While the weather has always been a factor in people’s holiday decision-making, it’s only recently that people have begun to worry about seaweed ruining their trips.
The impact of sargassum on shores around the Atlantic has become a worrying issue for people who are looking to enjoy a beach holiday.
The super popular Mexican hotspots of Cancun and Playa del Carmen are set to be invaded by this smelly annoying nuisance right now, in some places piling up as high as three feet.
And the problem is not just limited to Mexico, of course, with record amounts of this ugly weed occurring from Florida into the Caribbean.
Hotspots like Cancun and Playa del Carmen are busy year-round now, and many people have already booked holidays and can’t cancel them just because of some pesky seaweed.
Recent reports have indicated that concerns over sargassum are more pressing to travelers than safety issues, so what can people do to help control this problem?
The good news is that there are loads of things to do in Mexico’s Caribbean coastal state of Quintana Roo besides the beautiful beaches of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, so read on to see how you can salvage a holiday that has been sidetracked by the sargassum arrival:
Be Prepared
Stay on top of the current conditions by checking the official weather and local pages, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your accommodation beforehand to ask them about the real situation.
Be aware that local authorities and businesses are taking measures and working to combat the nuisance that sargassum is becoming, but if the situation is too bad at the beach, there are numerous other great ways to spend your time in the area.
The Yucatán Peninsula holds so much history, culture, and natural beauty, and unfortunately, many who come to only the pristine beaches never make it off the loungers to explore any of the other amazing things to see.
Some ideas for things to do nearby Cancun that do not include the beach are:
Pool Hop
First off, if you are not looking to do much else besides lounging in the sun and dipping to cool off on your vacation, no judgment. If the beach is not ideal due to sargassum, how about pool hopping?
Day passes for so many of the area’s resorts are available (a quick search online yields numerous results).
With multiple pools from rooftops to spas, there are places for everyone to lounge without worrying about the annoying sargassum.
Even if your accommodation has a pool, it’s always fun to pool hop and try out some others, not to mention many day passes include spa access and certain drink options as well.
Explore Some Ruins
The Yucatán Peninsula is home to many of Mexico’s famous Mayan Ruins, with the most popular of course being Chichen Itza, located only about 2 and a half hours from Cancun and easily reached with many tour groups or on your own.
Aside from this “New Wonder of the World”, there are many other smaller and quieter ruins you can explore on your trip, including Tulum and Coba, Xel-Ha, and Muyil.
Visit Some Magical Towns
Head inland to some nearby Pueblo Magicos, or magic towns, and wander among the colorful old buildings taking in the history.
One popular choice not far from Chichen Itza is Valladolid, known as The Capital of the Mayan Orient.
Or, if you are up for a longer drive, you can check out the yellow city of Izamal, or even the larger and very popular Merida, which has become an expat hotspot in recent years.
Jump Into The Cenotes
One of the most well-known ways to cool off around Cancun is to head to the cenotes, iconic cave-like sites scattered throughout the Yucatán Peninsula.
These water-filled sinkholes have recently become massively popular as more travelers discover how cool they are, and some are guaranteed to be super crowded, so do your research and choose carefully if you want to avoid long lines for those iconic shots.
@traveloffpath The cenotes at Tankah Park are dreamy 🥰 The perfect day trip during a Maya Luxe vacation 🔆 . #mayaluxe #travel #traveloffpath #fyp #foryoupage #traveler #mexico🇲🇽 #mexico #rivieramaya #vacation #cenote #cenotes
Lounge In The Lagoons
Looking for those beach vibes, but the ocean isn’t cooperating?
Why not head to one of the area’s amazing lagoons? Yalahau, Laguna Kaan, and Nichupte are all good options, or if you can get all the way down to Bacalar, spend a night or two splashing around these clear waters.
