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 Tizimin, Autobuses Noreste Yucatán operates 5 buses per day (roughly every 3 hours) to El Cuyo and there are combis (shared shuttle vans) as well as taxis. Tickets for the 45-minute trip cost M$20 to M$100, depending on bus class and demand.
From Cancun, take either a Mayab or Noreste bus to Colonia Yucatan. From Col. Yucatan, take a combi or a Noreste bus to El Cuyo.
When returning to Merida or Cancun, take the El Cuyo Shuttle (a combi service) to Tizimin then catch an ADO or Mayab bus to your final destination.
- 🌍 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.
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
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.
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- 🌍 Ik Nah Kite School, Zona Veraniega, ☏ +52 986 123 2465. Daily 08:00 - 18:00. Small beachfront kitesurfing school with attentive, knowledgeable, patient instructors.
- 🌍 El Cuyo Kite School, Calle 33, ☏ +52 986 104 2898. Daily 10:00 - 18:00.
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
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.
- 🌍 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.
Spa
- 🌍 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.
Buy
Eat
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
Splurge
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
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:
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
Sleep
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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).
- 🌍 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).
- 🌍 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.
Camping
- 🌍 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.
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