Xcalak...any info?

[Beth&Scott]

Anybody ever been or have any info on this little town in the Costa Maya area?
Were thinking of going this winter - (of course make a stop in Playa along the way!), the searches on the internet report good fly fishing which really makes Scott want to go. Any info is greatly appreciated! Area, beaches, accomodations....anything...

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Beth&Scott

Anybody ever been or have any info on this little town in the Costa Maya area?
Were thinking of going this winter - (of course make a stop in Playa along the way!), the searches on the internet report good fly fishing which really makes Scott want to go. Any info is greatly appreciated! Area, beaches, accomodations....anything...

We spent a week in Xcalak one afternoon.

It is very quiet....no, really. If you want to hang out on the beach and read all day and turn in at 9pm, this is the place for you. We did not investigate the fly-fishing opportunities sorry. I know that many people choose Punta Allen for good flats fishing. There are a few places to eat, The Leaky Palapa being the most well known. I believe it is by reservation only and may be seasonal. There are a number of inns/b&bs to stay at, all right on the water. Casa Carolina rings familiar but a google search will do the trick.

The beaches are not like they are in Playa. Just off the shoreline, the sand is a bit silty and mushy and there is lots of turtle grass. I'm not sure what kind of condition everything is in since Dean roared through. Mahahual is coming back hard and fast by Xcalak does not have the tourist traffic ($$$) to warrant as much assistance from the powers that be.

Be sure to let us know what you find in your investigation of the area.

[Beth&Scott]

Thanks...that helps!
I was looking at different inns and actually Casa Carolina was one that I was interested in. Swimming from shore does not look like an option- some inns provide a dock where at the end you can jump in. We would only spend a few days at the most there. Scott has fished in Punta Allen twice, it is good fishing, were just looking for something a little closer to Belize so we can spend a day/night there and experience a little of their culture. I know you have been to Belize... did you stop to Xcalak on the way?

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Beth&Scott

Thanks...that helps!
I was looking at different inns and actually Casa Carolina was one that I was interested in. Swimming from shore does not look like an option- some inns provide a dock where at the end you can jump in. We would only spend a few days at the most there. Scott has fished in Punta Allen twice, it is good fishing, were just looking for something a little closer to Belize so we can spend a day/night there and experience a little of their culture. I know you have been to Belize... did you stop to Xcalak on the way?

Xcalak is pretty far out of the way if you are going to Belize. You can get there by water if you make arrangements with a fishing boat, but not by car. You have to cross over in Chetumal.

[Xcalaker]

Hi Beth & Scott,

We've been to Xcalak a few times.

We just got back from a wonderful stay at Casa Carolina last month. Caroline and Bob are very gracious hosts and we'd highly recommend them. We try to visit somewhere different each trip and we haven't been disappointed so far staying at Casa Carolina ,Tierra Maya or renting Nuestro Tesoro (I think the name has since changed).
Been meaning to write that trip report

You can spend time doing as much as you want, or as little as you want in Xcalak. We chose just to relax this trip and it was fabulous. The starry sky on a clear night is the best we've ever seen.

The beach can vary in different areas. Some have larger amounts of turtle grass than others, but that's a good thing, for the aquatic life. Most accommodations provide access to kayaks or have piers for your swimming and snorkeling enjoyment.

Diving is excellent in the area. If conditions are good, a dive trip to Chinchorro can be arranged.

A few places also offer boat trips to Belize which is a very fun day trip. I think the boat ride through mangroves and Chetumal Bay was about an hour or two each way to San Pedro. Local tour guides also offer trips for bird watching and of course the famous fishing. We haven't fished yet, but people often talk about the Grand Slam which I think is a tarpon, bonefish and snook?

The Leaky Palapa serves excellent food and is open seasonally. There are a few other dining options open year round, El Caribe comes to mind, all serving good food and they offer some nightlife as well, even if it just involves conversations about that day's fishing or diving.

Xcalak was spared from the severity of Dean, but a day trip to Mahahual is an easy drive and I'm sure the folks up there would welcome any tourists until the cruise ships start up again. Laguna Bacalar, Cenote Azul and some small ruins are within driving distance if you want to make Xcalak your travel base.

Hope this helps.

[Beth&Scott]

Thanks Michelle and Xcalaker! Good thing we have an Xcalaker on the forum! I wondered about Belize and it's proximity via a vehicle. I did hear about the boat trips to Belize and that sounds like the best option! Thanks, you guys are a big help!

Another quesiton I have is the proximity to all that is in the town. Is it walkable?, What about taking a bike around the area? If I wanted to go get a bite to eat, how far would I have to walk? Are the inns in close proximity?

[Xcalaker]

Walking and biking are certainly doable depending on where you are staying and where you want to dine. Not to infringe on this website or any others, a quick internet "Xcalak" search may yield a good site with maps of the hotels and restaurants and their distances.

All of the lodging is located on the beach road with some pretty big potholes so biking or driving can take some time. We've learned to just take everything in stride and savor the local flora and fauna. Rumor has it that the road will be fixed manana so you know what that means

Have a great time if you do decide to visit and please ask more questions if you have any!

[Libby]

Xcalaker, if you know of a good source of information on Xcalak, please feel free to link to it. We, unfortunately, have no info on Xcalak here yet, even though it is part of the Roo. One day.

[Xcalaker]

Great, thanks Libby. Here's the Xcalak website:

Xcalak lodging, Diving, Fly Fishing,Costa Maya - Xcalak.TV

[Beth&Scott]

Great site, thanks! Packed with everything I need to know!
Casa Carolina is still topping my list. Breakfast is included---do you remember what is offered? cereals and fruits or is a hot breakfast (eggs) an option? Swimming is best off the dock, right? Cant wait to go!! Looking into the winter time to visit. Cant wait!

[Xcalaker]

Breakfast was Caroline's delicious homemade muffins, fresh fruit and coffee in their dining palapa. Yummy.

Casa Carolina's accommodations have kitchens so you can either stock up on supplies in Cancun, Playa or Tulum. Grocery trucks travel up and down the beach road in Xcalak every few days as well and Caroline can let you know when they stop and what they carry.

Swimming was great right off the end of the pier and a nice snorkeling spot is marked with a buoy not too far from the pier. You can either swim out or take one of their kayaks.

Enjoy your trip.

[Beth&Scott]

Xcalaker...u still around for help???
Ive been looking at the sites you recommended since Im planning to visit in December and have decided it is a MUST do for me to see Belize while Im there. They offer boat trips there as you stated, yet one site quoted a day trip to be $200??? What? Have you heard of more affordable options? One website said San Pedro- Amberg's Key was only a few miles south of Xcalak---Im thinking thats REAL close!

[Xcalaker]

Yeah the trip was about $200-240 for the boat, but we got Bill's XTC discount. We were lucky enough to share the boat with another family which brought our cost down. Our boat captain walked us right to the immigration office, helped with the paperwork and was there to pick us up at the end of the day. I'm thinking if you hired someone local in Xcalak, you may not have that same service, especially the immigration part, but may be worth asking around.

I think San Pedro is about 7 nautical miles, but because you go through mangroves (which were awesome) and because Chetumal Bay is soooo shallow, the panga ride is leisurely. We went in a boat with an outboard motor and no cover so take a hat and sunscreen.

The family we shared the boat with ended up renting a golf cart in San Pedro and taking a ride to Ramon's Resort to spend the day, using their pool, etc. They had been to Belize before.

We on the other hand decided to walk around town to explore and shop. We discovered great icy cold Beliken beer, One Barrel Rum and coconut ice cream from Manelly's.

I'd do the trip again.

[Beth&Scott]

Gosh, I would have never imagined the boat trip over there to be that pricey. I have also heard that Belize is very expensive as far as food and drinks...did you find this to be the case for you?

How did you go about getting the Bills XTC discount? Do you remember the discount amount?

Ummmm....yummy...Belikan Beer and Coconut ice cream...sounds heavenly- maybe not together, but still sounds good.

[Xcalaker]

I think Bill offers a 10-15% discount at XTC for diving and excursions if you book your stay with him.

We hit a few bars on the sand streets of downtown San Pedro and a few places on the beach, don't really remember the prices to be outrageous.

It was definitely a change to hear most people speak English (just after I thought our Spanish was sounding pretty good!)