I have been traveling to Mexico since 1992 more specifically to the Mexican Mayan Rivera. Back in the day you could camp on the beaches for weeks as a time without any thought to personal safety or worried about being squeezed together with hundreds of other people on a beach. The main hwy, was a two lane gravel road and the jungle was fighting hard to reclaim it. Well times have changed, the small fishing villages that doted the Mayan Rivera coast are pretty much towns and cities, that two lane hwy is a four lane cement top freeway system connecting all of the north and south of the Rivera. But I would like to point out two beaches and their communities that have not changed much.

The first hidden gem is an island called Holbox, located about 40 miles northwest of Cancun. This island's main industry is still fishing and though there are few roads most people only use bikes or golf carts to get around. The pace is very slow, there is not a whole lot to do here, which is the point, amazing beaches with a lagoon on the other side. Easy snorkeling and diving right off the beach, with no amenities you will need to bring your own water and food to the beach. Rental options vary from sleeping in a palapa (palm leaf thatched roof hut) on the beach to renting out an entire house on the beach. The prices are fantastic and have not caught up to the inflation like prices of Cancun.

The second is a beach called X'cecel Beach, located about 20 minuets south of Playa Del Carman. This beach is a Sea Turtle egg nesting beach as well as a protected ecological area so it has hours of operation, they being 9am - 5pm. This is a spectacular beach that Mexican families and few tourists use. There is also a cenote in the jungle not even a three minuet walk from the beach. There are no services at the beach so make sure you bring your own water and food.

Across the highway from X'cecel beach is a colorfully painted subdivision of homes owned and rented out by Canadians, Americans, and Europeans. This community has its own two centoes ( sink holes filled with fresh water to swim in) and has a very laid back vibe to it. The homes are all different sizes and shapes so the rental price will be different for each vacation rental home.

Though Mexico is a large tourist destination and everywhere you look there are always services for tourists, you can still find places that have not changed much. Mexican beach vacation rentals are always the way to go when looking at getting away from the crowds at the all inclusives. Just remember when planning, do your research to make sure there are no surprises when you get down there. My advice to you before signing a Mexican beach vacation rental contract is look it up on the travel forum, as people may have words of wisdom about a rental unit.