By Stephen Exel, Traditional Home
[post_ads]On the Caribbean coast of southern Mexico, I discovered a more-than- acceptable getaway for truly vacationing: the small town of Playa del Carmen. Far from the bustling (and often crazed) Cancun resort area and bordered by Riviera Maya Jungle, Playa del Carmen has a bit of an undiscovered feel. While certainly going through a boom in residential and commercial building, the town still has a touch of rustic sophistication.
Tucked amidst the vertical beach resorts that line the pristine beaches of this resort town is the charming, low-key property, Mahekal Beach Resort.
Pretty Palapas
Beginning as thriving port-of-call during the Mayan civilization, in the 20th century Playa del Carmen later served as a ferry stop for the scuba divers traveling between Cozumel and Cancun. For years it operated simply as a sleepy fishing village.
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About fifty years ago, a local Mexican family built six palapas, or small thatched-roof bungalows, on the beach for backpackers to rent and called it “Mahekal,” the ancient Mayan word for “magical.” Every penny of profit was invested in constructing more bungalows, and over several decades, the family added to the property, eventually building more than 100 individual palapas. Today, after a three-year, $16 million renovation, Mahekal is a beachfront retreat with a refined luxurious approach to a modern getaway.
Relaxing Space
There are no elevators at Mahekal Beach Resort, but then, no building is much taller than the palm trees that proliferate amidst the tropical landscape that defines the property. The bungalow style accommodations are built to suit all sorts of travelers, from wedding parties to honeymooners, young families, and couples who are traveling for the pleasure of being on their own.
Stretching from the oceanfront into the Riviera Maya jungle, hand-laid, stone pathways lead to each individual casita. Within this lush greenery, hammocks swing on open-air terraces and verdant gardens. It’s an unplugged vacation—there aren’t even TVs in the casitas (although WiFi is available throughout the resort.)
Fabulous Dining
[post_ads]Dining at Mahekal draws on several influences, satisfying palettes both traditional to adventurous. Mexican and Latin American flavors accent the menus at the five restaurants and bars scattered around the property. I enjoyed a healthy beachside breakfast one morning with tropical fruit smoothies and Mexican-inspired omelettes, and a decadent dinner on the beach one evening, with seafood purchased from local fisherman and brought to the beaches by boat that afternoon.
Executive Chef Crescenciano Nerey, a native of Puerta Vallarta, brings classic cooking techniques to the variety of dining options he oversees, but his cooking is never far from his country of birth.
“We like to pair traditional foods with a special sauce, for example, a beef tenderloin with a corn-mushroom or squash blossom sauce,” he says. “We can give a traditional dish local flavor with achayote, chiles, Mexican sour oranges. Every week we have a Mayan night. We want you feel the flavor of Mexico. Like every cuisine, Mexican cooking has a mama’s influence—a little bit of this, a little more of that.”
Beachy Bliss
Water is a big part of the Playa del Carmen experience, so get ready to immerse yourself. There are options—the Caribbean, of course, is steps away, but several pools scattered across the property and private immersion pools in many of the palapas beckon when surf and sand do not.
Cenote Exploring
And then, there are the cenotes, the mysterious underwater world of marine life located in ancient rock formations deep in the jungle. Private snorkeling excursions open up an amazing look into this mysterious world.
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Ocean Front Room
One of the pleasantries of visiting Mahekal is tailoring the vacation to personal tastes…there’s a palapa style for every family or couple combination (perfect for a wedding party), including separate bungalows and two-unit versions with balconies. Many have ocean views and access. The resort offers European-style room-rate options or American semi-inclusive plans that include breakfast and the choice of lunch and dinner.
Soup Garnish
Pickled Red Onions: In small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1-1/2 teaspoons of salt. Stir in 1 cup water until sugar and salt have dissolved. Place 1 sliced red onion in medium bowl; pour vinegar mixture over onion. Let sit at room temperature for at least one hour before serving.
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*Tip: Because hot chile peppers, such as jalapeños, contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with chiles as much as possible. When working with chile peppers, wear plastic or rubber gloves. If your bare hands do touch the chile peppers, wash your hands well with soap and water.
5th Ave
A short walk from Mahekal is Playa del Carmen’s main shopping strip, the somewhat ironically named Quinta Avenida, or 5th Avenue. The street is closed to traffic and boasts many, many stalls hawking a variety of souvenirs. However, there are some high-end boutiques and restaurants nestled amongst the brightly colored booths, so it’s worth taking an early evening stroll on the search for something a little more unique.
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