’re left wondering if you imagined it.

6. Fill Up Your Fuel Tank

The port-side filling station sometimes runs out of fuel.

Yes, you read that right.

Fuel up before you get here.

7. Check The Weather Before You Book

El Cuyo has distinct seasons. Choose the time of year to visit wisely.

  • North winds blow from November to February and things can get chilly (relatively speaking). You’ll need a sweater to go on the beach. Only hardcore kiters go out in the north winds.
  • The temperature increases from March 
  • A consistent breeze blows from March till June which is perfect for kiters of all levels.
  • The rains usually begin in June and cool the ground down slightly just in time for the wind dropping off in July and August. August is the perfect time for snorkelling the one sunken sailboat and it’s calm enough to paddleboard during the day.
  • September until November brings rain and a little wind. The mosquitoes can be bad… Oh, and it’s hurricane season…
Kiter surfers at sea

And that’s it…

Plan well, adjust your expectations and nothing will come between you and your dream vacation in paradise…

What are you waiting for?

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