Whether or not you are a frequent customer to the Mexican Caribbean, otherwise you’re merely planning on going within the close to future for that much-needed sunny break, you are in all probability conscious that probably the most dreaded time of yr is fast-approaching:
Sargassum season.
Yearly, from round late March to early October, the Caribbean Coast of Mexico is battered by a surge in foul-smelling, invasive seaweed that makes its manner onshore and varieties an unappealing darkish ribbon on the sand, tarnishing the in any other case pristine white.
As a lot as Mexican authorities have tried their greatest to curb the landfall lately, and been fairly ingenious at it, from the set up of full-fledged coastal obstacles to round the clock cleansing efforts that guarantee morning guests get the clean-beach look, sargassum shouldn’t be absolutely avoidable.
And the problem is that, yr after yr, it is changing into a fair larger drawback.
That does not imply you possibly can’t actively take steps to reduce your dangers of getting your postcard-ready seashore getaway ruined by seaweed: whereas locations like Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum get the brunt of it, these 4 different Mexican Caribbean spots will see considerably much less argassum this spring:
High 5 Mexican Caribbean Locations For Much less Sargassum
Isla Holbox
A car-free island bathed by the Atlantic, with waters as crystalline because the Caribbean’s, Holbox is a wildlife sanctuary inhabited by elegant pink flamingos, pelicans, sea turtles, and roughly 2,000 human residents.
Extra of a lush pure park peppered with palapas and colourful homes, it is the closest to the distant island expertise you may get inside simple attain of Cancun—from the Yucatanese metropolis, it is a 2-hour automobile and ferry commute to Holbox.
Image lengthy, sandy seashores, bioluminescent plankton that glow at evening, and barefoot luxurious vibes all through. At evening, it feels such as you’re strolling on stars within the water, and guess what? Means much less sargassum.
It is surrounded by shallow waters and sandbars, which suggests a lot of the seaweed will get dispersed, and seasonal winds are inclined to push it away from Holbox’s seashores (particularly alongside the northern coast).
Costa Mujeres
The extra unique, ‘quiet luxurious’ aspect of Cancun, Costa Mujeres is a surprising coastal stretch roughly a 20 min drive from the jam-packed Lodge Zone.
With less-crowded seashores, boutique resorts with gorgeous poolside areas the place you even have room to breathe, and shimmering turquoise waters, it’s a 7-mile-long waterfront paradise. Even higher? It has little or no sargassum in comparison with neighboring elements of the Caribbean.
That is largely because of geography—it is protected by quite a lot of offshore reefs and islands that act as a pure barrier—and gentler currents.
Although there could be some seaweed on the shore, it is nowhere close to Cancun ranges, so it is virtually a assure that, between the Most important Lodge Zone and Costa Mujeres, the latter is a wiser selection this season.
Isla Mujeres
Mendacity offshore throughout from Costa Mujeres, Isla Mujeres is a tropical gem with a laid-back village soul. We’re speaking tight-knit island communities, conventional coastal settlements, and delightful seashores that appear like a literal postcard.
Simply have a look at Playa Norte: usually ranked among the many greatest seashores in all the Caribbean, it has that powdery white sand, and calm, clear turquoise waters excellent for swimming.
On prime of that, Mujeres has significantly much less sargassum than the mainland. Sargassum is drawn to mainland seashores by prevailing winds and currents, in spite of everything, and that is an island.
The seashores on the northern aspect, significantly Playa Norte, get noticeably much less landfall throughout peak seaweed proliferation season, so it is no surprise vacationers flock right here on day journeys from the mainland—from Cancun, the typical journey takes 20–28 minutes.
Cozumel
We would threat sounding like a damaged report at this level, however this is Cozumel: a Mexican Caribbean island dwelling to a pristine shoreline, a verdant hinterland, and coral reefs.
Out of the Mexican islands, it is the most important one, and possibly the one with a stronger cosmopolitan really feel.
Do not get us unsuitable, native tradition continues to be robust, and it stays laid-back, nevertheless it does have an airport, internet hosting flights from quite a lot of U.S. cities, and buzzing seashore golf equipment. Somewhat busier than most entries on this listing, however chill and stress-free nonetheless.
As for sargassum? The primary seashores all face eastward, towards the open Caribbean, and as you’ve got realized by now, the pesky algae is carried previous islands on their solution to the mainland.
That is to not say you will not see zero seaweed on Cozumel, or any island, for that matter, nevertheless it usually disperses earlier than settling, they usually’re barely noticeable.
None of these unappealing brown belts on the shoreline. Given the state of that Tulum shoreline, Cozumel guests can rely themselves fortunate.