Mexico is a land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet modern lifestyles, and stunning natural beauty coexists with bustling cities. The country’s diverse landscape, rich culture and history make it a popular tourist destination. For us, we were just ready to relax on a beach. That being said, we did manage to get around and see a few sights around Tulum. The last time we were here was our honeymoon, and we stayed in Cancun. This was a different trip.
Beaches
Mexico boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with miles of white sand and crystal-clear waters. Some of the most popular beaches include Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, all located on the Yucatan Peninsula. We visited a friend in Playa del Carmen and then settled at Soloman Bay for the rest of our stay. A reef protects the bay, which is full of different wildlife. Although I didn’t do any scuba diving, I did a lot of snorkelling, and the reef reduced the current coming into the bay, which made swimming and enjoying the water so much better. I even managed to get up close to a southern ray while enjoying the warm waters.
Cenotes
Cenotes are natural swimming holes found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. These freshwater pools are formed by underground rivers and are surrounded by lush vegetation. They are famous for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. Many have zip lines and other fun activities. The one we visited wasn’t for swimming.
Getting Around
Getting around can be a little intimidating. We opted to get a hire car and drive. The road from the airport to Playa Del Carmen and then onto Tulum is just one main road. You pass little villages and a lot of hotel complexes. This made journeys pretty straightforward after you got used to another country’s way of driving.
Solomon Bay and Snorkelling
Solomon Bay is a hidden gem located in the Riviera Maya. This secluded bay is surrounded by lush vegetation and crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect spot for snorkelling. The bay is home to various marine life, including colourful fish and sea turtles.
I saw a Southern Ray up relatively close, and plenty of smaller fish. You can see the video below. I’m still getting used to underwater videos. I hope to get better with more practice.
Soloman Bay is a gated area. Security check where you are going and do regular patrols of the beach. There are private villas, rental villas and bigger apartments and hotels along the water, all tastefully built and in keeping in the area not to be too overbearing.
This makes the beach much quieter and more exclusive, away from the tourist beaches and crowds. However, that doesn’t necessarily stop big parties and loud music from the private villas.
The stretch of sand with its shallow bay was beautiful to enjoy, but unfortunately, as with many countries that have access to the Caribbean sea, Sargassum is a big problem when it hits land. Not only by sight but with the smell, the cost of cleaning, and in some parts, you can see how it changes the coastline if left in place.
A lot of effort was made when we were here the staff to remove any sargassum in front of some of the properties, but in areas that didn’t have properties directly affected, the Sargassum was allowed to build up.
