While Tulum and Cancun have long been synonymous with Mexico’s beachfront paradise, an increasing number of travellers are seeking out quieter, more unspoiled corners of the Yucatan peninsula for their coastal escapes. These lesser-known gems offer the same natural beauty – pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush landscapes – without the crowds and commercialisation that have come to define the popular tourist hotspots. From secluded fishing villages to untouched coastal towns, Mexico still has an abundance of hidden treasures that offer an authentic, tranquil experience for those looking to explore the country’s rich culture and stunning landscapes, away from the beaten path.
We met Jorge Mackissack, President of Mexican travel agent Viajes Panorama during our visit. “When I first visited Cancun as a boy, there were no high-rise hotels, and the beaches were deserted”, he explained. “Following the success of Cancun, attention shifted further south to Playa del Carmen and eventually to Tulum. Now I’m taking my family to Casa Chablé, to beat the crowds and enjoy the empty beaches I had in my youth”.
Sound appealing? Read on for two tried and tested alternatives to Tulum and Cancun, if crowds are not your thing…
Casa Chablé
We think we've found just the thing if “remote” is what you’re looking for. Only around 2,000 people call the Sian Ka’an Biosphere home, and you might be lucky enough to see frolicking dolphins, ocelots and various bird species while staying at the Unesco World Heritage site.
Situated between the Caribbean coast and the lagoon, Casa Chablé is one of the most remote properties on this lick of land, with just 10 rooms. However, we only ever shared the hotel with one other family during our stay, making it feel like our own private island. To get here you’ll need to take a thrilling, private speed boat through the lush mangrove-edged lagoon. Much to our delight, we passed two snoozing crocodiles on the way.
Set just steps from the sea, with the beach on your doorstep, the best rooms are the beachfront bungalows. They are modern but sympathetic to their surroundings, with homely furnishings made with sustainable local wood, and handicrafts such as Dreamcatchers on display. These rooms include a private terrace with an alfresco shower to wash away the last of the day's sand.
Considering this place is so remote, it’s surprisingly easy to while away the days. The rhythm of the waves sets the pace for the day, and enjoying the natural surroundings is the number one activity. We’d watch the sun rise over the Caribbean coast while enjoying our daily “eye-opener” – a freshly brewed pot of coffee and basket of pastries, discreetly delivered to our veranda before we woke each morning – and it would end, with sundowners over the lagoon.
If you must pack more in, there are canoes and snorkelling gear, and Casa Chablé can arrange private tours around the lagoon. But largely we found ourselves swinging in the hammocks, watching pelicans glide serenely above us, and iguanas taking their daily perambulations. There’s also a small gym and simple pool, and enough coffee table books in the main house, to keep you well-read for the duration of your stay.
All of this was punctuated by the most incredible food.
The hotel restaurant is headed up by Jorge Vallejo, the first chef in Mexico to be awarded two Michelin stars for his restaurant Quintonil in Mexico City. We’d begin our day with a table laden with fresh fruit juices, stacks of pancakes, and Mexican eggs of every description.
Lunch was a laidback experience, frequently featuring barbecued fish tacos, and dinner included the likes of “salbutes” (a puffed-up deep-fried tortilla), topped with sweet lobster meat, before moving on to octopus tail on a bed of corn.
That said, you are paying for the experience, with margaritas costing an eye-watering £23 a pop (I suppose it is quite a long way to fetch a lime), and the cheapest bottle of wine starting at around £60.
The highlight was a private dinner set up for us right on the beach, under festoon lights, complete with aperitifs in armchairs, and sand beneath our feet. We were treated to a series of family-style sharing dishes (which they’d kindly considered based on our previous night's preferences). We tucked into grilled langoustines, tender slices of steak and spaghetti vongole, before rounding the evening off with gooey chocolate fondants and taking the few steps back to our bungalow.
With so few guests, the staff at Casa Chablé are keen to tailor your stay to you. We enjoyed a margarita masterclass one day, and on another occasion, a telescope was set up for us after dinner, for an impromptu stargazing session on the beach.
It’s not the easiest to reach, but Casa Chablé offers a certain type of tranquil luxury, making it the perfect sanctuary for those seeking a truly exceptional escape, where lifelong memories will be made.
Price per night from £495.62 BOOK NOW
Ser Casasandra
Situated in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Isla Holbox is a small, car-free island known for its plentiful wildlife (including flamingoes!), unpaved, sandy streets and relaxed atmosphere. To get here you’ll need to get a simple 30-minute ferry ride over from the remote Yucatan town of Chiquila.
We stayed at Ser Casasandra – one of the first boutique hotels on the island (and still widely considered the best!). An oasis of understated elegance, minimalist design and local craftsmanship, it was set up by Cuban artist Sandra Pérez, who originally fell in love with Holbox, and set about turning her home into the hotel it is today.
There’s a choice of bougainvillea-covered garden bungalows draped in white muslin, as well as rooms in the main house that look directly onto the beach. Hammocks are strung between palm trees and there’s a strong wellness vibe, thanks to complimentary daily yoga, kaftans instead of dressing gowns, in-room incense and original artwork.
We adored the handmade Yucatan honey-flavoured toiletries, and huge bathtub for an indulgent soak. There’s no TV (which is just how we like it!), but the fridge is replenished with cold beer and snacks daily, and poems are lovingly left on our pillow each night.
It’s all exceptionally laid back. So much so that shoes are quickly forgotten about and sunset cocktails become mandatory. There's a magical daily display of fiery oranges, soft pinks, and deep purples in the sky which is reflected off the calm, turquoise water – and to miss it feels nothing short of criminal.
This warmth is reflected in the service. We were kindly given a bag bursting with beach toys for our little ones to enjoy during our stay, and the concierge recommended restaurants and took care of the reservations in a matter of minutes. There’s a beautiful outdoor pool shaded by palms and surrounded by empty day beds – the beach proving too much of a draw to compete. Or it could be that no one fancied their chances against the territorial iguana that steadfastly sits on top of the rock, day in, day out, surveying his kingdom.
A simple but delicious breakfast is included with fresh watermelon juice and huevos rancheros, and we ate some of the best pork pibil tacos of our entire trip at the beachfront Mojito Bar.
And where Casa Chablé was so remote, at Ser Casasandra you have the whole island to explore (if you can bring yourself to drag yourself away from the beach that is). There’s a charming pastel-coloured square in the centre of town, with restaurant and bar-lined streets branching off from there. You’ll find everything from natural wine bars to smoothie huts, romantic wood-fired restaurants, to cheap taco joints.
And if you’re visiting between June and September, it’s worth organising a boat trip to catch a glimpse of the whale sharks – Holbox is thought to be one of the best places in the world to see them.
With its untouched natural beauty and laid-back charm, world class sunsets and fresh seafood, Holbox offers a magical escape from everyday life. But let’s agree to keep this paradise our little secret…
Price per night from £302.54 BOOK NOW
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