Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page
Frequenty Asked Questions
Where are the nearest airports?
* There is an airport in Chetumal, 2 to 2 ½ hours from Xcalak. Flights are daily from Mexico City although currently they arrive late in the day. Check Aviasca and Aeromexicana for details. Most people fly into Cancun. There is also a private airport in Xcalak. Chartered flights originating from Cancun are available. Contact Hotel for pricing.
Do I have to rent a car to get to Xcalak?
* Most people find having a car gives them flexibility to tour around the area, explore ruins and get to and from the local dive center. However, you can make arrangements to have a chauffeur-driven car or van pick you up at the Cancun Airport and deliver you tothe The cost for up to 8 people is from $640 US to $700 US round trip depending on which company can accommodate. If you are traveling with a group or a large family, the price is not expensive. However, if you are only 2 people, the cost is still between $640 and $700 round trip.
* There are buses that run regularly from Cancun or Playa del Carmen and from Chetumal that bring you to Limones. The Mayab or Caribe bus is an option. However, The first-class Ado busses are wonderful and comfortable. They are air-conditioned and play movies. They run from the Cancun and Playa del Carmen bus terminals directly to Mahahual. Then you can rent hotela taxi to deliver you to Xcalak. If you opt for the Mayab bus, Take one of these busses to Limones which is south of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and from Limones you can either transfer to the "chicken bus" (Caribe), or hire a taxi to XCALAK. But remember, if you arrive without transportation, your only transportation will be on one of our bicycles, when available. We do not provide transportation from the Hotel to the dive shop or to town.
* The Caribe Bus leaves from Chetumal at 6:00 am and at 4:00 pm. and takes about 4 hours to arrive in XCALAK.
* The Caribe Bus leaves XCALAK to Limones at 5:30 am and at 2:00 pm.
* TheCaribe Bus leaves Limones to XCALAK at 7:30 am and at 5:30 pm.
# The Ado bus departs from Cancun three times per day to Mahahual, at 7:30 am, 9:30 pm, and 11:30 pm on most days. However, check their schedules before making your vacation plans. They also depart from Mahahual at 8:30 am returning to Cancun. The Cancun/Mahahual trip is a 6 hour trip.
Where’s the best place to rent a car?
* Inside the Cancun airport, there are booths with all the national agencies ready to rent. However, it is cheaper to arrange from your home, either through the Internet or by phone. We’ve used CAA (in Canada) or AAA (US) if you have these services. If you arrive without pre-arrangements, check the rates in the agency offices just outside the terminal as they are usually are cheaper than the agency booths inside the terminal.
* In Chetumal, Continental agency is located in the Holiday Inn lobby (on Heroes). Premier Travel , 83 Juarez, also rents cars and vans. Enjoy Rent A Car, 84 Veracruz, is another choice. Rental prices in Chetumal are quite high ($60US per day).
Are the roads as bad as they say?
* Some guide books and car rental companies are not up to date on our roads. All roads from Cancun highway #307 and the Mahahual/Xcalak highway are well maintained and in the case of the Mahahual highway, brand new. The XCALAK cut-off road at the Military CheckPoint on into XCALAK is also paved all the way to XCALAK. There are a few nasty potholes but in good shape overall. The jungle does seem to encroach on the road somewhat; however, a road crew has been cutting back the road growth to make for a less monotonous drive. The two-mile beach road from XCALAK pueblo to Hotel is fairly good as beach roads go. There are a few potholes, but, hey, it’s a beach road.
Do the guides speak English?
Jose, Nato and the gang all do well with English. SOme are fluent others speak excellent "fishing" English like "50 feet - 10 o'clock, no further", oops,, spook!!" and it is not an issue while fishing. However if the conversation turns toward anything else in life you will struggle if you don't speak Spanish. All of the guides are of Mayan decent and have been guiding fly fishers for over 10 years. Their English is OK. Belize or Christmas Island are English speaking countries if you want fluent English from the back of the boat!
Are there other local restaurants for dinner?
* When you are staying at our Hotel, you are already at the best place for your meals, The Mayan Grill. The Hotel also has a full bar. The Mayan Grill is open to the general public, as well. A Continental Breakfast is included in your room rate.
How do we arrange scuba diving?
* Visit XTC Dive Center online at http://www.xtcdivecenter.com
How many kayaks do you have?
* As you may have read, we provide kayaks for our guests at no charge. We have 2 singles and 1 double.
Do you have snorkeling gear and life jackets?
* We have snorkel equipment for sale in our office/gift ship at a reasonable price. We have a few life jackets.
Can I pay my bar tab or gratuities with a credit card? Is it safe to bring cash? How much?
No, Ed Blanks adventures can accept credit carrds foradvance reservations and payments but any additional charges such as bar tab, gratuities must be paid in cash. We prefer Mexican Pesos. The hotel cannot honor traveler’s cheques, nor can any other establishment in XCALAK, as far as we know.
* Local restaurants, stores, and excursions only take cash in pesos or US dollars. You can use your credit card through PAYPAL at XTC Dive Center.
* There are NO BANKS or ATM’s in or near XCALAK. So, bring plenty of cash for your entire stay here, unless you are prepared to drive to Bacalar or Chetumal for more money at an ATM (which limits your withdrawal amount). There are ATM’s on your way to XCALAK in Cancun, Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and then south, in Bacalar and Chetumal.
* We have installed 3 self-programming safes in three of our downstairs rooms for your cash and valuables. We also have a small safe in the office.
Do we have to be concerned about theft?
* With the growing number of workers traveling into and out of our neighboring town, Mahahual, we have experienced some theft here in XCALAK. Since our ownership in February, we have not experienced any theft. We have installed good lighting around the Hotel, electric fence that is activated at night for protection of the bodega/storage areas, and non-abrasive, yet effective alarms on screened doors in the downstairs suites.
What should we bring?
See our gear list ( cloe this overlay window and find the link near in top right sidebar)
* The stores in XCALAK provide the basics - some food items, beer, and very little choice in wine or liquor. The Mayan Grill at the Hotel is a full Restaurant/Bar. You can also purchase food items, snacks, ham, fresh fruits, cheese and bread from the "almost daily" vegetable truck that makes Tierra Maya its regular stop.
* Bring a flashlight, sunscreen and insect repellent (just in case).
* As all our energy is provided by a solar system, we would ask you NOT to bring high wattage items like large hair blowers or personal coffee makers. They are a big "no-no."
Is there a hospital nearby? Do I need shots before coming to this area of Mexico?
* There is a daytime medical clinic in XCALAK with a doctor who is usually at the clinic Monday through Friday. XCALAK also has a nurse who works and lives in XCALAK and can usually be found amiable to respond to emergencies in off-hours. The nearest hospital is in Chetumal.
* Some guests have taken malaria pills/shots on the advice of their doctor. We have had very few cases of malaria here in XCALAK.
How bad are the Mosquitos?
* When it rains and there’s no wind or the wind comes from the West (the jungle), we can have mosquitoes. We do have a mosquito machine that does an amazing job at attracting them and trapping them. We also have a healthy amount of bats and swallows that snack day and night on their favorite meal, the mosquito. Bringing a biodegradable or natural insect repellent of your choice would be advisable.
* The Hotel also provides insect coil repellents that can be used on your patios or balconies. These items are available inside your accommodation.
* We would not describe the mosquito population as bad, only under certain conditions. Actually, we find that living here as permanent residents, full-time, that the occasional presence of mosquitoes is not nearly as menacing as we thought it might be.
What are the beaches like?
* We have white sand beaches, everywhere. The privately owned properties where there are people living clean their beaches regularly. Ours is cleaned each and every morning by our groundskeeper, Marcial, for your enjoyment. We have 50 meters of beach area, which translates to approximately 150 linear feet.
* The water is varying colors of vibrant agua-marine blue, dark blue and azure blue. We are part of a protected area that has been designated a National Park and is overseen by two Mexican agencies, Semernat and the Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas. In XCALAK, it is prohibited by law to dredge the precious turtle grass to create a sterile environment in which to swim. Beyond our dock, however, the water is naturally turtle grass-free. However, close to shore, we do have an abundance of turtle grass, which is where everything is born. Without the turtle grass, we would not enjoy bountiful marine life in and around our coral heads and at the reef beyond.
* To learn more about this precious National Park, you can go to http://www.conanp.gob.mx for more information.
Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page
PO BOX 180446 BOSTON MA 02118
Phone: 888-857-6700
Fax: 617-427-7890
ed@flyfishingheaven.com