How to get to Xcalak/Casa de Paloma

Xcalak is located on a peninsula on the southern tip of the state of Quintana Roo only about 6 miles north of the border with Belize.  It is the southern most village on the Mexican Caribbean coast. Most visitors fly into Cancun, rent a car and drive 5 hours due south, stopping along the way to eat or shop. The capitol of Quintana Roo, Chetumal, lies 2 hours to the south. The roads are paved, straight and in good condition. More information follows on How to Get to Xcalak/Casa de Paloma.

Driving Directions

1. Leaving the airport, take the first exit right onto Highway 307 South.
2. Take Hwy 307 south through Playa del Carman, Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and Limones (small roadside town) (3.5 hrs.)
3. A few miles south of Limones, just after a big cell tower on the left, turn left to Mahahual (the Costa Maya cruise port) and Xcalak at a large green highway sign.
4. Drive 52 km (36 miles) and 5 km before you reach Mahahual, turn right at the signs for Xcalak. There is a Pemex 500 yards past the Xcalak turnoff - good place to top off your gas tank - there are no gas stations in Xcalak. (30 min.)
5. Drive 60 km (30 miles) until you arrive at a "T" intersection and turn left (30 min.......and now 15 min. from Casa de Paloma).
6 You will enter Xcalak in 2 miles, go left around the soccer field and straight about 4 blocks to the beach (right by the National Park Office)
7. Turn left at the beach and follow the beach road north through town (follow Tierra Maya and Costa de Coco's resort signs) to Casa de Paloma.
8. Casa de Paloma is 1.5 miles from the small bridge on the north side of town . It is the next house past Costa de Coco.s (1/4 mile) on the right side of the road. If you reach Tierra Maya resort, we are 3 houses back!

Detailed Driving Tips

You should plan your drive down to Xcalak to arrive in daylight. If it looks like you will be arriving at night, we strongly recommend that you spend the first night in Cancun, Playa de Carmen, Tulum or somewhere else on the way down.

Highway 307 goes right by Tulum, the spectacular cliff-side Mayan archeological site.  From there, the road turns two lane through a rain forest in the international biosphere reserve of Sian Ka'an.   You will see lots of Mayan mounds and even an occasional small Mayan temple from the road. You may also encounter federal military checkpoints where soldiers are checking for illegal cargo. While they may want to search the car or luggage, there's no need to be alarmed. As long as you aren't carrying any contraband, you'll pass right through. 

Watch out for topes!  Topes are Spanish for speed bumps and are usually at the entrance and exit of every small hamlet.  It only takes hitting one at 50mph to insure a sharp look out for the rest of your trip/life.

No matter how much gas you have, you should top off your tank in the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto.  There are two stations, one north of town and one in the town center.   There is a great little taco downtown with pork tortas and chicken tamales to die for. And if you weren't able to find all the supplies you needed for your trip in Playa Del Carmen or Tulum, you can pick up water, beer, extra ice and a few other grocery items and visit an ATM machine in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

For most of the drive, you will probably be surprised at the quality of the paved roads. You'll stay on Highway 307 all the way down the Yucatan coast until you're just south of the town of Limones where you'll take a left at an intersection known as "Cafatel". There are several signs there indicating the turn for both Majahual and Xcalak. After a drive of 52 kilometers, you will be nearing the town of Mahahual and will see a sign for Xcalak.  Follow this sign, and take a right towards Xcalak.  Just 500 yards past this turn is another Pemex gas station .....it's a good idea to top off your tank as there are no gas stations in Xcalak.

From the checkpoint, the road is 60 kilometers of smooth highway taking you to within a few kilometers of the town. On a recent drive, it took us almost exactly 2-hours to drive from the gas station in Felipe Carrillo Puerto to the town of Xcalak driving at a speed of just over 100 kilometers (or 60 miles) per hour.

From Xcalak to Casa de Paloma

Casa de Paloma is located approximately two kilometers north of the town of Xcalak.  When you arrive into Xcalak you will continue to drive east until you see the beach where the road makes a left hand turn and begin heading north along the beach.  Follow signs to Tierra Maya, Costa de Cocos and Casa Carolina. After passing through the small town you will cross a small bridge.  From the bridge it is exactly 2KM to Casa de Paloma.  Once past Costa de Cocos resort, we are just 1/4 mile more, the first house on the right.  If you reach the resort Tierra Maya, you have gone too far. 

There is parking for approximately 4 vehicles and room for a boat in the Casa de Paloma' circle drive.  In the center of the circle drive is a large terra cota dove...then you are sure you are there!

For excellent driving directions and a map see http://www.bill-in-tulsa.com