“The fish are biting” is not in fact a everyday phrase in Spanish (locals are apt to catch you very literally if you say it and tell you to stay out of the water), but the fact remains that the ancient home of the Mayan people on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is one of the best off-shore fishing regions in North America.
There are in fact many types of saltwater fishing that is to be had from one of the scores of beach vacations or other retreat rental facilities on the eastern shores of the Yucatan, moreover offshore deep-sea fishing is only one of them. There are countless outfits that sail into the Caribbean from the coast’s three major metropolitan areas (Playa del Carmen, Cancun and the near isle town of Cozumel). These blue waters are rich with marlin, tuna, dolphin (the fish, not the mammal) plus wahu. Thanks to the warm temperatures, scores of of these fish swim inside a few miles of the beach, meaning you will not have to consume nearly all of the daytime just to get to the best fishing.
You will not have to go off to sea to have a notable angling experience, however. The Mayan Riviera is well-known for its exceptional inshore flats and fly fishing as well. Indigenous fishing guides will be delighted to bring you to any of the local reefs in quest of a particular fish; the Yucatan in fact is home to the second-largest system of reefs in the world (after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef). These reefs are key hunting grounds for snapper, barracuda, grouper and mackerel. And don’t overlook fly fishing; there are many streams flowing out of Yucatan’s verdant jungles into mangrove swamps and salt marshes that are habitat to snapper and – for the very adventurous – small shark. A vacation rental near Ascension Bay provides some of the finest saltwater fly fishing in the world; try going to the website Pesca Maya for more information on neighboring hotels and what kind of fish are abundant at different times of the year.
When you and the relatives would like to catch a break from fishing you have further alternatives. Fans of Indiana Jones may well enjoy touring the near ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, home to a advanced, literate Native American community ca. 600-1100 AD. Located in the northern section of Yucatan, Chichen Itza includes some of the best-preserved examples of Mayan structure in the area, counting the mysterious Temple of Kukulkan, the Mayan serpent deity.
Of course, there are other leisure possibilities that you would think to discover at a Caribbean seaside resort; the flat, sandy seashores are breathtaking for family plus there is some exceptional snorkeling in nearby Cozumel. Afterwards, taste indigenous fare and music at one of the area’s many exceptional restaurants. As far as shopping goes, jewelry as well as arts and crafts stores are plentiful, featuring works by native artisans. These citizens are not scared to bargain over cost, so be prepared to do a little vigorous bargaining with these merchants in order to get the best prices on gifts for the family.
