This little fishing village is at the end of a peninsula that looks at Belize in the state of Quintana Roo.  I went to the end of the road to visit my relative who is living there now.  I left pleasantly surprised.

My husband and I got off the the jet not knowing exactly what to think.  All we knew was that we were going to get away from all the stress of work and home.  We did not know how “away” we were going.  What a great surprise for both of us.  We rented a car (I recommend National) and took off to parts unknown. 

Once you are past all of the tourist resorts that line that stretch of the highway, it turns to a winding two-lane road, foliage on both sides.  You see the thickness of the scrubby jungle as you drive, and drive, and drive.  Beautiful drive.  Suddenly along the road you could see a crumbled pyramid and areas cut into the jungle that led to places that people had made their home.  It was interesting to see the creativity these Mayan people seemed to have.  Each path leading back into the thick trees would be marked with different pieces of what I would call “scrap”.  It would be an old tire wheel painted, or several rags of clothing tied together that colorfully flapped in the wind.  Many items that we would normally discard were used to mark a house, similar to our numbering and naming of streets.

Each small village you would come to, the Mayan women and children would come out with their merchandise to sell.  It was what they had in the area.  Some of it was delicious fruit. 

About three hours into the trip you come to a small town called Puerto Felipe Carrillo.  Your last stop for gasoline.  On the main highway is the Pemex station.   Have no fear, the area near Xcalak is growing, and a new station is being built a little closer to Xcalak.  While in Felipe I asked how far to the cut-off road to Mayagual.  I was told about fifteen miles.  Since the odometer in the car had been disconnected I have no real idea what the distance was, but it was the longest fifteen miles I had ever seen.  I would try more for thirty or so miles.  We finally saw the turn-off.  There is not a sign that says Xcalak.

We turned onto the newly built road and headed towards Mayagual.  After about 30 miles you reach the small little paved road to Xcalak. 

After meeting and greeting we went up to the palapa bar and had a cold beer as we stood looking out at the vast blue.  To the left was a lighthouse that stood out for the ships to see.  I thought of how many times we need a lighthouse  in our lives to see where we are going.  We need an ocean in our lives to get to a place where we can relax and enjoy instead of being all consumed by our daily activities and work.  We need a reef from time to time to block the large waves that come crashing in on us. 

What is there to do in Xcalak?  How about “just relax”.  You can eat at several establishments.  Costa de Cocos has a fine restaurant for finer dining.  If you are hungry for a burger, go to Xcalak Bar and Grill, the best burger in town and probably the best burger in all of Mexico.  Do you want lobster or shrimp for dinner?  Go to Sylvia’s house two streets up from the beach road. 

She will serve you in her home and the price of  those dinners?  It will vary, but for around six or seven dollars you will eat fresh seafood and the trimmings, probably a beer or two and be very satisfied.  For breakfast Margaritas’ is a must.  Her house is one street over from the beach road.  You never know what you will get.  You may order one thing and get something else; it just depends on what she has fresh for the day.