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It’s that time of year again.
After a glorious 3-4 months of perfectly clear coasts, we’re already seeing signs of sargassum proliferating off the coast of Cancun.
A brown, smelly macroalgae originating in the Sargasso Sea, which many describe as smelling of rotten eggs once it washes ashore, is expected to arrive in the Mexican Caribbean in ‘large’ quantities this year.
According to experts, conditions in the Atlantic Ocean right are ripe for a significant seaweed boom, so if you dream of those unspoiled white-sand beaches and crystal-clear seas, no dark patches, you might want to hold off on booking Cancun for now.
That being said, not the whole of the Mexican Caribbean is as concerned:
There are 3 alternatives to Cancun that, on top of not being as affected by sargassum, and maintaining their unblemished look, generally feel less crowded.
Holbox
A car-free island between the Caribbean and the Gulf, Holbox is miles away from Cancun, and the main ‘sargassum belt’ of Mexico, to be significantly-impacted by the phenomenon.
The ivory-white sands of the car-free island stay largely seaweed-free throughout spring, and that’s largely thanks to the currents that flow around it that tend to divert large masses of sargassum away from Holbox’s shores.
That’s not to say it’s perfectly clear of the threat, but you’ll have a higher probability of a clean beach here than in Cancun, that’s for sure.
Plus, Holbox is literal paradise on Earth, with its sleepy coastal settlements encroaching on shallow-water bays, palm tree-lined shoreline, and rich marine life, comprising sea turtles and whale sharks—and the best part? Fewer tourists around!
Isla Mujeres
Lying just off the coast across from Cancun (and the adjacent Costa Mujeres), Isla Mujeres is a laid-back island often visited by Cancun guests and cruisers as a day trip, but here’s why you should in fact stay here this spring:
Similarly to Holbox, the nature of the currents that flow into and out of Isla Mujeres make it a less likely destination for sargassum, and one beach in particular, Playa Norte, is well-known for staying virtually seaweed-free in the peak proliferation season.
Isla Mujeres is also a small island, only about 4.3 miles long and 0.4 miles wide, and when sargassum does make landfall, however minimally, it’s all hands on deck, from local authorities to resort owners, in cleaning swimming spots overnight to make sure they’re ready to be enjoyed in the morn.
It’s not that hard, either, seeing how small the island is.
Finally, you should know Isla Mujeres has a rich Mayan history, and it is not merely a beach getaway: it has several remnants of temples scattered around its compact landmass, including one dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility (hence the island’s name).
Bacalar
Now, if you’re hoping for Caribbean vibes and teal-colored waters, and a 0% probability of sargassum, something even Isla Mujeres can’t always deliver on, you should head instead to Bacalar.
A laid-back town resort town that’s rising rapidly as an alternative to a jam-packed Tulum, it straddles Lake Bacalar, one of Mexico’s most beautiful natural wonders, separated from the Caribbean Sea only by a narrow strip of land.
You get where we’re going with this:
Though it is part of the Caribbean, and its several long miles of pristine lakefront could well be mistaken for the coast, Bacalar doesn’t see a single ounce of seaweed in the proliferation season as it is not, well, a sea.
The best part is that, in general, it is a much-more affordable vacation to plan than Cancun, for instance: a 3-hour boat trip around the lake with swimming and complimentary drinks, costs only $30, while a weekend-stay at the boutique Hotel Sun Ha will set you back by $79 per night.
The best part is that Bacalar is now way more accessible than it ever was, with the Maya Train traveling from Cancun, across the entire extent of the Mexican Caribbean to Chetumal, its south-westernmost terminal, where you can switch to a local bus that takes you straight to Bacalar.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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