about $2 USD - even though all beaches in Mexico are free). What
you're paying for are amenities and the care of the powder-white
beach area. Protected by a reef across the entrance to the
horseshoe-shaped cove, Chemuyil claims to be the 'most beautiful
beach in the world.' We might agree if it were not for the
devastation the lethal yellowing disease has inflicted on the
coconut palm trees in the area. Playa Chemuyil features
restrooms and showers, a medical clinic and a palapa-covered
restaurant, Marco Polo (no phone), that serves delicious low-
priced Mexican and Yucatecan seafood cuisine.
On the south end of the beach there's a camping area that
includes thatched hut caba¤as for hanging hammocks and spaces
for trailers (there is no electric). Very clean and well run.
There's a six-kilometer dirt road along the old coconut
plantation good for hiking as far as Xel-H. South of
Chemuyil and north of Tulum is a primitive beachfront campground
called Xcacel (no phone). It offers good swimming behind the
reef and a sinkhole with underwater rock formations in crystal-
clear water. Xcacel is another camper's paradise, with spread-
out locations under palm trees on a marvelous sparkling white
beach. It has a small restaurant, bathrooms and showers.
Trailers and tenters seem equally at home here as there is no
electricity. This campground also participates in the turtle
protection program when the turtles come ashore to lay their
eggs in October. If you're camping, hang a hammock here; it's a
good deal.
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